MWC – Chapter 188 The Guardian Has Arrived

I AM DROPPING THIS NOVEL. IF ANYONE WANTS TO CONTINUE THEY CAN. IF POSSIBLE PLEASE SHARE THE LINK SO I CAN BINGE READ TOO.

Inside the carriage, Lu Ming and Nicole sat side by side, with Long Xiang sitting across from them.

Nicole wore a large, pale yellow sunhat and square-shaped sunglasses. Her loose-fitting lemon-yellow T-shirt dress did its best to hide her ample curves, while her snug, white cropped pants clung to her long, slender legs. Delicate ankles flowed into a pair of stylish black-and-white canvas sneakers. She radiated youthful energy—one didn’t even need to see her face to know she had to be a jaw-droppingly gorgeous stunner.

Lu Ming and Long Xiang were chatting about the local customs and culture of Eight Special City. Some of the details in the documents differed from what Long Xiang described.

Eventually, Long Xiang couldn’t hold back any longer. He cautiously asked, “My lord, is this… is this Miss Nicole?”

Lu Ming waved it off. “No.”

Long Xiang let out a disappointed sigh. “Oh, I thought so. I mean, why would someone like Miss Nicole come to a backwater place like this? I first stumbled upon Lost in Space 3 by accident—it was amazing! After that, I went back and watched 1 through 4. When the fifth movie came out, I even traveled all the way to Gravel City, days in advance, just to see it on premiere day!”

“So, if the movie made money, Miss Nicole would get a cut, right? But if it’s a re-release later, she doesn’t get anything?”

Lu Ming rolled his eyes. It was true that starting from the fifth film, the company had revised Nicole’s contract to include a share of the box office. It was just business and had nothing to do with him.

This era wasn’t like the future—back now, even for superstars, getting box office cuts was still a novelty.

He hadn’t expected word to spread so quickly in fan circles, though.

Why did Long Xiang’s tone sound like he was handing money out of his own pocket to Nicole? Though honestly, his ticket probably only netted her a single copper coin at best.

“Bro, why do you look like it actually pains you?” Nicole couldn’t help laughing. She knew he was only pretending, but it was still hilarious.

“Don’t be mad…” Nicole wrapped her arms around Lu Ming’s, leaning close to whisper in his ear, “Bro, how about I pay out of pocket to fund your next movie?”

Lu Ming chuckled. “Forget it.”

“Hey bro, do you know who Queen of Hearts is?”

Lu Ming froze. The Queen of Hearts he was most interested in was a mysterious high-tier member of the Freedom Force Club—someone who had donated close to two or three hundred thousand in total, yet no one had ever figured out her identity.

He turned to Nicole in surprise.

Nicole just smiled coyly and sat up straight.

Lu Ming shook his head. “You’re not even into that stuff. Why are you meddling?”

“I think it’s fun. Bro, didn’t you always want to know who this like-minded, quietly supportive mystery person was?”

Lu Ming rolled his eyes. “Well, the mystery’s gone now. I kinda want to strangle you. I really thought my half-baked theories were resonating with some hidden billionaire or something. But nope—just someone I already know. How boring.”

Nicole giggled, but Lu Ming reached over and gently squeezed her small, soft hands resting on her lap.

Nicole turned her palms and cupped his big hand between hers, falling silent.

Long Xiang stared out the window, his whole body radiating awkwardness from scalp to soles. He could only pray he’d become invisible and disappear from existence.

The East Gate Security Post wasn’t actually at the East Gate itself—it was a bit of a walk away. The yard was small, with a row of wooden cabins inside.

The four security posts were actually more like garrisons. The four great Baiqi Tusi clans each took responsibility for defending one city gate in case of an enemy attack.

Now, the garrisons had taken on the role of public security offices, with each station responsible for law and order in the areas surrounding the city center.

The East Gate Garrison was in charge of maintaining security in the eastern part of the city.

