Chapter 50: We Do Nothing

The special skill called “Breaking the Boundary” involves channeling the power of the Divine Source Light into one’s body to temporarily boost strength. At Xiao Kaitian’s current level, it could increase his combat power by about forty percent. Killing the viper was naturally an easy task, but this unique skill did place some strain on his body.

For once, he felt a rare weariness. He got into the car and returned to Plum Hall.

Sun Zhongyi was well-informed. After all, the foreign students in Xiao Kaitian’s company had been recruited under Sun’s name, so he learned about the incident quickly. He closed up shop early and gathered his men to await Xiao Kaitian’s return.

Unconsciously, Xiao Kaitian had already become the true leader of Plum Hall.

When Xiao Kaitian pushed open the door, the familiar beckoning cat chimed, “Welcome!” Among the crowd, he immediately spotted Uncle Zhong, which made him frown slightly. He didn’t want Uncle Zhong to worry too much.

Sun Zhongyi understood the reason for his frown and hurried forward to explain in a low voice, “Uncle Zhong didn’t know. He just heard you’d be coming, so he’s been waiting here all this time.”

Only then did Xiao Kaitian nod. He walked over to Uncle Zhong, supported the loyal old man, and said with a smile, “Uncle Zhong, Eldest Sister is in a hurry to return to Han and Tang. I’m worried about her traveling alone, so I hope you can accompany her back.”

“Eldest Miss wants to go back?” Uncle Zhong immediately grew concerned and shook his head anxiously. “Nonsense! Absolute nonsense! The intentions of the second son of the Xiao family in Han and Tang are hardly difficult to guess. If Eldest Miss returns like this, it’s definitely not appropriate.”

“Yes,” Xiao Kaitian replied with a smile, helping Uncle Zhong to sit down. “You see things clearly, which is why I’m so worried about my sister… But I still have matters to tend to here…”

“Leave Eldest Miss to me. In my younger days, I was a mercenary myself—known as Young Master of War,” Uncle Zhong began to reminisce. “Though back then, there weren’t so many martial artists and the like. Mention my name and—”

Seeing he was about to launch into a long speech, Xiao Kaitian couldn’t help but laugh. He quickly averted his gaze, then returned with a serious nod of agreement, finally persuading Uncle Zhong to leave.

Once the others had departed, Sun Zhongyi had his men withdraw as well. The two of them sat at the tea table, but Xiao Kaitian was in no hurry to speak. He busied himself boiling water to make tea.

“Young Master Xiao,” Sun Zhongyi ventured, “someone from the police sent word to me—something happened at the company.”

This was not something Sun Zhongyi could keep from him, and Xiao Kaitian had no intention of hiding it. “There was a bit of trouble, but don’t worry—it’s not a big problem.”

Sun Zhongyi could only force a bitter smile. He understood well the value of the protective gloves. Xiao Kaitian had clearly intended to groom him as the manager for their operations here in the island nation, and he’d been pleased about it for some time. Who would have thought their first project would end like this.

Xiao Kaitian poured boiling water over the teapot and cups, scalding them. He broke off a small piece of pu’er tea and tossed it into the teacup. Sensing Sun Zhongyi’s disappointment, he said, “I told you not to worry about it. But I do have something I need your help with.”

As the hot water was poured, a rich, earthy scent of aged pu’er filled the air. Xiao Kaitian discarded the first infusion of tea. “First, I’d like you to find a few capable people to escort my sister and Uncle Zhong back home safely.”

Sun Zhongyi was instantly embarrassed. “Young Master Xiao, you know my men are mostly just local toughs—not martial artists…”

“I understand,” Xiao Kaitian said, pouring a second round of hot water and covering the cup to let it steep. “Just send whoever you can spare for now. Besides, Han and Tang aren’t as chaotic as here. They’ll head to Haidu first; there shouldn’t be any major issues.”

Hearing this, Sun Zhongyi was relieved. He held his teacup and set it before Xiao Kaitian. Xiao Kaitian poured the tea into a fairness cup, filled Sun Zhongyi’s cup first, then his own, but did not drink immediately. “I have someone under me—Red Carp. She used to be a bounty hunter but has since retired. About her identity…” He glanced at Sun Zhongyi.

“Excellent tea,” Sun Zhongyi took a small sip—the tea was a bit hot, and the unique matured fragrance of pu’er lingered in his mouth. “That shouldn’t be difficult. Since she’s already retired, the police department won’t be able to find any records. The Bounty Hunter Guild is quite thorough in this regard. It won’t be hard to retrieve her identity later, but the premise is…”

“The premise is that we maintain control over the situation, isn’t it?” Xiao Kaitian inhaled the tea’s aroma, took out a red Marlboro, and lit a cigarette. “At present, overall, the situation isn’t in our favor.”

“Indeed…”

Xiao Kaitian couldn’t be blamed. The foundation he had in this world was unstable, and he was in a foreign land where none of his connections or resources could be used. On top of that, he’d antagonized the Bounty Hunter Guild, the prestigious Takeda clan of Kai, and undercover police operatives. Who knew what other monsters might be lurking.

As the saying goes, “A mighty dragon cannot suppress the local snakes.” Any one of these forces would be enough trouble on their own, yet Xiao Kaitian had managed to contend with them all and hold his ground for so long—no small feat.

Sun Zhongyi knew some of the hidden truths, but not all. Still, he truly admired Xiao Kaitian. If nothing else, the man had asked him for a bunch of materials, created the protective gloves, partnered with the Hagiwara family, and achieved a hot-selling product in the island nation. That alone was enough for Sun Zhongyi to pledge loyalty.

“In the coming days, we do nothing,” Xiao Kaitian said, lifting his teacup and inhaling the fragrance. He took a sip; his tea-making skills were not refined, and the taste was a bit strong. He set the cup down, his eyes shining. “The enemy lurks in the shadows while we are in the open. Sometimes, it’s best to quiet ourselves and observe, don’t you think?”

It was hard to believe these words came from someone once considered a “fool”—a young man barely in his twenties. Sun Zhongyi watched as Xiao Kaitian topped off his cup again. Wisps of steam drifted in the winter air, and Sun Zhongyi couldn’t help but sigh, “Young Master Xiao, I truly believe the future of the Xiao family should be in your hands.”

Xiao Kaitian shook his head. Sun Zhongyi had it wrong; that wasn’t his goal. His ambition lay on another plane entirely. Taking care of the Xiao family was merely his duty to “Xiao Kaitian.” But that was not something he could say aloud.

“However, Young Master Xiao,” Sun Zhongyi touched his slightly balding hairline, “at this point, shouldn’t we be going all-out in retaliation?”

Xiao Kaitian offered a faint smile. Sun Zhongyi’s perspective was a bit limited, but that didn’t stop him from giving advice. “Not that you’re wrong, but now is exactly when the enemy is making their strongest push. If we meet them head-on, we’d be falling into their trap.”

Sun Zhongyi suddenly understood.

“With the police involved, this matter may enter the public eye,” Xiao Kaitian said, stroking the fine purple clay teapot. “Rin Hagiwara is no fool. Let her handle things for now.”

“Mr. Sun, from now on, I need you to pay close attention to matters like this.”

“Yes!” Sun Zhongyi bowed his head in admiration. “If Miss Hagiwara…”

“If she can’t handle it, then there’s no reason for us to continue working together,” Xiao Kaitian replied coolly.

“Understood, Young Master Xiao!”