After Transmigrating, My Younger Brother Always Tries to Seduce Me - Chapter 18

Yan He rose and retrieved a dusty iron box from a nearby cabinet.

Though a rough man by nature, he handled the object with surprising care.

The ancient iron box was engraved with a lifelike dragon. Its head bared ferocious fangs, while its serpentine body coiled tightly around the box, binding it securely.

Just as Yan He was about to proceed, Yan Guiyun pressed her hand against his.

Cheng Jiuxiao entrusted the Jade Cloud Flute to you two because he trusts you. But now that we’re sharing this ship, it’s only reasonable that we know something of your identities and origins.

Yan Guiyun withdrew her hand, her gaze sweeping between them.

This matter was of grave importance they couldn’t afford to reveal their secrets lightly.

If their identities were false, they wouldn’t escape Changding today.

Yan Guiyun’s fingers brushed against the hilt of her sword.

Zhu Zhenzhen agreed with her. Having decided to help them, they shouldn’t conceal their true identities any longer. It had been her oversight.

Zhu Zhenzhen carried nothing from the Song Manor, save for a jade pendant she had worn since her arrival.

She could only offer a dry introduction My father was once the Prefect of Chengtian Prefecture, a third-rank official.

Zhu Zhenzhen remembered Song Heng’s lengthy introduction, but she could only recall these few words.

Later, he was demoted to a minor post in Bian City.

Her suspicions were correct. Song Heng’s face darkened upon hearing her introduction.

Yet Yan Guiyun, a scholar of vast knowledge and worldly experience, needed only half a second to process the information. She concluded, Could this be the Bian City Song Family?

Perhaps… Zhu Zhenzhen hesitated.

Everyone present except Liu Sheng understood the unspoken meaning behind her unfinished sentence.

Song Heng replied calmly, his voice flat, It is exactly as you suspect.

Their family had been wiped out, forcing them into exile.

A flicker of pity crossed Yan Guiyun’s face.

As if hastily changing the subject, her fingertip brushed the dragon’s eye, pressing lightly. A rectangular object, pitch-black and sleek, sprang from the box.

Before they could ask, she explained, Prince Jin holds a martial arts tournament in the Capital every four years. My investigation reveals that the top five victors secretly receive an olive branch from the Prince himself.

The next martial arts tournament is three years away, Yan He said.

Song Heng understood immediately and exchanged a glance with Zhu Zhenzhen.

Invitations to this tournament are extremely rare. After searching tirelessly for a long time, we only managed to obtain two.

Yan He unfolded the invitation. When everyone looked closely, they were astonished to find it completely blank!

The invitation was pitch-black, and only when tilted at a specific angle under the light could a faint character for martial be discerned.

These invitations have been scattered far and wide. Some dismiss them as worthless trash, while others recognize their value and pay exorbitant sums to acquire them. As time passes, fewer invitations are issued, making them even more coveted and difficult to obtain.

Prince Jin was the Son of Heaven’s favorite. Anyone who gained his favor would enjoy endless wealth and glory.

Yan He’s expression turned serious as he handed the invitations to Song Heng and Zhu Zhenzhen.

These invitations are useless to Guiyun and me. We’ve served Prince Jin for years but remain excluded from his inner circle, likely due to our Yan Family lineage. Keeping these would be a waste it’s better to pass them on to someone who can make better use of them.

Guiyun’s expression was solemn as she added, We have only one request to ensure justice for the people of Changding. The Capital has gradually forgotten Changding under Prince Jin’s influence, and I refuse to let that happen.

Zhu Zhenzhen let out an almost imperceptible sigh as she accepted the proffered token. Its weight felt substantial in her hands, and its surface was as smooth as silk.

Song Heng took the token, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. His long eyelashes lowered, concealing the determined glint in his eyes.

Song Heng understood the immense significance of the Black Nether Token. Yan Guiyun had made one mistake Prince Jin specifically issued these tokens to the most vicious and ruthless criminals among the common people.

Unless the token holder died a violent death or was captured by imperial forces, obtaining a Black Nether Token was virtually impossible.

Just then, a knock echoed against the iron gate blocking Zhu Zhenzhen’s entry.

Five long knocks followed by two short ones—a signal for Yan Guiyun to open the gate.

The six occupants of the room froze.

The coded knocks persisted, leaving no time for hesitation. They had to find hiding places immediately.

Lu Yin, though visibly flustered, forced himself to remain calm and suggested to Yan He, We could hide in the secret passage.

Yan He shook his head, his gaze sweeping over the secret passage’s activation mechanism. We can’t open it, he said regretfully. The stone door makes too much noise when it opens. Anyone outside would hear us.

The room contained only the most basic furnishings. Zhu Zhenzhen glanced upward and saw that the ceiling was also made of stone, offering no ledges or fixtures to help her hide in the air.

After a quarter of an hour, Yan Guiyun regained her usual cold composure and sat upright in her chair. A maid opened the door.

It was none other than Zhao Lin, the man they had encountered at the bandit camp! Zhu Zhenzhen and Song Heng were hidden inside the cabinet, while Lu Yin and Liu Sheng huddled in a corner of the bed, concealed by the gauze curtains.

Zhao Lin strode in with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes sweeping the room. He saw only the Yan siblings.

He found this odd. Just moments ago, he had heard the distinct sound of multiple voices outside.

Yan Guiyun, sensing his intrusion, demanded sharply, What is the meaning of this?

Zhao Lin glanced around, his eyes shifting slightly as he gave her a sidelong glance, refusing to meet her gaze directly. Miss Yan, please forgive my intrusion. I’ve already searched the premises and found no trace of the three individuals.

