Suo Lun had already witnessed the Dragon Seal Death Vein’s backlash once before.
At that time, A Shi Liren had been unconscious for a full two days and two nights before slowly recovering and waking up on her own.
Seeing her collapse into a faint like this, Suo Lun hurriedly picked her up. Yet the moment he touched her, he immediately felt bone-chilling cold.
Almost half his body lost all sensation.
So he could only be extremely careful, enduring the frigid cold to lay A Shi Liren down properly.
After that, he was completely helpless. All he could do was wait for her to wake up on her own.
There was not a single person in the entire residence, so he could not leave even half a step.
However, before long, someone from the Fragrant Drifting Tower would be sent over.
Suo Lun sat on the ground beside her, closed his eyes, and began to think about what had happened.
“Demon Star, is it true that there are Hell Knights?” Suo Lun asked.
The Demon Star replied, “Yes.”
Suo Lun asked, “How many?”
“Thirteen,” the Demon Star said.
Suo Lun said, “Besides A Shi Luo, who else?”
“I do not know,” the Demon Star said. “But once one becomes a Hell Knight, the death pact will activate, and I will be able to detect them. They will also be able to find us.”
Suo Lun said, “Up to now, not a single death pact has been activated, correct?”
“Yes,” the Demon Star said.
Suo Lun lay down and closed his eyes to feel everything.
His hatred for A Shi Luo had penetrated to the bone. He wanted nothing more than to eliminate him as quickly as possible.
Yet in the end, A Shi Luo had indeed been a Death Knight loyal to him, using his life to demonstrate his faith and loyalty to Suo Lun.
This, this was truly the trickery of fate!
Previously, Suo Lun had helped Ji Ning seize the throne in order to protect the Suo clan and protect Tianshui City.
Now, he had a more long-term goal: to deal with the Divine Dragon Temple.
First, help Ji Yan become queen and himself become regent. Then gather the strength of the Raging Wave Kingdom to campaign south into the Savage Wastes, doubling the territory.
Once he possessed sufficient power in his hands, he would uproot the Divine Dragon Temple’s influence from the Raging Wave Kingdom.
Finally, he might even ally with the Eastern King Jiang Shang to thoroughly destroy the Divine Dragon Temple, this black hand looming over the human kingdoms.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
For Suo Lun, the most important immediate step was to make A Shi Liren the City Lord of Rouan, then declare allegiance to Ji Yan.
This was the most, most important step for the situation in the Raging Wave Kingdom.
As for whether the current situation counted as success or failure, Suo Lun did not know.
…
Suo Lun kept his eyes closed in thought, when suddenly he felt increasingly cold, to the point where he felt he was about to freeze.
Opening his eyes, he was greatly startled.
A layer of frost had already enveloped A Shi Liren’s body, and a layer of ice had solidified upon her jade-like skin.
He gently touched her neck.
The Demon Star said, “Master, this time is different from last time. This backlash of the Dragon Yin Death Vein is more severe than ever before. If this continues, she will die.”
Suo Lun instinctively wanted to chase after Jiang Shang and have him use his supreme power to suppress the terrifying icy energy backlash within Liren’s body.
But Jiang Shang had already been gone for several hours. First, he could not be caught up to. Second, even if he were caught up to, it would be too late.
A Shi Liren continued to be frozen.
The Demon Star continuously released dragon qi imprints, then received the energy rebound, sensing A Shi Liren’s vitality.
“Master, the backlash of the Dragon Seal Death Vein is growing increasingly severe. Her vitality is growing weaker and weaker. If she is not rescued soon, she will perish,” the Demon Star said.
Suo Lun said, “What can be done? Can you devour the energy from her Dragon Yin Death Vein’s backlash?”
The Demon Star said, “I can, but… I do not know if I can withstand it. The key is, I do not know if you can withstand it.”
“Let’s try,” Suo Lun said.
He could not watch A Shi Liren die before his eyes.
Acting decisively, he picked up A Shi Liren’s Dragon Gold Sword and lightly cut her arm.
Her blood had only just flowed out before completely freezing into ice.
Suo Lun cut his own finger, let his blood flow out, then pressed his wound against A Shi Liren’s wound.
Instantly, the blood of the two people mingled.
And at the same time, piercing cold, terrifying icy energy, endlessly surged into Suo Lun’s body.
In almost an instant, Suo Lun was frozen stiff.
The Demon Star desperately devoured, devoured, devoured…
Suo Lun truly could not imagine how powerful A Shi Liren’s Dragon Yin Death Vein was.
