Chapter 771: Wei Yenwu, I'm Here to Propose! Fumizuki? No, It's Your Niece, Ch'en!
Ren was not in a hurry to deal with Gladiia, the long-legged Abyssal Hunter waiting outside. The night air of Lungmen was heavy with humidity and neon lights, but on this high-rise balcony, the wind was cool.
He turned his attention to the shadow in the corner. Shirayuki, the stoic Weasel bodyguard who had appeared silently on the balcony railing moments ago, knelt on one knee. Her large shuriken was sheathed on her back, but her aura was sharp, cutting through the night like a blade.
"Did Wei Yenwu send you?" Ren asked, leaning casually against the railing, a glass of wine in his hand.
"Yes."
Shirayuki answered honestly, her voice devoid of fluctuation, though her eyes were fixed on the floor in submission. "Chief Executive Wei and Lady Fumizuki ordered that all matters disturbing Lord Ren must be cleared immediately. Furthermore, they commanded that all of the Lord's needs must be met. Absolute satisfaction is the directive."
"All needs?"
Ren became interested, stepping closer. The sound of his footsteps made the ninja's ears twitch slightly. He lifted her chin with a finger, forcing her to look into his eyes. "Including what I'm doing now? Including the... personal needs?"
Ch'en, who was tidying up the messy living room behind him (and still recovering from her hangover), poked her head out. Her face was flushed, her hair messy. She stuck out her tongue playfully. "You guy, even Shirayuki! She's my aunt's personal bodyguard! Do you have no shame?"
Before she could finish her complaint, Ren moved with a speed that blurred vision, covering her mouth with a quick, possessive kiss.
"Mmph!"
"Quiet, my little dragon. Go finish cleaning, or I'll punish you again," he whispered against her lips. Ch'en's face turned crimson, and she scurried back inside, muttering curses that sounded suspiciously affectionate.
Ren turned back to the ninja. Shirayuki took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling visibly under her tight attire. Her eyes trembled slightly under his gaze—not from fear, but from an overwhelming sense of anticipation.
Without a word, she began to move. Her fingers worked with practiced efficiency, undoing the heavy clasps of her vambraces. The metal hit the floor with a dull thud. Next came the sash of her traditional outfit, the heavy fabric loosening and falling away like a shedding skin.
Underneath the armor and robes, she displayed the extremely alluring full-body fishnet suit unique to ninjas. The black mesh hugged her toned legs and hips perfectly, outlining every muscle honed by years of training. It was a stark contrast to her cold, professional demeanor—a hidden vulnerability exposed only for him.
"Lord, may I ask if you need Shirayuki to... assist in your relaxation?"
Her voice wavered slightly at the end. Ren felt that this was not merely obedience to an order from Wei Yenwu. It contained other emotions—admiration, a desire to serve the strong, and perhaps a personal curiosity about the man who had tamed the entire city's leadership.
Since she had offered herself so completely, Ren simply reached out. He ran his hand down the curve of her mesh-covered arm.
"Then show me your loyalty, Shirayuki."
The ninja did not resist; in fact, she melted into his embrace with surprising fervor, her cool skin heating up instantly against his touch.
...
The next morning.
The streets of Lungmen were unusually quiet, yet the tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. The usual hustle of the slums and the commercial district seemed suppressed by a heavy military presence.
"Why is Lungmen so heavily guarded today? The L.G.D. patrol frequency has tripled, and those aren't just regular officers."
Kal'tsit, the effective leader of Rhodes Island, frowned deeply as she looked out the window of their transport vehicle. Her emerald eyes narrowed, her feline ears twitching as she analyzed the patterns of the checkpoints they passed.
It wasn't her first time in Lungmen. She had dealt with the cunning Wei Yenwu many times before, usually in high-stakes negotiations involving the Infected.
But this time was different. Entering the city required passing through multiple high-security checkpoints. They were scanning for everything—Originium residue, weapons, even specific Arts signatures. It was much stricter than their previous arrival during the Reunion crisis.
"It feels like they are preparing for a war... or protecting a god," Kal'tsit muttered to herself.
She couldn't help but wonder if something monumental had happened in Lungmen today. Or was it happening right now? Her strategic mind raced through possibilities—Ursus invasion? A demon threat? Or internal political purge?
Turning to Skadi beside her, who was staring blankly at her own reflection in the darkened glass, she asked, "Where are your companions now? You said you had a lead on the other Hunters."
"I don't know."
