Chapter 34: The Calm Before the Roar
Tianxu City glittered under the veil of night—calm on the surface, turbulent underneath. From the rooftop of Gallant Tower, Chen Yu stood alone, wind tugging at his coat. Below him, the empire he was building began to take form.
"You've been up here for hours," a voice called from behind.
He turned to see Bai Ruxue stepping out from the rooftop doorway, a soft shawl draped around her shoulders. Her long hair danced in the breeze, her eyes calm yet laced with concern.
"Couldn't sleep," Chen replied.
She stepped beside him. "You rarely do these days."
Chen Yu gave a dry chuckle. "Can't afford to. Not when the city's playing a game of shadows and blood."
Ruxue looked out into the distance. "You've already done so much. The Qin Family is no longer watching from the sidelines. The Win Family is cornered. Even Lin Qianhong couldn't keep up with your pace."
"But it's not over," Chen said quietly. "I can feel something shifting. Like a tide that hasn't hit yet."
Just then, the rooftop door creaked again. Lei Meiyun emerged, holding a steaming cup.
"You could at least come down and eat, if you're going to lose sleep over strategy," she said, handing him the cup. "You're not a machine, you know."
Chen accepted it with a smirk. "Don't tell anyone."