Starforce Warriors-Chapter 512: I Don’t Like (1)

Since the flying car of the Sanshang Group had airspace priority, it was accompanied by a specialized escort team equipped with power armor after taking off from Sapora Base City.

Approximately four hours later, the convoy arrived in Urawa Base City. This was the headquarters of the Sanshang Group, and one of the top ten primary base cities of the Jiepeng Empire.

Unlike Great Xia, where governance was centralized, the base cities within the Jiepeng Empire were largely dominated by various corporations, resembling the feudal lord era.

Corporations and factions were allowed to maintain private armies and were granted rights to collect taxes, legislate, conduct inspections, and hold judicial power, as long as they swore allegiance to the Temple.

This system led to internal chaos within the Jiepeng Empire's major base cities, characterized by political disorder, rigid class hierarchies, and the proliferation of factions, gangs, and influential groups.

As the headquarters of the Sanshang Group, Urawa Base City was fortified extensively and was an impenetrable stronghold. Its towering walls, thick fortifications, and robust defensive weaponry ranked among the top five in the empire's base cities. The city's internal governance was also relatively unified.

The flying car landed in the private estate located in the heart of the city. The Tsukiha family resided in a mountainous area within Urawa's city center. Spanning over 2,000 acres, the estate had grand pavilions, vibrant floral displays, medicinal fields, and exotic animal parks.

The opulence of the estate far exceeded the imagination of most people. It was inconceivable for an individual in Great Xia to privately own such vast tracts of land. However, in the corporation-dominated Jiepeng, the possession of acres of land by a select few was both a privilege and a hallmark of the plutocracy.

The flying car descended gracefully. When the gull-wing doors opened, Tsukiha Yaiba stepped out. Her face was a vision of unparalleled beauty and her tall and slender figure exuded an effortless air of nobility, like a favored daughter of the heavens.

Shinzu Genshi followed leisurely behind her. An apple stalk dangled from his lips as his demeanor spoke of complete nonchalance.

“Miss, the master and madam are waiting for you in Snow Listening Pavilion,” said Okamoto Jiro as he stepped forward.

Tsukiha Yaiba replied calmly, “I will visit Grandfather first.”

Okamoto Jiro paused for a moment, then nodded. “I’ll arrange a vehicle immediately.”

Tsukiha Yaiba added, “Genshi will stay in the estate for now. Uncle Okamoto, please prepare a room for him in the Suspended Blade Residence.”

The Suspended Blade Residence was Tsukiha Yaiba’s personal quarters.

Okamoto Jiro smiled faintly and replied, “Understood.”

Behind them, Okamoto Takeyuki’s heart burned with resentment. If word got out about a strange man staying in the Suspended Blade Residence, wouldn’t it invite ridicule and scorn from outsiders?

Just as he was about to voice his objection, he caught a sharp look from his uncle that silenced him.

Recalling the words Okamoto Jiro had spoken earlier in the car, Takeyuki swallowed his dissatisfaction and stepped forward. “Miss, allow me to escort Mr. Shinzu to the residence.”

Tsukiha Yaiba nodded in acknowledgment. She was well aware of the undercurrents of rivalry and scheming within the family. But she was utterly unconcerned about Shinzu Genshi’s safety. After all, Shinzu Genshi had another name, Li Xiaofei. The same Li Xiaofei from Great Xia who was known for slaying a Saint with a single strike.

The Tsukiha family’s most formidable warrior, Tsukiha Tensō, had fallen to Li Xiaofei’s blade. One strike had settled the score. If anyone within the family now harbored thoughts of secretly attacking him, it would be nothing short of seeking their own demise.

Tsukiha Yaiba got into the car and sped away.

“Follow me,” said Okamoto Takeyuki, glancing at Li Xiaofei before leading the way toward the Suspended Blade Residence.

Li Xiaofei followed without a word.

The Suspended Blade Residence was some distance from the private airfield, so they walked. People continually bowed and greeted Okamoto Takeyuki along the way. As the foremost martial talent of the butler’s lineage, he held significant influence within the Tsukiha estate.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Okamoto Takeyuki suddenly said.

“Oh?” Li Xiaofei replied, his tone calm and unhurried.

Without turning back, Okamoto Takeyuki said, “Don’t think that you can marry into wealth and status just because the young lady holds you in high regard. The Tsukiha family doesn’t welcome you.”

Li Xiaofei chuckled lightly. “That’s not something a mere servant like you should concern yourself with.”

Okamoto Takeyuki stopped abruptly and turned to face him.

His gaze was condescending as he said, “I’ve seen far too many little men with pretty faces like you, thinking they can use marriage to change their fate and rise above their station. But let me remind you, fairy tales are just that—stories. Reality is always harsher than any tale. The young lady may fancy you, but she doesn’t control everything in this estate. If you stay here, you might end up dead.”

Li Xiaofei asked curiously, "So, what’s your suggestion?"

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“If I were you, I’d leave here immediately,” Okamoto Takeyuki replied.

Li Xiaofei nodded seriously, his expression thoughtful.

“Your advice is professional and effective. I’ve decided to take it.” He said with a smile. “Would you mind escorting me out?”

