Chapter 402: A Broadened Perspective
“Grandmother, Meiyao, you both rest first. I’m going to take a look around and see if any wild animals are lurking nearby tonight. Don’t wait up for me. If I catch something, I’ll go deal with it directly. Also, make sure to block the wooden door with stones tonight—don’t let any wild beasts break in.”
Yu Xiaoxuan had sneaked out from the casino. He had been gone for quite some time, and if he didn’t return soon, the overseer would notice and he’d have trouble explaining himself.
In truth, he wanted to return to see how things had played out in Luo City. Had Yu Haojie and his men managed to subdue those troublemakers? If not, he still intended to save Concubine Lan.
His mother didn’t want Concubine Lan to return—she even hoped she would disappear forever. But Yu Xiaoxuan was afraid of his father’s wrath. If he didn’t at least make an attempt, he might be the one to suffer for it.
“Second Brother, aren’t you going to check on my mother?” Yu Meiyao’s eyes were red, tears streaming down her face again.
“I’m afraid… I’m afraid that since we’ve run away, Yu Luo will take her anger out on my mother. Can’t you get her out quickly?”
Yu Meiyao felt completely helpless.
If her father were still here, she wouldn’t be this panicked. But now her younger brother was missing, and if her mother didn’t return soon, who could she rely on?
Looking at the women in the cave, Yu Xiaoxuan felt his head throb.
He nodded without saying much and left, leaping away with light movement skills toward Luo City.
*
When Yu Xiaoxuan arrived at Luo City, he saw that the streets had already returned to normal. His face tensed with surprise.
Those men had dared to challenge even the prince of Dongfeng. Yet in such a short time, they were no longer causing trouble?
“Xiaoxuan! Where have you been? The overseer is furious!”
Just as he arrived at the casino entrance, he bumped into one of his fellow workers. The man grabbed him, his tone full of surprise and urgency.
“Huh? The overseer was looking for me? I had a stomachache… I went to the latrine.”
“Ah… those guys were all taken away by Luo City’s men. A bunch of them were even killed on the spot! Now the casino is a mess from all the damage, and the overseer is busy having it cleaned up. He just realized you were missing. You better go in carefully—be sweet-tongued!”
The worker patted Yu Xiaoxuan on the shoulder, a trace of sympathy in his eyes.
Yu Xiaoxuan felt guilty but quickly hurried inside.
He had thought Luo City—or rather, Yu Luo’s family—wouldn’t dare act so decisively without knowing those men’s backgrounds. Yet they had killed without hesitation!
Just as he stepped inside, a long whip lashed toward his face!
Luckily, Yu Xiaoxuan had martial arts training. He dodged quickly, but before he could steady himself, a hard kick landed on his rear, sending him face-first onto the floor.
“Where the hell were you?!”
A rough, angry voice roared from behind him.
Yu Xiaoxuan ignored the pain in his palms, scrambling up and bowing deeply.
“I… I had a stomachache, sir! I ran to the latrine! I’ll get to work immediately!”
Life had worn him down.
If this had been before, he would have fought back instantly. But now, he knew his place. He needed this job—his entire family depended on it.
The overseer’s anger subsided slightly. With a grunt, he delivered another sharp kick, then turned away.
By the time Yu Xiaoxuan finished his shift, it was already late at night.
He decided not to go to the granary yet—it would be pointless now.
Unbeknownst to him, Concubine Lan had already been taken elsewhere.
By the time she met the Yu family again, everything would be different.
*
The next morning, Yu Luo set out for Feng City, bringing lavish gifts and a small group of trusted men, including Zhang Hu and Luo Yi.
Upon reaching Feng City’s gates, Luo Yi handed over the invitation letter.
But the guards were rude and dismissive, holding out their hands to demand an entry fee.
“We are from Luo City, here to visit your lord,” Zhang Hu explained.
It wasn’t about the money. He wanted the guards to report their arrival—to gauge Feng City’s attitude toward them.
But at his words, the head guard sneered.
“Luo City? Oh, you mean that random new town in the wasteland?”
His gaze was arrogant, looking Zhang Hu and the others up and down.
“So what? Even if you came from the heavens, you still have to follow Feng City’s rules. Pay up, or get lost!”
Yu Luo sighed lightly.
“Luo Yi, just pay them.”
She didn’t want to waste time on such petty nonsense. But the way these guards behaved told her everything she needed to know—Feng City looked down on them.
This was a power play—a deliberate humiliation.
It only made Yu Luo more determined to meet the city lord face to face.
Luo Yi obeyed, handing over the entry fees.
Once inside, the group made their way through the city.
This time, Yu Luo hadn’t disguised herself. But she had dressed in a sharp, commanding outfit—no delicate femininity, only the fierce aura of a warrior.
Even so, her stunning features stood out.
As they passed the guards at the gate, a whispered conversation started behind them.
“That girl from Luo City… she’s gorgeous. Even more so than the top courtesan from our pleasure house!”
“Yeah, but why would Luo City send a woman to meet our lord? You think they’re trying to seduce him?”
“Wait a second… she looks familiar…”
Their voices faded as Yu Luo’s group moved on.
But as soon as they disappeared down the street, one of the guards snapped upright—his eyes widening in shock.
A few moments later, their carriage passed through a birch grove, then beyond a rocky hill, revealing a grand mansion ahead.
The sight caught everyone off guard.
Even Zhang Hu, usually calm, muttered,
“Well… I thought Feng City’s lord would live in a run-down place like the rest of the city… but this estate is luxurious!”
He looked at the massive courtyard, the carved stone pillars, and the lavish golden doors.
Yu Luo chuckled softly.
“Seems like we’ve been underestimating Feng City this whole time.”
