My Wife Turns Out to be an Empress of the Dynasty
Chapter 822 - 822: The Oppressed Young Lord Xuanyuan

Gu Lan had just stopped walking when Xue Lengyan respectfully bowed to him.

"Master Gu, what is the next step?"

Gu Lan's expression remained indifferent as his gaze shifted toward the Young Lord Xuanyuan.

"Have your men keep a close watch on him. Just make sure he stays alive, nothing more."

For now, there was no need to act rashly; all that was left to do was wait for the Xuanyuan Clan to arrive. With this hostage in hand, even if the Xuanyuan Clan came, Gu Lan held a valuable bargaining chip.

Being as sharp as she was, Xue Lengyan immediately understood Gu Lan's intentions. Her hand glowed with a crimson light as she approached the Young Lord Xuanyuan.

At this moment, the Young Lord Xuanyuan was still glaring at them with fury, his eyes brimming with murderous intent. If looks could kill, he would have killed Gu Lan and Xue Lengyan hundreds of times over by now.

"Don't look at me with such an insolent gaze. You're not worthy."

Xue Lengyan sneered coldly, pushing a dark-red pill into his mouth.

The pill contained an immense and terrifying blood energy. The moment it slid down his throat, the Young Lord Xuanyuan's face contorted in pain.

"You… What did you make me swallow?"

"Relax. This won't kill you," Xue Lengyan replied with a smirk. "As long as you behave yourself, I won't activate it. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Xue Lengyan had many such methods, especially for dealing with unruly individuals like him.

"You two just wait! One day, I'll make you wish you were dead!"

Even now, he had the audacity to issue threats, which only further irritated Xue Lengyan.

"A prisoner, yet still so arrogant? It seems you're tired of living."

A surge of energy gathered around her fingertip, causing the Young Lord Xuanyuan to writhe in agony. Crimson blood energy coursed through him, and his body began to crack and splinter under the strain.

Under this overwhelming power, the Young Lord Xuanyuan collapsed to his knees. Satisfied that she had sufficiently humbled him, Xue Lengyan withdrew her energy.

"Don't test my patience, or I'll ensure you live a fate worse than death."

Xue Lengyan was known for her cruel methods, feared by many. Gu Lan, for his part, was quite pleased with her actions. Subduing the Young Lord Xuanyuan's arrogance was no small accomplishment. Keeping this brat subdued would save them from further trouble down the line.

Without another word, Gu Lan turned and disappeared from the hall. While he hadn't exhausted himself earlier, he had absorbed some unknown energy, and if he didn't refine it promptly, it could become a risk to him.

Once Gu Lan left, the hall fell silent, save for the presence of a handful of guards. The Young Lord Xuanyuan, having recovered somewhat, had lost his earlier bravado. He turned to the guards standing nearby.

"If you let me go, I'll fulfill all your wishes!"

"I have over ten thousand treasures in my possession, and I'll give them all to you!"

He tried to tempt the guards with promises of wealth, but they remained silent, unimpressed. Just as he was about to speak again, one of the guards, visibly annoyed, turned around and slapped him across the face.

Slap!

"Shut up already!"

The sharp sound echoed as the Young Lord Xuanyuan was sent flying hundreds of meters away. Climbing back to his feet, his face stung painfully, and he looked utterly dazed.

To think that he, the esteemed Young Lord of the Xuanyuan Clan, was being treated this way by some nobodies. In a single day, he had been slapped twice—something that had never happened even back in the Xuanyuan Clan.

"You… How dare you lay a hand on me?!"

His furious roar was met with several more strikes from the guards. Blood Clan warriors had no qualms about using brute force, and they hit him with full strength each time.

It didn't take long before the Young Lord Xuanyuan was too afraid to say another word. Beaten and humiliated, he slinked away to a corner, trembling.

---

Meanwhile, in the golden, resplendent halls of the Xuanyuan Clan, a furious roar erupted.

"What?! He was taken? You're all useless!"

The Lord of the Xuanyuan Clan radiated a terrifying aura, his anger palpable. His eyes burned with killing intent as he turned to the Third Elder, who was kneeling before him, his expression one of shame.

"Our strength was no match for him, which is why this happened," the Third Elder explained. "In our attempt to save the young Lord, we lost over a hundred men, but it was still not enough to stop him!"

While his words sounded noble, the truth was far from it. Most of the casualties had been caused by the Third Elder himself, and he had ensured that no witnesses were left alive to expose his actions.

"I'll go myself! I want to see what this person plans to do!"

Just as the Lord of the Xuanyuan Clan was about to set out, the Third Elder hurriedly interjected.

"Clan Lord, such a matter is best left to us. The Xuanyuan Clan needs you to remain here to oversee everything!"

"This concerns the young Lord's life. Do you think you can handle it alone?"

The Lord of the Xuanyuan Clan glanced at Qingfeng, the Sixth Elder.

"You will accompany him!"

"Yes!" Qingfeng bowed respectfully, having no ulterior motives. A loyal subordinate, he was ready to carry out his duty without question.

The Third Elder, on the other hand, wore a forced smile, hiding the flicker of malice in his eyes. If he could turn Qingfeng to his side, that would be ideal. If not, he wouldn't hesitate to eliminate him.

His plan was already halfway complete. Once the Young Lord Xuanyuan was dead, the Lord of the Xuanyuan Clan wouldn't have long to live either.

"Remember, do not provoke them. Ensure the young Lord's safety!"

The two elders bowed and leaped into the air, vanishing swiftly.

---

Back at the palace, Gu Lan had already withdrawn his aura, waiting for the Xuanyuan Clan's arrival.

The Hongmeng Sword materialized in his hand as Gu Lan stepped into the air, his face icy cold. Moments later, dozens of figures appeared in the distance.

Sensing their presence, Gu Lan smirked. It was clear they had come for the Young Lord Xuanyuan.

Before they could draw closer, Gu Lan moved forward, stopping several hundred meters away. The Xuanyuan Clan group halted as well.

At the forefront were Guisha and Qingfeng, both of whom had faced Gu Lan before.

"Return our young Lord, and we'll spare your life. Refuse, and don't blame us for being merciless!" Qingfeng declared, his tone icy as his aura surged.

Gu Lan, however, merely sneered, releasing his own formidable energy.

"Go ahead and try."

This time, Gu Lan held the upper hand. If they dared make a move, he would ensure the Young Lord Xuanyuan suffered a fate worse than death.

"Enough talk! Kill him!"