Chapter 108: Something Happened to Maya?

The visitor was none other than Miss Geri, the cherished daughter of Lord Chet. She brushed a strand of hair from her forehead and smiled gently. “I was feeling restless cooped up at home, so I came out for a stroll… But Captain Lie Tie, you’re blending in with the crowd like this—could it be that there’s an urgent matter at hand?”

At her words, Lie Tie’s expression flickered subtly. The corner of his mouth twitched as a faint smile appeared on his otherwise cold face. “You could say that. I am here to protect Miss Lie Feifei discreetly.”

The moment the name Lie Feifei was mentioned, Geri’s complexion changed instantly. Her beautiful face was now a mixture of complex emotions: disdain, jealousy, and a hint of defiance. It was clear that Lie Feifei’s victory over her at the recent Martial Trial left a deep, lingering impression. Having been a combatant before Lie Feifei, yet still becoming her defeated rival, was something Geri could not tolerate, especially since she and Lie Feifei were always at odds.

Knowing Lie Feifei was nearby, Geri lost all desire to wander aimlessly. She had come out because of a sour mood, but running into her rival would only worsen it.

The thought of Lie Feifei’s smug expression made Geri’s heart ache with discomfort; she decided to leave immediately. Still, she forced a polite smile and asked, “So you’re protecting Lie Feifei. But if that’s the case, why not stay close and accompany her? Why hide in the crowd like this?”

“I would like to accompany her in person,” Lie Tie replied, glancing at Geri before casually turning his head toward the direction where Su Yi and Lie Feifei were walking. “But Miss Lie Feifei is currently with Su Yi. It wouldn’t do to disturb them.”

“What?! Su Yi is here too?!” Geri raised her brows in surprise, her voice tinged with astonishment. Following Lie Tie’s gaze, she saw Su Yi and Lie Feifei walking not far off, and their demeanor seemed… intimate.

With the sharp intuition unique to women, Geri immediately sensed that their relationship was more complicated than it appeared. Though she didn’t know the details, seeing Lie Feifei’s almost ingratiating attitude toward Su Yi sparked an inexplicable fury in Geri’s heart, tightening her chest with a confusing swirl of emotions.

“Hmph, Lie Feifei has quite the nerve and moves fast—already cozying up to Su Yi,” Geri muttered bitterly, her resentment toward Lie Feifei growing stronger. She had always looked down on Su Yi and treated him coldly before. Now, to get close to him herself was embarrassing, but Su Yi’s strength had far surpassed before, and more importantly, Maya had become formidable as well. If she could forge ties with Su Yi...

At that thought, Geri’s eyes sparkled with ambition. Though she might face some humiliation, the benefits outweighed it. Even as a young woman, she was keenly aware of this. She had witnessed firsthand how Instructor Zuo Yuan treated Maya at the trial and had even promised to visit personally someday.

Others might not recognize Zuo Yuan’s identity, but Geri knew well: a Dou King, a powerful master who looked down upon all, had shown such regard. How could Lord Chet and Geri not be shaken by this revelation?

After visiting the auction house, Zuo Yuan had left immediately. No one knew what he had discussed with Maya and the others, but the auction house’s current dominance was undeniable. Few in the city would dare to ignore the auction house now.

These thoughts flashed through Geri’s mind like lightning. Regaining composure, she smiled softly and said, “Since everyone’s here, I should go greet them properly. Captain Lie Tie, I’m going over now.”

With a graceful twist of her slender waist, Geri began to stroll slowly toward Su Yi and Lie Feifei. Even before she came close, her clear, melodious voice rang out, “Oh, isn’t this Miss Lie and Su Yi? What a coincidence—are you both out shopping?”

Su Yi was preparing to find a place to retrieve something from his storage ring with Lie Feifei when he heard the familiar yet somewhat strange voice. Turning his head, he was surprised to see Geri, and Lie Feifei’s expression mirrored his own astonishment. Neither expected such an encounter during a casual outing.

Approaching swiftly, Geri felt uneasy and awkward inside. After all, flattering someone she had once scorned was no easy task. Even when Su Yi was hailed as a prodigy, Geri would never have been so blatant or forward.

Her thoughts in turmoil, Geri forced a smile and looked at Su Yi. “Su Yi, you won first place at the Martial Trial—I haven’t had a chance to congratulate you yet!”

Su Yi raised an eyebrow, scanning her from head to toe before replying with a faint smile, “I don’t deserve congratulations from the city lord’s daughter.”

Hearing the cold undertone in his voice, Geri’s expression flickered, and her heart sank. Su Yi clearly still resented her previous disdain—a natural reaction, but her pride made it hard to accept. Since when did she have to swallow her pride for others? Regret also stirred within her. Had she known it would come to this, she wouldn’t have been so overt back then.

