Ye Qiu was completely unaware of the events unfolding in the capital.
After dropping Qin Wan and her daughter off at home, he went to find Su Luoying.
The previous night, he and Qin Wan had spent the entire evening together, indulging in the art of dual cultivation. Though both experienced unprecedented pleasure, Ye Qiu’s cultivation showed no improvement.
So, he decided to try with Su Luoying.
The last time he joined with her, his cultivation had advanced significantly.
Ye Qiu wanted to see if it would work again.
Late at night, he slipped quietly into Su Luoying’s room.
The room was brightly lit, but Su Luoying was nowhere to be seen.
It was eerily quiet.
“Strange, where is she?” Ye Qiu wondered.
Suddenly, a “creak” sounded as the bathroom door opened, and Su Luoying stepped out.
She was completely bare, her wet hair cascading over her snow-white shoulders, like a lotus rising from water, graceful and poised.
Her skin, under the light, glowed like fine porcelain, radiating a captivating sheen that drew the eye irresistibly.
“So beautiful!” Ye Qiu couldn’t help but exclaim.
Su Luoying spotted him and quickly covered her chest with her hands. But without clothes, even shielding herself left vast expanses of skin exposed to Ye Qiu’s gaze.
“Ah—” she screamed, turning to dart back into the bathroom.
In a flash, Ye Qiu rushed forward, wrapping his arms around her from behind.
He began kissing the nape of her neck.
“Ye Qiu, don’t… I…” Su Luoying was both thrilled and nervous, her skin flushing pink, her body trembling with shy excitement.
“Luoying, you’re stunning,” Ye Qiu murmured, nibbling her earlobe. Instantly, she melted into his arms like soft cotton.
The room heated up quickly, and soon Ye Qiu was shirtless.
For a moment, it was spring in full bloom.
A garden of warmth.
Blossoms bursting forth.
New shoots rising.
A season of allure…
(Other idioms? Maybe *spring tide surging* or *spring breeze intoxicating*?)
As they grew intimate, Ye Qiu guided Su Luoying into practicing dual cultivation.
The “battle” lasted until dawn broke in the east. Exhausted, Su Luoying fell into a deep sleep.
Ye Qiu, however, was brimming with energy. Checking his dantian, he was shocked to find a ninth strand of innate true qi.
It was just over an inch long, not fully formed. If he could pass the heavenly tribulation, this ninth strand would fully manifest, and his power would surge.
“Should I face the tribulation now or wait to consolidate?” Ye Qiu pondered.
*Boom!* A deafening roar interrupted his thoughts.
At the window, he looked outside. Thick dark clouds shrouded the sky, lightning flashing, thunder rumbling, yet not a drop of rain fell, creating an oppressive atmosphere.
“Stormy weather first thing in the morning—not a good sign!”
…
The next day, 8 a.m.
Underworld Palace, War God’s office.
“War God, you called for me?” Tang Fei entered, asking.
“Take a look at this.” War God handed him a document. “It’s from the police.”
Tang Fei scanned it quickly, his face darkening.
“Old General Bai’s guards were killed.”
“Old General Bai is missing.”
“The police have no leads.”
Tang Fei’s brows furrowed. He sensed a storm brewing.
“What do you think?” War God asked.
Tang Fei said, “Based on this, it’s almost certain Old General Bai was kidnapped.”
War God pressed, “Who do you think did it?”
Tang Fei shook his head. “Old General Bai is kind-hearted, with no real enemies.”
“I can’t imagine who’d have the guts to kidnap him.”
“Plus, he’s been retired for years, with no real power. What’s the point of kidnapping him?”
Pausing, he added, “In the capital, right under the emperor’s nose, someone dared to take Old General Bai. This person’s audacity is staggering.”
War God’s eyes showed approval as he pulled an envelope from a drawer and tossed it to Tang Fei.
“What’s this?” Tang Fei asked, curious.
War God said, “You’re right, Old General Bai was kidnapped.”
“But the kidnapper isn’t just bold—they’re meticulous. All the surveillance around the Bai residence was destroyed.”
“And last night’s rain washed away any traces.”
“This was found by Diao Chan when reviewing traffic department footage.”
Tang Fei opened the envelope, pulling out two photos.
His pupils shrank.
The first showed a hulking figure carrying Old General Bai in one hand and Bai Bing in the other.
“Super Soldier!” Tang Fei’s eyes flashed with killing intent.
The second photo showed a man’s back.
“This back looks familiar. I’ve seen it somewhere,” Tang Fei muttered, staring intently. Then it hit him: “Bai Yujing!”
War God nodded slightly. “Exactly, Bai Yujing.”
“How’s Bai Yujing mixed up with a Super Soldier?” Tang Fei’s shock deepened. “Could he…?”
War God cut in, “I know what you’re thinking. If Bai Yujing’s secretly researching Super Soldiers, he’s hidden it well.”
“And he sneaked back from abroad without our people noticing, then kidnapped Old General Bai and Bai Bing right under our noses. We’ve underestimated his capabilities.”
“We need to rescue them quickly.”
Tang Fei fumed, “Bai Yujing kidnapping his own family? He’s deranged. War God, should we tell Ye Qiu?”
War God said, “We can’t keep this from him.”
“Bai Bing is Ye Qiu’s close confidante. If something happens to her and we knew but didn’t tell him, he’d resent us.”
“Besides, Bai Yujing’s actions were so covert yet caught on traffic cameras. I suspect he meant for it to be seen.”
“His goal might be to let Ye Qiu know he did this.”
“They have a grudge, after all.”
Tang Fei said, “I’ll notify Ye Qiu now…”
*Beep beep beep—*
The red phone on the desk rang urgently.
War God glanced at the caller ID, signaled Tang Fei to stay quiet, and picked up. “Old Tang, what’s up?”
Old Tang’s voice was grave: “War God, come to the August First Building immediately.”
“And tell Ye Qiu to rush to the capital!”
“Something big’s happened!”