Yan Guiyun, unaccustomed to feigning ignorance, replied stiffly, Which three individuals?

One woman and two men… Zhao Lin’s tone shifted. Yan He should know exactly who I’m referring to.

Yan He slammed his fist on the table, rose to his feet, and glared at Zhao Lin with the ferocity of a tiger, as if he wanted to devour him whole. Are you accusing me of colluding with others?

Zhao Lin didn’t respond, but slowly walked over to the cabinet.

Whether he’s colluding with others will be revealed with a simple search. No need for further words.

The Yan siblings frowned simultaneously.

The huanghuali wood cabinet was small even squeezing two people inside was a tight fit. If they were discovered, they might not even have a chance to escape.

Song Heng, his one hand pinned beneath Zhu Zhenzhen, struggled to retrieve it and felt for the hidden pocket. With a gentle tug, the silver needle would fall into his palm.

If Zhao Lin dared to open the door, he wouldn’t hesitate to demonstrate once again how he killed people.

But…

He glanced down at the woman beneath him, who was curled up as tightly as possible to give him more space.

Perhaps I should be a little gentler this time.

Zhu Zhenzhen couldn’t hear Song Heng’s thoughts. She secretly adjusted her position, leaning her head against the cabinet wall and bending her leg closest to the door. The moment it opened, she would kick the intruder squarely in the face.

Zhao Lin’s figure blocked the light filtering through the cabinet door, plunging the interior into darkness.

The two inside held their breath, their senses on high alert.

They couldn’t see, but Yan Guiyun outside had a clear view.

Yan Guiyun opened her mouth, the words of warning already forming on her lips, ready to shout them out.

Just then, a crisp, clear voice cut through the oppressively tense and eerie atmosphere of the room.

Daddy…

Everyone in the room froze instantly, including the two figures stirring restlessly inside the cabinet.

Liu Sheng flung aside the bed curtains and launched himself straight into Yan He’s arms.

Lu Yin could only stand rigidly, his body hunched behind the remaining sliver of curtain, where a glimpse of a sleeve could be seen darting back into hiding.

Yan He’s soul seemed to have been knocked right out of him by Liu Sheng’s sudden impact. He remained dazed for a long moment until Yan Guiyun kicked him sharply from below.

The force of the kick was enough to snap him back to his senses.

As Yan He regained his composure, he noticed Zhao Lin’s hand freezing mid-reach for the cabinet door. He tightened his embrace around Liu Sheng, deliberately shielding the child behind him.

He then whispered to Liu Sheng, glancing back at Zhao Lin every few words.

…Daughter, why aren’t you hiding inside? What are you doing out here? Yan He’s expression was one of disapproval, like a genuinely worried father.

Speaking rapidly, he added, Didn’t I tell you Daddy had guests to see and couldn’t play with you? Go play with the little doll on the bed. He gently nudged Liu Sheng a few times.

Little child… Lu Yin’s eye twitched slightly.

Song Heng lowered his voice, deliberately leaning close to Zhu Zhenzhen’s ear, and asked, Whose child is this?

Zhu Zhenzhen feigned deep thought, shifting her numb leg. I think I found her. So she’s mine now.

Song Heng chuckled softly.

Zhao Lin, noticing Yan He constantly hiding the little girl behind him, sneered, What are you hiding, Elder He? I didn’t know you had a child.

Zhao Lin turned and beckoned to Liu Sheng, his facial wrinkles deepening into grotesque layers under the flickering firelight. Come here, little girl. I’m your Uncle Zhao.

Liu Sheng gripped Yan He’s hand, shrinking further behind him, staring at her toes without a word.

Seeing Zhao Lin’s attention shift, Yan He subtly relaxed his tense muscles. Hearing Zhao Lin’s words, he frowned deeply. What do you want?

Zhao Lin took a few steps forward. What could I possibly want? Just to see your daughter.

Liu Sheng’s features were undeniably adorable, already hinting at the beauty she would grow into.

Yan He slapped away Zhao Lin’s outstretched hand, but Zhao Lin remained unfazed, his smile unwavering.

We’ve been together for a month, yet you never mentioned having a daughter? What, were you afraid we’d harm her?

He glanced around, then exclaimed in sudden realization, Hiding her in a place like this! No wonder you rushed to Changding City the moment you captured someone. You were just using it as an excuse to see your daughter.

This was an unexpected stroke of luck. Who would have thought that a hastily concocted lie could so neatly explain his frequent visits to Changding City?

Yan He lowered his gaze, his voice hardening as if his deepest secret had been exposed. So what if I was?

Zhao Lin approached Liu Sheng, crouching down to examine her closely. She’s clearly going to be a beauty when she grows up, don’t you think?

His words immediately made everyone uncomfortable.

Yan He instantly shielded Liu Sheng completely behind him.

A flash of fierce anger crossed Yan Guiyun’s face as she snapped, Zhao Lin, don’t push your luck! This is the City Lord’s Manor!

Zhao Lin immediately sat down on the stone chair, crossed his legs, and picked up a glass cup to toy with. He sneered, The City Lord’s Manor? Miss Yan, after playing puppet emperor for so long, do you actually believe you’re a true dragon now?

Yan Guiyun gripped her sword tightly, the blade trembling in her hand.

Hidden in the cabinet, Zhu Zhenzhen’s brows furrowed, a hint of anger flickering beneath them.

How dare he insult her like that?!

Sensing the person beneath him was about to lose control, Song Heng swiftly pressed her down.

Hold on, he murmured, shaking his head at Zhu Zhenzhen.

Zhu Zhenzhen shot him a sidelong glance, biting her lip slightly but remaining silent.