Jun Yelan’s eyes were cold as he stared at the ill-intentioned people before him. He had offended the Ning family and knew this day would come.
“Jun Yelan, there’s been witchcraft in the palace, it must be you!” Consort Ning said angrily, looking at the maidservants behind her.
The maidservant held a platter, on which lay a straw effigy with needles stuck in it, dressed in yellow.
Jun Yelan frowned. This matter had already involved the Emperor, and it seemed the Ning family had come prepared. He coldly withdrew his gaze and handed the letter in his hand to the frightened eunuch at the door.
He took out a token from his robe and placed it on the letter, saying, “This is my reply.”
The little eunuch dared not move, casting sidelong glances at Jun Yelan.
A chill emanated from Jun Yelan as he looked at Consort Ning. “Consort Ning, you’ve come to me without evidence, which is already unreasonable. Do you intend to interfere with matters in my palace? Don’t forget, I am still an appointed Sacrifice by the Emperor.”
He fixed his gaze back on the eunuch. “Aren’t you leaving yet!”
With that, the eunuch bent his back, holding the items, and hurried away.
Consort Ning became even more displeased but dared not stop him. Jun Yelan’s words made sense. Besides, a single letter wouldn’t save Jun Yelan.
“Jun Yelan, I assist in managing the Six Palaces. Since such a matter has occurred in the palace, naturally, it must be thoroughly investigated.”
“What a thorough investigation,” Jun Yelan said sarcastically. “Consort Ning, making such a fuss, does the Emperor know about this!”
Consort Ning’s expression changed, and then she raised the corner of her lips. “Last time, we let you go because of the Emperor. But this time, the Emperor has agreed, allowing me to investigate the people in the palace.”
In fact, Jun Yelan was not within her jurisdiction. He was merely a monster Sacrifice; who would care about him!
If Lan Yan dared to offend her Ning family, she would make those Lan Yan cared about suffer. By then, when Lan Yan returned, everything would be set in stone.
Jun Yelan frowned. It seemed the Emperor had a hand in this, intending to deter Lan Yan. He had disrupted Ning Yuan’s plan, and the Emperor needed another leverage point, a handle to grasp Lan Yan.
And he was the best handle at the moment.
Seeing that Jun Yelan had fallen silent, Consort Ning smiled triumphantly. “Guards, search.”
At her command, those behind her surged forward to search the palace behind Jun Yelan.
Jun Yelan stood calmly at the door, already knowing this outcome.
Consort Ning detested Jun Yelan’s demeanor, his indifference to everything. She and her elder brother had planned to strip Lan Yan of his military power upon Lan Yan’s return from the battle of Ying Country.
But because of Jun Yelan, Lan Yan had survived and gone to war again!
The people searching the palace returned, holding a box, which they handed to Consort Ning.
Consort Ning’s eyes lit up. She ordered it opened and, upon seeing the effigy inside, let out a boisterous laugh. “Jun Yelan, you can’t escape this time.”
Jun Yelan’s expression remained calm. He glanced at it once and then withdrew his gaze. “It’s merely a frame-up. Only your Ning family could pull off something so clumsy.”
He looked at the Imperial Guards brought by Consort Ning and said coldly, “Lead the way.”
The Imperial Guards were intimidated and hesitant. But now that evidence had been found, they stepped forward, placed manacles on Jun Yelan, and began to move.
Jun Yelan, dressed in a green robe, had his trailing white hair blown by the breeze, his face expressionless, exuding an aura of tranquility.
This calmness drew people’s attention, making them feel Jun Yelan was pure and innocent.
Consort Ning stood in the palace, watching his retreating figure, her anger escalating. She could never understand where Jun Yelan found his confidence. She stormed away in a rage.
Jun Yelan was taken to the prison and sat composedly on the straw, stroking the strands of hair on his wrist.
The things he wanted to do were done. Lan Yan’s supplies would arrive safely, and his message of peace would be delivered.
“Lan Yan, you will surely achieve a great victory now.”
As he finished speaking, nine fragments suddenly appeared before him, orbiting him. He was drawn to them involuntarily and reached out to touch the fragments.
The fragments shot into his mind, and he plunged into darkness.
Meanwhile, Lan Yan was fighting with his soldiers, battling for a day and a night, repelling the enemy forces at the border. She rode her horse, her armor and sword stained with blood, her face filled with determination.
“Ruan Yuan, take the wounded back and set up camp ahead. Let the soldiers rest well.”
Ruan Yuan stood behind Lan Yan and shouted, “Yes, General.” Looking at Lan Yan’s current state, she felt genuine admiration and worry. The General had not slept for a day and a night.
As she was leaving, she saw a messenger soldier and excitedly said, “General, a letter from the Imperial City!”
Lan Yan dismounted, took the letter and the token, and frowned. “Why did Jun Yelan return the token?” She opened the letter in confusion. It only said, “Peace.”
“Did he say anything else? How is he now?”
The messenger soldier replied, “No, the Sacrifice is as usual.” At least, that’s how he was before he set off.
A sense of unease crept into Lan Yan’s heart. This token was something she had given to Jun Yelan, saying it could protect him. “Could something have happened to him, and he’s reluctant to tell me directly!”
Ruan Yuan saw Lan Yan’s solemn expression and realized the letter was not good news. “General, we are so far from the Imperial City, it might be a misunderstanding. Don’t worry for now.”
“Something is wrong. Jun Yelan kept emphasizing he was fine, yet something is indeed wrong.” Lan Yan’s eyes changed, and she remounted her horse, shouting, “Ruan Yuan, you handle the aftermath here. I’m leaving first. You follow me.”
With that, she flicked her horsewhip and galloped forward.
Ruan Yuan muttered, “I hope the General is alright.” She sighed, feeling that Lan Yan had it too hard.
Lan Yan rode her horse all the way until the horse was tired before stopping. She ate something simple and leaned against the horse, muttering, “System, aren’t you coming out yet!”
“Host, I can’t see any messages here either; it’s all black.” The System was almost in tears. Its interface was like this again; it was clear a powerful figure was interfering.
He worried about not being able to contact the Host later and urged, “Host, just keep working hard as before.”
“You wretched System!” Lan Yan really wanted to curse but held back. As expected, she had to rely on herself. She was about to continue riding when she suddenly saw the ground in front of her crack open.
Thinking she had misread, she rubbed her eyes. The ground had already cracked open before her. “System, what’s going on!” As she spoke, she fell into the crevice, surrounded by darkness.
The System was also startled and shouted, “Host, Host!” But it couldn’t see Lan Yan at all, nor could it hear her voice, becoming even more anxious.
Just then, a man appeared before it. The man’s powerful aura prevented it from moving. It looked up and saw the seal worn by the man, and it froze.
This was the seal of a prominent figure in the Quick Transmigration world; how could it be on this person! It looked up further and saw a face that bore some resemblance to Lan Yan, becoming even more shocked!