Chapter 38: Rising Tension

In the City of Moonlit Grove

The air inside the office of the Tang residence was heavy. The morning breeze drifted in through the open window, carrying the distant scent of trees and the murmur of the city, already bustling with the day. Tang Wei stood before the window, his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze fixed in the direction of the Clear Water Mountains. His dark eyes, which usually held a quiet kindness and a hidden sorrow, were now calculating and filled with silent concern.

He knew his daughter was there. And he knew how ruthless that place could be.

— "Chen Kai, please give me the report." — His voice echoed in the room, low but firm.

Chen Kai, always wearing a mask but maintaining a rigid posture, nodded before he began speaking.

— "The batch of pills that arrived yesterday has already started selling in our stores. As for the Shang family, though they continue pressuring our allies, they haven't made any direct moves regarding this. But… it's unlikely they'll remain idle for long."

Tang Wei remained silent, processing every word. Beside him, seated on a small carved wooden sofa, Liao Chen Wei drummed his fingers on the armrest, his gaze casually distant, as if lost in thought. But Tang Wei knew he was paying attention to every detail.

— "What about the other factions?" — Tang Wei shifted his gaze from the window and sat on the sofa opposite his friend.

Chen Kai cleared his throat before continuing.

— "The City Lord's Manor is busy preparing for Feng Lian's birthday, but rumors suggest he is inclined to favor the Shang family. If true, this could further unbalance the city's power."

Tang Wei let out a quiet sigh.

— "And the Xing family?"

— "They seem particularly interested in the rumor about Feng Lian's possible marriage. In fact, internal information suggests that it was Xing Yue who started spreading it." — Chen Kai hesitated slightly when he mentioned 'Xing Yue'.

— "Hmph." — Liao Chen Wei let out a short laugh. — "The Xing family is clearly interested, but their eldest daughter doesn't seem to be. Spreading the topic across the entire city like that… If the Shang family and the City Lord's Manor form a marriage alliance…"

He paused, then continued, his sharp eyes hiding a dangerous glint.

— "If that happens, it will only be a matter of time before the Shang family takes control of Moonlit Grove."

Tang Wei closed his eyes for a moment. He already knew this, but hearing it out loud made it all the more real.

— "You're oversimplifying things, Liao." — He opened his eyes, his expression grim. — "There are still variables in play. This apparent calm in the city won't last long. When Feng Lian and Shang Hua-Ren return, everything will be put to the test."

Silence lingered for a moment before he changed the subject.

— "What about the preparations to transfer our people out of the city? And the hunting groups? I recall some of them were heading to the Clear Water Mountains soon." — He asked, thinking of his daughter.

Chen Kai gave a small nod.

— "We are conducting the operation with all the discretion you ordered. Everything should be completed before the tournament begins. The only thing left is to decide to whom we'll transfer the remaining businesses in the city."

He paused briefly before continuing.

— "The Treasure Pavilion is operating as usual. Among the three most important hunting groups in the city, Moonlight Claws and Celestial River Spear remain loyal to our business. However..." — His voice grew heavier. — "... the Mist Shadows group seems to be aligning with the Shang family."

Tang Wei frowned.

— "And what about the Celestial River Spear group?"

— "They will leave for a hunt tomorrow."

Tang Wei narrowed his eyes.

— "Then invite Captain Wu Jian to discuss business. I want to see him personally."

— "Yes, sir!" — Chen Kai gave a slight bow before leaving the room.

The door closed with a muffled sound.

Liao Chen Wei leaned back on the sofa, observing Tang Wei with a scrutinizing gaze. He had known this man for years and could clearly see the weight pressing down on his shoulders.

— "You don't need to worry so much. You gave your daughter several protective artifacts, including the guardian bracelet. If anything happens, you'll know immediately."

Tang Wei let out a long sigh.

— "I know that. But understanding is one thing… accepting is another."

His voice carried a melancholic weight. He raised a hand to his temple, massaging it lightly.

— "You don't understand, Liao. I watched that girl grow up. I changed her diapers as a baby, how to read…

And now she's out there, facing a world that will show her no mercy."

His heart clenched at the thought that he wouldn't be able to protect her forever.

Liao Chen Wei observed him for a moment before letting out a tired sigh.

— "That's true. I don't understand that." — He admitted, crossing his arms. — "I never had children. But I know you've already accepted this reality a long time ago."

His gaze turned more serious, piercing.

— "The problem isn't letting your daughter grow up, Tang. The problem is that your time is running out. If you don't rid yourself of the poison soon, you'll never have the strength to take revenge for your wife. And if that happens…" — He paused, letting the weight of his words settle in the room. — "... these people will become a threat to your daughter as well."

Silence fell between them.

Tang Wei closed his eyes for a moment. He already knew this.

He had always known.

Slowly, he opened his eyes again. His previously melancholic expression shifted into something resolute.

— "You're right."

His voice now carried an unshakable determination. The hesitation in his gaze vanished, replaced by pure, cold resolve.

He turned back toward the window, staring at the horizon.

The sky was dark, clouds gathering like omens of an impending storm.

He needed to act.

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In a Courtyard of the Shang Family

The sound of shattering glass echoed through the luxuriously decorated courtyard of the Shang Family. Fine porcelain vases, ornate mirrors, and spiritual wooden boxes were hurled against the walls or smashed onto the floor. Each impact resounded like thunder in the minds of the maids rushing by, trying not to attract attention. Some shrank behind the columns of ancient cedar, hoping their presence would go unnoticed.

