Hua Buyi's Return

As the woman approached, Huo Xuan's lips curled with sardonic amusement. "On all fours. Bark like a dog," he commanded.

Humiliation flushed the woman's cheeks crimson as she complied, arching her spine to present full posterior exposure—her most intimate anatomy unveiled.

Goosebumps rippled across her alabaster skin, arousal and murderous intent warring beneath lowered lashes.

Huo Xuan's palm cracked against quivering flesh, five crimson welts blooming on moon-pale curves.

"I said bark," he growled.

A guttural "Woof... woof..." escaped her clenched teeth—the first surrender in her assassin's career.

His index finger penetrated with surgical precision, triggering convulsive tremors. Slickness pooled beneath his probing touch.

Wiping secretions on her discarded lingerie, he mused: "What poisons the soul until only animal reflexes remain?"

Her shoulder blades twitched—a suppressed memory surfacing before iron discipline reasserted control.

"Intact hymen yet professional detachment," he observed. "Since you'd spread legs for any master, why not mine? Perhaps I'll grant you reprieve."

Denim rasped as he freed his erection, pistoning hips with the mechanical rhythm of vengeance.

Nails carved half-moons into her palms as pleasure short-circuited neural inhibitors—a bitten lip containing traitorous moans.

Celibacy's pent fury found release in forty-three minutes of clinical rutting. The woman lay boneless after several seismic orgasms.

Neither sought eye contact. Fabric whispered as she reassembled dignity thread by thread.

Huo Xuan washed up in the bathroom, then stepped out with a cigarette dangling from his lips. Before leaving, he tossed over his shoulder, "If you ever miss me, come find me at Jiangzhou's Golden Dragon Hotel. The name's Huo Xuan."

The door slammed shut behind him. The woman stared at the disheveled aftermath, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as she murmured, "Huo Xuan..."

Back in the main hall, Zhang Wu and Wu Bo were still deep in discussion—though the topic had shifted from gambling ships to other collaborative ventures. Meetings between regional power players like these were rare, and neither side wanted to leave empty-handed.

Around 3 a.m., Zhang Wu signaled his men to depart as the yacht docked. On the way back, Zhang Wu grinned. "So, little brother... satisfying?"

Huo Xuan coughed awkwardly. "Passable."

"You know who that woman was, right?" Zhang Wu's expression turned odd.

"Who?"

"Wu Bo's top assassin—callsign 'Jade Rakshasa.' Body count's at least eighty. And you, my friend, just pinned that killing machine to a bed. Even I'm impressed."

Huo Xuan frowned. "Doesn't Wu Ge find this... suspicious?"

"Damn right it's suspicious! If anyone should've had her, it's me!" Zhang Wu grumbled. "I've had my eye on her for ages. Yet you swooped in first."

Rolling his eyes, Huo Xuan pressed, "Then what's Wu Bo's game? I watched her closely—no hint of deception."

"Probably a long con," Zhang Wu mused. "But who cares? You got the prize. Bragging rights for deflowering Jade Rakshasa—priceless!"

Returning to the Golden Dragon Hotel, Huo Xuan practiced his Hunyuan Stance—and froze. His X-ray vision's range had unexpectedly expanded to three meters. How? Just hours ago on the yacht, it barely reached two.

"Did bedding Jade Rakshasa really... upgrade my powers?" The absurdity of the conclusion made him blink.

As for the woman herself, he felt no guilt. It was just physical release, no different than self-relief after watching adult films. But this discovery? That demanded further testing.

The next day, Lin Yue returned to Jiangzhou. Huo Xuan personally went to the airport to meet her, with Zhang Wu arranging an Audi A8 and a dedicated driver for the occasion.

When they met, Huo Xuan noticed Lin Yue's gaze briefly faltering—a reaction that reminded him of her words during their phone call. Once in the car, he couldn't resist asking, "Sister Yue, were you serious that day?"

Lin Yue turned her face away, feigning nonchalance. "Which words?"

Huo Xuan sighed. "Honesty matters. If you said it, you meant it." Then, mimicking her tone from before: "'Since you think I'm beautiful, why not chase me? You've got two years. Fail, and your chance vanishes.'"

A blush bloomed across Lin Yue's cheeks. She punched his shoulder lightly with a delicate fist. "Stop mocking me!"

Huo Xuan caught her hand, his expression turning solemn. "Sister Yue, back at Jiangzhou University, you were every guy's goddess—mine included. Now that you've given me this chance, I won't waste it."

