In a grand, imposing hall, dimly lit, a towering, muscular man sat on a throne, radiating authority without a word. Tie Tuo Wang strode through the distant doors, stopping far from the throne and dropping to one knee.
"Tie Tuo Wang pays respects to the Master!"
The imposing man remained silent. Instead, a scholarly figure emerged from the shadows, fanning himself calmly. "The Young Master is currently in Xuecheng, Northern Kingdom, facing some resistance. You're to assist him."
Tie Tuo Wang looked up, astonished. "The Young Master is a peerless genius, always victorious, unstoppable. How could he face resistance?"
"Even a tiger naps sometimes. Go. Help the Young Master unite the four great families of Xuecheng and dominate the Northern Kingdom. It'll be a great achievement."
"I'll serve the Young Master with all my strength! But… it's said the Young Master is elusive, like a dragon seen only in glimpses. I don't know his face—how will I recognize him?"
"Simple. A charming, roguish man, surrounded by beauties, skilled at playing the grand hero—that's the Young Master. Remember it well."
"Yes! Thank you, Strategist and Master, for your trust. I'll do everything to aid the Young Master!"
"Remember, the Young Master loves to shine subtly. Give him all the glory, and avoid force unless absolutely necessary. He's currently competing with a local noble scion. Act naturally, smoothly, to earn his favor."
"Thank you, Strategist, for your guidance. I'll keep it in mind!"
Xuecheng.
Lu Chengwen and Xu Xuejiao were eating ice cream.
"Hey, are you really getting engaged to Leng Qingqiu?" Xu Xuejiao asked.
Lu Chengwen barely glanced at her. "Engaged, my foot. Things are spiraling out of control."
Xu Xuejiao giggled. "Well, how about you get engaged to me instead?"
He looked up at the mischievous sprite. "You've had your fun messing with me, haven't you? Don't push it—I've got a temper!"
She laughed uncontrollably. "Fine, then be my boyfriend."
Lu Chengwen grinned. "Sure thing. Come to my place tonight in a JK uniform, the easy-to-slip-off kind. See if I don't sort you out."
"Get lost!" Xu Xuejiao's face flushed. "You're so shameless."
He leaned in, serious. "Let's be clear. I'm diving into this project expecting to lose money. I didn't ask you to join in—you and the others threw in fifty, a hundred billion on your own. If it tanks, don't come crying to me. You made your own choices."
Xu Xuejiao smirked. "You, doing a losing deal? I don't buy it. If Lu Chengwen's sinking five hundred billion into this, you're aiming to double it. You think I don't know you?"
"You really don't," he said. "The old me only cared about money, not principles. Now? My soul's practically saintly. I just want a world full of love, a better place. Losing money? Doesn't matter."
"Oh, please, you're so full of it. Say that to anyone in Xuecheng—they'd laugh in your face."
Lu Chengwen, exasperated, kept eating. Xu Xuejiao went to pay the bill.
Moments later, an argument broke out. Xu Xuejiao was clashing with a man.
"You jerk! How dare you?" she snapped.
"Watch your mouth, little girl, or I won't be so polite!"
Lu Chengwen hurried over, pushing the man back. "What's your problem?"
Xu Xuejiao fumed. "He cut in line! I called him out, and he cursed at me!"
Lu Chengwen shook his head at the man. "Cutting in line's bad enough, but cursing too? Didn't your family teach you manners? Ever heard of civility?"
Xu Xuejiao chimed in, "Chengwen-ge, don't waste words. Call your lackey to beat him up!"
Zhao Gang leapt from a nearby booth, shoving the man's arm. "Looking for trouble, punk?"
To his shock, the man didn't budge. Zhao Gang's push, which would've sent most people stumbling, had no effect. Before he could process it, four more men closed in, outnumbering them.
Zhao Gang didn't back down. "You've got some nerve! Lu Shao and Miss Xu are eating ice cream here. Who's dumb enough to step forward?"
All four men took a step forward, their faces cold, smirking with disdain.
"No talking then? Fine, let's settle this the old way—one-on-one!" Zhao Gang roared.
Lu Chengwen sensed trouble. Zhao Gang's brief shock confirmed it—these guys were dangerous. "Forget it," Lu Chengwen said quickly. "They're probably outsiders. Zhao Gang, pay up, let's go."
"Yes, sir."
Zhao Gang, knowing his limits, saw these men were beyond him. He took the chance to back off.
Xu Xuejiao wasn't having it. "Hey! He cursed me and hasn't apologized!"
Lu Chengwen, forcing a smile, pulled her along. "Let it go. I'll apologize for him. Sorry."
"No way! Nobody's ever dared curse me my whole life. Why should they get away with it? Are you scared because they outnumber us?"
A hulking, dark-faced man stood from a nearby seat, turning with a scowl. "Who's making all this noise? I can't even eat in peace!"
Lu Chengwen's heart sank. No way. Tie Tuo Wang?