Skadi answered without any hesitation, her voice monotone. She hugged her large weapon case, looking like a lost tourist rather than a walking catastrophe. "But I can smell the sea. Faintly. It's... annoying."
"..."
Kal'tsit's eyelid twitched. Dealing with Abyssal Hunters was always a test of patience. Their logic operated on a different plane.
She calmly reminded her, "I must remind you that under no circumstances can we afford to wander around this continent for too long. Rhodes Island has other priorities, and I cannot spend weeks chasing ghosts."
In plain terms, it meant: We have limited time, don't waste it being an airhead.
"Mm."
Skadi nodded, clutching her sword case tighter. Just as she was about to open the Chat Group interface in her mind to ask Ren about his whereabouts, her gaze suddenly sharpened.
"Who's there? Come out!"
Her calm red eyes fixed on a narrow, dark alleyway adjacent to the main street. Her muscles tensed, ready to explode into violence.
In the darkness, a figure wearing a bamboo hat and a black cloak stepped out. The aura was stifling—a master of arts and assassination. A Shadow Guard (Ying Wei).
"Ladies, Chief Executive Wei has invited you. Please follow me."
"Oh?"
Kal'tsit narrowed her eyes. They had been noticed by the ruler of Lungmen as soon as their vehicle crossed the border. This level of surveillance was terrifying.
"Skadi, our itinerary might have to change. It seems we are expected guests."
...
The top floor of the Lungmen Guard Department (L.G.D.) Headquarters.
The atmosphere in the executive conference room was oppressive. The air conditioning hummed, but it did little to cool the tension. Several important figures were gathered here, sipping tea in silence, the clinking of porcelain the only sound.
Wei Yenwu, the Chief Executive of Lungmen, sat at the head of the table. He was smoking his pipe, the sweet scent of tobacco filling the room, but his eyes were sharp, darting towards the door every few seconds.
Beside him sat his wife, the elegant Lady Fumizuki. She appeared calm, her fan resting on her lap, but her knuckles were white.
And across from them sat an elderly Zalak man with a kind face but a terrifying presence—Lin Gray, the Rat King of Lungmen. He sat motionless, like a statue carved from granite.
They waited quietly for someone's arrival.
Click.
The heavy double doors opened.
It was Kal'tsit and Skadi, escorted by the Shadow Guard.
"Dr. Kal'tsit, welcome back to Lungmen."
Wei Yenwu's lips curved into a slight, politic smile. He didn't stand up, subtly maintaining an air of superiority. This was a characteristic developed by those in power—always assert dominance first, even when nervous.
Kal'tsit's emerald eyes swept the room, analyzing the threat level. Such a grand reception—Wei Yenwu, Fumizuki, and the Rat King all in one room—shouldn't be for them. On the surface, Rhodes Island was just a pharmaceutical company.
"Thank you for the invitation, Chief Executive Wei."
Kal'tsit bowed slightly, perfect etiquette masking her wariness. "But please forgive me for asking, what is the specific reason for your special invitation? Is there another catastrophe looming over the city? Or perhaps you need Rhodes Island to clean up another mess?"
Wei Yenwu exhaled a puff of smoke, looking down at the two. "You two are from Rhodes Island, and choosing to arrive today is not a coincidental choice. However, the reason for inviting you is simple: Lungmen currently doesn't have extra staff to entertain you properly due to a... VVIP visit. So, for the sake of etiquette and security, we old folks are doing it ourselves."
"..."
Kal'tsit's gaze deepened. "VVIP?"
It seemed like a very polite gesture, but in her eyes, it was a threat. Being "entertained" by the rulers of the city meant they were being kept under house arrest until the "VVIP" left. They were being contained.
Just then, the main doors opened again, this time without knocking. The sound echoed loudly.
Wei Yenwu and the Rat King simultaneously straightened their expressions, standing up immediately. Even the usually calm Fumizuki smoothed her dress nervously, checking her appearance.
This scene made Kal'tsit even more shocked.
What kind of person could make the Dragon of Lungmen and the Rat King—men who controlled the light and shadow of this city—so solemn?
She looked towards the door.
She saw a handsome young man walking in casually, his hands in his pockets. Behind him, he led Ch'en, Hoshiguma, Swire, and Lin Yuhsia.
But the group dynamic was... odd. The fierce Madam Ch'en looked meek. The loud Swire was quiet. And Hoshiguma looked oddly satisfied.
Skadi's eyes flickered when she saw the tall, silver-haired Gladiia walking silently at the very end of the group.
Wei Yenwu was the first to step forward, abandoning his superiority instantly. The political mask shattered.
