Chen Xiao let out a low chuckle as A Yao finished her story about Gu Chu's failed courtship. "In that case, I certainly hope it's the Great Lord himself who shows up," he said, his eyes glinting. "It's always more profitable to deal with the master than the lackeys."
As they spoke, night fully claimed the riverbank. Chen Xiao flicked on the RV's external floodlights, casting a warm, defiant glow against the oppressive darkness of the wasteland. He settled onto the plush outdoor seating, flanked by Tang Shirou, Jiang Chuxue, and A Yao. Inside, Ouyang Miao kept a watchful eye on the monitors, while Huang Yiyi stood awkwardly to the side. Despite their previous intimacy, she still felt like a ghost haunting the edges of his inner circle.
Chen Xiao wasn't worried. He knew this trip—and the display of power that was about to follow—would be the final key to breaking down her remaining walls.
"They're here."
Huang Yiyi suddenly stiffened, her SSS-level senses screaming as a massive surge of energy approached. Chen Xiao didn't need to be told; his [Dragon's Breath] had already mapped the signatures. He gently disentangled himself from Jiang Chuxue and stood up.
"Stay close to the rig," he commanded, looking at A Yao and Ouyang Miao. "Protect them."
In the blink of an eye, he vanished into the darkness.
The Bitter King's Entrance
Back at the hill, the scouts were trembling. Their "reinforcements" had arrived, but they weren't the usual high-profile enforcers. Several cloaked figures stood in the shadows, their presence stifling.
"Did you tell them how dangerous this guy is?" the leader in the brown jacket hissed at the "Rat" scout.
The short man swallowed hard. "I did! But I don't think the higher-ups believed me."
Panic began to ripple through the rank-and-file patrolmen. They considered bolting into the night, but a sudden, crushing aura descended upon the ridge. It felt as though the air had turned to lead. Their limbs felt heavy, their internal energy pools stagnant. They were trapped in a metaphysical quagmire, their abilities silenced by a domain they couldn't even see.
A black blur flickered through the air.
Chen Xiao didn't go for the talkative scouts. He targeted the strongest of the newcomers. Dropping from the sky like a falling star, he delivered a concussive, downward kick. One of the cloaked figures reacted with unnatural speed, crossing his arms to block, but the sheer force of the impact sent him hurtling backward. His boots tore deep furrows into the earth before he finally ground to a halt, his forearms nearly shattered by the weight of the blow.
The man's cloak shredded away, revealing a tall, imposing figure whose skin had taken on a dull, metallic sheen.
This was Gu Chu, the Lord of Lotus Terrace. He had survived the strike only thanks to his SSS-level talent, [Bitter King Physique], backed by the indomitable [Bitter King's Will].
Gu Chu's heart hammered against his ribs. He had only felt pressure like this once before—when he stood before the Thunder God General in the Capital.
The Reveal
"Gu Chu, Lord of the Lotus Terrace," Chen Xiao's voice drifted down from the air where he hovered, seemingly unsupported by anything but his own will. "Sneaking around your own territory in a mask? You're acting more like a thief than a King."
Gu Chu reached up and pulled away the remainder of his disguise, much to the shock of his men. The scouts gasped. They had assumed their leader was watching from a safe distance, not standing on the front lines.
"The Boss is... so cautious!" they whispered among themselves, a mix of awe and relief washing over them.
Gu Chu let out a long, weary sigh. He looked up at the silhouette in the sky, his eyes narrowed. "I had no idea a monster of your caliber was passing through my backyard. My men made a mistake, but I meant no harm to your party. Why don't we call this a misunderstanding and go our separate ways?"
Chen Xiao sneered, landing softly on the grass. "Call it even? If I hadn't been 'this strong,' your men would have stripped my RV and left our corpses for the mutants. You didn't come here for a 'misunderstanding'—you came to see if I was worth robbing."
Just then, A Yao peeked out from the shadows of the RV, waving a hand playfully. "Hey there, Gu Chu! Long time no see."
Gu Chu froze. His eyes darted from the girl to Chen Xiao, and then back again. "A Yao? What are you doing out here in the Sanjiang Basin?"
"Just a vacation," she said cheerfully. "But your boys seem to think our truck is 'strategic resources.'"
Gu Chu broke into a cold sweat. He knew A Yao's background—and more importantly, he knew the kind of people she associated with. He looked at Chen Xiao with newfound dread. "Are you from the Capital Military? Are you one of the Divine Generals?"
Chen Xiao shook his head, his expression cold. "I'm not interested in titles. Let's skip the pleasantries and get to the point. Since you've disturbed my dinner, I'm going to give you exactly two chances to live."
Gu Chu's jaw dropped. He was one of the most powerful men in the region, a Lord in his own right, and he was being spoken to like a common thug.
"Two chances?" Gu Chu growled, his pride finally flaring up. "You're standing in my territory, and you're extorting me to my face?"
Chen Xiao tilted his head, a dark, predatory smile spreading across his lips. "Extortion? No, Gu Chu. This is a tax. And the rate just went up."