Chapter 101: Danger Approaches Step by Step

In the small lake, spanning about a hundred meters in diameter, a pavilion stood at its very center. The pavilion’s four walls were adorned with lanterns of various kinds, illuminating the entire structure as brightly as daylight. Inside this pavilion, an old man and a young man were engaged in a game of Go over a stone table.

The man on the left appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. His long, sleek black hair fell loosely over his shoulders. His face was sharply defined, with thick, crescent-shaped eyebrows arching above slender eyes whose dark pupils gleamed with a profound and mysterious light, as if harboring countless secrets that drew one into their depths at a single glance.

Beneath his straight and elegant nose, his pale red lips were pressed lightly together. At this moment, his gaze was fixed on the board, his expression tightening slightly. He hesitated to place his stone, evidently contemplating how to counter the elder’s offensive.

Opposite him, the elderly man’s hair and beard were pure white, his calm expression betraying complete mastery over the unfolding game.

When the white stone landed with a sharp clack, the young man furrowed his brows deeply, clearly indicating this move was made reluctantly. He had already lost hope of winning this match.

“Heh heh,” the old man chuckled softly, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes lifting slightly. He casually lifted his wrist and took a white stone from the young man’s box, then accurately placed it atop the black stones in front of him, instantly halting the momentum of the black stones.

He then gently removed the young man’s last placed stone, smiling as he looked at him.

“Uncle, your skills are impressive!” The young man’s eyes brightened, a smile tugging at the corners of his eyes and brows. Yet his face remained composed, his tone carrying a hint of respect.

“Go is like life itself. You and I are but pieces on this board, each step fraught with peril,” the old man said, his smile fading as his gaze turned toward the depth of the night.

“You’ve read the letter from Qin Feng, haven’t you?” The elder’s voice came again, low and thoughtful, before he turned his gaze back to the young man.

The young man was none other than the fifth son of the Shang family, Shang Lanze. Opposite him sat his uncle, Li Jingwei, the current chief steward of the Shang family, overseeing all commercial affairs.

Upon hearing his uncle’s question, Shang Lanze’s expression darkened. He nodded slightly. “Second brother is targeting our sixth sister. He has placed several men within the caravan, planning to strike on the return journey.”

“From my estimation, it seems all the fifth son’s men have already gathered within the caravan,” Li Jingwei stroked his long beard, eyes filled with deeper meaning. “How do you plan to respond?”

“I had intended to coordinate with my other brothers to jointly crush our sixth sister, but unfortunately, their hearts differ and they cannot unite. Whenever an opportunity arises to strike her down, they always harbor their own agendas. It is because of this that Shang Wanyi has survived until now.”

The mention of Shang Wanyi’s name made Shang Lanze’s emotions flare; he struggled to contain his anger.

“You are mistaken!” Li Jingwei shook his head calmly.

“Mistaken?” Shang Lanze frowned in confusion. “Please enlighten me, Uncle.”

Li Jingwei stood and scattered some fish feed from his pocket into the water, posing a question: “Does the family head truly not know about their schemes against Miss Shang?”

“But then, why does Father not stop us?” Shang Lanze’s suspicion grew, confusion evident on his face.

Watching the fish mouths break the surface of the dark water, Li Jingwei narrowed his eyes, looking up at the crescent moon hanging in the sky.

“Parents may allow their children to face challenges alone to temper them, but when that trial crosses the line between life and death, they will not permit it.”

Each word from the aged voice struck deeply at Shang Lanze’s heart.

“Our family head has been favoring Shang Wanyi all these years. Do you really think she lacks real merit?”

“Some appear kind on the surface, but their thoughts are no less complex than yours. The family head’s intent may be to strengthen her resolve and expose the fragile bonds among you siblings, ultimately to nurture a true successor.”

Hearing this, Shang Lanze fell silent for a long while. Indeed, every time he planned to eliminate Shang Wanyi, obstacles had always arisen, forcing him to abandon the attempt.

“So Father has always known…”

“The family head has always understood your conflicts. But it is not as if we have been powerless.”

Li Jingwei’s sudden words made Shang Lanze jump up and eagerly approach him. “Uncle, do you have any wise plans?”

Li Jingwei did not answer directly. Instead, he scattered more fish feed into the water, causing more fish to surface.

“Some people are like these fish in the pond; offer them great rewards, and they will do anything. Your brothers are such men.”

Li Jingwei shifted tone, “But Shang Wanyi is different. Such people can only be moved by feelings and gratitude.”

“Are you suggesting I should aid that woman?” Shang Lanze’s expression darkened; he had always looked down on Shang Wanyi’s lowly origins, hardly willing to help her through hardship.

Li Jingwei gave him a long look, shaking his head softly. “No, this is to help yourself.”

Then, with a sigh tinged with melancholy, he continued, “You don’t know what your father truly thinks now. The family head is older, no longer as competitive and profit-driven as before. Fifty years ago, if you had moved against Shang Wanyi, he would never have intervened. But now, it’s different.”

He spoke deliberately, “What he wants to see is you united, managing the family’s wealth better.”

“So the more you and your brothers try to eliminate Shang Wanyi, the less favor you gain from the family head, making it harder to inherit the leadership.”

Hearing this wisdom was worth more than a decade of study. Shang Lanze’s expression softened, replaced by joy. “Then what should we do?”

Li Jingwei smiled without replying, tossing the remaining fish feed into the lake. He then clapped his hands and sat back down, eyes returning to the board.

