Heaven’s Shadow

Of course, the fat man is Lao Ma.

Lao Ma stood among the crowd, his face full of worry as he watched Lu Chen being captured by the Su family. As someone involved in covert operations, he was very well-informed. During the time from when the Su family clashed with Lu Chen on the bustling street to the moment they were about to enter the Su residence, he had already gathered enough information about the situation.

Lao Ma arrived directly and saw the scene of pushing and beating in front of the Su residence. His face was as dark as water, his pupils slightly constricted. When someone bumped into him while trying to push forward, he didn’t even react, his gaze fixed solely on Lu Chen.

Then, when Lu Chen was being escorted to the front of the Su residence and the doormen came out to talk to Su Qian, Su Wen, and the others, Lao Ma glanced back briefly.

In that fleeting moment, their gazes met in mid-air.

Lao Ma’s lips twitched slightly. After taking a deep breath, he took a step forward. But at that moment, Lu Chen suddenly shook his head lightly.

Lao Ma immediately stopped, standing rigidly like a pillar, even though his eyes revealed an indescribable pain and anger. His hands, hidden in his wide sleeves, were clenched into fists, with his nails digging into his flesh, leaving deep white marks.

Their eyes spoke silently, as if both men, amidst the crowded scene, were like solitary shadows in this world.

Life at this point seemed like a fleeting mark in the years, or a distant and meaningless sigh.

Lao Ma looked up at the sky, which was bright and clear at this moment.

In this beautiful world, in this bright daylight, how could there be shadows?

He gritted his teeth but managed a smile, then slowly, slowly, lowered his head.

—

Lu Chen was brought into the Su family’s grand residence.

Undoubtedly, this was Lu Chen’s first time arriving at the Su family’s residence in Kunwu City. This residence was the heart of the Su family’s base in Kunwu City, their most fundamental estate. Over the years, many remarkable individuals had emerged from this estate, bringing prosperity to the Su family for many years, and it seemed that the Su family would continue to flourish in the foreseeable future.

Because another exceptionally talented woman had emerged here, a woman as perfect as a celestial being, residing on Feiyan Terrace.

The Su residence was vast and luxurious, and because of its long-standing prosperity, it had accumulated deep wealth and prestige. The paintings on the corridors, the finely carved birds and beasts on the eaves, the seemingly ordinary but incredibly valuable flowers and trees—all displayed the uniqueness of this place and demonstrated that the Su family was indeed a prominent aristocratic family.

However, compared to the heavy and rich ambiance surrounding them, Su Qian and Su Wen, who were escorting Lu Chen, seemed somewhat out of place.

They were all high-spirited and arrogant, pushing through the crowd of servants and housekeepers, who hurriedly stepped aside and saluted.

Su Qian and Su Wen naturally had no time for idle talk with these servants. At most, they would see a few attractive maidservants and laugh as they approached them, groping and grabbing, causing the frightened girls to scatter and run away. They would then shout after their retreating figures, saying things like, “Whoever you are, come to my room tonight. I’ve taken a liking to you…”

The entourage laughed heartily, appearing very excited, while the only person not laughing in the crowd was Lu Chen.

The Su family members around did not speak up, as Su Qian, Su Wen, and the injured Su Mo were known as the Su family’s three outstanding youths, the most favored of the younger generation. Especially Su Mo, who was the current head lady’s beloved son, doted upon and the younger brother of the now eminent Su Qingjun, was someone who had become accustomed to arrogance and was almost untouchable.

When Su Lao and Miss Su Qingjun were around, they might have intervened, but with Miss Qingjun residing in Kunlun Mountain and Su Lao unable to intervene privately, no one dared to speak out, or they would face punishment.

Normally, such raucous behavior would have led to reprimands, but today, it seemed that no one was willing to step forward.

Su Qian and Su Wen, confident in their position, arrived at the west side of the Su residence. Before entering, Su Wen loudly called out, “Mo Ge, Mo Ge, are you there? Come quickly and see who I’ve brought for you. You’ll get to vent your anger today, hahahaha…”

The group laughed heartily and then went inside together.

Lu Chen glanced around the courtyard, noting the luxurious two-story building ahead. Surrounding it were a pond and flowers, all splendid and full of opulence, even more so than what he had seen of the Su residence from the outside. However, the heavy and refined atmosphere that had been present outside seemed completely absent here.

