Chapter 7: New Direction for Xuen

A month had passed since the tumultuous events that had consumed Xuen Ye's life. Now, he found himself wandering the bustling streets of Shenzhen, his sharp eyes scanning for antiques imbued with a faint, elusive aura. The city's chaos had kept him from his cultivation, but with the tribal affairs settled and the respect of the powerful figures secured, Xuen could finally focus on his own path. The weight of leadership no longer pressed on his shoulders, and he was free to delve deeper into the mysteries of cultivation.

As he walked in quiet contemplation, a voice broke through the hum of the city. "Mr. Xuen."

Xuen turned, his gaze falling upon a man in his mid-forties, dressed in a manner that spoke of authority and refinement. The man's demeanor was calm, but there was an undercurrent of urgency in his tone.

"Yes, can I help you?" Xuen replied, his voice steady and measured.

The man stepped closer, offering a polite nod. "Mr. Xuen, I was present a month ago when you dealt with the masters Old Song had brought. My name is Huang Luo, and I am the deputy mayor of Shenzhen. I am also an old friend of Elder Lin Hao."

Xuen's expression remained impassive, though his interest was piqued. "Well, I can listen."

Mayor Luo gestured toward a sleek, black car parked nearby. "We can talk in my car. Please," he said, opening the door for Xuen.

Once inside, the deputy mayor wasted no time. "Mr. Xuen, I am merely a simple deputy mayor of this city. I know little of the martial world, but I am aware of your power. I need your help with a case."

Xuen's eyes narrowed slightly. "What case? How can I help?"

Luo took a deep breath, his tone growing more somber. "I spoke to Old Hao, and he suggested you might be willing to assist. This matter is also connected to the Lin family."

Xuen leaned back, his expression unreadable, but his attention fully captured. He remained silent, allowing Luo to continue.

"A few months ago," Luo began, "a man and a woman committed suicide by jumping from an old building near the GG Bar. Before their deaths, they reported to the Shenzhen police that a group of thugs had been pressuring them to sell their apartment for a pittance. When they resisted, they were beaten, and the police did nothing to intervene."

Xuen listened intently, his mind already piecing together the fragments of the story. The deputy mayor's words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications. The case was not just about justice; it was a web of corruption, power, and perhaps even darker forces lurking in the shadows of the city.

As the car glided through the streets, Xuen's thoughts turned inward. He had no desire to involve himself in the petty machinations of the mundane world, but the mention of the Lin family and the plea from Elder Lin Hao's old friend gave him pause. Perhaps this was more than it seemed—a thread that, if pulled, might unravel something far greater.

For now, Xuen remained silent, his gaze fixed on the passing cityscape. He would hear the rest of Luo's tale before deciding his course of action. But one thing was certain: where Xuen Ye walked, the winds of change followed.

Mayor Luo's voice grew tense as he continued, his words laced with frustration. "When I tried to bring this matter to Mayor Gu Shi, he dismissed me outright. He told me not to interfere with police work. But I couldn't let it go. I began investigating the case on my own, and what I uncovered was deeply troubling. The Li Family has once again set their sights on the Lin Family. They're attempting to buy all of Lin Construction's properties at a fraction of their value, aiming to pressure the Lin Family into bankruptcy."

At the mention of the Li Family, Xuen's demeanor shifted subtly. His eyes darkened, and a flicker of something cold and dangerous passed through them. The Li Family—the very name stirred memories of a past he had buried but never forgotten. They were the ones who had orchestrated the downfall of his Zhao family after the car accident, leaving his sister to suffer a life of hardship and despair. The scars of that betrayal still burned within him.

Deputy Mayor Luo pressed on, his voice low and urgent. "After further investigation, it became clear that the Li Family's ambitions extend far beyond Shenzhen. They aim to establish themselves as the dominant family in Guangdong Province and extend their influence to the capital, Beijing. We cannot directly confront them through conventional means, but this case—this tragedy—could be the key to delivering justice to the victims and temporarily halting the Li Family's plans."

Xuen's mind raced as he processed the information. The Li Family's involvement added a personal dimension to the case, one that resonated deeply with his own quest for vengeance. He had long planned to travel to Guangzhou, the provincial capital, to settle the score with the Li Family. But before he could embark on that path, he needed to ensure his sister's safety and stability in Shenzhen. She deserved a life free from the shadows of their shared past.

After a moment of silence, Xuen spoke, his voice calm but laced with determination. "Since the Li Family is involved, I will take this case. I am not a detective, nor do I operate within the confines of the law. I have my own methods. Deputy Mayor Luo, you are a kind and just leader, but the Li Family is a martial family. They are not adversaries you should face directly. Provide me with all the reports and information you've gathered, and I will keep you updated after my investigation."

Deputy Mayor Luo's face lit up with relief and gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Xuen," he said, his voice tinged with hope. "Your involvement means more than I can express."

As the car continued its journey through the city, Xuen's sharp eyes caught sight of an old medicine shop—a place he had visited before to procure rare herbs and remedies. He turned to Luo and said, "Stop the car here. I'll call you soon."

Without waiting for a response, Xuen stepped out of the vehicle, his movements fluid and purposeful. The medicine shop stood before him, its weathered sign creaking gently in the breeze. It was a place of quiet power, where the secrets of ancient remedies and potent elixirs were kept. Xuen had business here, and as he approached the entrance, his mind was already calculating the next steps in his intricate dance with fate.

The Li Family had made their move, and now, Xuen Ye would make his. The game was far from over, and the stakes had never been higher.