Chapter 232: Jing Ruli: With you here, what trouble could possibly remain?

"President!"

At the Brass Tower, several Stellar Envoy members from the Steam Branch hurried forward as Liam emerged from the Steam Furnace, their faces lighting up with relief.

But before their smiles could fully settle, two figures—tall and small—followed closely behind.

The sight of the towering Tian Dao, his posture rigid and imposing, alongside the petite Dannika, froze the welcoming expressions on the Envoy’s faces. Instinctively, their hands drifted to the Stellar Energy weapons at their waists.

Just moments ago, Tian Dao had left an indelible impression on them.

The sheer, unnatural power. The Stellar Energy Value far exceeding his rank. The methods—cold, precise, terrifyingly efficient.

He hadn’t just shattered their definition of a "monster"—he’d rewritten it.

And now, they understood why Central Council had added that chilling warning on Tian Dao’s Wanted Poster: "Do not provoke under any circumstances."

It wasn’t a restriction. It was a warning—to protect them.

Tian Dao’s azure eyes swept over the tense group of Envoy members. Then, he smiled.

"Looks like everyone’s really happy to see me."

His tone was light, his demeanor relaxed—almost playful.

Yet the Envoy members didn’t laugh. If anything, their grips on their weapons tightened.

Among them, only one man’s expression betrayed something entirely different: anticipation.

And that man was Yazuka—the captain of the Steam Branch’s First Squad.

Though he’d never managed to fight Tian Dao directly, he’d felt it. The chilling aura of death that radiated from him—far sharper, far colder than Chen Xing’s.

Fighting Chen Xing was like dancing on a blade’s edge, teetering on the brink of oblivion.

But fighting Tian Dao? That was stepping straight into hell’s mouth. His life hung by a thread—entirely at Tian Dao’s whim.

Most would never dare.

But Yazuka was different.

His obsession with battle outweighed his instinct for survival.

Staring at Tian Dao, Yazuka licked his cracked lips. His right hand hovered over the hilt of his broken blade. The mechanical engine embedded in his body roared to life, pulsing with raw energy—already preparing to strike.

But before he could draw, a furious shout cut through the air.

"Put that weapon away, you fool!"

Liam leapt up, his beard bristling, and slammed a fist into Yazuka’s skull. "Are you trying to ruin the deal I just negotiated?!"

The deal?

So the President had made a pact with this storm of destruction?

The Envoy members exchanged glances, their wariness softening.

After all, if Tian Dao wasn’t an enemy anymore…

But before they could process it further, a sharp, clear voice rang out from the side.

"Tian Dao!"

Tian Dao turned just in time to see Jing Ruli, astride her Dream Pillow, launch herself like a violet comet.

Whoosh!

She shot straight at him—no hesitation, no brakes—then crashed headfirst into his chest.

Even Tian Dao staggered back half a step to avoid being crushed.

Holding the now-grown Jing Ruli in his arms, he instinctively mimicked the old gesture—snatching her by the collar and hoisting her into the air.

"Ruli," he said dryly, "you’re getting too good at trying to kill me for fun, aren’t you?"

Jing Ruli grinned. "I just missed you so much! I had to give you a super-duper-extra hug!"

Her playful antics made Tian Dao sigh, then gently flick her forehead. He set her down with a soft thud.

"Next time you do that," he warned, "I’ll tell everyone about your childhood disasters."

"Ah! No, no, no!" Jing Ruli immediately clung to his arm, her voice dripping with fake pleading. "I was just joking!"

Watching Tian Dao—so gentle, so indulgent—care for Jing Ruli like an older brother, the surrounding Envoy members were stunned.

This was the man who once single-handedly crushed an entire branch squad?

That cold, terrifying force… was this really the same person?

Ignoring the wide-eyed stares, Tian Dao glanced briefly at Chen Kong, whose expression was unreadable, then at Chen Xing, who had just arrived at the Brass Tower and now stood with hands clasped behind his back.

"Let’s go," he said. "This isn’t the place to talk."

"Okay!" Jing Ruli bounced up instantly, her energy restored, and trotted after him.

---

Steam Capital – An Unmarked Villa

"So, Ruli," Tian Dao said, watching her swing her legs on the sofa, "why’d you suddenly come over?"

He played it cool—though he’d already known she was coming via the Dimensional Screen. His performance was flawless. No flush. No heartbeat spike.

Jing Ruli grinned, completely unfazed by Chen Xing’s icy glare. "Nothing much. Kalolin was worried about Chen Xing, so she sent me to check in."

She paused, then added with a mischievous twinkle, "But I didn’t even get here long before I sensed you. So I waited outside—just in case."

She tilted her head. "Hey, Tian Dao… when did you wake up?"

Her voice softened. "Why didn’t you go see Kalolin right away? I think she really missed you."

The air in the room shifted.

Tian Dao froze.

Chen Xing’s face darkened—so stormy it seemed ready to pour.

And yet, Jing Ruli’s tone was perfectly innocent.

But both men knew—she wasn’t really being innocent.

That wide-eyed, carefree act? A mask.

She knew exactly what she was doing.

She played her cards with precision.

After a moment, Tian Dao replied, "It was complicated. I wasn’t sure I could handle the Ironcrown Family trouble without dragging others into it."

"Ohhh~" Jing Ruli drawled, tilting her head as if deep in thought. Then, a flash of cunning flickered in her eyes.

"So now you’re out in the open. Does that mean… the problem’s really over?"

Tian Dao nodded. "I’m free to act now. No more threats from the Ironcrown Family."

"Great!" Jing Ruli clapped her hands. "Then you should come to my next concert! You can surprise Kalolin!"

Tian Dao studied her for a beat, then said, "Sounds like a lot of trouble."

Jing Ruli blinked. "What trouble?"

He smiled faintly, then turned toward Mei Ling—the guardian standing silently by the window.

"Trouble from the Xingshuang Sect," he said, voice low. "After all, even if I’ve never been to the Shuangyin Family, I’ve heard enough about the 'Frost' and 'Sound' feud."

Jing Ruli stuck her tongue out. "Aww, Tian Dao, you’re still the same as ever—nothing gets past you."

She sighed, then admitted, "Yeah… I do think those guys are getting annoying. That’s why I wanted you all there."

She looked at Tian Dao, her eyes full of admiration.

"Kalolin represents the Grand Councilor. Chen Xing represents the Liyang Family. If the Shuangyin Sect wants to cause trouble, they’ll have to think twice now."

Then she looked back at him, her voice soft but unwavering.

"And you? With you here… no matter what comes, it’s not really a problem at all."

Her words were exaggerated.

But no one in the villa—nor the audience watching from Station 13’s Dimensional Screen—felt even a hint of exaggeration.

Because across both seasons, Tian Dao’s arrival had always meant one thing: the crisis was over.

Perfection. Resolution.

In that regard, he was infinitely more reliable than Chen Kong—the so-called "main character."

And through their conversation, the Dimensional Audience picked up on it—the hint of something new.

A new arc.

Jing Ruli’s upcoming concert.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end