The newcomer's attack was swift, a killing blow aimed at the throat. The assassin didn't even have time to react before they were undeniably dead.
When Shen Lang recognized the person, his face was filled with shock. "It's you?"
The newcomer was none other than Nalan Yanqing. Shen Lang had clashed with Nalan Yanqing in Nanling before. If Shen Tianjun hadn't told Shen Lang to let go back then, Shen Lang would never have allowed Nalan Yanqing and her group to take Zhao Shengtian from Nanling to Longdu.
"Young Master Shen, long time no see. You're as dashing as ever."
Nalan Yanqing held a black Han sword, a drop of blood hanging from its tip. She flicked her wrist, sending the blood flying, then sheathed the sword and smiled at Shen Lang.
"Why are you here?"
Shen Lang remained largely unfazed by Nalan Yanqing's smiling greeting, maintaining an air of aloofness. "Don't be so heartless, Young Master Shen. I just saved your life, you can't treat your savior like this."
Compared to the cold demeanor she displayed in Nanling, Nalan Yanqing was now approachable, her face wreathed in smiles as if she were a different person.
Shen Lang paid little attention to Nalan Yanqing's changed demeanor. He knew clearly that Zhao Shengtian was a villain, but Nalan Yanqing and her group might not be good people either. He said coldly, "Even without you, I could have dealt with the assassins. It's hardly a life-saving favor."
"Furthermore, because you made a swift kill, I couldn't even ask who ordered the attack. Should I thank you for that?"
Nalan Yanqing was taken aback. Why wasn't Shen Lang playing by the usual rules?
However, as a member of the Buliangren, Nalan Yanqing had seen all sorts of awkward situations. She smiled and said, "Young Master Shen, don't be like this. I saved you, so even if I don't deserve merit, I deserve effort. Or, if not effort, then at least exhaustion."
"Enough. Cut the nonsense. What are you here for? Get straight to the point. I don't want to deal with your kind."
Shen Lang looked at Yanqing with impatience. "Buliangren. The name itself suggests you're not good people. I'm an honest, simple fellow. If I associate with you, who knows when I'll be schemed against and still be counting money for you. It's safer to keep my distance."
"Young Master Shen, you worry too much. We Buliangren are good people. We were born to punish villains," Nalan Yanqing quickly said, sensing Shen Lang's misunderstanding of the Buliangren. "Actually, I'm not here for anything else, just to tell Young Master Shen one thing: Zhao Shengtian has escaped from the Buliangren prison."
At this, Shen Lang's eyes widened. "Aren't you Buliangren supposed to be incredibly capable? How could the captured Zhao Shengtian escape? What have you been doing?"
"Young Master Shen, please don't get agitated. The Buliangren are not gods. Mistakes can happen and are understandable."
Nalan Yanqing had anticipated Shen Lang's reaction and wasn't angered. She patiently explained, "Zhao Shengtian harbors great resentment towards Young Master Shen. Before his escape, someone told him you were in Nanling. Therefore, he will definitely target Young Master Shen next. I hope Young Master Shen will be on guard."
"Am I afraid of him?"
Hearing Nalan Yanqing's words, Shen Lang scoffed. "If he dares to trouble me, I'll chop him up directly, saving you the trouble of capturing him again, only for him to escape once more."
This young man's mouth is truly sharp, unforgiving even when in the right.
Nalan Yanqing gritted her teeth, annoyed by Shen Lang's words, but quickly regained her smile. "I naturally know Young Master Shen's abilities. However, this is Longdu, the Zhao family's stronghold. Zhao Shengtian has been operating here for many years. I fear he won't be alone. If you face overwhelming odds, it will be difficult. So, it's best to be cautious."
"Young Master Shen, rest assured. While you are in Longdu, the Buliangren will secretly protect you and absolutely ensure your personal safety is not threatened."
"No need. If you have the time, you should focus on how to capture Zhao Shengtian before I take care of him."
Shen Lang cast a cold glance at Nalan Yanqing, then looked at the corpses of the assassins. He said to Nalan Yanqing, "You killed them. Clean them up. I don't want any trouble, understand?"
"Young Master Shen, Yanqing understands. I'll send people to handle it right away."
Nalan Yanqing took out her phone and made a call. Soon, a group of guards arrived and quickly took away the assassins' bodies. They even cleaned up the bloodstains on the scene, making it look as if nothing had happened.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, you can leave. Don't bother me here if there's no reason. I'm very busy," Shen Lang said, waving his hand dismissively at Nalan Yanqing after the assassins' bodies were removed.
"Understood, Young Master Shen. I'll take my leave. If you need anything, feel free to contact me. Here is my contact number."
Nalan Yanqing smiled at Shen Lang and handed him a business card.
After Shen Lang took the card, Nalan Yanqing turned and left. Shen Lang immediately threw the business card into a nearby trash can.
"Husband, you seem very unwelcoming towards her. Why?"
Wang Yuyan walked towards Shen Lang with a smile, her face full of curiosity.
"It's not that I dislike her, it's her organization. In this day and age, they still have an organization similar to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. It's truly uncomfortable."
Shen Lang remembered how aggressive Nalan Yanqing and her group were at the Nanling Military Guard Office, and he felt very uncomfortable.
"I see..."
Wang Yuyan picked up the business card Shen Lang had thrown away from the trash can and said to him, "You can dislike her, but at critical moments, she can still be utilized. We are now at the center of the vortex in Longdu. If possible, all forces can be used."
"Qin Cangjing's power is a power that is open and aboveboard, but forces like the Buliangren can also be utilized. At the very least, it can provide us with more eyes in the dark."
Hearing Wang Yuyan's words, Shen Lang was slightly surprised and smiled. "It seems my Yuyan has grown up, becoming more mature."
"Alright, since you say so, then I'll keep the business card."
Shen Lang glanced at Nalan Yanqing's phone number on the card and memorized it.
Then, Shen Lang and Wang Yuyan turned and walked back into the quadrangle, heading to the kitchen to start cooking.
While they were cooking warmly in the kitchen, Zhao Shengtian, who had escaped from the Buliangren Tower, appeared at the Longdu docks, facing a huge ship.
An old man, supported by Luo Si, walked down from the giant ship. He looked at Zhao Shengtian before him and smiled. After a long pause, he slowly spoke, "Long time no see, my friend."