Chapter 430 Vicious

He nodded lightly.

“Good, then it’s settled. In fact, I ordered him to start making the qin a few days ago. It should be finished today or tomorrow.

“At that point, we can hand him over to the Hundred Treasures Association.”

Scholar Jingtan knew that because Ximen Feng had “saved” “Cheng Tianyang,” Jiang Ran owed him a favor.

He had promised Yan Wushuang that as long as the man remained at Qifeng Manor, he would protect him.

But hearing this now, he hesitated slightly and mused,

“If the people from the Hundred Treasures Association find out he made a fake Jiaowei qin…

“…I fear that would be problematic, wouldn’t it?

“From my perspective, the Hundred Treasures Association wants to take him away mostly because they hate him for stealing their treasure and want to kill him to vent their anger.

“Why don’t we do something to him? We’ll hand him over to the Hundred Treasures Association in public, but in reality, he’ll die a sudden death that same night.

“That way, we silence him and prevent the news from getting out, saving you from any trouble.”

Jiang Ran couldn’t help but look at Scholar Jingtan in a new light.

‘Is this Elegant Heart Small Pavilion actually Yama’s Residence?’ he thought.

‘What a living King Yan… even more ruthless than I am.’

He shook his head lightly.

“Rest assured, Scholar, I have my own plans for this.”

“Oh.”

Hearing this, Scholar Jingtan immediately began to laugh.

“You’re right. Young Hero Jiang has always been flawlessly resourceful. I’m sure there will be no mistakes. In that case, I am relieved. We’re counting on you, Young Hero Jiang.”

“Of course, of course.”

Jiang Ran paused in thought before adding,

“However, in that case, I’m afraid I’ll have to accompany you. I hope that won’t be an inconvenience?”

“It’s what I was hoping for!”

Scholar Jingtan said hurriedly, “With Young Hero Jiang accompanying us, this matter can be considered a perfect success.”

“Good.”

Jiang Ran nodded. “Then we’ll set off once Ximen Feng has finished the qin.”

After finalizing their plans, the two parted ways.

Scholar Jingtan hadn’t been able to eat or sleep well for days. With Jiang Ran’s assurance, he could finally rest a little.

Jiang Ran, for his part, was off to see someone else…

This person was a minor problem left over from the qin tasting and tea appreciation gathering.

It was Jiang Han of the Flower and Rain Alliance.

For some time now, he had been locked away in the dungeons of Qifeng Manor.

His hands and feet were shackled, and a heavy chain was fastened around his neck.

Silver needles were stuck into his chest and back, sealing his acupoints to prevent him from recovering his martial arts.

When Jiang Ran arrived, he found Jiang Han sitting in the dungeon, taking large gulps of wine from a bowl and tearing off huge bites of meat, his mouth glistening with grease.

Catching sight of Jiang Ran, he grunted,

“What are you doing here?”

“I thought the first thing you’d say to me would be, ‘If you’re going to kill me, just do it…'”

Jiang Ran said with a smile.

“…Gu Renlong is a recent cautionary tale. I’m not looking to die.”

Jiang Han sighed. “To be honest, you can’t stay at Qifeng Manor forever, and Qifeng Manor can’t hold me forever. The moment you leave, the Flower and Rain Alliance will surely storm this place and rescue me from captivity.

“But if you were to hand me over to Xuanyuan One Slash… that would be even more troublesome.

“After all, given my status, killing me is the best option for Xuanyuan One Slash. Otherwise, there would be endless trouble down the line.

“But you’ve kept me alive until now, which obviously means you don’t want to kill me.

“And if you don’t want to kill me, then you want to negotiate.

“So, don’t beat around the bush. Just say it.

“What do you want me to promise in exchange for my freedom?”

“Talking to a smart person certainly saves a lot of effort.”

Jiang Ran smiled.

“What I want is simple. From now on, the Flower and Rain Alliance is forbidden from causing me any trouble.”

Jiang Han was taken aback. “That is simple… I agree. Now let me go!”

Jiang Ran just smiled and said nothing.

Jiang Han looked at Jiang Ran’s face and let out a long sigh.

“You don’t believe me…”

“Do you?”

“No.”

Jiang Han also shook his head.

After suffering such a massive loss at Sunset Plateau, how could the others in the Flower and Rain Alliance possibly let it go, even if Jiang Han himself didn’t want to seek revenge on Jiang Ran?

He might be the Alliance Leader, but the Flower and Rain Alliance was not a one-man show.

There were other Hall Masters beneath him.

If his decision failed to win them over, his position as Alliance Leader might not be as secure as it once was.

At this thought, he looked at Jiang Ran.

“Then what do you want?”

Jiang Ran took a small packet out from his robes and gestured to Jiang Han.

“Give me the wine.”

“…”

Jiang Han’s eyes widened. “Are you poisoning me to my face?”

“Yes.”

Jiang Ran nodded. “Is that a problem?”

“…”

‘Would it matter if I said no?’

Jiang Han was well aware that this was a life-or-death decision.

He could either let Jiang Ran poison him and live, secure in that knowledge…

…or he could make Jiang Ran kill him, and go to his death, just as securely.

Therefore, he did not stay silent for long.

He took his wine flask and handed it to Jiang Ran.

Jiang Ran took the packet and emptied the medicine into the wine flask.

Jiang Han grimaced as he watched.

“Pour a little less… The wine is getting thick. Aiya, it looks like dough drop soup.”

“Less nonsense. Drink up.”

“Is it bitter?”

Jiang Han hesitated.

But after a glance at Jiang Ran, he closed his eyes and downed it in one gulp.

He opened his eyes, blinked, and said, “It’s sweet.”

“Good medicine is bitter to the taste. If you make poison bitter too… who would be willing to take it?”

Jiang Ran said with a laugh,

“Now that you’ve taken this medicine, I can rest easy. This is just ground-up Four Seasons Pills. It’s basically still Four Seasons Pills… the effect is the same.

“Also, I have some more here…”

He pulled out another large handful from his robes and gave it to Jiang Han.

“When you get back to the Flower and Rain Alliance, go ahead and share this with the other Hall Masters.

“As they say, share blessings and hardships alike, wouldn’t you agree?”

“…”

Jiang Han stared at the Four Seasons Powder Jiang Ran had just shoved into his hand. After a long moment, he finally sighed.

“Has anyone ever told you… that you’re insidious?”

“Nonsense.”

Jiang Ran was not at all pleased with this assessment.

“I’m not insidious. I’m vicious.”