Okamoto Takeyuki was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected Li Xiaofei to be so easily persuaded. He had thought it would take more intimidation to force Li Xiaofei’s compliance. Yet, things were unfolding surprisingly smoothly.

“But if you leave like this, what about the young lady...” Okamoto Takeyuki started, hesitating midway.

Li Xiaofei interrupted, “Don’t worry. If she asks, I’ll simply say I had personal matters to attend to and left early.”

Okamoto Takeyuki burst into laughter.

“You’re a smart man.” He remarked before changing direction.

Before long, Li Xiaofei found himself on the bustling streets outside the Tsukiha estate.

“Remember, never come back here again, and don’t bother the young lady,” Okamoto Takeyuki said, stopping at the gate. “A lowly commoner like you should consider yourself lucky just to scrape by. Stop dreaming about pies falling from the sky, or your end will be miserable.”

Li Xiaofei turned back to face him.

“I appreciate you escorting me out,” he said with a calm smile.

He suddenly slapped Okamoto Takeyuki across the face with a loud smack. Pulling out a handkerchief, Li Xiaofei wiped his palm and added, “But I don’t like your tone.”

Okamoto Takeyuki stood there, completely stunned. He had never expected Li Xiaofei to strike him, nor had he imagined that the slap would actually land on his face.

Despite his much-vaunted cultivation at the Golden Body Realm, he hadn’t been able to react in time. By the time he processed what had happened, Li Xiaofei was already gone. However, the vivid handprint on his face lingered stubbornly, refusing to fade.

***

The architecture and roads of Jiepeng could be summed up in one word, small. The streets were narrow. The buildings were low. Everything seemed to be scaled down by a notch. Li Xiaofei glanced at the street signs and followed their direction toward South Street. His understanding of Urawa Base City was limited to a name from five hundred years ago: the J-League team, Urawa Reds.

He had never been here before. The streets were sparsely populated and most shops had no customers inside. There were homeless individuals sleeping exposed on the sidewalks, and beggars dressed in tattered clothes. They looked emaciated, their eyes hollow yet filled with a fierce wariness as they scrutinized every passerby.

It reminded Li Xiaofei of a saying, Beware of those who have nothing to lose.

He had no doubt that if it were nighttime, and if no patrol squads were around to maintain order, these beggars would reveal their savage and brutal nature without hesitation. They would transform into wild beasts, ready to tear apart any lone, vulnerable passerby.

There were no stray animals on the streets. They had long since been eaten. The air carried a faint scent of desolation. This was a stark contrast to the base cities of Great Xia, where such bleakness was unheard of. Here, Li Xiaofei could tangibly feel the aura of an apocalyptic world.

He wound his way down South Street until he eventually reached the intersection of South Street and Cage Alley. There, he stopped in front of a micro auto parts processing factory named Dragon Bloom.

A thin, frail-looking girl, seemingly no older than eleven or twelve, enthusiastically greeted him at the entrance. “Customer, are you here to buy auto parts? We have the most complete selection on South Street for Type-1, Type-2, and pre-4th generation electric and maglev vehicle batteries and energy module parts. This is a century-old shop with guaranteed quality, great value, and fair prices!”

Li Xiaofei studied the little girl standing before him. She resembled a waif from a desolate prison. Her entire being, down to the dry, lusterless strands of her hair, exuded an aura of severe malnutrition.

Noticing his silence, the girl continued with the same spirited enthusiasm, “If you’re looking for custom specification parts, Dragon Bloom can also take on the job! Please, come inside to look at our price list and material sheets for a detailed discussion.”

Li Xiaofei stepped inside.

“Where’s your manager?” he asked.

“Please have a seat, sir. I’m the sales manager here, Yokan Kasumi.” The girl replied, deftly grabbing a price list and materials sheet before bringing him a cup of water.

Li Xiaofei ignored the documents.

“I meant your general manager.” He said, standing up. “My name is Shinzu Genshi. Please inform Master Tanaka Kenichi that I’m here. He’ll know who I am.”

“Oh, oh, of course, sir! Please wait a moment,” Yokan Kasumi said hurriedly, grabbing a walkie-talkie and speaking a few words into it.

A few moments later, a nearly two meter tall but gaunt Jiepeng man emerged from the back door. His work uniform was covered in oil stains, and his movements were brisk as he entered the storefront.

“Uncle Tanaka,” Li Xiaofei said as he stood up.

The commercial smile on Tanaka Kenichi’s face slowly froze. After a moment, a hint of helplessness flickered in his eyes, and he said, “So, it’s Young Master Genshi who has returned.”

Li Xiaofei replied, “It seems Uncle Tanaka isn’t too pleased to see me back.”

Tanaka Kenichi’s face twitched slightly as he responded, “This is the Shinzu family’s business. Whether I’m pleased or not is irrelevant to the young master’s return to inherit the family estate.”

Nearby, Yokan Kasumi’s face revealed a look of shock. So this customer was the infamous prodigal son who had been missing for so long.

She had occasionally overheard Uncle Tanaka and a few workers talk about him. From what she knew, this young master had left home six years ago, and his reputation was anything but good.