"Ren-sama! Welcome back to Lungmen!"
And he bowed with extreme respect, almost ninety degrees. His voice trembled slightly with awe.
If Ren hadn't been so informal in their previous communications, Wei Yenwu wouldn't have minded kneeling and kowtowing right there on the carpet. In his eyes, the person before him surpassed the Great Yan Emperor. He was a god who walked the earth, a being who could erase Lungmen with a thought.
With him leading, Lin Gray and Fumizuki were equally respectful. "Welcome, Lord Ren."
"..."
Kal'tsit was stunned into silence. Her analytical mind raced, connecting dots she hadn't seen before.
Ren...
After savoring the name, Kal'tsit's heart stirred. She seemed to have heard this name before.
Amiya had reported that the person who eliminated the Catastrophe cloud over Chernobog with a single wave of his hand, and the one who sent the legendary Patriot to Rhodes Island peacefully, was named Ren.
Could it be him? The anomaly? The singularity?
Ren also noticed the arrival of Kal'tsit and Skadi. He gave them a nod but turned his attention to the hosts.
He lightly patted Wei Yenwu's shoulder like a brother, ignoring the terrified looks of the Shadow Guards in the corners.
Ren smiled and said, "There's no need to be so polite, Old Wei. I quite like Lungmen. It has good food and... good people."
"It's good that you like it. It is Lungmen's honor," Wei Yenwu said with a fawning smile that would shock his political rivals. He looked like a merchant trying to please a difficult emperor.
Before he could speak again, Ren said something astonishing that froze the room.
"Wei Yenwu, I came this time to tell you something directly."
"What is it, my Lord? Anything you desire. Resources? Land? Information?"
"A marriage proposal."
"???"
The room went silent. You could hear a pin drop. Even the air conditioning seemed to stop.
Wei Yenwu was stunned. His pipe almost fell from his mouth, ash spilling onto his expensive suit.
A... marriage proposal?
To whom?
He subconsciously looked at his beautiful, elegant wife, Fumizuki.
Hiss! Could it be...
Ren's reputation as a collector of beauties was known. Did he fancy Fumizuki?! Was he demanding the Chief Executive's wife as tribute?!
Beads of sweat formed on Wei's forehead. He was calculating the cost of refusing a god versus losing his wife.
As if guessing his blasphemous thoughts, Fumizuki glared at her husband with cold eyes that screamed 'You idiot.'
Then she gestured with her eyes for him to look behind Ren.
And so he saw... an utterly unfamiliar, shy-looking Ch'en!
Is that... Ch'en Hui-chieh?
Wei Yenwu was certain it was his niece physically—the horns, the tail, the face—but the aura was wrong.
Ever since his younger sister passed away, Ch'en's gaze towards him had always been filled with hatred, defiance, and cold professionalism. She was a dragon of steel and fire, the "Madam Ch'en" who shouted at him in his office.
He had never seen his niece in such a delicate, ladylike manner.
She wasn't wearing her L.G.D. uniform. Instead, she wore a soft, civilian dress that accentuated her curves. She was clutching the hem of her skirt, blushing furiously, avoiding eye contact with everyone.
Realizing something, Wei Yenwu couldn't help but widen his eyes in shock. His mouth gaped open.
Ren smiled, pulling Ch'en forward by the waist: "That's right, it's exactly as you're thinking. I plan to marry Ch'en."
Saying that, he released Wei Yenwu and pulled the embarrassed Ch'en into his embrace, claiming her in front of her entire family.
"You... you shouldn't say it so suddenly! Aunt... Aunt Fumizuki is still here..."
Ch'en squirmed, burying her face in his chest to hide her burning cheeks. Her tail wrapped around his leg possessively, betraying her true feelings.
She had already caught sight of her Aunt Fumizuki covering her mouth with a fan and chuckling delightedly.
Ren also smiled amusedly, stroking Ch'en's hair.
In the past two days, they had certainly caused a commotion in Ch'en's apartment. They had experienced all sorts of daring and chaotic situations, breaking down the Special Inspection Unit leader's defenses completely. He had seen every side of her—the warrior, the leader, and the woman.
Yet now, she was still so shy, blushing and glaring if he even touched her tail in public.
What a shy little wife.
Because of her behavior, she was often teased and mocked by Hoshiguma and Swire, who were standing behind them, grinning. They had accepted everything and released their instincts without shame, seemingly enjoying Ch'en's flustered state.
Even the demure Lin Yuhsia was far more open than her now, winking at her father, the Rat King, who simply nodded in resignation.
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