Chapter 461: Is It Shameful to Lose to the Empress? 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Xiao Guohua picked up the phone and made a call.

The call connected quickly. After Xiao Guohua spoke a few words into it, he looked up at Chen Nuo.

Chen Nuo smiled and waved his hand, as if to say, "Go ahead, say whatever you want."

With gritted teeth, Xiao Guohua described his current location, the surrounding environment, and any distinctive features.

Chen Nuo paid him no mind; instead, he was busy texting with his family.

Lu Xixi: "Is the matter not handled yet?"

Chen Nuo: "Almost done. I’m just not at ease with Luo Qing alone, so I’m keeping him company a bit longer."

Lu Xixi: "You’re still at the hospital?"

Chen Nuo thought for a moment—afraid that Lu Xixi might worry about whether he had eaten—and typed a reply: "Yep, at the hospital."

Lu Xixi: "Have you had dinner yet? Don’t starve yourself."

Chen Nuo: "I’ve eaten, at the hospital’s cafeteria."

Lu Xixi: "Well, come back early once you’re done. Everything at home is normal; don’t worry."

"Okay."

After replying, Chen Nuo looked up and saw Xiao Guohua staring at him, dumbfounded.

What... what does this kid mean?

At such a critical moment, why is he chatting via text?

How does Boss Xiao know it’s chatting through text messages and not plotting something with his accomplices?

Easy!

Have you ever seen anyone plotting a murder with their accomplices while smiling so saucily and tenderly when texting?!

With his forty years of experience, Xiao Guohua was certain that this scourge was talking to a woman!

"Um... Director Gai told me to wait. He said someone would come to handle it in a while."

"Fine, then let’s wait." Chen Nuo stretched lazily, then looked at Xiao Guohua. "Boss Xiao, you’ve still got cigarettes, right? Toss me another. I rushed out and didn’t bring any with me."

"...Yes, yes, of course. Take these to smoke." Xiao Guohua took a good while to snap out of it before hastily tossing over the pack of cigarettes.

A few seconds later, Boss Xiao’s eyeballs almost popped out!

Chen Nuo didn’t use a lighter to light the cigarette!

He just pinched his fingers slightly, and a flicker of flame erupted from his fingertips!

HOLY, HOLY SHIT! This one isn’t a mere mortal either!

Lu Xixi put away her phone at home, thought for a moment, then walked out of the bedroom.

In the kitchen, she glanced at the winter melon, kelp, and pork rib soup that had been cooked for dinner.

Ou Xiuhua had said Chen Nuo usually liked it quite a bit.

She turned on the stove to reheat it, then dug out an insulated container and filled it to the brim.

Carrying it, she changed her shoes, and Her Majesty the Empress left the house.

Hmph, that guy definitely hasn’t eaten properly.

After hanging up the phone, Director Gai appeared completely composed. He was actually standing in the outpatient hall of the hospital, having just stepped out of his car.

The measures had been used, and it was time to make contact with the people from Luo’s House.

Otherwise, if the deed was done, an effect must be achieved to instill fear in others.

Director Gai was dressed in casual wear, wearing a pair of white sneakers.

Instead of the female assistant he had brought last time, Director Gai was followed by two men.

One was tall and muscular, his face fleshy, yet he incongruously wore glasses on his nose and was dressed quite scholarly in a jacket and casual pants.

By his clothing alone, he seemed like a schoolteacher, despite bearing the formidable appearance of a fierce Zhang Fei.

The other was a delicate-looking youth. Although he had a clean and refined face, he oddly styled his hair in a mohawk. On his bared arms under a short-sleeved T-shirt were tattoos of a blue dragon on the left and a white tiger on the right.

He looked like a scholarly young man, yet he carried himself like a member of the criminal underworld.

"Boss, is there something going on?" asked the middle-aged Zhang Fei, drawing closer after Director Gai had finished his phone call.

Director Gai gave a faint smile. "A small matter... Luo’s House is quite interesting; they’ve retaliated so quickly. They’ve made a move on Xiao Guohua and kidnapped him. Just now, Xiao Guohua called me asking for help."