Encouraged, Shang Lanze sat beside him, staring at the board long without understanding. Impatiently, he asked, “Uncle, please stop teasing me.”

Li Jingwei quietly took a black stone from the box and gently placed it on the board.

“I’ve already arranged for Qin Feng to act. Shang Wanyi’s life will be guaranteed. But those goods and the caravan people must perish!”

That stone landed, and the black stones surged forward like a mighty river, instantly breaking through the fragile white defenses.

“This way, she will lose favor with Father. If I then extend an olive branch, she will be grateful beyond words.”

“Exactly.”

The old and young men exchanged looks, victory shining in their eyes.

...

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Qingzhou, a caravan stretched a thousand meters, resting in place. Only a few dozen guards patrolled the front third of the caravan.

At the forefront, dozens of massive beasts hauled tens of tons of goods. Behind them, a precious carriage was pulled by five tall horses.

Inside the carriage, a man and woman faced the tense, awkward situation.

Outside, a tall, upright man dressed in black stood at the door, clutching a three-foot-long gleaming sword, ever ready to spring into battle, as if poised to break in at any moment.

Qin Feng’s footsteps grew nearer as he repeatedly asked, “Miss, are you sure you didn’t see anything?”

“Brother Qin Feng, it’s late. Please let’s discuss this tomorrow,” Shang Wanyi mustered courage, her cheeks flushed as she spoke loudly.

“My duty is to protect your safety. Please tell me if you encountered anyone suspicious,” Qin Feng’s mind penetrated the carriage, locking tightly on Su Bai.

His tightly gripped sword creaked ominously. How could this brat have gotten so close to the lady so quickly? It was infuriating!

Qin Feng wished to tear Su Bai limb from limb. How could a mere cultivator of the transcendent realm be less important in the lady’s heart than a mere defensive realm youth?

This deeply wounded Qin Feng’s pride.

He had served the lady for years, yet she only called him Brother Qin Feng, while this brat—why?

Moreover, old Li Jingwei had promised to help him win Shang Wanyi’s favor if he followed orders. Yet years passed with no action, and only a few vague instructions given recently, clearly an attempt to shirk responsibility.

Now, this upstart was even surpassing him, trampling his pride.

Today, Su Bai must die!

His footsteps grew firm, the gleaming sword casting cold light under the moon.

“Miss, my guards just spotted a suspicious figure in the caravan. This person moves skillfully and hides well; my men lost him. I fear he threatens your safety, so I came to ask.”

One hand was already on the door handle, the other raised the sword high.

He imagined Su Bai being gutted by his blade.

Inside, Su Bai’s heart pounded in his throat. Should this door open, it might mean his death by Qin Feng’s sword.

Shang Wanyi did not look at Su Bai. Her brows furrowed deeply, lips pressed so tightly they nearly whitened.

Suddenly, she removed her clothes, revealing pale skin, with a blush tinting its fairness, aware Su Bai watched from behind.

“Miss?” Qin Feng was about to pry open the door when the carriage window slammed open. Shang Wanyi covered her chest, her exposed shoulder and blushing face suggesting something had happened between her and Su Bai.

(Su Bai: I didn’t do anything! Stop imagining—it’s disgusting!)

Seeing this only further enraged Qin Feng. “The lady has already undressed for this man, yet I can’t even enter. Why?!”

Unaware of Qin Feng’s turmoil, Shang Wanyi only wished to prevent Su Bai from dying mistakenly under Qin Feng’s sword out of goodwill.

As for a part of herself being seen—that was unavoidable. Life was paramount, and she was kind-hearted, unable to bear seeing someone die because of her.

“Brother Qin Feng, there is no thief here, only a weak woman preparing to sleep. If a thief truly intended harm, I’d be dead already. Please do not be so rude. It’s late—please rest. The caravan must depart early tomorrow.”

Having said this, Shang Wanyi shut the window, ignoring Qin Feng’s shame and anger.

In Qin Feng’s eyes, this was a great insult: “For a stranger she just met, she shows disdain toward me.”

Qin Feng, at his cultivation level, had never suffered such humiliation. Teeth clenched, sword drawn and then sheathed after a long moment, he snorted and left.

He had already marked Su Bai for death. “Let’s see how many days this latecomer has left!”

Inside the carriage, Su Bai watched the entire scene of Shang Wanyi undressing and stopping Qin Feng, feeling deeply grateful.

“So grateful, you might as well pledge yourself to her,” Qu Qiuzhuo’s voice always appeared at moments like this, spoiling the mood.

“There’s nothing wrong. You’d better rest first,” Shang Wanyi said softly, no longer willing to talk after the incident. Yet her gentle tone did not sound like she wanted him to leave.

Su Bai was no fool; he bowed slightly, then turned to the study, sitting down and scribbling down his observations.

Elsewhere, Shang Wanyi felt she had spoken harshly. Seeing Su Bai still writing in the study, she poured a cup of tea, placing it before him with an apology.

“Sorry, after all this I was angry at you.”

“Angry? That counts as angry?” Su Bai was amused; she had no temper at all. When pressed, rabbits bite, but she didn’t even shout.

Having finished writing, he handed the notes to Shang Wanyi, bowed, and headed for the door.

Hissing—

The anxious feelings of the cold viper, Kui Han, transmitted again. Su Bai knew Qin Feng had not gone far, probably lurking near the carriage, waiting to tear him apart.

But what excuse could he give to stay the night here...?