"Oh, sister, Hong Chen is a disciple of Feng Lei Pavilion and is also favored by a highly influential Elder from the pavilion. Now that Hong Chen is dead by our hands, what will we do if Feng Lei Pavilion retaliates against us?"
"We're not afraid of Feng Lei Pavilion. With Xu Ran by our side, any move they make would be tantamount to seeking their own death. I actually hope they come for us; it would be a prime opportunity to show the world that the Han Family is no longer one to be trifled with." In Zhongzhou, even Soul Hall had been brought to its knees by Xu Ran; what was Feng Lei Pavilion in comparison? She was secretly hoping for Feng Lei Pavilion to come after them for Hong Chen's sake, just to show everyone that the Han Family wasn't to be messed with anymore.
"Ah? Isn't Xu Ran from Canaan Academy just like you? And it seems like he came from the Northwest Continent? Could he have lied to me again?" Han Xue was taken aback when she heard Han Yue speak so lightly of Feng Lei Pavilion.
That was Feng Lei Pavilion!
Feng Lei Pavilion was no ordinary force like the Hong Family; it was a behemoth!
Could they really deal with Feng Lei Pavilion so easily?
"He didn't lie to you. But his strength is great, far greater than you can imagine," Han Yue said playfully, winking. A Dou Di... how could he not be strong?
"Really? Could Xu Ran be stronger than the Master of Feng Lei Pavilion?" Han Xue was dumbfounded. She knew Xu Ran was strong, but she wasn't clear on the extent of his strength. She knew at least he was a Dou Zong, but she never imagined he had reached such a level.
"Of course. Otherwise, do you think your sister would dare to make such boasts? Your sister is pretty smart," Han Yue said with a cheerful laugh, feeling extremely proud of Xu Ran's strength. Her man was simply invincible.
"Alright then, in that case, he is worthy of you," Han Xue murmured. Even a Dou Zun wasn't worth fussing over for someone as powerful as him. To be with such a man, even if he was a bit of a flirt, was acceptable. Naive as she might be, she knew that her sister being with someone of his caliber was a match well made, even if he was a bit lecherous. His merits could outweigh his flaws. But she didn't think her sister was currently being very smart; she used to be sharp and clever, but after falling in love, it was as if she'd become silly.
The two sisters didn't continue the discussion about Xu Ran after that. Though Han Yue wanted to make Han Xue understand more about Xu Ran, she kept getting interrupted and eventually dropped the subject.
Han Xue had complex feelings toward Xu Ran. The affection that had just started to take root had been forcefully severed by herself. Even though she kept telling herself he was her brother-in-law, images of Xu Ran appearing out of nowhere to save her kept flashing through her mind.
She was deeply conflicted.
Moreover, she understood that a man who made her sister rave to such an extent and even act lovesick could not be lacking. Xu Ran had killed three Dou Huangs with a wave of his hand and then casually killed Hong Chen. Such a talent, even in Zhongzhou, was top-notch.
She didn't want to know too much about Xu Ran, also because she feared that learning more might cause her to fall for him, which could affect their sisterly bond. To nip the burgeoning feelings in the bud now was the most rational move she could make.
At this moment, Han Xue still thought that her crush on Xu Ran would turn Han Yue against her, so she refused to entertain the idea.
By evening, Han Chong and the others had finished sorting through the loot, and Xu Ran and Xin Lan had also returned on horseback.
"Xu Ran, is there anything amiss with me? Could you check for me?" Xin Lan feared there might still be some charm not cleaned off her person, which would be terribly embarrassing.
Especially in the eyes of Han Yue who would likely tease her endlessly about it.
Xin Lan's voice was a bit hoarse, and it was uncertain what exactly she had done earlier.
"No, nothing at all. You've asked many times already; would I let you be embarrassed in front of others?" Xu Ran said helplessly. She had asked the same question many times.
He wasn't one of those exhibitionists who took pleasure in exposing his wife or got a thrill from such situations.
"Oh, decided to come back, did you?"
Han Xue stood next to the repaired carriage, her face cold as she spoke.
Seeing Xu Ran and Xin Lan being all lovey-dovey, riding together and playfully bickering, her heart was very unsettled.
She didn't know if she was standing up for Han Yue, or if she was just jealous herself.
"This lecher, really up to no good. They've been gone for so long; they were probably up to something indecent," Han Xue visualized some inappropriate scenarios in her head and her mood worsened even more.
Are these two in such a rush?
Behaving so wantonly in public!
Originally, Han Xue had a rather positive impression of Xin Lan, but now it had turned into full-on hostility. Of course, she also wondered if her sister, Han Yue, when with Xu Ran, was also like this... She believed her sister would never do such things.
"I'm at least the person who saved your life. Is this how you treat your savior?" Xu Ran coughed lightly.
"Hmph," Han Xue's face turned red, and with a soft snort, she quickly retreated back into the carriage. No matter what, it was true that Xu Ran had saved her, and if he hadn't shown up, she would have ended up in Hong Chen's clutches—a fate without anything good in store. Hong Chen had always coveted her body, and for him to defile her would obviously be the most painful thing.
However, her disdain for Xu Ran, the lecher, was also strong.
Already having his own sister and yet flirting with her, he was clearly no good.
She even suspected that Xu Ran wanted, well, both.
"Lord Xu Ran, we're all set. We can get on our way now," Han Chong said to Xu Ran with a smirk. He certainly wouldn't dare neglect this new member of the Han Family. Especially since they admired and were grateful to Xu Ran so much.
"Let's go," Xu Ran nodded. He didn't know how long it had been since he last rode a horse. But with a beauty in his arms, he naturally wouldn't miss out on such a good opportunity.
"Really, Xin Lan has been with Xu Ran for so long, and now she can still ride horses with him," Han Yue, lying next to the carriage curtains, watched Xu Ran embrace Xin Lan's slender waist from behind as they galloped off, and couldn't help feeling jealous.
Such a poetic and picturesque scene was something she had long fantasized about.
Xin Lan leaning softly against Xu Ran's chest, looking so relaxed and limp, stirred even more jealousy in Han Yue. It was obvious that Xin Lan was very happy now.
"Ahem."
Han Xue, upon hearing Han Yue's bold and wistful words, nearly missed her step and fell out of the carriage.
Were these really words coming from her sister? My heavens! What in the world did Canaan Academy teach my sister? Why did she become like this, so frightening?
That jealousy, that possessiveness, that sky-high resentment, and the silly infatuation—it all made Han Xue's skin crawl.
Is this the true state of a girl fallen in love? So scary!