Chapter 27: The Outbreak of Fire

"Hey, brother, why is it so lively over here?" Yang Dianfeng arrived with Bai Hua Bing, followed by a crowd of subordinates.

Gu Xiangnan greeted them with a smile. "Brother-in-law, sister, you're late. We just dealt with five Fusang dogs."

"I want to take a look," Bai Hua Bing said, curiosity sparkling in her eyes, but Gu Xiangnan stopped her, barring entry to the room.

"Sis, you'd better not see it. It's bloody and frightening."

Yang Dianfeng frowned, "What happened?"

Gu Xiangnan led them to the quiet hotel lobby and recounted the events of the evening.

Bai Hua Bing stomped her foot in anger. "If I'd known, I would have joined the fight. Is it too late to go now?"

"Go teach those dogs a lesson, and clean up afterward," Yang Dianfeng ordered his men with a wave. A squad headed toward the room.

"No wonder when we arrived, there was no one at the front desk and we waited so long. Good thing you were here," Yang Dianfeng said.

"Xiao Nan!"

Su Han Yan's voice called out. Gu Xiangnan pressed a hand to his forehead, realizing he'd forgotten his senior sister in the room.

Having just soaked in the hot spring and planning to cultivate her abilities soon, Su Han Yan emerged in a loose white shirt. The shirt was slightly transparent, hinting at the curves beneath. Her long, slender legs were exposed, drawing everyone's gaze.

Gu Xiangnan asked, "Why did you come out? Didn't I tell you to wait for me in the room?"

"I heard a commotion outside and got worried, so I came to check," Su Han Yan replied, her tone intimate.

"And who is...?" Yang Dianfeng inquired.

Gu Xiangnan hastily introduced everyone.

Su Han Yan was stunned to meet the legendary Master Feng. She warmly shook hands with Yang Dianfeng and Bai Hua Bing.

Bai Hua Bing scrutinized Su Han Yan, a nameless bitterness rising in her heart. A woman dressed like that, anyone could see what it meant.

So this is the little brother's woman?

Not so remarkable! Just a bigger, firmer chest than hers. Longer legs, a prettier face. She even runs a company. What else?

Su Han Yan affectionately took Gu Xiangnan's hand. "I've been waiting for you for ages. What happened? Did you save them?"

Gu Xiangnan smiled and nodded. "Yes, we made it in time. It was the Fusang people causing trouble."

"Fusang people?" Su Han Yan's instincts told her something was wrong.

Sometimes, a woman's sixth sense is uncannily accurate.

"Xiao Nan, the Fusang people have suffered losses here recently. We drove all the way, only to encounter them again. Doesn't that strike you as odd?" Su Han Yan looked at Gu Xiangnan with worry.

Thinking about it, it truly was strange!

Gu Xiangnan reassured her, "Don't be afraid, senior sister. Even if the King of Heaven himself comes, I'll make him kneel before me."

Bai Hua Bing couldn't stand the display of affection, turning her face away in frustration. As she did, she noticed something new.

"Hey? Why is it bright outside?" Bai Hua Bing pointed at the sky outside the window, puzzled.

Everyone turned to look. Outside, it was as bright as day.

Gu Xiangnan realized what was happening and flashed over to check.

From this vantage, he could clearly see several places in the plantation ablaze. The once lush green carpet of plants was now punctured by a giant black hole, flames spreading and thick smoke drifting outward.

Beyond the plantation wall lay the primeval forest. If the fire wasn't checked quickly, it would spread uncontrollably.

Gu Xiangnan turned and shouted,

"Fire!"

Everyone rushed to the window and saw flames soaring in the herbal plantation, leaving them dumbfounded.

Yang Dianfeng took out his phone and dialed emergency services. After confirming the address, the dispatcher promised to send firefighters immediately.

But this was a mountainous area, rugged and forested. When Gu Xiangnan had climbed up, there was only a single Hummer parked, blocking the road.

Clearly, the mountain paths were narrow.

Heavy fire trucks couldn't make it up. Even a small truck couldn't carry water; the weight would collapse the road.

The dispatcher suggested, for safety, that those on site use fire extinguishers to control the blaze.

Su Han Yan clutched Gu Xiangnan's sleeve, her voice trembling. "Xiao Nan, we need to do something. That's the company's years of hard work."

Gu Xiangnan picked her up and leaped lightly out the window.

For security, Su Han Yan had built tall walls around the plantation. Normally, the iron gate was locked, the key with the old man on duty.

Su Han Yan, desperate, turned to Gu Xiangnan for help.

Gu Xiangnan strode to the gate, gripped the handles, and pulled hard.

With a tremendous crash, the entire gate was ripped off and thrown to the ground.

Su Han Yan hurried inside, shouting,

"Water for irrigating the plants should put out the fire. Let's go to the guard room; there are valves there."

Su Han Yan had already thought of a solution. Gu Xiangnan carried her, running toward the guard room.

At the door, he blasted it open with a palm strike.

"Who is it? So noisy!" The man inside, napping on the bed, was startled awake by the noise and sat up complaining.

Su Han Yan's fury rose. She shouted,

"Uncle Li, how can you sleep on duty? The place is on fire!"

Fire?!

Uncle Li woke instantly, scrambled to the window, and was terrified by the flames outside.

He knelt before Su Han Yan. "Director Su... Director Su, it's my fault, I shouldn't have been sleeping..."

Su Han Yan had no time for his repentance. She cut him off, ordering urgently, "Enough! Go open the irrigation water valve!"

Uncle Li snapped back to reality, hurried to the equipment room to open the valve.

The valve was heavy, but Gu Xiangnan's strength made quick work of it.

Yet no water sprayed out as expected.

Uncle Li muttered, "That can't be! I checked this morning, everything was fine."

Su Han Yan grabbed a flashlight and headed outside.

"Hurry, take us to check," she said.

The three followed the pipes, eventually finding the problem.

The pipe was broken, severed cleanly, obviously cut by someone.

Gu Xiangnan looked at Su Han Yan, whose brows were furrowed, realizing the gravity of the situation.

"Senior sister, let's put out the fire first. We'll settle accounts later!" Gu Xiangnan reminded her.

Su Han Yan fretted, "What do we do now?"

"Do we have any fire hoses?" Gu Xiangnan asked.

Uncle Li nodded quickly, "Yes, follow me."

Beside the guard room was a fire box, stocked with basic equipment.

Gu Xiangnan found a roll of hose, about forty meters long.

"Let's try it. Not sure if it'll work." Gu Xiangnan dragged the hose away.

"Wait!" Su Han Yan stopped him.

Puzzled, he turned, only to have Su Han Yan place a gas mask over his face.

"Xiao Nan, be careful," Su Han Yan's eyes brimmed with concern.

Gu Xiangnan nodded firmly, stroked her jade-like cheek, and stepped into the blaze.