The Once Prodigy

“Yo, what’s the matter?”

“Why do you look like you just had a good cry?”

“Relax—Uncle Ai won’t do anything to you. He’s the person I trust the most.”

Bai Ling lowered her head and murmured a soft “mm” or two without looking up.

Then suddenly, a rich aroma drifted through the air, catching her attention.

The old butler approached with a practiced stride, carrying two steaming plates, one in each hand.

“You must be Miss Bai Ling, yes?”

“A pleasure. I am Young Master Sui Ming’s steward, though you may call me Ai if you wish.”

“Then I shall entrust the young master’s safety to you.”

If Uncle Ai’s initial impression had been that of a seasoned hunter, then now, he seemed more like a kindly old neighbor—steady, approachable, and warm.

Bai Ling hesitated, gently tugging on Sui Ming’s sleeve for reassurance.

He smiled and said, “Relax. Uncle Ai really is a good person. There’s no need to be nervous.”

“Ah… o-okay.”

Ai placed the silver platters on the table, steam rising and filling the room with the mouth-watering scent of freshly prepared food.

“Fortunately, this time Young Master didn’t just bring back dirt… but also these two cards.”

With a flick of his wrist, Uncle Ai revealed one black and one blue card.

“Hey! When did you take those from me?!”

“Anyway, Young Master, you’re still young. Let an adult handle that much money, alright?”

“Uncle Ai… I’m eighteen already. I should at least have some financial control, don’t you think?”

“Fine… a hundred thousand. Can I have a hundred thousand?”

“Ten thousand.”

“Come on! Who haggles like this?”

“Alright then… twenty thousand.”

With a theatrical sigh, Ai tapped the cards together and handed Sui Ming the slightly dimmer one.

“Ugh—fine, fine. Twenty thousand it is.”

And just like that, after a ‘mandatory donation’ to the tax department, Sui Ming walked away with a hard-won twenty thousand Fal.

Not long ago, even imagining that much money would’ve been a pipe dream.

“Alright, I’ll leave you two to enjoy your meal.”

The old butler returned to the kitchen, bringing out several more dishes shortly after.

Glistening vegetables paired with a perfectly seared steak—every detail stoked one’s appetite.

The thick, fragrant sauce beckoned irresistibly. Bai Ling took a bite and instantly, the flavorful spices burst in her mouth.

“Mmm! So tasty!”

“Uncle Ai’s cooking is still as amazing as ever,” Sui Ming commented, clearly pleased.

“You’re too kind, Young Master.”

“What do you think, Miss Bai Ling? Does it suit your—”

“U-um—”

“Can I have more?” the girl asked nervously, holding up her now-empty plate.

“Young Master… and this is why I asked for the other one hundred and thirty thousand Fal.”

“Fair enough, fair enough.”

It really did take a fortune to feed this little gluttonous dragon.

“Patriarch, everything is ready.”

“All we need is your command, and we’ll mobilize immediately.”

Neal raised his right hand, signaling him to pause.

“Why do you make it sound like we’re some underground criminal syndicate?”

“What’s the situation with that Heikale fellow? What’s his attitude?”

“The inspector doesn’t seem to care much about the local dispute.”

“He’s apparently off enjoying himself at some casino.”

“Perfect. Just as I hoped.”

Because he—that inspector—was the most unpredictable variable in all this.

Had he chosen to side with the Xi Family, things could have spiraled out of control.

Fortunately, that didn’t happen.

The feud between the Aorah and Xi Families had already reached the boiling point.

Ever since Sui Ming’s father had tricked Neal out of over ten million Fal with almost no cost, their conflict had been irreconcilable.

So long as the Xi Family couldn’t repay that debt, the two sides couldn’t coexist.

That ten-million-Fal promissory note?

It had been deliberately planted by Neal.

As the saying goes—if you want to start a war, you need a righteous cause.

And that note was the perfect match to light the fuse. A fuse leading straight to dominion!

“This Noah City… it’s time for a change in ownership.”

The Aorahs had been stagnating in this rundown place for too long.

Now was the time to make their name known across the Empire.

“Is the Alchemical Bomb ready yet?”

“I don’t want anything going wrong at the last second.”

The Alchemical Bomb—as the name suggested—was a product of advanced alchemy.

By following the law of equivalent exchange and using vast amounts of metal as material, it could release energy equal to its mass in an instant.

In short, it condensed the explosive power of tons of refined metal into one catastrophic detonation.

A single bomb could severely wound even a [Gold Vein] Tier 1 Soul Invoker.

Its shockwave would rock all of Noah City.

And Neal had specially purchased it from a Grandmaster-level alchemist.

The price had been steep—but the result would be worth every coin.

“And now… let’s see how they respond.”

Neal’s paranoia wasn’t baseless.

It stemmed from a deep-rooted fear—fear of the boy who once shone like the blazing sun upon the world.

He had once been the nightmare of every genius on the continent.

His presence alone forced countless so-called prodigies to drop their titles and kneel in silence.

Sui Ming of the Xi Family had been that terrifying.

He had stormed into the imperial palace alone, killing a regent on the verge of advancing to [Immortal] Tier.

He’d enrolled at Rhine Academy, becoming number one in just a year.

His true strength was rumored to rival even veteran instructors.

Some said even the legendary Dean of Rhine Academy held him in special regard.

He topped the continent’s Appearance Rankings, Power Rankings among Young Elites, and Female Fan Rankings—simultaneously.

But more shocking than all that… was his age.

He was only eighteen.

Barely an adult.

Had he continued on that path for a few more years… who knows?

He might have touched the unfathomable [Near-God] Tier.

How could such a person not inspire dread?

No one knew how he had fallen so far—but a former king doesn’t become a stray dog overnight.

Even if his glory days had passed.

“Everything is ready, Patriarch,” a subordinate reported.

“Lord Harry has also departed for the royal capital. There’s no need to worry.”

“Good… very good.”

Harry’s departure at least ensured the family line wouldn’t be severed.

Neal admitted—this operation was a gamble.

And a steep one at that.

But the prize made it worthwhile.

Victory meant domination.

Defeat meant annihilation.

Simple as that.