Players and Pieces

Bai Mengyi made his report at once.

Reports on missions like this had to reach the Patriarch immediately so the next instructions could be issued.

Bai Menya sat rigidly in his long robe, staring coldly at the screen before him.

"Lost to Lu Chengwen?"

"Yes." Bai Mengyi lowered his head.

An attendant said, "It was because Ming Disha appeared and sealed the captain's strength, leaving him unable to use anything above the Ghost Four Gates..."

Bai Menya frowned deeply and cut him off coldly. "Lu Chengwen is only at the Upper Four Gates, isn't he?"

The attendant looked embarrassed. "Yes... early Heavenly Four Gates."

Contrary to Bai Mengyi's expectations, Bai Menya did not fly into a rage.

He merely nodded. "Understood. Come back."

Bai Mengyi was stunned. "Patriarch, then what about matters here..."

Bai Menya lowered his head over his chess record and said calmly, "He spared you to win people over and make you owe him a favor. Leaving you there will no longer accomplish anything against him."

Bai Mengyi flushed. "This subordinate requests punishment from the Patriarch."

Bai Menya still did not look up. "He carries the Archaic Ape God's Inherited Power. I have seen the way he erupts as well. There is no shame in losing to him. Do not take it to heart."

Bai Mengyi was even more astonished. The Patriarch seemed to know Lu Chengwen very well!

"That is all. Return as soon as possible."

"Yes."

The screen went black.

Bai Menya drew in a deep breath, slowly let it out, then turned to gaze at the sky outside, lost in thought.

A refined-looking man entered with a smile, his manner extremely respectful.

"Who would have thought that Lu Chengwen, a mere businessman, possessed something of a player's bearing? This move was quite clever. First,