The middle-aged Zhang Fei shook his head. "Xiao Guohua is just a dog gnawing on a bone given by the boss; he’s not that valuable. If he’s been taken, so be it. As long as Luo’s House bows down this time and your matters are accomplished, that’s what counts."

"Even dogs shouldn’t be messed with so casually," Director Gai said with a slight smile, turning to look at the scholarly youth. "You go and bring Xiao Guohua back."

The scholarly youth showed little change in expression and replied indifferently, "Okay."

"I’ll send the address to your phone. Go quickly and come back quickly." Director Gai thought for a moment and then said with a smile, "Don’t make it too bloody."

The scholarly youth pondered for a moment. "What if Xiao Guohua has been killed?"

"Then there’s no need to leave anyone alive." Director Gai waved his hand casually. The scholarly youth nodded, got into the car, and left.

Director Gai stretched lazily and said to the middle-aged Zhang Fei with a smile, "Let’s go and wrap up this evening’s events so I can go back and catch up on some sleep. I really didn’t get much sleep last night."

Director Gai, accompanied by the middle-aged Zhang Fei, entered the hospital. They went to the main building at the back and took the elevator directly towards the ICU.

As they exited the elevator, they saw several rows of chairs outside the ICU where some family members of patients were sitting, waiting through the night. Director Gai didn’t pay much attention, but the middle-aged Zhang Fei suddenly furrowed his brow and swept his gaze over the crowd again.

"What’s the matter?" Director Gai noticed the middle-aged Zhang Fei pause.

"It’s nothing." The middle-aged Zhang Fei shook his head, withdrawing his gaze. "I might have been distracted just now."

Indeed, he might have truly been distracted.

The moment I stepped out of the elevator, it seemed as if someone was spying on us...

But looking again, I found that sensation had disappeared.

Sitting on a bench in the family waiting area, Boss Guo held a thermos in his arms, his eyes half-closed.

Indeed... Chen Nuo had asked for a favor, which meant there was actually something to handle.

And look, here they come now.

Coming out of the elevator, that middle-aged man with a fierce appearance is undoubtedly not simple, with a contained aura and sharp senses. My mere glance was enough for him to detect it.

Boss Guo thought for a moment.

Since I promised Chen Nuo, I have to handle this properly.

That middle-aged man has an impressive presence, but... I’m not too concerned.

In Jinling City, aside from that monster Chen Nuo, I consider myself Invincible.

Thinking so, he stood up to follow them.

Suddenly, the doors of another elevator opened.

Boss Guo glanced there subconsciously, and then he froze!

And then... instantly, Boss Guo felt his legs go weak!

My first reaction was to curse inwardly!

My second reaction was to shrink my neck and look around to see where I could run!

The third reaction... Well, there was no time to react.

"You are... Mr. Guo."

Empress Lu, a smile on her face, took a light step and suddenly appeared in front of Boss Guo, looking at the noodle-making Guo with a pleasant smile.

Guo Qiang had beads of sweat forming on his forehead!

This... DAMN IT!

Enemies indeed meet on a narrow road!

Last time I saw her, she was chasing me, beating me up! There was nowhere to hide!

No! Last time, my wife and I even ambushed her!

SHIT!

I’m doomed today!

DAMN IT!

Chen Nuo, that bastard! He didn’t say that coming to the hospital to protect someone for him meant dealing with *her*?!

Then what the hell am I even doing here?!

You really think highly of me, don’t you?!

Expecting me to handle the Star Sky Empress?

Do I look like a Controller to you?!

—Yes, this was due to a lack of information.

Boss Guo actually still didn’t know that Empress Lu was in Jinling City, and moreover, that she was Chen Xiaoguo’s mother!

While Boss Guo was internally debating...

Should I turn around and run?

Or should I turn around and run?

Or should I turn around and run?

If all else fails, kneeling down and begging for mercy is worth considering!

In the global Underground World, is it shameful to lose to the Star Sky Empress?

Of course not!

Whoever thinks they can beat her, let them try!

