The Blow

“So that’s how it is…”

Dustin listened quietly, his gaze falling on the chessboard, and he nodded slightly. “Since you helped me out of a tight spot tonight, consider it a favor I owe you. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to come to me.”

His nature had always been one of repaying kindness with kindness, and vengeance with vengeance.

Hongniang hadn’t just kept his secret but also covered for him. This kind of favor absolutely had to be repaid.

“Sir Rhys is truly a man of loyalty and integrity. I admire that,” Hongniang nodded with a smile, her charm becoming all the more alluring.

“But I’m curious, why did you come to me? Could it be you already noticed something?” Dustin asked again.

“Those who come to rely on Li Juntang do so either for power, fame, or profit. I can see through such people at a glance. You, Sir Rhys, are the only exception,” Hongniang smiled and continued, “You entered the mansion, presented the Dragon Origin Spirit Qi, and yet asked for neither status nor wealth, not even beauty. You shut it all out. So naturally, I had my suspicions. Of course, tonight was purely accidental. I originally came to ask you about chess, but when I saw you weren’t in the courtyard and the mansion went into upheaval, I realized your true purpose.”

“Miss Hongniang, your perception is razor-sharp, quite extraordinary,” Dustin nodded.

At first, he thought she was just a pretty face. He hadn’t expected her to be such a remarkable woman hiding her depth.

“Compared to Sir Rhys, I’m nothing. Still, you should be careful. Knowing Li Juntang’s temperament, he surely won’t let this matter go so easily,” she warned.

“As long as he has no proof, he can’t do anything to me,” Dustin replied with a faint smile.

With his strength, even if Li Juntang wanted to turn hostile, he’d have to think twice.

Besides, he didn’t even have the opportunity to do that. He couldn’t just tear off the mask because of mere suspicion, could he?

“As long as you’re confident, that’s what matters. It’s late, I’ll take my leave now,” Hongniang said with a smile.

She didn’t linger. After offering a graceful salute, she turned and left.

…

Morning light broke as the sun slowly rose.

At this moment, Li Juntang stood in the center of the courtyard, staring at the empty corridors, his brows tightly furrowed.

Behind him, Zhang He and Wu Yong were reporting.

“Your Highness, we’ve already led our troops to search the entire residence three times. Even the pond has been thoroughly investigated. We haven’t found anyone suspicious.”

“Could it be… the thief already escaped?”

Zhang He wiped the sweat from his forehead and cautiously asked.

As soon as the words fell, Li Juntang suddenly turned around, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. “Impossible! Before the secret chamber was destroyed, I had already ordered the estate sealed. Even if that thief grew wings, they wouldn’t be able to fly out!”

He clenched the jade pendant at his waist --- an imperial gift. At this moment, it felt like a burning iron brand, searing into his palm.

Zhang He immediately bowed and said, “Your Highness is right! Perhaps the thief is hiding somewhere well-concealed. I’ll go search again!”

He rallied the exhausted guards and headed toward a secluded woodshed.

He knew very well that further searching was probably futile. After all, anyone capable of infiltrating the estate so stealthily could surely slip away just the same.

But since Li Juntang was in a fury, he dared not say much and could only search again obediently.

Glancing at the rising sun, Li Juntang’s expression turned even darker as he made his way toward the secret chamber.

He no longer expected to catch the thief anytime soon. What worried him now was how much had been lost from the vault.

Especially those treasured items --- if even one was missing or damaged, it would feel like a piece of his soul had been carved away.

Arriving at the ruins of the secret chamber, he saw a group of people still working hard.

Afraid of damaging the treasures, they worked cautiously, first digging with iron shovels, then clearing debris by hand --- so progress was slow.

After an entire night, with over ten people working nonstop, only the outline of the chamber’s ceiling was visible.

To fully unearth it would take at least half a day more.

Standing to the side, Li Juntang stared unblinkingly at the deepening pit, his nails nearly piercing his palm.

Time ticked by until midday, when the entrance to the secret chamber was finally exposed.

“Your Highness! It’s open!” someone exclaimed.

Li Juntang took a deep breath and, disregarding the danger of collapse, rushed inside.

The dark chamber reeked of mold and dust. He held up a torch, scanning the area, his face growing more sullen by the second.

The treasures, once neatly arranged, were now toppled and broken. Many had been destroyed.

He barely glanced around before hurrying toward the treasure vault.

The steel door had been warped and destroyed. Half the vault had collapsed, and a massive hole had formed in the ceiling --- like some monster had burst through it.

Ignoring the filth, Li Juntang squeezed through the twisted gap.

But when he saw what lay inside, his vision went black and he nearly collapsed.

The jade box that once held the Dragon Origin Spirit Qi lay open --- its contents completely gone.

Half of the other rare treasures were missing or damaged beyond repair.

“No… No! This can’t be happening!”

“My treasures… My treasures!”

Unable to bear the blow, Li Juntang let out a wail and collapsed to the ground, fainting on the spot. - Ton