CHAPTER 551: 216 ALI IS WAITING FOR US_2

Hail pelted down on their bodies, cold and biting.

Xiang Chenyu’s low voice mingled with the crackling sound of hail hitting the ground, distant as if coming from the edge of the sky.

Liu Runxi was a very good listener.

"The mistress was abducted by a scoundrel and endured inhuman torment. Two months later, as she sought an opportunity to take her own life, she discovered she was pregnant."

In the darkness, no one saw the ironic smile at the corner of Xiang Chenyu’s mouth.

"The scoundrel had committed so many wicked deeds, even heaven couldn’t bear to watch anymore. Among his eighteen concubines, not a single one was with child. His mother, the matriarch of the household, believed heaven had intervened to grant her lineage an heir. From then on, the mistress was pampered with the best food and care."

"Six months later, the mistress died in childbirth while delivering a son."

"A child without a mother—a tragic childhood could be imagined. Yet, he grew up strong, joined the army, and single-handedly established Four Seasons County."

A deafening thunderclap exploded.

Liu Runxi turned his head sharply.

Four Seasons County—the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Xuanwu, and Vermilion Bird—renowned for their formidable reputation and numerous military achievements.

Who would not recognize the famous name of Sang Kunrou, leader of Four Seasons County?

Yet, history judges victors and losers. Four Seasons County had now been absorbed into the Yu family military, reduced to the sharpest blade in the Yu family’s hands.

Xiang Chenyu smiled mischievously and said, "Xiao Chuo, born a commoner, fought tooth and nail against Sang Kunrou for dominance, only for Yu Tiezhu to reap the benefits. Yet at the most critical juncture, the two unexpectedly reconciled. Yu Tiezhu couldn’t sit still and orchestrated a spectacular drama, which led to Sang Kunrou defecting and betraying the nation..."

Liu Runxi furrowed his brows as he listened, suddenly realizing something: "In power struggles, it’s do-or-die. Reconciliation is nearly impossible unless..."

"Xiao Chuo and his wife were childhood sweethearts, inseparable since their youth. He was even willing to renounce his ambition for the empire for her..."

Liu Runxi had indeed heard rumors. In those times, it was common for men to have multiple wives, but Xiao Chuo’s devotion to his wife had become a celebrated tale.

"He did it for his wife."

Xiang Chenyu sighed deeply, "Throughout history, even heroes falter for beauties, and Xiao Chuo was no exception."

"His wife and Sang Kunrou..."

Liu Runxi abruptly recalled the earlier story Xiang Chenyu had told: "So Sang Kunrou and Xiao Chuo’s wife were siblings."

Half-siblings, sharing the same mother but different fathers.

Xiang Chenyu thought to herself—she had indeed chosen the right person; this young man had a sharp mind.

"After Sang Kunrou’s downfall, Lady Xiao succumbed to grief and quickly fell ill. Soon, she passed away, but her dying wish was for Xiao Chuo to avenge her brother. Otherwise, she would never rest in peace. But how could Yu Tiezhu still be the insignificant beggar he once was?"

The sound of hail muffled Xiang Chenyu’s words.

Much like the past, scattering into smoke and fading away.

"Xiao Chuo and his Yulong Army have since gone into hiding. You must understand that a slumbering dragon, whose awakening is uncertain, poses the greatest threat. And only the Xiao family remains the Yu family’s most pressing concern."

Liu Runxi turned to look at her.

"Why are you telling me all this?"

These were surely top-level secrets—why would she trust him with such sensitive information?

"Don’t you want to become stronger? Then join the Yulong Army. As long as you’re willing to pay the price, you’ll get everything you desire there."

Of course, the selection process was not something ordinary people could endure.

Liu Runxi tightened his fist at his side.

"What’s the condition?"

Xiang Chenyu smiled and patted his shoulder. "Smart of you."

She lowered her gaze and spoke in a very soft voice: "Find someone for me."

She had tried countless methods but had always failed to unlock Shen Li’s file permissions.

There was only one possibility left.

~

A bedside lamp illuminated the bedroom.

Hail beat against the windows, the wind howled.

Inside, it was as warm as spring.

Shen You’an sat at her writing desk, a laptop open before her.

On the screen, characters flickered rapidly, and warning pop-ups accompanied alert sounds—

NO PERMISSION.

Access denied.

Shen You’an deftly tapped on the keyboard, faced with the most advanced defense system in place. Typical hackers would be thwarted immediately.

But who was Shen You’an?

Her mind launched into computation, precisely locating vulnerabilities among thousands of programs.

By leveraging an administrator’s credentials to obtain a password, the sheer complexity of this step alone would stump any other hacker.

Thirty seconds—only thirty seconds was all Shen You’an needed to crack the password and enter successfully.

The system began loading.

The wait was agonizingly long.

The loading symbol neared its end—three, two, one—and a page popped up with bold characters.

YL092 File.

Shen You’an’s heartbeat momentarily faltered as she calmed her breathing, gripping the mouse to scroll down.

The first thing that caught her eye was a passport-sized photo in the upper-right corner of the screen.