The morning sun peeked through layers of cloud, casting a golden hue across Tianxu City. Yet even in light, darkness stirred.
At the Gallant Villa, Chen Yu sat in silence on the balcony, a cup of untouched tea cooling beside him. His gaze was distant. Below, the city moved as usual, unaware that war was quietly creeping into its veins.
Inside, iyun was typing away on her tablet, seated at the lounge table. Dressed in a white blouse and slim black skirt, she looked every bit the professional—but the subtle way she glanced toward Chen Yu betrayed concern.
"You didn't sleep again," she said, not looking up.
"I did," Chen replied, sipping the tea at last. "Just not with my eyes closed."
Before iyun could respond, Bai Ruxue entered the room. Her long hair was tied in a loose bun, a soft blush coloring her cheeks from the brisk morning air. "Breakfast is ready. Or are we skipping als again in favor of brooding?"
Chen smiled faintly. "I can't afford to skip als. Too many people want dead."
Ruxue's expression darkened slightly. "Don't joke about that."
He t her eyes, and for a brief mont, the armor of ambition dropped. "I'm not joking."
A heavy silence followed. iyun broke it.
"The Win Family made another move," she said, placing a report on the table. "They funneled ¥300 million through a fake textile company. We traced the money to three offshore accounts."
Chen scanned the report. "Shut it down. Leak the accounts to the dia under an anonymous tip."
"And the Qin alliance?" Ruxue asked.
"Holding—for now," Chen said. "Qin Xuelin isn't a man who trusts easily. But he understands what I'm building."
Suddenly, Chen's phone buzzed.
A ssage.
[Zhao Lingyun → Chen Yu]
"I heard about your moves in the eastern district... You're really trying to change the city. But don't burn yourself out. If you need a break... you know where to find ."
Chen stared at the ssage for a long ti. He didn't type anything.
iyun noticed. "She still waiting on you?"
Chen didn't reply. But his expression grew more complicated.
Ruxue crossed her arms. "You keep pushing everyone away. At so point, no one will be left to pull you back."
He looked at her, and for once, said nothing.
Just then, a knock echoed through the hallway. One of the villa guards opened the door.
"Sir, there's soone here from Shield Security. They've completed the full sweep. No tracking devices, no infiltrations. Surveillance drones in place. The area is secure."
Chen nodded. "Good. Keep the periter locked. No one in or out without my word."
As the guard left, iyun walked over to Chen. "Still feel like soone's watching you?"
"Yes," Chen said. "Because soone is."
ANWHILE – UNKNOWN LOCATION
Deep in the mountain valley outskirts of Tianxu, inside a heavily fortified estate, a man kneeled before an ornate screen. The patterns etched into the wood shimred under candlelight.
On the other side, a hoarse yet commanding voice spoke.
"So... the boy from the Chen Family moves again."
"Yes, Elder. He's taken over major routes, destroyed three of our puppets, and ford an alliance with the Qin Family's main heir."
"Hmph... the Chen Family... They were nothing but rchants for decades. Now they breed ambition like wildfire."
The kneeling man lowered his head. "What shall we do?"
A low laugh rumbled behind the screen.
"Do? Nothing."
"...Elder?"
A hand erged from the shadow—a weathered, veined hand with the ring of the Win Family's inner circle.
"Let him rise."
"But—"
"I said let him rise," the voice repeated. "If the Chen Family truly has produced a dragon after a hundred years... then let's see how high he can fly."
The elder's voice turned cold.
"Eventually, even dragons fall."
BACK TO GALLANT VILLA – LATER THAT NIGHT
The sky had turned an ominous shade of gray. Lightning cracked in the distance.
Chen Yu stood on the rooftop, coat fluttering in the stormy wind. Behind him, Ruxue appeared with an umbrella.
"You're going to get sick."
"I'm already sick," he muttered.
"Of what?"
"Of being underestimated."
Ruxue stepped closer. "You've already proven yourself. To the Qin Family. To the city. Even iyun's starting to believe you can take over the world."
Chen chuckled. "Can I?"
Ruxue looked at him, serious. "You can... But just rember to co back ho. Don't lose yourself out there."
He looked at her, his eyes softer than usual.
"I won't."
Lightning flashed again.
Far across the city, another player moved.
A tall man in a black overcoat stood at a pier, watching cargo containers being loaded.
He lit a cigarette.
"This city's changing," he said to the figure behind him. "Get ready."
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