According to Long Xiang, all the security posts were roughly the same—each with one security officer and about ten city patrol guards.

The social structure in the earthen city was simple from top to bottom. It wasn’t uncommon for ten or fifteen days to pass without even a single disturbance requiring intervention.

The security post was quiet. There weren’t even guards posted at the front gate. Not that anyone would dare wander into such a place—doing so would be considered a crime, and not a minor one either.

Lu Ming left the main group outside and entered the security post with only three people: Luo Yi, Uncle Sun, and Long Xiang.

Before going in, he reminded Nicole not to wander off.

Nicole blinked her blue-green eyes. “What fun is it to go shopping by myself? Obviously I need you with me—no wait, it’s too dangerous, I need you to protect me!”

Lu Ming rolled his eyes and turned to enter the security post.

Under Long Xiang’s lead, they entered the security officer’s office without any trouble. The officer, who had dark skin and monkey-like features, froze when he saw Long Xiang. He stood up, placed his hand over his chest, bowed, and began babbling something in his native language.

Standing beside Lu Ming, Luo Yi whispered a translation. “Honorable…”

Lu Ming waved her off. “No need to translate that kind of stuff.”

Since arriving in Eight Special City, both Luo Yi and Luo Er had changed into deep blue suits—because they now held the official title of translation clerks. Luo Yi followed him here, while Luo Er stayed back at the fortress to prepare the rooms. Even though the furnishings were new, especially the beds and bedding, Luo Er still insisted on replacing everything with linens brought from Donghai.

“Master…”

Lu Ming was about to wave off the term, wanting her to skip the honorifics during translation, but he paused. It was her first time acting as his translator. Even if he kept his tone casual, the pressure on her was anything but light. So he simply nodded without saying more.

“Mr. Long Xiang is now introducing your identity,” Luo Yi continued. “He says you are the Deputy Mayor of Beiguan, in the Donghai District. You’re also the Deputy Leader of a trade delegation here in Eight Special City on official business. Furthermore, you are the legal counsel for Mr. Liu Shoufu, who is currently being held by their forces. You now formally request to see Mr. Liu immediately.”

Lu Ming noticed the monkey-faced officer sizing him up.

“Oh, Master,” Luo Yi added, “This officer’s name is pronounced Balaji—it means ‘Flying Crossbow.’”

Lu Ming nodded. Long Xiang had mentioned earlier that this Balaji was the husband of a woman from a distant branch of the Jingji Luo clan.

Taking a few steps forward, Lu Ming offered the monkey-faced officer a small smile. “Mr. Balaji, may I see my client now?”

Luo Yi stepped forward and translated.

But Balaji’s brow furrowed as he looked at her.

Luo Yi was clearly a stunning Western beauty. But now, she was dressed in strange Eastern attire, with her soft, porcelain legs exposed. It was obvious from her posture that she had grown up wearing traditional flowing robes—her pale legs had that delicate, wind-blown look that evoked both vulnerability and desire. It was the kind of sight that could stir up a man’s darkest impulses.

And her dainty white feet were tucked into fine black leather shoes—an absolute taboo. In native customs, women were forbidden to wear leather footwear. Even the elite class of local women weren’t allowed such indulgence.

To Balaji, she was clearly a traitor—someone who had thrown herself into the arms of the East. A collaborator. A heretic. A betrayer. And being beautiful only made it worse—she struck every nerve of a native man’s fragile pride and sense of control.

Balaji launched into a string of angry gibberish directed at Luo Yi.

Was he reprimanding her? Lu Ming recalled Luo Yi once telling him that in the Western tribal lands, many men absolutely loathed women marrying outsiders. Those who admired the freedom of the East were seen as unforgivable demons.

That was why Luo Yi had asked if she should continue wearing traditional attire, even as a translation clerk.

But Lu Ming could tell—he felt—how much Luo Yi and Luo Er had longed for those blue suits. To them, such professional uniforms weren’t just clothing—they symbolized rebirth, dignity, a chance to be human again.

