Chapter 26: Hong Wu's Test
Zhao Dong pounced on her. Xu Yafei initially resisted, struggling as she said, "Zhao Dong, let me go... We can't do this!"
"Why not? It's not like we haven't tried it before!"
With her eyes closed, Xu Yafei was both ashamed and annoyed. "Last time was because of special circumstances! This kind of thing won't happen again."
Zhao Dong's hand was already on her back, his face leaning close to her earlobe as he teased with a wicked smile, "You say it won't happen? We're all alone here. Who would know if I did anything to you?"
Her earlobe was an extremely sensitive spot, and as she felt his warm breath, a jolt like an electric current shot through her. Her entire body, right down to her toes, tensed up, and her breathing grew ragged. The massage he had given her earlier had already made her feel hot all over, and now the atmosphere was thick with suggestion.
Feeling the breadth of his arms and chest, she felt herself begin to sink into his embrace, yet she still clung to her rationality.
"Let me go, Zhao Dong... We really can't... MMPH... MMPH..."
Before she could finish, her protest was silenced as he claimed her lips in an unbridled assault. She gasped for air, feeling as if she were falling into a vortex, a black hole that drained the strength from her body.
Slowly, tremblingly, Xu Yafei's hands rose to wrap around Zhao Dong's neck. A new passion began to stir within her, and she started to respond with a raw inexperience. The typically cold and aloof woman was now like a young girl falling in love, her cheeks flushed with a shy, crimson blush.
It was a classic case of tinder meeting a spark, and Xu Yafei was already feeling restless. In an instant, the two of them ignited like a keg of gunpowder!
As her vision blurred and consciousness began to fade, Xu Yafei managed to gasp, "Aren't you afraid Lin Qingyun will find out?"
"Afraid of what? She's my woman, and so are you!"
In that moment, something struck Xu Yafei's heart. She let go of all her defenses and melted into him completely.
...
After a long, passionate embrace, they finally separated. Xu Yafei lay on the bed as if depleted, her face flushed and her hair damp with perspiration. A few strands clung to her skin, adding a touch of allure.
She rested in Zhao Dong's arms with a rosy blush on her face, toying with his earlobe as she asked softly, "Satisfied?"
"Satisfied," Zhao Dong replied, taking her hand in his.
Xu Yafei smiled, but her eyes held a complex emotion that Zhao Dong immediately noticed. He frowned and asked, "Something's on your mind. Is it about Hong Wu?"
"Yes."
"What's your relationship with him? If you're his woman, why were you still a virgin?"
Xu Yafei let out a self-deprecating laugh. "His woman? He just treats me like a caged canary. That beast is capable of every evil imaginable—murder, arson, robbery—his sins are countless. I'd rather die than give him my first night."
"Then why don't you leave him?"
Xu Yafei shook her head. "He's the king of the East Sea underworld. How could it be that easy? If I left, or if he discovered what happened between us, we would both be dead in the streets within a day."
Zhao Dong's eyelid twitched. Just as he was about to speak, Xu Yafei gently pressed a finger to his lips.
"Don't say anything more. It's futile until you are strong enough."
Zhao Dong clenched his fists and said, each word deliberate, "Trust me. I will get stronger as quickly as I can. I will cure your illness and pull you from this sea of misery."
Visibly moved, Xu Yafei sighed softly. "The most important thing for you right now is to increase your strength. Xiao Hongtian will not let you go. Even if he doesn't act personally, he'll have people from East Sea deal with you. You must be extremely careful."
Zhao Dong looked deep into her eyes. "I understand."
Xu Yafei nodded. "Good. You can go now."
Instantly, her indifferent mask slipped back into place. Zhao Dong touched his nose and gave a wry smile.
"How can you change your expression so fast? Can't you smile?"
"No. And from now on, we need to minimize our contact. In fact, it would be best if we didn't see each other at all. Hong Wu is an incredibly suspicious man who has me followed. If he senses anything is amiss, you know the consequences."
Seeing that she wasn't joking, Zhao Dong gave her one last, long look, then stood up and left without another word.
As the door clicked shut, Xu Yafei stared into space for a moment before murmuring, "Zhao Dong... I hope you don't disappoint me."
***
Meanwhile, in another part of East Sea City, an extravagant villa stood in the Dragon Sea Scenic Villa area.
Hong Wu was sitting by the villa's artificial pond, fishing. Several bodyguards in black stood behind him, and standing near him was an old man. The old man wore a tall hat, a gray linen robe, white socks, and black cloth shoes, appearing completely out of place amidst the modern surroundings.
This was Kou Hongmin, Hong Wu's most formidable expert and the top-ranked fighter on East Sea City's Heavenly List.
