Chapter 1367: Lan Ming Seeks Refuge

"Boundless Pavilion? He dared hide in Boundless Pavilion?" Du Wuxu was somewhat surprised. He snatched the secret letter over and read it personally. As he went on, one brow suddenly rose and a name escaped his lips. "Lan Ming?"

Si Shaodong sighed inwardly. Whether the matter was true or false, he did not know, but if the people of Baichuan Valley dared report it this way, it was probably not far from the truth.

He hardly knew what to say about Lan Ming. Everyone understood whom the Nine Saints' rectification of Misty Pavilion was really aimed at. Surely it could not be the people at the very bottom. Now that this affair involving Lan Ming had emerged, the Nine Saints would probably grow even more suspicious of people at their level and even more determined to move against them.

Lan Ming had already reached such a position, yet still refused to behave himself. Why put himself through this?

Then again, Si Shaodong could understand. Precisely because a man had already reached such a position, with little else left to pursue, he would crave longevity all the more. Who could willingly watch himself grow old and die?

Even those who lacked such thoughts out of fear would probably still be suspected by the Nine Saints. This hidden contradiction seemed to have no solution.

As Du Wuxu continued reading, he reached Li Zhengfa's report that the Baichuan Valley people had already withdrawn. His eyes widened slightly and anger surfaced on his face. "They weren't watching the place? They don't even know whether the target ran? Who told them to withdraw?"

Si Shaodong answered cautiously, "Master, their reaction is understandable. One of their disciples vanished inside Heavenly Lake Inn for no reason, and he was someone who knew the critical details. Naturally they would worry that Lan Ming had discovered them. That was Lan Ming's territory. Withdrawing in an emergency was reasonable. Otherwise Lan Ming could easily have silenced them, and then perhaps even this report would never have gotten out."

He was not speaking in Baichuan Valley's defense, merely stating the rational facts.

Du Wuxu gave a cold snort and temporarily let the matter drop. He tossed the letter back. "Make seven copies immediately and send them to the other seven, excluding Lan Daolin. We can't wait until everyone gathers. I'll go to Boundless Pavilion first and see whether Zhuge Chi can still be caught!"

"Yes!" Si Shaodong cupped his hands.

Swish!

Du Wuxu flashed away, carving through the air.

"Something else has happened. Ah..." Watching him leave, Si Shaodong sighed helplessly. The situation now seemed somewhat out of control, with trouble erupting everywhere inside and outside the Sacred Realm.

...

At Baichuan Valley, in the rear mountains where several Grand Elders cultivated in seclusion, Sect Leader Yin Rushu and all the elders had gathered. Every face was grim.

Yin Rushu informed everyone of what had happened.

After receiving Li Zhengfa's letter and learning that an unexpected development had forced him to expose the matter involving Lan Ming, Yin Rushu no longer dared conceal it. If the situation became serious, he as Sect Leader would have no way to explain himself to the sect.

Everyone had already cursed Li Zhengfa savagely. But once the cursing ended, reality still had to be faced.

Some also blamed the Sect Leader for hiding the matter from them, though they could understand why. Given the circumstances at the time, how could Yin Rushu have made it public?

Now the entire group was at a loss. Fear weighed on every heart. All they could do was wait for whatever result came, whether fortune or disaster.

...

Lan Ming had arrived in the Jin capital.

For a long time he did not dare show himself. Only after carefully observing the surroundings and repeatedly confirming matters did he finally, after much hesitation, approach the residence.

He had changed his disguise again. Shao Sansheng nevertheless led him to Shao Pingbo's study.

Seeing an old acquaintance, Shao Pingbo smiled and cupped his hands. "Sir has come without warning and I failed to welcome you properly. Please forgive me."

Lan Ming looked him over but ignored the greeting. He walked straight behind the desk and sat in Shao Pingbo's chair. He picked up a document whose ink had not yet dried, glanced through it, tossed it back, then took a brush from the rack and examined it.

Shao Pingbo could not understand the meaning of this attitude. He walked to the front of the desk and tested, "Has Sir come with some instruction?"

Pat.

Lan Ming casually dropped the brush onto the desk, smearing ink across its surface. Leaning back in the chair, he said as though it were nothing, "I've come this time to seek refuge with you. Arrange a secure place for me to hide."

"Seek refuge with me?" Shao Pingbo froze slightly, then laughed. "Sir must be joking. If you have something to say, speak plainly. I'm listening."

Lan Ming said slowly, "My meeting with Zhuge Chi was exposed. I can't remain at Boundless Pavilion anymore. I don't know whether anywhere else is safe at the moment, so I had no choice but to come here first. That was Zhuge Chi's idea too."

"Exposed? Meeting Zhuge Chi? What does Zhuge Chi's idea have to do with this?" Shao Pingbo looked confused. "Sir, I don't understand what you're saying."

Lan Ming frowned. "Was I not clear enough? You're not that stupid, are you?"

Shao Pingbo raised a hand and explained, "I truly don't understand. What exactly happened?"

What happened?

The mere thought made Lan Ming grind his teeth. "That old bastard Zhuge Chi didn't even realize he was being watched, yet he actually came looking for me..." He recounted the entire affair in detail from beginning to end.

The farther Shao Pingbo listened, the wider his eyes became. By the time Lan Ming finished, his expression had changed dramatically. He said urgently, "Then why aren't you hiding? How can you still dare run here?"

Lan Ming raised his brows. "What? You begged me to come before. Now you want to drive me off? Or are you planning to burn the bridge after crossing it?"

Bang!