What the hell? Tie Tuo Wang? He's a mid-to-late-story character! One of the four heavenly kings from some borderland squad, insanely strong, ruthless, and fiercely loyal to Long Aotian later on. Why's he showing up now?
I've got to get out of here!
Xu Xuejiao, oblivious, snapped, "They're your men, right? Control them! They cut in line and cursed me!"
The dark-faced man laughed. "Sorry, cutting in line's our habit, and cursing comes naturally. Oh, and we love a good fight too."
Xu Xuejiao glared. "You dare hit me? My boyfriend's Lu Chengwen, heir of the Lu family. In Xuecheng, he's the one bullying others—no one dares touch him or his girlfriend!"
Lu Chengwen clamped a hand over her mouth, grinning. "You guys settle up. Zhao Gang!"
Zhao Gang slapped two thousand yuan on the counter. "Keep the change."
Lu Chengwen dragged Xu Xuejiao toward the exit, muttering, "See you later."
Xu Xuejiao shoved him off. "Lu Chengwen, didn't you see them bullying me?"
In his head, Lu Chengwen groaned. I can't explain this to you. It's not that simple. If this goes south, I'm done for.
"I know, I know. We'll talk back home."
Tie Tuo Wang's voice boomed. "Hold it!"
Lu Chengwen's heart clenched. Damn it, I've caught his attention.
Tie Tuo Wang sauntered over, smirking. "This girl's not bad."
His four goons grinned. "Not bad at all."
"Didn't expect to find such a pretty, cute thing right after arriving. The Northern Kingdom's full of beauties!" Tie Tuo Wang laughed.
His men echoed, "Full of beauties!"
Xu Xuejiao scoffed. "Have some shame. What do the Northern Kingdom's beauties have to do with you? You lot look like walking corpses. One glance at you kills my appetite for days. Stay away from women—you're trash!"
Tie Tuo Wang chuckled. "Feisty loli, huh? I like it!"
His men parroted, "Feisty loli, I like it!"
Xu Xuejiao rolled her eyes. "What are you, a bunch of parrots?"
Lu Chengwen leaned in. "These guys are trouble. Let's go."
Xu Xuejiao stood her ground. "You go. They don't apologize, this isn't over."
Lu Chengwen nodded. "Fine, I'm out. Catch you later."
To Xu Xuejiao's shock, he actually turned to leave. Furious, she watched as Tie Tuo Wang grabbed her wrist. "Haha, little girl, come have some fun with me!"
From the doorway, Lu Chengwen shouted, "Tie Tuo Wang, let her go!"
Tie Tuo Wang froze, stunned that this young man knew his name. He instinctively released her. "Who… are you?"
Lu Chengwen's mind raced. The plot says the four heavenly kings haven't met Long Aotian yet and don't know he's using that name here. Their organization is secretive—they barely know each other. He's bold enough to mess with Xu Xuejiao, a major heroine, so he hasn't met Long Aotian. He's clueless, fresh in Xuecheng. I can use this.
His heart pounded, but he kept his face icy, chin slightly raised, staring down Tie Tuo Wang with disdain. Slowly, he approached, stopping close enough to lock eyes.
Tie Tuo Wang faltered. This guy… his steps, his aura, his build… he doesn't seem trained. So why's he got this presence?
"Who are you?" Tie Tuo Wang asked, brows raised.
"Who am I?" Lu Chengwen sneered.
Zhao Gang, nursing a swollen wrist from a brief scuffle with one of the goons, realized these men were skilled fighters—way out of his league. What do I do? I can't panic. Lu's holding his own. I've got to… do something! But against so many trained fighters, he was outmatched.
Lu Chengwen gave Tie Tuo Wang a cold smile. "Who am I?" He turned to Xu Xuejiao and Zhao Gang, laughing. "This idiot's asking who I am? Hahaha!"
Tie Tuo Wang's men lunged forward, but he raised a hand to stop them, squinting. "Young man, your name? Do we have history?"
Lu Chengwen turned, hands behind his back, staring him down. "History? Me, a war god, with a nobody like you? Tie Tuo Wang, let me ask you—have you forgotten why you came to the Northern Kingdom?"
The words hit Tie Tuo Wang like a thunderbolt. "You… could you be…?"
"Shut it, you moron!" Lu Chengwen snapped.
He was sure now—they hadn't fought, so he'd bluffed them. The four heavenly kings are simpletons in this story, written as brainless tools. Strong, loyal to the protagonist, perfect for showing off—they don't need smarts. This is my chance. I can't let Tie Tuo Wang take Xu Xuejiao. Gotta get through today.
Though smaller than Tie Tuo Wang, Lu Chengwen's aura was commanding. "You've forgotten why you're here, haven't you?" he bellowed.
Tie Tuo Wang, eyes narrowed, was thoroughly thrown. "You… are you…?"
Lu Chengwen slapped him hard across the face.
_
If you want to support me and read advanced 100+ chapters of this story and also other stories join: patreon.com/Caluem