As for me, Old Guo, I know I don’t have that ability!

"Um... Mr. Guo, have you seen our Chen Nuo?"

"Uh, Your Majesty, I... Wait a minute! What did you say?" Boss Guo’s eyes went wide.

Chen Nuo... *yours*?!

As Boss Guo’s brain froze, unsure of how to react...

Lu Xixi’s eyes brightened as she spotted someone else. She then smiled at Boss Guo and said, "Okay, I see an acquaintance, so I won’t talk to you now. We can chat another time."

However, Empress Lu took a couple of steps, then turned back to look at Boss Guo. After thinking for a moment, she added, "Mr. Guo, you are a distinguished individual among Ability Users. How could you fall sick and come to the hospital? As an Ability User, you should cultivate diligently and break through as soon as possible to gain control of your own body."

At the end, the Empress even made a friendly "keep up the good work" gesture.

...Boss Guo nearly burst into tears!

I’m sick?!

Why the hell am I at the hospital?! Go ask that Chen Xiaoguo of yours!

Boss Guo suddenly stamped his foot and turned to leave!

Why should I even stay?

Protect someone?

Protect my ass!

With the Star Sky Empress here, do they still need *me* for protection?!

Unless the ones causing trouble are the Wizard, the Diamond Queen, or the Son of the Sun—someone of that caliber!

Damn it! I’m going home!

Why spend a good night here being a joke?

Better to go home and drive my tanks!

"You are Mr. Luo Qing, right?"

Director Gai looked at the young man in front of him, noting his resemblance to Luo Dachanzi, and said with a relaxed smile, "I’m a friend of Mr. Luo. I heard he had an accident, so I came to see him."

Luo Qing stood up from his chair, frowning at the unfamiliar middle-aged man before him.

My father’s... friend?

Something doesn’t seem right.

Hmm...

My father had an accident, and Uncle Lu controlled the news. Only a few managers in the company know about my father’s car accident.

But! No one knows which hospital my father is in! Uncle Lu also made sure everyone around him kept quiet!

So how did this ’friend of my father’ find this place?

Luo Qing pondered for a while, suppressing the doubts in his heart, and said slowly, "You are..."

Director Gai smiled slightly and gestured to a nearby seat. "Let’s sit down and talk."

As he spoke, he walked over to a chair leisurely and sat down. Then, looking at Luo Qing, he said indifferently, "Mr. Luo Qing, take a seat. You’d better be sitting down to hear the matters I’m about to discuss with you.

"Right, your father’s most trusted assistant is Lu Xiaojun, isn’t it? You can give him a call and let him listen to what I have to say too.

"I’m short on time; I have things to do later. So let’s finish our talk sooner so I can get on with..."

Director Gai was speaking with a condescending tone when he was interrupted by a soft voice from the corridor.

"Luo Qing, you’re here. Where is Chen Nuo? I’ve come to find him."

In the moment Director Gai was distracted, he saw a figure step between himself and Luo Qing.

For a split second, even Director Gai, who had reached a high position and seen countless women, couldn’t help but be mesmerized!

Wow... What a femme fatale!

Director Gai felt that all the women he had ever possessed in his life, at this moment, every single one of them, even if all combined, would be overshadowed by the stunning femme fatale before him!

"Luo Qing, where is Chen Nuo?"

Lu Xixi didn’t even glance at anyone else. She smiled at Luo Qing and said, "I’ve brought him something to eat."

She shook the red thermos she had brought with her.

Luo Qing was a bit slow to react.

This person before me... I’ve seen her before.

I recognize her... she’s Chen Nuo’s... right, Chen Nuo calls her his wife.

However... I’m Sun Keke’s classmate!

With this in mind, it might not be too appropriate to be overly enthusiastic, right?

Otherwise, it would feel like I’m betraying my own classmate...

"Um..." In his moment of stunned hesitation, Luo Qing didn’t know how to address her.

Calling her ’sister-in-law’ felt awkward, regardless of whether I considered Chen Nuo older or younger.

So what should I call her? My lady?

