Chapter 10: An Unexpected Alliance

In the principal’s office, Lu Renjia sat across from the principal. On one side was a mature, elegant middle-aged man. On the other sat Lu Renjia, as bright and unbridled as the midday sun.

“I’ve heard quite a few rumors about you lately, young friend. Seeing you today, you truly have a wolf’s gaze and a dragon’s bearing.”

The handsome uncle cheerfully brewed a cup of tea and handed it over. Lu Renjia kept his face calm: “You’re too kind, Principal. I don’t deserve such praise. I’m just a poor student worried about how to make a living.”

“Oh?”

The principal’s expression turned strange as he remembered how Lu Renjia had played the mountain bandit this morning. It was hard not to laugh.

A real poor student wouldn’t have that kind of boldness. This kid had to be hinting at something.

“Lu’s situation is that difficult? Then as your teacher, I should help resolve these problems so Lu can study in peace.”

No wonder. The upbringing and temperament of a well-bred house couldn’t be matched by those strange figures outside.

“Then I thank the principal for his help.”

Lu Renjia had gotten what he wanted and was ready to leave. If he wasn’t wrong, the old fox would start making his move now.

Lu Renjia said he was a discipline committee member now, and needed to mingle closely with his classmates, and create a clean, harmonious school environment that didn’t take a single thread from the people.

“What’s the hurry, Lu?” The principal unhurriedly took Lu Renjia by the shoulder, looking at him with an innocent face. “Given how you’ve been acting lately, I still have quite a few questions for you.”

Lu Renjia sighed. He said in grief: “I was pushed past my limit. Even a rabbit bites when cornered. It shakes me to see how society blames the victim… Who told you these things? I don’t mean to have you name names. Just give me a location, and I’ll go give them a thorough beating…”

The principal’s mouth twitched. He sighed inwardly. This kid really was born with eight hundred schemes in his head. He played dumb so well.

What an interesting character.

“You’re acting so domineering to protect someone, aren’t you?”

The principal went straight to the point. He didn’t want to duel wits with this little fox anymore.

Lu Renjia narrowed his eyes. “Are you threatening me?”

The principal smiled freely: “If that’s how Lu wants it. The story is known to everyone. Any shrewd observer can tell who Lu means to protect.”

He turned, clasped his hands behind his back, and went on smiling: “Lu is unmatched, feared across this generation. But does the one you protect share that same skill?”

“I can kill everyone who might threaten her.”

“Including me?”

“Exactly that.”

The principal fell silent. A man this audacious was either an utter fool, or had abilities that reached the heavens.

Was this kid really that troublesome? He would probe a little deeper.

“Though the great powers are always at each other’s throats, why does basic peace still hold?” The principal said with a smile. “Because every nation possesses weapons that can annihilate the world. In the face of death, all creatures are equal.”

He meant to say that Lu Renjia’s might was real enough, but he was still flesh and blood. The world wouldn’t let him run wild without restraint.

“What are you getting at?”

“Lu needs someone to back him.”

“Why?”

“Human strength has its limits. Two fists can’t beat four hands.”

Lu Renjia was silent. He knew he could only shield Bai Luomeng for a while, not for her entire life.

His relentless intimidation of the whole school had two purposes: to clear out the scum around her, and to make everyone understand his terror.

To make them realize that whenever they saw Bai Luomeng, they’d remember the Demon King standing behind her.

He wanted to leave an impression strong enough to protect her for years to come. But for that very reason, Bai Luomeng could never be separated from him. If he ever vanished, unimaginable vengeance would follow.

“You want to be my backer?”

“To earn Lu’s favor would be a stroke of luck. Why wouldn’t I?”

“What do you want?”

Lu Renjia didn’t believe the heavens dropped free pies.

“Where is the old master’s daughter?”

The Bai family. So that was it.

Once Lu Renjia understood the whole thread, a smile of victory crept onto his face.

Old man, the tables have turned.

