Chapter 013: A Visitor

Selina’s expression was no longer one of surprise, but rather an indescribable shock. No matter what this young noble lord wanted to do to her, she would never be surprised. Yet he still wanted to help her avenge herself—really…
Selina wasn’t some spoiled little girl, nor was she inexperienced in society. She understood well that people like Du Fan, no matter how kind-hearted they might be or how bored their lives were, would never do such things for someone like her—a mere plaything…
But when they did such things, it usually meant they could gain more benefits from it.
So what did this noble lord want from her at such a great cost? Her body? Her chastity? Or perhaps… love?
Selina didn’t understand.
Du Fan looked at her calmly, without any trace of desire in his eyes. He exhaled softly and said, “Selina, don’t you understand why I’m doing this?”
Selina nodded.
Du Fan stretched out his finger and lightly traced her wrist, cutting the silver chain around it. “See… if I keep you here bound, all you can be is my plaything. But if I let you go, perhaps… you’ll perform a good show for me…”
“Look…” Du Fan took out a piece of gauze from his pocket. “This is a map of the city lord’s mansion… As my men have investigated, this bell tower is Baron Gabriel’s favorite place to stay. If I’m not wrong, he’ll be waiting there for me in a moment… And you, before I arrive—do you think you can kill that Baron Gabriel?”
Selina’s face twisted in hesitation. After a moment, she whispered, “I… I’m not sure…”

Du Fan smiled faintly. He waved his hand a few more times to cut the remaining three silver chains, then tossed a delicate dagger and several magic scrolls into Selina’s arms. “If… if everything in this world were certain… wouldn’t it be boring? It’s precisely because of the uncertainties that this world has a bit of fun. I’ve given you a chance for revenge. Whether you’ll cherish it is your own decision… But you don’t need to worry too much. Even if you fail, out of respect for me, Gabriel will spare your life… I’m telling you all this now, but whether you’ll go or not… is still up to you…”

Seeing the dagger and magic scrolls in her arms, Selina finally gritted her teeth, grabbed the dagger, and rushed toward the window of the room. The window was gently pushed open a crack. Selina glanced back at Du Fan one last time and whispered, “Thank you…” As soon as she finished speaking, she turned around and disappeared into the night sky.

Du Fan walked over slowly. From this room, he could see the bell tower in the garden from afar. He couldn’t help but sigh softly, seemingly lost in thought.

“Well… Does Young Master Du Fan think it’s a pity to let such a stunning beauty go? Shall I go fetch her back for you? I promise not a single hair of hers will be damaged.” A smiling voice came from beside Du Fan. Du Fan’s expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. He shook his head subtly, smiled, and said, “It seems inappropriate for Lord Oscar, who should be enjoying those twins, to come here and care about me, Du Fan, right?” As he spoke, his gaze drifted casually aside.

There, Oscar was still dressed simply, but now he was “standing” diagonally on the wall, his face eerily clean. With just one glance, Du Fan knew Oscar was definitely not just an ordinary bard. If every bard in this world had his skills, then… he was truly done for.

Noticing Du Fan’s strange look, the twin-loving Oscar couldn’t help but smile and say, “I didn’t expect my little trick to pique Young Master Du Fan’s curiosity… If you’re interested, would you like to learn it? Though it’s not very practical, it can make one look more handsome whenever one has a date with a beauty.”

Du Fan shook his head slightly and said, “Forget it… As for you, Lord Oscar, as the saying goes, no one comes to the temple without a reason. Since Lord Oscar has two beautiful women at his disposal yet still comes to help me guard the window, it’s probably not just for fun, right? If there’s anything you want to say, Lord Oscar, just speak plainly—I’m Du Fan, I’ll listen.”

Oscar nodded and smiled gently. “Young Master Du Fan is indeed straightforward. Then I won’t be polite with you either. I do have something to discuss with you… But Young Master Du Fan, this place isn’t very suitable. Given Gabriel’s nature, he must have set some traps. No matter what you said just now, he’s likely already aware of it. If we want to talk, we need to go somewhere else.”

Du Fan smiled faintly and said, “Then please lead the way, Lord Oscar.”

Oscar nodded but couldn’t help glancing at Du Fan again. “Young Master Du Fan, didn’t you worry at all when you sent that beauty to ‘assassinate’ Gabriel? If I’m not wrong, she probably won’t even get close to the bell tower before being captured.”

Du Fan shook his head nonchalantly. “So what? To me, this is just a game… If Gabriel can’t even handle one woman, then it’s fine if he dies… And if nothing happens to her, well? He wouldn’t dare confront me even if he wanted to…”

Oscar frowned slightly. “Then, Young Master Du Fan… you…”

“Nothing…” Du Fan said calmly. “I just think this woman still has some use. I want to keep her around and make use of her. But if I don’t use this method to extinguish her hopes, she might ruin my plans at any time. When the last glimmer of hope in her heart is snuffed out, then… she might become a proper servant… or… a puppet… But it doesn’t really matter. I’m just giving it a try.”

Oscar felt a bit puzzled, but since he wasn’t extraordinary either, he pretended not to understand Du Fan’s last words and made a gesture. “Young Master Du Fan… then please…”

Soon, Oscar’s figure moved through the air, and moments later, he brought Du Fan to another place.

This place is clearly the terrace of the hall below, but there’s no one else here at the moment. However, there’s a set of tables and chairs on the terrace, with twice as much grape wine on them. Oscar casually sat down on one of the chairs, picked up the glass, and gestured for Du Fan to sit down as well. Judging from his actions, everything seemed to have been prepared in advance. Du Fan was puzzled but showed no signs of it, instead sitting down casually and looking around for a while. The terrace was quite large, exuding a mysterious atmosphere under the dark night. There were several exquisite stone sculptures on the terrace, made of a material called ivory stone, which shone brilliantly. “This place isn’t bad, is it?” Oscar asked softly, noticing Du Fan’s expression. Du Fan nodded slightly, picked up the glass of red wine on the table, and then said in a low voice, “This place is indeed nice… In fact, even most of the entertainment venues in the capital don’t have such grandeur. That’s quite surprising.” “Young Master Du Fan, you must rarely go to places like this before, right?” Oscar gave Du Fan a deep look. “If you went here often, you’d know… Even in such places, there are differences in status. In the capital, ordinary venues naturally can’t compare to this place hidden within the city lord’s mansion, but some higher-class ones… well… they’re absolutely extraordinary…” Du Fan nodded indifferently and said, “So what?” After thinking for a moment, Oscar continued, “Young Master Du Fan… I have no other intentions… I brought you out this time just to talk to you about one thing…” “Oh…” Du Fan said, “What is it?” Oscar replied, “Just now, I somehow sensed that you, Lord Du Fan, seem to harbor some murderous intent toward Baron Gabriel. But that intent was extremely weak. If I hadn’t been paying close attention, I probably wouldn’t have noticed it.” Du Fan smiled faintly and said, “Lord Oscar is truly perceptive. But what does that prove?”

“It doesn’t mean much,” Oscar said indifferently. “I just want to tell Lord Du Fan that no matter how much you dismiss this Baron Gabriel, you can’t kill him at this moment. I’ve heard a bit about what happened today. If Young Master Du Fan is upset, he can just beat him up to vent his anger, but if he really wants to take his life… I think even Young Master Du Fan wouldn’t be able to do that.”