Lu Xixi, however, had snapped out of it but might have misunderstood the situation. She quickly adopted a serious expression. "I apologize... That was rude of me...

"Um, how is your father doing now?

"Well... I’m not very good at comforting people, but don’t worry. I heard Chen Nuo took action, and didn’t he already send the serum over? I’m sure your father will be fine."

Young Master Luo was utterly stunned!

What serum?

Director Gai had already regained his composure by his side.

Beauty... Although strikingly beautiful, to someone like me, no matter how beautiful a woman is, she’s just a beautiful woman.

Once the amazement passes, that’s it.

If it were any other day, in a different place, encountering such a femme fatale, I would no doubt think about making a move.

But today, there’s serious business to attend to. Not every man is ruled by his loins, and a normal person doesn’t forget their purpose just because they see a beautiful woman.

"Mr. Luo Qing, let’s put aside the small talk for now." Director Gai raised his wrist to check his watch, speaking indifferently, "My time is..."

Before Director Gai could finish the word "limited," a powerful force suddenly yanked at him!

The pull was so strong it made Director Gai stumble!

Director Gai’s face turned grim as he steadied himself and glared at the person beside him, only to see the middle-aged Zhang Fei grabbing his sleeve desperately!

Moreover, the man wasn’t even looking at Director Gai’s angry face but had a vacant gaze fixed on that... woman?

Sweat beads formed on the middle-aged Zhang Fei’s forehead, dripping down one by one, and pattering on the ground in front of his toes!

Upon closer inspection, Director Gai realized that this typically strong subordinate of his was...

His legs are trembling?

The middle-aged Zhang Fei himself thought he might be seeing a ghost.

To say there might be two people in the world who look very similar, that’s indeed possible.

But... Beauty of this caliber?! A physique of this caliber?! And that seaweed-like long hair?!

Finding a second one exactly the same at this level?

To say he was feeling mixed emotions was an understatement.

How to put it... It’s as if I were a professional player tasked with teaching a lesson to some kid on a school team. I intended to come over and put him in his place. But upon arrival and finding the person, before I could act, I turned my head and saw Michael Jordan in his number 23 jersey standing right next to the kid.

Talk about a tough spot!

Should I turn tail and run? Or should I turn tail and run? Or maybe turn tail and run?

If it really came down to it, even getting on my knees to beg for mercy is a possibility!

In the global Underground World, is losing to the Star Sky Empress a shameful thing?

Of course not!

Before he could finish psyching himself up, Lu Xixi was already looking his way.

When facing outsiders, Lu Xixi’s demeanor had already cooled.

Of course, that was to be expected. After all, she was the Star Sky Empress, not really the little deer girl from the Ancient Wood Sect. Smiles and amiable attitudes were reserved for her own people, those connected to Chen Nuo.

Lu Xixi narrowed her eyes. "Do you have some business?"

"NO!" Before Director Gai could speak, the middle-aged Zhang Fei blurted out, almost roaring with the effort!

Lu Xixi nodded slightly and peered at the man. "Do you know me?"

The middle-aged Zhang Fei’s legs grew even weaker. He gulped hard, head bowed. "Your... Your Revered Majesty the Empress, I offer my greetings to you!"

Director Gai looked on cluelessly, then subconsciously frowned.

What empress? What majesty?

But the middle-aged Zhang Fei was gripping his wrist tightly, preventing him from speaking. Director Gai wasn’t foolish; he knew his subordinate was no idiot, and the current situation must be extremely unusual, so he remained silent.

"How do you know me?" Lu Xixi asked coldly.

GULP.

The middle-aged Zhang Fei swallowed forcefully. "Last... last year... in London. That... the Blade Knights..."

Lu Xixi nodded. "Oh... you were there. Hmm? Are you a member of the Blade Knights?"

"I’M NOT! I’M NOT!" The middle-aged Zhang Fei frantically waved his hands. "I’m not, Your Majesty! I’m really not!"

Lu Xixi’s expression softened slightly. "Alright, then do you have any business?"

The middle-aged Zhang Fei completely took charge, hurriedly replying, "We are friends of Mr. Luo Qing’s father. We heard he had an accident and just came to visit...

