Li Yundong and Su Chan, riding in a private car specifically arranged by Shen Wancai, traveled for about thirty minutes before finally entering a high-security, upscale residential compound. After passing through an artificial lake and manicured gardens, the vehicle drew to a halt in front of a two-story detached villa.

Even before stepping out, Li Yundong noticed several luxury sedans parked before the villa's entrance. The men alighting from these cars were impeccably dressed in suits, while the women were adorned extravagantly.

Li Yundong helped Su Chan out of their car. Only then did the bewildered Su Chan realize she was wearing a very plain long dress, and her hair was entirely unkempt. "Oh, I haven't even fixed myself up yet! Why did you bring me to a place like this?" she exclaimed in panic.

Li Yundong was both amused and exasperated. He pinched her nose, chuckling, "You silly girl, staying at home for so long without tidying yourself up, and you didn't even mention it before we left. Now you regret it? What are you thinking about? You’ve been completely distracted all day."

Su Chan lowered her head, speechless, muttering, "Nothing..."

Seeing that Su Chan was clearly preoccupied, Li Yundong’s heart stirred. He gently lifted her chin, pressing for an answer, "Chan'er, what is it? You are very unlike yourself today."

Su Chan looked up at him, her eyes wide and pleading, hesitating to speak. Finally, she shook her head with firm resolve.

When Li Yundong saw she wouldn't elaborate, he smiled and said, "Did you get into some trouble again? It’s fine, I won't be angry."

Su Chan quickly waved her hands. "No, no! This little one has been very good, no trouble at all, and there won't be any in the future! It’s just that..."

"Just what?" Li Yundong prompted.

Su Chan looked troubled, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "What if someone tries to frame you?"

Li Yundong paused, then burst into laughter. "Frame me? Hahaha, I conduct myself uprightly, so why should I fear shadows? What's there to frame?"

Su Chan spoke anxiously, "No, it's not that, it's just..." Before she could continue, Li Yundong smiled and interrupted, "Forget it, we'll talk about it when we get back. Don't say it here; didn't you notice everyone around is looking at us?"

Su Chan glanced around and indeed saw several pairs of eyes fixed on them, each gaze holding a different expression.

Su Chan instinctively leaned closer to Li Yundong, whispering, "Are they laughing at my bad outfit?"

Li Yundong remembered the time Su Chan had been kicked out of a banquet due to her attire by Young Master He. This made her especially sensitive about her dress when attending formal events.

Li Yundong indulgently patted the top of the little girl's head. "Silly girl, they are envious and jealous of your beauty!"

Warmth bloomed in Su Chan's heart, and she gave Li Yundong a sweet smile.

They walked along the garden path in front of the villa. As they reached the entrance, a middle-aged man in a tailcoat stood waiting. The man stood ramrod straight, a crisply folded napkin tucked into his breast pocket, adorned with a golden lapel pin, projecting an air of refinement and reserve.

The moment the man spotted Li Yundong and Su Chan, his eyes registered a slight surprise, as if struck by the aura surrounding the pair. However, he quickly composed himself and approached with a smile. "Good evening. May I see your invitation, please?"

Li Yundong smiled and handed over the invitation. The man glanced at it, his smile brightening. "Ah, it must be Young Master Li. Please come in!"

Li Yundong nodded in acknowledgment and led Su Chan inside. Upon entering the main hall, they were met with a vast and spacious reception area. In the center sat a long table laden with various delicacies. Silver cutlery, bronze candelabras, and the luxurious golden chandelier overhead shimmered in dazzling interplay.

Surrounding the hall were about forty or fifty elegantly dressed men and women, amidst whom servers constantly circulated with trays of drinks.

Although Li Yundong had frequented high-end hotels, he was still taken aback by the extravagant, opulent spectacle of Shen Wancai's residence. Su Chan also gasped softly, "What is he planning? Why is he throwing this party?"

Li Yundong whispered back, "It's for his youngest daughter, Shen Hui’s, birthday!"

Su Chan asked in surprise, "Shen Hui? The little girl who wanted you to take her as a disciple the day our Di San Xian opened?"

Li Yundong chuckled. "Let me correct a few things. First, it wasn't Shen Hui who wanted me as a master; it was her father, Shen Wancai. She actually dislikes me quite a bit. Second, she isn't a little girl; she just looks young."

Su Chan asked dismissively, "So, do you plan to accept her as a disciple?"

Li Yundong shook his head. "Whoever I accept as a disciple must possess a devoted heart toward the Dao. Forcing a melon to ripen won't make it sweet. Someone like her isn't suited for cultivation."

