Chapter 18: Shamelessness and Schemes

Page 1/3

Upon spotting the familiar figure in her line of sight, Ye Qingchan instinctively made a guess. The newcomer was a young man with a handsome and robust appearance, holding an exquisitely crafted Tang sword.

This young man was Wei Hongyi, hailing from the prestigious Wei family of Dragon City. Like Ye Qingchan, he was one of the team leaders of the Hidden Dragon Agents within the Dragon Soul.

Ye Qingchan knew Wei Hongyi was a martial arts grandmaster skilled in swordsmanship, and with that Tang sword in hand, he undoubtedly fit the profile of the person who had killed the five ninjas from the Xiao Kun Kingdom.

Hearing Ye Qingchan’s words, Wei Hongyi was momentarily stunned. He had come rushing over upon hearing the commotion, carrying his Tang sword. He had assumed that Ye Qingchan was the one who had slain the five bodies on the ground.

Unexpectedly, Ye Qingchan asked if he was the killer. How was he supposed to respond?

“Yes, I killed those five ninjas from the Xiao Kun Kingdom,” Wei Hongyi admitted without hesitation, his face calm. “They infiltrated the Dragon Capital Heavenly Pavilion to assassinate you. In my fury, I killed them all!”

He put on the expression of a man enraged for a beloved lady’s sake.

Originally, he had joined Dragon Soul and become a team leader among the Hidden Dragon Agents precisely to court Ye Qingchan better.

Now, with this perfect chance to boast, regardless of who actually did the killing, he intended to take all the credit!

Perhaps, moved by this, Ye Qingchan might even agree to be his girlfriend. The very thought excited him.

“Has your strength really reached this level? It seems I am no match for you now!” Ye Qingchan sighed appreciatively upon confirming his words.

Previously, Wei Hongyi had always been her defeated subordinate. After just a few months apart, his strength had surpassed hers.

It was clear she had underestimated his talent and potential; she must train harder to enhance her own ability.

“Ah? That’s...” Wei Hongyi felt uneasy. He only hoped to move Ye Qingchan, not to make her sigh in admiration. Raising his Tang sword, he added, “I just relied on the might of my weapon; otherwise, I’m still no match for you!”

“You need not belittle yourself. Judging from the different sword marks on the ground, that ninja from Xiao Kun Kingdom was also a martial arts grandmaster, yet you shattered his ninja blade. Even without your weapon, you are very strong!” Ye Qingchan shook her head, believing Wei Hongyi was being modest.

Wei Hongyi could only offer an awkward but polite smile.

“Wait!” Ye Qingchan suddenly looked at Wei Hongyi sharply.

Wei Hongyi’s heart tightened—had he been exposed?

Ye Qingchan then asked, “When did you arrive?”

“This morning. I finished a mission abroad, heard you were on a mission in Linzhou, and came here immediately!” Wei Hongyi answered cautiously.

Page 2/3

Wei Hongyi continued carefully, “I found out you bought a villa near the Dragon Capital Heavenly Pavilion, so I bought the villa next to yours! Then the five ninjas from the Xiao Kun Kingdom attacked, and I killed them in self-defense!”

“First, take care of the bodies. Tonight, come with me to see my aunt—she has leads on a mission!” Ye Qingchan said, placing the mission above all else without doubting Wei Hongyi.

“All right, all right!” Wei Hongyi nodded excitedly with a broad smile. Was this going to be a family introduction?

...

At the Tianlin Grand Hotel, Linzhou’s most luxurious hotel, just like the Dragon Capital Heavenly Pavilion, both were the Zhao family’s prestigious trademarks.

Elder Zhao, Zhao Tingshan, and Zhao Linxuan were already waiting at the hotel entrance for Jiang Chen, displaying clear sincerity.

Chu Yan, who had driven over to meet Zhao General for a business discussion, was astonished to see this scene.

The three generations of the Zhao family were all waiting at the entrance—what kind of distinguished guest were they welcoming?

