"Go back to the palace!" Princess Linglong said, riding her warhorse away, seemingly not intending to make things difficult for Lu Fan.
"Princess, he disturbed you and insulted the royal family. Are you just going to let him go?" a general beside her asked, somewhat displeasantly.
"If you don't want to let him go, then go and subdue him. If you can't beat him, then I can't do anything about it," Princess Linglong shrugged. "Besides, he's not wrong. There are many experts in the Ling Jian Sect, and one should remain low-key, even if they are royalty."
The general stood there, helpless. They never expected the usually willful and capricious Princess Linglong to let Lu Fan off so easily. Many people had died at Princess Linglong's hands before, and her letting Lu Fan go today was rather surprising.
Meanwhile, on various restaurant rooftops, many figures stood observing the scene. They were all astonished. They thought Lu Fan was doomed this time, but the reality was far from what they expected, leaving them bewildered.
"My lord, you scared me to death!" Duan Tianya exclaimed. "Princess Linglong is notoriously willful. Offending her brings no good fortune. Now that she's let you off, I wonder if there will be trouble in the future."
"People like her, who are willful and capricious, should be dealt with like this," Lu Fan chuckled. "Let's go to shop number 18! After we've finished our business, we should leave the imperial city as soon as possible to avoid being coveted."
Duan Tianya nodded slightly, agreeing with Lu Fan's words.
In a certain restaurant, a young man holding a paper fan looked like a refined gentleman, accompanied by many subordinates.
"I truly didn't expect anyone within the White Dragon Dynasty to dare treat Princess Linglong like this," Lin Qiuyang chuckled, quite surprised.
"Even our young master would probably not dare to act like this when meeting Princess Linglong," a subordinate beside him remarked. "This person probably won't live long, given Princess Linglong's temperament."
"Not necessarily!" Lin Guoping shook his head. "If Linglong truly wanted to act against him, she wouldn't have left like this. Since Linglong has already left, she won't make a move against him again."
"The young master understands Princess Linglong so well. It must be that before long, the young master will become the驸马 (Imperial Son-in-law) of the White Dragon Dynasty!" the subordinate flattered with a smile.
Lin Guoping, however, shook his head. Although the Lin family was one of the financial magnates and held significant status in the White Dragon Dynasty, he was well aware that Princess Linglong was not easy to deal with. The person she wanted would definitely need to gain her approval.
"As a princess of the royal family, Princess Linglong's future husband will surely be chosen from the three major families. Only the young masters of the three major families can be worthy of Princess Linglong," the subordinate stated again. "Does the young master lack confidence?"
"That's not it. Compared to the other two families, I naturally have confidence. But with Linglong's personality, she's not that easy to talk to," Lin Guoping shook his head. "As for whether I can become the 驸马, that's hard to say."
Outside shop number 18 in the imperial city, Lu Fan and his companion arrived. Looking at shop number 18, Lu Fan felt a sense of surprise. The entire imperial city was magnificent, but shop number 18 stood out as out of place, looking dilapidated and even old.
A short while later, Lu Fan and his companion walked inside. As soon as they entered the shop, they saw an old woman, leaning on a walking stick, refining something with skillful hands.
The old woman stopped her work upon seeing Lu Fan and his group. "Esteemed sirs, are you here to refine magical artifacts or other items?"
"I am looking for an ancient secret technique that can restore the physical body!" Lu Fan stated. "No matter the price, I am willing to pay."
"Restore the physical body? Bring back the dead?" The old woman glanced at Lu Fan and shook her head. "We cannot do that. This is just a small shop; how could it possibly possess such ancient secret techniques?"
"As someone from the Wu clan, this seems to be your specialty," Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "As long as it can be successful, I am willing to pay any price."
The old woman shook her head. "As I said, I cannot help with this matter. You two should leave."
"Old woman, people of the Wu clan are quite knowledgeable about these secret techniques, so how can you say you can't help?" Duan Tianya spoke up.
"This is an ancient forbidden technique. If I were to perform it, it would surely bring disaster. Moreover, this is human territory, and I am powerless to do so, nor would I dare," the old woman said seriously, with a hint of fear in her eyes. Her ability to establish herself in the imperial city was due to years of caution and peace. Such ancient forbidden techniques, once discovered by the royal family, could cost her life.
"I have traveled thousands of miles to find this technique," Lu Fan said directly. "If you are unwilling, I will not leave easily!"
The old woman frowned. Lu Fan's words seemed to carry a threat, causing her expression to waver slightly.
"Esteemed sir, I only run a small business. Furthermore, the ancient forbidden technique you speak of is beyond my capabilities," the old woman smiled. "You two should please leave."
Lu Fan was unwilling and frowned. He had not expected the old woman to be so direct in wanting to drive them out.
"Elder, I don't wish to make things difficult for you, but if you are unwilling, at least give me a clue," Lu Fan said. "Or, hand over the ancient secret technique."
"Impossible! This is an ancient secret technique; how can it be easily passed on to humans!" the old woman shook her head. "You should leave."
Helpless, Lu Fan then led Duan Tianya away from shop number 18, frowning.
"My lord, I believe this old woman knows how to use the secret technique," Duan Tianya remarked.
"Naturally!" Lu Fan nodded slightly. "However, to make her act, we must grasp her weakness, otherwise, she likely won't make a move."
Duan Tianya nodded. "If that's the case, then my lord, what do you think we should do?"
"Let's stay in the imperial city for now and inquire further," Lu Fan said with a wry smile. "If all else fails, we'll have to resort to force."
Duan Tianya agreed. "People of the Wu clan fear force the most. They are quite reverent towards humans."
"It's not reverence, but aversion," Lu Fan chuckled. "As soon as we entered the shop, I could feel her malice. This is also why she's unwilling to help us!"
"Malice?" Duan Tianya was slightly startled. Lu Fan's words were enlightening. Just as Lu Fan said, the oppression between races naturally causes dissatisfaction towards humans, which is understandable.