Jiangnan City, Jiangnan Grand Mansion.
Despite it being one o'clock in the morning, the Jiangnan Grand Mansion was still brightly lit.
In a study on the second floor, a young man in a white shirt was sitting, his face ashen.
The white shirt the young man wore was handmade in England, its sharp lines exuding an indescribable sense of elegance and luxury.
The young man looked very youthful, his handsome face akin to a character from a Japanese manga, standing under a cherry blossom tree. He seemed more like a painting than a living person. Though he appeared to be only eighteen, he was actually thirty years old.
He was Yang Ling, the heir of the Yang Group.
Yang Ling was in a foul mood.
Just now, he had received definite news that Leiba's leg was completely crippled, beyond any chance of recovery. In other words, he had lost two formidable warriors overnight.
This wasn't the worst part; the news would inevitably spread through the grapevine. The renowned Yang Group, with its extraordinarily talented young master Yang Ling, who was also a prominent disciple of the Shaolin secular branch, couldn't even handle a mere security guard. This would be a tremendous disgrace for the prestigious title of Shaolin secular disciples.
Insiders would question the extraordinariness of Chen Yang, the security guard. Some rumors would definitely deem the Shaolin secular disciples as mere frauds, all pomp and no substance.
Just like the farce that happened at Wudang Mountain earlier. Two thugs beat up a Taoist priest from the Xuanwu Palace. It caused a huge uproar in public opinion, with people ridiculing Wudang's martial arts as a joke in this high-tech era, calling them all fancy but useless moves.
In reality, Yang Ling knew that those two thugs were actually skilled experts in disguise, seeking revenge on the Taoist priest of Xuanwu Palace.
Now, Wudang Mountain no longer dared to promote its martial arts and health teachings, as no one believed in them anymore.
They had lost all their reputation!
Yang Ling was now facing a similar situation.
If the prestigious title of Shaolin secular disciples were to end up like Xuanwu Palace, Yang Ling's days would be rough. Not to mention, his senior uncle Shi Yonglong of the Yong generation would not let him off easily!
Yang Ling's eyes flickered as he started plotting a new scheme.
At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the door.
Yang Ling's ears were incredibly sharp. With just a slight movement, he recognized who it was. His previously icy expression now showed a hint of fervor.
A woman entered.
She wore a deep red cheongsam, her hair styled in a dignified bun. Although she looked around twenty-eight, she was actually thirty-eight. The woman had a beautiful and noble face, her figure voluptuous, with long, shapely legs. The cheongsam on her exuded an irresistible allure to men.
She brought a fragrant breeze with her as she entered.
She was Yang Ling's aunt, Xiao Bingqing.
Xiao Bingqing elegantly carried a jade tray, on which rested a bowl of chilled white fungus and lotus seed soup.
"Xiao Ling." Xiao Bingqing approached Yang Ling. As she spoke, her red lips moved with an indescribable allure, her lips exuding a cherry-like hue that tempted a kiss.
Yang Ling reached out and held Xiao Bingqing's soft hand, calling out excitedly, "Auntie."
Xiao Bingqing smiled sweetly, then placed the lotus seed soup on the desk before him. "Why are you still up so late? Is something bothering you?" She paused, then added, "But no matter what troubles you, drink this lotus seed soup first, made by your aunt."
Yang Ling nodded, quickly drank the soup, and sincerely said, "It's delicious. Auntie, I wish I could always have your lotus seed soup."
Xiao Bingqing's eyes flashed with satisfaction and joy, then dimmed with a hint of melancholy. "Silly boy. You'll have your own family someday. How can I always be by your side?"
Yang Ling quickly replied, "No, Auntie, I don't want to marry anyone else but you. No woman in this world can compare to you."
Xiao Bingqing smiled slightly, "You're talking nonsense again. I'm your aunt. Don't joke about such things."
Yang Ling looked at Xiao Bingqing seriously. "Why do we care about such nonsense? I only know that in this life, I won't love any woman other than you."
Xiao Bingqing's face flushed red, as if drunk. She felt a moment of panic and confusion.
After a long while, Xiao Bingqing changed the subject. "Xiao Ling, what's troubling you? Maybe I can help."
Yang Ling knew he couldn't push his aunt too hard. He then told her everything about the current situation with Chen Yang. Growing up close to his aunt, Yang Ling could be completely open and vulnerable with her.
