Chapter 25: Mind Blown

The God of War commanded immense respect in both the military and political spheres of Huaxia, and his grandson was an outstanding figure in the army. Furthermore, the Mu family had long been orchestrating a marriage between Yang Jun and a girl from their clan, and Mu Weizhen saw this as the perfect opportunity to further encourage the match. If the union succeeded, the Mu, Yang, and Yun families would form an indestructible iron triangle.

After calling Yang Jun, Mu Weizhen thought for a moment and then phoned Mu Qian, instructing her to arrive in Xijing early the next morning. Mu Qian, his niece, was close to Mu Weizhen and agreed without hesitation. Hanging up, Mu Weizhen allowed himself a solitary smile and mused inwardly:

“Lu Ming, oh Lu Ming, our family’s possessions are not so easily deceived from us. If that worthless Huang clan fails to deal with you, there’s still the little Overlord waiting. When the time comes, I want you on your knees, returning what’s ours.”

...

The next morning, Lu Ming rose, washed up quickly, and headed downstairs to the nearby breakfast shop. He devoured five baskets of dumplings and three bowls of spicy soup in one sitting, returning to the sundry store fully satisfied, where he promptly fell back asleep. It was nearly noon when he woke.

As Lu Ming opened his eyes, pondering what to have for lunch, heavy footsteps echoed outside, and someone entered. Lu Ming looked up.

The newcomer looked no more than sixteen or seventeen, with a fuzz of youthful mustache on his lips and a face not yet rid of its boyishness. Yet his physique was truly intimidating—about six feet tall, powerfully built to the point of exaggeration, dressed in what was clearly a custom-made military uniform stretched taut over bulging, sculpted muscles. When he’d walked through the double doors, Lu Ming had half-feared the two-meter panels would be crushed.

From the first glance, the young man radiated an aura of singular dominance, his entire being exuding a wild and overwhelming presence. Like a small mountain, he strode up to Lu Ming and asked in a deep voice, “Are you the owner here, Lu Ming?”

Lu Ming lit a cigarette, sizing up this explosive figure, and spoke slowly, “Yes, I am. What do you want?”

“I heard someone tricked the Yun family out of something. I was curious to see who could be so bold.” The young man looked down at Lu Ming, scrutinizing him.

“Well, now you’ve seen,” Lu Ming replied calmly.

At these words, the young man’s body tensed. An invisible blade of murderous intent seemed to cut straight for Lu Ming’s face. Lu Ming frowned, took a drag from his cigarette, and exhaled softly.

The smoke, like an arrow, collided with that killing intent, dissolving it into nothing.

“Not bad. Worthy of my attention. Just don’t die at Huang Zhen’s hands. Remember my name—Yang Jun, the Little Overlord.”

With that, Yang Jun turned and strode out.

After Yang Jun left, Lu Ming shook his head. The Yun family simply wouldn’t give up—first the Huang clan, now Yang Jun. Did they really think he was so easy to push around?

He considered for a moment, then pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

After a moment, the call connected. From the other end came a vigorous, commanding voice.

“Lu Ming?”

“It’s me, Elder Wang. How have you been lately?” Lu Ming replied with a cheerful grin.

“The King of Mercenaries calls me—surely not just to ask after my health. Out with it, what do you want?”

Lu Ming gave an awkward laugh. “Well, it’s like this. Someone’s giving me trouble in Xijing, and I was hoping you could help smooth things over.”

“What could you possibly need my help for? There’s nothing you can’t handle.”

“It’s the Yun family of Xijing.”

There was a pause. Then the voice said, “How did you end up at odds with the Yun family?”

The Yun family of Xijing was a true regional overlord. Even with his status, Elder Wang had to ask for details before offering help.

Lu Ming recounted the story, from Yun Ketian’s exchange with him to the Yun family enlisting the Huang clan to retrieve the item, all the way to the appearances of Huang Zhen and Yang Jun.

After listening, Elder Wang fell silent for a while before saying, “I can give them a warning, but remember, you owe me a favor. In a few days, I’ll have a task for you.”

Lu Ming immediately grew anxious. “Elder Wang, that’s not fair. Back in my overseas days, I did plenty for you, never took a cent, served the country with honor. Now I ask for one small favor, and you start bargaining?”

“Small favor? The head of the Yun family is now a regional governor, highly regarded by several members of the cabinet. Even to criticize him requires a cabinet meeting. You think I can just speak as I please?”

“Uh, alright, then let’s leave it at that.”

