"My Lord, Ling Mo Han is not someone we can move against. Let's keep a low profile these days and watch our subordinates closely. That way, he won't find any leverage. He won't stay in Yun City for long; once he leaves, this city will still be ours. Why must you get involved in this mess!"
Wang Nan Shi said with some anxiety, afraid that Fan Shun would impulsively provoke Ling Mo Han and bring about his own demise. If that happened, he himself would find it difficult to escape.
"Don't boost others' morale and dampen your own spirit. I have this matter under control. You just need to do as I say. Don't forget who saved your life and who gave you this good life you have today!"
"I naturally won't forget. Everything I have now is thanks to my Lord. I naturally dare not have any other intentions!"
Suppressing the hatred in his heart, Wang Nan Shi replied obediently, his hand in his sleeve clenched into a fist.
"It's good that you know!" Fan Shun glanced at Wang Nan Shi with disdain. "I know about the past between you and Ling Mo Han. You should stay home these days, be careful with everything, and don't let him discover your whereabouts. Otherwise, I won't be able to protect you either!"
"Your subordinate understands. If my Lord has nothing else, your subordinate will take his leave!"
Wang Nan Shi said with his head lowered and submissively, his back bent like a slave without dignity, and quietly retreated.
"Pah! You dog slave!"
Fan Shun spat fiercely at Wang Nan Shi's retreating back.
"Someone, throw away the teacup he used. It's disgusting just looking at it!"
If he hadn't saved Wang Nan Shi from being chased and killed years ago, he would have died long ago. Now that he's grown bolder, he dares to lecture him. What an ignorant dog slave.
If he had known Wang Nan Shi would act like this, he should have shot an arrow into his back back then and taken his dog life.
After leaving the mansion, Wang Nan Shi's face was filled with gloom. Fan Shun had oppressed him for many years. When the opportunity arose, he would eventually turn the tables.
But now, Ling Mo Han had come to Yun City, which meant he had to be even more cautious. If Ling Mo Han discovered he was in Yun City, he would kill him.
A year ago, after the battle with Cang Yue Kingdom, he had fled in fear, leading to a great defeat.
He was ordered to be pursued and, after several escapes, ended up in Yun City. It was Fan Shun who saved him.
However, over the years he had stayed by Fan Shun's side, Fan Shun had never treated him like a human, only like a dog he had taken in. If anything displeased him, he would verbally abuse and beat him!
He had endured these years precisely to lie low and bide his time. Once he found an opportunity, he would completely leave Dong Chu and live a carefree life in another country.
...
Lu Shi returned in a hurry late at night and quickly went to report to Ling Mo Han.
"How was the investigation?"
Lu Shi's expression was tense. He opened his mouth but hesitated to say anything, his face showing signs of distress.
"What is it?" Ling Mo Han asked, his voice rising.
"We haven't found anything."
Ling Mo Han's eyes narrowed sharply, his fist clenched, his face darkening. "You couldn't find anything within the entire Yun City?"
"I beg your pardon, Young General. Your subordinate sent the Black Armored Army to secretly investigate throughout Yun City, but we found no anomalies anywhere. However..."
Lu Shi stopped speaking halfway.
"If you have something to say, say it. Don't stutter!" Ling Mo Han said unhappily.
"Yes! Your subordinate secretly inquired among the common people of Yun City, but their answers were all consistent."
It was as if they had been prearranged; all their statements were the same. But the more it was like this, the more suspicious it became.
Before he could ask a few more questions, those common people were so frightened that they quickly refused to say anything more.
"Continue the investigation. Be extremely careful, and absolutely do not let Fan Shun's men discover it."
After all, they were currently on someone else's territory, and they had to be cautious in everything they did.
"Yes, Young General!"
Ling Mo Han stood up slightly and walked to the window. A wave of melancholy washed over him. It seemed the situation in Yun City was more complicated than he had imagined.
Since Fan Shun had the ability to make everyone in Yun City speak with one voice, it was evident that over the years he had been the governor of Yun City, he had controlled the entire city within his grasp, becoming a veritable local emperor.
When Ling Mo Han returned to his room, Feng Jin had already fallen into a deep sleep, holding their two children.
Looking at the mother and her three children, the pressure that had been accumulating in Ling Mo Han's heart instantly lessened.
After sitting in the room for a while, Ling Mo Han got up and went out.
The moment the door closed, Feng Jin, who had been sound asleep, opened her eyes. At the last moment the door was closing, Feng Jin caught a glimpse of Ling Mo Han's hem.
Why did he come and then leave? Feng Jin was filled with questions. She tiptoed out of bed and went out to look for Ling Mo Han.
"What are you doing sitting here?"
Feng Jin went out, saw Ling Mo Han sitting in the pavilion, walked over, and sat beside him.
"You just woke up and now you're awake again?"
"You were trying to sneak out while I was asleep, weren't you? You've been caught this time!"
Feng Jin hugged the man's arm tightly, afraid that if she let go, Ling Mo Han would disappear again.
"I won't leave. I just wanted to come out and sit for a while. It's cool outside, you should go back to your room."
"I'm not cold. Are you bothered by Fan Shun's affairs? Is the matter very tricky?"
This was the first time Feng Jin had seen such an expression on Ling Mo Han's face, and she vaguely felt that this matter was not that simple.
Ling Mo Han reached out and pulled Feng Jin into his embrace. The two of them felt warmer when they hugged. "I will handle it, but..."
"You don't need to worry about me. I will protect myself and the children, and I will never be a burden to you. Believe me!"
"I believe you!"
The man's deep voice was incredibly reassuring to Feng Jin. This was one of the few times Ling Mo Han had chosen to trust her unconditionally, rather than sheltering her under his wing.
"You really believe me? You used to worry the most that I would act recklessly. Why do you choose to believe me now?"
"Because you are different from before. You are more thoughtful and meticulous in your actions now, and you deserve my trust."
The smile on Feng Jin's lips widened even more. She hugged the man's strong waist tightly. "That's because you had poor judgment before. Now you know how capable I am!"
"I know. My wife is the most capable."
Ling Mo Han indulged Feng Jin, speaking according to her words. He greatly enjoyed the feeling of Feng Jin leaning on him.
"Oh, right, I haven't asked you yet. Did Lu Shi find anything?"
It had been a whole day. Had there been no progress at all?
"Fan Shun is very cunning. He handles things so meticulously that it's difficult to find anything for a while. But the more thorough and flawless it is, the more suspicious it makes one. Fan Shun's actions are intended to conceal his unspeakable deeds."