Chapter 488: Are You a Dog? You Won't Lose Out by Being My Woman, An Invitation from Helian Wen

Upon hearing his words, Tantai Qing finally felt a stir of unease and dread—the fear of having a fatal weakness exploited.

She didn’t struggle. Instead, she began to curse him furiously. Fortunately, the private room was sealed with an Array Pattern Restriction, isolating the commotion and preventing any sound from reaching the outside.

Jiang Lan let her curse without retorting.

If any of the countless young cultivators on Immortal Ascension Island—who saw her as a holy, ethereal, gentle, and elegant Goddess—were to witness her cursing so furiously without a care for her image, their jaws would surely drop in disbelief.

“You’ve been cursing me for a while now. You must be about done, so why not take a break…”

“I’m not done yet.”

“Don’t push your luck…” Jiang Lan said leisurely, pinching her chin.

Tantai Qing met his gaze coldly, but in the next instant, she felt his grip tighten and winced in pain.

“Let go of me…”

“Heh…” Jiang Lan chuckled and suddenly leaned in.

“Mmph…” Tantai Qing’s eyes blazed with fury, which quickly turned to panic as she shoved against him with both hands.

Jiang Lan remained unmoved, as steady as a mountain.

“Hiss…”

The next moment, he sucked in a sharp breath, pulled his head back, and said, “Are you part dog or something?”

Tantai Qing tilted her head back, revealing her swan-like, snow-white neck. A trace of crimson stained her lustrous lips. Her eyes were filled with undisguised triumph and a cold sneer, as if daring him to do his worst.

Jiang Lan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. “I said I wouldn’t force you, and I’ll keep my word,” he said. “But I won’t forget that you bit me tonight. I’ll settle this score with you, sooner or later.”

“Despicable… Shameless…” Tantai Qing was completely unafraid of his threat.

Jiang Lan paid her no mind and released her.

Tantai Qing instantly shot up like a startled bird, putting a great distance between them. Her cold eyes were filled with undisguised wariness.

Never in her entire life had she suffered such a humiliating setback. She was filled with such rage and hatred for Jiang Lan that she wished she could tear him to pieces to vent the shame of his assault.

“Don’t forget. Just as I can warn you, I can also find Helian Wen and help him.”

Jiang Lan stood up and leisurely straightened his lapels, smoothing out the wrinkles in his robes until he looked perfectly composed again.

Watching him, Tantai Qing also reached up to wipe her lips, then straightened her dress and her slightly disheveled hair.

‘Helian Wen is in the shadows while I’m in the open. He hates me to the bone and is undoubtedly on high alert, making it impossible for me to track him down easily.’

‘The situation is very disadvantageous for me.’

‘And I can’t openly use the Tantai Family’s resources to investigate this. The moment the Tantai Family makes a major move, the Helian Family will notice, unless they’re complete fools.’

‘So right now, the only one who can help me—and the most suitable person at that—is Jiang Lan.’

‘Judging by his earlier actions, if I try to defy him, he’s absolutely capable of secretly helping Helian Wen.’

Tantai Qing clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles cracked, her expression wavering and dark.

“Wait…” Seeing Jiang Lan stand up and move to open the door, she finally gritted her teeth and spoke.

With a look that said he had expected this all along, Jiang Lan paused and smiled. “Made up your mind?”

“Do I have a choice?” Tantai Qing stared at him coldly. “But you must promise me two things: help me resolve the latent threat of the Six Desires Heart Demon, and get rid of Helian Wen.”

Jiang Lan raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you asking for a bit much?”

“Are you even a man?” Tantai Qing retorted angrily. “Why are you haggling over every little thing?”

Jiang Lan chuckled. “You’ll find out soon enough whether I’m a man or not. But you’re right, why should I haggle with you?”

“Just be obedient and be my woman. You’ll find it’s not a bad deal for you at all.”

Tantai Qing’s expression remained dark and uncertain, but she didn’t argue. It was impossible to know what was going through her mind.

“Give me a few days to prepare…” she said after a moment, raising her eyes to look at him, her face devoid of expression.

“No problem. I’m not in a hurry,” Jiang Lan said with a smile.

Tantai Qing took a deep breath, regaining her initial composure.

She started toward the door, moving to leave before Jiang Lan. But as she passed him, she paused and said in a cold voice, “I will remember the shame of this day for the rest of my life.”

“Being remembered by you for a lifetime? I’d say that’s pretty good,” Jiang Lan laughed, completely unconcerned.

Tantai Qing shot him another cold, piercing glare.

However, the instant she pushed open the door and stepped out, her expression reverted to its usual transcendent calm. She was like a flawless piece of jade, one of heaven’s most brilliant works of art. Ethereal and otherworldly, her dress fluttered around her, accentuating her pure and elegant beauty. Even other women would feel plain in her presence.

“Sister…”

Tantai Ming emerged from an adjacent private room, followed by a number of his subordinates.

He glanced at his sister’s face, his eyes filled with confusion, but he couldn’t see anything amiss. He had no idea what she and Jiang Lan had discussed.

Jiang Lan ambled out from behind Tantai Qing. From the other side of the hall, You’Er, Kong Xuan, Yuan Kong, Jin Ming, and the rest of his group came forward to meet him.

“Thank you for your hospitality and for answering my questions, Miss Tantai. I have truly benefited greatly tonight. I shall take my leave now.” Jiang Lan said with a smile, cupping his hands as he prepared to lead his people away.

Tantai Qing watched him, a perfectly composed smile on her face. She returned the courtesy and said, “You jest, Young Master Jiang. Qing’Er is the one who has benefited greatly tonight. We have a long future ahead of us. I’m afraid I will have to trouble you more from now on.”

Tantai Ming wondered if it was just his imagination, but he could have sworn his sister put a heavy, biting emphasis on the words “benefited greatly.”

Jiang Lan just smiled, gave a wave, and led his people down the stairs.

Tantai Qing watched his back until he had completely disappeared from view. Only then did the smile vanish from her face, replaced by a storm of emotions swirling in the depths of her eyes, emotions only she could comprehend.