Xena peeked out from the shadows cautiously. "Fyren, is that man really your master?"
Fyren lay sprawled on the sofa, sweat-drenched and drained. He nodded weakly. "Mm."
Xena leaped onto the couch and curled into his arms.
Still trembling with fear, Fyren instinctively held her close, fingers brushing her softly as he murmured: "That was too close. He almost turned me into a cripple."
Xena giggled. "You have nine lives, but I swear you seem stronger now."
"Sure—used to play basketball in college, remember?"
"Right." She nuzzled against him. "Wanna go back to bed?"
Fyren shook his head. "Not in the mood after that fiasco."
"Your hands say otherwise."
"You crawled into my lap. I'm just keeping you warm."
"Uh-huh. Then why not warm me up properly?"
Fyren sat up, studying her face. "I overreacted earlier. With you dressed like that, and... Listen, this can't happen again. Next time I might cross a line."
"Stop playing Mr. Morals."
"I'm serious. I... really shouldn't touch you."
"Then why's your hand still on me?"
He leaned back, sighing. "I was impulsive. But from now on, no more slip-ups. One wrong move and—"
"Got it. I'll behave when I look like this, or I might end up dead."
"Anyway, I've got a big day tomorrow. Let me rest and recharge. We can talk later."
"Okay, I'll let you be."
Xena snuggled deeper, resting her head on his chest, tracing circles on his stomach with a finger. "Fyren, I really do like you. Lately, I just... think you're amazing. The more I see you, the more I..."
"Uh-huh." His mind wandered to his own plans.
"I know you like Eliza, but I'm not scared. I'm just as good as her—she's just taller, classier, smarter. But love isn't about that. Dumb girls are easier to handle, anyway. You could have me wrapped around your finger! Eliza's too cunning; you can't control her."
"Right." He was still lost in thought.
"Had a huge fight with Dad today. I said I'd help you take over Qianfeng, but he called me a troublemaker. Said he'd rather adopt a stray dog than trust you. But I stood my ground. He's just talking tough—once he sees your worth, we'll plot together, and he'll come around."
"Uh-huh."
Fyren suddenly snapped back to reality. "So that's why you came here—trying to win me over?"
Xena flushed. "Yes. What's wrong? As the eldest daughter of the Xu family, can't I be with you?"
"Of course we match. I just don't deserve you."
"Hmph, so you admit it." Fyren...
"Um?"
"How could you be so despicable? That old man is going to break all of Otto's bones, isn't he?"
Fyren laughed. "Oh dear, what a pity I can't be there to watch."
Xena giggled too. "You're so cruel!"...
In the room, Otto's agonized cries pierced the night.
"Master! You can't do this! Ah—!"
"Master, you're beyond redemption! Ah—!"
"Master, there's a problem with that spot! Don't strike there—Ah—!"
"You old scoundrel, I'll fight you to the death! Ah—!"
Outside, Sherry and Sabrina exchanged glances.
Sherry's expression turned grave. "Is Young Lord alright? I must check on him!"
Sabrina held her back. "This old man's power is unfathomable. Even together, we can't defeat him."
"Could he be an enemy?"
Sabrina shook her head. "No."
"How can you be sure?"
"Actually, reforging tendons and bones is the right path for Young Lord. His previous method was like climbing a ladder, requiring gradual upgrades. If done all at once... it's suffering now for future gain. Enduring this will greatly benefit his cultivation."
"Master! I was wrong! Have mercy!"
Herbert barked, "Can't even endure such minor pain? How will you achieve greatness? Take your younger brother as an example—when I reforged him, he thanked me profusely! As the elder brother, you should set an example!"
"Master, I'm worthless. Expel me from the sect!"
"Oh, that's too harsh. Don't worry, you're still a good disciple. Get ready for my full strike!"
"Master, master, stop! Please—damn you!"
Sherry could no longer hold back. She raised her sword, ready to charge in. "I'll fight him to the death!"
Sabrina restrained her. "Calm down! This is a critical moment. If he survives, Young Lord will gain immensely. What good would charging in do?"
