Lan Xia's Plan

Lanxia rose from the ground, looking somewhat disheveled.

She hadn’t expected the assassins from the Blood Pact to be dealt with so effortlessly by that man.

An adventurer, perhaps?

Incredibly powerful, and with such a youthful face…

Lanxia studied Xia Lun intently, her gaze unwavering, though her thoughts remained inscrutable.

Liyana climbed down from the carriage, bypassed Lanxia, and approached Elesha.

The young girl was still sprawled on the ground, her face pale as she clutched her thigh in pain.

"Bear with it," Liyana said, pulling out a sharp dagger before carefully extracting a thumb-sized stone embedded deep in Elesha’s flesh.

"Ah!" Elesha cried out again.

The stone had been lodged like a bullet in her muscle, making it impossible for her to stand.

Once the stone was removed, a green glow emanated from Liyana’s hand, and the bloody wound began to knit itself together rapidly, new flesh sprouting in its place.

Elesha held her breath, eyes wide with astonishment as an odd itchiness spread from the healing injury.

Soon, only a faint scar remained where the gash had been.

"All done. Avoid strenuous activity for the next few days—the new tissue is still fragile and could tear," Liyana advised, wiping the blood from her hands with a handkerchief.

"Th-thank you," Elesha murmured, her cheeks regaining a hint of color, though she still looked frail and pitiable. "But… why did you save me?"

"What kind of question is that?" Liyana tossed her hair back with a charming smile. "How could I not help a lovely young lady in distress?"

Elesha was momentarily speechless.

She didn’t notice how Liyana’s right hand gripped her left wrist, restraining herself from playfully tilting Elesha’s chin up.

I already have Delyan, and I’m pursuing Mo Lini… No need to stir up more trouble.

"I… I am Elesha Norman, head of the Norman Family. Thank you for your kindness," Elesha said, scrambling to her feet and bowing hastily to Xia Lun.

"We were just passing through," Xia Lun replied flatly. Taking Aina’s hand, he turned to return to the carriage.

Liyana, seeing this, prepared to follow.

"Wait, honored adventurers!" Lanxia called out, stopping them. "Yueno City lies just ahead—it’s the Norman Family’s territory. If you’d like, why not be our guests at the estate?"

Liyana grinned and nudged Xia Lun, her intentions obvious.

Free food and lodging!

Adventurers were a frugal yet extravagant lot—they’d splurge on top-tier gear but wince over losing a bet on a few mugs of ale.

Xia Lun sighed but ultimately agreed.

A good leader knew how to keep his team happy.

---

Yueno City wasn’t particularly renowned.

If it had any claim to fame, it was the sprawling mineral-rich mountain range to its north, abundant with rare ores and metals.

That mine belonged to the Norman Family, cementing their influence over the city—after all, every miner relied on them for livelihood.

Elesha’s father, the previous head of the Norman Family, had studied geology abroad in his youth.

Upon returning, he dedicated himself to the mines, earning the miners’ respect—even descending into the shafts himself, heedless of danger.

Twelve years ago, on Elesha’s third birthday, a cave-in took his life.

Her mother followed soon after, leaving Elesha as the sole heir, raised by her grandmother, Lanxia.

Growing up, Elesha had always revered and feared Lanxia in equal measure.

"Listen well, Elesha. You bear the duty of continuing the Norman bloodline…"

That was her grandmother’s constant refrain.

By the time Elesha turned thirteen, Lanxia had begun scouting potential suitors—though none ever met her standards.

And now…

"Elesha, tonight, you must find a way to… connect with Xia Lun. Secure his seed," Lanxia murmured gently inside the carriage.

"Grandmother… what are you saying?" Elesha paled. "I barely know him!"

"This is for your own good," Lanxia countered, glancing at Xia Lun’s retreating figure. "Powerful, young, handsome—your child with him would be perfect."

Elesha shook her head. "I don’t want to—"

"What more could you ask for in a man? Obey me, Elesha. The future of our family rests on you!" Lanxia’s voice sharpened. "I’ve sacrificed everything to raise you. Don’t be selfish."

Elesha fell silent.

She knew Lanxia had lost the ability to bear more children after her father’s birth—a regret that haunted her grandmother.