In front of the small building was a large recliner, and a man lying on it, who resembled Su Qian and Su Wen, was Su Mo.

At this moment, Su Mo sat up, his face showing surprise as he looked this way. Su Qian and Su Wen walked over and said a few words to him. Su Mo’s face then showed delight, and he looked at Lu Chen with a look of disgust and ferocity.

Lu Chen also took a look at Su Mo. As the most unfortunate of the three Su brothers on Feiyan Terrace, Su Qingjun had dealt him the heaviest blow—well, actually, the most severe physical punishment. It was said that this guy had broken several bones and was bedridden for half a month. Judging by his appearance now, it seemed he had not fully recovered.

When a woman goes on a rampage, she can indeed be quite terrifying.

Lu Chen recalled Su Qingjun’s “impressive” demeanor when she overturned the table on Feiyan Terrace and couldn’t help but smile inwardly. However, on the surface, he quickly lowered his head and appeared somewhat timid, avoiding the gazes of those around him.

Earlier at the Su residence’s entrance, he had seen Lao Ma. With their years of working together, even a silent exchange of glances could convey much information and sentiment.

He saw Lao Ma’s concern but ultimately prevented him from acting. The spy from the demonic sect still hidden on Kunlun Mountain had not been found yet, so revealing his identity was not an option at the moment.

If he had to endure and suffer, then resisting with all his might would be pointless.

“Bring him over!” Su Mo shouted loudly.

The attendants immediately surrounded Lu Chen, pushing and hitting him as they led him to the stone steps in front of the small building.

Su Qian and Su Wen stood beside Su Mo. Su Mo, looking very excited, stared at Lu Chen and sneered, “You recognize me, you little brat?”

“Yes, you are Young Master Su,” Lu Chen replied honestly.

Su Mo laughed heartily, “Did you ever think you’d end up like this?”

Lu Chen sighed and said, “Young Master Su, if I said that what happened that day was a misunderstanding and… that it really had nothing to do with me, would you believe me?”

“Pah!” The Su family’s three brothers spat in unison, showing disdain. Su Mo said fiercely, “Do you think we’re fools?”

Su Wen, standing aside, sneered, “Miss Jun was always so good to us, fulfilling our every request, yet you caused so many problems on Feiyan Terrace. What’s this about not seeing us, reprimanding us, and even beating us? Who else should be blamed if not you?”

Su Mo snorted, “No need to waste time with him. Damn it! I’ve been feeling so pent up after taking a beating for no reason. I’m going to vent my frustration today!”

With that, he suddenly raised his voice, shouting, “Bring out my treasures!”

Nearby, two people had already responded and went into the small building. Moments later, they emerged carrying several large boxes, placing them in front of the Su brothers and opening them one by one.

The crowd, including the Su brothers and the attendants, burst into cruel, mocking laughter, their laughter cold and piercing, like beasts about to devour their prey.

“Kid, do you want to pick one yourself?” Su Mo said, smirking and squinting his eyes like a cat with a cruel gaze at a mouse, “Don’t worry, I won’t let you die easily.”

Lu Chen looked down and saw that the boxes were filled with a variety of strange and terrifying torture devices.

The extremely sharp blades, the chilling spikes, and the various other unspeakable, horrifying instruments all gleamed with a cold light under the sunlight.

Lu Chen’s expression darkened for the first time.

He then raised his head and cast a cold, quiet glance at the three arrogant Su brothers standing on the steps.

—

Outside the Su residence, the crowd of onlookers had not dispersed. There are always people eager to witness a spectacle, as it seems to be in human nature.

He Gang, standing in the crowd, was anxious, excited, and somewhat regretful not being able to see Lu Chen being dealt with in person. However, the snippets of conversation he overheard from the crowd provided him with immense satisfaction. The rumors about the Su brothers’ fondness for torturing servants, making them wish for death, although unconfirmed, were vividly described, making them seem almost real.

Among the crowd, He Gang was delighted, while Lao Ma’s face twitched with barely restrained anger and anxiety.

At that moment, they both suddenly looked up at the sky.

A brilliant ray of light shot through the air like a spectacular rainbow, with a deafening roar of rushing sound, indicating its incredible speed!

In a moment, the ray of light landed directly in front of the Su residence.

Some sharp-eyed cultivators in the crowd exclaimed, “That’s… a Golden Core cultivator!” (To be continued.)

—