Fyren looked at Xena, who was still pretending to be hurt. "Stop crying. I'm going to meet that person. Are you coming or not?"
Xena instantly stopped her crocodile tears. "That... depends on your performance."
Losing patience, Fyren said curtly: "Come if you want to." With that, he strode away.
The surrounding onlookers muttered disapprovingly: "What kind of person is he? Who does he think he is? Absolutely detestable!"
"Exactly! Such an arrogant attitude - unbelievable!"
Xena, however, hastily pushed through the crowd, removing her white coat and handing it to them. "Take care of Miss Leng." Then she jogged off after Fyren.
When Fyren reached the entrance, a petite figure suddenly appeared and grabbed his arm, giggling.
Fyren glanced over - Xena had changed into her usual outfit, still wearing that provocatively short skirt and white stockings.
"Isn't it fun always setting me up like this?" Fyren asked.
"Who told you to dump me!"
"I'm not even with you - how could I dump you?"
"So if you want to dump me, you'll have to be with me first!"
Fyren was momentarily speechless at Xena's twisted logic.
"Hey, why are you taking me along all of a sudden? Finally realized how amazing this goddess is?"
Fyren smirked slightly. "Because the person I'm meeting is quite dangerous. Having a sexy little goddess around might be safer."
"Oh? You think I'm sexy?"
"Deadly," Fyren deadpanned. "I can barely stop myself from taking you right here on the street."
"Hahaha! Now you're talking my language!"
Their car arrived at the Junli Hotel. Fyren tossed the keys to the valet with practiced ease and entered with Xena.
In the lobby, the manager awaited them. "Welcome, Young Master Fyren, to Junli Grand Hotel. Your friend mentioned-"
"I know. Have my assistant handle the payment."
"Yes, Young Master Fyren."
The manager thought to himself: These rich young masters really have no shame! He's got one stunning woman waiting upstairs and brings another beauty along - planning some three-way...
The wealthy really know how to play.
"Young Master Fyren, we have specialty love suites here. Not as spacious as the presidential suite, but better equipped for... demonstrating one's talents to their fullest potential."
Fyren fixed him with a stare. "I'm here for a meeting."
"What? Oh! My apologies, I misunderstood. This way, please."
"I'll find my own way. Stay here."
"Of course."
As Fyren walked away, the manager muttered under his breath: "Who does he think he is? Just because he's got money... Hmph!"
The elevator doors slid open, revealing three men already inside. Fyren and Xena stepped in, and Xena immediately draped herself over Fyren's arm.
Fyren didn't bother shaking her off—what did it matter? Lice aren't afraid of being bitten, and dead pigs don't fear boiling water.
But the three men in the elevator put him on edge.
The first was tall, dressed in a cheap suit and shoddy shoes, trying too hard to look professional. To someone of Fyren's standing, his entire outfit was worth less than pocket change.
The two behind him were even worse—as if they'd never worn suits before. The fabric hung awkwardly on their frames, a complete waste of tailoring.
Despite their laughable appearances, an oppressive aura radiated from the trio.
One of the men spoke to the towering figure in the center. "Copper King, when we find Iron King and his men… do we really have to eliminate them all?"
Copper King's expression hardened. "Nonsense. Traitors don't get to live. If they don't die, we will."
"Tch. I just hate turning on our own."
Copper King shot him a cold glare. "Remember—this is the jianghu."
Fyren tensed.
[Shit! Already?!]
[I just dealt with Iron King, and now Copper King's here? This guy's even stronger than him. If they realize who I am, I won't even make it out of this elevator alive!]
[Think. Fast.]
Xena's heart skipped a beat as she overheard Fyren's thoughts. She studied the three men through the elevator's reflection while subtly tightening her grip on Fyren's arm.
Fyren glanced at her, impressed that she understood the gravity of the situation. He gave the back of her hand a reassuring pat—stay calm.
Another man muttered, "Rumor has it that the Young Lord is a prodigy, the Son of Qi. What the hell was Iron King thinking, betraying—"
"Ahem!" Copper King cut him off with a sharp cough. "Enough."
He gestured discreetly—there are outsiders here. Save it for later.
Ding!
The elevator doors opened.
Xena tugged Fyren's arm, chirping, "Otto, this way!"
Fyren froze for a split second before smoothly playing along. "Mm."
Internally, he cheered:
[Good move! Quick thinking!]
[These guys must've just arrived in Crystalpeak City—they've never met Otto. Perfect chance to bluff our way out, at least until we're clear of this building.]
[Xena, you're amazing! I could kiss you for six straight hours!]
Xena preened at Fyren's mental praise.
"That damned Iron King," she huffed, playing her part flawlessly. "Betraying you, Otto? He's got a death wish. So, how do you want to handle them?"
