Chapter 19 - Young master Chen

-Mayor's Mansion-

A lone figure stood by the open window, his dark robes swaying slightly with the night breeze.

The dim candlelight flickered, casting shifting shadows across his face, deepening the irritation etched into his sharp features. His fingers drummed impatiently against the wooden sill, each tap betraying the restless energy coursing through him.

Chen Haojie.

The only son of Sunreach City's mayor. A young master born into privilege, one who never lacked for anything.

Wealth, power, influence, everything was his for the taking. He was praised as a martial genius destined for greatness, yet one thing continued to elude him.

His jaw tightened. His eyes darkened.

"Shuiyue… how long will you make me wait?"

His voice was barely above a whisper, but the malice within it was unmistakable. His nails pressed into the wood as he clenched his fist, the image of that beautiful woman surfacing in his mind.

Jin Shuiyue. That cold, untouchable woman. How many years had it been? Time and time again, she ignored his advances, rejecting him as if he were beneath her. And yet, for that lowly nobody Han Zhen, she had always shown interest.

His teeth ground together. "What does that cripple have… that I don't?"

A slow, dangerous smile curled his lips, his eyes gleaming with a dark, possessive light.

It didn't matter. One way or another, he would make her his.

The thought of dual cultivation with her sent a shiver of excitement through him. It would be the perfect union, his strength combined with hers, their energies intertwining, elevating his martial path to even greater heights. The pleasures of the flesh were merely a bonus.

And yet, she continued to resist.

His fingers stilled on the windowsill. He exhaled slowly, controlling the fire burning in his chest. Not for much longer.

At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor. Within seconds, the heavy door creaked open, and a figure knelt before him, his head bowed low.

"Young Master," the man spoke in a hushed yet urgent tone. "The matter has been settled. Sunspire Tower will be reduced to nothing but ashes by dawn."

Chen Haojie turned slowly, his cold, piercing gaze falling upon the kneeling figure. The flickering candlelight cast a faint glow across his impassive expression.

Then, his lips curved into something that was not quite a smile.

"I told you to keep your hands clean," he murmured. "And yet, you've left me with such a mess to clean up."

The subordinate's face turned deathly pale. He quickly lowered his head further, his body tense with fear.

"Please, Young Master, calm your anger!" His voice trembled slightly. "Mo Lin agreed to leave Sunreach City. Our men even saw him depart with their own eyes. No one expected him to return…"

Chen Haojie let out a low snort, his lips curling into a sneer.

"Fortunate for us that I had the foresight to seal off Sunspire Tower. The palm print shouldn't have been discovered yet. But just in case" his gaze sharpened like a blade, "send extra men immediately. Find Mo Lin and kill him. I want no loose ends."

"Yes!" The subordinate scrambled to his feet, eager to carry out the order.

"Wait."

The man froze mid-step as Chen Haojie's voice rang out again. "What about that cripple, Han Zhen?"

For a brief moment, the confidant hesitated, as if weighing his words carefully. Then, lowering his head once more, he answered, "Young Master, Han Zhen has not left Iron Sword school since his return. However… there is something else."

The man swallowed, his nervousness evident. "It appears he can now cultivate. His strength has increased significantly. Even members of the Han family suffered a loss against him."

A flicker of surprise crossed Chen Haojie's face, but it was quickly replaced by a cold amusement that gleamed in his eyes.

"Oh?" His voice was smooth. "So the cripple has finally learned to fight?"

A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but there was nothing warm about it.

He clasped his hands behind his back, pacing leisurely across the room, his thoughts turning rapidly.

So, Han Zhen was no longer a useless cripple. That alone was intriguing, but strength alone meant nothing in the face of true power.

Chen Haojie's gaze darkened. "Fine. Tomorrow, I will visit Iron Sword school myself."

"Let's see how much pressure Han Mei can withstand."

His fingers traced idly along the wooden table beside him, as if contemplating something pleasant.

"And as for Shuiyue…" He exhaled slowly, his lips curving upward. "She will be mine, eventually."

…

[A/N: Nuh uh.]

[MC/N: Nuh uh.]