After hearing the whole story, Xiao Bingqing quickly understood the crux of the matter. "Xiao Ling, do you plan to send more people to kill Chen Yang?"
Yang Ling said grimly, "Chen Yang must die. If he doesn't, the prestigious title of Shaolin secular disciples will be a joke, and so will I."
Xiao Bingqing pondered for a moment, then said, "It's not wise to send more people to kill Chen Yang."
"Why?" Yang Ling immediately asked.
Xiao Bingqing said, "Originally, if everything went smoothly and Leiba and Xue Dong killed Chen Yang, all traces would quickly disappear. But now, Xue Dong is dead, and Chen Yang is unharmed. You've already left traces at the Nanzone police station. Piecing together the clues, people will suspect you. If you make another move, you'll attract attention from people in Beijing. If high-ranking officials in Beijing decide to deal with you, you'll be in great danger."
Yang Ling shivered.
He knew his aunt's analysis was spot on.
For years, Yang Ling had been successful because he did everything flawlessly, leaving no room for complaints from anyone. But if he became too reckless, it would certainly attract unwanted attention.
Back in the day, Lord Qiao from the Northeast was arrogant enough to overtake a leader's car. This drew the leader's attention, and not long after, Lord Qiao was completely uprooted in the Northeast.
No one can fight against the state machinery.
Yang Ling found himself in a dilemma. "Auntie, what should I do now?"
Xiao Bingqing smiled slightly. "Xiao Ling, you're the smartest. You're just too angry right now. Calm down and think about it. You'll surely come up with a solution."
Hearing this, Yang Ling fell into deep thought.
After a long while, he said, "I got it."
Xiao Bingqing said with satisfaction, "Tell me."
Yang Ling said, "Use various connections to frame Chen Yang. Once he's in prison, we can deal with him there. If he escapes, it'll be even easier to send people after him."
Xiao Bingqing said, "Exactly. Don't rush things."
With a plan in mind, Yang Ling exhaled deeply. He suddenly stood up, wrapped his arms around Xiao Bingqing's waist, and kissed her red lips. "Thank you, Auntie. Without you, I would make mistakes all the time. So you can't leave me."
Xiao Bingqing blushed and said, "Let go, you're too old to be acting like this."
Yang Ling chuckled, enjoying teasing his aunt before letting her go.
Xiao Bingqing knew well what was going on, both of them enjoying the ambiguous relationship.
"Alright, it's late. I need to rest," Xiao Bingqing said.
"I'll walk you," Yang Ling offered.
Xiao Bingqing stomped her foot lightly, "No!" Her playful gesture was enchanting.
Yang Ling stood mesmerized.
Xiao Bingqing turned and left.
Inside the Yang mansion, there was a pavilion-like loft, beautiful and luxurious.
The interior was like a palace, serving as Xiao Bingqing's residence.
Yang Ling had put a lot of effort into it for his aunt.
Xiao Bingqing returned to the loft, where the floor was covered with a snow-white swan feather carpet, soft underfoot.
At this moment, the loft was dark.
She stepped inside, removing her shoes to feel the plush carpet. Then, she took off her cheongsam, revealing her perfect figure in a purple three-piece suit.
But then her expression changed. She noticed a man sitting by the bed.
In an instant, she moved like lightning, donning a purple nightgown and tying the belt in under a second.
"What are you doing here?" Xiao Bingqing asked coldly.
The man looked to be in his twenties, but his hair was completely white, cropped short. He wore a black suit.
He was Shura, Xiao Bingqing's senior brother.
Shura smiled, looking at Xiao Bingqing. "Junior sister, your figure is even better than before. Even I, your senior brother, am tempted."
Xiao Bingqing's eyes flashed with anger.
Shura continued, "But it seems your skills have regressed. I've been here a while, and you didn't even notice."
Xiao Bingqing snorted, knowing it wasn't her skills declining, but her senior brother being too extraordinary. His skills had reached a harmonious level, blending with the space and environment.
In any place, he would seem naturally present.
That's why she didn't notice.
"Stop talking nonsense. What are you here for?" Xiao Bingqing asked coldly.
Shura smiled faintly. "Master wants you back. You've been away long enough. Do you really intend to stay in the Yang family forever?"
Xiao Bingqing's expression changed slightly, but she quickly returned to her calm demeanor. "Go back and tell Master that I haven't completed my task yet."
Shura said, "Yang Ling is already head over heels for you. What else is there to do?"