Crossing the Line With a Master Who Yields to Neither Soft Nor Hard Tactics

Bang—Storm Cloud Bu arced through the air like a thrown object, tracing a beautiful curve before slamming into the wall and sliding down to the floor.

"Storm Cloud Bu, how many times has it been now? You really disappoint me." Lance Quinn pointed at Storm Cloud and cursed.

"Lance, yesterday was an accident, really an accident." Ignoring his pain, Storm Cloud Bu scrambled up from the ground, pitifully trying to explain.

Lance is terrifying today. Storm Cloud Bu was certain—if Serena Feng died, Lance Quinn would definitely kill him.

It would have been better if Storm Cloud hadn't spoken. His words only made Lance Quinn angrier. Lance charged forward, grabbed Storm Cloud Bu, and the eyes beneath his mask blazed with fury.

"An accident? Serena Feng was wounded by an assassin despite multiple layers of protection, and you call that an accident? Storm Cloud Bu, if I kill you right now, would that be an accident too?"

Lance Quinn gripped Storm Cloud Bu's neck with one hand and lifted him up, radiating murderous intent. He looked like he really might kill Storm Cloud. Vincent Su, though worried, didn't dare step forward.

He was afraid that trying to intervene would only make things worse. Lance's temper was blazing—maybe venting it was best.

Better him than me, Vincent thought. This was not the time to stick his neck out.

Storm Cloud Bu's feet dangled in the air, unable to breathe. His face turned crimson, eyes bulged, tongue protruded—just as he thought he was about to die, Lance Quinn suddenly let go...

Thud—Storm Cloud Bu collapsed onto the ground.

"Cough, cough, cough..." Storm Cloud Bu gasped for air, still shaken by what had just happened. He was no longer just worried—he was certain: if Serena Feng really died, Lance would kill him as compensation.

Once his breathing steadied, Storm Cloud Bu stole a glance at Lance Quinn. Seeing Lance's anger only intensify, he grew even more anxious, knowing there was no way he'd get out of this today.

His throat hurt too much to speak, but Storm Cloud Bu didn't dare play weak. He forced himself to say, "Lance, last night really was an accident. The shadow guards didn't neglect their duties. The person who snuck into Serena Feng's room was as strong as you or me. Serena's been way too high-profile lately—lots of people want something to happen to her."

In other words, Storm Cloud Bu was hinting that Serena's trouble with assassins was tied to Lance Quinn himself. If Ninth Royal Uncle hadn't promoted her so heavily, how could a mere orphan girl draw the attention of every major faction?

Lance Quinn looked down at Storm Cloud Bu, his deep eyes utterly cold. He glanced at Storm Cloud, then raised his head to stare into the distance.

"Fine, last night was an accident. Then what about the last time? Did you ever find out who tried to ambush Serena Feng? I put her out there because I was confident I could protect her, but I never expected a single slip would let someone through."

He's furious with Storm Cloud Bu, but even more furious with himself!

"Lance, last time was mainly aimed at William Wang Jinling—Serena was just collateral." Storm Cloud Bu cursed internally when Lance brought up old wounds.

"I don't care who the last assassination targeted. All this time—what have you found? Who's behind it? Storm Cloud Bu, there were at least three waves of assassins last time. Don't tell me you haven't tracked down a single one." Lance Quinn stood with his hands behind his back, towering over him.

Storm Cloud Bu hung his head in shame. "All the assassins died. The trail went cold. There wasn't a single clue left on their bodies."

"So you found nothing, but you can still sleep easy?" Lance Quinn sneered. "Should I tell the assassins not to kill themselves so you can have someone to interrogate? Maybe ask their masters to leave a mark on them so you can identify them? Storm Cloud Bu, is this your first time investigating assassins?"

His last sentence shot up in volume. Storm Cloud Bu and Vincent Su didn't even dare breathe. Lance hadn't been this furious in ages—not even when they botched the Night City job last time.

Lance Quinn closed his eyes, trying to calm his anger and worry. But every time he did, he saw Serena Feng's pale face, her neck wrapped in thick bandages, lifeless, lying on the bed.

With a snap, Lance Quinn opened his eyes, clenched his fists, and turned his back on Storm Cloud Bu. He feared he'd lose control and lash out again.

"Storm Cloud, since you can't handle anything in the Capital, you'll return to Heaven's First Consortium at daybreak. Without my orders, you're not to set foot in the Capital again."

"Lance, are you serious? For a woman, you're tossing aside brotherhood and sending me back to Heaven's First Consortium?" Storm Cloud Bu couldn't keep up the act anymore. He shot to his feet, staring at Lance Quinn in disbelief.

Faced with Storm Cloud's accusation, Lance Quinn didn't even blink. "Remember your place, Storm Cloud Bu. You have no right to question my orders."

Both Storm Cloud Bu and Vincent Su's faces changed, a bitter smile flickering across their lips.

