Chapter Fourteen: Joining the Settlement

At this moment, Chen Yi tilted his head slightly, watching as the clouds on the horizon gradually dispersed. His eyes grew ever colder and sharper. Chu Yunxi stood quietly by his side, waiting in silence, knowing he was deep in thought, plotting their next move.

“We must infiltrate the enemy’s camp first,” Chen Yi spoke suddenly, his tone carrying the weight of a decision made.

Lu Kai, hearing this, frowned deeply and looked at Chen Yi. “Are you sure about this? This isn’t just a game—they’re dangerous.”

“I know, Lu Kai,” Chen Yi replied. “But if we do nothing, those bastards will only become more brazen.”

His answer was clear: in danger, he would seize control and turn the tables. Wealth and fortune favor the bold—how can one catch the tiger’s cub without entering the tiger’s lair?

“Alright, I’ll follow your lead,” Lu Kai nodded, but cast a worried glance at Chu Yunxi. “But if our sister-in-law comes too, won’t it be a bit dangerous?”

Chu Yunxi smiled calmly, her clear, bright eyes revealing unwavering resolve. She trustingly took Chen Yi’s arm. “As long as I’m with him, I’ll never be in danger.”

Chen Yi let out a cold chuckle. “Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, no one can lay a finger on her.”

With such reassurances, Lu Kai nodded. “Alright, then let’s get started.”

Ten minutes later, led by Lu Kai, the three of them arrived at the entrance of the gathering point. Two guards immediately fixed them with wary stares, weapons at the ready, their entire posture tense and alert.

“Halt! Who are you? What are you here for?” bellowed one of the guards, a burly man with a face full of stubble.

Lu Kai raised his hands to show he was unarmed. “It’s me, Lu Kai. I’ve brought two newcomers.”

Chen Yi lifted his head slightly, scrutinizing the two guards. “We’ve journeyed far and wide, and when we found this settlement, we hoped to join.”

“On what terms?” the other guard lowered his weapon just a touch, though his eyes remained full of suspicion.

A faint, mysterious smile played at the corner of Chen Yi’s lips. “We have a military off-road vehicle and some stockpiled food. This is our sincerity.”

The two guards exchanged glances, silently questioning each other.

“How can we just let you in so easily?” the burly one said, somewhat conflicted.

Chen Yi remained calm, spreading his arms to show he was no threat. “You can report to your leader if you like. Besides, I’m not in a hurry.”

“Even if you don’t trust us, we won’t act recklessly. After all, this is your territory. We’re only looking for a place of refuge.”

Yet the atmosphere grew even more tense, the guards instinctively feeling that this man was not simple, unsettled by his composure and confidence.

At last, the bearded guard nodded. “Alright, I’ll report to the boss. Wait here.”

Chen Yi nodded his assent. After the guard left, the three of them stood quietly as if the tense air around them had nothing to do with them.

Soon, the guard entered the compound and found the leader, Wang Dong.

“Boss, Lu Kai brought back two people from outside. Don’t know where he found them,” the guard reported.

Wang Dong was surprised. “Who are they? Did you notice anything unusual?”

The subordinate shook his head—nothing suspicious, but he had a feeling that Chen Yi was a ruthless sort.

Wang Dong nodded in agreement. If he wasn’t tough, how could he have survived until now? So many had already died, some even ending up as food for others.

The subordinate continued, telling Wang Dong that the woman with Chen Yi—Chu Yunxi—was an absolute beauty, even more elegant than a celebrity, and still a student!

Hearing this, Wang Dong immediately stood up, his eyes gleaming with greed, a filthy smile spreading across his face.

“Well, now, this could be interesting,” he said. “Looks like we’re about to have some fun around here.”

Wang Dong threw back his head and laughed, already imagining the pleasures that awaited him.

“Lu Kai really learned his lesson last night—look at the good news he’s brought me! If anyone steps out of line in the future, that’s how they’ll be disciplined. Got it?”

The subordinate nodded repeatedly. “Yes, understood!”

“Come on, let’s go meet them.” With that, Wang Dong strode toward the main gate.

Meanwhile, Chen Yi, Chu Yunxi, and Lu Kai waited at the entrance. The air was still tense, but Chen Yi was hardly idle. With a sidelong glance, he took in the positions of several guards stationed in the corners. Though the settlement was newly established, its defenses were clearly well organized.

It was evident that Wang Dong had some brains. Without sabotage from within, this was not a place easily taken by force.

Soon, Wang Dong emerged from the shadows behind the gate, clad in a leather jacket, his expression relaxed with the swagger of a gang boss. The moment he saw Chu Yunxi, his eyes sparkled with naked desire, his gaze raking greedily over her from head to toe, not even sparing her fingertips.

Chu Yunxi keenly felt his stare and frowned slightly, but only tightened her hold on Chen Yi’s arm, showing complete reliance.

“A true beauty,” Wang Dong thought. “If I could have her, what a stroke of fortune that would be.” Though his face wore a smile, his heart was wild with excitement.

He was no fool, though, and noticed the cold severity in Chen Yi’s appearance. Instantly, he became more cautious. “This guy won’t be easy to handle.”

Nonetheless, he stepped up to Lu Kai, giving his shoulder a friendly pat. “Lu Kai, well done. Tonight, you get an extra helping—with a cookie thrown in.”

Lu Kai’s face was all gratitude, though inwardly he scoffed: “An extra helping? A cookie? What I just ate in Chen Yi’s car was better than that.”

But outwardly, he showed no sign. “Thank you, Boss. I’ll keep working hard and do more for the settlement.”

Wang Dong nodded, satisfied, feeling his “lesson” from the night before had clearly worked wonders. His eyes glinted with pride.

At last, Wang Dong turned to Chen Yi, smiling. “And you, brother—what’s your name?”

“Chen Yi,” he replied, returning the polite smile.

He then turned slightly. “This is my girlfriend, Chu Yunxi. To avoid accidents on the road, we’ve been looking for a safe place to settle. We happened to meet Brother Lu Kai, who told us about this place—about how Boss Wang Dong keeps things orderly and that there’s great potential here.”

Wang Dong laughed heartily, nodding, though inwardly he was calculating his next move.