Chapter 163: A Solution
When Zhou Ziyu finished speaking, he seemed afraid that Yu Lanfeng wouldn't believe him, so he hurriedly added,
“A lot of people in the organization were tempted after hearing what Bai Zhouyun said. As far as I know, some of them have already brought him here to try. If they succeed, they can take Nan Yu away without losing a single person. That way, they'll easily obtain both of those treasures.”
“Of course, they can also complete the mission perfectly. You have to understand, completing missions earns a huge amount of rewards from the organization's upper ranks. This time, the leader even increased the rewards, so everyone became fired up and wanted to try.”
Yu Lanfeng asked, “But quite a long time has already passed, and we haven't received any further information. Were they just talking?”
Zhou Ziyu quietly glanced at Yu Lanfeng.
Yu Lanfeng immediately understood.
They had indeed come.
They knew exactly where Nan Yu was and were probably well aware of his daily whereabouts.
They simply didn't dare make a move.
Because the person standing beside Nan Yu...
...was Yu Lanfeng.
Anyone who knew Yu Lanfeng understood just how terrifyingly powerful he was and exactly what kind of person he was.
Once they learned that Nan Yu had become the Mental Power User of Yu Lanfeng's legion and remained by his side at all times, they became extremely uneasy.
Everyone knew that if Yu Lanfeng was involved, anyone standing against him would inevitably fail.
It had become an unquestionable truth.
Ever since Yu Lanfeng rose to fame, he had never once been defeated.
No matter how numerous or powerful his enemies were, his flames always reduced everything to ashes.
Anyone who opposed him—or the Empire—would eventually be burned to nothing.
Many people had even begun speculating about the relationship between Nan Yu and Yu Lanfeng.
If there wasn't some hidden secret between them, why would Yu Lanfeng protect Nan Yu so fiercely?
However, after comparing everything with their previous investigation, they came to another conclusion.
If someone as extraordinary as Nan Yu came to work under them as a Mental Power User, then from Yu Lanfeng's perspective, they would absolutely keep such an invaluable person by their side as well.
Still, now wasn't the time to dwell on that.
Zhou Ziyu carefully explained the organization's plans for abducting Nan Yu.
Very quickly, however, they realized the information wasn't especially useful.
Because unless Yu Lanfeng and Nan Yu could somehow be separated...
...their chance of succeeding wasn't even one percent.
Yu Lanfeng asked,
“So what you're saying is that the organization intends to take Nan Yu away, and they're currently planning how to separate the two of us for at least half an hour?”
Zhou Ziyu nodded.
“This was something I happened to overhear while discussing things with them before. Several months have already passed, so I don't know what methods they've settled on now. But if they want to carry out such a plan, they'll definitely need to coordinate with a great many infiltrators already planted inside your legion, so...”
That made the list he possessed incredibly valuable.
Even Yu Lanfeng couldn't guarantee that he could remain with Nan Yu twenty-four hours a day, or at the very least keep him within sight at all times.
Yu Lanfeng smiled faintly.
“So if we cooperate, it'll truly be mutually beneficial?”
Zhou Ziyu was instantly overjoyed.
He believed Yu Lanfeng had accepted his earlier proposal.
This was wonderful!
Once he escaped this hellhole, he'd hide inside the organization forever and never come out again!
Yu Lanfeng continued,
“In that case, didn't you already offer a token of sincerity? Write down the names of everyone you know who's infiltrated my legion but doesn't actually belong to it. I'll spend one or two months verifying them one by one.”
“If you escape during that period, my legion will hunt you down, because that would prove you're only stalling for time and the list you gave us is fake.”
“But if I finish verifying everything and return to find that you're still here, then I'll know you've been telling the truth.”
“At that point, I'll choose to trust you.”
Zhou Ziyu swallowed hard.
So in order to earn even Yu Lanfeng's most basic trust...
...he had to obediently remain imprisoned here until Yu Lanfeng finished traveling around to verify everything.
If Yu Lanfeng moved slowly...
Wouldn't that mean four or five months?
