Shen Ye Hong felt a moment of panic. He had initially thought Lu Fan was just trying to scare her, but now she could sense the killing intent surging from Lu Fan.
"Fellow Daoist, assassinating a princess of the dynasty will surely bring disaster!"
Within Shen Ji Mountain, an aged voice sounded, seemingly intending to stop Lu Fan.
"If he hadn't provoked me first, why would I have acted against him."
Lu Fan said coldly, "Could it be that Shen Ji Mountain also intends to interfere in this matter?"
"Shen Ji Mountain does not interfere in external affairs."
The aged voice sounded again, "We are merely offering a piece of advice to Fellow Daoist!"
"Since that is the case, I will take responsibility for my own actions. Since I intend to kill him, I will naturally show no mercy."
Lu Fan's expression was indifferent, and he showed no hesitation. If princesses of the dynasty could act with impunity, wouldn't the world fall into chaos?
Lu Fan didn't mind dealing with a rogue element like this, to avoid future trouble.
Hu Yu stood by, utterly shocked. She never imagined that Lu Fan would clash with a royal princess for her, even intending to kill Shen Ye Hong.
If this were to happen, it would undoubtedly be a great humiliation for the entire royal family.
How could the royal family maintain its dignity if a princess could be casually killed?
"As long as you let me go, I won't pursue this matter!"
Cornered, Shen Ye Hong finally compromised with Lu Fan. Given Lu Fan's temperament, he might actually go through with it. If that happened, it would be too unjust for her, a princess, to die like this.
"That would be for the best!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Hu Yu, "Let's go."
Hu Yu dared not delay and quickly came to Lu Fan's side. Few could snatch someone from a princess's grasp; Lu Fan was one of them.
Seeing Lu Fan leave, Shen Ye Hong's expression turned icy. She, a dignified princess of the dynasty, had not only been threatened in such a manner but also subjected to such humiliation. How could she let this go?
"Your subordinate is incompetent and allowed the princess to be insulted!"
The leading guard bowed, his heart filled with despair. If his guess was correct, he would lose his position upon returning to the imperial city, having failed to protect his master.
"Hmph!"
Shen Ye Hong snorted lightly and didn't say much more. She turned and got into her sedan chair. They were no match for Lu Fan, so they could only hold this grudge for now.
However, no matter when, Shen Ye Hong would not easily let Lu Fan off. The divination at Shen Ji Mountain was extremely accurate, and she did not wish for Lu Fan to be her destined one. In her eyes, Lu Fan was not qualified.
After Shen Ye Hong left, the onlookers dispersed. However, the news quickly spread. Rumors of someone teasing the princess outside Shen Ji Mountain spread like wildfire, permeating the entire Tai Yan Dynasty.
Upon returning to the imperial palace, Shen Ye Hong was furious upon hearing this news, spitting mad. In her eyes, Lu Fan was merely a commoner, and it was only through her association that he had become known to others.
However, she had already dispatched elite experts from the dynasty to intercept Lu Fan, and she expected results soon, which would also silence the rumors.
In Baishui City, Lu Fan ordered a few simple dishes. After finishing the meal with Hu Yu, he said, "After this meal, we will have to part ways. You should return to Jin Guang Dong Tian as soon as possible to avoid trouble."
"I already said I want to follow you."
Hu Yu shook her head, "If I go back now, I might implicate my sect. You saw how difficult Princess Ye Hong is. Although she outwardly agreed not to cause trouble for you, who knows what she's thinking behind closed doors."
"Even if they cause trouble, they'll cause trouble for me. What does it have to do with you?" Lu Fan glanced at her. "Besides, following me will only put you in greater danger. If they come looking for trouble, won't you be implicated as well?"
"That is true."
Hu Yu nodded. "But you are so strong, even if someone comes looking for trouble, you can easily handle it. If it were me, I wouldn't be so lucky. Therefore, following you is the best option."
Lu Fan's scalp tingled. Hu Yu's words left him even more confused.
"I am going to Tong Tian Academy. Do you intend to go as well?" Lu Fan stated directly, "With your cultivation, you can't even enter Tong Tian Academy."
"I am your personal maid. It should not be inappropriate for me to serve you within the academy." Hu Yu shrugged. "If you don't let me go, it means you are watching me die."
"Is there no place for you in the vast Tai Yan Dynasty!" Lu Fan rolled his eyes and prepared to get up.
"The Tai Yan Dynasty belongs to the Shen family."
Hu Yu stood up and said, "If you abandon me, I will surely die a violent death, and you will live with guilt for the rest of your life."
Lu Fan stood frozen, unsure how to respond. What Hu Yu said was not entirely unreasonable.
"In that case, then you may follow me."
Lu Fan said helplessly, "But be extremely cautious. Do not stir up trouble, lest you cause unnecessary complications."
"Don't worry."
Hu Yu nodded solemnly. "If you tell me to go west, I will never go east."
With these words, Lu Fan finally agreed. In truth, he didn't want Hu Yu to accompany him, but Hu Yu was right. If Shen Ye Hong sought retribution, she would not spare him, and the Dong Tian might even be implicated. In that case, it might as well be better for her to accompany him to the San Jiao Domain.
Near Baishui City, over a dozen figures had already arrived within the city at great speed, carrying an aura of swift execution.
"The Princess has ordered the assassination of this person!"
Above Baishui City, a roar sounded, carrying an immense aura that permeated the entire city.
Within Baishui City, the populace was in a panic, unaware of what was happening. They felt a sense of dread, as these individuals were powerful and clearly hostile.
In the tavern, as Lu Fan was about to leave, he sensed the pervasive killing intent and frowned slightly. "I never expected the imperial assassins to arrive so quickly."
"What do we do now?"
Hu Yu was anxious and unsure of what to do. Her cultivation was low, and against powerful assassins, she would likely be an easy target.
"Why are you panicking when I'm here!"
Lu Fan smiled faintly. "You just hide behind me. If anyone dares to approach, I'll send them to the afterlife."
Seeing Lu Fan's imposing demeanor, Hu Yu felt a little more at ease, but she was still worried. After all, these were imperial figures, and their strength was unlikely to be weak.
However, Lu Fan remained composed. He knew very well that the royal family of the dynasty would not send Saints to hunt him. Therefore, these people were ultimately insignificant in his eyes.
Without Saints, capturing Lu Fan would not be so easy.
Although the Tai Yan Dynasty was a great dynasty, Saints were still rare and not easily deployed. Lu Fan was quite confident about this.
咻咻咻……
In the blink of an eye, more than ten experts appeared on the city streets, precisely surrounding Lu Fan.