“Look at the leader! Look at the emblem on their clothes! That’s Crimson Whale Sect!”
“Who’re you kidding! A feud with Crimson Whale Sect… who would dare start that? Even if it’s the Deputy Army Superintendent’s own son— even if he’s being beaten—who would risk going against them? That’s suicide!”
Chen Daozao watched young master Wang fall silent in terror, his face drained of color. Desperate, he shouted for help, voice cracking as he tried to get someone—anyone—to intervene. But not a single person stepped forward. His cries were swallowed by fear, and panic surged through him.
As the thought of the Chen Family’s future suffering under the Army Superintendent’s wrath struck him, his legs gave out. Cold dread settled in his chest, and he collapsed, fainting on the spot.
“Dad!” Chen Yunxi rushed forward, supporting him with trembling arms.
Only when Wang Shunyong had been beaten to the brink of death did the burly man with the green dragon tattoo finally signal his men to stop. Then, as if performing on a stage, he turned and feigned sudden awareness of his surroundings.
“Aiyo! Isn’t this Miss Chen? How rude of me! I never imagined I’d end up catching this adulterer right in your manor. Please forgive the disturbance! We’ll take our leave at once!”
His exaggerated politeness was a jarring contrast to the savage brutality he had displayed moments earlier. Chen Yunxi could only stare, speechless.
He offered courtesy solely to her—never once sparing a glance at her unconscious father beside her. After a flurry of flattering words, he gestured sharply to his men. They dragged the limp, bloodied Wang Shunyong behind them like a dead dog.
Before Chen Yunxi could even collect her thoughts, the entire group had vanished, leaving behind a ravaged courtyard and her fainted father in her arms.
She stood rooted to the spot, bewildered, unable to make sense of any of it. She had been completely unaware of what had transpired behind the scenes.
The story traces back to the time when the Soaring Eagle Squad attempted to establish their own faction within Crimson Whale Sect.
Because they had gone rogue and attempted to break away from Crimson Whale Sect, the Soaring Eagle Squad had earned Lu Sheng’s displeasure. Ever since then, its members lived in constant anxiety, scrambling for any chance to restore his opinion of them.
But Lu Sheng’s martial prowess was unrivaled, and his position towered above the rest. Countless people sought the slightest opportunity to curry favor with him. For the Soaring Eagle Squad, chances to stand out were practically nonexistent.
After much discussion, they shifted their attention toward those close to him.
Chen Yunxi had already caught their eye—after all, she had been seen meeting with Lu Sheng alone several times. Combined with Jade Lotus’ secret order to safeguard her and Lu Sheng’s family, she quickly rose to the top of the squad’s list of high-priority targets.
Among their members was Zhao Ziyang, known as Green Dragon. A peak Strength Proficiency expert, he had already reached the limits of his growth. For him, rising in prestige was the only path left—something he hoped to achieve for the sake of his family. But he soon realized that anything which displeased Lu Sheng would not only crush his ambitions; it might cost him his life.
After much internal struggle, he placed all his bets on Chen Yunxi. With several trusted members, he arranged men around her, conducted detailed investigations, and kept her closely watched. Eventually, the perfect chance to improve Lu Sheng’s impression surfaced.
Thus, after careful planning, young master Wang of the Deputy Army Superintendent’s family became the ideal stepping stone. As for offending the Deputy Army Superintendent?
With Crimson Whale Sect’s dominance over Mountain-Edge City, as long as the matter wasn’t something absurd—like the murder of the Prefect—who would dare challenge them over a trivial issue? Even if the sky were to collapse, the sect’s upper echelons would hold it up. There was nothing to fear.
And that was how this ruffian suddenly stormed in and began pummeling young master Wang without warning.
It was pitiful, really. Young master Wang had arrived brimming with excitement, hoping for a bit of amusement, only to be beaten senseless for reasons he could not even begin to fathom. Dragged out of the manor while unconscious, he remained blissfully unaware of why he had been assaulted at all—a disaster that fell from the sky without rhyme or reason.
If the fainted Chen Daozao understood what had truly transpired, he would likely pass out from rage the moment he regained consciousness. Crimson Whale Sect might fear nothing, but the calamity looming over the Chen Family was now all too real.