Lu Ming hung up, dejected, already regretting his call. If he’d known it would play out like this, he wouldn’t have called at all. Now he owed a favor, and who knew what he’d be asked to do.

Still, Lu Ming had absolute faith in Elder Wang’s abilities. As the military’s second-in-command—though the difference between first and second was negligible—he was one of the handful at the very top of Huaxia’s power structure. A regional overlord was nothing before him.

In the old days overseas, this deputy commander had used Lu Ming as his secret weapon for many missions the nation could not openly undertake. They’d worked together in silent accord, and Lu Ming had never asked for compensation. It made him proud to serve his country, and a tacit friendship had grown between them. Lu Ming was confident that if he ever truly needed help, Elder Wang would assist him, even without a bargain.

But since Elder Wang had named his condition, Lu Ming agreed—one must show respect.

Letting the Yun family feel some pressure would remind them that they weren’t the only ones with connections. Did they really think being a regional overlord made them invincible? Hmph.

After the call, Lu Ming snorted coldly twice and went out for lunch.

...

That evening, after work, Yun Shengguo sat in his car, face dark, heading home. He hadn’t smoked in a long while, but now he lit a cigarette.

Lately, he’d been in excellent spirits—multiple checkups had shown his health greatly improved, his physical indicators better than ever, and he felt years younger, bursting with energy. He’d even been planning to host a banquet for Elder Ye while he was still in Xijing.

But that afternoon in his office, a phone call had cast a shadow over his heart.

A friend from the capital discreetly informed him that a high-ranking military figure in the cabinet was dissatisfied with his recent conduct, criticizing his close ties with outsiders.

The news hit Yun Shengguo like a bolt from the blue.

The cabinet’s top leaders held the pinnacle of power in Huaxia; if one of them took issue with someone, that person’s career was essentially finished.

As the leader of his region, he was on the cabinet’s reserve list and had a real chance to reach the summit and become one of the few who truly held sway in Huaxia. But now, with a major figure displeased, did he still have a shot at the cabinet?

Thankfully, his friend added that the leader had only spoken in private, hoping he would change his ways to avoid jeopardizing his future.

Yun Shengguo realized he was being warned.

He quickly reviewed his recent actions and was shocked by what he found. As a senior official, he was always careful about his dealings and rarely interacted with people from outside the system. If anything, it was only because of Ketian’s matter that he’d recently crossed paths with a so-called hustler named Lu Ming.

Could it be that this man wielded such power he could reach the cabinet?

The thought stunned Yun Shengguo. If that were true, then Lu Ming was no hustler, but a truly formidable force.

He resolved to handle the matter with utmost caution and decided to ask Mu Weizhen at home exactly how she had managed things—what had happened, and how a cabinet leader could have found out.

Lost in thought, Yun Shengguo’s car entered the provincial compound, and he headed home.

Mu Weizhen had also returned from work and was watching the news in the living room.

Seeing his dark expression, she asked, “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Setting down his briefcase, Yun Shengguo glanced at her and asked, “How did you handle Ketian’s situation?”

“I left it to the Huang family—why?” Mu Weizhen replied.

Yun Shengguo frowned. “How did it turn out?”

“That swindler does have some skill. The Huang family’s first attempt failed; they’re still working on it. But don’t worry, I’ve called Yang Jun over. If the Huang family can’t handle it, Yang Jun will step in. No one can just take what’s ours.”

Yun Shengguo’s heart sank. He knew the Huang family was a significant force in Xijing. If even they had failed, Lu Ming must have real power—and was very likely the one who’d arranged for him to be warned. This was no simple man. And now his wife had involved the God of War’s son? That made things even more serious.

If anything happened to the God of War’s son, who could bear that responsibility? Even sacrificing both the Yun and Mu families wouldn’t be enough.

“Contact the Huang family immediately. Tell them to cease all actions against Lu Ming and cut all ties with them. Also, have Yang Jun return at once—do not let him get involved,” Yun Shengguo said, grave.

Mu Weizhen was stunned for a moment before replying, “You mean we’re just going to let that swindler walk off with our things?”

He had never questioned her handling of the matter before, but now a trivial affair had escalated to the highest level, drawing the attention of a major figure and threatening his career and fate. All actions against Lu Ming had to stop immediately.

Yun Shengguo’s face was stern. “That man is no swindler—he’s someone of enormous power. Today I received word that this matter has reached the cabinet, and a military heavyweight expressed his displeasure with me.”

Mu Weizhen’s mind reeled at the revelation.