Glancing at Lie Feifei, Geri felt both regret and reluctance. Lie Feifei had treated Su Yi the same way she had before, yet had managed to mend their relationship. Why couldn’t Geri do the same? In every respect, she considered herself at least equal to Lie Feifei. If Lie Feifei could do it, so could she.

With that thought, a fierce determination ignited within Geri’s heart. Whether to build connections or to surpass Lie Feifei, she resolved to win Su Yi back, no matter what.

At that moment, guilt and remorse softened her expression. In a low voice, she said, “Su Yi, I know you were upset with my past behavior. I realize my mistakes now and sincerely apologize. Will you forgive me?”

Lie Feifei, surprised by Geri’s rare humility, let out a faint snort, her eyes sparkling with unreadable thoughts.

Su Yi, equally surprised by Geri’s change in tone, shook his head slightly. “Miss Geri, you’re being too serious. I never blamed you.”

“Really?!” Geri lifted her head slightly, offering a graceful smile before glancing at Lie Feifei and softly asking, “Then, can I become friends with you again, just like Miss Lie Feifei?”

“Hmph,” Lie Feifei thought to herself, “Always playing aloof and indifferent, but now so warm and eager—how shameless!” Hearing Geri’s words stirred an inexplicable fury in her, as if someone was trying to steal her place.

“Friends?” Su Yi murmured under his breath, then sneered. He had no patience for such fickle friendships. As for his relationship with Lie Feifei, it was not friendship but one of master and servant. Though Lie Feifei’s past behavior mirrored Geri’s, Su Yi could accept having her as a female servant.

“Since Geri wants that so badly, why not make her a servant too?” The thought suddenly crossed Su Yi’s mind. Among the three great beauties of Changling City, Geri’s figure and charm were no less than Lie Feifei’s—slender, tall, alluringly lean, and elegant. To have two of the three as servants would indeed be an accomplishment.

But the idea vanished as quickly as it came. Forcing the daughters of powerful families into servitude without strength was suicidal. Even if Lie Feifei was willing to serve, the Lie family would seek bloodshed if they found out. Though Maya’s influence shielded Su Yi for now, that wasn’t his own strength to rely on forever.

If Maya left and the Lie family learned their daughter had become a servant, Su Yi would be doomed.

Fortunately, Su Yi was set to leave Changling City tomorrow. Even if the Lie family discovered anything then, they would be powerless to act. As for Geri, though Su Yi was displeased with her, there was no need to retaliate. Lord Chet was a formidable power in the city, and with Maya’s backing, Su Yi had no intention of making enemies among the major families.

“Besides, I’m leaving tomorrow. There won’t be time or opportunity to take a servant anyway…” Su Yi shook his head quietly, glancing at the sky and feeling time slipping away. A strange impatience stirred within him.

This restlessness unsettled Su Yi, though he could not discern why. He tried to suppress it, but felt it was time to return to the auction house.

Just as he was about to say so, Lie Feifei suddenly pointed and exclaimed, “Hey, isn’t that Qin San?”

Following her finger, Su Yi saw the Liu family Dou cultivator Qin San, with whom he had exchanged a few blows before. Qin San lingered not far, looking furtive. Hearing his name called, he turned sharply, saw Su Yi, and his face paled, his expression shifting.

“Hey, Qin San, what are you doing here? Are you following us?!” Lie Feifei asked aloud, either sensing something or speaking out of suspicion.

Qin San’s face turned slightly pale. He glanced at Su Yi, who frowned, then forced a smile at Lie Feifei. “Miss Lie, you’re overthinking. It’s just a coincidence, really just a coincidence!”

He was not lying. Though the Liu family patriarch had once ordered Qin San to monitor Su Yi, Maya’s sudden surge in power shocked the Liu family to their core. Now, all the prominent families were like ants beneath Maya’s gaze—let alone the Liu family!

After hearing this, the Liu family only hoped Su Yi wouldn’t use Maya’s name to cause trouble. They dared no longer send spies or watchers; even those assigned to monitor the auction house were withdrawn.

Though unwilling, they were powerless. Qin San had encountered Su Yi by chance today and, worried about misunderstandings, had tried to slip away unnoticed—only to be caught by Lie Feifei.

Su Yi nodded slightly, thinking the truth of the matter was irrelevant and nothing to fear.

Just as he was about to speak, a figure rushed over in haste. It was Lin Tie, a secondary-level Dou cultivator and guard of the auction house. His face pale and anxious, he hurriedly said, “Bad news, Su Yi… Miss Maya is in trouble!”

Upon hearing this, Su Yi’s expression changed drastically!