Chapter 401: Strike Hard the Moment They Show Their Heads!

Yingchun Pavilion was under Chu Huaijun's control; he had given half its shares to Guanfang Zongshi Liao Zihui, so inviting Liao here for a meal was perfect.

On the third-floor private room's table sat a feast of rare delicacies, but Guanfang Zongshi Liao Zihui barely touched his chopsticks.

A painted girl beside him played music and sang, yet Liao Zihui's face wore only a faint smile, and he said almost nothing.

At Chu Huaijun's signal, the singing girl sat on Liao Zihui's lap.

He thought this would ease the tension, but instead, Liao Zihui's last trace of a smile vanished.

Today's Liao Zihui was unlike his usual self.

Seeing Guanfang Zongshi's brow slowly furrow, Chu Huaijun immediately ordered everyone else out.

Only Liao Zihui and Chu Huaijun remained in the room; Liao took a pen from his shirt pocket and placed it on the table.

What is this pen for?

Chu Huaijun looked at the pen, then at Liao Zihui.

He realized Liao had things he couldn't say, actions he couldn't take.

Chu Huaijun tried to read the answer in Liao Zihui's expression, but Liao's face was nearly blank.

"Huaijun, don't be so tense—I already know about the San Ying Men matter. The blame isn't entirely yours, but in handling certain matters, you weren't cautious enough."

"Some things require me to give an account to my superiors, but personally, my trust in you hasn't changed."

What does that mean?

Is this an accusation?

Liao Zihui's tone and demeanor sent a chill down Chu Huaijun's spine.

He thought Liao would consult him on the next move—he'd seize the chance to propose wiping out San Ying Men.

But Liao had no intention of consulting him; in just a few words, Chu Huaijun felt overwhelming fear and danger.

Chu Huaijun adjusted his thoughts and spoke in a tone closer to Waizhou's: "Zongshi Liao, the San Ying Men matter is part of a conspiracy—many are involved."

"Now, Shen Jinzhong, San Ying Men's Great Golden Seal, has become their puppet. Only by completely eradicating San Ying Men can we stop this conspiracy!"

Liao Zihui nodded: "If you say it's a conspiracy, I expect you to uncover its full origins and consequences."

Chu Huaijun was tense—he wanted to smoke, but seeing Liao's expression and the atmosphere, he dared not pull a cigarette from the pack.

"I'm still investigating, but before the situation escalates further, San Ying Men must…"

"Then wait until you've figured it out," Liao Zihui interrupted. "San Ying Men is a major sect with tens of thousands of disciples scattered across Pulu Province."

"If this sect stirs up trouble, those tens of thousands will become a grave threat to Pulu Province. We don't want threats."

Chu Huaijun explained: "Zongshi Liao, my actions aim precisely to eliminate threats."

Liao Zihui gave a slight nod: "I see your efforts, but every action by the Guanfang Hall must have clear goals and strategy."

"From what you've done so far, I see no clear goal, no coherent strategy. You should reorganize your current difficulties and concentrate your strength on resolving the core problem."

"Of course, this isn't easy. If it's too difficult for you, I may consider partnering with someone more capable."

With that, Liao Zihui picked up the pen and returned it to his shirt pocket, then left the room.

Downstairs, the sound of a steam car engine started—Liao Zihui was gone.

Chu Huaijun pulled out a cigarette and bit it between his lips.

What the hell just happened?

What was that pen about?

Why did Liao Zihui's words make no sense to him?

…

Not only did Chu Huaijun not understand—Liao Zihui himself wasn't entirely sure what he'd said.

Whether he understood or not didn't matter. Liao Zihui had once served in Waizhou; he often spoke, often didn't know what he was saying, yet it never affected the atmosphere or impact.

What mattered was that speaking this way was safest.

On the steam car, the seat behind the front passenger had always been Liao Zihui's—but today, someone else sat there.

His name was Sun Junfu, from Waizhou, of equal rank to Liao Zihui, but his mission was special—he was here to inspect work.

He was deeply dissatisfied with Liao Zihui's recent performance, especially regarding incidents at Heishipo.

Cheng Mingke, former Guanfang Shi of Heishipo, was Sun Junfu's trusted subordinate; through his repeated recommendations, Cheng had gained the precious posting in Pulu Province—only to be sent back to Waizhou by Liao Zihui shortly after taking office.

Sun Junfu kept a grim face and said to Liao Zihui: "Liao Zongshi, we're old acquaintances—I'll speak plainly."

"I think your attitude toward work is seriously flawed. Chu Huaijun's strategy is sound—forces like He Yuxiu and San Ying Men openly defy us; they should've been eliminated long ago. Why do you keep compromising and retreating?"