"But to hear Young Lord in such pain..."
"Who isn't pained?" Sabrina took a deep breath. "We must hold on. Senior Master has a miraculous recovery potion and Xi Sui Jing energy—he'll heal quickly. It's not as bad as it sounds. For Young Lord!"
Sherry wiped her tears. "I know the logic, but hearing his cries..."
Sabrina gritted her teeth. "This transformation will be the most important in Young Lord's martial journey. Just wait."
"Has the noise stopped?"
As they wondered, Herbert emerged. "Got any cold water? Bring a bucket! This useless disciple of mine passed out."
"Should we... wake him up?"
"Master, fainting is actually a blessing—spares him from the pain. Please finish quickly so Young Lord suffers less."
"I need to stay and talk to him. Reforging his tendons while strengthening our master-disciple bond!"
Sabrina thought: What kind of man is this?
"Master, I think... there's no need for that, is there?"
"Nonsense. I'll try another approach!"
Herbert spun like a whirlwind and reentered, slamming the door.
Otto let out a strangled cry, then regained consciousness.
Herbert cooed: "Ah, disciple—awake already? Let's continue!"
Otto whispered weakly: "Master, just kill me."
After hundreds of agonizing cries, the room fell silent again.
Sabrina exhaled deeply, unclenching her fists. "It must be over." Both girls released tense breaths.
"Finally..."
Just then, Herbert burst through the door. "Oh no! I forgot—the super-recovery potion!"
Sabrina and Sherry, both beauties, tilted their heads... tilted...
No words or expressions could convey their stunned fury.
What?!
Is this old man doing this on purpose?!
You shattered every bone and tendon, and now you have no potion?!
Is this some sick joke?!
Are you really Young Lord's master?!
Aren't you an enemy sent to torture him?!!
"Stay put. I'm off to Southlandia—an old friend has the potion. I'll borrow a pill and be right back."
Before they could respond, he vanished.
The two girls rushed in and found Otto broken beyond recognition. They burst into tears.
His body lay limp, face waxen, lips bloodless, eyes vacant, breathing shallow.
"Young Lord!" Sherry wailed.
Sabrina sobbed: "That incompetent fool! We'll avenge this injustice!"
Otto gasped: "Take... the last... Fugu Jianyuan Pill... Crush it... Feed me... I need to perform Happy Voice Qigong."
"Young Lord, that technique drains your life force."
"I... haven't... long left... No matter..."
Sherry wept: "Rest easy, Young Lord. We'll avenge you."
Otto glared: "I'm... still... alive!"
"Only a matter of time. We'll prepare accordingly."
Sabrina snapped: "Sherry, stop! Go get the pill." She turned to Otto: "Her divine sense is clouded. Forgive her rash words."
"Help me... Tomorrow, I must..."
"Understood, Young Lord. Leave it to me."
Sabrina checked him quickly. "Did that bastard spare your skull?"
Tears streamed down Otto's face. "What—disappointed?"
Silver King stood by the hotel's floor-to-ceiling window, swirling a glass of wine with a smile.
"Brother, seems the Young Lord is quite pleased with us."
"Naturally. With those two fools, Copper and Iron, serving as our foils, things have gone swimmingly."
"I still can't fathom why they misidentified the Young Lord. Such a blunder shouldn't have happened!"
Silver King chuckled. "I'm curious too, but it matters not. Remember one thing, Assistant."
"What's that?"
"You saw what became of Copper King and Iron King—wandering spirits, reduced to tagging along with a rich brat. We recently eliminated them; their fate was sealed the moment they lost favor."
"So what of us..."
Silver King raised his glass. "We'll tread on their corpses and become the Young Lord's right-hand men in Crystalpeak City. Make our fortunes—that's the plan."
"Brother, I'm already eager."
Silver King smiled, gazing at the urban nightscape.
"The Young Lord must be plotting grand strategies this very moment. We need to deliver a perfect report tomorrow. Heh—tomorrow, all loose ends will be tied."