Elder Bai's assassination attempt

Two days later.

The Lin Group.

Lin Mo looked at Le Shuya and asked,

"Shuya, I haven't seen you these past few days. Where have you been?"

Le Shuya rolled her eyes at him.

"I went to follow up on our last deal. Just keep playing at home with your dear little sister. Why bother worrying about the company?"

Lin Mo laughed sheepishly.

"Well, I haven't seen you for days. I missed you a little."

Le Shuya sneered.

"With your dear little sister keeping you company, you still had time to miss me?"

Caught out, Lin Mo felt a little embarrassed.

"Of course, of course. I still miss my darling wife Shuya."

Le Shuya rolled her eyes and said,

"Then I'll be going. I thought you had something serious to discuss."

Lin Mo wrapped his arms around Le Shuya from behind and buried his face in her hair.

"Stay with me a little longer. I really missed you."

Unable to break free, Le Shuya was about to say something when a knock sounded at the office door.

Lin Mo immediately let go, sat down, and said,

"What is it?"

The female secretary's voice came from outside.

"Mr. Lin, I've taken care of what you asked me to do."

Lin Mo's eyes lit up, and he stole a furtive glance at Le Shuya.

Le Shuya shot him a fierce glare, then opened the door and left.

The secretary came in and said,

"Mr. Lin, an old man with a white beard came to our company this morning and asked around. As you instructed, I briefed the staff and had them let a few things slip to him."

Lin Mo smiled meaningfully.

"Good. Go to finance later and collect some money for office purchases. A few things in my office need replacing."

The secretary's eyes lit up, and she smiled as well.

"Yes, Mr. Lin. I'll make sure you're satisfied."

After the secretary left, Lin Mo's expression darkened.

"Cheng Yu, even if this doesn't kill you, it'll strip a layer of skin off you."

As Elder Bai walked down the street, he recalled what a young employee of the Lin Group had just told him.

"Oh, you're asking whether anything big has happened at our company lately? Just two days ago, the Rainbow Company snatched a huge deal from us. Ever since Cheng Yu became Rainbow's general manager, they've stolen who knows how much business from us. There goes this month's bonus again."

Cheng Yu. Cheng Yu of the Rainbow Company. I'll go have a look. With that thought, Elder Bai headed toward the Rainbow Company.

Meanwhile, Cheng Yu was at Rainbow, waiting for the workday to end.

Yes, he really had that little to do. Ever since Yog had visited Rainbow as Mr. You,

Rainbow had enjoyed an endless stream of business. Everyone in the industry knew that Rainbow had established a connection with Mr. You.

Even the supervisor of the university town project, who had been so high and mighty last time, now greeted Li Ming with an ingratiating smile.

Gone was his previous attitude of "You should feel honored that we're giving you this project."

After that, Cheng Yu had proudly taken up the position of Rainbow's general manager. If he hadn't worried about making it too obvious, Li Ming would have handed Cheng Yu the chairmanship and stayed behind the scenes as a major shareholder.

Despite becoming general manager, Cheng Yu was even less busy than before. People were now falling over themselves to bring them business, after all. He only had to send a department head over while he held down the fort at headquarters.

At around one in the afternoon, Cheng Yu glanced at the office clock.

Hmm, about time to clock out. I'm off.

In a restaurant outside the Rainbow Company, Elder Bai ordered a bottle of liquor and a plate of beef, then waited for someone to appear.

Cheng Yu was something of a celebrity in Jiangcheng now, and Elder Bai had naturally learned what he looked like from that young man.

Before long, Cheng Yu emerged from the Rainbow Company.

Elder Bai's gaze immediately locked onto him.

The instant Elder Bai fixed his gaze on him, Cheng Yu sensed it. But he knew who it was, so he pretended not to notice and drove leisurely toward home.

Elder Bai hailed a car and followed Cheng Yu's vehicle.

Outside Cheng Yu's residential complex, Elder Bai got out and slipped inside with a light leap.

He then followed behind Cheng Yu's car. After watching Cheng Yu get out in front of a villa and go inside, Elder Bai vanished like a ghost.

