"Four billion star credits. Are you still in, pretty boy?" Hua Mingling sneered, throwing down the gauntlet.
Feng Mo's smile didn't waver. He knew how to handle this.
"According to Federation law, publicly insulting a titled noble in a public setting warrants some… serious penalties. Let's see—oh, right: four fingers removed and banishment to the Outer Abyss. Not a title-holder yourself yet, are you, Hua Mingling? And let's not forget, you're not even the one slated to inherit the family rank—that would be your remarkable older brother. Ha!"
Feng Mo's words struck deep. Growing up in the shadow of his brother, Hua Mingling had always resented his role as a secondary figure, with the family's resources and accolades going to his sibling. Being called out so brutally by Feng Mo was a bitter pill to swallow, made even worse by the public setting. He could throw insults all day, but taking any rash action against a noble in public would reflect poorly on the Federation itself.
With Feng Mo wielding the title of count and backing from the Yunshan Empire, Hua Mingling had no choice but to watch his words carefully. If Feng Mo decided to press charges, Hua would face an inevitable punishment that not even his powerful family could easily circumvent.
The room fell silent, as everyone sensed the high stakes. Now, Hua Mingling was truly cornered. Apologizing would humiliate him publicly, but continuing his bid on the T5 Combat Armor felt equally risky.
"Young man, we should all know when to let things go," a firm voice broke the silence. "Mingling's words were merely a slip—no harm intended. Let's continue with the auction." The elderly voice from Box One was unmistakable.
"That's Cheng Yingxiong," Chu Yunjian whispered to Feng Mo. "A thousand years old, a senator, and once a senior minister in multiple government departments—he has allies everywhere in the Empire."
Chu Yunjian picked up her family insignia, rose to her feet, and opened their box's door. Addressing Cheng's box, she raised her voice, "I, Chu Yunjian, swear by the honor of the Chu family that Hua Mingling must face due consequences. If he does not, it will be as if we were at war."
This direct challenge left everyone stunned. In the Huiyao Empire, no one dared to confront the Chu family lightly. Now that Chu Yunjian had openly invoked her family's honor, stepping back would disgrace the Chus and force them to retaliate against the Hua family if Mingling went unpunished. The ball was now in Cheng Yingxiong's court.
After a long pause, the elder's voice sounded again. "Courageous and admirable—a true daughter of a noble house," he said, choosing his words carefully. His attempt to save face was clear: praise, but with a concession.
Chu Yunjian accepted gracefully, "Thank you, Senior Cheng. I am humbled by your words." She took her seat, her stance unwavering.
Turning to Hua Mingling's box, she added, "Hua Mingling, I'll be submitting this matter to both the Federation and the Huiyao Empire. You'd best return home and plead with your family. Otherwise, banished to the Abyss, you might find yourself wishing for death—especially since that's my pretty boy's territory."
The auction resumed as if nothing had happened. Without Hua Mingling's interference, the T5 Combat Armor went to a mysterious buyer in Box Nine for five billion star credits.
Leaving the venue, Feng Mo and his three companions noticed Hua Mingling's hasty departure. He was surely heading home to plead for support. Feng Mo resolved not to back down in this matter, especially after Chu Yunjian's fierce support. He would see this through, not just for himself but for her.
Upon returning to the estate, Chu Yunjian's communicator was flooded with messages. After reading them over, she shared, "Two pieces of news. First, we located a base of the New Human Church in a remote area on the Huiyao system's northern fringe. My second uncle's team is ready to move in tomorrow if you're interested in joining."
"And the second?" Feng Mo asked, curious.
"The second is that the Hua family intends to visit in three days, likely to discuss Hua Mingling's situation."
The first piece of news was promising, offering Feng Mo the chance to act against the organization behind his attempted assassination. As she finished speaking, his Spark System flashed with a new temporary mission.
[Temporary Mission: Eliminate the New Human Church outpost. Reward: 1000 points]
Though the reward was modest, the mission would be straightforward, especially with her uncle's support. The second piece of news was less welcome, as it implied that Hua Mingling held a higher standing within his family than Feng Mo had thought. His genius elder brother was likely making a direct appeal to prevent any disgrace to the family.
Meanwhile, at the Hua family's ancestral hall, Hua Mingling knelt before his father, enduring punishment. His mother occasionally whispered for leniency while discreetly pinching him to elicit louder cries of pain, hoping to sway the elder Hua.
At last, the cries must have disturbed his elder brother, Hua Yucheng, who had been quietly watching. "Father, Mother, enough of this. I've cleaned up after him for years, and I'll do it again this time, but let this be the last," he said coldly, walking away without a backward glance.
Translators Note: Earl is the same as Count
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