Lu Chengwen glanced at Xu Xuejiao, still playing the victim. "Stop crying. I'm going to meet that woman. You coming or not?"
Xu Xuejiao's tears vanished instantly. "Well… depends on how you behave."
Lu Chengwen rolled his eyes. "If you're coming, keep up."
He strode off, leaving the crowd behind still muttering.
"What kind of guy is that? Thinks he's somebody special? Disgusting!"
"Such an arrogant attitude. Who does he think he is?"
Xu Xuejiao pushed through the onlookers, shed her lab coat, and handed it to a nurse. "Take care of the Leng family's young lady."
Then she ran to catch up with Lu Chengwen.
At the hospital entrance, a petite figure bounced out, grabbing his arm and giggling uncontrollably. Xu Xuejiao had changed back into her usual vibrant outfit—a short skirt and white knee-high socks.
Lu Chengwen shot her a look. "Is it really that fun to keep screwing with me?"
"Who told you to ditch me!"
"We were never even together. How could I ditch you?"
"Exactly! If you want to ditch me, you've got to date me first!"
Lu Chengwen was floored by her logic.
"Hey, why bring me along all of a sudden? Finally realizing how great this goddess is?"
Lu Chengwen gave a faint smile. "The person I'm meeting is dangerously cunning. Having a sexy little miracle doctor around feels safer."
"Oh? You think I'm sexy?"
"Sexy," Lu Chengwen said flatly. "I'd take you right here on the street if I could."
"Hahaha! Good taste!"
They arrived at the Junli Hotel. Lu Chengwen tossed his car keys to the valet with a flourish and walked in with Xu Xuejiao.
In the lobby, the manager was waiting. "Welcome, Young Master Lu. Your friend mentioned—"
"I know. Contact my assistant for payment."
"Yes, Young Master."
The manager thought to himself, These rich heirs are something else. A stunning beauty waiting in his suite, and he brings another one? A threesome… there's always something to learn from these guys.
Rich people sure know how to have fun.
"Young Master Lu, we have themed rooms. They're smaller than the presidential suite but come with more… equipment. Higher playability. You could fully showcase your talents there—"
"I'm here for business," Lu Chengwen cut him off.
"Oh? My apologies, I misunderstood. This way, please."
"I'll go up myself. Stay back."
"Yes, sir."
As Lu Chengwen walked away, the manager muttered under his breath, "What a guy. Just because he's rich? Hmph!"
They entered the elevator, where three men were already inside. Xu Xuejiao immediately linked arms with Lu Chengwen. He didn't bother resisting—too many lice, no itch; boiled pig, no fear of scalding.
But the three men made him uneasy. The leader was tall, dressed in a cheap suit and shoddy leather shoes, trying to look professional but clearly lacking the budget. His outfit screamed bargain-bin. The two behind him were even worse, their suits so ill-fitting they might as well have been wearing sacks.
Despite their shoddy appearance, the trio exuded an oppressive aura.
One of the lackeys spoke to the leader. "Bronze King, when we meet Iron King and his crew, are we really wiping them all out?"
Bronze King's face was grim. "Of course! Traitors to the organization don't get to live. They die, or we do."
"Ugh, I really don't want to fight our own."
Bronze King shot him a cold glance. "This is the way of the martial world."
Lu Chengwen's nerves spiked.
[What the hell? This soon?]
[I just dealt with Iron King, and now Bronze King shows up? This guy's a notch above Iron King. If they figure out I'm Lu Chengwen, I'm not even making it out of this elevator!]
[Gotta think of something.]
Xu Xuejiao, catching his inner thoughts, felt her heart skip. She glanced at the men's reflections in the elevator, subtly pinching Lu Chengwen's arm. He met her eyes, gave her hand a reassuring pat, and signaled her to stay calm.
The lackey continued, "They say the Young Master is a genius, blessed with extraordinary talent, a child of destiny. What was Iron King thinking, betraying him?"
"Cough!" Bronze King cleared his throat, shooting a glance that said, Shut up, there are others here.
Ding! The elevator doors opened.
Xu Xuejiao tugged Lu Chengwen's arm. "Brother Aotian, this way!"
Lu Chengwen froze for a split second but caught on instantly. "Mm."
His inner voice was full of praise: [Smart girl! Quick thinking!]
[These guys must be new in Xuecheng and haven't met Long Aotian yet. Pretending to be him should keep me safe in this building.]
[Xu Xuejiao, you're amazing! I could kiss you for six hours straight!]