Even these "forces."

Just from these words, Sun Junfu had no understanding of Pulu Province's situation.

Liao Zihui smiled humbly: "Pulu Province has unique circumstances, and among them…"

Sun Junfu cut him off: "Old Liao, we all know Pulu Province is unique—don't give me objective excuses."

"If you're personally afraid or cowardly, how can you repay the trust placed in you? How can you repay the heavy responsibilities entrusted to you?"

"Regarding your issues, I believe there are three main points…"

This bastard talks just like his disciple.

Liao Zihui wanted to beat Sun Junfu senseless—even wished he'd vanish from Pulu Province.

But he couldn't. The pen in his chest recorded every word and action he took in Pulu Province, to be taken back to Waizhou by Sun Junfu after the inspection.

When would the inspection end?

About a month.

This arrogant fool would stay a month—Liao Zihui feared something huge would happen.

Bang!

As Sun Junfu spoke of the second issue, the steam car's tire suddenly exploded.

The four bodyguards, including the driver, instantly prepared for combat.

Sun Junfu thought it was an accident and yelled at the driver: "What's going on? Don't you have any safety awareness?"

Bang!

The driver exploded into a spray of blood and flesh.

Blood splattered onto Sun Junfu's face; his body trembled, his features twisted.

"Eh, eh eh…" sounds squeezed from his throat—he couldn't form words.

The driver was a fifth-layer cultivator—he died instantly, and no assassin had been seen.

The bodyguard in the front passenger seat, a seventh-layer cultivator and the strongest among them, immediately took the driver's place. He gripped the steering wheel and pulled the lever beneath it, shaking it up and down twice.

The entire steam car vanished.

Was that instant teleportation?

Li Banfeng activated his Golden Eyes' Acute Vision—and still saw the car's outline in the darkness.

Not teleportation. It was an invisibility technique. The car held many secrets.

No wonder Guanfang Shi always rode steam cars—it wasn't just a status symbol, but a safety guarantee.

The car sped toward the Guanfang Hall; Li Banfeng followed calmly behind.

Soon, the two sixth-layer bodyguards in the back row exploded one after another—still, Liao Zihui hadn't seen the assassin.

Is this assassin insane? Does he know who's in this car? This is a Guanfang Shi—does he truly intend to wipe them all out?

Liao Zihui crouched in the car, gripping the stunned Sun Junfu, tore open the leather cover behind the front passenger seat, pulled out a crank, and turned it clockwise three full turns.

Hum~

After a muffled sound, the Guanfang Shi's steam car vanished.

This time, it was truly gone. Li Banfeng pushed his Golden Eyes' Acute Vision to its limit—no trace of the car remained.

Was that teleportation now?

Had they returned to the Guanfang Hall?

Zongshi Liao, you've got quite a lucky life.

Today was just a greeting—we'll meet again often.

Li Banfeng lowered his hat brim and vanished into the night.

But Liao Zihui and the others hadn't returned to the Guanfang Hall.

They were still in place—just inside a space Li Banfeng couldn't see.

The place was pitch black; even Liao Zihui couldn't see outside.

He could only wait. By experience, waiting until dawn was the wisest choice.

But after ten minutes, Liao Zihui changed his mind.

A suffocating stench drifted into his nose. He looked at Sun Junfu beside him and asked: "Did you shit yourself?"

Sun Junfu's face turned ashen. He trembled: "Take me back—take me back now—I need to go back…"

Liao Zihui pulled the pen from his shirt, held it to his lips, and shouted loudly: "Old Sun, you just did that? How can you repay the trust placed in you? How can you repay the heavy responsibilities entrusted to you?"

Liao Zihui was scared too.

I just went out for a meal.

Who the hell is this madman? Why such brutal force?

This one move forced the Hidden Dimension out.

…

Chu Huaijun sat in Yingchun Pavilion, smoking cigarette after cigarette.

Strategist Yuan Xionghui said beside him: "Master, the food's cold. Please eat something."

Chu Huaijun shook his head: "I've thought about this long enough, but I still don't understand what the Border Defense Commissioner means."

"Let's stop guessing," Yuan Xionghui said solemnly. "Wait until tomorrow—send someone to find out if the Border Defense Office has had some kind of upheaval."

Chu Huaijun's expression turned grim. "I'm not afraid of them having an upheaval—I'm afraid the upheaval comes from within me."

Director Liao is dissatisfied with me, but I still don't know what I've done wrong."

"We've done so much for the Border Defense Office—how can we let someone else snatch the fruits of our labor now!"