“Greetings, Elder Zhao, Master Zhao, Miss Zhao!” Chu Yan politely greeted them.

“Hmm,” Elder Zhao and Zhao Tingshan nodded in acknowledgment.

Zhao Linxuan replied, “Hello, General Chu.”

Chu Yan did not interrupt their reception of the distinguished guest. The Zhao Group was worth hundreds of billions—several times the value of Chu’s Group—and if even they showed such respect, she certainly had no right to interfere.

“If only I could meet this big shot; it would surely help the Chu family reach new heights. Alas, I lack such luck!” Chu Yan sighed heavily in her heart as she walked into the hotel.

As Chu Yan entered, a taxi pulled up at the entrance, and Jiang Chen sat in the back seat.

“Mr. Jiang!” Elder Zhao, Zhao Tingshan, and Zhao Linxuan greeted him warmly. Zhao Linxuan even personally opened the car door, revealing a glimpse of her pure white beauty.

Jiang Chen paused briefly, then got out and said, “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“No, no, we just arrived as well. Please come inside, Mr. Jiang!” Elder Zhao smiled and waved them in, personally leading Jiang Chen into the hotel.

Guests entering and leaving the hotel were stunned by the scene, silently noting this young powerhouse. Even if they offended the Zhao family, offending him would be unthinkable!

Chu Yan was in the private room with Zhao General Zhao Ruixing.

Page 3/3

Zhao Ruixing was Zhao Tingshan’s nephew. Though a collateral relative of the Zhao family, his status was incomparable to a wealthy scion like Feng Junwei, and he could stand on equal footing with Chu Yan.

The Chu family was in decline, so Chu Yan dared not ask for much. The Zhao patriarch dealt in deals worth tens or hundreds of billions, and if she could close a few billion worth of business with Zhao Ruixing, it would already be a great achievement.

“General Chu, you’re really something, making me wait a full half hour!” Zhao Ruixing leaned back in his chair, tapping the table with his fingers and sneering.

“What? Didn’t you set the meeting for eleven?” Chu Yan’s face changed as she hurriedly checked her phone—no, it was not yet eleven; she had arrived early.

“I set it for ten-thirty. Does the Chu Group make such basic mistakes?” Zhao Ruixing frowned and snapped coldly.

“Sorry, General Zhao, it’s my fault!” Chu Yan bowed her head to apologize. Making excuses now would only anger him.

“Since you’re late, you’ll have to punish yourself with three drinks!” Zhao Ruixing’s tone softened as he waved his hand.

Chu Yan pursed her lips. “Please forgive me, General Zhao. I can’t handle much alcohol; I’ll have tea instead…”

“What? Are you looking down on me? If you’re so insincere, there’s no point in doing business!” Zhao Ruixing snorted in displeasure, standing up as if to leave.

“No, General Zhao, please don’t be angry. I’ll drink the wine!” Chu Yan quickly explained and compromised. She had planned not to drive after drinking and arranged for Yao Bing to pick her up.

Zhao Ruixing then sat back down, a sly grin creeping across his lips.

He had deliberately set the wrong time to mess with Chu Yan. The wine on the table was fifty-three-degree Maotai, served in two-ounce glasses. If he poured her several rounds, he didn’t believe she wouldn’t get drunk.

With Elder Chu ill and Chu Yan struggling alone, if he could sleep with her and become the Chu family’s son-in-law, helping the Zhao family swallow up the Chu clan would be a great achievement!

Chu Yan was focused on acquiring thirty-six acres of land by the lake, completely unaware of Zhao Ruixing’s scheme. Gritting her teeth, she downed three glasses of wine, her throat burning fiercely, forcing her to cough uncontrollably. Her stomach blazed, and tears threatened to fall.

Her delicate face flushed deeply; she felt dizzy and close to intoxication.

“General Chu has an impressive tolerance. I toast you! After this drink, we’ll start discussing cooperation!” Zhao Ruixing smiled and stood to open a fresh bottle of Maotai, filling Chu Yan’s glass and his own, leaving her no chance to refuse.