Fyren ran with it, his tone icy. "Flay them alive. I'll make sure all of Northlandia trembles at the name Otto. That so-called 'Tactician' from the branch is useless too—can't even tell who the real master is."
Xena smirked. "Should we wipe out the whole branch while we're at it?"
Fyren shook his head. "That won't be necessary. Iron King's kind of stupidity should be unique - the rest of BRANCH should still be usable. I need their strength now. If anyone follows this Young Lord to build a career, they should be rewarded based on merit."
"Otto is too kind," Xena said. "The district is just a BRANCH - what extraordinary talents could there be? You always think about giving opportunities to people at the bottom. Plenty of capable people above want to work with you, yet you prefer keeping a low profile and drawing manpower from some district branch."
Fyren, already an Ancient martial artist, knew his hearing surpassed normal limits. Though they were alone in the hallway, he immediately detected the three rats hiding in the shadows, eavesdropping after being startled by their act.
Fyren turned to face Xena seriously. "Xena, remember - a great man must be skilled at employing people and generous with his favors. Never look down on someone just because they're small people today. With proper cultivation, these small people may become tomorrow's magnates, the right-hand men on this Young Lord's path to dominance. When I think about it, I was just a small person too. And now? Those who once despised me bow their heads."
"Yes! This subordinate understands!"
Xena continued, "But that Fyren is too cunning. Not only does he often pretend to be a young lord to deceive people, but he's also lewd, cowardly, petty, bullying, perverted and twisted. He molests old ladies, enjoys group activities, doesn't even spare old sows, and also—"
"Enough!" Fyren cut her off mentally:
[You're using this opportunity for personal revenge, aren't you? This is just you venting, right?]
Aloud, he said, "Fyren is best at acting. If not, Iron King wouldn't have been fooled into making a move against me."
Xena nodded. "Iron King actually wanted to do good, but was thoroughly tricked by that Fyren. But Young Lord is in a critical period now - he can't take risks personally. It's better to outsmart him."
Fyren examined his palm. "Pity that battle beyond the Seas damaged my strength. Otherwise, why would this Young Lord need these shrimp soldiers and crab generals to handle things? Fyren has some skill, hm? Even impersonates this Young Lord convincingly."
"Because Iron King was too stupid!" Xena said. "Couldn't even recognize his own lord. Such people deserve death."
Fyren looked at her. "Beat them to death? I'd fear dirtying my hands. The Tactician will send someone to handle it. If this Young Lord needs to clean house personally, then this BRANCH truly has no reason to exist."
As Fyren and Xena walked away, Copper King finally exhaled once they were out of earshot.
He patted his chest and shook his head. "Close call! We just shared an elevator with the Young Lord himself!"
The fat henchman wiped his sweat. "The Young Lord's aura alone creates overwhelming pressure just from hearing his voice!"
The thin henchman clutched his chest. "Did you guys hear that? The Young Lord values capable people and spreads his grace widely."
Copper King nodded vigorously. "That idiot Iron King got his mind messed up after being tricked by that Fyren brat and offended the Young Lord. Our first move should be cleaning house like the Young Lord said! This is our first step to gaining his favor!"
The fat henchman added, "But Copper King, I think... our opportunity has come too!"
"Exactly!" Copper King couldn't contain his excitement, rubbing his fists together. "No need for me to spell it out - you heard it yourselves. The Young Lord won't just use us, he'll cultivate us too. Being Red Guards in the Mighty Syndicate means living like dogs our whole lives. We barely earn anything, get treated like crap, fight through blood and storms. Die in battle? Nobody even collects your body. Try to quit? You leave with your life forfeit. Haven't you had enough of this shit?"
The two answered mournfully, "We've been fucking done with it forever!"
Copper King declared, "This is our chance to change our destinies! Merit, fame, wealth - it all comes down to one word from the Young Lord. Just scraps from his table could elevate us into becoming tomorrow's magnates! Then we'll be his right-hand men - eat delicacies, drink fine liquor, live in foreign villas, drive luxury cars, date celebrities, play with young models... Red Guards?" He gritted his teeth. "Only complete morons would stay Red Guards for life!"
The two knelt simultaneously. "Thank you, Copper King, for giving us this chance to change our fates! We'll follow you forever, serve the Young Lord, and fulfill our duties to you both!"
"Mmm." Copper King nodded approvingly. "Get up, we're all brothers here! If I didn't know you were loyal, I wouldn't have brought you for this golden opportunity."
In unison they cried: "Thank you to Copper King's eighteen generations of ancestors!"
Copper King grabbed both by their necks, pulling them into a huddle with their heads pressed together:
"Brothers! We're done being Red Guards! DONE! Remember the Young Lord's face, his voice, and that beauty by his side! If we screw up like that fool Iron King and can't even recognize our master—"
The two finished through gritted teeth: "Then we're triple-layered, spiral-stupid motherfucking idiots!"
"Damn right! Now let's get to work!"