…………
Inside the study of the casino—
“Ah?” Jade Lotus shot to his feet, staring at Green Dragon and the two burly men standing before him in disbelief. “You beat up the Deputy Army Superintendent’s son? Just because he visited Miss Chen Yunxi’s manor as a guest?”
“Of course not!” Green Dragon licked his lips and leaned closer. “Boss Lotus, you don’t know that…”
“I’m not Lotus! It’s Jade Lotus!!” Jade Lotus snapped, his face twitching in irritation.
“Oh, Boss Jade Lotus! Isn’t that still Lotus…? My bad, my bad! Your subordinate knows his mistake. I deserve a slap!” Seeing Jade Lotus’ expression darken, Green Dragon hurriedly corrected himself and gave his own cheek a light slap.
“Alright, let this old man explain.” An elder from the Soaring Eagle Squad stepped forward—the very one who had partnered with Green Dragon. He was, in truth, the chief mastermind behind Green Dragon’s schemes of blackmail, extortion, and bribery, all of which allowed him to uncover Chen Daozao’s plans and secretly set everything in motion.
The elder recounted the entire sequence of events in detail.
When he finished, Jade Lotus’ mouth hung open. Chen Daozao truly had no eye for people—short-sighted enough to dismiss someone as powerful as his own External Head, all for the sake of currying favor with a mere young master, the only son of the Wang Family.
A Deputy Army Superintendent? In a city the size of Mountain-Edge, there were at least three of them overseeing the army. Even the Army Superintendent himself held a status barely on par with an Elder of the Crimson Whale Sect.
Such a figure could not compare in the slightest to Lu Sheng—an influential powerhouse and the third-in-command of the entire sect.
“That old fool… he actually tried to sell Miss Yunxi off as someone’s concubine.” Jade Lotus shook his head, utterly speechless.
“So, Lord Jade Lotus, what should we do now?” The elder lowered his voice and, with practiced subtlety, slipped a roll of silver notes into Jade Lotus’ hand.
Jade Lotus glanced at the amount, the corners of his lips lifting in silent satisfaction as he quickly pocketed the notes.
“Let’s go. Follow me to the courtyard where the External Head is in seclusion. He said he might come out around noon today. Since this incident involves the Deputy Army Superintendent—and thus the court—External Head has to give the final approval before we take any action.”
“Many thanks, Lord Jade Lotus!” The three Soaring Eagle Squad experts clasped their hands in hurried salute.
“Think nothing of it. I’ll be relying on the three of you as well in the future.” Though Jade Lotus held a higher position, these experts each commanded influence over different branches of the sect. There would inevitably be times when their cooperation was needed.
They left the study and moved toward the sealed courtyard. Reaching the entrance, they lined up quietly and waited.
The sun climbed to its peak, baking the earth beneath their feet, yet none of them uttered a complaint. They stood ramrod straight, like soldiers awaiting judgment.
Time slipped by in silence. Only when the sun dipped toward the horizon—when their legs were numb and stiff—did a faint creak echo from within the courtyard. A door had finally opened.
“Didn’t I say not to disturb me unless it’s something important? Jade Lotus, why have you brought these three here?” Lu Sheng’s deep voice drifted out, its tone noticeably different.
Jade Lotus felt his heart tighten. Lu Sheng’s voice carried a coiled intensity, as if something turbulent seethed beneath the surface.
“It concerns Miss Chen Yunxi,” he replied, then carefully explained Green Dragon and the others’ actions and the results of their investigation.
When he finished, the four men resumed standing silently at the entrance.
Moments later, the courtyard doors opened wider.
A bald, powerfully built figure stepped out—broad-shouldered, savage-looking, each stride loaded with restrained force.
His fierce, penetrating gaze swept over them like a lion sizing up prey. Goosebumps erupted instantly across Jade Lotus and the others.
Even the towering Green Dragon Zhao Ziyang felt like a fragile bean sprout before the man who had just emerged.
External Head’s cultivation was growing ever more terrifying.
Under his gaze, the men felt their hair stand on end, cold sweat sliding down their backs.
“You said Chen Yunxi’s father tried to drug someone through her… and even force her to become that man’s concubine?” His growl was low, heavy—like a lake straining against its banks before a storm surge.
