Chapter 398 - 380: A Deadly Trap

A sweet smile blossomed on Lin Wanzhu’s face after she heard Su Yu’s speech.

’This little scamp really is charming,’ she thought. ’To think that just three years ago, he was a fisherman’s son, and now he’s grown so much.’

His heartfelt words filled the eyes of the newly recruited Flying Feather Guards with fervor and awe. It was easy to see that from now on, this unit of Flying Feather Guards, made up of poor folk from their shared home region, would be fiercely loyal to Su Yu.

"Well, well. Our Great Commander is certainly young and promising. Even I was fired up by that speech. He doesn’t just want to change the Outer City, but all of Black Stone City. What incredible ambition."

Feng Ting smiled gracefully from the side, her beautiful eyes fixed on Su Yu’s tall, handsome back. The look of inquisitive curiosity in their depths grew even stronger.

She had initially thought only that Su Yu was exceptionally capable and that following a superior like him would present more opportunities to distinguish herself. She had never tried to understand him on a deeper level.

’But hearing his story now, I can’t believe he was just a fisherman’s son from the Outer City three years ago.’

’And now look at him, so brilliant and dazzling. It’s truly hard to imagine.’

’Is this what they call a hidden dragon in the abyss, soaring to the heavens in a single flight?’

Once Su Yu finished speaking, he had his subordinates begin registering the new recruits according to procedure.

He then walked into the market and began to stroll around, asking about the current conditions of the common folk in the Outer City.

The Outer City was under Black Stone City’s jurisdiction in name only; in truth, Black Stone City couldn’t care less about it.

As long as it didn’t completely collapse, with anomalies running rampant and bandits forming gangs like before, no one would bother to manage it.

After all, human life was as cheap as grass, new growth endlessly scorched away by wildfire.

But Su Yu genuinely wanted to change things. He had always believed in the principle: ’When poor, cultivate your own virtue. When prosperous, share your blessings with the world.’

In his past life, he’d been nothing more than a corporate wage slave, and just getting by had been enough.

Now that he had power in this life, he wanted to at least do what he could, so he wouldn’t look back with regret.

...

The tedious work of recruitment, registration, and screening continued until dusk, only just then coming to an end.

Su Yu ordered Feng Ting to lead the main contingent back to Black Stone City. He and Lin Wanzhu, however, turned their horses and rode unhurriedly back to his old home in Qingxi Village.

He pushed open the dilapidated, warped wooden gate. The small courtyard inside was swept spotless, without a single cobweb or fallen leaf. Su Yu knew the villagers must have been thinking of him, taking it upon themselves to maintain the place.

Su Yu had returned once before and hadn’t stopped them. He simply wanted to keep a place in this world for himself, a sentimental anchor he could occasionally return to.

"Wanzhu, I used to live here. Every night, I’d sit in this little courtyard under the moonlight, mending my fishing nets. Then, before dawn, I’d have to make my way to the Black Water River to fish."

Lin Wanzhu had changed out of her armor today, wearing only a form-fitting black tunic that starkly outlined her exquisite curves. As she listened to Su Yu’s calm account, a trace of heartache showed on her cool, beautiful face.

She stepped onto the somewhat loose mud bricks and pushed open the mottled wooden door.

The furnishings inside were even more spartan: a chipped old square table made of locust wood and two stools with peeling paint. In the kitchen area was a blackened stove, an iron wok dotted with red rust, and a water vat polished to a black sheen.

Su Yu followed her in. He gripped the edge of the water vat, tilted it up, and revealed a hidden pit of dark red earth beneath it. He smiled at Lin Wanzhu.

"See, Wanzhu? All my worldly possessions were buried here. Back when I was saving up for the tuition at the White Ape Martial Arts Hall, I’d come back from fishing every day, reach in to feel the silver coins, and count how much more I needed."

Watching the gentle smile on Su Yu’s face, Lin Wanzhu’s heart clenched.

’Who could have imagined that Ah Yu, now famous throughout the Outer City and wielding great power, had once lived such a bitter and difficult life?’

Smiling, Su Yu took her hand, and the two of them went to the threshold of the house.

He brushed the dust from the threshold with his sleeve and sat down casually. Without a hint of disdain, Lin Wanzhu gathered her skirts and sat down right beside him, their shoulders touching.

The cool, clear moonlight spilled silently over them, cloaking them in a soft, hazy, silvery-white halo.

"Ah Yu, I’ve only ever seen you in your dazzling glory. I never imagined... that your past was like this."

Lin Wanzhu squeezed his hand, her beautiful eyes filled with tenderness. She leaned in, gently resting her head on his broad, sturdy shoulder. Her waterfall of black hair cascaded over his neck, tickling his skin as it stirred in the gentle breeze.