Hong Wu waved a hand, dismissing the bodyguards. Kou Hongmin, however, remained. He smiled faintly and said, "Lord Hong, what has put you in such a leisurely mood for fishing today?"
Hong Wu chuckled. "Yafei is usually by my side, and I have to make time for her. It's rare to have a moment to myself."
Kou Hongmin's eyebrows twitched slightly, sensing a hidden meaning in Hong Wu's words.
Hong Wu took a drag from his cigarette and exhaled, the fleshy muscles on his face trembling slightly. "That young man named Zhao Dong from the banquet last night... what's your take on him, Brother Kou?"
Kou Hongmin replied, "I've already had people inquire. He has no background, but the fact that he could defeat Xiao Hongtian is rather interesting."
"Brother Kou, could you gauge his strength?"
"Comparable to Xiao Hongtian. No, actually, he's slightly inferior. His victory last night was sixty percent luck."
"Then he's no cause for concern."
Hong Wu nodded slightly. After a moment of silence, he added, "Last night, when he was fighting Xiao Hongtian, did you notice anything unusual about Yafei, Brother Kou?"
Kou Hongmin shook his head. "I didn't notice anything amiss. Did you see something, Lord Hong?"
Hong Wu's eyes narrowed slowly. He was silent for a moment before speaking. "Perhaps I'm overthinking it, but I felt Yafei seemed quite concerned about that boy."
Kou Hongmin smiled faintly. "You must be overthinking it, Lord Hong. There's nothing about that young man that would interest Miss Xu; he's just an ant. However, if you really can't set your mind at ease, we can just have someone take care of him."
Hong Wu seemed conflicted. "The boy has already clashed with Xiao Hongtian, and we don't know what his stance is, so we can't make a rash move. Xiao Hongtian is an unpredictable man who will most likely want to seek vengeance himself. If we eliminate the boy preemptively, Xiao Hongtian might redirect his anger toward us."
Kou Hongmin nodded. "Your concerns are valid, Lord Hong."
Hong Wu stroked his chin, a cold smile suddenly appearing on his face. "Let the boy live a few more days. However, I'm still going to have someone test him."
Kou Hongmin nodded. "Let Xiao Liufu do it. He's at the ninth level of Inner Strength. Eliminating the boy will be no problem for him."
Hong Wu nodded and waved toward a corner of the villa. In the next second, a figure appeared, covering the distance to Hong Wu's side in a few breaths. He bowed respectfully.
"Lord Hong!"
Hong Wu looked at the man and whispered a few words in his ear. Finally, he said indifferently, "Go. If you find anything amiss, just kill him."
"Yes, Lord Hong!"
The figure bowed respectfully again and vanished from sight.
***
On the other side of East Sea City, Zhao Dong was in a taxi, heading to the East Sea Herbal Market.
Improving his strength was of paramount importance. The Mystic Sky Technique contained rare ancient medicinal formulas and refinement methods that were crucial for his cultivation, and he was in dire need of herbs. At that moment, he failed to notice the inconspicuous black car that had begun tailing his taxi.
The taxi arrived at the herbal market. The moment Zhao Dong stepped out, he felt something was wrong—it was a gut feeling. He glanced behind him and instantly sensed that something was off about the black car. Turning his head forward as if he hadn't noticed, he walked straight into an alley beside the market. The market was in a development zone, surrounded by old, dilapidated alleyways and buildings.
Zhao Dong walked deeper into an alley, only to discover it was a dead end.
The faint sound of footsteps came from behind. Zhao Dong turned. His expression changed instantly when he saw the person approaching.
Ninth level of Inner Strength! Even though I've reached the peak of the third level of Qi Refinement, I can only handle a master at the eighth level of Inner Strength. If a ninth-level master of Inner Strength makes a move, I won't be able to block it at all! If this man wants me dead, I will undoubtedly die today!
Zhao Dong's hair stood on end, and he suddenly regretted coming to such a secluded place. He had never expected a master at the ninth level of Inner Strength to appear.
"Who are you, sir? What business do you have with me?" Zhao Dong asked, forcing a brave front.
Xiao Liufu didn't say a word. A sinister smile spread across his face as he launched a punch straight at Zhao Dong.
Unable to dodge in time, Zhao Dong took the blow directly to his chest. He was sent flying backward, slamming into the ground. A sweet taste filled his throat, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
In a flash, Xiao Liufu was on top of him, stomping a foot onto his neck.
Remembering Hong Wu's instruction to test and trick him first, he asked coldly, "You were with Xu Yafei this afternoon, weren't you? Tell me, what were you two doing?"
Xiao Liufu increased the pressure of his foot. If he asks how I know, I'll kill him immediately.