Damn it, he had to find a way out.
He was the head of the Ran Clan. If he died like this, it would be far too unworthy an end.
In an instant, a string of ideas flashed through Ran Zijin's mind. At last, he gritted his teeth and said, "Hero, stop! I can give you money, power, beautiful women, as long as you let me-"
"Money?"
A hint of amusement flashed in the black-clad man's eyes. This fellow was actually offering him money.
Ran Zijin was overjoyed, thinking the other man was tempted. He hurriedly nodded. "That's right, I'll give you lots and lots of money. I only ask that you, great hero, show mer-"
Bang!
Before he could finish, the black-clad man sent him flying with a kick. He slammed hard against the edge of the table, feeling as though every bone in his body had broken.
Just as he tried to struggle, a pain shot through his chest, and his face instantly turned deathly pale.
This fellow really was going to kill him!
"Catch the assassin!"
Fortunately, the guards of the Ran residence finally arrived at that moment, reaching the door in the blink of an eye.
"Hmph, consider yourself lucky!"
When the black-clad man saw them coming, he abandoned the assassination and leaped out the window. After a few bounds, he disappeared into the Ran Clan's rear courtyard.
"Clan head, are you all right?"
The guards who had rushed over saw that Ran Zijin's chest was still bleeding, and their faces changed drastically.
That sword had struck him in the chest. The clan head was probably in grave danger!
News of the assassination attempt at the Ran residence quickly spread, instantly setting Northern Liang City abuzz once more.
This was the Ran Clan, the second most powerful clan in Northern Liang!
Now, not only had the Ran Clan's heir apparent been struck by an arrow, but even the clan head had been gravely wounded and fallen unconscious. The whole family had nearly been wiped out!
"Good heavens, who has the guts to try to assassinate even Ran the Tiger?"
"Hmph, what Ran the Tiger? He's almost a dead tiger now."
"I heard the assassin's sword pierced his chest. This time, Ran Zijin is probably in grave danger. I reckon he's done for."
"I say it's karma. They've done plenty of evil in the past. This is all karma!"
The common people talked endlessly about the assassination attempt on the Ran Clan, though most were laughing at its misfortune.
The Ran Clan had always been overbearing, and now it had finally taken a major tumble.
Even the clan head had been attacked. If Ran Zijin remained unconscious, this branch of the Ran Clan would probably be finished.
Wafting Fragrance Pavilion!
Lin Yi leisurely sipped his wine and watched the beauties dancing onstage. He had once again returned to his role as a wastrel heir apparent.
Now that the chief steward had returned, things were much easier for him, so naturally he had come out to enjoy himself.
Wafting Fragrance Pavilion had been Lin Yi's favorite haunt in the past. It was also one of the few places for entertainment in Northern Liang City. Many heirs apparent and young masters liked to come here for fun, making it a high-class establishment.
Although it was somewhat improper for an heir apparent to visit a brothel, he used to come here every day. If he suddenly stopped coming, others would become suspicious instead, so he came with a clear conscience.
Moreover, as Great Ning's strength recovered, songs and dances had also begun to flourish. People fancied themselves connoisseurs of the arts and grew fond of this kind of physical beauty, giving rise to a great many dancing girls.
As a brothel, Wafting Fragrance Pavilion had naturally trained quite a few dancing girls. Their graceful figures were on full display as they danced, a feast for the eyes that made even Lin Yi nod inwardly.
Beautiful! Enchanting!
Every gesture and movement was naturally beguiling. Wafting Fragrance Pavilion really knew a thing or two.
"Your Highness, this beauty has excellent skills, and that figure of hers... She truly deserves to be the courtesan queen." Across from Lin Yi, a young man watched the beauty and clicked his tongue in admiration.
Damn!
Seeing him like this, Lin Yi couldn't help feeling several black lines appear on his forehead.
Good grief!
Was this really Jia Xu, the venomous strategist? Why did he seem so much like a brothel-goer?
He said irritably, "Jia Xu, you're my strategist, at the very least. Don't lose the ability to walk whenever you see a beauty!"
"Hehe, appetite and desire are human nature. Even the sages said so!" Jia Xu chuckled. He had never considered himself a sage; on the contrary, he was an ordinary man, free of so many restraints.
Morality and ethics were less important to him than staying alive. Everything else was just empty talk.
"Damn!"
Lin Yi curled his lips, defeated by the fellow's shamelessness.
But when he thought about Jia Xu's life, it seemed only natural. This was Jia Xu, who paid no mind to trifles; he clearly didn't place much value on such things as virtue. In any case, he could never betray Lin Yi, so there was no need to make an issue of it.
"Have you taken care of the matter?" Lin Yi asked.
Jia Xu nodded and smiled. "Rest assured, my lord, I arranged everything long ago. However..."
"However what?"
"We're out of money!"
Out of money?
Lin Yi immediately frowned and said gravely, "We wiped out several factions before. How could we be out of money? There should have been enough to buy some more things."
"Did you forget? His Highness took most of it, saying it was the price of taking the blame."
Jia Xu gave an awkward laugh.
Only then did Lin Yi remember that his father, the prince, had waved his hand and taken a huge portion of his profits.
That had left him short of money, which was rather awkward.
"Your Highness, good news!"
Just as Lin Yi was feeling annoyed, he suddenly saw the brothers Zhang Long and Zhao Hu had also come to Wafting Fragrance Pavilion and were trotting toward him. Their little steps were so cheerful that it was as if they had picked up money.
"What is it? Didn't I tell you not to disturb me while I'm visiting in disguise and investigating the assassin?" Lin Yi asked with a frown.
Uh!
At those words, not only were Zhang Long and Zhao Hu dumbfounded, even Jia Xu was astonished. The heir apparent's words were truly flawless.
Calling a trip to a brothel a visit in disguise was simply brilliant.
"Your Highness, we didn't want to disturb you while you were visiting the brothel either..."
"Big brother, shut up! What do you mean, visiting a brothel? We shouldn't have disturbed His Highness while he was visiting in disguise and hunting the assassin. But forgive us, Your Highness. This is such wonderful news that we had to interrupt your enjoyment!"
The heir apparent's display had left Zhang Long's scalp tingling, and he had nearly said the wrong thing. Fortunately, Zhao Hu pulled him back.
Seeing the heir apparent's expression turn from cloudy to clear, Zhao Hu couldn't help breathing a sigh of relief. Thankfully, he was quick-witted. When it came to finding excuses, though, His Highness was still the best. Otherwise, Zhao Hu wouldn't have taken the blame so many times.
"What wonderful news?" Lin Yi asked with some anticipation.
Zhao Hu didn't dare keep him in suspense and hurriedly explained, "Your Highness, we found a huge salt mine where we can establish a large-scale salt works. By our estimates, it should be enough to supply our Northern Liang for a lifetime!"
"The whole of Northern Liang for a lifetime?"
Lin Yi's heart jolted. How big would a salt mine have to be to supply the whole of Northern Liang City for a lifetime?
If it was true, these two had rendered a great service.
A salt mine that big would surely be worth a fortune. This time, he was going to get rich-filthy rich!
He had just been lamenting his lack of money, and now it had come knocking at his door.
With such a white gold mine, a steady stream of cash would surely flow into his hands, enough to support any development he undertook.
Recruiting soldiers!
Speeding up weapons and equipment research and development!
Feeding the army!
All of those things cost money.