"Well, we have already paid our respects!

"We wouldn’t dare to disturb Her Majesty the Empress and her friends catching up. We will leave now, immediately!"

After speaking, he nodded towards Lu Xixi and then bowed to Luo Qing. "Young Master Luo, a virtuous man will naturally be blessed by heaven. Your father will surely recover soon! Farewell!"

Having said that, he practically dragged Director Gai, hurrying away down the corridor!

The two didn’t even wait for the elevator. Turning a corner in the corridor, the middle-aged Zhang Fei immediately pulled Director Gai into the emergency stairwell, practically flying down the stairs!

"Mr. Xiu! Don’t you think you owe me an explanation—" Once in the emergency stairwell, Director Gai had just started to speak when the man known as "Mr. Xiu" clamped a hand over his mouth!

"We’re not safe yet! Silence!"

Mr. Xiu, pale-faced, dragged Director Gai rapidly downstairs. He didn’t even stop when they reached the ground floor, pulling him all the way out of the hospital and onto the street, where he hailed a taxi. It wasn’t until the car had driven several streets away...

...that Mr. Xiu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Anxiously, he looked back at the street behind them.

During this, Director Gai tried to speak several times but was forcefully silenced by Mr. Xiu, who kept his hand over his mouth.

Director Gai’s face had turned extremely ugly, yet he couldn’t struggle free from Mr. Xiu. He knew Mr. Xiu was usually very respectful to him, but today’s drastic change was baffling...

Although he knew there must be a reason, he still felt indignant.

After the car had been driving for nearly twenty minutes, Mr. Xiu finally calmed down. He told the driver to stop, then pulled Director Gai out of the car, and they stood on the side of the road.

Only then did he finally remove his hand from Director Gai’s mouth.

"Old Xiu!" Director Gai’s expression was unpleasant; the "Mr. Xiu" he usually used had become "Old Xiu." He said coldly, "About what just happened, can you give me an explanation now?"

Mr. Xiu looked at Director Gai, shook his head, and spoke with unprecedented seriousness, "Director Gai, you don’t understand. I just saved your life."

Director Gai’s expression changed with shock!

With his intelligence, he naturally wouldn’t blindly continue to be angry. He knew Mr. Xiu’s character well; he wasn’t someone who would act rashly without reason.

After a brief moment of thought, Director Gai asked in a low voice, "That woman just now, was she very powerful?"

"Very powerful," Mr. Xiu nodded.

Director Gai thought for a moment. "How does she compare to you?"

Mr. Xiu really wanted to answer, Do I look like a Controller to you?

However, he didn’t answer directly but instead said with a bitter smile, "Director Gai, you know I went to London last year, right?"

"Yes, I remember. You asked for leave, saying a friend abroad had invited you to join some organization..."

Mr. Xiu nodded. "That’s right. Regarding that incident, I’m grateful you didn’t refuse my request. You let me go and even prepared a farewell gift for me.

"Later, when I returned, you didn’t hold my previous resignation against me and still kept me by your side.

"I have always been very grateful for your kindness."

Director Gai waved his hand dismissively. "Let’s not talk about that now. What does this have to do with the woman from earlier?"

"When I went to London, a friend invited me, saying there was an opportunity to join a famous organization in our Underground World, a Level A team called the ’Blade Knights.’

"Director Gai, I’ve told you before, according to the strength classification standards of our Underground World, my power had just barely surpassed the standard for a Destroyer..."

Director Gai nodded. "You’ve told me. A Destroyer is already very powerful, just one step away from the next higher level, right?

"I also know that your methods, Mr. Xiu, are almost supernatural!"

Mr. Xiu said with a bitter smile, "The Blade Knights... not counting the peripheral members, had six core members, and every one of them was a Destroyer, just like me!

"I originally didn’t have much desire to join someone else’s organization. However, the Blade Knights were famous for possessing vast resources that could provide the conditions for my strength to continue progressing, so..."

"But then you came back. Was there a problem with the Blade Knights?"

"The organization itself had no problem."