This backlash of icy energy was completely inexhaustible.
First, Suo Lun felt his entire arm go completely stiff, without any sensation.
Then, half his body lost all sensation.
Finally, his entire body went completely stiff, without any sensation.
The Demon Star still desperately devoured, devoured, devoured…
At first, Suo Lun could barely endure.
But towards the end, darkness swept before his eyes again and again, and boundless icy energy enveloped his whole body.
Suo Lun’s vision went black, and he completely fainted.
…
He did not know how much time had passed.
Suo Lun opened his eyes and regained consciousness.
The first thing he felt was numbness in his body, as if he had no sensation at all.
Then he discovered he was beside a fireplace, with scorching flames roasting his body.
Gradually, his body regained sensation, and he sat up with effort.
Then he saw A Shi Liren sitting upright on a chair not far away. She had already woken up.
Moreover, not only had she woken up, she had also recovered her extremely powerful martial arts.
The medicinal pills A Shi Luo had asked Huo Ya to hand over, she should have already taken them, because that box was right beside her and was now empty. However, there was still a small box inside. He did not know if what was inside was the antidote for the evil poison on A Shi Nan’s body.
Liren’s face was no longer covered by a veil, but by a blue mask.
In her hand, she held a sheepskin scroll.
“This was left by my father, A Shi Mo, before he was captured. It can be considered his final command,” A Shi Mo said. “He passed the position of City Lord of Rouan to A Shi Yuan Ba!”
Suo Lun could not help but be stunned.
A Shi Mo had indeed still favoured A Shi Luo. He had not passed the City Lordship of Rouan to his other sons, nor to his younger brother, but to A Shi Luo’s biological son.
The Divine Dragon Temple’s capture of A Shi Mo was top secret and could not be made public.
According to public information, A Shi Mo had seen through the mundane world and intended to follow Zuo Qiu to wander the world and cultivate longevity. So he completely cast aside his title and territory, passing the title and territory to A Shi Yuan Ba.
Moreover, in the family genealogy, A Shi Yuan Ba’s identity had already been clearly written.
A Shi Liren said, “But before Yuan Ba turns eighteen, the position of City Lord will be held by me.”
Suo Lun’s purpose in coming to Rouan City was to help A Shi Liren ascend to the position of City Lord of Rouan.
Now it could be considered a success, yet it was truly difficult to feel any joy of success.
“Just now, thank you for saving my life,” A Shi Liren said.
Her voice was extremely cold, devoid of any emotion.
In her view, Yan Ping was unforgivable, the Divine Dragon Temple was unforgivable, and the Suo Lun before her eyes was also unforgivable.
“Leave!” A Shi Liren said coldly. “Take Qin Qin back to Tianshui City. From now on, our two families will have nothing to do with each other. Also, withdraw all the forces you have left in Rouan City. Otherwise, do not blame me for turning hostile and eliminating them all.”
Suo Lun came before A Shi Liren and sat down cross-legged, looking into her eyes. “It is true, I concealed the truth about Yan Ping from you. I used the Divine Dragon Temple to eliminate A Shi Luo.”
A Shi Liren said, “From your standpoint, you did nothing wrong. You are still so calculating, Lord Suo Lun.”
Suo Lun shook his head. “No, I also did not expect the situation this time to be so great. I even less expected it would cause you such enormous harm.”
A Shi Liren said, “I know your purpose. You want me to pledge allegiance to Princess Ji Yan and help deal with Ji Li.”
Suo Lun said, “Yes, that is the purpose.”
“Impossible,” A Shi Liren said resolutely. “Ji Li and Ji Yan, I will not side with either of you. Whether you live or die has nothing to do with me. Neither of you is trustworthy. Our Rouan City will be the same as before, not getting involved in royal affairs, quietly being a nominal vassal.”
Suo Lun was silent for a moment, then said, “Miss Liren, may I ask what your plans are next?”
A Shi Liren said, “To devote all my strength to raising Yuan Ba to adulthood, and let him become the most outstanding City Lord.”
Suo Lun said, “I know you hate the Divine Dragon Temple, you want to take revenge…”
Before Suo Lun could finish speaking, A Shi Liren raised her hand in disgust. “Lord Suo, I know what you want to say. Nothing more than that you also hate the Divine Dragon Temple. Even, after Ji Yan succeeds to the throne, when you become regent you will begin to deal with the Divine Dragon Temple, will avenge me, will seek justice for me.”
What Suo Lun wanted to say was exactly this meaning.