The more Chu Huaijun thought, the more miserable he felt. He lost his appetite entirely, pulled on his coat, and left Yingchun Building.

The car was waiting downstairs. As soon as Chu Huaijun stepped inside, a series of whistles rang out beside his ear.

"San Ying Men people!" Advisor Yuan Xionghui recognized the whistle code of San Ying Men.

Chu Huaijun remained calm. "First, let's find out what they want. If they have something to say, say it—don't play games with me."

Yuan Xionghui had intended to negotiate with the other side, but the whistles grew more ominous.

"Master, they mean to kill you!"

Chu Huaijun sneered. "This is Yingchun Building. This is territory belonging to the Chu family and the Border Defense Office. I'd like to see if they have the guts."

Before his words faded, Shen Jinzhong led dozens of skilled fighters from San Ying Men across the street.

Yuan Xionghui stepped forward and called out: "Senior Jin Yin, come inside for a cup of tea—we can talk this out calmly."

"Talk to your mother's ass! Get the hell out of my way—I'm here for your master," Shen Jinzhong said, gesturing to Chu Huaijun. "I picked out a stone for your tombstone. Tell me your birth details—I'll collect your corpse and bury you right away."

As he spoke, Shen Jinzhong and his men advanced steadily; one of his men even carried a large stone.

Chu Huaijun's composure cracked.

San Ying Men meant to kill him.

Chu Huaijun had expected friction with San Ying Men and had prepared somewhat—he brought a few men, but not many.

Today he was hosting the Border Defense Commissioner—who would dare cause trouble in front of him?

Besides, Shen Jinzhong was still unstable. A little friction was understandable—but how could he dare strike down the Chu family while it was still on the rise?

This was Li Qi's suggestion: Shen Jinzhong was still unstable. Killing the rising Chu Huaijun would secure his position.

And if he could also intimidate the Border Defense Commissioner, his footing would be even firmer!

Chu Huaijun glanced at Yuan Xionghui and whispered: "Call for help—quickly!"

There were still men inside Yingchun Building, but none had emerged—either they didn't know, or they weren't in a hurry.

Shen Jinzhong shouted: "Today I'm only here for Chu Huaijun! No one else is involved!"

Yingchun Building remained silent. Chu Huaijun's men began glancing at each other.

Chu Huaijun panicked. After his father's death, he had fought his way out from among his siblings.

He knew what it meant when his men exchanged uncertain glances.

…

At two a. ., Yuan Xionghui, covered in wounds, helped Chu Huaijun back to the outer residence.

They dared not return to the main estate—San Ying Men operated with precision; the main estate was surely still ambushed.

This outer residence was well-hidden, known to few. Yuan Xionghui tended Chu Huaijun's wounds briefly, teeth clenched: "Master, wait. Tomorrow I'll gather our forces and wipe out San Ying Men!"

Chu Huaijun waved his hand. "We'll talk about this later. Tomorrow, sign the documents—hand over half of Bailomen directly to Director Liao."

"Hand it over directly?" Yuan Xionghui stared. "Master, you mean you're giving up your capital too?"

"What capital? If the Border Defense Commissioner abandons us, we're finished. San Ying Men, the He family, the Lu family, Li Qi, Ma Wu—none of them won't come for our throats!"

What's half of Bailomen? Let them have it!"

"Is that yours to give?" A voice came from outside the courtyard gate.

Yuan Xionghui immediately rose. Chu Huaijun signaled him to stay put.

The door creaked open.

A woman entered, wearing a white hat, a black veil, a floor-length cheongsam in black and white, white powder on her face, dark blue eyeshadow, and dark red lipstick—step by step.

At this hour, in this attire, among those Chu Huaijun knew, there was only one.

"Huaibian, listen to me—I'm doing this for our family…"

"Big brother, we're not one family anymore—we split long ago," Chu Huaiyuan lowered her head, lifting her eyes to look at Chu Huaijun. "What's mine is mine. If you touch what's mine, you're the one in the wrong."

Chu Huaijun sneered. "Huaibian, is this how you speak to me?"

Chu Er smiled. "What's the right way to speak?"

Chu Huaijun lit a cigarette. "Fine, I touched your things. What are you going to do about it?"

Chu Er said nothing.

Yuan Xionghui tugged at Chu Huaijun's sleeve.

The guards outside the gate had been standing watch—but they hadn't moved.

PS: In Chapter 393, Li Banfeng had instructed Luo Zhengnan to keep watch on the Chu family—any sign of movement, report immediately.

"Strike to kill" wasn't just idle talk.

Dear readers, please give all your monthly tickets to Shala—let Shala push forward once more!

(End of Chapter)