Chapter 016: The Stab in the Back

Brandon deliberately put on an angry expression and said, “What are you talking about, Young Master Du Fan? Your father and I, the respected Duke Green, are colleagues. If we must count, it wouldn’t be wrong for Young Master Du Fan to call me uncle. Given our relationship, why should you be polite with me? If you like her, go ahead—just remember not to use force on her. But then again, judging by her attitude today, Young Master Du Fan might be able to win her heart tonight! As for me, I can only be envious.”
With that, the governor burst into laughter.
Du Fan’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly he cursed, “How dare you think you can get close to me? Uncle? You idiot! If I find out you were involved in last night’s incident, I won’t care if you’re an uncle or an elder—I’ll kill your whole family first before talking to you!”
Their conversation distracted them, and it seemed the stunning beauty in the hall had heard them. Her expression didn’t change, but her movements slowed down. As her movements slowed, the sound of the piano faded gradually until it disappeared completely!
The nobles looked as if they had just woken from a dream, stunned. One of them shouted, “Keep dancing! Why did you stop? I’m still waiting to watch!”
Hearing this, Brandon flew into anger and snapped, “How dare you! What right do you have to make a racket in front of Young Master Du Fan? Someone, take this damned guy away and make him scrub toilets for a month!”
Then he turned to Du Fan with an apologetic look and said, “These fools don’t know what’s good for them. Please forgive them, Young Master Du Fan!”
Du Fan nodded slightly, secretly amazed. The nobles had clearly been bewitched by the piano music, but Governor Brandon remained perfectly clear-headed. It seemed this governor was no ordinary person!
Seeing Du Fan nod, Brandon also nodded and then turned to the stunning beauty in the hall, whispering, “Lanlan, what’s wrong? Why did you stop dancing suddenly? Aren’t you afraid Young Master Du Fan will get angry?”
As he spoke, Brandon even winked.
But the woman named Lanlan glared at both Brandon and Du Fan and said in a delicate voice, “Although I’m just a singer, I’m by no means a plaything in men’s hands. I said before that I’d only perform, not sell myself. But you two… Hmph…”

With that, the stunning beauty who called herself Xue Lan turned and walked toward the exit of the hall. By now, all the nobles had regained their senses, but each of them carried a hint of schadenfreude in their eyes. Du Fan, on the other hand, casually picked up his glass and took a sip, secretly laughing to himself. It seemed this Lan beauty had used such tactics to drive everyone in the hall crazy—able to see but unable to possess it; certainly not a pleasant feeling! Brandon’s expression changed abruptly as he glanced at Du Fan’s mocking look. His face turned pale, and he smashed his glass on the table with a sharp crack. Instantly, a group of guards from the governor’s residence rushed in from all directions, surrounding the hall completely. Xue Lan’s expression shifted as she turned to glare at Brandon. “Lord Brandon, what does this mean?” she demanded. Though angry, she remained incredibly attractive, her chest rising and falling with each breath, creating a mesmerizing sight. Brandon snorted. “It’s your luck that Young Master Du Fan values you. This isn’t just another noble banquet; you can’t act willfully like some common lady, Xue Lan! I’m not afraid to tell you—today, you’ll stay whether you like it or not. Since Young Master Du Fan is interested in you, even if you refuse, you won’t be able to leave!” Xue Lan sneered. “So, Lord Brandon, are you planning to use force?” Brandon grinned viciously. “So what if I am?” Xue Lan nodded. “Fine. You’re forcing me into this. Lord Brandon, you must know my rules—whomever tries to force me, I’ll rather die than obey!” Before she could finish speaking, a flash of silver appeared as Xue Lan pulled out a small dagger from her waist and pressed it against her own throat. Brandon’s face twisted. “Good! Very good! But think carefully—what will happen to your sisters if you die?” With that, he waved his hand sharply. Immediately, a group of fierce guards rushed onto the small platform, grabbing the girls there. Some took the opportunity to abuse them, causing cries of pain to fill the air. Though these girls had seen much in life, they had never encountered such a scene before. After being captured, they soon began to sob softly. A few of the stronger ones shouted, “Sister Lan, ignore us! They won’t dare do anything to us!”

