Chapter 23: You trust Shen Lang so much, you're going to end up pregnant!

"This..."

Watching Shen Lang hand over two spatial rings containing five hundred thousand spirit stones each, Nalan Yanran was momentarily stunned. "You intend to give these spirit stones to your Master?"

"Exactly!" Shen Lang nodded solemnly. "I am a man who values gratitude. Her Majesty has treated me well; these one million spirit stones are a token of my filial piety to her."

Seeing that Shen Lang was sincere, Nalan Yanran looked at him with newfound approval. She felt she must have misunderstood him in the past. Otherwise, how could a scoundrel like him be willing to give away a million spirit stones—borrowed ones at that—to her Master?

Thinking of this, Nalan Yanran bowed to him with genuine sincerity. "I am sorry, Shen Lang. My attitude toward you in the past was my fault. Please, do not take offense."

"It is nothing. I have long grown accustomed to it; you need not apologize. Quickly, take these spirit stones back so that Her Majesty may recover from her injuries as soon as possible!"

With that, Shen Lang struck a tragic, heroic pose—reminiscent of a warrior departing for a battle from which he might not return—and strolled slowly toward his small courtyard. Little did he know, Nalan Yanran’s eyes turned red as she watched his retreating figure.

What a truly noble person! She had misjudged him all this time. It was simply unforgivable. She would have to make it up to him properly in the future.

With that thought, Nalan Yanran did not hesitate and flew toward the Imperial Palace. Before long, she arrived at the Yangxin Palace, where Shen Xiao was recuperating.

"Master, your disciple has an urgent matter to report," she said gravely.

"Speak," Shen Xiao said, her eyes closed, her tone indifferent.

"Today, I confirmed through Shen Lang that Zhao An is indeed one of Zhao Tianba’s men. And Zhao Tianba is plotting a rebellion!"

"Oh?" Shen Xiao snapped her eyes open, a cold glint flashing in them. "That old man Zhao Tianba, he truly knows how to bend and stretch when the situation demands it."

"Master, shall we eliminate Zhao Tianba?" A cold light flickered in Nalan Yanran’s eyes as well.

But Shen Xiao waved her hand. "I have told you many times: do not always think of killing. Since Zhao Tianba has chosen not to rebel for now, it means Shen Lang’s plan has succeeded. That fellow will become the most obedient dog in my hand for the time being. Why kill him?"

Rebuked, Nalan Yanran immediately lowered her head, her voice timid. "This disciple is dull-witted."

"Sigh, you girl, your loyalty is unquestionable, but you still need to learn the ways of the world. Do not blame your Master for being harsh by making you stay by Shen Lang’s side; he is truly worth learning from!"

Hearing Shen Lang’s name, Nalan Yanran nodded earnestly. "Yes, today I learned much useful knowledge from him. He is indeed a fine mentor!"

"Huh?" Seeing Nalan Yanran take the initiative to call Shen Lang a "fine mentor," a strange expression crossed Shen Xiao’s face. She asked softly, "What have you learned from him? Just don't come back to me with a big belly!"

Nalan Yanran’s face flushed red. "Master, Shen Lang is not that kind of person! He even had me bring you one million spirit stones."

"What on earth?" Shen Xiao was genuinely shocked. "Shen Lang gave me one million spirit stones? Where did he get them?"

Nalan Yanran did not hide anything and recounted the story Shen Lang had told Huang Yiyi. Upon hearing this, the corners of Shen Xiao’s mouth twitched uncontrollably.

"That dog, he’s using my name to commit fraud! And you still call him a fine mentor?"

"Fraud?" Nalan Yanran was confused. "He didn’t, did he? He borrowed these stones from Huang Yiyi!"

"Borrowed, my foot!" Shen Xiao cursed. "Someone with his personality would never be so submissive to Huang Yiyi. This is clearly revenge for the Huang family breaking off their engagement! He gave me one million only because he’s afraid that if he doesn’t pay them back, the Huang family will file a complaint with the Emperor or try to take action against him, and he wants me to handle it for him!"

"Ah?" Nalan Yanran was stunned. She had just thought of Shen Lang as a saint, yet he was so calculating. Her eyes grew red again. "I’m going to go settle the score with that jerk!"

As she turned to leave, Shen Xiao said coldly, "Where are you going?"

"He lied to me!" Nalan Yanran’s eyes shimmered with tears of frustration.

Watching this, Shen Xiao was caught between laughter and tears. "What did he lie to you about? Did he say those million stones were a dowry or a tax?"

"This..." Nalan Yanran was left speechless. Shen Lang hadn't said anything of the sort. It was all her own assumption. What did it have to do with him? Feeling her intelligence had been crushed, she still felt indignant. "That bastard borrowed three million from the Huang family and only gave you one million. Shouldn't I go after him?"

"He was generous enough to split it 6:4. If he hadn't given me a single cent, what could I have done? After all, haven’t you seen his potential? Would I really push a true genius to the opposing side over a few spirit stones?"

Hearing the words "true genius," the expression on Nalan Yanran’s face turned solemn. After all, in the eyes of geniuses like them, only those who truly break through their own shackles can be called true geniuses. If such a talent does not die, they are destined to become a great power in the future.

Thinking of this, Nalan Yanran asked seriously, "Does Master intend to support him?"

"I am currently so poor that I can only absorb a hundred spirit stones a day. Supporting him—what of it? As long as he can secure resources for me, I will back him even if he tears the sky open! However, tell him I am not satisfied with this split. It must be reversed!"

Hearing this, Nalan Yanran felt her worldview shatter once more. She had never imagined that her omnipotent Master would one day be so worldly and mercenary.

As if sensing her thoughts, Shen Xiao said with great gravity, "The path of cultivation is cruel! Talent, opportunity, and resources are all indispensable. I seek these resources so that you, my silly girl, may have a better future. Do you understand your Master’s painstaking efforts?"

Looking at Shen Xiao’s earnest expression, Nalan Yanran nodded, deeply moved. "This disciple understands."

"Good, you are teachable," Shen Xiao said with a nod of satisfaction. "Take a thousand of these stones and go cultivate. Tomorrow, follow Shen Lang to Guiyun City! And do not forget, you must bring back the treasures from the Guiyun Secret Realm for me! If you cannot manage it, make Shen Lang find a way. Otherwise, I shall not be at ease!"

Hearing the name "Guiyun Secret Realm," a grave look appeared on Nalan Yanran’s face. She nodded heavily. "This disciple will not let you down, Master!"