Chapter Five: Entangled in Trouble

Chapter Five: Entangled in Trouble

“Uh, my name’s Xu Yun. I’m Guoguo’s newly adopted godfather.” Xu Yun had overheard people discussing Ruan Qingshuang’s affairs during the day. If Ruan Qingshuang truly had such formidable friends, Lu Bao would never have dared to harass her. So he deduced that this cool and striking beauty was most likely an acquaintance of Guoguo’s.

“You?” The beautiful woman’s voice carried a note of mockery and disdain.

“Heh, don’t you think we make a good match?” Xu Yun said, winking at her. “Looks like you’ve suffered some internal injuries. Need any help? I can treat those, you know.”

“Hmph!” The woman snorted coldly, a murderous aura erupting from her graceful figure, which was shrouded in an air of celestial majesty. “If you don’t wish to die, you’d better watch your tongue!”

“Death? Who isn’t afraid? But if you keep ignoring your injury, you’ll probably die before I do…” Xu Yun chuckled. “So, tell me, what’s your relationship with Guoguo?”

“Hmph!” The beauty snorted again. With a swift turn and a few elegant steps, her figure shot away like an arrow into the distance.

“Trying to run?” Xu Yun vaulted after her.

Their two silhouettes, one in pursuit and one fleeing, flashed like blades of cold light through the night, vanishing from the vicinity of the medicinal restaurant in an instant.

A fashionable young man emerged from a nearby bar, an intoxicated girl in a short skirt in his arms. As he pondered which hotel to take her to, a piercing wind swept past his ear, and two dark shapes flashed before his eyes, disappearing without a trace.

The young man’s mouth dropped open in shock. He rubbed his eyes furiously, scanning his surroundings, but saw no one. He couldn’t help but wonder—he hadn’t even drunk that much tonight just to secure this girl!

His mind went blank, his legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground, exclaiming, “Good lord! I’ve seen a ghost!”

In the blink of an eye, the two had already covered more than a kilometer. The icy beauty suddenly drew in her breath, lightly touched her toes to the ground, and stopped in a fluid, graceful motion.

Xu Yun was unfazed. He focused his energy at his core, stomping down with a forceful, steady step, and stood with unshakable composure before her.

“Who exactly are you?” The woman’s face remained frosty, yet her tone betrayed a hint of surprise.

“Heh, just a pitiful soul who’s been betrayed…” Speaking of himself, Xu Yun’s expression flashed with a touch of bitterness, gone as quickly as it appeared. “But let’s talk about you. What are you to Guoguo? Don’t think of running—you can’t outrun me.”

“Betrayed?” The woman’s delicate brows knitted. She stared at Xu Yun with piercing eyes. After a moment, she spoke slowly, “Guoguo—look after her for me. When my wounds are healed, I’ll come back for her.”

“As Guoguo’s godfather, it’s my duty to care for her. But you can’t just say you’ll take her away—don’t you think that’s a bit much?” Xu Yun replied with a grin. “Especially since I don’t even know who you are yet.”

“You really want to know who I am?” Her pride was bone-deep.

“Of course! If I didn’t, would I be wasting my time chasing you across half the city?” Xu Yun cursed inwardly but answered smoothly, “Naturally.”

“Qiu Yan.”

“Huh, that name sounds familiar… Qiu Yan… Qiu… Yan!” Xu Yun repeated it a few times, then his expression changed abruptly. “Violent Fox Lord Qiu Yan?”

Xu Yun drew in a sharp breath, feeling secretly relieved.

The name Violent Fox Lord Qiu Yan was enough to send shivers down the spines of countless experts in the underworld!

Back when Feng Qiansui unified the criminal world of Suhang Province, Qiu Yan’s contributions were indispensable. It’s said that at least a hundred masters perished by her soft Dragonspring sword! Some even claimed that without Qiu Yan’s timely assistance, the notorious overlord Feng Mingguo would never have managed to bring the chaotic underworld of Suhang under one banner.

Violent Fox Lord Qiu Yan was a top master in the underworld—one of the best among the best!

However, there had recently been a major upheaval in Suhang’s criminal circles. The overlord Feng Qiansui had been ousted, and after that, both Qiu Yan and the little princess of the Feng family vanished without a trace.

Xu Yun would never have imagined that Violent Fox Lord Qiu Yan would appear in such a quiet district of Hedong City—truly the stuff of legends.

Then, a sudden realization struck him. His mouth dropped open in astonishment. “Guoguo… don’t tell me her surname is Feng?”

“You know quite a lot.” Qiu Yan’s gaze grew wary as it swept over Xu Yun.

The man before her was the picture of dishevelment—casual, almost careless in appearance, dressed like a construction worker, with neither brawn nor imposing presence.

Yet, he knew of the so-called underworld. That alone was enough for Qiu Yan to conclude that Xu Yun was far from ordinary.