That's right—they'd forgotten. Lance Quinn wasn't just their brother; he was their master. The light in Storm Cloud's eyes vanished instantly.

It was the first time Lance had pulled rank on them. They felt both relieved and disappointed—relieved that Lance remembered his status, disappointed that he'd only emphasized it because of a woman.

Lance Quinn lowered his gaze, glanced at Storm Cloud Bu, then turned to Vincent Su. "Vincent, send Bella Qin to Liancastle. Assign covert protection for her."

With that, he strode out of the room.

"Yes, sir."

"Lance, don't—"

Vincent Su and Storm Cloud Bu spoke at the same time, but with completely different intentions. Storm Cloud Bu even blocked Lance Quinn's path, urgently pleading, "Lance, this is my fault. I'll accept punishment. I'll return to Heaven's First Consortium and won't leave without your orders. Please don't take it out on Bella—she's innocent. This has nothing to do with her."

"Liancastle's climate is better for Bella's health. She'll be well protected and cared for there." Lance Quinn pushed Storm Cloud Bu aside and kept walking.

So what if he was venting his anger? Storm Cloud Bu had failed repeatedly because of Bella Qin, so of course she had to bear the consequences.

This chapter isn't over yet~.~ Click next page to continue reading!

"Lance..." Storm Cloud Bu couldn't accept it. He tried to chase after Lance, but Vincent Su grabbed him. "Storm Cloud, calm down."

"Calm down? How am I supposed to calm down? If Lance sends Bella away, she'll die—she'll really die..." Storm Cloud Bu shoved Vincent Su's hand aside, talking as he chased after Lance Quinn.

Thud—Vincent Su couldn't catch up by running, so he leapt and tackled Storm Cloud Bu to the ground. The two rolled across the floor, and Vincent pinned Storm Cloud down.

"Let me go." Storm Cloud Bu struggled fiercely, but Vincent Su's grip was unbreakable. Seeing Lance Quinn about to disappear through the door, Storm Cloud's eyes turned red with urgency. He swung his fist, threatening, "Vincent Su, let go or don't blame me for what happens next."

Today is his last chance—at daybreak he'll be sent to Heaven's First Consortium, and won't have another opportunity to plead for Bella.

Vincent Su was furious and punched Storm Cloud Bu directly. "What are you going to do, huh? Storm Cloud Bu, you've really come far—willing to hit me over a woman? If you're going to lose control over a woman, maybe I should just beat you to death myself.

Look at yourself. You say Lance wants to kill you over a woman, but you? For a woman, you've ignored our safety, failed again and again.

Storm Cloud Bu, don't forget—you’re in charge of training all the death‑soldiers and shadow guards. Everyone's safety is in your hands. But look at what's happened lately: Serena Feng keeps getting attacked, the shadow guards are useless, and your men can't even catch a wounded assassin.

The assassins are stronger than the shadow guards? Hmph... That excuse is laughable. If the shadow guards can't even spot an assassin, it's not about strength—it's about having no skill at all. These shadow guards aren't qualified. Forget Lance—even I have to wonder how you train them. They're worse than ordinary guards.

Storm Cloud Bu, what right do you have to criticize Lance? At least Lance hasn't lost sight of his duties because of Serena Feng. But you? You've forgotten everything you're supposed to do.

Today, it was Serena Feng who almost died. Next time—will it be me, or Lance? Do you want us all lying half-dead in bed before you realize how serious this is?"

"I know this is my fault. I'll accept punishment—I'll go back to Heaven's First Consortium and strengthen the training for death‑soldiers and shadow guards. But... Bella is innocent. Vincent, please talk to Lance, convince him not to send Bella away. She's not in good health—if she finds out Lance is sending her off, she'll relapse. I promise, I'll never make the same mistake again." Storm Cloud Bu's face was red with shame, unable to lift his head, but he still begged for Bella Qin.

Vincent Su was truly exasperated—Lance falling for Serena Feng was one thing, but Storm Cloud Bu like this?

Vincent took a deep breath, tamping down his anger. "Storm Cloud, don't forget—Bella Qin is Lance's fiancée, our future mistress. How Lance handles her is none of our business. Don't you think your concern is a bit much?"

Storm Cloud Bu's face went pale in an instant. Flustered, he stammered, "I just... I just..."

Just what, even he couldn't say.

Seeing Storm Cloud Bu finally take his words to heart, Vincent Su let go and stood up. "Whatever it is, it's none of my business. Just remember your place—and Bella Qin's. Don't cross any lines."

Vincent Su rubbed his brow, already thinking about how to get scar-removal ointment from the Divine Healer Valley's master. Lance hadn't said anything, but it was obvious he felt deeply guilty about Serena's injury.

Sigh... Who knows how Serena is doing now? She survived, but she paid a heavy price.

At daybreak, I'll bring Leon Su to visit her. Judging by Lance today, this won't end quietly—and knowing Serena, there's no way she'll swallow such a loss without striking back.