Chapter 524 - Chapter 524: Chapter 531: Onset of the Problem (2/2)
Sikong Ling had sent someone early in the morning to invite him over. Concerned about his wife, Han Yu had not gone immediately. Now that his wife was asleep, it was time to meet Sikong Ling and discover his intentions.
Han Yu silently followed the servant, his expression betraying nothing while he mentally noted his steps and the surrounding scenery. It was no wonder that Peach Blossom Valley, known for its reputation in Jianghu, had its path filled with countless mechanisms and arrays, even though it seemed disorderly. The servant leading the way had an inherent pattern to follow. If a stranger happened to break in by sheer luck, they would be trapped by the valley’s mechanisms. Han Yu had spent a significant amount of effort over the years studying arrays and mechanisms, making substantial progress through many books, and had gained some understanding, though he had only just begun to grasp the edges of it. It was evident just how formidable the person who devised these mechanisms and arrays was!
“Finally here. Unexpectedly, the always cold and iron-blooded General Han has a tender side, placing his daughter-in-law above his career. However, had you done so in the past, and devoted more attention to Lady Yue, she wouldn’t have been taken advantage of by those people, suffering so grievously and nearly losing her life. Seeing you now making such an effort, it’s somewhat irksome,” Sikong Ling said sarcastically, apparently needing to vent his frustration from dashed expectations.
“I was neglectful before; I owe a debt of gratitude to Young Master Sikong for the subsequent events. After this experience, I will be more careful and cautious, never again allowing my wife and child to fall into such danger! But Young Master Sikong surely didn’t invite me over just to discuss these matters, is there something else?”
“Those are nice words, but actions speak louder than words. You must truly have the ability to protect your wife and children!”
“That is a given, but from the way Young Master Sikong is speaking, it seems there’s another implication. Could it be that Young Master Sikong is worried about me?” Han Yu asked, looking at Sikong Ling with a half-smile.
Sikong Ling, seeing Han Yu’s nonchalant demeanor, was somewhat irritated. He had been somewhat concerned when he had received the news, but it turned out that Han Yu was not affected at all. He was sure Han Yu, who hadn’t left any trusted aides in Yiyang City, must have received the news even earlier than himself. Despite the tight security in Peach Blossom Valley, Sikong Ling had no doubt about Han Yu’s ability to communicate with the outside world.
“It’s incredible how composed you can be. I don’t believe for a moment that you’re entirely unaware of what’s happening outside. With Yiyang Prefecture in Liu Xiu’s hands, relying on just those few men is insufficient to confront the Imperial Court. I fear it won’t be long before Zhao Fan takes it down. Are you really not in the least bit anxious? If you lose control, what power will you have left to protect your wife and child? Merely talking big won’t help,” Sikong Ling challenged.
“If I haven’t misunderstood, are you showing concern for me?” Sikong Ling raised an eyebrow in question.
“We have a partnership, and I wouldn’t want our joint interests to be affected. Don’t tell me you consider our cooperation a joke?!” Sikong Ling was also being candid. He chose Han Yu for more reasons than just Su Wenyue, which was just a minor part of his considerations.
As the heir to the Sikong Family, his head could not be turned by a woman; that would be impossible. Every premise was based on not harming the Sikong Family’s interests. Some matters were far more complex than they appeared on the surface. Choosing Han Yu as a partner was a decision made after much deliberation. Therefore, Han Yu’s current behavior was not what Sikong Ling wanted to see, which is why he had someone fetch Han Yu almost immediately after receiving the news.