Back home, Cheng Yu changed into a black tank top and casual trousers with a little excitement. Yeah, it'd be a waste to tear my suit apart when the fight starts.

Yog was still sitting in his usual spot with a cup of tea before him, as though nothing had changed.

Night fell quietly. Dressed in black, Elder Bai bypassed the residential complex's cameras and security in the same way as before and arrived at Cheng Yu's door.

With a light leap, Elder Bai landed steadily on the open second-floor balcony. He had intended to smash the glass door before him, only to discover that it wasn't even closed.

Without giving it much thought, Elder Bai gently pushed the door open and went inside. After all, he had never encountered anyone stronger than himself in his entire life.

In the living room, Cheng Yu sat on a sofa. Yog sat on another sofa nearby, with the expressionless Miss Puppet standing behind him.

Elder Bai slowly descended the stairs, then paused. Two men and one woman? He snorted.

"I never imagined young people these days were into that sort of thing."

The stern expression Cheng Yu had prepared immediately cracked, but he steadied his voice and spoke softly without turning around.

"And I never imagined the underworld's renowned White Impermanence would come after a youngster like me."

Elder Bai paused, then said with considerable pride,

"To think a young man these days would recognize this old fellow. Young man, you're quite impressive."

Cheng Yu rose and turned to face Elder Bai.

"Who in the underworld hasn't heard of White Impermanence? You're being too modest, Elder Bai."

"Hahaha! You're quite impressive, young man. I admire you. If you promise not to oppose the Lin Group again, I can let you off today." Elder Bai stroked his beard and laughed.

Cheng Yu shrugged. "Elder Bai, this is a matter of business. I can't promise you that."

Elder Bai narrowed his eyes. "Then I'm afraid I'll have to make you suffer a little."

With that, he shot toward Cheng Yu like a phantom and drove a fist straight at his chest. The blow was intended to break Cheng Yu's ribs, not kill him.

Bang! Elder Bai stared as though he had seen a ghost. A single index finger had stopped his fist. Though he hadn't used his full strength, that still wasn't something an ordinary person could block with one finger.

"You!"

"You've taken that step?!"

Cheng Yu chuckled. "I don't understand what you're talking about."

Somewhat agitated, Elder Bai grabbed Cheng Yu's clothes. "You've crossed the Heaven-Human Divide! Who are you, really? Old Ghost Huang? Old Black Mo? Or Bear Savage?"

Cheng Yu pushed the agitated Elder Bai away and said,

"I don't know any of those people. I'm just Cheng Yu."

Elder Bai fell silent. Those old acquaintances had long since died, but he would rather believe they were still alive than accept that a young man in his twenties had taken that step.

Cheng Yu smiled. "Elder Bai, your mind is unsettled. I don't know what you're talking about. All I know is that I've always practiced with utmost sincerity and devotion, and eventually reached where I am today."

Elder Bai hurriedly asked, "Do you mean that only by refusing to fixate on realms and believing firmly in oneself can one take that step?"

Cheng Yu shook his head. "As I said, I don't know what this Heaven-Human Divide you're talking about is."

Understanding dawned on Elder Bai. He clasped his hands and bowed. "Master!"

For martial artists, whoever had attained greater mastery was a teacher. Elder Bai offered that bow with wholehearted respect.

Then Elder Bai asked in confusion, "Master, why are you involved in business?"

Cheng Yu smiled. "With a path in your heart, there is a path wherever you go."

After a moment's thought, Cheng Yu continued, "On the path of cultivation, walking, standing, sitting, and lying down are all cultivation. Life itself is the training ground."

Utterly convinced, Elder Bai said, "Thank you for the lesson."

Then Elder Bai gave a bitter smile. "What a pity. I've lived decades longer, yet I couldn't see through any of this."

Cheng Yu said pointedly, "There are many things you haven't seen through, Elder Bai. Especially people's hearts."

Elder Bai hurriedly waved his hands. "Master, just call me Little Bai. I don't deserve to be called Elder Bai by you."

