The Rule-Breaker of the Doomsday Game

Liebo Mansion was not small; it was almost the size of a small town.

Its name sounded like an ancient place, and in fact, it was.

Since ancient times, this place had been of strategic military importance.

But with the arrival of the Polar Day Apocalypse and its accompanying high temperatures, everything vanished.

Just as the smart-brain had guessed, this world no longer had nights.

The drop in temperature was its version of nighttime.

"The region your family is from must be much more temperate than Liebo Mansion, I imagine," Xie Quan said, casually probing into Qi Suian’s background.

Qi Suian ignored the others’ curious gazes and said calmly, "You’re trying to feel out my background, aren’t you?"

"It’s one thing for your young master to try. He is, after all, the sole heir of a local power."

"But who the hell do you think you are to try the same trick on me?" Qi Suian’s tone could not have been more contemptuous.

Xie Quan’s expression immediately turned ugly. In Liebo Mansion, he was a man second only to one and above tens of thousands, yet Qi Suian had just cursed him so brazenly.

Chang Jing, however, pretended not to have heard. From Qi Suian’s tone alone, he could imagine the man’s background was nothing to scoff at—far beyond what he could afford to offend.

As for why Qi Suian had such an attitude, the reason was simple. The smart-brain had analyzed their facial expressions and behavioral logic, concluding that these seven people held malicious intent toward him.

Since they were hostile, there was no need to put on a false front. If worse came to worst, he would just kill the so-called Mansion Master of Liebo Mansion, take over this small town, and keep the rest of the inhabitants as experimental subjects.

He wasn’t from this world, so naturally, he didn’t care about its people.

The people of this world certainly looked like his own, but they weren’t the same species. Otherwise, how could he not possess the Power of the Limit?

So, in Qi Suian’s eyes, this group was not much different from chimpanzees.

"Hahaha, what you’re saying is a bit much, sir. Xie Quan was only trying to ensure you were well-received." A burly, white-haired middle-aged man let out a hearty laugh, coming to Xie Quan’s defense.

"Dad," Chang Jing called out quickly.

Qi Suian had sensed the man’s arrival long ago. After all, the entire area was under the surveillance of his reconnaissance network.

Besides, this was Chang Jing’s own residence. It was only natural for Chang Shaoyong, the Mansion Master of Liebo Mansion, to be here.

’A ninety-degree Power of the Limit... His dual attributes are probably around 2.4.’

’It seems my prediction was right. The so-called Power of the Limit maxes out at 2.5.’ A trace of disappointment flickered in Qi Suian’s mind.

But then he remembered his own dual attributes weren’t even at 2. Who was he to criticize others?

’However, that’s just his normal state. If he unleashes thermal energy through his Power of the Limit, he could probably add another 0.5, reaching a level of 3 for his dual attributes.’

Qi Suian reached his conclusion based on the data provided by the smart-brain.

"Thank you for saving Jing’Er’s life, sir. Why don’t you stay in my Liebo Mansion for a few days?" Chang Shaoyong ignored Chang Jing, his gaze fixed directly on Qi Suian.

The moment he saw Qi Suian, Chang Shaoyong had the same thought as his son: the armor the man wore was definitely not something an ordinary faction could forge.

"I was thinking the same thing," Qi Suian readily agreed.

’Smart-brain, have you found any network signals?’ he asked internally, checking for any progress.

[No results. Electronic devices exist, but there is no network. It is currently unclear how Xie Quan and his six men located Chang Jing.]

Qi Suian was unfazed. ’Technology in this world has taken a serious hit. They don’t even have a network.’

However, various modern appliances and vehicles still existed.

For example, they still had things like electric lights and cars.

They just weren’t as advanced as those in the Profound World. They were rather crude, clearly replicated from older designs.

Qi Suian had also figured out the source of their water and food. The water came from underground, while food production was ensured through techniques like providing shade and controlling temperatures.

This made both water and food extremely precious. Everyone’s rations were strictly allocated.

The lower and middle classes scraped by, while the upper class, in contrast, lived in extreme luxury.

Qi Suian had no idea what this world’s subterranean structure was like to be able to preserve water sources under such high temperatures, but he wasn’t here to study such things.

"Someone, arrange for our guest to rest in a guest room." Chang Shaoyong didn’t mind Qi Suian’s bluntness, maintaining his hearty demeanor.

"My humble home is rather simple and can’t compare to yours, sir. I hope you won’t find it lacking."

After he spoke, someone came in and led Qi Suian away.

After Qi Suian was gone, Chang Shaoyong finally slapped Chang Jing across the face, his expression turning utterly grim.

"Think you’ve got wings now, huh? You dare pull this elopement stunt on me?" Chang Shaoyong’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was laced with a cold fury.

Chang Jing’s face swelled up instantly, but he only dared to lower his head and clutch his cheek, not saying a word.

Xie Quan and the others stood by, silent with fear.

Chang Shaoyong naturally presented a hearty face to outsiders, but anyone foolish enough to be deceived by it would meet a gruesome end.

He didn’t control Liebo Mansion with so-called charisma, but with his methods and his strength.

"That little girlfriend of yours has been fed to the dogs. Next time you don’t know what’s good for you, I’ll break your legs!" Chang Shaoyong said coldly.