“Th-that’s… that’s exactly what happened!” Green Dragon forced out the words, struggling to steady his voice as sweat gathered at his temples.
“External Head,” Jade Lotus spoke carefully, accustomed somewhat to Lu Sheng’s oppressive aura, “if you do not intend to accept Miss Chen Yunxi, then it’s better not to intervene. Otherwise, it may give her the wrong idea. And knowing Chen Daozao, if he dared do this once, he will not hesitate to do it again… and again.”
Lu Sheng fell silent.
After a long moment, he said slowly, “You will handle this matter personally. Tell Chen Yunxi this: if everything goes smoothly, and if she is willing… one year. Let her wait for me for one year. When that year is up, I will go to her.” In the privacy of his own thoughts, he added, …if I am still alive by then.
Jade Lotus, aware of the feelings between Lu Sheng and Chen Yunxi, felt a quiet joy for the young lady. Turning to the others, he instructed,
“Not one word of External Head’s matter is to be leaked.”
“We swear to keep it secret! If any of us speaks a word, may we die a miserable death!”29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9aKkImd3U
The three men declared earnestly. Despite the harsh oath, elation filled their hearts—they had successfully involved themselves in the External Head’s private affairs. Their gamble had paid off.
As subordinates, not only had they learned their superior’s secret, but they had also rendered significant service.
Signs that they were becoming trusted confidants—undeniable and unmistakable.
External Head Lu had already stepped into the pinnacle of the Spirit Focus realm at such a young age. With such power, it was almost certain he would one day become the Number One Expert of the Northern Lands. The old Sect Master was already advanced in years—his strength would inevitably wane with time.
“Alright, dismissed.” Lu Sheng’s voice was calm and steady.
“Yes, sir!” Jade Lotus and the others bowed before withdrawing.
Lu Sheng remained standing alone in the quiet courtyard, his expression calm as still water. At last, he fully understood: the long-legged Chen Yunxi was treated as an oddity—almost an eyesore—in Mountain-Edge City, perhaps even across most of the Northern Lands.
To many, her long legs were seen as a deformity.
Yet in Nine Links City, so long as a woman’s legs were long but not grotesquely so, she was still admired. Duanmu Wan was a perfect example. But Mountain-Edge City prized short legs as beauty. Even Duanmu Wan’s weren’t as long as Chen Yunxi’s.
Jade Lotus hurried back. “Oh—External Head, what should we do with the young master from the Deputy Army Superintendent’s Wang Family?”
“Deputy Army Superintendent?” Lu Sheng raised a brow, then exhaled slowly. “This lad is truly unlucky. But since the matter concerns my woman’s reputation… break one of his legs. Then spread the rumor that he tried to molest Chen Yunxi and was knocked unconscious by a righteous passer-by. As for the drugging attempt—if anyone brings it up, deal with them the same way.”
Cold sweat dripped down Jade Lotus’ back.
Such blatant favoritism… it was frightening.
Wang Shunyong was truly struck by misfortune. Not only had he been beaten without warning, his reputation was dragged through the mud as well. In the end, he could only swallow his grievances in silence. If he dared to protest, not even his father could protect him. Should a mere Deputy Army Superintendent offend Lu Sheng, rank alone would never shield the Wang Family from annihilation. At worst, Lu Sheng might face a reprimand from the court and pay a token fine. The court would not truly pursue the matter—just as they had turned a blind eye when the Red Decks pleasure boat kidnapped people on the lake.
“Make sure all the testimonies match. And enough—don’t bother me with trivial matters like this. Handle it yourselves.” Lu Sheng waved dismissively.
“Yes, sir.” Jade Lotus withdrew. Neither of them even mentioned the Army Superintendent’s supposed influence.
To the Crimson Whale Sect of today, the power of ordinary mortal factions held some value, but compared to Scarlet District, it was negligible.
Once a Spirit Focus expert took action, even eighty or a hundred armed men could not stop him without heavy military weapons like crossbows. And Lu Sheng was far more than a Spirit Focus expert—he was a towering figure in the Crimson Whale Sect, commanding thousands of elite, battle-hardened disciples and supported by a Noble Family.
In front of such power, the Army Superintendent’s authority was little more than an empty title.
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