Lin Yue withdrew her hand slowly. "Huo Xuan, do you realize? I'm gambling with this—staking my entire future."

His heart clenched. "No matter what, I won't let you down," he said gravely, sensing she was making a perilous choice.

"Enough, little brother." Lin Yue shifted topics. "I've brought the funds. Starting tomorrow, we'll focus on preparing the jewelry store's launch. We're short on time—we must push hard."

Huo Xuan chuckled. "Perfect timing. I just earned 200 million—ideal for investing in the shop."

Lin Yue stared. "How?" After a brief explanation, her face darkened. "Xu Bo dared target you again? That bastard has no fear!"

Then, worry flashed across her features. "You weren't hurt, were you?"

"Minor injuries, long healed," Huo Xuan assured. "Even with Wu Ge's protection, I don't trust Xu Bo. When the time comes, I'll eliminate him."

Lin Yue studied him with a complex gaze. "Little brother, in just over a month, you've surpassed all my expectations. I wonder how far you'll go."

The following day, Tianxing Jewelry's employee training center officially opened. Lin Yue recruited seasoned staff from the Lin family's jewelry stores to conduct the sessions.

On the third day, Lin Yue contacted a group of jade carvers to begin sculpting Huo Xuan's stock of raw jade. Among these pieces were several premium-grade gemstones destined to become the crown jewels of Tianxing Jewelry.

By the tenth day, Huo Xuan had leased a two-story commercial space through Zhang Wu—a 1,300-square-meter property. He then commissioned an experienced design firm, also arranged by Zhang Wu, for high-end renovations.

Everything progressed smoothly. Unnoticed, a month and a half had passed since Hua Buyi's departure. That day, as Huo Xuan busied himself with the store, his phone rang—it was Hua Buyi.

"Master, you're back?" Huo Xuan's voice brimmed with joy.

"Huo Xuan, go find Zhang Wu immediately. He'll take you somewhere," Hua Buyi instructed.

"Master, what's this about?"

"You'll see when you arrive." The call ended abruptly.

Puzzled, Huo Xuan thought, Master said his trip was to pave the way for me. Has he succeeded? He sought out Zhang Wu, who personally drove an off-road vehicle southwest at breakneck speed.

En route, Huo Xuan called Lin Yue, explaining his temporary absence and entrusting her with the jewelry store's affairs.

The journey stretched unexpectedly long. Five hours in, darkness had fallen, yet their destination remained elusive. Huo Xuan finally asked, "Wu Ge, where exactly are we going?"

"Qimen Mountain. Yuxu Temple," Zhang Wu replied.

"A Taoist temple? Is Master there?" Huo Xuan frowned.

Zhang Wu snorted, a hint of envy in his voice. "You're damn lucky to have the boss grooming you like this. But don't celebrate yet—they might still reject you."

Baffled, Huo Xuan pressed for details, but Zhang Wu clammed up.

Past 10 p.m., the vehicle entered mountainous terrain, navigating treacherous roads at a crawl. By midnight, they reached the base of a mist-shrouded peak.

Zhang Wu hopped out. "Kid, let's move."

Huo Xuan grimaced. "Wu Ge, you can't be serious. Hiking at night? You trying to kill me?"

Zhang Wu (Wu Ge) glared. "Enough nonsense. Move it. If you're late, you'll regret it for life." Without another word, he yanked Huo Xuan out of the vehicle, and the two began their ascent single-file.

Night had fallen, and the mountain dew was heavy. Before long, Huo Xuan's clothes were soaked through, clinging uncomfortably to his skin. Fortunately, his night vision allowed him to keep pace with Zhang Wu despite the treacherous path.

The trail was overgrown with thorns. His clothes were soon shredded, and his skin crisscrossed with scratches that stung fiercely when the dew seeped in.

After five grueling hours—scaling three peaks and traversing two ravines—they finally reached Qimen Mountain. By then, it was past 5 a.m., and a streak of crimson dawn painted the eastern sky. Bathed in this light stood an ancient Taoist temple, its weathered grandeur framed by centuries-old pagoda trees—a pristine, untouched sanctuary.

The temple gates were shut. Zhang Wu strode forward and slammed the door knocker. "Huo Xuan seeks an audience!" he bellowed.

Moments later, the gates creaked open. A lean, adolescent Taoist acolyte, rubbing sleep from his eyes, peered out. Spotting Zhang Wu and Huo Xuan, he asked, "Which one is Huo Xuan?"

Huo Xuan stepped forward. "I am."

The acolyte nodded. "The Abbot will see you. Follow me."