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Chapter 148 Sword Shadows and Cold Light! Enemy defeated! The predicament is over!

Yang Wanli watched Shen Yan's departing figure and sighed softly.

When he asked Shen Yan for help, he was afraid that Shen Yan would refuse.

Shen Yan is no longer the lowly prison guard he once was.

Official positions no longer held much meaning for him; if he so desired, a third-rank official position would be within his grasp.

Yang Wanli already regarded him as an equal, without any airs of the Minister of Justice.

Yang Wanli already knew about what happened in Jiangnan Prefecture and understood just how terrifying Shen Yan's strength was at this moment.

No one can force him to do anything if he doesn't want to.

Yang Wanli couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Fortunately, Shen Yan's original intention remains unchanged, and he still cherishes the old friendship."

It wasn't that he was unwilling to leave the city to arrest Liu Xunhua, but rather that as the Minister of Justice, his every word and action was being watched by many people.

As soon as Yang Wanli left the city, he was likely to be followed by spies from several different companies.

If they catch the person, that's fine. But if they don't, and someone notices something amiss, it could cause a lot of trouble.

Gande Temple, on the outskirts of Bianjing (Kaifeng).

The place has long been abandoned and dilapidated, with weeds taller than a person and broken bricks and tiles everywhere.

After Emperor Xuanwu ascended the throne, almost all the temples within the territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty were completely eradicated.

Gande Temple is no exception.

Inside the main hall, an old man and a young man were building a fire, roasting wild rabbits and pheasants they had caught on the mountain.

It was Nangong Wentian and Liu Xunhua.

"Dad, how much longer will we have to stay here? I miss Mom a little."

Nangong Wentian could easily see through Liu Xunhua's little scheme, and sneered, "I think you're afraid of being caught again, aren't you? You're scared now, why didn't you do this earlier? If you had kept your rotten pants to yourself, I wouldn't be here acting like a grandson."

"Father, don't be angry. I just want to find someone I like so I can carry on your family line."

Upon hearing the word "carry on the family line," Nangong Wentian sighed and said, "Don't worry, we'll stay for three more days and then leave. They can't say anything then. These officials are too ruthless; it's best to avoid them."

He knew perfectly well that Jiang Tao was using his son as bait, but this time Liu Xunhua was not harming an ordinary girl.

If Jiang Tao were to report this, the century-old foundation of the Diancang Sect might be destroyed in an instant.

But for the sake of his son, and for the sake of ensuring the continuation of the Nangong family line, he had no choice but to be controlled by others.

"Father, don't worry, I will definitely behave myself when I go back this time. From now on, I will change my name to Nangong Xunhua. What do you think?"

Nangong Wentian was somewhat moved by Liu Xunhua's words.

Liu Xunhua's willingness to change his surname is a testament to his efforts.

"I'm very pleased that you have this intention. Don't worry, I'm already a third-rank master, no one in Bianjing can touch you."

Liu Xunhua was overjoyed and put on a touched expression.

"Thank you, Father. I will definitely take good care of you in the future. I will give you many grandchildren so that you can enjoy your old age in peace."

He knew that Nangong Wentian's biggest weakness was his inability to have offspring. In his early years, in order to break through his cultivation level, he had damaged his fundamental constitution, which made him unable to continue having children.

Liu Xunhua was their only illegitimate son. In order to make him acknowledge his ancestors, they even killed their sworn brother a few years ago.

His unbridled behavior over the years was precisely because Nangong Wentian had his backing.

Nangong Wentian's face lit up with joy; the Diancang Sect's vast fortune still needed an heir.

"I'm glad you have this intention. I won't force you to have children; as long as you're happy, that's all that matters. Don't you like women?"

"Your father has prepared dozens of women for you in the sect, of all shapes and sizes, each a peerless beauty. When you return, your father will arrange for them all to be your concubines."

Although Liu Xunhua said this aloud, he cursed inwardly, "You old bastard, all this talk is just to get me to carry on your family line. A proper marriage can't compare to the thrill of stealing a kiss."