Su Chan blinked, trying to persuade him. "But, you could take her as an outer disciple, you don't have to train her into a major cultivator. You know, even Zhang Daoling, the founder of Daoism in our Chinese cultivation world, had many disciples who only provided support but never received his true teachings. Furthermore, looking at recent history, Premier Zhou once studied under Han Muxia, yet he didn't become an Xinyi master."

Li Yundong knew that Han Muxia was a martial arts master as renowned as Huo Yuanjia during the Republic of China era, who served as the chief national martial arts instructor at the Whampoa Military Academy and personally trained the legendary Saber Squad.

Li Yundong smiled. "You little schemer, quoting historical examples to convince me to take her—what trick are you pulling?"

Su Chan asked innocently, "But isn't using a disciple's money better than using money from others? Isn't it true that one is constrained after accepting favors—'eating someone's mouth fills your own short,' as they say?"

Li Yundong was stunned. "Did you overhear my conversation with Wan Zhenyuan?"

Su Chan looked down, somewhat embarrassed. She murmured, "You were speaking so loudly, it was hard not to hear."

Li Yundong laughed. "It doesn't matter; there’s nothing shameful about it. However, you are correct. The reason I refused Wan Zhenyuan is that his terms were overly generous; I don't want to owe him anything. This man appears magnanimous and worldly-minded on the surface, but in reality, he is deeply calculating and shrewd—a true hegemon. It’s a pity the current era isn't one of chaos, so if he wants to succeed, he must first disrupt the established order. But if he does that, it will inevitably bring fire upon himself. Therefore, I don't wish to become entangled with him."

Disrupt the established order?

Listening to Li Yundong, a thought suddenly flashed across Su Chan's mind, like lightning splitting a dark, heavy fog, momentarily illuminating this dark world, allowing her to see her surroundings clearly. But the flash was too fast; though Su Chan felt she almost understood something, the darkness quickly returned, leaving her feeling she comprehended nothing again.

The little girl stood motionless, mouth agape, her eyes flickering restlessly.

Li Yundong noticed her expression and couldn't help asking curiously, "What are you thinking about?"

Before Su Chan could reply, a person approached, bringing with her a wave of strong perfume.

"My, my, who is this? Such an unfamiliar face!" A voice laced with sarcasm and mockery sounded beside Li Yundong and Su Chan.

Li Yundong turned his head and couldn't help a quiet laugh. Standing before him was a woman in her thirties, draped in luxurious furs, glittering with jewelry, and exquisitely beautiful. It was Madam Li, Shen Wancai's fourth concubine, whom he had encountered once before at Dragon Gate Tower.

The Fourth Concubine hadn't been informed that Shen Wancai had invited Li Yundong. Seeing him suddenly at a banquet in her own home, she felt a mix of surprise and excitement, secretly thinking she finally had an opportunity to thoroughly humiliate the young man who had once taken liberties with her.

The Fourth Concubine thought smugly to herself: Hmph, I'll let him know who really holds sway in the Shen household! He needs to learn his place!

Li Yundong turned, feigning respect, and said, "Ah, Madam Li. Hello, my apologies for not recognizing you sooner!"

When the Fourth Concubine heard Yundong preemptively address her by her title, she was so angered her nose nearly twisted sideways. She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and sneer, "What is Butler Zhang doing? Letting all sorts of riffraff in? Hmph, while our Old Shen is broad-minded, he won't tolerate just anyone. What are you doing here?"

Su Chan felt deeply displeased and was about to speak when Li Yundong placed a hand on her shoulder, signaling her to remain silent. Su Chan huffed and turned her face away in a pout.

Li Yundong remained unperturbed and chuckled, "Madam Li, I'm truly sorry, but Shen Wancai invited us."

The expression on the Fourth Concubine’s face stiffened. "Why did he invite you?"

Li Yundong smiled. "Then you should ask Shen Wancai, shouldn't you, Madam Li?"

The Fourth Concubine was enraged and embarrassed. "How dare you address our Old Shen by his given name!"

Li Yundong laughed heartily. "Why shouldn't I? A name is just a symbol! You can say it, I can say it, everyone can say it. Do you think that just because you have some money, your name becomes sacred?"

The Fourth Concubine was furious. She glared fiercely at Li Yundong, gritting her teeth, "Sharp-tongued boy, you just wait!" With that, she turned away resentfully and left.

Su Chan watched her retreat, then looked at Li Yundong with some exasperation. "Yundong, why does it seem like everywhere we go, people look for trouble with us?"

Li Yundong paused, patted the little girl’s head, and said, "Perhaps it's because 'the tall tree catches the wind'?" With that, he chuckled to himself.

