Chapter 143: The Assignment

The name of the Transport Union echoed like thunder in the ears.

Upon hearing Liu Zhongguo state his affiliation, Luo Xingtao trembled from head to toe. In this world, who had not heard of the Transport Union? Who did not recognize its immense prestige?

For centuries, the Transport Union had tightly controlled the waterborne commerce along the great rivers, producing countless legendary figures whose renown shook the realm.

While formal rules were forged in the imperial courts, the unwritten rules of the underworld were shaped far away from official sight. The Transport Union was an architect of unwritten rules that had once reshaped the landscape of river-route interests. By the Qing Dynasty, its influence had grown so vast that even the imperial court found it uncontrollable; rumor even had it that the Qianlong Emperor himself had joined the brotherhood just to balance its immense power. By the Republican era, the union reached the absolute zenith of its development, spawning towering figures capable of blotting out the sky with one hand, such as Huang Jinrong, Zhang Xiaolin, and Du Yuesheng. It was not until the end of the Republican era that the Transport Union was integrated into formal governance, transforming once again into an official force for managing and regulating the rivers.

Whether judged by its profound heritage or its towering reputation, the Raft Sect simply could not compare.

For many feng shui masters who made their living by the rivers, their ultimate ambition was to enter the Transport Union. Gaining entry meant financial security for life, and if one managed to attain even a minor official post within its ranks, their status in the feng shui community would be firmly established.

As a Dharma Protector of the Transport Union, Liu Zhongguo was undeniably a high-ranking figure. Based on my understanding of the sect, aside from the leader, deputy leaders, and elders, the next in command were the Dharma Protectors. For Liu Zhongguo to wipe out the Duhe City branch of the Raft Sect would be, to put it without exaggeration, as simple as crushing an ant.

"Lio—Lord Protector, this junior had no idea you were a man of the Transport Union. I have gravely offended you just now," Luo Xingtao stammered, his legs shaking so violently he could barely stand. He pressed on, "This was entirely my own doing, and has nothing to do with the Raft Sect. If the Protector wishes to demand justice, please take my life."

Liu Zhongguo waved a hand dismissively and said, "Forget it. I have no desire to meddle in affairs between you youngsters; I simply despise the Raft Sect's methods. To mobilize the entire sect against a newcomer to the feng shui trade—where is the honor in that?"

Luo Xingtao swallowed hard, terror gripping his heart. "Protector, we... we were only acting under orders. Pi Yangxi has married someone he has no business marrying. If our Raft Sect had not intervened, disaster would have struck all of Duhe City..."

Hearing this, I let out a cold, inward laugh. The Raft Sect had constantly schemed to have Chen Yetian's grandson—a member of their own sect—marry Bai Xiaoli. According to them, if their own people married her, it was fine, but if I married her, disaster would befall all of Duhe City. Wasn't that utterly ridiculous?

"Acting under orders? Who else could possibly command your Raft Sect to move against the grandson of the Yellow River Dragon King?" Liu Zhongguo asked with a hint of curiosity, voicing the very question I wanted to ask.

At Liu Zhongguo's words, Luo Xingtao's face drained of color, turning even paler with terror. He seemed desperately afraid to utter the name of that person.

Yet even if he refused to speak, I could easily guess. Who else could possibly instill such profound fear in the Raft Sect besides the Yellow River Mother?

"Speak! Name them, and I will spare you," Liu Zhongguo suddenly barked, his sharp roar making Luo Xingtao's entire body jerk in fright.

"It's... it's... Bai Xiaoli's fiancé!" Luo Xingtao blurted out in haste.

Bai Xiaoli's fiancé?

Hearing those words, I froze in shock. It wasn't the Yellow River Mother?

It was Bai Xiaoli's fiancé? What on earth did this mean?

I stared fixedly at Luo Xingtao. Judging by the genuine terror on his face, he did not seem to be lying. I pressed on, "Who is Bai Xiaoli's fiancé?"

Though Luo Xingtao feared Liu Zhongguo, he felt no such terror toward me. The look he cast my way was filled with pity and mockery as he replied, "Since matters have come to this, there is no harm in telling you. Long before you ever entered the picture, Bai Xiaoli was already betrothed to another. Very soon, Bai Xiaoli's true husband will arrive to claim his bride. When he finds out you have stolen his wife, even if you are the grandson of the Yellow River Dragon King, not even the Dragon King himself will be able to save your life."

From the look of him, I knew Luo Xingtao wasn't making it up. Earlier, that thousand-year-old evil entity who looked identical to Bai Xiaoli had warned me that a single woman could not serve two husbands. Perhaps that warning had been entirely true.

"When is he coming?" I asked, a sudden surge of tension gripping my chest as I glared at Luo Xingtao.

Luo Xingtao merely offered a contemptuous sneer and closed his mouth, refusing to say another word.

Liu Zhongguo showed little interest in my romantic affairs. Seeing that Luo Xingtao had fallen silent, he spoke up once more, "My Transport Union is not some petty syndicate. By rights, given my status, I should not lower myself to strike at juniors like you. However, Luo Xingtao, you have gone too far. According to the rules of the feng shui world, grievances should not be visited upon one's family. Does your Raft Sect still hold any regard for these boundaries?"