He slapped the desk and surged to his feet, circled around it, and grabbed Shao Pingbo by the front of his robe. "If not for the good deed you did, exposing me to that group, would I have fallen to this state? I'm telling you: if anything happens to me, you won't escape either!"

Shao Pingbo struggled and tried to pry his hands loose, but simply could not. He had no choice but to let Lan Ming hold him. His face darkened. "Don't misunderstand. That isn't what I meant. Can you confirm that no one followed you? If you can't confirm that and still ran here, then none of us will get away once something happens!"

"Hmph!" Lan Ming released him and paced through the study with his hands behind his back. "You can relax about that. Naturally, I only dared come after confirming it."

Shao Pingbo immediately asked, "Does anyone else know that you and I were in contact before?"

Lan Ming said, "I have some people beneath me, but almost none know that I have dealings with you. Those who do know are already on the same boat as me. They can't keep the secret tightly enough. No one would dare talk nonsense."

Hearing that, Shao Pingbo relaxed slightly. Ignoring the wrinkles in his robe, he slowly walked behind the desk and sat in the chair Lan Ming had just occupied.

He frowned in thought for a long while. Then suddenly, bang, his palm struck the tabletop and his expression twisted with anger. "We've been played!"

Lan Ming stopped pacing, went to the desk, and now the two had reversed positions. He asked, "What do you mean?"

Shao Pingbo ground his teeth. "We've been calculated by the other group. Zhuge Chi exposed himself on purpose!"

Lan Ming planted both hands on the desk and leaned forward slightly. "The other group? You mean the side Zhuge Chi is with now?"

Shao Pingbo said, "Who else could make Zhuge Chi act?"

Lan Ming considered it, then shook his head faintly. "On that point, you're probably mistaken."

Shao Pingbo was startled. "How so?"

Lan Ming said, "My side captured a Baichuan Valley disciple and tortured the truth out of him. It shouldn't have anything to do with Zhuge Chi's side."

Shao Pingbo did not know whether to laugh or cry. "Pavilion Master Lan, could you use your brain for once? Zhuge Chi ran over to you asking for protection? How could that possibly make sense? The other side got to Zhuge Chi first and brought him over to them. Why would they then deliver him back into your hands? Does that seem possible to you? If that side wanted to manipulate matters, they would have countless ways to make someone discover Zhuge Chi's trail. If they intentionally wanted him exposed, would that be difficult?"

Only now had Lan Ming still not reacted after walking straight into such a trap. Shao Pingbo truly had no idea how this man had survived until today. Without Lan Daolin protecting him, someone probably would have killed him long ago. With this level of intelligence, Lan Ming had still dared conduct secret business inside Misty Pavilion. The thought that he had entangled himself with such a man made Shao Pingbo feel a lingering chill.

Lan Ming, both hands braced on the desk, remained dazed for a moment. Then understanding abruptly dawned.

Precisely because he understood, he bared his teeth. His face turned savage and his emotions slipped out of control. "Those dog bastards dared harm me!"

Shao Pingbo glanced toward the window and raised a hand for silence. "Keep your voice down."

Lan Ming also looked toward the window and lowered his voice. "Who exactly are those people? Tell me!"

Now that matters had reached this point and Lan Ming had fallen into his hands, Shao Pingbo had even less reason to reveal the truth. He instead found an excuse. "You're furious right now. If you go looking for them in this state, you'll only be seeking death. I'm not telling you for your own good. Calm down first. Once you've settled yourself, there will still be time to discuss some things."

Lan Ming said, "Don't worry. I know my limits. Who are they?"

Shao Pingbo waved a hand. "Calm down first. The most urgent matter is finding somewhere for you to hide. Give me some time to think and make arrangements. I'll decide where best to place you."

Lan Ming said angrily, "I want to know who set me up!"

Shao Pingbo suddenly stood. "Have you gone mad? Do you not understand your situation? The Nine Saints, including your own father, are about to turn Heaven and Earth upside down searching for you. Blackwater Terrace has eyes everywhere around me. If you stay here too long and arouse even the slightest suspicion, you should know what the consequences will be! Leave first. I'll contact you as soon as possible."

At those words, Lan Ming finally grew nervous. He no longer dared linger, though he still threw down one vicious sentence. "I won't let them off!"

With that, he flung his sleeve and left.

Only after watching him disappear through the door did Shao Pingbo spit out two words.

"Stupid fool!"

A while later, Shao Sansheng entered and reported, "He's gone. Eldest Young Master, why did he come?"

"Something major has happened. Lan Ming has lost half his power and become a homeless cur. We've been played..." Shao Pingbo briefly explained the situation.

Shao Sansheng looked uncertain. "What exactly is Jia Wuqun trying to do?"

"That man's methods are unfathomably deep. I'd also like to know what he wants. He throws this scalding treasure into my lap, yet I refuse to believe he'll be fine if something happens to me!" Shao Pingbo was visibly angry.

He immediately ordered Shao Sansheng to send a message to Jia Wuqun, demanding to know what exactly Jia intended, whether there was ever going to be an end to this, and whether he wanted both sides to perish together.

Shao Pingbo needed to see Jia Wuqun's answer. Only after confirming the other side's intention would he know how to arrange matters for Lan Ming. Otherwise, he could be played to death without even understanding why.

To tell the truth, after suffering one loss after another at Jia Wuqun's hands, with Jia moving against him whenever he wished and never even warning him beforehand, treating him as though he were nothing, Shao Pingbo had genuinely begun to fear Jia Wuqun a little.

The deeper reason was that he did not understand what stood behind Jia Wuqun and therefore had no basis for judging the man's next move.

[End of Chapter 1367]