The Shen family's Fourth Concubine, having run into a solid wall with Li Yundong, left in a huff. Her angry demeanor caught the eye of a handsome young man nearby, who approached with a smile. "Aunt Shen, what has you so upset?"

The Fourth Concubine turned, and upon seeing the young man, some of her anger dissipated. She managed a strained smile. "Oh, it's Young Master Rong."

Young Master Rong noticed that after exchanging a few words with her, her gaze remained fixed resentfully on someone else. He followed her gaze toward Li Yundong. He asked curiously, "Who is that?" But when he saw Su Chan beside Li Yundong, he shuddered, his eyes widening, rendering him speechless, nearly drooling: Is there truly such a ravishing woman in this world?

The Fourth Concubine sneered, "Hmph, just an ill-mannered young man!"

Young Master Rong’s eyes flickered, and he smiled. "Aunt Shen, shall I go teach him a lesson for you?"

The Fourth Concubine was secretly delighted but feigned hesitation. "I don't know if that's appropriate..."

Young Master Rong laughed. Just as he was about to speak further, a group of young people descended the stairs, surrounding a girl dressed in dazzling finery. The moment he spotted the girl, the center of attention, his face lit up. He smiled at the Fourth Concubine and said, "Ah, Xiaohui is out. I'll go speak with her for a moment, and I’ll deal with that fellow who offended you later."

The Fourth Concubine smiled at him, but as soon as he turned away, her expression soured. She glared at Shen Hui and muttered through clenched teeth, "You little flirt, what are you showing off about? No matter how beautiful or capable you are, the family fortune won't fall into your hands!"

Most of the young people gathered around Shen Hui were pretty girls. When they saw Young Master Rong approaching, their eyes brightened, and they exclaimed in pleasant surprise, "Hey, it's Rong Jun! He came too? Wow, Shen Hui, you have some serious pull to invite even him!"

Although the party was held for Shen Hui, she appeared rather listless. She was wearing a snow-white gown, its voluminous skirt flaring out like an umbrella. A tight sash cinched her waist, accentuating her slender figure with stunning curves. A dazzling ruby necklace rested against the expanse of white skin on her chest, sparkling brilliantly. On her head, she wore a small tiara inlaid with diamonds in white gold, making her look like a noble princess straight out of a Western oil painting.

Shen Hui demurely played the lady with a bored expression. She glanced at Rong Jun approaching and curled her lip slightly. "It's not my pulling power, it's my old man's!"

The girls laughed dismissively. "What's the difference? Hey, Shen Hui, I heard he's been chasing you relentlessly lately?"

Shen Hui sighed. "Yes, like a bothersome fly! It's annoying!"

The girls clicked their tongues in envy. "Come on, Rong Jun is tall, handsome, a Harvard graduate, and the eldest son of the Rong Guofa financial conglomerate—what more could you want?"

Shen Hui scoffed. "If he interests someone, I'll give him to you."

The girls laughed. "Great! Just don't regret it later!"

Shen Hui smiled and was about to say more, but her gaze swept across the crowd, and she suddenly spotted Li Yundong. She jumped in shock. "Heavens, why is he here? Is Old Man sick? Why invite him?"

Seeing Shen Hui look as if she had seen a ghost, completely losing her composure as a proper young lady, the other girls looked curiously at Li Yundong.

At that moment, Rong Jun reached Shen Hui and said with a smile, "Xiaohui, you look stunning today!"

But Shen Hui acted as if she hadn't heard him, instead exclaiming in panic, "It's over, it's over! Old man is definitely going to bring up the apprenticeship again today! I don't want to be his disciple!"

Rong Jun looked at Li Yundong curiously, frowning slightly, and asked, "What's wrong with him?"

Suddenly, an idea struck Shen Hui—a perfect way to divert trouble. She grabbed Rong Jun's arm, putting on a pitiful expression. "Rong Jun, can you do me a favor?"

Rong Jun was taken aback. Shen Hui rarely acted so affectionately toward him, let alone asked for a favor. He asked, "What is it?"

Shen Hui pointed at Li Yundong and whispered, "Help me drive him away, okay?"

Shen Hui was already exceptionally beautiful, her looks in no way inferior to Su Chan's. Dressed so lavishly today, she could soften the hearts of even iron men. Moreover, Rong Jun was already desperately pursuing her.

How could he refuse a beauty in need? Added to this, the Fourth Concubine also intensely disliked this man, so stepping up would please two influential figures in the Shen family simultaneously—only a fool would pass up such a bargain!

Rong Jun was overjoyed. Without a second thought, he thumped his chest. "Sure, I'll go give him a proper lesson! Make him scram!"

This is yesterday's update... Two more chapters are scheduled for today X