Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1743 Control
"Wang Shen, I'm in a very bad mood right now." Fang Zilan casually twirled her sword, and the blood on the sword fell to the ground with the heavy rain, leaving no trace.

Wang Shen's eyes widened, seemingly not expecting Fang Zilan to be so ruthless. "Are you really Zixiu?"

“If you don’t want to say it, I’ll say it for you.” Fang Zilan didn’t answer, but said, “The five families of Lingnan have run into trouble, and even General Xiahou has been imprisoned, so you think your chance has come, am I right?”

"What opportunity?" Meng Tingyang couldn't help but ask from the side. Fang Zilan ignored him and stared at Wang Shen. "Power itself is a knife that kills without drawing blood. Is it worth it to give up a peaceful life, stain your hands with blood, and get yourself into the mud for it?"

"Which of those powerful families hasn't stained their hands with blood and mired in hardship?" Wang Shen suddenly laughed. "If the Five Families of Lingnan can do it, if the Xiahou family can do it, why can't my Wang family?"

He stepped forward, looking at Fang Zilan with an almost provocative expression, "If you had the chance, wouldn't you risk your life and fortune to take a gamble?"

Fang Zilan remained silent. She had also fought desperately to earn a place for herself in the chaos of the capital. What right did she have to criticize Wang Shen, who was desperate to become a superior person in the southeast?

"Do you know that if you make a move against Wen Ran now, and people find out, all your hard work will be for naught?" Fang Zilan heard her own voice, which was filled with disappointment and frustration.

“Who would know?” Wang Shen stepped forward again, meeting Fang Zilan’s sword. “If you are truly Zixiu, even if you spread this news, no one will believe you.”

"You think no one will believe a killer like me?" Fang Zilan tightened her grip on her sword. "Then do you think anyone will believe what you say?"

"What do you mean?" Wang Shen looked wary. Fang Zilan pursed her lips. "You want to kill Wen Ran, frame Commander Ye, and push the Xiahou family behind her into the abyss, is that right?"

"I..." Wang Shenfu began to speak, but Fang Zilan interrupted him, "But with the power and status of the Xiahou family in the southeast, it's impossible for one person or one family to swallow it all up. Who is your accomplice?"

"Couldn't swallow it?" Wang Shen repeated the three words and laughed, "Back then, the former Duke of Yue, Fang Zilan, was just an unknown person, but when she swallowed up the Shangguan family by herself, no one asked who her accomplices were."

"Who did you say?" Fang Zilan's voice trembled slightly, and for some reason she suddenly felt the rain falling on her body becoming increasingly cold and piercing.

“My savior, the late Duke of Yue—Fang Zilan.” Wang Shen spoke each word with conviction, but Fang Zilan involuntarily took a few steps back. She steadied herself and said, “You don’t need to bluff me.”

Wang Shen stared intently at Fang Zilan, as if trying to discern something from her. "Why do you think I'm bluffing you?"

Fang Zilan spoke as if she had made up her mind: "I will go to the nearby villages and towns where the plague is to check the situation. I may have a way to deal with this epidemic."

Su Yun blurted out almost without thinking, "Lord Fang, you mustn't!"

“Why not?” Fang Zilan raised an eyebrow. “You don’t need to try to persuade me. I know how risky this is, but if I don’t go, some people might lose their patience and just set it on fire.” Su Yun’s lips pressed into a straight line, and after a long while, he said in a low voice, “If the plague can’t be controlled, in the end we can only…”

"How does Lord Su know it will definitely be the worst possible outcome?" Fang Zilan's lips curled slightly, her smile confident and self-assured. "I've said it before, I don't believe in any kind of ending."

"Lord Fang, I know you're used to being unruly, but this is, after all, a plague. What can a mere military officer like you do?" Su Yun tried his best to dissuade him. "If Lord Fang insists on going, he will only be throwing his life away in vain..."

“Lord Su, thank you for your concern.” Fang Zilan interrupted Su Yun’s words in a measured tone, and said solemnly, “But since I am going, I am not without confidence. Moreover, you and I both know very well that if no one steps forward for those who are infected with the plague, once people’s hearts are chilled, the southeast will be even more chaotic than it is now, and no one will be able to control the situation at that time.”

She took a deep breath, her expression calm. "While everything is still under control, I must seize the initiative. Sitting idly by and waiting for death has never been my style."

“But…” Su Yun wanted to say something more, but the moment he met her eyes, all words seemed pale and powerless. Her eyes held not the weight of someone facing certain death, but rather an unwavering sense of responsibility. That look rendered him speechless; any words of dissuasion felt like an insult.

"Lord Su, you can rest assured." Fang Zilan smiled slightly. "I'm very resilient; nothing will happen to me."

"Lord Fang, you must be safe." Su Yun's expression was filled with helplessness. "His Majesty ordered me to ensure Lord Fang's safety at all costs. If anything happens to you, I will give my life for you."

Fang Zilan's smile widened. "Lord Su, Imperial Censor, His Majesty was just bluffing you. He won't really make you pay with your life for me."

"Lord Fang!" Su Yun's expression was displeased, but Fang Zilan composed herself somewhat and said, "Alright, I understand Lord Su's determination. I urge Lord Su to carry this determination and protect the people within Mushan Pass. Until General Xiahou arrives, I entrust everything to you."

After she finished speaking, she gave a solemn bow. Su Yun did not refuse and returned the bow respectfully. "Please rest assured, Lord Fang, as long as Su Yun is here, I will protect the people within Mushan Pass."

Fang Zilan straightened up and called out "Old Cao." Upon hearing this, Deputy General Cao immediately stood beside her, only to see her hand over the white jade tiger tally to him. "Now, within Mushan Pass, I only trust you to mobilize troops. I'm entrusting the white jade tiger tally to you. In the future, use expediency in times of emergency. I trust your decisions."

“Boss…” Deputy General Cao hesitated for a long time before taking the white jade tiger tally. Fang Zilan put it into his hand. “Take it well. Don’t let me down. If anything happens, even if it costs you your life, you must hand the white jade tiger tally over to General Xiahou and ask her to return it to His Majesty.”

Vice General Cao held the white jade tiger tally as if it were a hot potato, unable to take it or put it down.

Fang Zilan's expression was stern as she commanded in a deep voice, "Deputy General Cao, this is a military order."

"Yes!" Deputy General Cao nodded in response, his eyes glistening with tears, and his hands holding the white jade tiger tally trembling slightly.

Fang Zilan raised her hand and patted his shoulder, then relaxed. "I'll go check on Mo Han's condition and prepare some medicine. After I leave, please all perform your duties and make sure to guard Mushan Pass well."