Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Predators Eyeing Xiao Ruoyu and Xia Qingxue
Su Yong furrowed his brows, clearly uncomfortable with the suggestion.
After a moment of contemplation, he voiced his concern, "This plan is too dangerous. We need to come up with something else."
Though Su Yong despised Su Chen, he was acutely aware of the powers backing him. A man like Su Chen couldn't simply be hurt or inconvenienced—if they couldn't eliminate him in one swift move, retaliation would be inevitable, and their lives would be forfeit.
Hearing this, Ye Fan and Xiao Tiancheng exchanged glances. To them, the plan didn't seem particularly problematic.
Seeing their skepticism, Su Yong explained, "You don't understand. Su Chen may appear to be a frivolous playboy, but the forces behind him are anything but. His mother commands the Shadow Guard, an elite force independent of the Su family. If Su Chen were harmed, the Shadow Guard would track us down and obliterate us before we even realized what was happening."
Although Su Yong's hatred for Su Chen and Qin Xinran burned fiercely, he was no fool. In a world like theirs, only survival offered a chance at vengeance. And with Su Chen's growing influence and ambition, acting rashly would only ensure their doom.
"The Shadow Guard..."
Ye Fan and Xiao Tiancheng frowned in unison, clearly unsettled by this revelation.
"This does complicate matters," Ye Fan admitted with a sigh.
"Indeed, it's no easy task," Xiao Tiancheng agreed. Turning to Su Yong, he asked, "Brother Su Yong, do you have any other ideas?"
Su Yong's eyes gleamed with malice. "If we can't directly confront Su Chen, then we'll redirect the trouble elsewhere."
"Redirect trouble? What do you mean, Brother Su Yong?" Ye Fan and Xiao Tiancheng both looked puzzled.
Su Yong sneered. "Since we can't deal with Su Chen ourselves, we'll find someone who can. We'll orchestrate an encounter between Su Chen and Xiao Ruoyu. With Xiao Ruoyu's breathtaking beauty, she'll undoubtedly catch their attention. Then, we discreetly hint that Xiao Ruoyu is unmarried. The rest will unfold naturally."
His lips curled into a sinister smile, his expression growing increasingly venomous.
"What a wicked plan! Once the two parties clash, we can sit back and watch the chaos," Xiao Tiancheng exclaimed, slapping the table in approval.
Ye Fan's eyes lit up. "Brilliant! Brother Su Yong, your mind is truly unparalleled. I'm in awe!"
"You flatter me," Su Yong said with a modest tone, though his smirk betrayed his satisfaction. "This is merely a necessary measure. After all, Su Chen isn't an ordinary man. Acting recklessly would only invite disaster. Borrowing someone else's strength is the safest option."
"So, Brother Su Yong, which faction do you think could stand against the Su family?" Xiao Tiancheng asked.
A sharp glint flashed in Su Yong's eyes. "The Heavenly Dao Sect."
"The Heavenly Dao Sect? That reclusive power from Donghua Continent? Aren't they known for staying out of worldly affairs? How would we even reach them?" Xiao Tiancheng rubbed his nose, his face full of doubt.
As the eldest son of the Xiao family, he had heard tales of such hidden sects from his elders but knew little beyond their formidable reputation.
"They may claim to be reclusive, but their ties to the outside world remain intact. Just yesterday, one of their Daozi's personal disciples descended the mountain for training and arrived here in Donghua's capital. The man should still be in the area," Su Yong explained.
Pausing, he fixed Xiao Tiancheng with a meaningful look. "Tiancheng, your role will be to lure Xiao Ruoyu to this location, ensuring they cross paths naturally. Leave the Daozi's disciple to me. Hurry back and make the arrangements."
"Understood! Time is of the essence. Ye Fan and I will handle it immediately!"
Xiao Tiancheng didn't hesitate, quickly agreeing to the plan. He and Ye Fan then bid Su Yong farewell, leaving the tavern in a hurry.
———
An hour later...
"Ruoyu, where are we going?" Xia Qingxue clung to Xiao Ruoyu's arm as they strolled through the bustling streets of the capital, her voice brimming with curiosity.
Xiao Ruoyu pressed her soft, alluring lips together and whispered, "You'll see soon enough."
"Oh," Xia Qingxue replied, her face lighting up with anticipation as her gaze wandered the lively streets.
Before long, they arrived outside the Drunken Immortal Tavern. Realization dawned on Xia Qingxue instantly.
"You're treating me to a meal, aren't you?" she asked, eyes sparkling.
"Stop dawdling, Qingxue. Let's go in." Xiao Ruoyu smiled faintly and tugged her friend's arm, leading her toward the entrance.
But before they could step inside, a young man in a pristine white Daoist robe blocked their path.
"Please, wait a moment, fair ladies," he said with a warm smile, his scholarly features radiating kindness. "I can sense an auspicious peach blossom fate surrounding you both."
"We have nothing to discuss with you," Xiao Ruoyu said coldly, casting him an icy glance. She attempted to sidestep him, clearly uninterested in whatever ploy he was attempting.
"Don't be so hasty," the man persisted. "I am Chu Yang, a personal disciple of Daozi from the Heavenly Dao Sect. I've been sent on a training mission by my master and happened to cross paths with you here. This must be fate."
He produced two red invitation cards from his robe.
"The Heavenly Dao Sect?"
Xia Qingxue's eyes widened as she accepted the invitations. She studied the cards carefully, her expression filled with awe.
As a child, she had often heard her family elders speak of the sect—one of Donghua Continent's most formidable hidden powers, home to countless prodigies and experts. Never had she imagined meeting one of its disciples in person.
"Are you really from the Heavenly Dao Sect?" she asked, releasing Xiao Ruoyu's arm to inspect Chu Yang more closely.
The young Daoist stood tall and composed, his features refined and handsome. Though he appeared no older than twenty-five or twenty-six, he exuded an ethereal air, as if untouched by the mortal world.
"Of course!" Chu Yang puffed out his chest, clearly proud. Turning his gaze to Xiao Ruoyu, he continued, "If the ladies don't mind, would you honor me by sharing a vegetarian meal?"
"Sure!" Xia Qingxue, driven by her insatiable curiosity, agreed without hesitation.
Chu Yang's lips curved into a triumphant smile.
"Thank you for your kind offer, but no thanks."
Before Chu Yang could celebrate, Xiao Ruoyu's icy voice cut through his thoughts. She grabbed Xia Qingxue's arm and turned to leave without looking back.
Watching the two women walk away, Chu Yang's gentle facade twisted into something sinister. His eyes burned with malice as he muttered to himself, "Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit, are we? No woman who catches my eye escapes me."
He licked his lips, his expression filled with lecherous intent.
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