Xu Yun felt both amused and helpless. He hadn’t expected his goddaughter to have such a background. No wonder she was so extraordinary. Feng Qiansui’s beloved granddaughter was the true underground princess of Suhang’s criminal world!

“Guoguo’s situation is far more complicated than you think. The more you know, the more likely you are to die!” Qiu Yan said coldly. Though she was astonished that Xu Yun could keep up with her, she was seriously injured. In her current state, she couldn’t withstand a full assault from even a second-rate expert.

That’s why she had made the choices she had. If she kept Guoguo by her side, they’d be too easy to track. Now, with Guoguo safe at the medicinal restaurant, she could focus on healing.

Only when her wounds were fully healed would she stand a chance against that mad dog—and protect Guoguo.

Xu Yun took a deep breath. The world had become so turbulent. He’d thought leaving that place would grant him a few years of peace, but here he was, caught up in trouble again.

“No matter what, I’m Guoguo’s godfather. If you’re in trouble, tell me—I might be able to help.” Seeing Qiu Yan’s wary expression, Xu Yun added, “If you trust me.”

“Why should I trust you?” Qiu Yan didn’t trust anyone. In her world, trust was like a venomous snake, always ready to strike and bring death.

There were only two people in the world she could trust: the missing Feng Mingguo, and the little demon Guoguo at the medicinal restaurant.

Qiu Yan wasn’t the cowardly type—if she were, she’d never have become the feared Violent Fox Lord. If she were alone, life and death wouldn’t matter; but for Guoguo’s sake, she couldn’t allow herself to die.

Xu Yun smiled faintly. “Your internal injuries have already damaged your heart and lungs, and are starting to consume your liver and intestines. Within three days, you’ll be delirious and your spirit will scatter. If you don’t quickly restore the balance of the five elements and the yin and yang, you know what will happen if your meridians reverse. No one will be able to save you then.”

Qiu Yan was truly shaken. Xu Yun had hit upon her gravest concern with a single sentence! For him to see this meant his medical skills were extraordinary.

When she didn’t reply, Xu Yun continued, “You have no choice. If you don’t trust me, I guarantee you’ll die horribly within a week.”

“Wading into these muddy waters…” Qiu Yan’s voice remained icy and sharp. “Aren’t you afraid of dying?”

“What can I do? I’ve already acknowledged Guoguo as my goddaughter.” Xu Yun shrugged, as though it was nothing.

Qiu Yan bit her red lips, leaving a faint trace of blood. “I know you’re strong, but compared to those chasing me and Guoguo—”

“Compared to what?” Xu Yun grinned, entirely at ease. “More handsome, perhaps?”

Qiu Yan snorted in self-mockery, her expression full of disdain. “I’m afraid you’re not even worthy of carrying the shoes of a quasi-first-rate master.”

A quasi-first-rate master? Xu Yun was momentarily stunned. He knew exactly what that meant. There were a few such masters where he came from, and each was a rare treasure.

Could it be true that the greatest experts were hidden among the common people, mingling in the underworld?

When did the underworld become such a dazzling arena?

Seeing Xu Yun’s expression, Qiu Yan showed no disappointment. After all, she’d never expected help from anyone.

“So, who is this quasi-first-rate master?” Xu Yun pressed. Based on her strength before her injury, Qiu Yan herself should have been at that level, right?

Qiu Yan stood before him, cold as ever, lips parted but silent.

Xu Yun pressed further, “Even a stray cat or dog has a name, right?”

She shot back emotionlessly, “Do you really want to know?”

“I do!”

“Really?”

Xu Yun felt like he was being toyed with and rolled his eyes. “Say it or don’t, whatever.”

A look of mocking disdain flickered in Qiu Yan’s eyes. It seemed Xu Yun was all talk—when it came to risking his life for Guoguo, perhaps he wouldn’t follow through. Of course, that was nothing strange. Qiu Yan never believed that everyone could be as devoted to Guoguo as she was.

“The restaurant is hiring waitstaff—one thousand a month, with room and board and medical care included.” Xu Yun raised his eyebrow. “If you’re interested, come by. We’re always open to you.”

For the first time in their conversation, Qiu Yan’s cold and proud demeanor relaxed a little. She considered for a moment but said nothing.

“Don’t follow me anymore, or you’ll regret it!” With those words, Qiu Yan spun around and disappeared into the night.

This time, Xu Yun didn’t give chase. He smiled to himself—this woman was intriguing. Despite her injuries and fiery temper, she carried herself with an undiminished pride. No wonder she was called “Lord”—she truly commanded respect.

By the time Xu Yun returned home, it was already past midnight. After a quick shower, he sat cross-legged on his bed.

He placed his hands on his knees and began the breathing exercises his master had taught him—steady, unhurried.

His master had always instructed him to practice breath control daily, cleansing the foul air from his heart and lungs, and keeping his mind clear. It was to help him adjust his meridians and free himself as soon as possible from the shadow of his inner demons.