Half a year?
Possibly even an entire year?
What if Yu Lanfeng simply forgot about him halfway through?
Even worse...
He absolutely couldn't leave this place.
That meant even if someone came to rescue him while Yu Lanfeng was away...
...he couldn't escape with them.
...
Wait.
Why couldn't he escape?
Wasn't his entire goal simply to delay for time until he could leave this place?
Only by escaping Yu Lanfeng's control completely could he regain his freedom.
After thinking it over, Zhou Ziyu nodded firmly.
“I understand. Don't worry. I'll stay here the entire time. Everything I said before was sincere.”
Yu Lanfeng nodded without revealing any emotion.
He picked up some paper and a pen before handing them over.
“The list. Write it on paper. Give it to me after you're finished. I'll verify every single name.”
Zhou Ziyu accepted the paper and pen and slowly began writing.
He didn't dare falsify this list.
The first names he wrote were the personnel stationed at the current military base.
Afterward, he continued according to his own order.
However, he had no idea in what sequence Yu Lanfeng would inspect the legion's other military bases.
All he could do was write every single name he remembered, racking his brain to avoid leaving anyone out.
Was this a joke?
If he inserted fake names and Yu Lanfeng happened to investigate those people next...
The list contained mostly real names anyway.
If those genuine infiltrators were captured and couldn't withstand torture...
They would confess.
If what they confessed didn't match the names he'd written...
He'd be finished.
Leaving names off the list was equally dangerous.
Once those captured spies began talking, they'd inevitably expose every accomplice they knew.
If someone they named wasn't on his list...
Even if it wasn't technically a lie...
To Yu Lanfeng, the result would be exactly the same.
And in that case...
He would probably die at their hands.
Nan Yu quietly took a deep breath.
He wasn't entirely sure what Yu Lanfeng was thinking.
This wasn't a particularly good plan.
The list was very likely genuine...
But as for everything Zhou Ziyu said afterward—
Nan Yu didn't believe a single word of it.
Only after Yu Lanfeng finished negotiating with Zhou Ziyu and walked out did he notice Nan Yu standing outside with a cold expression.
Only then did Yu Lanfeng remember...
Nan Yu probably didn't approve of what he'd done.
After closing the door, Yu Lanfeng looked at Nan Yu's face.
He knew he was angry.
Although Nan Yu appeared calm...
Yu Lanfeng had already become very familiar with him.
Walking over, he asked softly,
“Are you angry?”
Nan Yu took a deep breath.
“No. You're the Marshal. You don't need to discuss every decision with anyone.”
“And since you've led your legion all the way to today, it proves your decisions are usually correct.”
“I'm not angry.”
Yu Lanfeng knew perfectly well that he was.
At the same time, he also knew Nan Yu truly believed what he'd just said.
He understood that Yu Lanfeng's decisions had good reasons behind them.
But emotionally...
He simply couldn't get past it.
So he silently kept everything bottled up instead of making unreasonable demands.
Thinking about it made Yu Lanfeng's heart ache.
He reached out, took Nan Yu's hand, and gently held it.
“Let's head back first.”
“We don't need to worry about Zhou Ziyu for now.”
“We'll investigate everyone on this list first. Once we've confirmed everything, we'll arrest them all.”
As for Zhou Ziyu...
Even if he really escaped...
It wouldn't have any meaningful impact on the legion.
Because they could already tell...
This man had been frightened out of his wits by the legion.
If he still dared provoke them again after all this...
Yu Lanfeng would actually admire his courage.
Nan Yu nodded.
“Alright.”
“Then let's start with this military base.”
“After finishing here, we'll move on to the next one.”
Although he'd heard every word of the earlier conversation from outside the room...
Nan Yu still didn't believe the list was genuine.
He couldn't shake the feeling that Zhou Ziyu was lying.
Anything he handed over couldn't possibly be entirely trustworthy.
Of course...
Nan Yu didn't deny that some of the names belonged to real spies.
But innocent people had to be mixed in as well.