At these words, Chang Jing’s head snapped up, his expression full of shock. "Dad, how could you... I..."

"Since you were unwilling to go through with the marriage alliance with the Jade Dragon Association, I canceled it," Chang Shaoyong cut him off. "But even if you want to find someone on your own, you can’t pick someone from the slums."

"Did you think I couldn’t see what she was after?"

"You’re young and naive. She had you wrapped around her little finger. You didn’t really think you were her one and only, did you?"

As he spoke, Chang Shaoyong tossed out several photographs.

Looking at the images in the photos, Chang Jing’s face went pale.

Of course, there was no way she could have gotten close to him—the sole son of the Mansion Master of Liebo Mansion—so directly. She must have had to step on many others to get the opportunity.

"I... I understand, Dad." In all his years, this was the first time Chang Jing had witnessed such scheming.

"Old Xie, thank you all for the trouble of bringing this good-for-nothing back. I’ll host a banquet to thank you properly next time," Chang Shaoyong said, turning to Xie Quan and his men.

This wasn’t a genuine invitation but a dismissal.

"Then I’ll be looking forward to the Mansion Master’s grand banquet." Xie Quan naturally understood his meaning but played along instead of being direct. "If there’s nothing else, we’ll take our leave."

"Go on. Be careful on your way," Chang Shaoyong said. With that, the seven of them left immediately.

"Don’t leave the house for the next few days. It’s not safe outside," Chang Shaoyong told Chang Jing as he took out an ointment to apply to his injury.

He was, after all, his only son, and his wife had passed away long ago. Of course his heart ached for him.

The slap had been necessary to make a point, an act he was forced to perform.

Chang Jing held no resentment. Though he was a bit of a playboy, he wasn’t a complete fool. He knew his father had even offended the Jade Dragon Association for his sake.

The marriage alliance had already been negotiated, and by eloping, he had essentially slapped the Jade Dragon Association in the face.

In the end, it was his father who had shouldered the consequences.

"Is the Jade Dragon Association using my actions as a pretext to move against us?" Chang Jing asked worriedly.

"It’s related, but it’s not the main reason," Chang Shaoyong explained. "That old fox Xie Quan has been colluding with the Jade Dragon Association behind my back. Both the marriage alliance and your elopement were orchestrated by him."

"The people I sent to find you weren’t from Xie Quan’s group, and they still haven’t returned."

With things laid so bare, how could Chang Jing not understand? He broke out in a cold sweat. It was a good thing he had run into Qi Suian.

So when Chang Shaoyong said Qi Suian had saved Chang Jing, he wasn’t talking about the encounter with the Scorching Black Crows, but about how his presence had made Xie Quan and his men hesitant to act.

"But... why would Xie Quan do this? In Liebo Mansion, he’s the most powerful person besides you, Dad," Chang Jing asked, confused. "Even if he brings in the Jade Dragon Association, it’s not guaranteed he’ll have a better position than he does now."

The people from the Jade Dragon Association aren’t fools. Why would they let a traitor hold a high position?

If you can betray Liebo Mansion today, you can betray the Jade Dragon Association tomorrow.

"I haven’t found out why yet. That’s why I’m telling you to stay home and lay low."

"You need to raise your Power of the Limit as soon as possible. You need to reach at least seventy degrees," Chang Shaoyong sighed.

Chang Jing was a bit of a playboy, but he wasn’t brainless—just coddled since childhood.

-----------------

’Tsk, so it really was two different factions,’ Qi Suian mused, having monitored the conversation between Chang Shaoyong and Chang Jing.

’Even at a time like this, they’re still caught up in infighting.’

’I guess the heat of this Polar Day Apocalypse isn’t high enough. It’s allowed you all to get too comfortable.’

Qi Suian was naturally a bit speechless at this, but on second thought, this was actually good news for him.

After all, if they were truly united, it would only be a disadvantage for him.

’Once I have a clear understanding of Liebo Mansion’s management structure and overall strength, I can make my move.’

As for the Jade Dragon Association? Qi Suian wasn’t concerned. If they were truly stronger than Liebo Mansion, they wouldn’t have resorted to such schemes.

They would have just crushed them openly.

This meant the Jade Dragon Association was likely on par with Liebo Mansion. That was why they resorted to winning over Xie Quan and his men, planning to kill Chang Jing to weaken Chang Shaoyong.

Chang Shaoyong doted on Chang Jing so much. If his son were to die, he would be overwhelmed by grief, and his judgment would be impaired.

With an inside man and an external enemy, the difficulty of taking over Liebo Mansion in a two-pronged attack would be greatly reduced, and their losses would naturally be smaller.

And although Xie Quan seemed to be alone, he had subordinates.

Unfortunately for them, their plan had failed because of Qi Suian.

That was why Xie Quan and the others harbored such ill will toward him.

To them, him standing in the way of their ambitions was as unforgivable as if he had killed their parents.

There was no way they would have a favorable impression of Qi Suian. The only reason they restrained themselves was that they couldn’t gauge his true depth.

Otherwise, they would have attacked him long ago. This group was polite to Qi Suian because he had strength and a powerful background. Toward the lower and middle classes, however, they were ruthless exploiters.