Chapter 020: Unexpectedly

As soon as the words left her mouth, Xue Lan felt her right hand go weak. The dagger that had been clamped around Du Fan’s neck was pulled away by her, and she even threw it on the ground. It was a strange feeling, as if some voice in her subconscious was telling her to do so.

But moments later, Xue Lan regained her composure. She stepped back a few steps, stared at Du Fan, and couldn’t help but shout, “You… you… what did you do to me?”

Du Fan sighed and said, “They say women are unreasonable. It seems true after all. It was you who obediently threw away the dagger. How can it be said that I did something to you? If I really had done something to you, you wouldn’t be standing here now. Miss Xue Lan, believe it or not, I’m quite skilled in that area. How about we give it a try?”

He spoke slowly, emphasizing the word “try” clearly. Even if Xue Lan were stupid, she wouldn’t fail to understand his meaning.

Her face changed, and she shouted, “Du Fan, you deserve to die!”

Before she could finish speaking, she rushed at Du Fan like a swift cheetah.

But Du Fan simply sighed again, touched his nose, and said, “Look, this woman is not only unreasonable but also stubborn. How about this—roll around on the ground a few times before talking again?”

As soon as Du Fan finished speaking, Xue Lan, who had already rushed at him, suddenly changed expression. She fell to the ground abruptly, rolled a few times in the most standard manner, and then stood up in a hurry.

With her skirt up, her underwear was fully exposed. Du Fan watched with admiration and couldn’t help but sigh, “You seem so mature and composed, but you’re actually quite childish. What’s embroidered on your underwear? A puppy? Or a kitten? By the way, Miss Xue Lan, your taste is really poor. I think you should embroider a handsome guy on it. At the very least, it should be on the same level as mine, don’t you think?”

“You… you… you… bastard! Pervert!!! Monster!!!” Xue Lan’s face was a mix of shyness and panic. “What exactly did you do to me?”

Du Fan smiled and said, “I didn’t do anything to you. I just gave you some advice. But I didn’t expect you to be so obedient. It seems I really can’t bring myself to kill you!”

“You… you’re lying! It was my body that suddenly lost control!” Xue Lan was so anxious she almost cried. “What… what exactly did you do…?”
Du Fan sighed and said, “You really are a troublesome woman. Didn’t I say I know a little skill to save my life, but I can’t let others know? Now that I finally get a chance to use it, you can’t even guess what I used. It’s truly disappointing! You’re supposed to be a professional assassin, though judging by your performance, you’re far from professional. I really wonder who taught you such foolish behavior. I should probably go ask around at the Assassin Guild… Anyway, since you’re an assassin, you must have some basic understanding of the martial arts in the Roland Continent. As far as you know, how many magic and martial arts techniques on this continent can do this? This is about controlling your body—complete control!”
Xue Lan thought for a moment before her expression changed. “Speech Magic! You used the barbarian’s Speech Magic!”
“Ah, you actually guessed it.” Du Fan showed a hint of surprise. “I didn’t expect anyone to recognize this technique. It seems the forces behind Miss Xue Lan are quite strong. But since you know one of the three great barbarian secrets, you must also understand its effects, right? You’re an assassin, and no matter how strong your will is, it can’t compare to that of a mage. But unless you’re a mage, how can you counter my technique… So, if you don’t want to suffer, just stand there quietly and don’t move. Answer whatever I ask, or else… well, I can’t predict what will happen!”
“You know Speech Magic! How is that possible! How is that possible! How could anyone in this world learn such a technique!!!” Xue Lan was terrified and couldn’t help but shout.
Du Fan frowned and said, “If you keep talking so loudly and attract others, what will you do? You really are a troublesome woman!”
With that, Du Fan casually pulled out his Phantom Wand and waved it a few times, creating a silence barrier.
Xue Lan’s expression became even more bizarre. She stared at Du Fan for a while before stammering, “Y-you… you also know magic?!”

