Lan Pei wasn’t too concerned about himself. Though he’d lost his parents early, he believed he could manage just fine.
Hearing Lan Xiaobu’s words now, he quickly picked out two shops and a workshop for him. As for the old residence, there was no need to choose—however shameless the Lan family might be, they wouldn’t stoop to seizing Lan Xiaobu’s home.
Seeing Lan Pei about to select more, Lan Xiaobu waved him off. “Lan Pei, that’s enough. Where are the deeds for these shops and the workshop?”
Before Lan Pei could answer, Lan Feiqian jumped in, “They’re still in your hands.”
Lan Xiaobu recovering and only taking this little thrilled Lan Feiqian—and not just him, the others too. Unlike before, when they’d snatched his property, this time Lan Xiaobu had主动 divided it. Legally and morally, they were off the hook.
“Big Brother Xiaobu, this…” Lan Pei started, alarmed that he was giving up nearly seventy percent of the estate.
Lan Xiaobu cut him off. “Lan Pei, what I had you pick is for you. Come back with me later—the old Lan residence included, it’s yours too. If anyone dares say a word, you strip them of their right to inherit my property.”
His words shifted all eyes to Lan Pei, who they silently admired for his cunning. How could he have known Lan Xiaobu would recover today?
Regardless of their thoughts, Lan Xiaobu led Lan Pei out of the hall.
…
“Big Brother Xiaobu…” Back at the Lan residence, Lan Pei couldn’t hold back his questions. Heaven’s witness, when he’d chosen those shops and the workshop, he hadn’t meant them for himself.
Lan Xiaobu waved him off again, waiting until they reached the study to speak. “Brother Lan Pei, due to my own circumstances, I don’t know much about this place—just that it’s Tianyuan City, the capital of the Qiyuan Lordship. Give me a quick rundown on the Qiyuan Lordship and what’s beyond it. I’m planning to leave and make my own way.”
Lan Xiaobu was sure that, even without divine sense or divine energy, with the Blue Wing Star on him, he could find Su Cen.
“No way, don’t!” Lan Pei blurted, stopping him.
He took a breath, gathering his thoughts. “The Qiyuan Lordship we’re in is just one of over a hundred lordships under the Dakong Empire—barely noticeable. The Dakong Empire is boundless, no edges in sight. Don’t think being lordships under one empire means no fighting. They’re at war all the time—countless die yearly.
“The Qiyuan Lordship survives, and we live peacefully, because it’s dirt-poor. Plus, there’s a massive Death Swamp between us and other lordships—no one can conquer us. Leaving Qiyuan is a death sentence. Forget crossing the swamp—even if you did, you wouldn’t survive. War and bandits are everywhere—not like here, where we’re safe in Tianyuan City.”
“Young Master, I heard you’re fully recovered—your old servant’s overjoyed!” A man in his forties or fifties burst into the study, beaming.
Lan Xiaobu’s face darkened. He didn’t know how many people stayed in the estate after his adoptive father’s death, but he hadn’t seen the maid who’d always brought his meals today.
This man he vaguely recalled—Steward Li. But his actions didn’t match a servant’s demeanor.
“Steward Li, you should at least call out before barging in,” Lan Pei frowned.
Li snapped to, hastily saying, “Sorry, I was too worried about the Young Master and lost myself for a moment.”
He said it, but didn’t leave.
Lan Xiaobu sighed inwardly. This old dog had clearly gotten used to thinking he could push the young master around. He stood, grabbed a paper-cutting knife, and approached Steward Li.
Li frowned at the knife, unimpressed. He’d served the old master, not this stray brat. After the old master died, he’d never taken Lan Xiaobu seriously. The family estate he couldn’t touch—too many Lan brothers—but Lan Feiyu’s other leftovers? He wouldn’t let those go.
Even if Lan Xiaobu was awake, or as fit as Lan Pei, Li could take ten of them. He was a seventh-stage martial artist.
“Where’s the house you bought outside?” Lan Xiaobu asked coolly.
“Ancient West Street, number 261…” Li stopped mid-sentence, catching himself. Why was he answering this kid?
