Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1896 Cooperation
Fang Zilan had known for a long time that Meng Tingyang was following her, but she did not send him away, simply because she had confirmed during the day that what Murong Qing said was true.

In other words, the explanation that the bandits were seeking revenge is not entirely unfounded.

However, as soon as Fang Zilan stepped into the courtyard, she saw that the front hall was brightly lit, as if it had been waiting for her arrival.

She didn't hide, but walked straight into the front hall and saw the person sitting in the main seat, who was none other than Shang Zhongyi.

"Wearing purple robes and a plum blossom hairpin, you must be Zi Xiu, young lady." Shang Zhongyi smiled slightly. "We've finally met."

“If Young Master Shang wishes to see me, there are many ways,” Fang Zilan said, taking a seat without any ceremony. “Why resort to this most extreme method?”

“Extreme?” Shang Zhongyi repeated the word, his smile widening. “What do you mean by that, Miss Zixiu?”

"Hand over Awan, and I might spare your life." Fang Zilan said casually, but Shang Zhongyi's expression turned serious. "I thought Miss Zixiu would say she would spare my life."

Fang Zilan straightened her sleeves and said slowly, "From the moment you sent people to kidnap Awan, you were a dead man to me."

"Miss Zixiu, you have quite the arrogance." Shang Zhongyi glanced at Fang Zilan and said haughtily, "Even if you are the best in the world, you are still just one person."

"So, Young Master Shang thinks you can capture me to claim credit?" Fang Zilan stared intently at Shang Zhongyi. "Or do you think you can kill me?"

As soon as she finished speaking, a loud crash was heard, and the people hiding behind the screens on both sides of the front hall fell down one after another, their blood covering the screens.

"Young Master, run..." one of them had barely uttered a word when Fang Zilan interrupted him, "Stop talking nonsense."

She stood up, her whole being radiating murderous intent. "Tonight, none of you will escape."

“You…” Shang Zhongyi stared in disbelief at the person in front of him who looked like a demon from hell, his whole body trembling involuntarily. “If you kill me, you will never see Miss Awan again.”

"Is that so?" Fang Zilan chuckled. "I'd like to try and see if Young Master Shang's words are true or false."

"I am the young master of Yancheng Manor, how dare you..." Shang Zhongyi shouted, forcing himself to speak. Fang Zilan laughed even louder, "So it turns out that you noble families can only announce your names when you are about to die, hoping that I will let you go. I thought Yancheng Manor would be different, but it is nothing more than this."

Shang Zhongyi froze, overwhelmed by an unprecedented sense of humiliation, and roared, "I am different from those people you speak of!"

"What's the difference?" Fang Zilan's smile faded, and she raised her plum blossom sword, pointing it at Shang Zhongyi. "Does Young Master Shang not only know how to talk a good game, but also want to fight me?"

Shang Zhongyi's lips moved, but no sound came out. Seeing this, Fang Zilan continued, "I've heard that Yancheng Manor has swordsmanship classes, which all disciples learn. As the young master of the manor, Young Master Shang should be extremely proficient. In that case, do you dare to fight me?"

"I..." Shang Zhongyi clenched his fists. Although Fang Zilan had not drawn her sword, the Plum Blossom Sword in her hand was intimidating. Not to mention that she had just killed many people he had prepared in an instant. Even if they were not peerless masters, their skills were still above his. What ability did he have to meet her sharp edge in battle?
But given the current situation, if he does nothing, he will only become a dead soul under Fang Zilan's sword. How could he be willing to accept that?

"I am willing to fight on behalf of the young master against Miss Zixiu." A clear and gentle voice came from behind Fang Zilan. The newcomer strode into the front hall, walked straight to Shang Zhongyi's side, and stood in front of him with his sword. "Please enlighten me, Miss Zixiu."

"If you want to fight me on behalf of Young Master Shang, you'd better be qualified." Fang Zilan raised her chin. "What's your name?"

"Xiahou Qi." Xiahou Qi introduced himself, and Fang Zilan nodded slightly. "Even if you kidnapped Awan, you are doomed to die." Xiahou Qi was stunned for a moment, and then Fang Zilan said, "Even if your surname is Xiahou, I will not show any mercy."

"The materials used by the Ghost Gate to make the Thousand Bows and Crossbows come from the same source as those forbidden poisonous insects and herbs." Hong Tai's casual remark caused Fang Zilan's expression to change. "So, it's related to you?"

“Yes.” Hong Tai nodded. “If you want to do any shady business in the southeast, you will have to go through the Feiling Mountain route.”

"Why are you telling me?" Fang Zilan stared intently at Hong Tai, who curled his lips into a smile. "I'm afraid if I don't tell you now, I won't have another chance. Since you want to protect the Fang family and protect me, you should at least know..."

“I don’t care,” Fang Zilan interrupted Hong Tai. “As long as I can live, I don’t care about anything else.”

She took a deep breath, holding the plum blossom sword horizontally in front of her. "No matter what, if I can block it once, I can block it a second time."

"The next attack hasn't been launched yet." The monk relaxed his brow. "Perhaps they've stopped us..."

Before he could finish speaking, a thousand silver lights appeared before his eyes, causing him to involuntarily take a few steps back and stand against the temple gate.

Without hesitation, Fang Zilan drew her sword and stepped forward, taking the blow head-on. However, she was also at her limit and could not block all the stray arrows, so she could only endure taking one arrow.

With a muffled thud, Fang Zilan crashed into the temple gate. Blood gushed from the arrow wound on her shoulder, causing her to grimace in pain.

The purple veil on her face fell to the ground and was instantly stained crimson with blood.

"You're being ridiculous!" Hong Tai's expression darkened. Fang Zilan hissed, still stubbornly retorting, "Your injuries are more serious than mine. Who knows who's being ridiculous..."

"If there's another attack, you won't be able to withstand it." The monk looked over, his expression inscrutable.

“If she can’t stop me, then I’m here.” Hong Tai grasped Fang Zilan’s trembling wrist, pried open her tightly clenched fingers one by one, and took her plum sword.

"Even if I'm nailed to my death in front of Zhongling Temple tonight," Hong Tai said, struggling to stand up straight and shielding Fang Zilan, "I'll accept it."

Fang Zilan pursed her lips, staring intently at the figure before her. Though he was severely injured, his arrogant demeanor, sword in hand, and disdain for everything made him seem like the undisputed leader of Feiling Mountain.

If I were to truly die at Chung Ling Temple tonight, it would be worth it if he were by my side.

Thinking of this, a long-lost weariness welled up, and Fang Zilan subconsciously closed her eyes. However, the next moment, flames shot into the sky, dispelling all the darkness.

"Someone's coming!" The monk's voice trembled with excitement. Fang Zilan narrowed her eyes, and she and Hong Tai helped each other take a few steps forward. After seeing the firelight, they saw the bright flag.

The imperial flag bearing the character "Li" was not permitted to be used by anyone other than a prince or higher.

It was actually Li Qiyou?

"Princess Consort!" Zhou Lang's anxious voice grew louder as he approached. Fang Zilan gave Hong Tai a wink, and he understood immediately, saying loudly, "Don't worry, Miss, the Princess Consort is in Zhongling Temple and will be fine."