Chapter 26: Luxury in Captivity

Is Guan Sheng actually Young Master Qi, Qi Xiaolong?

What on earth is going on?

Li Jianjun was dazed. He knew his second son had never been particularly reliable, but one thing he was certain of: Li Feng would never joke about Young Master Qi.

To the second branch of the family, Young Master Qi—who had specifically named Li Yuyan three years ago as the woman he wanted to marry—was the ultimate golden son-in-law. It was precisely because of this connection that the second branch’s status within the Li family had risen.

So... the person who had just wielded the blade to decapitate Xu Tao was Qi Xiaolong!

That’s right. Li Jianjun suddenly realized, if that weren't the case, how could the man have had the audacity to do such a thing? Furthermore, the aura he projected was certainly not something an ordinary person could possess. If it were truly Young Master Qi, it would perfectly explain his recent actions.

Before he could react further, Li Feng added, "Dad, Young Master Qi and Yuyan have already registered their marriage. Right now, he is biding his time, concealing his identity to build up the strength needed to seize control of the Qi family. We absolutely cannot afford any trouble at this critical juncture."

"What!" Upon hearing this, Li Jianjun was shocked once more. That Young Master Qi had actually registered his marriage with Yuyan? This... this!

In an instant, the panic Li Jianjun had felt after being expelled from the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce vanished. This meant Li Yuyan was now the young mistress of the Qi family. With the Qi family as their backer, what did it matter if the Li family had been kicked out of the Chamber of Commerce? Perhaps that Old Man Tang of the Chamber would even be begging them to rejoin!

However, even as he thought this, Li Jianjun still had doubts. If this Guan Sheng was truly Young Master Qi, why go to such great lengths to personally kill Xu Tao? Wouldn't that expose his identity? As he pondered this, Li Jianjun frowned.

Just then, Li Shan spoke up anxiously, "Old Master, don't listen to the second branch’s nonsense. Our family is facing a catastrophe. Not only have we been expelled from the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce, but the young master of the Xu family has died in our home. We must find a way out immediately. Perhaps we should shut down the second branch’s charity group first; preserving the strength of the main branch is the top priority."

Li Feng’s expression changed drastically. This wouldn't do; his branch relied on that charity group to establish their foothold in the Li family. If it were shut down, how would they survive? Li Shan was clearly trying to take advantage of the crisis to cement the main branch’s position. He couldn't let him succeed.

Li Feng quickly whispered to the Old Master, "Dad, if the charity group is closed, Young Master Qi will lose his cover."

Li Jianjun thought for a moment and said in a deep voice, "Whether he is Young Master Qi remains to be seen! If he can emerge from the City Guard Bureau unscathed, then I will believe what you say. But if he isn't, then the second branch can get out of the Li family."

With those words, Li Jianjun looked at the group, stood with his hands behind his back, and declared, "We will not discuss closing the second branch’s group for now. Everyone, dismissed!"

Li Shan was stunned; he hadn't expected the Old Master to let the second branch off the hook. "Dad, won't you reconsider?"

Li Jianjun waved his hand. "My mind is made up. That is all. Everything else can wait until tomorrow."

After saying this, the old patriarch of the Li family turned and walked out of the old residence. Seeing this, Li Shan had no choice but to give up. Though he didn't know exactly what Li Feng had told the Old Master, he knew he couldn't be impatient. If he wanted to drive the second branch out of the Li family for good, he would have to plan carefully.

"Li Feng, you’re very lucky," Li Shan said coldly, looking at him. "But I don't believe your branch will remain unscathed once the news of Xu Tao’s murder spreads across Jiang City."

Li Feng snorted. "Just wait and see!" He then pulled Xu Hong over to Li Yuyan and said with a smile, "Yuyan, let’s go home. Young Master Qi will definitely be fine."

Li Yuyan murmured to herself, "Will he really be fine...?" She knew that Guan Sheng was no Young Master Qi. No, she had to do something. She could not let Guan Sheng be locked away like this.

***

Elsewhere, Guan Sheng was quickly taken to the cells of the City Guard Bureau and thrown into a communal holding room.

As soon as he entered, twelve prisoners in jumpsuits cast fierce, malicious glares at him. Each one looked vicious and cold-eyed, clearly men who had blood on their hands and were not to be trifled with.

Guan Sheng scanned them with a calm, indifferent expression. After stepping inside, he turned back to look at Wang Sihu, who was standing outside with his hands behind his back, looking triumphant.

"Guan Sheng, Guan Sheng, I told you I would make you pay the price. Do you know what you’ve done to my daughter? She’s disfigured, her temperament has completely changed, and she’s become irritable and violent. For two days, she has wept through the night, afraid to face anyone. You are the culprit. Now that the Li family patriarch can't protect you, I don't believe you have any tricks left to escape my grasp."

"Even if you can fight and dodge bullets, once you’re in this cell, you’re as good as dead! I will torture you properly."

Guan Sheng looked at Wang Sihu as if he were an idiot. "Do you intend to use extrajudicial punishment?"

Wang Sihu laughed dismissively. "What, are you afraid?"

Guan Sheng shook his head. "You're overthinking it. I’m just giving you a warning: you may pay a heavy price for your stupidity. There are many people in this world who want to kill me, but every one of them has met a miserable end."

"Is that so?" Hearing this, Wang Sihu became even more arrogant. "Good, then I’d love to see how you make me miserable. But before that, I’ll collect some interest from you." He then glared at the other prisoners in the cell. "You lot have the longest sentences in this bureau, and I know you’re all tough characters on the outside. Today, show this brat what you’re made of. Beat him until he’s crippled, and I’ll take responsibility. If you make him kneel and beg for mercy, I’ll let you out."

Faced with such temptation, Wang Sihu believed these men would surely do his bidding with everything they had. This was his territory, after all. Now that Guan Sheng was on his turf, torturing him would be a matter of minutes. He could offer a few prisoners some benefits, and they would fight to the death to beat Guan Sheng.

But—after Wang Sihu finished speaking, not a single prisoner in the cell moved.

Wang Sihu’s expression changed as he sensed something was wrong. He narrowed his eyes and barked, "Why is everyone silent? Attack! Don't you want to get out of here?" His voice grew louder, filled with authority.

But the scene that followed caused his dignity to shatter instantly.

The twelve prisoners in the cell uniformly dropped to one knee with a heavy thud, bowing their heads toward Guan Sheng.

"Old Nine Snake of Jiang City, greets Master Guan."
"Old Fox of Jiang City, greets Master Guan!"
"Nineteen Guns of Jiang City, greets Master Guan!"
"Your subordinates, greet Master Guan!"
"May Master Guan be prosperous!"

As these twelve prisoners knelt, an even more incredible sight unfolded. It wasn't just this cell—prisoners in every single cell in the entire block dropped to one knee, shouting toward the area where Guan Sheng stood.

"Greetings, Master Guan!"
"May Master Guan be prosperous!"
"Greetings, Master Guan!"
"May Master Guan be prosperous!"

The sound was as mighty as a tolling bell, continuous and deafening.

In an instant, Wang Sihu was completely stunned. All the City Guard Bureau staff around him were terrified, their legs trembling uncontrollably. They had never witnessed such a scene before. What was going on?

Before Wang Sihu could recover, he heard Guan Sheng, who was sitting on a stool brought by a prisoner, looking at him with a mocking smile.

"Is that it? You want to torture me? Are you even worthy?"