Inside the room where the commotion came from, Shang Hua-Yen was furious.

Her eyes were red with rage, her clenched fists trembling as her chest rose and fell with heavy breaths. Her hair, usually immaculate, was now disheveled, and her makeup was smudged with sweat and frustration. Her gaze was sharp, filled with hatred and resentment.

And then, another crash.

A mirror was thrown violently against the wall, shattering into a thousand pieces. A sharp cracking sound filled the air as she grabbed a thin leather whip and lashed it against the floor.

— "How dare that bitch?!" — she roared, her eyes blazing with pure indignation.

Her hands trembled, not just with fury but with frustration. Ever since her sister had proven her talent, no one dared oppose her. No one. All those maids and concubines had been like a flock of frightened quails, not daring to utter a single sound in her presence. But now that her sister had left, they had become as arrogant as before… now they dared to conspire against her?!

Hua-Yen felt humiliation burning in her chest. And the worst part? Her father had punished her after the auction. He had never punished her before. Not once since her sister had revealed her talent. The only reason her situation wasn't even worse was that her sister loved her, and her father didn't want to upset her.

At that thought, a shiver ran down her spine.

She had long abandoned any illusions about her father, Shang Wei-Liang. He was a man of appearances. Kind and attentive when he saw value in someone, but ruthless when he no longer did. He had never truly cared for her or her sister. His interest was purely pragmatic.

If not for her sister…

Her body trembled at the thought of what might have happened to her if she hadn't held value in her father's eyes.

But what ate away at her even more was the memory of Tang Wei and his daughter.

Tang Wei, that damned old man, openly showed unconditional love for his daughter, Tang Chun Xi. A love that Shang Hua-Yen had always longed for but never received.

Why?

What was so special about that useless girl that she deserved something so precious?

Jealousy and bitterness burned inside her, and her rage swelled. She grabbed a jade vase and hurled it against the wall with force.

— "Damn you, Tang Chun Xi!"

Once again, she vented her frustration on everything around her. Until—

— "Enough! Breaking things won't solve anything."

A firm voice interrupted her fit of rage.

Shang Hua-Yen froze for a moment before slowly turning to face her mother, Liang Yu-Mei.

The woman stood at the entrance of the room, accompanied by a few servants. Her posture was imposing, her robes perfectly aligned, and her gaze severe.

Hua-Yen clenched her teeth, trying to steady her breathing.

— "But mother! That concubine has gone too far!" — her voice was filled with anger and indignation. — "She dared to ask father to be placed in the Valley of Spiritual Herbs! And the worst part... he agreed! He will surely ask my sister to help with it!"

There was a faint trace of jealousy in her voice. She didn't even realize it.

Liang Yu-Mei approached slowly, picking up a clean cloth and gently wiping her daughter's face, removing the smeared makeup.

— "You don't need to worry about that." — her voice was calm but carried authority. — "Your sister sent me a communication talisman. As long as you perform well in the tournament, you will be admitted to the Valley of Spiritual Herbs."

She carefully adjusted her daughter's disheveled hair and continued, her tone turning colder:

— "That is all you need to focus on. As for that little whore... when your sister returns, your father will no longer protect her."

The servants behind Liang Yu-Mei began cleaning up the wreckage in the room.

— "But mother..." — Hua-Yen hesitated.

— "No buts." — her mother's voice grew firmer. — "You know as well as I do how pragmatic your father is. He may spoil his concubines all he wants, but when it comes to power... he will discard them without hesitation."

She paused, her gaze growing even more serious.

— "You need to understand that you cannot depend on him. You can't afford to be reckless anymore."

Hua-Yen felt a chill run down her spine.

— "I took these resources from your father." — Liang Yu-Mei handed her a small spatial ring. — "Use them wisely and forget everything else. You will not leave the mansion until you reach the fifth level of Body Tempering."

Hua-Yen clenched the ring in her hand, feeling a weight far heavier than mere resources.

— "Okay." — she murmured, reluctant but knowing she had no choice.

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In a Courtyard of the Xing Family

Xing Yue lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling with empty eyes.

Ever since she had received the news that she would have to marry Feng Lian, she hadn't been able to gather the strength to get up.

She knew, rationally, that it was inevitable. After living off the family's resources, she would eventually have to repay them in some way. But she had never imagined it would be so soon.

Her heart screamed a desperate "No," but her mind knew that resisting would only make her father's position within the family even more humiliating.

She felt trapped. Without a way out.

For a moment, a forbidden thought crossed her mind: running to the Tang Family and begging Chen Kai to save her.

But she immediately discarded it.

He would refuse.

Perhaps not out of a lack of feelings, but because to marry her, he would have to prove his worth to the Xing Family. And that would mean giving up his own principles and independence.

He wouldn't do that.

Xing Yue felt a suffocating pain in her chest.

After receiving the news, she had locked herself in her room for days. Her mind told her to accept her fate, but her heart refused.

She needed to talk to her friend… but she knew she was in seclusion.

When she spread the rumor about Feng Lian's possible marriage—something she had overheard from the elders—perhaps, deep down, she had already sensed that something was wrong. But she had refused to accept it.

Now, more than ever, she hoped that this marriage wouldn't happen.

For the first time… she wanted Shang Hua-Ren to win.

The idea of depending on her made her uncomfortable, but she couldn't help it.

She felt alone. Completely alone.

And all she could do was wait…