Chapter 8: Murderous Intent

"Ever since Lord Luo assumed command of the Wasteland City, the entire place has taken on a new face. The northern border is more peaceful than ever—truly a cause for celebration!"

"Lord Luo, with you here, we are truly blessed!"

"In the days to come, we hope you will look after us, Lord Luo. And may Miss Luo have a most joyous birthday!"

In front of the only five-star hotel in the city, luxury cars came and went without pause, the city’s elite and wealthy lining up to present their gifts. The scene was one of prosperity and extravagance.

Since the death of Lord Jiang, Luo Chuan had swiftly taken the reins. His methods were decisive and unyielding. Every family and faction in the city knew well—henceforth, both Wasteland City and the northern front would be led by Luo Chuan.

The Chu family, though they kept silent, was known by all to have narrowly escaped annihilation, caught in the fallout of the Jiang family’s demise.

Thus, their attitude toward Luo Chuan was warmer than ever…

"Well, General Luo, you really do wield an impressive authority..."

In a corner of the banquet hall, Chu Qingcheng’s delicate face remained cold as she gazed at the revelers, her thoughts a tangled web.

Beside her, a handsome young man with a reserved demeanor swirled his wine with a faint, sardonic smile. "Chu Qingcheng, who do you suppose sent those assassins who attacked your family a few days ago?"

"Looking back now, perhaps those killers weren’t from the Imperial Capital. They had the decisiveness and ruthlessness of soldiers..."

In an instant, Chu Qingcheng turned to Jiang Chen, her voice trembling. "Are you saying General Luo sent those men? But… why?"

"The fall of my family’s generals wasn’t just due to foreign intrigues and threats," Jiang Chen replied softly, his eyes drifting over the birthday celebration, a subtle smile on his lips. "No matter what, it’s clear now that Luo Chuan can hardly be absolved in my father’s death."

At that moment, all eyes were drawn to a graceful figure approaching.

"Miss Chu, Young Master Jiang—what an honor to have you both here for my birthday. It is truly my good fortune," spoke a proud and striking woman, clad in a black evening dress that accentuated her figure. Though she addressed them both, her gaze was fixed on Jiang Chen. "Young Master Jiang, what brings you from Jiangnan to our humble backwater?"

As Luo Chuan’s only daughter, Luo Yanran was intimately familiar with the nation’s shifting tides. After all, her father, having recently broken through to the rank of Martial Grandmaster, would hardly have seized power but for Jiang Weiguo’s demise. In other words, it was precisely because of the Jiang family’s loyal sacrifice that the once-obscure Luo family had risen so quickly.

"Young Master Jiang? Lord Jiang’s only son?"

"Lord Jiang is gone, and yet here comes his son to Wasteland City..."

Luo Yanran’s words, though not loud, were enough for the nearby gentry to hear, and their expressions grew complicated.

Lord Jiang had contributed greatly to the city, but now power rested with Luo Chuan. Judging by Luo Yanran’s tone, the two sides were clearly opposed, and no one dared speak out of turn.

"I came to see the triumphant faces of petty men," Jiang Chen replied with a light laugh, sipping his wine, a hint of irony in his gaze as he looked at Luo Yanran. "Where is your father? Tell him to come see me."

"And who are you that my father should grant you an audience?" Luo Yanran’s eyes flashed with caution. She’d heard the rumors—her lips curled. "The Jiang family is not what it used to be. Do you still think you’re among the elite?"

Jiang Chen said nothing, savoring his wine, his mind already piecing things together. He was curious—just which faction from the Imperial Capital stood behind the Luo family?

Suddenly, laughter broke out as the crowd parted to allow a tall, imposing man through, his face alight with a genial smile.

"Young Master Jiang, had I known you were coming, I would have welcomed you properly! You’re here for your father’s ashes, I presume? Since today is my daughter’s birthday, why not join me in the courtyard?"

Luo Chuan’s face beamed with warmth, his voice gentle, as if he and Jiang Chen were old friends.

"Wait here for me," Jiang Chen said to Chu Qingcheng with a playful smile before rising and following Luo Chuan away.

As the two men left, the crowd’s gaze turned to Chu Qingcheng. When Lord Jiang was alive, the Chu family had been the city’s foremost clan. Now, they were in steep decline.

A fallen heiress and a newly risen lady—what sparks would fly between them?

"Chu Qingcheng, your family was loyal to the Jiangs. Now that they’ve fallen, life must be hard for you," Luo Yanran said, glancing at Jiang Chen’s retreating figure as she took a seat with a bright smile. "Even as the Jiang family withers, Jiang Chen can still stand in Jiangnan. But your Chu family? How many lives do you think you have left to challenge us?"

She paused, her smile growing more radiant, but her words struck like ice. "Or do you mean to say that the deaths of so many of your kin have taught you nothing?"

In an instant, Chu Qingcheng understood, her brow furrowing, eyes glinting with a chill that could pierce bone. "The Luo family, now the city’s foremost power with control over the northern front, sent men to massacre my family? Are you not afraid of repercussions from the capital?"

Luo Yanran laughed coldly, as if she’d heard a great joke. "The Chu family may be a big name here, but in the whole Dragon Kingdom, who would even notice a clan from this little backwater? Let me be clear—if you don’t sever ties with the Jiangs, next time, you and your father may not be so lucky..."

The threat was naked and undisguised. She was making it perfectly clear: if the Chu family did not bow to the Luo family and continued associating with Jiang Chen, they would be destroyed.

"Miss Luo, ever since Lord Jiang took office, our families have been allies. Do you even know what that means?" Chu Qingcheng’s face was frosted over, but her tone laced with mockery. "Unlike the Luo family, whose rise has been paved with dirty deals!"

"Sooner or later, you’ll pay a heavy price for your deeds. I’ll be waiting for that day."

Luo Yanran stared into Chu Qingcheng’s eyes, her own gaze growing ever colder...

"Jiang Chen, your father is dead. Why come here only to seek further humiliation?" In the depths of the Luo family estate, Luo Chuan’s smile faded as he led Jiang Chen into a secluded courtyard. "Jiang Weiguo’s death was a matter between the capital and foreign powers. Isn’t it foolish for you to show up in Wasteland City?"

His tone steeled with menace as he slowly advanced. "Or do you believe you are beyond my reach?"