C8 The Mastermind

After presenting the invitation, Ye Hua, arm in arm with Yang Wei, made their way leisurely into the Stellar Building.

Led by the waiter, Yang Wei and Ye Hua entered a lavishly spacious VIP room. White marble columns graced each corner, and the walls were crafted from gray stone bricks. Amidst the white stone, golden orchids blossomed extravagantly, while azure curtains danced in the breeze. In this grand space, reaching ten meters high, Yang Wei, unaccustomed to such opulence, nearly passed out. The word "luxury" echoed in his mind.

No sooner had they stepped inside than someone seemed to recognize Ye Hua and quickly approached her with a wine glass in hand.

The man was portly, with a face so round and large that when he smiled, his eyes became mere slits, and his cheeks piled up like dough. Each step he took sent ripples through his body, giving him the appearance of a kindly Maitreya Buddha.

As he neared Ye Hua, Yang Wei moved to intercept him but was quietly stopped by Ye Hua.

"It's okay, he's an old classmate of mine, and he's quite nice."

By then, the man had reached them, glancing at Ye Hua and then at Yang Wei, his smile beaming.

"Ye Hua, you haven't changed a bit in all these years—still as stunning as ever."

Ye Hua returned the smile.

"Sunn Li, it's been ages! You've really put on weight."

At this, Sunn Li's laughter grew even more radiant.

"Enough with the jokes. Is this your boyfriend?"

Ye Hua nodded with a smile.

"Allow me to introduce him. This is my boyfriend, Yang Wei."

Sunn Li promptly stepped forward to shake hands with Yang Wei.

"Ah, the stories of Young Master Yang's distinguished presence precede him! Seeing you today, they certainly ring true!"

"You're too kind," Yang Wei replied, his face all smiles while inwardly he muttered to himself.

[Do you even know me? I've barely been playing the role of boyfriend for a couple of days!]

[And yet, 'long heard of'? I wasn't even aware of my own fame.]

But he could only jest inwardly, as openly insulting someone or fawning over them just wouldn't be proper.

Ye Hua escorted Yang Wei around, engaging in pleasantries with various guests. "Director Liu, you're here too?" and "Director Zhang, please enjoy the food and drinks!" were among the greetings exchanged. Yang Wei, however, struggled to embrace the upper class's manner of conversation.

As they meandered through the crowd, Yang Wei's peripheral vision caught sight of four masked individuals clad in black. Their presence radiated an aura far more potent than that of an average person, and even amidst the throng of people, Yang Wei could easily identify them.

"It seems Quick Passing Group has laid their plans," Yang Wei thought to himself. "The assassins this time are likely to be more formidable than before."

Meanwhile, a robust middle-aged man made his way to the second floor of the private room, followed by the four masked figures. Overlooking the hall below, he took a drag from his cigar and spoke in a raspy voice, "Do you think we can take out Ye this time?"

One of the men in black responded, "Director Lee, rest assured, we will definitely succeed this time. The Vast Cloud Sect maintains its reputation."

The man inhaled deeply from his cigar, "You gave me your word last time as well, yet she's still out there, isn't she?"

The masked man replied with a hint of contempt, "Last time, we were uninformed and didn't expect her to have protection from within our circles. But don't worry, Director Lee. With all four of Vast Cloud Sect's great protectors in action this time, there's no way she'll escape again."

The man remained silent, simply trimming his cigar with a cutter.

Down in the first-floor hall, men brandished glasses of red wine, lavishing praise upon one another, while women huddled together, flaunting their opulent accessories and indulging in gossip. Before long, a muscular man in an expensive suit emerged at the center of the crowd. This was none other than Lee Da, the chairman of Quick Passing Group. Despite being sixty, his physique could rival that of any young man who frequented the gym.

As evening crept in, the guests gradually departed, leaving only a few executives behind, deep in conversation.

Among them were Lee Da and Ye Hua.

Lee Da offered Ye Hua a glass of red wine with a smile.

"Director Ye, you're as stunning as ever! Truly deserving of the title 'Lengjiang City's Number One Beauty.'"

Ye Hua returned the smile.

"You flatter me, Director Lee."

Lee Da chuckled, then continued.

"Director Ye, since it's just the two of us, let's cut to the chase."

"I'm interested in acquiring the jade seal you possess. Please, feel free to name your price; I assure you, I won't haggle."

Ye Hua's smile faded, and she replied with a stern look.

"Director Lee, as I've mentioned before, that jade seal is a treasured family heirloom. I don't even have the authority to part with it. You're giving me too much credit."

Lee Da expressed his disappointment upon hearing this.

"So, there's no chance of a deal?"

Without responding, Ye Hua took Yang Wei's arm, ready to leave.

Lee Da pulled out his earlier cigar and began puffing away.

After a couple of drags, he laughed once more.

"Director Ye, there's no need to rush off! If we can't discuss the seal, perhaps we could talk about something else?"

No sooner had he spoken than four men in black leapt from the upper floor, encircling Yang Wei and Ye Hua.

Lee Da's expression turned grim.

"Attack."

The assailants launched their fists at the pair, their blows too swift for the average eye to catch.

But Yang Wei was no average man.

He scooped up Ye Hua and leapt to the second-floor balcony.

"Stay here. I'll come back for you once I've handled them."

"Okay, but be careful."

As Yang Wei's words hung in the air, the four men in black surged towards him.

"I'll use you four as sharpening stones!"

Yang Wei then lifted his right leg, unleashing a sweeping kick at his attackers.

He was brimming with confidence, his right leg charged with immense power. He was certain that even a thick steel plate would be cleaved in two by his kick, let alone flesh and bone.

And sure enough, as his leg swept through, a spray of blood erupted from the chests of the men in black before they were violently knocked to the ground.

The four men in black were quick to react. Before their feet could even touch the ground, they were airborne again, launching another assault on Yang Wei.

Yang Wei smirked dismissively. "You guys don't seem as tough as you were last time!"

"Sharp-tongued kid, today you'll learn that there's always someone better out there!" one of the tall, skinny assassins retorted as he lunged at Yang Wei first.

Yang Wei, sticking to his tried-and-true tactics, lifted his right leg and swung it in a sweeping kick at the assassin.

But in the next moment, Yang Wei was taken aback to find his kick had no force behind it. Focusing his gaze, he saw the tall, skinny assassin had a firm grip on his right leg, immobilizing him completely.

"Got you," the assassin declared.

Suddenly, the other three assailants closed in on Yang Wei. In an instant, he was overwhelmed, knocked to the ground, blood spilling from his mouth, his body riddled with a dozen bloody wounds.