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.