Cheng Yu smiled. "You're the one being too polite. I'm your junior, after all. Calling you Elder Bai is only proper. If you don't mind, just call me Little Cheng or Little Yu."

Elder Bai sighed. "Then I'll presume to call you Little Yu."

Then Elder Bai narrowed his eyes. "Little Yu, do you mean that Lin Mo..."

Cheng Yu's expression turned serious as he activated the Heart-Bewitching Spell and said,

"From what I've seen of Lin Mo, he has a hawk's gaze and a wolf's wariness, along with an inborn treacherous streak. He is deeply calculating and as venomous as a snake or scorpion. Elder Bai, I suspect you've fallen victim to his tricks of beguiling the heart. You must be on your guard."

Elder Bai's expression changed several times. A martial artist who believed in the path of utmost sincerity would never lie. With the Heart-Bewitching Spell providing a second buff, he believed Cheng Yu's words without a shred of doubt.

Then he sighed. "But he did save my life."

Cheng Yu shook his head. "I think you've misunderstood me, Elder Bai. I'm not asking you to attack him."

Elder Bai looked up at Cheng Yu in surprise. "Then what do you mean, Little Yu?"

Cheng Yu smiled and said,

"Once you return, simply keep your distance from him, Elder Bai. Find an opportunity to leave him. Otherwise, I'm afraid your life may be in danger."

Elder Bai clasped his hands toward Cheng Yu again. "Thank you for the warning. I, Bai Mo, will never forget your kindness, Little Yu."

Cheng Yu also clasped his hands and said,

"All things arise through fate. When fate brings us together, affection follows; when fate parts us, debts of kindness fade. Until we meet again, Elder Bai."

Elder Bai nodded and left. Then he felt as though he had forgotten something. Shaking his head, he disappeared into the night.

Cheng Yu let out a breath. That act wore me out. I almost dragged out every scrap of classical phrasing I've ever learned.

Yog raised his teacup and said softly,

"Nice acting."

Cheng Yu laughed sheepishly and thought,

Thank goodness. Apart from at the beginning, Elder Bai acted as though he couldn't see Big Shot. I was fucking terrified that the old man would get some crazy idea and throw a punch at him.

Just then, the system popped up and displayed three messages.

"Congratulations, host. Achievement earned:

Master Deceiver (Black Iron One-Star)

Congratulations, host. Achievement earned:

Finally Reaching Black Iron (Black Iron One-Star)

Congratulations, host. Achievement earned:

Achievement Unlocked (Black Iron One-Star)"

Cheng Yu opened the three messages, which displayed the following:

"Master Deceiver (Black Iron One-Star)

Achievement description: You successfully duped this world's strongest martial artist. And you managed to act that well in front of Big Shot, too. Not bad, kiddo. Congratulations, congratulations.

Finally Reaching Black Iron (Black Iron One-Star)

Achievement description: You're finally no longer beneath the rankings. You've successfully joined the ranks of the scrubs. It wasn't easy, boohoo ┭┮﹏┭┮. And don't ask why this message is only appearing now. You're the one who told this system to shut up. Also, congratulations, congratulations.

Achievement Unlocked (Black Iron One-Star)

Achievement description: What's there to describe? You unlocked your first Black Iron achievement. Congratulations, congratulations."

The corner of Cheng Yu's mouth twitched. Shouldn't I have gotten the second achievement two days ago? You damned bootlicking system. You're actually exploiting loopholes against me.

Then Cheng Yu looked at Yog.

"Big Shot, this system is no good. It's playing word games with me."

The system's light screen displayed: "Host, please do not slander this system. This system remained silent in accordance with your request."

Cheng Yu continued speaking to Yog.

"Big Shot, look at it. It even dares to talk back."

The system screen quickly displayed: "Host, please remain calm. Big Shot has countless matters to attend to each day. Please do not involve Big Shot in disputes between this system and the host."

Cheng Yu sneered. A mere bootlicking system dares to show off its tricks in front of me? You really don't know your place.

Yog shook his head with an amused smile.