CHAPTER 744: CHAPTER 611: NEW YEAR’S EVE DISPUTE (BONUS CHAPTER FOR MONTHLY TICKETS)

After that day, Feng Lan’s instruction was still provided by the Earth Venerate.

However, whenever the two were together, the entire study would turn as cold as an ice cellar; even a living person entering could be frozen to death.

In the blink of an eye, another ten days passed.

It was deep winter now, nearing the end of the year.

In this season, most medicinal grasses in the mountains had been covered by accumulated snow, and sightings of Spiritual Beasts were scarce.

As many mercenaries had gone home for the new year, even Mercenary City seemed quieter than usual.

This was Ye Lingyue’s first New Year away from her family.

To Ye Lingyue, this didn’t matter much, as she had been a simpleton for the first thirteen years of her life and didn’t really have a concept of the New Year.

In her vague memories, whenever the New Year came around, Ye Huangyu would become irritable. With only the company of three servants in the desolate North Manor, it was a memory she’d rather not dwell upon.

The New Year that left the deepest impression on Ye Lingyue was the one spent at the Lan Residence.

Her adoptive father Lan Yingwu was a generous man. He invited some old comrades and their families from the army and set up dozens of tables at the Lan Residence. They drank for three days and nights, celebrating boisterously with the soldiers, while Lan Cai’er often fanned the flames, joining in the revelry with the troops.

It was one of the rare occasions when Lady Lan allowed her husband and daughter to drink to their hearts’ content.

However, this year was different.

Due to Lan Cai’er’s insistence on marrying Yan Jiu, it was natural that she could not return home.

Not even waiting for New Year’s Eve, Ye Lingyue would often see Lan Cai’er standing on the city walls, staring silently at distant Daxia.

Her appearance filled both Yan Jiu and Ye Lingyue with pity, knowing she must be missing her parents at home.

After discussing it, they decided to celebrate this year’s New Year festively to cheer up Lan Cai’er.

Once the news spread, it indeed cheered Lan Cai’er up considerably. She busied herself with the Earth Venerate and Long Baobao, all hands on deck.

By the twenty-eighth day of the last month of the year, the entire City Lord’s Mansion had undergone a complete transformation.

Red lanterns and New Year couplets filled with festive atmosphere adorned the walls; the couplets were written by Feng Xun, the characters dancing like flying dragons and soaring phoenixes, remarkably beautiful.

"Brother-in-law Feng, both you and your handwriting are so handsome." Lan Cai’er, who had been pregnant for just two months, had a belly that looked more like that of someone three or four months along.

"Indeed, such fine calligraphy. Some people don’t know how many lifetimes of good karma it took to have such a wonderful son, yet they still drove him away." The Heavenly Venerate nodded in agreement, not missing the opportunity to throw a jab at Feng Lan.

Feng Lan remained unfazed, his gaze sweeping across the streets.

In a few corners of the street, several suspicious figures shuddered under Feng Lan’s fierce gaze.

They didn’t dare approach the City Lord’s Mansion any further and slinked out of the city.

Outside Mercenary City, in a few unremarkable tents.

"Elder Ying, we really can’t do this. We don’t dare accept this Silver Tael; please find someone more capable."

Having said that, the few mercenaries fled from the tent.

This was already the fifth group this month.

Elder Ying from the Yaochi Immortal Pavilion and Xue Pianran with her changed face were residing in these tents.

After curing Heir of King Kaijiang Chen Mu, under Xue Pianran’s repeated urging, Elder Ying came to Mercenary City, ready to seize the opportunity to make a move on Ye Lingyue and abduct her for body-soul transference.

But who would have expected that the security in Mercenary City had become extremely strict recently, and non-mercenaries had no way of entering.

Elder Sakura had no choice but to offer a hefty reward to hire some freelance mercenaries, asking them to infiltrate the city and make their move.

Who would have thought that these mercenaries had no way of getting close to the City Lord’s Mansion because Feng Lan resided there.

Feng Lan’s cultivation had already reached the Peak of Five Reincarnations, and he was even slightly more skilled than Elder Sakura, who was only adept in medical skills.

With him in charge, the mercenaries had barely approached the City Lord’s Mansion before they were discovered.

Once Feng Lan took action, it would either result in death or injury, leaving the mercenaries terrified. Elder Sakura had raised the price for capturing Ye Lingyue to one million Gold Taels. Yet despite the high reward, catching Ye Lingyue, let alone encountering her, was incredibly difficult.

At this rate, Xue Pian Ran was going to need another face change.

"Mother, this won’t do. With Feng Lan there, we simply have no way to capture Ye Lingyue."

Xue Pian Ran also became anxious; this was already her second face change.

The experience was truly unbearable, and the thought of Feng Xun and Ye Lingyue being together filled her with unbearable jealousy.

"My child, don’t be anxious. I have already thought of a plan. Someone has informed the Beiqing Empress that Feng Lan is always in Mercenary City. I believe it won’t be long before the Empress orders someone to summon Feng Lan back. Once Feng Lan is gone, Mother will enter Mercenary City with you. I refuse to believe that we still won’t be able to catch that Ye Lingyue."

Hearing this, Xue Pian Ran’s heart filled with joy. She looked at Mercenary City amidst the forests, her eyes brimming with venomous resentment. Ye Lingyue, enjoy your freedom for a few more days. Soon enough, everything, including Brother Feng Xun, will belong to me!

New Year’s Eve arrived quickly.

Among those who came to the City Lord’s Mansion to celebrate the New Year were Aguduo and Jin Wu Old Monster, making up a full table.

As dawn broke, activity buzzed in the City Lord’s Mansion.

Since Ye Lingyue did not like to rely on servants, there were only a few in the City Lord’s Mansion, so the New Year’s Eve dinner was organized collaboratively by Earth Venerate, Lan Cai, and Ye Lingyue.

Not long into the preparations, Yan Jiu stealthily took the opportunity to switch Lan Cai with Feng Xun.

The remaining few gathered around a table, warmed some wine, and started chatting about family affairs.

Considering that everyone had different tastes, Feng Xun suggested making hot pot.

This also happened to coincide with Ye Lingyue’s preference. She secretly brought out a vast amount of spiritual fruits and vegetables from her Hong Meng Heaven.

Just in time, a new shoot of Qiankun Purple Gold Bamboo had sprouted. She harvested it alongside the spiritual produce, needless to say, it was incredibly tasty.

With soy sauce dips and spicy sesame paste, a vibrant and lively table was set.

When the copper hot pot was brought to the table, everyone cheered.

Long Baobao stared at the feast on the table, a trace of melancholy on his little face.

He missed his grandfather.

"Little Steamed Bun, it’s the New Year, don’t look so glum. In a moment, Sister will give you a big red envelope," Ye Lingyue consoled Little Steamed Bun, squeezing his cheek.

He immediately broke into a smile.

Feng Lan noticed a layer of red chili flakes in a dish and frowned slightly.

He couldn’t eat spicy food.

Seeing this, Earth Venerate pushed a bowl of sauce toward him.

Feng Lan saw that it was a non-spicy sesame paste.

His heart stirred slightly, curious how Earth Venerate knew his preference. He stole a glance at Earth Venerate, but the latter’s face was expressionless.

Heavenly Venerate was busily adding food to Earth Venerate’s bowl.

Feng Lan’s eyes darkened at the sight, feeling an emotion brewing within him.