A Shi Liren said, “I do hate the Divine Dragon Temple, but first I must protect my son, protect my family. As for how to deal with the Divine Dragon Temple, that is a matter for later, and it is also my own matter. I will not cooperate with you. I do not even want to look at you again, or hear another word from you.”
Suo Lun’s face immediately twitched.
A Shi Liren said, “Lord Suo, I do not know if you have the idea of conquering me, thereby making Rouan City stand on Princess Ji Yan’s side. Then I have a word for you. Now in my heart, you are no different from Yan Ping.”
These words completely displayed the utmost coldness and resolution.
At this time, Yan Ping was completely the most ugly existence in A Shi Liren’s heart. And A Shi Liren placed Suo Lun and Yan Ping on the same level.
“I know I do not have many years left to live,” A Shi Liren said coldly. “In these few years, I will protect my son Yuan Ba as he grows up. Before I die, I will go kill Yan Ping. You should properly consider the weight of my words.”
Then she directly got up and left.
“Within three days, leave Rouan City, take all your people and leave,” A Shi Liren said. “Otherwise, the consequences are at your own risk.”
Her words were already so cold that they could not be salvaged.
…
At the Heavenly Sea Pavilion, the secret base of Suo Lun’s forces in Rouan City.
Before the operation to eliminate A Shi Luo, Suo Lun and A Shi Liren had sent the three children, Qin Qin, A Shi Nan, and A Shi Yuan Ba, here.
“Teacher!” The moment he saw Suo Lun, A Shi Yuan Ba quickly ran up and asked with concern, “How is my mother?”
Suo Lun was startled. He and Liren had sent the three children here without saying what the matter was.
He had not expected that A Shi Yuan Ba would have seen through it.
“Your mother is fine,” Suo Lun said.
Then he carefully looked at A Shi Yuan Ba’s face, not knowing what A Shi Luo had looked like as a child.
The child before him somewhat resembled A Shi Luo, but was not as handsome and beautiful.
Suo Lun reached out to rub his tiger-like head, hesitated slightly, then still pulled him into his embrace.
This child still did not know, and would never know, that his biological father A Shi Luo was dead, and had died for Suo Lun.
“Then can Qin Qin, A Nan, and I go home now?” A Shi Yuan Ba asked.
“Yes,” Suo Lun said.
At this time, A Shi Liren walked in and said to A Shi Yuan Ba and A Shi Nan, “Children, let’s go home.”
Immediately, A Nan and Yuan Ba quickly rushed towards her.
A Shi Nan’s evil poison had flared up twice today. Three high-ranking experts had used dragon power to help her sustain her life.
But soon she would be fine, because among the antidotes A Shi Luo had left behind, there were not only those for A Shi Liren, but also for A Shi Nan.
Then, Liren took A Shi Yuan Ba and A Nan’s hands and directly left.
“Teacher, Qin Qin…” A Nan could not wait to say, “Hurry and come home with us. We still have class early tomorrow morning.”
Qin Qin stepped forward, took Suo Lun’s hand and gently shook it, looking at him eagerly, wanting to follow Yuan Ba and A Shi Liren back to the A Shi Liren residence.
A Shi Liren stopped, and said to A Shi Yuan Ba, “Yuan Ba, this person is not your teacher Yan Zi Yu. His name is Suo Lun, the City Lord of Tianshui.”
At these words, Suo Lun clearly felt Qin Qin’s small hand tremble, and he could not help but grip it tighter.
A Shi Yuan Ba was startled, then looked at Suo Lun and said, “I do not care who he is. As long as he is my teacher, that is enough.”
A Shi Liren said, “No, he is no longer your teacher. You remember, this person is not worthy of trust. From now on, our family has nothing more to do with him.”
At these words, A Shi Yuan Ba and A Shi Nan’s faces went pale.
And A Shi Nan’s tears immediately fell.
“Then, what about Qin Qin?” A Shi Nan cried and asked.
A Shi Liren said, “You are still friends, but you will not meet again.”
Immediately, A Shi Nan hugged her adoptive mother A Shi Liren’s waist and cried loudly.
A Shi Yuan Ba’s eyes reddened, looking reluctantly at Suo Lun, looking at Qin Qin and saying, “But Mother…”
“No buts,” A Shi Liren said. “Did you hear my words?”
A Shi Yuan Ba lowered his head and said, “I heard.”
“Did you remember?” A Shi Liren said.
A Shi Yuan Ba said, “I remembered.”