Seeing that smile, the principal felt a pang of unease.

“What’s your name?”

“…I am Bai Zhenyu.”

“You’re the second son of the Bai family, aren’t you.”

Bai Zhenyu stared at this flippant young man with growing wariness. His rank was hardly a secret, but how did this kid know? The more he thought, the more it unsettled him.

“Tell me what you want,” Lu Renjia said lazily, and Bai Zhenyu’s whole body gave a jolt.

What a strange boy. Was he not afraid of talking too big?

“Lu, what can you give me?”

Smart people never answer questions directly. That was exactly why Lu Renjia hated these riddle games.

“Your sister’s whereabouts.”

“Not enough.”

“The seat of the Bai family head.”

“…Still not enough.”

“What about a way to breach the spirit realm?”

Bai Zhenyu had lost his smile. He shot up from his chair. Now, at last, he knew what the files meant when they said this one was nothing like a mortal.

How did he know all this? What else did he know?

“Are you even human?”

“…”

He’d been perfectly courteous. Why the sudden insult?

Seeing the dark look on Lu Renjia’s face, Bai Zhenyu finally steadied himself. He took another careful look. The young man in front of him was unmistakably eighteen. He steadied his nerves.

“Who exactly are you?” he demanded, word by word.

One glance at Bai Zhenyu’s expression told Lu Renjia he had him hooked. No matter how clever a man, dangle something irresistible in front of him and he’d gamble like any other fool.

“I’m just an ordinary high school student passing by.”

“Heh…”

See? The truth was believed by no one.

“Let’s go.”

The tea had long gone cold. Lu Renjia patted his pants and rose, making clear Bai Zhenyu was to follow.

“Where?”

Bai Zhenyu no longer had the mood to spar with him. This was not the moment to keep talking. He needed to seriously weigh the matter of cooperating with Lu Renjia.

He had planned to tame this rare talent. Instead, after all his years of training hawks, he’d been the one caught off guard.

“To cadge a meal.”

Cadge a meal… He was the young master of the Bai family, and he had come to this city just to eat at some stranger’s table?

Still, he was curious to see what surprises Lu Renjia still had in store.

The bell for dismissal rang, and Lu Renjia returned to the classroom.

The classmates who had been chatting and laughing around Bai Luomeng scattered the instant they saw him. In a blink, only Bai Luomeng and Lu Renjia were left.

“Here. Their test papers.”

Bai Luomeng felt a pang of embarrassment. Lu Renjia had asked her to supervise the exam, and instead she’d quietly helped a few students cheat.

Lu Renjia gave the papers a glance and set them aside. Their results were the last thing he cared about.

“You helped them cheat.”

Bai Luomeng went pale. She hung her head, muttering, not daring to look at him.

“It’s fine.”

She looked up in surprise. In the light of the setting sun, the boy winked and shrugged carelessly: “Being well-liked feels pretty good, doesn’t it?”

“Mm.”

“I’m hungry.”

“I’ll treat you!”

Bai Luomeng fished out a worn wallet that had clearly seen years of use.

“No.”

Lu Renjia shook his head, and Bai Luomeng grew nervous. She fumed, perhaps he thought she couldn’t afford it. She’d have to ask for an advance on her wages.

“Take me home to eat.”

“Huh?”

“Yes.”

His words, spoken one by one, slowly set her cheeks aflame.

“I want you to take me to your home for dinner. Got it?”

“But…”

“We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Yes.”

Bai Luomeng agreed, after all. This was the first time she’d brought a friend home to eat. And the first time she’d ever brought a boy home.

“Let’s go. I’ve also invited an uncle. You don’t mind?”

“I… don’t mind.”

Watching from a distance, Bai Zhenyu let out a sigh. This kid really had a way of doing things. That girl was already wrapped around his little finger.

At that moment, Bai Zhenyu had no idea that one day, when he recalled that Bai Luomeng was his own niece, he would no longer be able to smile.

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