Xu Xuejiao beamed inwardly at his mental compliments.
"That damned Iron King, betraying Brother Aotian like that. So arrogant, thinking he's untouchable. Brother Aotian, how will you deal with them?"
Lu Chengwen strode forward confidently. "Flay them alive, of course. This northern realm will tremble under my name, Long Aotian! The branch's strategist is useless, sending such unreliable people. They can't even tell who their master is."
Xu Xuejiao played along. "Should we wipe out the branch entirely?"
Lu Chengwen shook his head. "No need. Idiots like Iron King are one of a kind. The rest of the branch should still be useful. I need their strength right now. Those who help me achieve greatness might earn titles and riches."
"Brother Aotian, you're too kind. A mere branch—what talent could they have? You're always giving chances to the little guys when there are plenty of big shots eager to work with you. Yet you stay low-key, pulling people from a small branch."
Lu Chengwen, now a martial artist himself, had sharper senses than before. Though the corridor seemed empty, he could tell the three were eavesdropping from the shadows.
He turned to Xu Xuejiao, his tone serious. "Xuejiao, remember this: to achieve greatness, you must know how to use people and spread goodwill. Never underestimate the small fry. Nurture them well, and today's nobody could become tomorrow's hero, a key ally in my path to dominance. I was once a nobody myself. And now? Those who looked down on me bow at my feet."
"Yes, sir!" Xu Xuejiao replied.
"But that Lu Chengwen is too cunning," she continued. "Not only does he impersonate the Young Master to deceive people, but he's also a cowardly, perverted creep who preys on the weak, bullies the helpless, harasses old ladies, loves orgies, and doesn't even spare sows!"
"Enough!" Lu Chengwen cut her off.
[Is she using this chance to roast me? She's relentless!]
"Lu Chengwen's a master at acting," he said. "If he weren't, Iron King wouldn't have been fooled into turning against me."
Xu Xuejiao nodded. "Iron King meant well but got played hard by Lu Chengwen. Still, Young Master, this is a critical time. You can't take risks yourself. Outsmarting them is the way."
Lu Chengwen looked at his palm. "Pity. That battle in the wastelands weakened me. Otherwise, why would I need these small-time lackeys? Lu Chengwen's got some skill, though—impersonating me so convincingly."
"Iron King was just too stupid! Couldn't even recognize his own master. People like that deserve to be crushed."
Lu Chengwen glanced at her. "Crush them? I'd rather not dirty my hands. The strategist will send someone to clean house. If they can't even handle that, the branch has no reason to exist."
They walked off, leaving the corridor.
Bronze King exhaled heavily, only emerging once they were gone. "That was close! We were in the elevator with the Young Master!"
The chubby lackey wiped his sweat. "His presence—his voice alone was overwhelming!"
The skinny one clutched his chest. "Did you hear? The Young Master values talent and rewards loyalty."
Bronze King nodded. "Iron King, that idiot, got played by Lu Chengwen and betrayed the Young Master. Our first step is to follow the Young Master's orders—clean house. That's how we earn his approval."
The chubby lackey grinned. "But Bronze King, this is our chance!"
"Exactly!" Bronze King rubbed his hands excitedly. "You heard him. The Young Master wants to use us, nurture us. In the organization, being a Red Guard means a lifetime as a lackey—barely any money, treated like dirt, fighting bloody battles. Die in combat, and no one even buries you. Want out? You leave your life behind. Aren't you sick of it?"
The two lackeys growled, "We're done with it!"
Bronze King continued, "This is our shot to change our fate! Fame and fortune are in the Young Master's hands. A tiny bit from him could elevate us to new heights, make us heroes of our own domains! We'll be his right-hand men, living large—mansions, sports cars, dating celebrities, bedding models. Red Guards? Only brain-dead fools stay Red Guards forever!"
The two dropped to their knees. "Thank you, Bronze King, for giving us this chance to rewrite our destiny! We'll follow you and serve the Young Master loyally!"
Bronze King nodded, pleased. "Get up, brothers! If you weren't loyal, I wouldn't have brought you along for this golden opportunity."
They chorused, "We thank Bronze King's eighteen generations of ancestors!"
Bronze King grabbed them by the necks, pulling their heads close. "Enough talk, brothers! We're done with the Red Guard life. The opportunity's right here. Remember the Young Master's face, his voice, the beauty by his side. If we screw up like that idiot Iron King and mistake our master—"
The two gritted their teeth in unison. "Then we're the ultimate, super-spiral idiots!"
"Smart! Let's get to work!"
_
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