A Shi Liren’s beautiful eyes looked over and said, “Count Suo, you have three days. Please leave within the time limit, otherwise…”
In front of the children, A Shi Liren did not speak the rest of her sentence, and directly took the two children and left.
…
Watching the retreating figures of A Shi Liren and the three of them, Suo Lun took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
A moment later, he felt the small person beside him crying.
Turning his head, he saw Qin Qin opening her eyes wide to look at him, tears falling one by one.
Her crying was not because A Shi Yuan Ba and A Shi Nan had left.
But because of that sentence A Shi Liren had said, that he was not Yan Zi Yu, but Suo Lun.
And Qin Qin had always known that her biological father was Suo Lun.
Suo Lun picked up her soft little body, kissed her forehead, and said gently, “Baby, Father did not know of your existence before. You are the most, most adorable child, the apple of Father and Mother’s eye. How could Father bear to not want you? So the moment I heard of your existence, Father desperately went to find you.”
Qin Qin was still crying, but it was not sad crying.
As for why she was crying, she was too young to understand.
Suo Lun gently kissed her, gently comforting her.
After crying, Qin Qin quieted down. Although she still had slight hiccups from crying, her big eyes never left Suo Lun’s face, and she even reached out to touch it.
Clearly, she felt this face before her was too old, belonging to a grandfather, not a father.
“Darling, wait for Father. I will perform a magic trick for you,” Suo Lun said ingratiatingly, then put her down on the ground, walked into the room to use special medicinal liquid to wash away the disguise on his face.
And in the corner of the hall, he saw Fu Yan Er with a face full of surprise and astonishment, completely disbelieving as she looked at him.
Suo Lun also could not help but be startled. Why was she here? Had she not fallen into A Shi Luo’s hands?
Moreover, how had she become more beautiful, yet there seemed to be traces of having been beaten on her face?
“Suo Lun, is it you? Is it really you?” Fu Yan Er said trembling with disbelief, “I, am I not dreaming?”
Suo Lun had no good expression towards her, snorted coldly, and directly walked past.
But Fu Yan Er did not care. These days she had been living in fear and unease every day. Now finally her bitter days had come to an end.
She immediately rushed to her daughter Qin Qin’s side, picked her up, and kissed her desperately, saying, “Baby, baby, your father has come to pick us up. I knew he would not abandon us mother and daughter.”
…
A full half hour passed before Suo Lun finally used special medicinal liquid to thoroughly wash away the disguise on his face and body.
Then, wearing a white robe and holding a mirror, he appeared before Qin Qin.
“Baby, do you think I look like Father?” Suo Lun said with a smile.
Daughter Qin Qin opened her eyes wide, looking at Suo Lun, then looking at herself in the mirror.
“Giggle…”
Immediately, she let out a giggling laugh.
She was too young, and could not quite tell if she looked like her father.
But she could tell that Father was very, very good-looking, the best-looking father she had ever seen.
However, Fu Yan Er at the side had long been staring dumbfounded, staring infatuatedly.
Back then when she had been involved with Suo Lun, Suo Lun had only been fifteen or sixteen, and had not fully grown. Although he was still very handsome, he was completely incomparable to now.
Now Suo Lun’s handsomeness had reached a demonic level, and was filled with extraordinarily exceptional charm.
All these years, she had never touched a man, completely relying on memories and fantasies for self-gratification.
And now, her man was actually this beautiful. How could she not be emotionally swayed.
Involuntarily, she even clamped her legs together, because she really could not endure it anymore.
…
For the following period of time, daughter Qin Qin was completely attached to Suo Lun.
Every part of her small face was filled with happiness. Her two big eyes never left Suo Lun’s face.
She was truly too happy. She actually had such a good-looking father who was so good to her.
Suo Lun accompanied her to eat, then accompanied her to sleep, telling her bedtime stories.
Normally at this time, Qin Qin would either be pretending to sleep, or staring blankly with her eyes open.
But now, she was incomparably happily curled up beside Suo Lun, sleeping sweetly, her small body like a little shrimp.
Suo Lun lightly kissed his daughter’s face, then gently waved his hand to extinguish the lamp fire. Lying on the bed, he began to think about the current situation.
A Shi Liren was actually so resolute. How could this be salvaged?
And just at this time, a graceful and voluptuous figure flashed in.
Then, a naked body climbed onto Suo Lun’s bed, wrapping around him like an octopus, her fiery fragrant lips desperately kissing him.
It was Fu Yan Er. She seemed to be completely ignited.
“Suo Lun, my man, my lifeblood, I cannot endure it anymore…”