Chapter 5: Second Prince Li Qining

Gu Lanyuan saw a female Spirit Beastkin fall on the ground in the street, looking utterly panicked.

Spirit Beastkin basically all came from Diling State, the legendary descendants of the Flame Emperor. They were all half-beast and half-human, therefore calling themselves Spirit Beastkin. Because their numbers were few, their price as slaves was extremely high, so some people with a lot of money took risks to capture Spirit Beastkin.

Seeing this, the leading captain immediately showed a face full of anger and scolded, “Truly a useless one, can’t you even walk properly? Get up quickly, put on the head covering!”

Gu Lanyuan stared straight at that female Spirit Beastkin. She was indeed beautiful, so she should be good at dancing too, right? Although she was wrapped up tightly, no matter how tight it was, one could still see the outlines of her shapely figure.

His interest piqued, Gu Lanyuan rose from the small stool and walked toward that female Spirit Beastkin.

Auntie Zhang shook her head, muttering, “Indeed, the love of beauty is common to all, even Young Master Gu cannot escape the mundane. But Young Master Gu is not a saint, so it’s understandable. Meeting Young Master Gu is truly good luck~ Back in the day I was also a beauty in the village, what a pity~”

Gu Lanyuan crouched down in front of the female Spirit Beastkin and asked, “What’s your name?”

The team leader roared at Gu Lanyuan, “Who are you? Get lost!”

Gu Lanyuan said displeasedly, “Hey, can you speak properly? I’m already in a bad mood today. If I really get angry, you’ll suffer the consequences!”

The team leader’s heart jolted when he saw Gu Lanyuan’s face clearly. He bowed to Gu Lanyuan and said, “Young Master Gu, I meant no offense. Please forgive me.”

Gu Lanyuan pointed at the terrified female Spirit Beastkin and asked, “Her, I want her. Name your price.”

The team leader said with difficulty, “This… Young Master Gu, this Spirit Beastkin is quite rare. The Third Prince specifically requested her. She cannot be sold to you.”

Gu Lanyuan waved his hand and said, “Go tell the Second Prince that I’m intercepting this Spirit Beastkin. I’ll pay whatever price is asked, and he won’t be short a single coin. What? Is that not acceptable?”

“Of course it is. Since Lanyuan wants her, then Third Brother will understand even if he has to bear the pain of parting with her.”

Up ahead, a man dressed in yellow, elegant and noble attire was fanning himself with a folding fan, smiling as he looked at Gu Lanyuan.

The guards behind this man drove the surrounding people away to clear the area, leaving an open space.

This man was the Second Prince Gu Lanyuan had mentioned, Li Qining.

At the same time, the Zhena Organization was also founded by Li Qining, specializing in selecting men and women of exceptional beauty from among the slaves, and even capturing people from other countries outside the Great Liang State to be enslaved, such as the Spirit Beastkin.

Gu Lanyuan found Li Qining quite displeasing to the eye. Although he always wore a smile, Gu Lanyuan always felt that this guy was harboring malicious intent and was smiling insidiously.

During the war years, the Emperor personally led the military campaign and was seriously injured in the war, causing his health to never be very good. Furthermore, the Crown Prince also died in the war, resulting in the Great Liang State not yet establishing the position of Crown Prince.

With the Crown Prince deceased, the Second Prince was naturally the most likely candidate to succeed to the position of Crown Prince. However, the Fourth Prince and Fifth Prince were also interested in competing for it. After all, since the Emperor had not yet decided which one would be the Crown Prince, they all had a chance.

Therefore, Li Qining’s purpose in founding the Zhena Organization, which specialized in capturing slaves, was naturally to use it to bribe the high-ranking officials and dignitaries in Jinling to gain their support. And the purpose of gaining support was, of course, the imperial throne.

Although Gu Lanyuan found Li Qining quite displeasing to the eye, he still had to greet him when he should: “Yo, Second Prince, long time no see.”

“Yes, the last time we met was at our father’s birthday banquet. I wonder if Lanyuan is free? I was just drinking tea at the teahouse up ahead, would you like to have a cup together and catch up?” Li Qining invited Gu Lanyuan.

As the son of the Grand Preceptor, with an older brother who was the General of the Chariots and Cavalry, and a grandfather who was the Sect Master of the Qinglanjian Sect, the great sect protecting the nation, Gu Lanyuan was definitely a target for him to recruit.

