Chapter Twenty: The System’s Punishment

At this moment, Li Haoran was interrogating someone in the courtyard.

“What did my second brother say?” He sat on a stool, a teacup in hand, his expression laced with a trace of coldness.

To call his second brother “the second” was a sign of deep-seated resentment.

Long San bowed his head respectfully. “After the Second Young Master entered the courtyard, he demanded to enter the room directly. No matter how I tried to stop him, it was useless. He had no regard for you at all.”

Li Haoran let out a cold snort, his narrow eyes glinting with danger. “So, all these years of yielding have only made the second see me as weak and easy to bully!”

Long San kept his head lowered, silent.

He was a shadow guard assigned by Li Haoran’s mother, and his loyalty was solely to Li Haoran; he felt nothing for the other two young masters of the household.

Li Haoran tapped his fingers on the stone table, his voice even, “Keep a close eye on the second. He may already have discovered Miss Chu’s whereabouts.”

At the mention of Miss Chu, a flicker of tenderness appeared in his eyes—so fleeting he himself didn’t notice.

“…That’s impossible, Second Young Master didn’t see Miss Chu today,” Long San replied. Besides, even if he knew someone was in the room, how could he know it was Chu Bing?

Li Haoran didn’t explain, only said impatiently, “Just do as I say.”

“…Yes.”

After giving his orders, Li Haoran stood up and straightened his clothes. “Time to pay my respects to that good father of mine.”

Once they left, the courtyard was empty.

Suddenly, a group of men in black descended from the rooftops.

“Search carefully! Leave no corner untouched!” the leader commanded.

“Yes!”

The men in black turned Li Haoran’s room upside down but found no one.

The leader’s face darkened as he led them back to report.

“Second Young Master, we found no trace of anyone,” one of the men in black knelt on one knee, reporting respectfully.

Li Haonan stood with his hands behind his back, his tone indifferent. “That can’t be. I saw her with my own eyes.”

He was certain that there had indeed been another woman in Li Haoran’s room at the time.

The man in black said, “Although we didn’t find anyone, we can be sure that the woman hiding in Third Young Master’s room is the one teaching him the art of war.”

“What? How do you know this?”

“Last night, while tracking the woman connected to Zong Ming in the streets, I saw Third Young Master carrying a woman in his arms. She was seriously injured—the wounds were inflicted by me.”

Although they hadn’t captured Chu Bing, they had pursued Li Haoran and Chu Bing several times, and had clearly seen her wounds.

“I’m certain Third Young Master brought that woman into his courtyard last night!” the man continued. “But fearing we’d alert the household, we didn’t try to force our way in.”

Li Haonan, hearing this, looked dazed for a moment, then chuckled. “It seems Third has become quite capable lately, to have found such a formidable woman! But who is she? Have you investigated her background?”

“…Not yet.”

“Go. Find out who she is.”

“Yes!”

Meanwhile, Chu Bing was unaware of any of this. She had just returned home.

She stepped through the door and instantly moved into the courtyard, only to find her younger brother collapsed on the ground.

Chu Wenyen groggily sat up, clutching his head—he had evidently fainted the whole night. His face was blank, as if he had no idea what day it was.

“Chu Wenyen, why are you sleeping on the ground?” Chu Bing raised an eyebrow in surprise.

What a strange habit!

Only then did Chu Wenyen notice her. His face changed dramatically as he rushed over, grabbing her shoulders, anxiously checking her wounds. “Sis, are you alright?”

“I’m fine, I’m all healed.”

“You scared me to death last night! Who hurt you?” He breathed a sigh of relief but glared at her in complaint.

Chu Bing paused, not wanting him to worry, so she explained, “I ran into a man in black last night, accidentally saw him committing a crime. Being the righteous soul I am, I intervened and got a little hurt…”

After all, last night’s incident involved a life—it was best to keep it quiet.

Chu Wenyen had always believed his sister without question. He couldn’t help but urge her, “If you see something like that again, stay away! Or come tell me, I’ll take care of him for you!”

He patted his chest, looking at her earnestly. “Sis, I’m not who I used to be—I can protect you now!”

He never wanted to hide behind her anymore.

Chu Bing smiled and nodded, both siblings beaming with joy.

“Alright, I’ll go check on the restaurant. Sis, you should rest.” Chu Wenyen figured it was time to open for business. Despite a restless night, the restaurant was their only means of making a living.

Chu Bing didn’t stop him, smiling as she watched him leave.

Just as she was about to return to her room to rest, a crisp mechanical voice chimed in her ear.

“Dear host, friendly reminder: you must train Li Haoran into a martial arts master, or your life will be at risk!”

Chu Bing curled her lips. “Dear system, didn’t you see how powerful Li Haoran already is? He’s practically a martial arts master now! Even I was injured by him.”

She herself had been no match for the second young master yesterday, yet today Li Haoran had easily overpowered him. That alone spoke volumes of his skill!

Thinking of this, Chu Bing couldn’t help but feel a little sour. Even with the system’s help, she was still no match for an ancient man like Li Haoran!

“Useless system! If you’re so capable, why don’t you make me a martial arts master too!”

The system was silent for a moment.

“Dearest, the system has already provided you with plenty of inner strength and techniques. It’s just that you don’t know how to use them yet. With more practice, your martial prowess will surely improve.”

Chu Bing pursed her lips. “Stop brainwashing me, system. I’m just a weakling, I can’t teach anyone!”

The system: “Are you sure you won’t teach him?”

“Not teaching!”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she sensed something was wrong. The system grew silent, and she felt a chill run through her body.

She knew full well the system wasn’t pleased, but her mood was foul and she didn’t want to comply with such unreasonable demands. She was about to ignore it when a jolt of electricity surged through her.

“Ah!” Chu Bing’s scalp tingled, her whole body prickling with pain so intense her legs gave out.

Leaning against the wall, she gasped for breath, gritting her teeth. “System, you win!”

The system replied, “Glad you understand.”