Because of that, Nan Yu decided to accompany Yu Lanfeng throughout the entire investigation.
If someone was clearly innocent...
He could remind Yu Lanfeng in time and avoid...
However...
Almost immediately, another thought occurred to him.
Yu Lanfeng had led this legion for many years.
He'd undoubtedly encountered countless infiltrators sent by enemy forces and other military legions.
Perhaps...
He could already distinguish the innocent from the guilty himself.
The more Nan Yu thought about it...
The unhappier he became.
Because it suddenly felt as though...
He wasn't useful to Yu Lanfeng at all.
The reasons were obvious.
First...
Even though Yu Lanfeng's Mental Sea suffered severe Mental Contamination, it could still slowly purify itself and repair itself naturally.
Second...
Yu Lanfeng possessed overwhelming combat strength.
He was the Empire's strongest Ability User.
Rather than protecting Yu Lanfeng...
Nan Yu was the one who constantly needed Yu Lanfeng's protection.
Lastly...
Behind Yu Lanfeng stood both the Imperial Family and his entire legion.
His reputation throughout the Empire was unmatched.
No matter how much Nan Yu thought about it...
He couldn't figure out what made him worthy of standing beside Yu Lanfeng.
Perhaps...
Not walking into the room earlier to object...
Had actually been the right decision.
After bringing him back to the office, Yu Lanfeng finally noticed something was wrong with Nan Yu's expression.
“What is it?”
Nan Yu shook his head.
His expression had calmed considerably.
So had his heart.
It suddenly occurred to him that perhaps...
He really wasn't in any position to interfere with Yu Lanfeng's decisions.
Especially decisions that seemed completely correct.
Nan Yu took another deep breath.
He didn't even know where he ought to place himself anymore.
The organization targeted him only because Yu Lanfeng protected him.
Without Yu Lanfeng...
He couldn't have remained safe until now.
Rather than saying they were equals...
It was more accurate to say...
Nan Yu couldn't leave Yu Lanfeng.
Seeing him remain silent, Yu Lanfeng asked again,
“What is it?”
Nan Yu answered,
“I'm fine.”
“I'm just worried that this list is fake.”
“Even if it isn't completely fabricated, it would be normal if half of it were.”
“There's no way Zhou Ziyu would hand over everyone he knows.”
Yu Lanfeng looked directly at him.
“I know what you're worried about.”
“But don't worry.”
“I'll never let anything happen to you.”
“Alright, Xiaoyu?”
Nan Yu looked deeply into Yu Lanfeng's eyes.
“I know.”
“You've always done a very good job.”
Although those words sounded sincere...
Nan Yu didn't look happy at all.
Yu Lanfeng could clearly see the pain in his heart.
He simply couldn't understand why.
After thinking for a moment, he asked,
“Xiaoyu...”
“Do you think the deal I made with Zhou Ziyu was too dangerous?”
“That it wasn't the right time and should've been handled more cautiously?”
Nan Yu shook his head.
“Not really.”
“I know this list is extremely important.”
“This legion is your life's work.”
“And...”
“To be honest...”
“I also want to see your legion reach even greater heights.”
Yu Lanfeng blinked in surprise.
He suddenly realized he'd found the root of the problem.
Slowly...
He pulled Nan Yu into his arms.
Then he lifted him onto his lap and wrapped both arms tightly around him.
The unexpected embrace startled Nan Yu.
“What...?”
“Why are you...?”
Yu Lanfeng spoke quietly.
“I know you're unhappy.”
“You didn't show it.”
“I'm not good with words.”
“I can't say romantic things.”
“But I can promise you this.”
“If you stay with me...”
“You'll never regret it.”
Nan Yu couldn't help laughing.
The confession sounded more like an advertisement slogan than a love confession.
The lingering discomfort and sense of distance he'd felt earlier...
Had somehow disappeared completely.
“I... I...”
“I don't think I've done anything...”
Yu Lanfeng looked at him seriously.
“But I know you're unhappy.”
“So...”
“Can you tell me why?”
