Chapter Ten: Tracing the Origin

  Having gotten a clear answer, Wang Guanlan suddenly fell silent.

  "Fourteen...!"

  Seeing Wang Guanlan's silence, Yao Yifei's heart became nervous again.

  "This matter is a bit troublesome!" Wang Guanlan said, the strange and mysterious scene that appeared in his spiritual awareness made him vigilant. He had only just touched the mystery of this world, and when faced with this unknown phenomenon, he wouldn't be foolish enough to rush headlong into it. However, being in his position, encountering such a situation couldn't be ignored. After all, he represented the Ning Wangfu in Yicheng, and the Ning Wangfu was the actual ruler of the three states in the southwest. Even the imperial court's county government wouldn't ignore this, so if he, the 14th young master of the Ning Wangfu, didn't take care of it, it would be a small blow to the prestige of the Ning Wangfu. If news of this got back to the Ning Wangfu, at the very least, he would be criticized for being afraid of trouble and lacking courage, which would have no benefits but many drawbacks for him, who was currently on the rise.

  Just thinking about it, he felt that his head had grown bigger. Should he return to the Ning Wang Fu or not? If he didn't go back, could this strange situation be resolved by a small second-tier practitioner like him?

  After some thought, Wang Guanlan suddenly asked, "Chen Qingshan, go and invite Luo Tongling over!"

  "Yes!" Chen Qing Shan didn't ask for a reason, nodded and directly rushed out of the county government office.

  "Actually want to disturb Lü Tong's leader?!" Yao Yifei was also shocked after hearing Wang Guanlan's words. After Wang Guanlan was stabbed, the Ning Wangfu directly dispatched four Jueqi period Hu Liang guards to provide close protection for him. After the destruction of the Bai Du Men, the situation gradually subsided. The leaders of the Hu Liang guard were all heavily burdened and could not stay in Yicheng, a small place, forever. After the completion of the construction of the capital city outside Yicheng, three leaders took their subordinates back to Ning Wangfu, leaving only one leader named Lü Han to remain in Yicheng for mop-up work. According to plan, he would also leave soon.

  This Qiong leader's martial arts cultivation has reached the seventh layer of refining Qi, and he has grasped the secrets of spiritual power. With him by his side, at least Wang Guanlan feels that his safety is somewhat guaranteed.

  After a while, Chen Qing-shan led Luo Han to the county government office.

  Luo Han, over thirty years old in appearance, originally had ordinary looks, but because of his strong martial arts cultivation, he naturally exuded an aura that was different from ordinary people. This aura, like his name, gave people a cool and chilly feeling.

  Wang Guanlan knew that this was a consequence of his internal energy quality and the method he had cultivated.

  Although the Taoist soldiers cultivate a unified technique, after their cultivation reaches the fourth layer of Lianqi, their internal energy will transform into a solid state. The Ning Wangfu will also provide them with techniques that suit their own internal energy attributes. The higher the cultivation, the greater the potential, and the quality of the techniques obtained will be even higher. Like Luo Han, a top-level warrior, the techniques he obtains are definitely superior.

  "Lu Tong, look at this, what's going on?!"

  Wang Guanlan pointed to the house and asked, "Luo Han is a martial artist who has cultivated his Qi to the seventh level. He has already grasped spiritual power, so he can't deceive him with his spiritual awareness."

  As expected, Lu Han furrowed his brow, as if he had realized something, and walked a few steps before entering the house without hesitation.

  "This is evil spirit at work!!" Kuang Han took a light breath and said, "However, the source is not here!"

  "It should be in those mountains!" Wang Guanlan pointed at the place where the flames were dancing and frowned.

  "Gongzi, please retreat and let me dispel this evil energy!" Lü Han said. Suddenly, a cold air was born, and Wang Guanlan's expression changed drastically as he retreated continuously. Only to see that around Lü Han's body, a layer of dark blue mist was steaming, the temperature dropped suddenly, but what was most terrifying was the scorching aura that burst out from Lü Han's body. This aura directly affected the soul, and Wang Guanlan's spiritual awareness that had been shrouding him was like touching a red-hot iron when Lü Han's aura rose, violently shrinking back into Wang Guanlan's mind. Wang Guanlan's body also shook, his face showing an unhealthy flush, before retreating over ten steps, only then stabilizing his figure.

  "Ah!!"

  Before he could even stand firm, Lu Xiao's tongue burst forth like a spring thunderclap, letting out a furious roar. The sound waves seemed to take shape and spread out in all directions. The countless motes of light in the room stopped floating after this mighty shout, and the soccer-ball-sized flame on the roof also dissipated.

  That power originating from the mountains and forests, which had been secretly manipulating these divine souls' flames, also collapsed and disappeared without a trace in that loud roar. However, Wang Guanlan had already completely withdrawn his spiritual awareness into the sea of consciousness at this time, and did not sense the unwilling angry roar transmitted from the unknown.

  "Alright, young master, is the problem here solved?!" After a loud shout, Kuang Han walked out of the house without looking back and said to Wang Guanlan.

  Seeing the approaching figure of Leng Han, Wang Guanlan felt another wave of piercing pain in his soul and retreated three or four steps before stopping. He listened clearly to his words, but couldn't help feeling some disbelief, "Is that all?!"

