Chapter 46: The Crimson Invitation
Night had settled over the city like velvet—soft, quiet, and hiding sharp edges beneath. Lin Feng walked alone down the stone path leading from the music hall, his steps slow, his mind anything but.
A notification pinged softly on his phone.
Unknown Number:"You’re walking the line between kingmaker and target. Let’s talk."
Location:"Red Pavilion. Rooftop lounge. Midnight."
No name. But the message carried weight, like a sealed letter from a kingdom unseen.
The Red Pavilion was one of those exclusive places students whispered about but rarely saw. It was technically off-campus, perched atop a private hotel just outside the elite district—high enough to overlook both the university and the city’s gleaming skyline.
When Lin Feng arrived, there was no crowd. No fanfare.
Only a single figure waiting by the glass railing, swirling a glass of amber liquor.
"You’re punctual," the man said without turning. He wore a burgundy three-piece suit, his hair slicked back, and his voice carried the effortless arrogance of old power. "That’s rare among the new blood."