Meeting that straightforward gaze, Nan Yu suddenly felt unbearably embarrassed.
His mouth moved before his brain could stop it.
In only a few sentences...
He blurted out everything he'd been thinking.
Only afterward did he realize...
He'd said everything.
Both the things he should've said...
And the things he shouldn't.
Immediately covering his face, he buried himself against Yu Lanfeng's chest, refusing to move.
Yu Lanfeng didn't speak immediately.
He simply continued holding him quietly.
Waiting for Nan Yu to calm down.
Yet Nan Yu remained absent-minded for a very long time.
Yu Lanfeng wasn't impatient.
He silently waited.
Nearly an hour later...
Nan Yu finally whispered,
“Are you angry...”
“That I actually think this way...?”
Yu Lanfeng gently replied,
“This was my mistake.”
“I took too much for granted.”
“From the very beginning, I knew what you wanted.”
“You wanted to walk beside me.”
“Not remain behind me forever.”
Nan Yu quietly leaned against him without speaking.
In truth...
That wasn't exactly what he meant.
But he simply couldn't help thinking that way.
Yu Lanfeng had truly considered everything for him.
He'd thought of every possibility.
Handled every problem.
Nan Yu only needed to peacefully enjoy the safe and happy life Yu Lanfeng had prepared for him.
But...
That wasn't what he wanted.
He wanted to fight beside Yu Lanfeng.
Enjoy life together.
Discuss things together.
Make decisions together.
Reality, however...
Was different.
He'd believed they stood shoulder to shoulder.
But in truth...
Yu Lanfeng had always protected him beneath his wings.
That filled Nan Yu with a deep sense of crisis.
He had to become a High-Tier Mental Power User as quickly as possible.
Only then...
Would he truly have the opportunity to stand beside Yu Lanfeng.
Instead of remaining behind him forever...
A beautiful but ultimately sheltered canary.
Nan Yu took a deep breath.
“I'm sorry...”
“I don't want to think this way either.”
“But I can't help it.”
The corners of Yu Lanfeng's lips curled upward.
As long as Nan Yu was willing to speak...
Everything was fine.
“It's alright.”
“I've been feeling like something was missing lately.”
“So this was it.”
“I arranged everything for you.”
“I thought that was what was best.”
“But I never stopped to consider whether it was actually what you wanted.”
He also remembered something else.
When he'd decided to come here before...
He hadn't discussed it with Nan Yu beforehand.
Perhaps...
That was when the first seed had been planted.
Yu Lanfeng felt incredibly fortunate he'd noticed it now.
If he'd allowed that seed to keep growing...
Until it became a towering tree...
One day...
The distance between them might have become impossible to bridge.
That was something he never wanted to see in this lifetime.
“So,” Yu Lanfeng asked gently,
“What do you think we should do about this list?”
“I actually believe it's completely genuine.”
“After everything we'd already discussed...”
“If Zhou Ziyu still dared hand me a fake list...”
“I'd kill him the moment I discovered it.”
Nan Yu narrowed his eyes.
“That makes sense.”
“In that case...”
“I'll prepare a backup plan.”
“Only then can I leave him here without worrying while we visit the other military bases.”
“And with this safeguard in place...”
“Even if someone comes to rescue him...”
“He won't be able to leave with them.”
Yu Lanfeng thought for a moment.
Then he seemed to realize something.
“You mean...?”
Nan Yu smiled faintly.
“Yes.”
“Fight fire with fire.”
“What do you think?”
Yu Lanfeng nodded.
“It's an excellent idea.”
“Shall we go find Zhou Ziyu now?”
Nan Yu nodded immediately.
“The sooner the better.”
“I just hope he can withstand the news.”
“Otherwise...”
“We'll have to do it while he's unconscious.”
Yu Lanfeng replied calmly,
“I can knock him unconscious.”
Nan Yu stood up from his chair.
“There's no need.”
“If he resists...”
“I can suppress him with my own strength.”
“The Mental Power he forcefully raised with drugs may look similar to mine...”
“But whether it's quantity or quality...”
