Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1746 The Wildfire
In early October, Tiancheng Mountain is always shrouded in a thin layer of mist, and it feels even colder after the first frost.

Fang Zilan walked alone in the forest. Her expression was obscured by the branches and leaves, but one could clearly feel the murderous aura emanating from her, so intense that even birds and beasts dared not approach.

"Zi Xiu." A gloomy voice suddenly rang out, startling a chorus of crows.

"Since you're here, why not show yourself?" Fang Zilan stopped and casually threw a hidden weapon, breaking a tree branch as someone landed behind her.

One by one, people landed around Fang Zilan. She looked around and nodded in satisfaction, saying, "Not bad, everyone is here."

"Zi Xiu, are you tired of living?" King Qin Guang, the head of the Ten Kings of Hell, stared at Fang Zi Lan with a sinister look. She was not afraid at all and casually straightened her sleeves. "So what if I am, so what if I am not?"

"You killed my disciple, and this provocation is just asking for trouble!" King Qin Guang said, his expression growing increasingly venomous.

Fang Zilan curled her lips into a smile and said, "Disciple? Isn't he an illegitimate child?"

"You..." King Qin Guang looked surprised, while Fang Zilan's smile widened. "Speaking of which, you should thank me. If the young master knew that you had such an illegitimate child outside, how could he let it go so easily?"

She paused, then suddenly seemed to remember something, and said, "Oh, I almost forgot, this is what the young master told me. Otherwise, where would I have gotten this information? And the half-brother of King Chujiang, and the cousin of King Wuguan who is married to him..."

"Shut up!" King Chujiang roared, unable to bear it any longer. "Why did you kill them for no reason?"

"For no reason?" Fang Zilan repeated the word in a drawn-out tone, her expression becoming even more sharp. "What did Hidden Sword Manor and Ten Thousand Flowers Manor do wrong back then? What did Wu Sheng, Yang Zhiqing, and the others do wrong? When have we ever asked for a reason when we kill people? Besides, that's the rule of the underworld. If I didn't kill someone to sacrifice for my flag, would you have obediently come here to keep your appointment?"

"Since that's the case, there's no need for further words." The Song Emperor drew his sword, "Today, it's either you who dies, or we all perish."

"Just what I wanted." Before Fang Zilan could finish speaking, she rushed towards the nearest King Taishan like an arrow, and with a swift movement of her sword, she stabbed him in the shoulder after two exchanges.

The other six palaces all made their moves, and for a time the sounds of swords clashing filled the forest. Fang Zilan defended and attacked at the same time, barely managing to hold her own.

This can't go on. Fang Zilan gritted her teeth. There were seven of them, and she was alone. If the time dragged on, she would be too exhausted and would be at their mercy.

“In that case, Shangguan Min thanks Lord Fang in advance.” After Shangguan Min finished speaking, she was about to clasp her hands in a salute, but Fang Zilan stopped her, “This is a transaction, you don’t need to thank me.”

“But I didn’t do a good job.” Shangguan Min said frankly. Fang Zilan said calmly, “Even so, I am still satisfied with the result. Therefore, our deal is still valid.”

"I..." Shangguan Min opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately didn't say anything.

Fang Zilan looked at Shangguan Min with amusement, and couldn't help but sigh, "Shangguan Min, this cautious and timid look is not like you."

"Then, Lord Fang, what do you think I should look like?" Shangguan Min lowered her head, her expression darkening considerably.

"What I think is my business, but you should decide for yourself what you look like." Fang Zilan stared intently at the young man before her. In just a few months, he seemed like a completely different person. Fang Zilan was silent for a moment, then spoke again: "Shangguan Min, since you dared to come to me asking for a non-commissioned officer's rank, it means you still want to stay in the army. I can't say what the future holds, but you've already made your decision, so don't be afraid. Who knows what will happen if you don't go all the way?"

"Lord Fang is right. So many people have died for me; I cannot let them lose their lives in vain." Shangguan Min raised her head, tears welling in her eyes. "May I ask Lord Fang, while I am in the army, will you treat me with sincerity?"

“Of course.” Fang Zilan nodded without hesitation. “Although I am a vengeful person, I am also clear about gratitude and resentment. Between you and me, you have not done anything wrong. On the contrary, I have many regrets about you.”

Fang Zilan shook her head helplessly as she spoke, and Shangguan Min couldn't help but ask, "Then have you ever regretted it?"

"I have no regrets." Fang Zilan said calmly, "If you want to move forward and upward, you will inevitably hurt others. You will get used to it in the future. There is nothing to regret."

"Does Lord Fang truly believe this?" Shangguan Min pressed on, unwilling to give up. Fang Zilan smiled slightly, "Even if you regret it, what can you do? Is there any medicine for regret in this world?"

"Shangguan Min, I'll teach you a lesson today." Fang Zilan smiled meaningfully. "Even if you regret it and feel bad, never say it out loud. Others won't care about your feelings; instead, they'll give them a reason to hurt you. Even if it's self-deception, you have to keep going until one day you're strong enough to turn the lie into reality. That's when you'll truly have no regrets."

"So Lord Fang doesn't regret keeping me around?" Shangguan Min gritted her teeth and finally asked the question that was on her mind.

Fang Zilan's smile deepened. "Of course. I've said it before: if one day you stand against me and we fight to the death, as long as you have the ability, feel free to make your move. But if you don't have the ability, I won't show you any mercy. Do you understand?"

Her words were like a beam of light, shining directly into Shangguan Min's heart.

So much had happened in just a few months. He felt lost and vaguely aware that he was looking for something, yet he always felt powerless and unable to grasp anything.

Only now did he suddenly understand.

The past cannot be retrieved, and regret is of no use. He can only live in the present, obtain the sergeant status, and make a living in the military.

But one day, he will find out the truth and clear the name of the Shangguan family.

Seeing that Shangguan Min remained silent, Fang Zilan finally couldn't help but ask, "However, let me ask you one question: after all that has happened, do you hate me?"

"No," Shangguan Min answered without hesitation. "I believe in the innocence of the Shangguan family more than I harbor resentment."

He paused for a moment, then said firmly, "Since my surname is Shangguan, I must live up to the name of the Shangguan family. As long as I live, I will not live in vain. One day, I will restore the Shangguan family to its former glory."

The boy's eyes remained as clear as ever, but the ambition and murderous intent swirling within them could not be concealed no matter what.

Fang Zilan paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "I'll wait and see."