Chapter 12: Was This Your Doing?

Focusing intently, Lu Ming fixed his gaze on Huo Yutong’s off-shoulder dress, his expression unwavering. After a moment, it was as if an invisible hand gently lifted the hem, revealing the blue lace beneath.

A sly grin spread across Lu Ming’s face. This was a skill he had acquired since practicing the Dragon Soaring Sutra—the ability to manipulate objects using his mental power. And as his cultivation deepened, his spiritual strength had only grown.

Salivating at the sight of the blue lace under the dress, Lu Ming couldn’t help but urge his mental force to raise the hem a bit higher.

Suddenly, Huo Yutong, who had been sound asleep, seemed to sense something and snapped her eyes open.

She immediately realized that Lu Ming was staring at her with a wicked grin.

“What are you doing?” Huo Yutong asked in confusion.

It was only then she noticed that, at some point, her dress had ridden up to the tops of her thighs, the blue panties beneath fully exposed.

With a shriek, she glared furiously. “Did you do this?”

“It wasn’t me,” Lu Ming hastily retracted his spiritual force and denied it flatly. But even as he denied it, his cheeks flushed red—after all, this was rather shameless.

Huo Yutong hurriedly pulled down her skirt and quickly regained her composure. She was certain Lu Ming had something to do with it, but how he managed she could not guess.

Realizing it was his handiwork, Huo Yutong, after calming herself, felt a strange sweetness. At least her appearance had caught his attention; it was something to be proud of.

But then she remembered why she had come. Huo Yutong quickly said, “Mr. Lu, I had planned to invite you to lunch to thank you, but I’m afraid I was terribly rude and fell asleep. Perhaps I could treat you to dinner instead?”

Lu Ming had by now recovered from his embarrassment as well. Glancing at the freshly cleaned general store, he said, “Wait for me a moment.”

He went upstairs and soon returned, saying, “Let’s go.”

Normally, he had little interest in social meals, but having nearly been caught in the act just now, and seeing how she had so painstakingly cleaned the shop for him, he felt it would be impolite to refuse.

...

Meanwhile, in Villa No. 1 of the provincial government compound, Yun Shengguo smiled broadly at his wife and his son, Yun Ketian.

“Old Master Ye is truly peerless in martial arts! I went for a follow-up at the hospital today, and the cancer cells are completely gone. I even feel as if I’m ten years younger. His reputation is well deserved.”

Mu Weizhen was all smiles as well. Her husband’s health was restored, and the crisis facing both the Yun and Mu families had passed—a cause for great joy.

“After this brush with death, I’ve realized a lot. It’s time I spoke to you about some family matters,” he said to his son before heading to his study.

Yun Ketian grew uneasy at this. Sure enough, a moment later, Yun Shengguo stormed out, his face thunderous. “Did you take the ancestral jade sword?”

Though it was a question, Yun Shengguo was certain his son was the culprit. Only his wife and son had access to his study, and only they knew the safe’s code. His wife would never take such a treasure without a word—leaving only his son.

Seeing the truth could not be hidden, Yun Ketian confessed: he had exchanged the jade sword for the Spring of Life water, and had secretly administered it to his father.

Upon hearing this, Yun Shengguo flew into a rage. “You unfilial wretch! How dare you steal the ancestral heirloom and trade with a charlatan? How could you be so foolish?”

Mu Weizhen’s face was ice-cold. “You’ve grown far too bold. Tell me, who tricked you out of the jade sword?”

Reprimanded by both parents, Yun Ketian could only sigh helplessly. His father’s miraculous recovery was plain to see, yet his parents ignored it, insisting on crediting Ye Fengchun.

If Ye Fengchun truly had such skill, wouldn’t he have said so from the start, rather than waiting until after the illness had passed to claim credit?

Still, Yun Ketian knew his story was too fantastical for his parents to believe. Seeing his mother’s frozen expression, he realized he had no choice but to tell the truth. As for Lu Ming, he could only hope the man would find a way to protect himself.

So, Yun Ketian reluctantly revealed the name of the Forget-Worry General Store and Lu Ming. Mu Weizhen snorted coldly. “Go to Xishan Residence right now. Without my permission, you are not to take a single step outside.”