As the two were chatting happily, Nangong Wentian suddenly turned serious.

Liu Xunhua turned around and saw a young man dressed in a plain-colored long robe slowly walking in.

He said, "My son and I have already occupied this Gande Temple. Friend, please find somewhere else to spend the night!"

The man said calmly, "It's getting late, and I don't like traveling at night. If you mind, you might as well leave now."

Liu Xunhua spoke, "You—"

Nangong Wentian reached out and stopped him.

"When seeking flowers, do not be rude."

He then spoke to the man, saying, "Gande Temple is quite large, enough for us to stay overnight. If you don't mind, please make yourself at home."

"Oh?! I think your son makes a good point. I don't like living under the same roof with other people either. You'd better go somewhere else to spend the night."

Nangong Wentian's face showed slight anger. This person appeared suddenly. If he hadn't shown himself, he wouldn't have discovered his whereabouts.

I never expected him to be so ungrateful. As a third-rank martial artist, he thought that there were few people in Bianjing who he couldn't afford to offend.

This person is so young, Nangong Wentian doesn't think his cultivation level could be that high.

This person is naturally Shen Yan.

He sneered, "Looks like you've come looking for trouble. Since you're courting death, I'll grant your wish."

Liu Xunhua clapped her hands and exclaimed, "Father, you should have done this a long time ago! Why waste your breath talking to him?"

After saying that, Nangong Wentian made a sudden move, drawing his longsword and a flash of cold light.

The sword had reached Shen Yan in an instant.

Shen Yan stretched out two fingers to hold his longsword and said calmly, "No wonder you dared to stay near Bianjing after escaping from the Heavenly Prison. It turns out you have a third-rank expert backing you up."

Nangong Wentian looked shocked and incredulous at Shen Yan, trying to draw his sword.

He found himself unable to move an inch; with just this one move, he realized the difference in their abilities.

He quickly spoke up.

"Sir, my son and I will leave immediately and give this place to you."

After a long while, seeing that Shen Yan did not respond, he said again, "Please return my sword, senior."

Shen Yan smiled and said, "Since you want it, I'll give it back to you!"

After saying that, he flicked his finger, and with a clang, the longsword shattered into several pieces.

He held the tip of the sword in his hand and threw it swiftly.

"Got it."

Looking at the fragments before him, Nangong Wentian felt a chill run down his spine, sensing a life-or-death crisis.

He tried to dodge, but it was too late.

The sword tip pierced through his brow, and Nangong Wentian's eyes widened in shock.

He fell heavily to the ground.

Liu Xunhua saw Nangong Wentian, a third-rank official, and was easily killed by him.

He was stunned and immediately knelt down and kowtowed.

"Senior, please be merciful and spare me. It was this old bastard who acted on his own initiative and attacked you. He deserves to die."

""

Shen Yan said calmly, "Isn't he your father?"

"You're joking, senior. He's the one with a problem in his head. He forced me to call him 'Dad'."

"Alright, Liu Xunhua, stop pretending and come back with me!"

When Liu Xunhua heard Shen Yan mention his name, his expression changed. He couldn't recall ever provoking such a powerful enemy.

"Why do you say that, senior? If I have offended you in any way, I am willing to apologize."

Shen Yan smiled and said, "My name is Shen Yan. You may not recognize me. But you must have heard of a jailer in the Imperial Prison. Coincidentally, he is also named Shen Yan."

Liu Xunhua was shocked, never expecting that the top expert in front of her was actually the prison warden of the Heavenly Prison.

At that moment, he realized that they were after him.

He couldn't help but smile wryly, "You're truly extraordinary, senior."

Liu Xunhua never expected that such a small prison would have a master of the third rank.

Bianjing is indeed a place where hidden talents abound; I regret my past actions.

With his only support gone, he can now only pray that Jiang Tao will receive the news.

He thought to himself, "If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have come to Bianjing."

Liu Xunhua regretted that she had been blinded by lust and followed the Prince of Huaiyang to the capital.

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