Chapter 66 The Peril of the Dragon’s Malice

In the prestigious Longhu Villa District of Quancheng, the atmosphere inside the luxurious mansion was tense.

Fang Yixuan hurled an exquisite crystal goblet to the floor with a forceful crash. The goblet bounced twice on the plush wool carpet before rolling to the side, leaving a faint crimson stain on the fabric.

Sitting beside him, Zhao Liping picked up the goblet and softly advised, "If he wants it, just give it to him. It's just a new home for the orphanage. Consider it an act of charity and goodwill."

"What do you know?" Fang Yixuan snapped, his tone sharp. "If I give in to him, what will others think? Won't those unruly commoners start demanding exorbitant sums? And what about the people who've already signed contracts? Should they just swallow the loss and accept it?"

Chen Yi's demands had struck at Fang Yixuan's most vulnerable point. Agreeing was problematic; refusing was equally troublesome.

A flicker of irritation flashed in Zhao Liping's eyes. Ever since their encounter with Luo Yan and Chen Yi at the gold shop, Fang Yixuan had become increasingly impatient with her, often reprimanding her coldly. She had considered leaving him, but the thought of returning to her old life—a life of longing for luxury handbags and high heels through the glass of boutique windows, of sighing over unattainable dreams—was unbearable. She couldn't imagine going back to squeezing into overcrowded buses like a sardine in a can.

She didn't want to leave Fang Yixuan, nor did she want him to provoke Chen Yi. Who knew what that madman was capable of when pushed? "Yixuan, you really shouldn't antagonize Chen Yi. He's not an ordinary man. He killed fourteen people in one night and walked away unscathed. Old Fang tried to deal with him and ended up stripped of everything, reduced to a commoner. Even Luo Yan, so proud and aloof, is utterly devoted to him..."

"Enough!"

Fang Yixuan roared, his voice trembling with fury. The last thing he wanted to hear was a recounting of Chen Yi's "glorious achievements," which only served to remind him of his own helplessness. The image of Chen Yi's arrogant demeanor at the orphanage still haunted him, vivid and infuriating.

"He's just a charlatan! I refuse to believe he can do anything to me!" Fang Yixuan ground his teeth, his face dark with anger. "This is a society governed by law—I don't believe he'd dare kill me."

Zhao Liping sighed inwardly. This man's pride was insurmountable. After a moment's hesitation, she suggested, "Why don't I talk to him? Sometimes, women have an advantage in these situations."

She wanted to help Fang Yixuan, to prove she wasn't just a decorative vase who only knew how to spend money. Though she had already done much for him, it still wasn't enough—not enough to make him dependent on her, to the point where he couldn't bear to let her go.

"You? Talk to him?"

Fang Yixuan's expression darkened further before a cold sneer twisted his lips. "Or are you interested in him? You've been singing his praises for days now. What is it? Looking to switch to someone richer and more capable of protecting you?"

Zhao Liping's face turned pale. She shot up from her seat, her voice trembling with anger. "How can you say that? He's Luo Yan's boyfriend! How could I possibly be interested in him?"

"Hah, Luo Yan's boyfriend?" Fang Yixuan sneered disdainfully. "I used to pursue Luo Yan too, yet you still ended up with me. Who's to say you don't have a thing for her men?"

"You... you're shameless!"

Zhao Liping was so furious she couldn't find the words. She grabbed the glass of red wine in front of her and flung it at his face before turning to leave.

"Sl*t!"

With wine dripping down his face, Fang Yixuan's expression twisted into a feral snarl. He grabbed her by the hair and delivered a vicious slap across her face.

Zhao Liping froze, clutching her stinging cheek.

He hit me? I wanted to help him, and he misunderstood me—and then he hit me?

That slap didn't just land on her face; it struck her heart as well.

Fang Yixuan yanked her by the hair, forcing her to the ground. With a tearing sound, he ripped her newly purchased dress into shreds.

"What are you doing?"

The man before her, tearing at her clothes like a rabid dog, had never seemed so unfamiliar. In her panic, she desperately tried to cover her exposed body with her hands.

"What am I doing? I'm just taking back a little interest. You spend thousands on shoes, tens of thousands on bags, hundreds of thousands on jewelry—don't you think it's time to pay some interest?"

Fang Yixuan sneered, his hands moving faster as he stripped her completely and pinned her to the floor. Without any prelude, he forced himself into her.

Zhao Liping stopped struggling, lying there like a lifeless doll. As the man ravaged her body, her heart turned cold.

Yes, wasn't this what she wanted?

Was he wrong? It seemed he was entirely correct.

A glint of venom flashed in Zhao Liping's eyes, but she suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close to her chest. She moved her hips, matching his rhythm with fervent enthusiasm.

"Sl*t!"