“It's absolutely no threat to me.”
It merely looked comparable.
Exactly as Nan Yu had said before.
And he could confidently say it again now.
Seeing Nan Yu so full of confidence, Yu Lanfeng said nothing more about helping.
However...
When Nan Yu actually made his move...
Yu Lanfeng would absolutely remain at his side.
If anything unexpected happened...
He could respond immediately.
When Zhou Ziyu saw Yu Lanfeng return so quickly, he couldn't help feeling puzzled.
What was going on?
Such a short amount of time couldn't possibly have been enough to verify the situation at this military base.
So why had he come back already?
Had he discovered something wrong?
Had he guessed his intentions?
Was escaping Yu Lanfeng really that impossible?
Behind Yu Lanfeng...
Nan Yu entered as well.
From the moment he walked inside, Nan Yu carefully observed Zhou Ziyu's expression.
At no point...
Not even for a split second...
Did Zhou Ziyu show panic.
The instant Nan Yu saw that...
He understood.
The list had truly been genuine.
Normally, if someone had submitted a fake list, then seeing Yu Lanfeng return so soon would make their first thought:
The fake list has been exposed.
They would immediately become nervous and wonder how they'd been discovered so quickly.
But Zhou Ziyu showed no such reaction.
Which meant...
The list was real.
That honestly surprised Nan Yu.
He'd been completely convinced earlier that at least part of it was fabricated.
Still...
Real was even better.
Once they finished here, they could visit every military base, root out every infiltrator, and wipe out every member of the organization hiding within the legion.
That would allow Yu Lanfeng's legion to become truly impenetrable.
And for them...
That was unquestionably good news.
Zhou Ziyu looked at them.
“Is there something else?”
“I've already told you everything I know.”
“I've already handed over everything I have.”
“If you're asking for anything else now...”
“I can only say I have nothing more.”
Yu Lanfeng remained silent beside him.
Good.
Zhou Ziyu immediately understood.
The one questioning him this time...
...was Nan Yu.
“Hello, Nan Yu.”
“I didn't expect we'd meet again.”
“I thought Marshal Yu would never allow you to see me.”
“After all...”
“That mission we talked about before was completely real.”
Nan Yu answered calmly,
“I've known about that for a long time.”
“Bai Zhouyun is trash.”
“I already knew he was nothing but vermin.”
“I just didn't expect him to make a deal with the organization for money.”
“He claimed I possess the Nianshen Grass?”
“What a joke.”
“If I really had the Nianshen Grass, with the talent I've shown since childhood, do you think the Empire wouldn't have become suspicious and secretly investigated me long ago?”
“And another thing.”
“If I'd really possessed the Nianshen Grass, considering how quickly my Mental Power grew since I was young, the Empire would've noticed something was wrong ages ago.”
“Your organization is ridiculous.”
“You mobilized so many people simply because you believed the so-called secret revealed by a wanted criminal.”
Zhou Ziyu quietly muttered,
“Actually...”
“Whether you have the Nianshen Grass or not doesn't really matter.”
“As long as you're taken back to the organization...”
“You yourself are an enormous treasure.”
Nan Yu was actually rendered speechless for a moment.
But he quickly recovered.
“I suppose that's true.”
“Anyway...”
“I came back because there's something I want to tell you.”
Zhou Ziyu nodded.
“What is it?”
“Please say it.”
“Since I've chosen to stand on your side...”
“I've done so sincerely.”
Nan Yu stared directly into his eyes.
“That makes things easier.”
“Then I'll just say it.”
“Because I don't trust you very much...”
“I need to do something to you.”
“Only then can I get rid of that distrust.”
“What do you think?”
Zhou Ziyu frowned slightly.
Do something to him?
To eliminate Nan Yu's distrust?
What kind of thing could possibly accomplish that?
Then, almost instantly...
He remembered the five—
No.
Six people...
Whom he'd once controlled with his Mental Power.
All of them had been cured by Nan Yu.
Could the method Nan Yu was talking about...
The thing he intended to do to him...
Be...?!