Su Yu chuckled and gently pinched her snowy-white chin. "Wanzhu, I’m not that fragile. In fact, thinking back on those days makes me feel... nostalgic."

"You being strong is your business. Me feeling sorry for you is my business. You don’t get a say in it."

Lin Wanzhu murmured, snuggling closer into his embrace and inhaling his warm, masculine scent.

Su Yu looked up at the moon. It was exceptionally bright and beautiful tonight, a sight that filled one’s heart with pleasure.

They sat there in silence. After a moment, a sharp glint flashed in Su Yu’s eyes.

"They’re here, just as I expected!"

Hearing Su Yu’s words, the gentle, affectionate Lin Wanzhu wasted no time on words. In an instant, her body went taut as a drawn bow, and she shot to her feet.

With a single, fluid motion, she gathered her loose black hair and tied it back neatly with a cloth strip. In the space of a single breath, she had transformed back into the cool and collected Commander.

Several Flying Locust Stones had appeared in Su Yu’s hand. With a flick of the Great Tendons in his wrist, he hurled them into the night.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

The Flying Locust Stones moved with incredible speed, tearing through the night sky as they flew into the darkness.

"Careful!"

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Three masked, black-clad figures burst from the darkness, only to be instantly intercepted by the incoming Flying Locust Stones.

But the three were clearly formidable masters. The leader’s long saber flashed, and he precisely parried all three Flying Locust Stones.

"He’s an expert with hidden weapons! Watch out for a sneak attack!"

After calling out a warning, the three men vaulted over the courtyard wall and surrounded Su Yu and Lin Wanzhu.

Su Yu’s Divine Sense swept over the three assailants. Even though the leader was masked, his identity couldn’t be concealed from Su Yu’s perception.

"Chen Fan, long time no see."

Su Yu stated the man’s name directly, his expression perfectly calm.

Seeing he’d been instantly identified, the black-clad leader stopped hiding. He ripped off his mask and roared with laughter.

"Junior Su, what sharp eyes you have. But seeing me here, your senior brother, aren’t you the least bit curious?"

’Curious? Why would I be curious?’ Su Yu thought. ’I’ve been waiting for you.’

He had made this trip out of the city with great fanfare, and had deliberately stayed overnight in Qingxi Village, all to give his enemies an opportunity—to lure the snake from its hole.

It was a simple and direct tactic, but an incredibly effective one.

After all, as long as he, the Great Commander of the Public Security Bureau, remained in Black Stone City, no one could touch him.

’So when they finally get a chance with me outside the city walls, of course they’d have to try an ambush.’

"Junior Su, you look so calm and confident. It seems you have something up your sleeve. But I’ve come prepared as well. Why don’t you call out your backup? Let’s see whose side is stronger."

Chen Fan sneered. He had joined forces with the Huyan Family and made foolproof preparations for this very moment—to ensure Su Yu’s death!

To deal with Su Yu, the Huyan Family had dispatched its strongest experts.

The tall, burly man to his left was the Huyan Family’s foremost Tributor, Huyan Hai, a master of the Tiger Tendon Realm who had slaughtered countless people throughout his life.

And the old man on his right, who carried a heavy sword on his back and possessed a calm, restrained aura, was the Vice Patriarch of the Huyan Family, Huyan Tuoba!

He was a powerhouse of the Jiao Tendon Realm, the family’s strongest combatant aside from the Patriarch, Huyan Muyuan, himself!

With these two working together, plus Chen Fan who had just broken through to the Muscle Forging Realm a few days ago—three masters of the Muscle Forging Realm joined forces against Su Yu. Victory was certain!

"Chen Fan, you not only want to harm Ah Yu, you’re even willing to betray our master and our heritage! You truly are a man devoid of all conscience!"

Lin Wanzhu’s beautiful eyes blazed with killing intent as she glared at Chen Fan. The aura around her erupted, and a sudden gale swept through the courtyard.

The gale was so fierce that it pressed the clothes of the three men opposite tight against their bodies, causing them all to frown.

"Haha, so you’ve comprehended a new aura, Senior Sister. I must admit, it’s very powerful. You’d have no trouble dealing with an Ape Tendon expert. But against us, it’s not nearly enough!"

The next moment, the auras of Chen Fan and his two companions erupted as well, crashing toward their opponents like a tsunami. They instantly neutralized Lin Wanzhu’s aura and suppressed both her and Su Yu completely.

’Three Muscle Forging Realm masters!’

’And one of them is at the Jiao Tendon Realm!’

Lin Wanzhu was horrified. She never imagined their opponents would dispatch so many masters. It was clear they intended to leave no survivors.