Chapter 13: The Simpleton

"Yanran, ever since your father died, the Luo family’s standing in Desolate City has plummeted. With the Chu family in control now, even taking a private jet has become an almost impossible task!"

As the motorcade sped down the highway, Luo Yanran’s second uncle reached out, placing his hand on her thigh, rubbing it softly, a lewd smile spreading across his face. "It’s all your father’s fault, you know. If it weren’t for me, you’d have already been snatched away by the Chu family!"

"Thank you, Uncle…"

Yanran pressed her lips together, feeling his hand growing bolder by the second. She could only grip the edge of her seat, even forcing herself to lean into him. She had no choice—for without his support, she would have nothing left at all.

Yet… Chu Qingcheng, Jiang Chen! If I ever have the chance, I will avenge my father with my own hands!

Suddenly, her uncle turned and pinned her beneath his body, his hands roaming freely.

Through the rear window, she watched Desolate City fade into the distance, her eyes seething with venomous hate.

A thunderous explosion ripped through the air—the leading car of the convoy had just been blown apart.

A mysterious squad appeared all around, unleashing a barrage of advanced weaponry upon the convoy.

One after another, vehicles were blown to pieces, and those relatives of the Luo family who failed to escape in time were obliterated, their bodies left unrecognizable in the wreckage.

"What’s happening? Go, go, drive!"

Luo Yanran’s uncle, shirtless, leapt from the car, dragging Yanran with him. With the few surviving clan members shielding them, they struggled desperately to break through the encirclement.

But in no time, dozens of formidable martial artists emerged from the shadows, offering no words before launching a merciless slaughter upon the Luo family.

Within mere minutes, corpses littered the road.

"K-spare me! I have money—more than you can imagine—all of it is yours! Please, just let me live!"

Kneeling among the bodies, her uncle shook uncontrollably with terror, his face ghostly pale. "I’ll give you anything you want, just don’t kill me!"

The martial artists around him were expressionless. The young man at their head smiled, reaching out to tousle her uncle’s hair. "Your Luo family failed to stop Jiang Chen. What’s the point of keeping you alive?"

With a cold flash, a dagger pierced her uncle’s skull from crown to jaw, silencing him before he could utter another word.

Yanran watched as her uncle’s head exploded, her own body trembling violently with fear. Her disheveled, half-worn clothes fell further apart, exposing swathes of snowy skin to the night air.

The young man grinned, his gaze sweeping over her shamelessly. Then, standing upright, he began to unbuckle his belt. "You want revenge? Become my dog, and I’ll give you your chance…"

Yanran froze, forcing her terror back down her throat. In that moment, all notions of dignity or shame fled her mind. Before the eyes of the assembled warriors, she crawled toward the young man on hands and knees…

…

It was already late at night when someone knocked on Chu Qingcheng’s bedroom door.

She hadn’t been able to sleep, standing by her window lost in thought. At the sound, she went to the door, surprised to find her father there. "Dad? Why aren’t you asleep at this hour?"

"You want to go out into the world with Jiang Chen, but you’re worried about the safety of the Chu family, aren’t you?"

Chu Qing smiled, stepping to the window and clasping his hands behind his back. A quiet authority radiated from his posture. "My silly daughter, I’m not so old yet, and the Chu family has not fallen. What are you hesitating for?"

"Don’t think your old man can’t tell—you care quite a lot about Jiang Chen. In all these years, I’ve never seen you like this."

"Dad…" Qingcheng was left speechless. A shy flush crept up her lovely face. She bit her lip and moved to stand beside him, gazing into the night beyond the window. "I-I haven’t decided yet. And the Chu family just suffered heavy losses. As the legitimate daughter, leaving now feels…"

"You’re still young. Whatever you want to do, go and do it!"

Chu Qing frowned, turning to her seriously and patting her shoulder. "Don’t worry. Once the imperial capital sends someone to take over the northern front and Desolate City, I’ll lead the Chu family south to Jiangnan. It’s time I got to know my future in-laws a little better…"

"Oh, don’t say that! That’s really not what I meant…"

Qingcheng, more embarrassed than ever, hesitated a moment before speaking softly. "I want to go with him, partly because the Chu family’s enemies must be avenged. And…"

She paused, her voice growing hesitant. "And partly because I do have feelings for him. He’s saved me more than once, and I’m curious—if I follow him, what breathtaking sights might I see?"

Her flawless face was now flushed crimson. She bowed her head. "I’m just afraid… if I leave now, I won’t be able to keep you company for a long time…"

"Go, go, go! I’m still strong as an ox—why do you make it sound like I’m on my deathbed?"

Chu Qing rolled his eyes and turned to leave. "Don’t worry, your mother and I both hope you’ll find a good match. I think Jiang Chen is an excellent choice!"

Lingering at the door, he hesitated before saying, "Just remember, Jiang Chen carries many burdens. Romance may not be his priority, at least not for now—you should prepare yourself for that possibility."

"But my daughter is the most beautiful woman in Desolate City. With a little effort, winning him over shouldn’t be so hard…"

Qingcheng was mortified. She hurried to the door, shoving her father out. "Enough, Dad, you’re talking nonsense. Go to bed—I’m going to sleep too…"

She changed into her nightwear and lay on her bed, but sleep wouldn’t come.

Her mind wandered back to her time with Jiang Chen, and her cheeks grew even hotter. She whispered to herself, "That silly boy… who would ever fall for him…"

…

The next day, Jiang Chen departed under an assumed identity, alone on a flight bound for a city on the eastern frontier.

The Dragon Squad would follow discreetly, traveling by private jet and keeping all their actions under wraps. They would only appear when Jiang Chen needed them, saving him a great deal of effort.

The plane buzzed with activity. Sitting by the window, Jiang Chen gazed down at the bustling city below, lost in thought.

He’d been too hasty, perhaps. He hadn’t lingered in Desolate City for long—a fortnight at most—and yet, at this moment, he found his thoughts drifting unexpectedly to that silly girl, Chu Qingcheng.

She was an interesting one…

"Leaving just like this—isn’t it a bit too decisive?"

Lost in reverie, he was startled by a familiar voice beside him. He turned in surprise, frowning slightly. "What are you doing here?"

At some point, Chu Qingcheng had taken the seat next to his. Her face was cool and aloof, noble and stunning, drawing admiring glances from passengers all around.

"I’ll go where I please—what’s it to you?"

She sniffed, pretending indifference. "My father told me to follow you and learn what I can. I couldn’t refuse, so here I am."

Despite her words, her heart was pounding wildly…