Feeling her sudden change, Fang Yixuan hesitated for a moment before spitting the word out through clenched teeth. His movements grew faster and rougher, his hands gripping her tightly. Stimulated by his aggression, Zhao Liping's body burned with heat, and she responded with even greater fervor.

Both harbored their own schemes, yet they reached a shared climax not long after.

...

The next morning, Chen Yi received a call from Luo Yan, asking him to head to "Weiran Gardens" immediately.

When Chen Yi arrived, he found seven or eight people already gathered there. Among them were familiar faces: Liu Siming and Geng Bo. An elderly man with snow-white hair and a youthful complexion was crouched on the ground, studying a flame-shaped sculpture with a grave expression.

Chen Yi walked over to Luo Yan and greeted the acquaintances he recognized.

"Chen Yi, this is Professor Liu Dajun from East China University," Liu Siming said with a cheerful smile. "He's considered the foremost expert in the study of Yi-ology in the entire country."

The elderly man, Liu Dajun, stood up and smiled warmly. "Foremost expert? I dare not claim such a title. Our land is vast and full of hidden talents. There are countless true masters who remain in seclusion, unknown to the world. I'm merely someone who has stepped into the public eye and gained a bit of undeserved fame."

Liu Dajun's demeanor was kind and unassuming, his voice rich and steady. He spoke with the casual ease of an ordinary elder on the street, devoid of the pretentious airs often adopted by so-called experts.

"Professor Liu, you're too modest. I've long admired your reputation and have always wanted to visit you, but I never had the chance," Chen Yi said, his tone respectful.

Although this was their first meeting, Chen Yi had heard many stories about Liu Dajun. He couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for the man—not just for his scholarly achievements, but also for his unwavering passion for Yi-ology despite the hardships he had endured.

"Haha, I've heard about you from Officer Luo," Liu Dajun said, his eyes twinkling. "For someone so young to have such profound knowledge—it's truly remarkable. The younger generation surpasses the old! These gentlemen here are also highly skilled, so it seems we have a rare opportunity today: three generations of Yi-ology researchers working together on a grand project."

The other four experts nodded politely at Chen Yi, who returned their gestures with a faint smile.

"Chen Yi, what do you think of this sculpture?" Liu Dajun asked, brushing the dirt from his hands.

Chen Yi understood that the professor was testing him, but he felt no resentment. Luo Yan had already explained on the way that Liu Dajun needed an assistant to resolve the Dragon's Malice. After hearing about Chen Yi's contributions to recent cases, the professor had agreed to let him try.

However, the stakes were high. If Chen Yi's abilities fell short, not only would the effort fail, but he could also endanger himself.

Chen Yi smiled faintly and began, "In Feng Shui, mountains govern vitality while water governs wealth. This location, adjacent to a bustling commercial street, is densely populated and economically thriving. At first glance, the lack of mountains and water may seem to contradict Feng Shui principles, but that's not the case. Just a few miles south lies Qili Mountain, which extends from the dragon vein of Mount Tai, stretching for hundreds of kilometers and carrying immense energy..."

As Chen Yi spoke confidently, Liu Dajun and the other experts exchanged knowing smiles, listening intently.

"The true essence of a dragon vein lies not in towering peaks or rushing rivers, but in the 'throat'—the point where the flow constricts. In water, this is where wide streams narrow; in mountains, it's where the terrain dips and disappears. This very spot is the throat of Qili Mountain's dragon vein. It brings both vitality and wealth, but the flame-shaped sculpture is lodged right at its throat. If left unchecked, it will bring disaster within a few years."

"Excellent! Excellent!" Liu Dajun clapped his hands in approval. "It's heartening to see that Yi-ology has such promising successors."

"And how do you propose we address this issue?" Liu Dajun asked, his face alight with expectation.

"This sculpture was undoubtedly placed here with malicious intent—to sever the dragon vein and transform prosperity into destructive energy. The perpetrators even used the 'Eight Gates of Dissolution' technique to temporarily suppress the Dragon's Malice. If we recklessly remove it, the malice will scatter, leading to catastrophic consequences. Therefore, we must first contain the malice before extraction. I believe that's what you've been working on for the past month, Professor Liu?"

Liu Dajun's expression softened with satisfaction. "Indeed, I've spent the past month devising a method to contain the malice. However, the dragon vein has already been almost entirely corrupted into Dragon's Malice. It's extremely dangerous, and I can't guarantee complete success."

"You can't guarantee it?" Chen Yi was taken aback.

Liu Dajun sighed. "That's right. Many regard me as the foremost Yi-ologist in the country, but there are countless masters far beyond my reach. The person who created this sculpture, for instance, is far superior to me."

"Then what should we do?"

"We can only do our best and leave the rest to fate. I must warn you, if we fail, the backlash will be severe—ranging from serious injury to death. Are you willing to proceed? If you choose to withdraw now, I won't hold it against you. After all, you're still young, unlike me—an old man with nothing to lose."