Chapter 82: Late Advice

Su Rong lowered her voice, the quiet intensity in her eyes making the room feel noticeably colder. The playful warmth that had filled the private room just moments ago vanished entirely. She leaned across the small table, her gaze locked onto Lu Feng.

"Crimson Vale City is not as simple as it looks on the surface, Lu Feng," she began, her tone heavy with caution. "Most people see the bright markets, the wealthy clans, and the peaceful streets. They think it is a place of endless chance and clean trade. But beneath all that, there are forces moving in the dark. If you want to survive here without getting caught in a net, there are a few specific factions you must never cross."

Lu Feng remained still, his hands resting on his knees as he listened carefully.

She raised her index finger. "First is the Merchant Guild. They will not send assassins to slit your throat in the middle of the night. They are deadly in a much different way. The guild is made up of the most powerful, wealthy, and influential business owners in the city."

"They hold every trade contract, control every import route, and keep the guard captains well paid. If you cross them, you will not die—you will simply find yourself unable to buy bread, hire workers, or rent a single inch of land. They can erase a man from the economy without shedding a single drop of blood."

Lu Feng nodded slowly, taking in her words as Su Rong raised a second finger.

"Then there are the Iron Claw Mercenaries," she continued, her eyes narrowing. "They are a small, tight group, but they are ruthless. They do not care about right or wrong, laws, or honor. They accept any contract as long as the price is right. If someone pays them to burn down a shop, beat a rival, or eliminate a target, they finish the job without asking a single question."

Su Rong paused, taking a slow breath before adding the third group. "And lastly, you must watch out for the Iron Hook Gang."

Lu Feng’s eyes flickered slightly at the name, though his face remained completely calm. It was the exact same faction that the two captive intruders in his training hall claimed to work for. He did not say a word about the previous night’s incident, choosing to keep his own counsel. He preferred to deal with that trouble on his own terms.

"They operate from the shadows," Su Rong said, unaware of Lu Feng’s secret thoughts. "They control half of the local gambling houses, the secret fighting rings, and the theft rings across the lower districts. They operate in the dark corners where normal people dare not walk."

Her expression grew even darker as she leaned in closer, dropping her voice to a near whisper. "But the worst part is what lies beneath them all. There is a deep underground network of human traffickers operating right inside our walls. They buy, steal, and sell people like cattle."

Lu Feng frowned, his eyebrows pulling together. "Does the City Lord not know about this?"

Su Rong let out a bitter, heavy breath and shook her head. "That is the hardest truth I have to tell you. My own brother, the City Lord, knows everything. He is actively turning a blind eye to the trafficking happening inside the city."

"Why would he allow that?" Lu Feng asked. "He is the head of the city."

"Because he has no choice," Su Rong answered quietly, her voice tinged with frustration. "The human trafficking ring is directly funded and protected by high-ranking authorities from the royal capital. They have far more power than a regional City Lord. If my brother tries to stop them, he will lose his position, his family, and his life before the sun rises. So he stays quiet, and the monsters do as they please."

She looked at Lu Feng with deep concern in her eyes, her gaze softening slightly. "So please, Lu Feng... be careful. Keep your head down, mind your own business, and do not wander into places you do not belong. This city eats naive young men alive."

Lu Feng listened carefully to every word. Once she finished speaking, he offered her a warm, reassuring smile to ease her worries. "I understand, Senior Sister Su. As long as I do not go looking for a fight with any of these groups, I am sure I will enjoy my time in Crimson Vale City."

Su Rong looked at him for a moment longer, searching his face, before her rigid posture relaxed, and a gentle smile returned to her lips. She stood up alongside him as he prepared to leave.

"If you ever run into trouble, or if you ever need help with anything at all," she said earnestly, her eyes showing complete sincerity, "come straight to me. I will always stand behind you."

"Thank you, Senior Sister Su," Lu Feng said, giving her a respectful bow. "I will keep that in mind."

He turned and walked out of the quiet tea room, stepping down the wooden stairs and making his way out into the bright afternoon sunlight. The street was busy, filled with shouting vendors, passing carriages, and groups of shoppers moving from stall to stall.

As he walked down the bustling street toward his estate, he looked up at the clear blue sky, let out a long, heavy sigh, and scratched the back of his head.

"I try my best to avoid trouble," Lu Feng murmured softly to himself, his lips twisting into a wry smile. "But what am I supposed to do when trouble refuses to stay away from me?"

He shrugged as he concluded on what to do when trouble wouldn’t let him be. "I’ll just cause enough trouble so trouble learns to avoid me and if it doesn’t, I’ll cause an even bigger one."

He looked at the pavilion one more time. "Big Sister Su, your advice should’ve come a little earlier. It’s a little too late now."