"Or did they not want you?"

"No, they were very willing to accept me. The friend who introduced me was the vice-commander of the Blade Knights."

"Then why did you..."

"I came back because the Blade Knights... no longer exist."

"..."

"Six core members, each with strength comparable to mine, had an arm and a leg broken. Their leader, the most powerful among them, was hung from the top of the Tower of London for an entire night."

Director Gai fell silent for a moment. "Was it that woman from earlier who did it?"

"Yes, she alone."

"The leader was hung at the Tower of London for a night? Was he knocked out?" Director Gai frowned and asked.

Mr. Xiu said with a bitter smile, "That’s the crux of it... Although the leader was soundly defeated, he didn’t lose consciousness.

"And yet, despite his injuries and being capable of moving, he remained hanging there, never daring to come down on his own!

"None of the members of the Blade Knights dared to go up and rescue him either."

Director Gai sighed. "Because this woman is too powerful, and nobody dared to make a move while she was watching nearby?"

Mr. Xiu’s expression became even more peculiar.

"No, she left after stringing him up, not staying for even a minute longer," Mr. Xiu said softly. "The leader wouldn’t come down, and the members didn’t dare attempt a rescue, for only one reason: no one dared."

Director Gai’s expression became increasingly grim. He thought for a while and asked, "What did the Blade Knights do to provoke this woman in the first place?

"I want to know what would make this woman take action..."

Mr. Xiu shook his head. "Because... that woman is very protective. She has a young student, a child, by her side. Someone in the Blade Knights insulted the child, saying the child lacked parental upbringing.

"That enraged the woman, and then..."

Director Gai stopped talking.

Protective, huh...

Although he couldn’t directly sense how terrifying this so-called "Empress" was.

But Director Gai at least knew of Mr. Xiu’s abilities.

To him, Mr. Xiu was already a dragon among men! His methods were practically supernatural!

Taking Mr. Xiu as a reference...

"What do you think is this woman’s relationship with Luo’s House?" Director Gai asked the most crucial question that came to his mind.

Mr. Xiu sighed, shook his head, and spoke very earnestly, "Director Gai! This situation is no longer about considering how to continue dealing with Luo’s House! Even the development business in Jinling must be abandoned immediately!

"Furthermore, I suggest... if Luo’s House hasn’t discovered it was us, then we stop everything here. And then... you’d better leave Jinling by plane tonight, the farther the better!

"From now on, you must never set foot in Jinling City again!"

Director Gai didn’t get angry; instead, he seriously pondered Mr. Xiu’s words.

"Do you think it’s possible to bribe this so-called Empress with benefits? Even Ability Users might like money..."

Mr. Xiu glanced at Director Gai. "From what I know, she seems to be richer than you..."

"..." Director Gai’s expression turned awkward. "So you mean I can only give up on this Jinling development and leave... Oh no!"

Speaking of this, Director Gai’s expression suddenly changed. "Xiaobai!"

Mr. Xiu’s expression also changed dramatically. "Right! Xiaobai! Quick, call him! Get him back! If he goes to save Xiao Guohua, it’s going to be a huge problem!"

Director Gai frantically pulled out his mobile phone and dialed the number, but it rang for a long time with no answer!

"This is bad..." Director Gai clutched the phone. "Xiaobai’s habit... Whenever he’s on a job, killing someone, he simply won’t pick up the phone. He doesn’t allow any outside interruptions."

Mr. Xiu stamped his foot and said angrily, "Now we have a real problem! If Xiaobai kills their man... Director Gai! Although we’ve moved against Luo Dachanzi, no one has died. Even if they find out, at worst, we’ll suffer a bit, perhaps even a severe beating. But as long as we surrender quickly and kneel willingly, there might still be a slim chance to save our lives!

"But if Xiaobai kills one of their people..."

Director Gai fell silent, then shook his head. "What I’m worried about is... if Xiaobai is killed by their people in retaliation, we’ll also be doomed when we return!

"You know, although Xiaobai is out gaining experience with me... if something happens to him, his father, that poisonous snake... if he gets angry..."