Chapter 28: Returning the Pearl for the Box

"No need to report to me anymore," Lan Liu said calmly, gazing at his subordinate before him.

For a moment, his subordinate seemed not to comprehend what the young master had just said.

"I'll repeat myself: you don't need to report any more information about those two people," he said, reiterating and making his explanation clear.

"Young master," the subordinate nearly broke into tears of joy.

Truth be told, he had never encountered such peculiar adversaries before.

The Lan family wielded immense power throughout the entire Lanleaf Empire. Though their influence was somewhat diminished in Nightleaf City, it remained a force not to be underestimated.

At the very least, quietly removing two youths from this city would pose no difficulty for him.

Moreover, these two youths had shown neither formidable backgrounds nor remarkable abilities.

Yet, strangely enough, every move they made seemed to strike a wall of cotton, or was easily deflected before any action could be taken, or, when action was attempted, ended in humiliation.

To be honest, had they exhibited some terrifying background, or revealed themselves to be wolves in sheep's clothing, he would have accepted it.

But there was nothing.

Everything seemed coincidental, yet within these coincidences, his own incompetence was endlessly magnified.

"I'm not foolish," Lan Liu quietly observed his subordinate.

"I was indeed tempted by beauty at first," Lan Liu continued. "To me, those beautiful maidens are things to be summoned and dismissed at will; being noticed by me is their highest honor. Yet, if they refuse, I don't see the necessity to force matters."

"My malicious intent arose only because she slighted my dignity, even humiliating me in public."

"For that alone, I am entitled to make her pay, to have her kneel and admit her mistake before me."

"That was my original intent, and I trusted your capabilities, thinking this was not a difficult matter."

"But you have failed time and again."

The subordinate bowed his head low. "I am incompetent."

"This cannot be explained by incompetence," Lan Liu replied softly. "If you were truly incompetent, Father would not have sent you to assist me. If incompetence is ruled out, there remains only one possibility: she is far stronger than I imagined, so much so that I lack even the qualification to perceive her strength."

"Young master, that's nearly impossible," the subordinate ventured.

"Indeed, it's almost impossible. No one understands this world's power better than I do. I know precisely where I stand in the food chain, which is why I can indulge in the pleasures of authority without restraint," Lan Liu nodded. "Honestly, even the reigning princes—I don't believe any of them could reach this degree."

"Or rather, they wouldn't bother to toy with me in such a manner."

"So," Lan Liu looked at his subordinate, "let's quit while we're ahead. There's no need to provoke her to a point where regret becomes too late."

"I remember she said she was a candidate for the Three Trials as well. Perhaps there will be opportunities to meet again at Nightleaf Academy."

"My father once told me, 'A true hunter always appears as prey.' I didn't quite understand then, but now I begin to believe it."

"Our family's survival philosophy is to always respect what you cannot comprehend. It's thanks to this principle that, when His Majesty swept through the land, we did not fall, but instead became the pillar of the Empire."

"In fact, among the Six Houses of Lan, some regard our surname as an honor, a medal worn proudly upon the chest; others see it as a disgrace, a dog chain fastened around our necks."

"But do you know how my family views it?" Lan Liu asked gently.

The subordinate shook his head. "If the young master would enlighten me."

Lan Liu smiled.

"My family believes this surname is the highest-level pass."

"A pass that allows one to roam the empire unfettered, to act as one pleases."

"The Six Houses of Lan are united in honor and disgrace alike; regardless of private squabbles, we are one in the public eye."

"With this pass, the road of power can be traveled farther, more steadily."

"And now, I need another pass of the same kind."

The subordinate understood precisely what Lan Liu meant by the second pass. He merely nodded. "That is why we followed you here."

"But you cannot guarantee me a hundred percent chance of obtaining it," Lan Liu shook his head. "Though the Lan family has the privilege to recommend candidates, the Academy always deliberately restricts the number of Lan entrants. The only ones guaranteed admission without examination are those rare few, whom even I cannot hope to be among."

"If I wish to secure a position in the family, even to inherit the headship, a place as a Nightleaf scholar is essential."

"The family has conducted evaluations," the subordinate said quietly, "Young master, you absolutely possess the strength to enter the Academy."

"Strength is one thing," Lan Liu shook his head, "but how many dare claim absolute victory in the Three Trials of Nightleaf?"

"At least, I do not."

With that, Lan Liu drew a small vermilion wooden box from his pocket.

"The reason I told you to abandon action against those two is that it's no longer my priority."

"This sealed box was given to me by the Student Council, and its contents make me wonder what the current President is really planning."

"Yet since they've offered this choice ahead of time, we can't ignore it entirely."

"What do you require of me?" the subordinate asked, looking at Lan Liu.

"Mobilize all resources at my disposal," Lan Liu replied softly. "Remember, all resources, including credit lines."

"I don't know what Carlotus intends."

"But it is never wrong to prepare in advance."

...

...

Year 91 of the Lan Calendar, June 3rd.

Nightleaf City, clear skies.

The time mentioned in the sealed box was noon, yet by ten o'clock, the entrance to Nightleaf Grand Tavern was already thronged with people.

Information travels swiftly, and this particular message had been distributed in eight hundred copies.

"Slow down, slow down, let's have some order. This isn't something to flaunt, and if you cause a scene and get arrested, you'll share the responsibility," Zhou Yi, dressed in black, earnestly urged at the entrance.

"Of course, not everyone is allowed inside," he turned the conversation, producing a giant donation box from behind.

"The entrance token is the original vermilion sealed box."

"One box per person, no exceptions for age."

At these words, a commotion swept through the crowd: "What if I threw mine away?"

"Buying the box but discarding the contents! Buying the box but discarding the contents!" Zhou Yi groaned in anguish. "Do you know how much we spent to make these boxes?"

"I'm telling you, only those returning the box to its rightful owner may enter today."

"Even the gods can't enter without it!"