Chapter 497: She's Not Buying It, Such Is a Wildcat, and Jiang Lan's True Intentions

Tantai Qing’s expression remained serene; she showed no anger at his words.

Jiang Lan, however, just smiled. “I don’t know about twisting right and wrong, but I do know this guy stole the Three Saints Heart Refining Pill—the shared Holy Object of the three great Guardian Families. Tantai Qing, at most, merely intercepted it from him.”

“By comparison, Helian Wen hardly seems honorable himself.”

“Matters of love have always been about mutual consent. To force an issue of right and wrong when feelings aren’t shared… you might as well blame the Helian Family and the Tantai Family.”

Helian Wen said coldly, “No matter how silver-tongued you are, you can’t erase the vicious cruelty of that bitch, Tantai Qing.”

“No, I’m not defending her or trying to clear her name. I’m just saying that, like her, you’re no saint either. But since my Martial Uncle insists on protecting you, Helian Wen, I will certainly grant him that much,” Jiang Lan smiled faintly.

The figure in the Black Robe seemed to be watching him from beneath his hood, ‘wondering what gives him the confidence to speak this way.’

“If I insist on taking him away, surely you don’t intend to stop me?” he asked indifferently.

“Martial Uncle, you don’t dare show your true self. You must be wary of something. You’re worried about some contingency my father left behind, aren’t you? In that case, I’ll be frank. With just a clone, you are powerless against me. In fact, if I so wished, both of you would be staying here tonight.”

“If you don’t believe me, Martial Uncle, you’re welcome to try,” Jiang Lan said with a faint smile.

The figure in the Black Robe stared at him coldly. Within the void-like darkness of his hood, a pair of deep eyes seemed to materialize.

“I believe Jiang Lintian is capable of such measures. What will it take for you to let me leave with him?”

“Simple enough. Helian Wen offended me just now. I can spare his life, but he cannot escape punishment. Let him receive one palm strike from me. Once he has, I’ll let him go,” Jiang Lan stated.

Helian Wen’s face fell. He had already sustained serious injuries in his earlier clash with Jiang Lan.

If he took another palm strike, he would be crippled, if not killed.

“Master…” He turned his gaze to the figure in the Black Robe.

“Fine,” the figure in the Black Robe agreed, ignoring Helian Wen. “But don’t even think of playing any tricks in my presence.”

Jiang Lan’s expression showed he had expected this. “Rest assured, Martial Uncle. For your sake, I will not kill him.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the hand he had extended earlier rose once more. It drifted down toward Helian Wen, seemingly effortless and without any flashy display.

But in Helian Wen’s eyes, it was like wave after crushing wave descending upon him. From the heavens above to the earth below, every inch of the Void was saturated with a terrifying, suffocating pressure. There was no escape, no place to hide.

He could only brace himself, bring his palms together, and manifest the Tai Chi Divine Form to push back.

The next moment, he let out a wretched cry. A sickening CRACK of shattering bone echoed from his palms. The terrifying force of the impact slammed into him, causing his chest to cave in. Blood surged from his mouth as his aura instantly withered.

“Those hands of yours injured Qing’Er earlier. So, I’ve crippled them. Consider it a lesson. If you learn to live in obscurity and let go of your hatred, you might just live a little longer,” Jiang Lan said calmly, retracting his palm.

“Jiang Lintian sired a fine son. At your age, I was nowhere near your level.” The figure in the Black Robe stared at Jiang Lan, astonished by the technique behind that palm strike.

‘He has already forged countless Supreme Skills and experiences into something of his own, reaching a level of absolute perfection. One could call him a grandmaster of his generation.’

“You flatter me, Martial Uncle,” Jiang Lan said nonchalantly.

The figure in the Black Robe nodded. He was merely a clone; he stood no chance against Jiang Lan and his many trump cards.

So, without another word, he swept his robes, grabbing the pale-faced Helian Wen, whose eyes burned with hidden hatred. He then stepped through the portal and vanished in an instant.

Tantai Qing, who had remained silent throughout the ordeal, only struggled free from Jiang Lan’s embrace after the two of them had vanished completely.

“Was that man Huangfu Hao, the former Saint Heir of the Taiyi Sect? How could he have fallen so far?” she asked, a hint of astonishment in her voice.

“This is what happens when you cross the Prime Minister’s Mansion,” Jiang Lan said, glancing at her.

Tantai Qing took the hint and didn’t press further. Her delicate brows knitted together. “With Huangfu Hao as his master, Helian Wen now has a powerful backer. He’ll certainly be difficult to deal with.”

She felt a pang of regret. ‘If only I’d acted faster. It would have been perfect if I’d killed Helian Wen before Huangfu Hao appeared.’

Jiang Lan’s reply was noncommittal. “In any case, that’s your problem to worry about. I’ve done what I promised. Now, isn’t it time for you to fulfill your end of the deal?”

Tantai Qing suddenly clenched the fabric of her sleeves. Instead of answering his question, she countered with one of her own. “You were holding back, weren’t you? You could have killed Helian Wen and destroyed Huangfu Hao’s clone, yet you let them go.”

“You’ve always been so clever. Why are you playing dumb now?” Jiang Lan let out a faint laugh.

“Huangfu Hao is unlikely to retaliate against you for Helian Wen’s death; he’s wary of your trump cards. But he might retaliate against *me*…” Tantai Qing’s eyes grew cold.

As she said this, she shot Jiang Lan a suspicious look. ‘Could it be? Did he really let them go for my sake?’

Huangfu Hao’s true self could be anywhere.

But this was a man who once contended with Prime Minister Jiang Lintian. His current power was immeasurable, his realm unknown.

He had likely undergone at least four or five Celestial Tribulations within the Eighth Realm Tribulation Bridge Realm, becoming a true Supreme Power.