  "The power that was siphoning off their divine souls has been severed by me, and these people's dispersed divine souls will soon return to their bodies. However, the source of this problem is likely something we'll have to go find ourselves!" Luo Han said, the chill on his body gradually dissipating, returning to normal after a few breaths.

  Until this time, Wang Guanlan finally let out a long sigh of relief, "Awesome, awesome, I've heard that powerful warriors are the nemesis of mages, I didn't believe it before, but now I've personally experienced it!!"

  "Martial artists and Taoist priests are different, each with their own strengths. Martial artists have a certain restraining effect on Taoist priests, but similarly, Taoist priests also have means to restrain martial artists. It can only be said that they each have their own advantages, it's not possible to say who is superior!" Lu Han said calmly, "Although the young master is a rare talent with both martial and Taoist skills, after all, his training days are still relatively short. He'll get used to it later!"

  "This guy, really isn't polite at all!" Wang Guanlan muttered to himself. What's the meaning of 'cultivation days are relatively short', isn't it just saying that my level is too low, so I was beaten to death by you?

  However, at this time, Wang Guanlan did not intend to provoke Luo Han. He also knew that Luo Han was originally a cold and detached person, which made him the least popular leader in Huā Lí Wèi. The reason he could rise to power was because of his exceptional cultivation skills, which was also what Ning Wang Wang Bizheng admired most about him.

  "Leading the way with extensive knowledge and experience, I suppose you've already figured out what's going on here?" Wang Guanlan asked.

  Luo Han shook his head repeatedly upon hearing this. "I don't know, there are many things in this world that can steal the power of one's soul. This place is too far from the source, I am unable to make a judgment!"

  "The meaning of leadership is——!"

  "No matter what it is, since it has appeared in the three southwestern states, it is a matter of the Ning Wang Fu and must be resolved!" Ruo Han's face showed a resolute expression. "Fourteenth Young Master, I will immediately go into the mountains to investigate, please also inform the Ning Wang Fu about this matter!"

  "I'll let others spread the word, but I want to go with you!" Wang Guanlan said after a moment's thought.

  "This...!" Kuo Han seemed somewhat hesitant.

  "It's settled then! Even if you don't take me, I'll go by myself!" Wang Guanlan said resolutely.

  "All right, but after entering the mountain, please follow behind me!"

  "No problem, I'm not stupid enough to joke about my own life!" Wang Guanlan saw that Luo Han did not object and felt a sense of relief. He turned his head to Yao Yifei and said, "Sir, the matter here is settled, and we mustn't delay. I and Commander Luo will go to the mountains immediately to investigate. Please dispatch a guide to take us to Qing Shi Village!"

  Yao Yifei was just an ordinary person. In the process of what had just happened, he only felt the cold air emanating from Luo Han's body, but he couldn't detect the evil energy that directly affected the soul of a martial artist who had cultivated his Qi to the seventh level. Moreover, everything had happened too quickly. It wasn't even a moment since Luo Han appeared, and Wang Guanlan told him that the matter was settled, giving him a dreamlike feeling. However, he didn't dare question Wang Guanlan, so he could only nod repeatedly, "Okay, okay, I'll go right away! I'll go right away!!!"

  The guide was soon found by Yao Yifei, also a yamen runner named Han Fa.

  The man doesn't have any distinctive features, but I heard he's from Qing Shi Village and is very familiar with the roads and situation over there.

  "Since you are from Qing Shi Village, why didn't you go and investigate last time?" Wang Guanlan asked with some curiosity.

  "Last time I went to investigate, I let Han Fa go to Nanhuacheng to handle some business, so I didn't make it!" Yao Yifei explained, and Wang Guanlan finally felt at ease. This matter was shrouded in mystery, and he himself was about to take a risk, but he didn't want to bring along a time bomb.

  The candidate has been decided, and the matter here has also been settled. Wang Guanlan and Luo Han both showed no intention of staying, and they bid farewell and left the county government office directly. Yao Yifei wanted to retain them and express his gratitude to the two, but they obviously didn't care about such a small thing.

  "Lu Tong, also trouble you to bring this Korean hair back, tomorrow early, we will enter the mountain!"

  "Good!" Huo Han did not object, and seemed to not want to talk to Wang Guanlan anymore. He took Han Fa back to the place where Hua Lianwei was stationed in Yicheng. Only Chen Qing Shan followed Wang Guanlan back to Ning Tai Hang.

  "Fourteen Shao, are you really going into the mountains tomorrow?!" Back at Ning Tai Hang, Wang Guanlan directly took Chen Qing Shan to his small courtyard. There were some things he wanted to ask, but before he could even ask, Chen Qing Shan said, "Your body hasn't fully recovered yet, following Luo Tong and the others will only lead to further injury -"

  "My mind is made up, no need to say more!" Wang Guanlan cut off Chen Qingshan's words. Having been in this world for so many days, he had also figured it out. In this world with clear hierarchy, there were many things that didn't need explanation, and just saying his decision to his subordinates was enough. "I brought you here, but not to listen to your advice!"

  !，。