That’s why he had insisted they wear the formal suits. And on the train, he’d overheard them weeping behind his back—crying for a long, long time.

Now, seeing Luo Yi lower her head, silent and fearful, not daring to talk back—

Lu Ming’s brows furrowed. He turned to Long Xiang and said coldly, “Tell him this: If he dares utter one more word of criticism to my staff, the entire Jingji Luo clan will be stripped of their White Banner status and reduced to outcasts. I will make it happen.”

Long Xiang was stunned.

All this time, this deputy mayor from Donghai had seemed so easy-going—chatting, joking, relaxed. It was easy to forget what his position truly meant… and the kind of power he wielded.

Even in the true core of the Empire’s federal structure—the Kingdom of Gryffiny—this young nobleman would be considered one of the most important governing officials in charge of a thriving city with hundreds of thousands of people.

Let alone the fact that he was the deputy mayor of a subordinate city in the Eastern Sea District—the Eastern Sea, that near-mythical land of prosperity, like paradise itself.

Among citizens of the Empire, the people of the Eastern Sea held one of the highest statuses and strongest senses of superiority.

Of course, citizens who had lived their whole lives in the Eastern Sea and never ventured far would likely never realize this.

Long Xiang’s mind wandered with these thoughts, then snapped back as he hurriedly cut off Balaji’s rant. “Balaji, Deputy Mayor Lu Qianxing has officially warned you. If you continue speaking disrespectfully to his translation officer, he will seriously question the upbringing and manners of the Jingji Luo clan. Given how high your clan’s standing is in this city-state, he finds it incomprehensible and will raise the matter before the state council.”

He figured it was better to soften the message with a more diplomatic tone.

Balaji froze, his face turning a dark shade of red. He glared at Lu Ming with venom in his eyes.

Lu Ming smiled at Long Xiang. “Looks like you were too diplomatic—now he hates me instead. Tell him this exactly: I want to see Liu Shoufu right now. If I don’t see him within three minutes, I guarantee this little peanut-sized official’s career is over. Tell him word for word—don’t soften it. I don’t want him to misunderstand and get himself into unnecessary trouble.”

Long Xiang gave a bitter smile and had no choice but to relay Lu Ming’s original words directly to Balaji.

Balaji’s beady eyes blinked rapidly, and he clenched his teeth—but at last, he turned and shouted something toward the door.

A moment later, a patrol guard with a musket slung over his back and strips of cloth wrapped around his body came running in.

“My lord, let’s go. He’s going to take us to see Mr. Liu,” Long Xiang said quickly.

Lu Ming headed out. Luo Yi took one last glance at the livid Balaji, then followed closely behind her master. As she looked at his back, her eyes welled with tears—but she quickly wiped them away in secret. In her heart, she felt that even if she died for her master, it would be worth it. But as someone meant to be part of the background, even words of gratitude felt like something she wasn’t allowed to express.

“Qianxing! Qianxing…” The moment Liu Laocai saw Lu Ming, his eyes turned red. He struggled to get out of bed, didn’t even bother with his shoes, and stumbled straight into Lu Ming’s arms.

The wooden hut was tiny and crude. The floor was covered in dry straw, and there wasn’t even a toilet, let alone a washroom.

Liu Laocai reeked, but it seemed he hadn’t been physically abused.

Only then did Lu Ming relax a little. Today was exactly the third day—the deadline they’d been given.

“Qianxing, did you come right after I called you? That fast? Damn it, knowing you in this life—worth it! Totally worth it!” Liu Laocai clung to Lu Ming’s leg, wailing loudly.

Lu Ming looked helpless, but he could only pat the man on the shoulder. “Alright, alright, it’s okay now. Get up!”

But Liu Laocai cried like a wronged child, holding on to Lu Ming’s leg and sobbing even louder.