It wasn’t that Li Qining hadn’t thought about bribing the Gu Family, but such a powerful Gu Family simply could not be bribed. Whoever became emperor, the Gu Family would naturally pledge their loyalty to them.

Li Qining had also long thought about starting with Gu Lanyuan, but Gu Lanyuan was a complete anomaly. If you said he was not doing his proper job, he was unwilling to do either cultivation or reading, but he was not like other profligate sons who indulged in eating, drinking, gambling, and visiting prostitutes. It was just very strange.

This time, he finally saw that Gu Lanyuan wanted the Spirit Beastkin captured by his Zhena Organization. How could Li Qining miss this opportunity to build a relationship?

It seems he is still lustful; it should be that the family style is strict, so it has not been shown normally.

Being lustful is good. If he is lustful, he has a chance to let the Gu Family stand on his side. Gu Lanyuan is quite favored in the Gu Family.

Gu Lanyuan, of course, was unwilling to go drink tea with Li Qining, so he casually made up an excuse: “Ah? My mother will be coming home to eat soon, so I won’t drink tea. How much is this Spirit Beastkin? I’ll send someone to deliver it to the Second Prince later.”

Li Qining said with a smile, “If Lanyuan wants it, how could I charge money? Just take it away. Qu Liu, give the key and the Protective Sealing Stone to Lanyuan. Lanyuan, this Spirit Beastkin’s strength is as high as Fifth Grade. The collar on her neck suppresses her strength. This Protective Sealing Stone must be kept carefully. As long as the Protective Sealing Stone is fine, she won’t be able to run wild.”

The team leader called Qu Liu respectfully handed a stone engraved with the character ‘Seal’ to Gu Lanyuan.

Gu Lanyuan wanted to show off, tossing it into the air and preparing to catch it, but his aim was a bit off, and the Protective Sealing Stone brushed past Gu Lanyuan’s hand and fell to the ground.

“Cough, how is the wind so strong? It even blew the stone off course.”

Li Qining’s eyes twitched, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

What damn wind.

Li Qining was now a bit worried. This Gu Lanyuan was too unreliable. If he accidentally broke the Protective Sealing Stone and let this Spirit Beastkin break free from the collar, it would be trouble.

If Gu Lanyuan were to get into trouble because of this Spirit Beastkin, his older brother might just come storming to his door.

Gu Lanyuan’s older brother was famously a protective demon when it came to his younger brother.

Li Qining again warned Gu Lanyuan, who had picked up the Protective Sealing Stone: “Lanyuan, remember, you must be careful. This Spirit Beastkin has the strength of a Fifth Grade, yet when she was captured, a Fourth Grade expert died!”

Gu Lanyuan stuffed the Protective Sealing Stone into his pocket: “I know what I’m doing.”

Li Qining’s lips twitched. If he knew what he was doing, he wouldn’t have made such a dangerous move just now.

Gu Lanyuan said to Li Qining: “You must give me the money. Just now, someone thought I was eating without paying and gave me a good scolding.”

Lin Yichuan, who was hiding and eavesdropping, pursed his lips.

There was a hint of awkwardness.

But… as expected, this Gu Lanyuan was still a lecher. After buying this extremely beautiful Spirit Beastkin, he would definitely want to toy with her.

Lin Yichuan’s gaze was full of determination. He must save this Spirit Beastkin!

Because the Hetu Luoshu said that after he saved this Spirit Beastkin from Gu Lanyuan’s hands, he would have a wonderful encounter with this Spirit Beastkin~

Hearing Gu Lanyuan insist on being paid, Li Qining felt a bit uncomfortable. Gu Lanyuan simply didn’t want to be involved with him.

Although he felt uncomfortable, Li Qining still said with a smile, “Since Lanyuan insists on giving, then just give as you see fit. If there’s any good-looking ones in the future, I’ll also save some for you.”

Gu Lanyuan refused, saying, “No need, no need, I just suddenly became interested and wanted to see if the Spirit Beastkin’s dancing is good or not.”

“Mm-hmm, I understand, then I will take my leave, I wish you a pleasant time.”

After Li Qining revealed an ‘I understand’ smile, he took his people and left.