The few timid ones were already whispering and sobbing, murmuring, “Sister Lan! Aunt Lan! Save me… save me…” Hearing these cries, Xue Lan’s face turned deathly pale in an instant. She hesitated for a moment before gritting her teeth and saying, “Will you release my sisters if I spend one night with this Young Master Du Fan?” Brandon smiled faintly and said, “Of course! Normally I wouldn’t be so forceful, but since you asked to come here yourself, yet now want to leave halfway—where in the world is there such a good deal? You know better than I do what to do. Do I still need to say more?” Xue Lan gritted her teeth and huffed, then turned and walked toward Du Fan. When she reached him, she suddenly pulled back the corner of her skirt, knelt down, and said angrily, “Come then! But better hurry up—I’m in a hurry!” A hint of surprise flashed in Du Fan’s eyes. He had been sitting still the whole time, thinking that Xue Lan and Brandon were at most acting, but seeing her gaze now, he realized this was likely not an act. After thinking for a moment, he smiled softly and said, “Miss Xue Lan, right? Please stand up. If you don’t want to, it’s fine. No one will force you. Lord Brandon, please do me a favor this time and release Miss Xue Lan and her sisters as well!” Brandon looked embarrassed and said, “Young Master Du Fan!” “Release them!” “Yes!” Brandon nodded reluctantly, glanced at Xue Lan, and snorted, “You’re lucky. Still not leaving?” Xue Lan seemed not to hear him. Suddenly narrowing her eyes, she asked, “Young Master Du Fan, are you serious?” “Of course!” Du Fan smiled faintly. “Just go. I, Du Fan, wouldn’t lie to you about something like this.” Xue Lan seemed to sigh softly and said, “What a shame, Young Master Du Fan. You’re really a good person.” Du Fan frowned and was about to speak when his expression suddenly changed! Xiao Yulong beside him shouted, “Lord, be careful!” But before his words faded, Xue Lan, who had been on the ground moments ago, opened her mouth, and two streams of silver light shot out from her cherry-red lips, aiming at Du Fan’s face! This sudden change left almost no one able to react.

Seeing two streams of silver light approaching, Du Fan’s eyes flashed as he casually swung the cup in his hand. With two “ding” sounds, the silver lights were deflected but hit two guards instead. Two screams followed as those two men collapsed to the ground.

Du Fan blocked these sudden attacks, his palms tingling slightly. But before he could recover, Xue Lan suddenly leaped up from the ground. Somehow, she now held a dagger and charged at Du Fan!

“Assassin!!!”

A loud shout rang out!

Xiao Yulong, who was by Du Fan’s side, was an eighth-level Temple Knight with quick reflexes. He drew his Holy Cross Sword from his waist, and a massive holy cross symbol rushed toward Xue Lan. With no way to avoid it mid-air, she could only desperately block with her dagger. A dazzling light flashed as she deflected Xiao Yulong’s attack, but she tumbled several times before landing on the ground.

Yet, she seemed unharmed at all—Xiao Yulong’s attack hadn’t hurt her in the slightest!

Xiao Yulong raised his eyebrows, spun his Holy Cross Sword, and charged at Xue Lan again. At the same time, more than a dozen guards who had reacted quickly surrounded her.

Du Fan frowned slightly. He snapped his fingers, and several magic scrolls appeared at his fingertips. Taking this opportunity, he glanced around the hall and was secretly shocked.

Including Xiao Yulong, over a dozen people swung their swords at once. But with a series of “clanging” sounds, Xiao Yulong stepped back abruptly, his face turning pale. Meanwhile, the guards let out screams almost simultaneously—upon closer inspection, their wrists had been completely severed!

At that moment, a burst of silver light erupted from Xue Lan’s body, dazzling everyone. By the time they reacted, there was no one left in the hall!

This sudden change shocked everyone; almost no one could react in time. But only Du Fan smirked coldly. He suddenly let out a deep hum, flung the magic scrolls behind him, and then heard a muffled groan. A few drops of blood fell from the empty air.

Yet Du Fan’s magic vanished silently.

Du Fan stared and listened for another moment before saying in a deep voice, “Alright, that woman has run away…” Then he gave Governor Brandon another intense look and whispered, “Governor Brandon, the events you arranged today are truly wonderful!”