“What’s so strange about me knowing magic?” Du Fan glanced at Xue Lan with disdain. “Not to mention magic and combat energy—I also know the three secret arts of the barbarians. Hmph, do you really think your mediocre skills are of any use against me? It’s strange too—who exactly are your backers? To be so behind the times that they don’t even know I know magic? How useless!”
With that, Du Fan casually sat back down in the rattan chair and said in a low voice, “Alright, stop struggling. Under my willpower, you’ll do whatever I tell you to. And now that I’ve cast a silence barrier, no one will come to save you even if you shout. So it’s better if you obey. Answer whatever I ask. If I’m satisfied, I might let you go. But if not… hmph…”
A malicious smile appeared on Du Fan’s face. “I’ll send you to the military camp to work as a military prostitute. With your looks, I’m sure hundreds of men will come to take care of you every day. And under my willpower, even if you try to commit suicide, I’ll make sure you have no strength other than struggling and groaning. What do you say…?”
Xue Lan shuddered and couldn’t help cursing, “You devil! You bastard! You demon!”
Du Fan smiled faintly. “Devil? Bastard? Demon? Dear Miss Xue Lan, even your curses lack originality… Don’t forget, it was you who came to assassinate me without reason. I’ve already shown mercy by not killing you right away. I’m a good person, so I’ll give you a chance to atone. See, I’m a believer in the Light. I’m pure and devout. How could I do such a wicked thing? So as long as you cooperate with me, I’ll surely let you go!”
Xue Lan snorted. “If you use your willpower, won’t I just say anything? Is it really necessary to go through all this trouble?”
“Willpower?” Du Fan’s eyes flashed. “Oh, of course. If I use my willpower, you’ll obediently do everything. But… wouldn’t that be boring? It’s much more fun to watch you struggle between loyalty and selfishness, to see you hesitate over your words, to watch you suffer as you’re forced to betray your master. Isn’t that delightful? The more painful you are in front of me, the happier I’ll be. Isn’t that interesting?”

Xue Lan’s face had turned pale. She couldn’t help but curse, “You demon! I’ll never let you succeed!”
With that, she rushed at the dagger on the ground, grabbed it, and stabbed it at her own chest.
Du Fan sighed and said, “Stop!”
Then he saw Xue Lan’s expression change as the dagger stopped less than a centimeter from her chest.
Du Fan smiled and said, “Throw away your dagger, go sit on the bed, and then your whole body will lose all strength. Look, you insist on doing such troublesome things, ending up losing control of your own body. I really feel sorry for you!”
Xue Lan strangely threw away the dagger and sat down on Du Fan’s bed. Soon, her whole body went limp, as if she had no strength left.
“Ugh, what a troublesome woman!” Du Fan touched his nose. He stood up, walked slowly toward Xue Lan, stared into her eyes, and sneered, “So now, I’m going to ask questions. Remember, if you answer one wrong, I’ll tear off one of your clothes. When all your clothes are torn off, if I’m interested, I’ll take advantage of you. If not, I’ll just hand you over to the army… So, you don’t have many chances. For every question ahead, I hope Miss Xue Lan will answer obediently. Do you understand?”
“Tch, you pervert!” Xue Lan cursed softly.
Du Fan reached out and slapped Xue Lan’s face. With a sharp sound, a handprint appeared on her face. Du Fan said calmly, “Alright, woman. I think we can start now. Don’t think I won’t hurt you. Although there are things I dare not do, I have plenty of ways to deal with a woman. You’d better not test my patience, understand?”
“Then, the first question.” Du Fan sighed softly. “Tell me, who sent you to assassinate me?”
Xue Lan gritted her teeth but remained silent.
A hint of amusement flashed in Du Fan’s eyes. He slowly reached out and placed his hand on Xue Lan’s chest, smiling softly. “I don’t have much patience. If you still don’t answer after I count to three, then sorry, your first piece of clothing will be gone!”
“Let’s begin! One, two, three…”
Volume 14: The Final Judgment