Yun Ketian nodded dejectedly, not daring to argue further. He knew his mother was always the dominant force in the family, even more authoritative than his father. No one dared to challenge her word.

Leaving Villa No. 1 in silence, Yun Ketian made his way to Xishan Residence. He was well aware that with the Yun family’s influence, finding Lu Ming would take no time at all. He could only hope things wouldn’t escalate beyond control.

With his mother’s temperament, the ancestral treasure would certainly be reclaimed. As for how Lu Ming would be punished, that was anyone’s guess.

He only wished the consequences wouldn’t be too severe. In the future, he would find some way to make it up to Lu Ming. For now, that was all he could hope.

After Yun Ketian left, Mu Weizhen turned to Yun Shengguo. “Shengguo, you’ve just recovered from illness. Get some rest—I’ll deal with this matter.”

Yun Shengguo nodded and went to his bedroom.

In the entire Northwest, there was no one bold enough to cheat the Yun family. Of this, he was certain. His wife, he believed, would handle the matter well.

Once Yun Shengguo had left to rest, Mu Weizhen, her face still frosty, took out her phone and dialed.

A moment later, the call connected. “Get me in touch with Huang Chao. Tell him I want to see him.”

...

Meanwhile, at the Louis XV Restaurant, Lu Ming and Huo Yutong had already begun their meal.

A tender steak lay before them, topped with a delicate layer of coffee foam, like a sheer veil, complemented by a rich, fragrant sauce—an appetizing sight.

Lu Ming cut a piece, tasted it, and nodded in approval.

Seeing his satisfaction, Huo Yutong raised her champagne glass. “Thank you for joining me, Mr. Lu. Today happens to be my birthday. It’s an honor to dine with you.”

Lu Ming paused, then smiled at her. “Happy birthday.”

They clinked glasses lightly and took a sip. Then Lu Ming reached into his pocket, drew out an object, and handed it to her. “Here, consider this your birthday present.”

Huo Yutong stared in astonishment at the jade pendant in her hand—it was her own ancestral keepsake.

Clutching it tightly, her eyes grew misty. When she had surrendered it before, it was with utmost reluctance; she had no other bargaining chip with Lu Ming.

She had never expected he would return it.

“Mr. Lu, this isn’t right. This jade pendant already belongs to you.”

Lu Ming smiled. “It doesn’t mean much to me. Since you’ve treated me to dinner, and it’s your birthday, let it be my gift to you.”

Wiping away the moisture in her eyes, Huo Yutong said earnestly, “Thank you, Mr. Lu.”

To Lu Ming, the pendant might mean little, but to her, it was of immense significance—a family heirloom, a symbol of heritage and memory. Losing it would have been a lifelong regret.

As for Lu Ming, he wasn’t sure why he did it—perhaps it was because Huo Yutong so resembled someone from his past.

...

Night fell over the bustling Chang’an Street.

This was the city’s entertainment hub, lined with bars, KTV lounges, sprawling bathhouses—every variety of nightlife imaginable.

The grandest and most luxurious of all was the “Skyline Entertainment Club.” Here, you could find anything you desired: beauties from around the world, third-rate celebrities, even conjoined twins, giants, and dwarves.

It was said that here, there was nothing you could imagine that you couldn’t find. Its opulence was unrivaled in the entire Xijing City.

It was a true den of extravagance, where spending hundreds of thousands or even millions in a single night was commonplace. Ordinary businessmen wouldn’t dare set foot inside.

At this moment, in the top-floor office of the club, four people stood before the massive desk.

The club’s owner, Huang Chao—known as Huang Skyline, a kingpin of Xijing’s underworld—was lounging with a blonde beauty in his arms, his hands roving her body with crude abandon.

The woman winced in pain but dared not protest, forcing a smile despite the bruises already blooming on her skin. Huang Chao paid no heed, continuing his abuse.

The four men standing below kept their eyes fixed on the floor, trembling slightly, not daring to witness the scene before them.

Anyone familiar with these four would have been utterly shocked.