And now, with her parents gone…

"But… what if Xia Lun refuses?" Elesha bit her lip. "He seems close to that silver-haired woman…"

Lanxia scoffed. "He’s traveling with three women. What does that tell you? Youthful vigor, hot-blooded impulses—if you offer yourself, he won’t hesitate."

Her eyes raked over Elesha. Though young, her figure was already alluring, her delicate features brimming with charm.

"Trust me, child. A man like Xia Lun—so strong at his age—must come from a hidden lineage. And he’s not heartless. He’d treat you well." Lanxia stroked Elesha’s hair, her expression tender.

Elesha pressed her lips together… and finally nodded.

"Good girl."

Lanxia’s wrinkled face broke into a smile—one that made Elesha shudder rather than feel comforted.

"Tonight… I’ll create an opportunity. I’ll keep those three women away, and then…"

She leaned in, whispering instructions into Elesha’s ear.

Elesha’s face twisted with emotions—shame, reluctance, resignation.

Yet in the end, she gave another small, obedient nod.

Recommend Series

Being a Wandering Singer in the Cultivation World

Being a Wandering Singer in the Cultivation World

't think I'm that capable, I'm just trying my best to stay alive. I've been kind all my life, never did anything bad, yet worldly suffering spared me not one bit. The human world is a nice place, but I won't come back in my next life. A kind young man, who wanted to just get by singing, but through repeated deceits and betrayals, has gone down an irredeemable path.

My System Seems Different from Theirs

My System Seems Different from Theirs

ts me of treason?" "Correct. The host must return to the capital and gradually build up influence." "Wait—I have half a million soldiers, and you want me to go back to the capital to 'build influence'?" "Host, you are currently the Northern Garrison General, loyal to the Great Xia Dynasty." "Of course I am loyal to Great Xia! Absolutely loyal!" "But you keep referring to yourself as 'We'..." "Never mind the details! Summon all the regional commanders and military officers! We suspect treacherous officials are manipulating the court! They shall march with Us to the capital and purge the corrupt!" "......"

The Creepy Love Game with Everyone Being Yandere

The Creepy Love Game with Everyone Being Yandere

] This is a dark fantasy-themed dating simulation game. The main gameplay involves containing various monster girls and investigating the truth of a world shrouded in mist alongside your companions. However, due to his love for the dark and bizarre atmosphere, Luo Wei ended up turning a dating game into a detective mystery game. Women? Women only slow down his quickdraw! To Luo Wei, the female leads in the game are more like tools to perfectly clear levels and squeeze out rewards. For Luo Wei, flirting with every girl he meets and then discarding them is standard procedure. Worried about characters losing affection points? No need. With his maxed-out charm stat, Luo Wei is practically a "human incubus." A little psychological manipulation and those points come right back. It's a bit scummy, but the paper cutout heroines in the game won't actually come at him with real cleavers. However... Luo Wei has transmigrated. He's accidentally entered the second playthrough of this game. His past actions have caused all the girls to transform into terrifying yanderes. Due to the game's setting, most of the heroines he once contained are "troubled girls." Obsessive, twisted, mentally unstable, all aggressive yanderes... The type who will kill you if they can't have you... Luo Wei wants to cry but has no tears left. "I really just want to survive..." In short, this is a story of battling wits and engaging in a love-hate relationship with yanderes.

After Rebirth, the System Tells Me Cultivation Is Easy

After Rebirth, the System Tells Me Cultivation Is Easy

is also known as: "Sword Flying Under the Desk: My School Life" "Balancing Cultivation and STEM Homework" "The System That Taught Me to Take College Entrance Exams While Surviving Heavenly Tribulations" Good news: I got reincarnated. Even better news: I got reincarnated with a system. So, should I chase wealth? Or pursue immortality? Maybe become a superhero for the motherland? But with regrets weighing on this second life, I’d rather fix what I missed before. System: "Host, the cultivation world is full of dangers. You must form your Golden Core immediately!" Lin Mo glanced at the truck he’d just stopped with one hand. "At my level, it’s not like I’ll piss off ‘Little Boy’ or ‘Fat Man,’ right? Whatever—I still have two math problems left. Go play by yourself." System: "How can you still focus on homework at a time like this?! Host! Don’t throw your life away!" Lin Mo stayed silent, burying himself deeper into his workbook.