Chief Sun

Chapter 337: Chief Sun

A gentle and refined young man, surrounded by a group of wealthy scions, ascended to the second floor.

This young man was in his thirties, with a handsome, jade-like face and a faint smile that, at first glance, felt like a warm spring breeze, instantly inspiring goodwill. The faint, nearly imperceptible footsteps had come from this man.

The young man chatted and laughed with his companions, his gaze sweeping casually across the second floor. When his eyes passed over Han Li’s ordinary, unremarkable features, he paid him no further attention and proceeded directly to the third floor. This, it seemed, was the so-called “honored guest.”

No sooner had the group gone upstairs than an unending stream of exquisite dishes was delivered by waitstaff, followed by the scions dismissing their own servants and attendants. It was clear they did not want their conversation overheard.

Seeing this, Han Li’s interest deepened. He quietly extended his spiritual sense to the floor above, catching every word of their discussion clearly.

“Brother Li, we truly owe this one to you! If not for your help, we would have suffered a great loss. Your willingness to come is an honor in itself. Come, let me toast you first!” It was the voice of the gaunt young man, his words brimming with gratitude.

“It is nothing. For outsiders to dare strike within the shadow of our Five Colors Sect and kidnap people—that itself is a violation of our sect’s taboos. Rescuing you all was only right.” The handsome young man replied courteously, his manner approachable and easy.

The words “Five Colors Sect” and “Brother Li” caused Han Li, still seated below, to freeze for a moment.

Could it be this coincidental? That I’ve run into someone connected to the Five Colors Sect?

Han Li was slightly taken aback.

“Regardless, Brother Li, without your assistance this time, we would have been in dire straits. If there is ever anything you need our help with in the future, we will not refuse,” another scion declared, as if thumping his chest in earnest.

“I appreciate your kind intentions! However, the men who kidnapped you this time are no small fry. They are quite notorious figures in the martial world. Otherwise, given your status and standing in Jiayuan City, who would dare touch you?” The handsome young man shifted the conversation lightly.

“Indeed, those kidnappers were formidable. I was sleeping soundly in my own home, and the next thing I knew, I was somewhere else entirely. I was truly terrified at the time! Fortunately, our fathers and elder brothers found your esteemed father in time, or we would have suffered a great deal more,” the gaunt young man said with lingering fear.

“To be honest, Lord Wang and the others didn’t need to…” The young man surnamed Li began chatting with the group.

From just those few sentences, Han Li pieced together the general outline of the affair.

It seemed this group of influential scions from Jiayuan City had been kidnapped by a band of martial arts experts from outside the region. Their fathers, in desperation, had sought help from the Five Colors Sect. This young man, apparently the son of the Five Colors Sect Leader, had swiftly rescued them. Now they were hosting a banquet to thank the young sect leader.

Han Li gazed absently out the window, half-listening to the flattery being heaped upon the young man upstairs, hoping to catch some useful information about the Five Colors Sect Leader.

Before long, a casual inquiry from the gaunt young man made Han Li’s spirits lift.

“Brother Li, I hear that Sect Leader Li’s sixtieth birthday is in a few days. Your household must be busy preparing the celebration! But speaking of it, your esteemed father is still hale and hearty! At his age, he remains vigorous and shows no signs of aging! When the time comes, we must beg for a cup of birthday wine!”

“Ha! My father’s cultivation is profound, so he is naturally not comparable to ordinary men. You are all most welcome to come. I will be delighted to receive you. As it happens, my father has just returned from inspecting the sect’s branch halls and has decided to personally oversee the arrangements at the residence. He places great importance on this birthday celebration,” the young sect leader replied with a smile.

“Then…”

Hearing this, Han Li withdrew his spiritual sense. Now that he knew the Five Colors Sect Leader was at the Li Residence, everything was simple.

With that thought, Han Li downed his cup of wine in one gulp, pulled out a piece of silver, and placed it on the table. His voice was calm and decisive.

“Waiter, the bill. Keep the change.”

With that, he rose and descended the stairs without a backward glance.

The waiter naturally called out his thanks with a beaming face.

Once outside the inn, Han Li glanced in the direction of the Li Residence. A faint, cold smile touched his lips, and he walked away without looking back.

