Chapter 30: Trying to Disgust Me, Are You? Chiliarch Wan

When Ye Liuyun arrived at the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters, Si Nan and Shi Sheng were waiting for him. Judging by their expressions, something unpleasant had occurred.

"What's wrong?"

"My Lord!"

Seeing Ye Liuyun inquire, Si Nan immediately leaned in and whispered, "Centurion Lu Quan is here."

Lu Quan?

Ye Liuyun’s brow twitched. Had it not been for this mention, he would have almost forgotten such a person existed. Wasn't that the man who had hosted a banquet at the Golden Pavilion last time and then forced him to foot the bill? Coming here at a time like this, he was surely here regarding yesterday’s incident with the Golden Blade Sect. Waving his hand to signal that Si Nan need not worry, he strode confidently into the compound.

Sure enough, as soon as he stepped inside, he saw Lu Quan waiting for him.

"I’ve been waiting for a long time, Centurion Ye!"

Seeing Ye Liuyun approach, Lu Quan grinned and stood up to greet him, though his eyes were filled with calculation and mockery.

"Centurion Lu, what brings you here so early this morning?"

"It’s not my business; it’s Commander Wan’s business."

Commander Wan? Which nobody was this?

Seeing that Ye Liuyun didn't respond, Lu Quan said directly, "Has Centurion Ye forgotten? Seventy percent of the money confiscated from the Golden Blade Sect yesterday should be sent to Commander Wan. However, since you are now a Centurion, the Commander is feeling generous—from now on, you only need to hand over fifty percent!"

"..."

The money I earned through my own hard work, and I have to split a portion with this so-called Commander Wan?

Although the Embroidered Uniform Guard was not large, it was rife with cliques. Almost every Commander formed their own faction. The former Ye Liufeng had been one of Commander Wan's men, knowing the man’s greed and catering to it. Every time he made a profit, he would hand a large portion over to this Commander Wan. And this Lu Quan was one of Wan’s lackeys. He had come to demand money and take the opportunity to ridicule Ye Liuyun.

However...

"Anything that falls into my hands belongs to me. If that Commander Wan wants money, he can go to the beggars at the city gate; they have plenty of bowls he can use to ask for it himself."

He opened his mouth to demand my money—how thick-skinned can one be? If I were still at the Post-Natal realm, I might have considered keeping a low profile, as the man is a Commander after all. But, unfortunately for him, I am now a Pre-Natal martial artist.

Let’s see if I bother to pay you any mind!

"Ye Liufeng, you have a lot of nerve!"

Lu Quan truly had not expected the man to disregard Commander Wan’s authority to his face. While he scolded him sharply, there was a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. Clearly, he intended to use this opportunity to retaliate against Ye Liuyun.

"You just wait! I will report this to Commander Wan exactly as it happened, and you can prepare yourself for his punishment!"

With that, Lu Quan left, walking briskly as if he couldn't wait to report the incident.

Ye Liuyun narrowed his eyes, watching Lu Quan’s retreating back in silence.

"My Lord, this Lu Quan will certainly slander you before the Commander," Si Nan said, looking worried.

In contrast, Shi Sheng, standing beside him, felt no such concern; instead, his eyes were bright with excitement. Had the situation not been so dire, he would have cheered aloud when Ye Liuyun spoke. He had wanted to say those very things for a long time. He despised those who held positions of power but did no real work, thinking only of how to line their own pockets.

Ye Liuyun hadn't originally taken Lu Quan seriously, but this current display of arrogance was like a toad crawling on one's foot—it didn't bite, but it was deeply repulsive.

"Find a few men to follow him quietly. As soon as he leaves the Imperial City, have them report back to me."

Compared to schemes and plots, Ye Liuyun preferred direct and simple methods. Regarding a toad like this who had no real ability but loved to hop about, Ye Liuyun’s attitude was singular: step on it and crush it. If you insist on disgusting me just as I’ve broken through to the Pre-Natal realm and am in a good mood, then you have only yourself to blame.

"Understood!"

Si Nan was not a fool; hearing Ye Liuyun’s words, he immediately understood the implication. He was both shocked by his lord's boldness and secretly excited. Compared to the past, this ruthless and decisive version of his lord was far more worthy of his loyalty.

One couldn't act directly within the Imperial City, but once outside the city walls, who would care how a man died?

"Fine, tell me about this Commander Wan. Let’s see what kind of background he has that I don't know about."

Until now, Ye Liuyun only knew of a "Commander Wan." He didn't even know the man’s full name, let alone his background.

...

Meanwhile, Lu Quan, clearly unaware that he had been marked for death by Ye Liuyun, returned to Commander Wan. His expression changed instantly into one of feigned grievance.

"Commander, ever since that Ye Liufeng became a Centurion, he has become disobedient. I told him to offer a portion of yesterday’s spoils to you, and he told me to get lost! He even said many disparaging things about you."

Those who managed to climb the ranks in the Embroidered Uniform Guard were all masters of changing their faces.

Commander Wan, whose given name was Wan Feiliang, had a delicate, feminine appearance with streaks of white at his temples, suggesting he was getting on in years. Commanders in the Guard had their own private residences. Wan Feiliang was meticulously watering his flowers when he heard Lu Quan’s report. He didn't stop his work, but his voice was sharp and shrill.

"It is only natural. Young people are prone to arrogance. It is no big deal that he is a bit headstrong after his promotion. Once he suffers a few setbacks, he will naturally learn to be obedient."

Wan Feiliang’s tone was calm. He had seen many such cases and had long since grown accustomed to them.

Seeing Wan Feiliang’s reaction, Lu Quan smiled inwardly with satisfaction. So what if he became a Centurion like me? As long as I want to scheme against you, isn't it a simple matter? Thinking of the misery Ye Liuyun would face once targeted by the Commander, Lu Quan felt a surge of triumphant laughter. Fortunately, he held it back, maintaining an appearance of hesitation.

"Commander, Ye Liufeng’s father-in-law was once a third-rank official in the imperial court. He shouldn't be that easy to deal with, should he?"

Wan Feiliang set down his watering can, adjusted his hair with a delicate gesture, and said dismissively, "As you said, he *was* a third-rank official. People just never learn to recognize reality. Since he has already retired, he should be enjoying his peaceful life instead of harboring wild ambitions; that is a quick way to meet an early end."

The man Wan Feiliang spoke of was indeed Ye Liuyun’s father-in-law. Wan Feiliang had a formidable background and was well-informed not only about Ye Liuyun but also about his father-in-law. He knew that the man hadn't just supported Ye Liuyun, but many others as well—all for the sake of maintaining a degree of influence in the Great Qian Imperial Court even after his retirement.