“Then die,” Lan Xiaobu said, slashing down with the knife.
A glint of malice flashed in Li’s eyes. He shifted to dodge and counter—no need to hold back now. A sudden death for this fool wouldn’t raise much fuss.
*Splurt!* Blood sprayed. Steward Li stared in horror and disbelief at the knife in his neck.
Hadn’t he dodged? Why did it feel like he’d thrown his neck onto the blade? Wasn’t he a seventh-stage martial artist? Was it fake? His thoughts ended there.
“Big Brother Xiaobu, you…” Lan Pei gaped, stunned.
Lan Xiaobu patted his shoulder. “Go call everyone left in the Lan household to the main hall. I’ve got something to say.”
He was leaving, but Lan Pei clearly hadn’t faced much of the world’s harshness. Left alone, he couldn’t even handle Steward Li. Lan Xiaobu didn’t bother wasting words when a knife could settle it.
Lan Pei took a while to recover, his face pale. “O-okay. Li was a servant—don’t overthink it.”
He was rattled but tried to comfort Lan Xiaobu. He didn’t get why his brother, fresh from waking, carried such a heavy edge. Normally, you’d report this to the authorities.
Lan Xiaobu smiled. Overthink? He hadn’t thought at all.
…
Half an incense stick later, in the main hall, Lan Pei had gathered everyone—seven in total.
Lan Xiaobu’s gaze swept over them. “Where’s the one who brought my meals?”
It’d been a maid. He hadn’t seen her since waking.
A sharp-looking young servant stepped forward. “Young Master, Sister Cen always tried to get you something nice to eat. Steward Li thought she was wasteful and sent her away.”
Lan Xiaobu cursed inwardly—killing Li with one stroke was too good for that bastard.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
The servant replied quickly, “I’m Lan Qing, also picked up by the old master.”
Lan Pei added, “Lan Qing’s solid. When Su Cen left, he secretly gave her some of his savings, though he’s got little himself…”
“Su Cen?” Lan Xiaobu shot up, staring at Lan Pei in shock. “Brother Lan Pei, you said Su Cen?”
Lan Pei nodded. “Yeah, Su Cen and her mom had nowhere to go, nearly starved. Uncle took them in. Her mom cared for you at first, then after she passed, Su Cen did. Oh, Uncle named her—your gem has two names: Lan Xiaobu and Su Cen.”
“Lan Qing, do you know where Su Cen went?” Lan Xiaobu asked urgently. He’d been awake too briefly to check the Blue Wing Star’s carvings.
He wasn’t sure if this Su Cen was *his* Su Cen, but he had to find her.
Lan Qing answered fast, “I don’t know. I gave her some travel money and saw her off. Didn’t ask where—she’d figure it out. I could only help that much.”
“Who’s got a portrait of Su Cen?” Lan Xiaobu’s tone chilled as he scanned the others.
A middle-aged woman stepped up. “Young Master, I can roughly draw her.”
“You can paint?” Lan Xiaobu eyed her, skeptical.
She nodded. “My family fell apart—your father saved me and my husband. We stayed with him after. Three years ago, my husband passed, and I’ve had no heart to leave.”
Lan Xiaobu nodded. “Draw Su Cen’s portrait now. And from today, Lan Pei’s the young master here—everything’s his call.”
“Big Brother Xiaobu…” Lan Pei tried to protest, but Lan Xiaobu stopped him. He saw Lan Pei’s hesitation, his lack of decisiveness, and decided to cut off some loose ends for him.
“Lan Qing, drag Li’s body from the study and feed it to the dogs—he bullied his master, so I killed him. Then go to Ancient West Street 261 and bring everything back here. Do it well, and you’re the new steward.”
His words sent a shiver through the servants. This young master was fierce—barely awake and already offing Li.
Lan Qing, stunned, bowed quickly. “Young Master, I’ll handle it.”
Young as he was, he’d seen enough to know this was a test. Li was dead, branded a traitor, but his family might linger. Lan Qing had to use that charge to wipe them out.