When night fell, he would pay a visit to the Li Residence. If no other Foundation Establishment cultivators were nearby, he would simply take the Five Colors Sect Leader’s life and fulfill his promise.

But for now, it was still daylight, and time was pressing. He had other matters to attend to first.

With these thoughts, Han Li vanished into the stream of passersby.

…

The “Siping Gang” was now a renowned name in Jiayuan City. Though it could not yet rival the largest gangs, it was undoubtedly a top-tier power among the middle-ranked organizations. Its leader was still “Sun Ergou,” the same man who had risen to power with a single, stunning move all those years ago.

Of course, Sun Ergou’s status was now vastly different. No one dared address him by that name anymore. When others met Sun Ergou now, they all respectfully called him “Chief Sun.”

The Siping Gang’s headquarters had long since moved from its old location a decade ago to a wealthier street within the city.

Its members no longer eked out a living hauling goods on the docks. After years of bloody struggle, they had carved out a profitable territory and even opened legitimate businesses like pawnshops and taverns.

And so, the Siping Gang grew richer and richer, and “Chief Sun’s” life grew more and more comfortable.

Just last month, Chief Sun had taken a ninth concubine—a well-known courtesan in Jiayuan City.

This concubine possessed a certain bewitching charm, and she had utterly captivated Sun, who was past his forties. He doted on her excessively, spending nearly every day sequestered in her room, forgetting all his other wives.

Now, as dusk approached, Chief Sun hurried excitedly toward the back courtyard.

Just thinking about that little beauty’s enchanting appearance made his heart race with unbearable longing.

But when Chief Sun pushed open the door to her boudoir, he was stunned.

Sitting facing the door was a young man. When this man saw Sun enter, he said lazily:

“Sun Ergou, I didn’t expect you to have some real skill. The Siping Gang is well managed. It seems I didn’t choose the wrong man all those years ago.”

This youth not only called him by his old name but spoke with an utterly condescending tone. It was Han Li, who had stealthily infiltrated the Siping Gang’s stronghold.

The moment Sun Ergou saw Han Li, he immediately recognized the mysterious figure who had elevated him to power all those years ago. Because he had taken the “Youth-Fixing Pill,” Han Li’s appearance had not changed a bit in all these years!

This shocked Sun Ergou to his core, his mind churning like a turbulent sea.

But after a moment of hesitation, Sun Ergou quickly composed himself, assuming a respectful posture. He hurried forward and bowed.

“So it is you, Young Master. Your humble servant Sun Ergou pays his respects!”

It was a difficult feat for the great Chief Sun, who had not spoken to anyone in such a lowly manner for years, but he managed it with practiced ease.

Seeing Sun Ergou’s attitude, Han Li raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. Then he gave a faint, almost amused smile.

“Enough. You are a gang leader now. There is no need for such formalities. I am only here to see how you have been doing. I will be leaving soon.”

Hearing this, Sun Ergou’s heart eased considerably. His greatest fear was that this man had come to strip him of his power. Having held his high position for so many years, he had learned a little about cultivators—beings that mere mortals could never resist.

To be honest, this man was truly elusive. Sun had originally assumed that, having given him such a great gift, he would be used as a mere puppet. But to his surprise, this man had simply let go and not shown his face for years, allowing Sun to truly taste the sweetness of being above others.

But now, just when he thought he had been forgotten, this young master had suddenly reappeared.

Unsure of Han Li’s intentions, Sun was filled with unease.

“Hm?” Han Li looked at Sun Ergou for a moment, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

“Come here. Stretch out your wrist,” Han Li commanded without room for argument, a slight frown on his brow.

Sun Ergou was taken aback. After a moment of hesitation, he obediently stepped forward and extended his arm.

Han Li grabbed his wrist without ceremony and injected a thread of spiritual power into his body, letting it flow swiftly through his meridians.

After a long moment, Han Li released his grip, his expression unchanged, and spoke words that shocked Chief Sun to his core.

“You have been infected with a slow-acting, hidden poison. You have at most one month to live.”

Han Li’s voice was ice-cold, utterly devoid of emotion.