Chapter 6: Club Nova
Loud music spilled into the streets with a long queue right outside. They were all eager to get into Club Nova, thus even when it was chilly and they were dressed in little clothing, they stood there, stomping their feet to keep warm. Inside, the bass was bouncing off the walls, the lights dim enough to hide the scandalous grinding and groping from the dancers.
The smell of cheap perfume mixed with sweat and smoke was especially strong on the dance floor. Occasionally, people would look up, hoping to catch a glimpse of his highness, the Imperial Prince Jun. It seemed they wouldn’t be disappointed today because the man of the hour appeared on the second-level balcony.
Unlike the videos of him at the memorial ceremony, he now wore a red silk robe with an open lapel. He was shirtless, his abs and chest on full display. He was wearing black pants that were riding low. When he lowered his head, his tousled hair was messy yet alluring.
He lit a cigarette, the red glow partially illuminating his handsome face. His appearance alone sent the crowd into a frenzy, with some pushing and shoving. Li Jun leaned against the rail with his back towards the crowd and blew up a cloud of smoke. Yu Xuan walked over with a glass in his hand and asked, "I thought you quit."
Li Jun took a long drag and leaned his head back, looking up at the vaulted ceiling. Wisps of smoke blurred his vision as he said, "I need it."
Yu Xuan knew why. It was because those bastards in the imperial court wouldn’t let him go. They had plotted to frame him for selling Chronos, all for what? He had already given up the throne, but they still wanted revenge for what the late Imperial lord had done. They wouldn’t attack Li Yu because, firstly, she had her mother to protect her, and secondly, she wasn’t raised by Li Mingze. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Li Mingze didn’t like his daughter.
Li Jun was his father’s favorite child, the heir he treasured the most. Thus, when the blood thirsty tyrant died, everyone wanted to tear his child apart. Yu Xuan ground his teeth and said, "Don’t you want to expose them?... You can’t let them keep bullying you like that."
Li Jun looked at him with a languid gaze and said, "Why bother?" He truly didn’t care about their schemes. Soon, he will start afresh and get to visit all the lands that he hadn’t explored yet. He turned around and gazed down at the people jeering while their bodies moved to the rhythm of the music. His gaze locked onto one of the women dancing flirtatiously while looking at him. How could he not live up to his reputation as a womanizer?
When she saw that he was looking at her, she danced even more provocatively, her hands all over her body. Li Jun watched for a second, letting the people taking evidence for Starnet take as many pictures as possible. He took another drag and as he puffed out a cloud of smoke, he curled his fingers, beckoning her over.
Yu Xuan took a sip before asking, "You are bringing her up."
Li Jun patted his shoulder and said, "How else can I solidify my reputation?" before walking back into his private lounge.
Yu Xuan said, "I will bring her up." He walked out and while he was gone, Li Jun’s phone rang. He tapped the floating screen and said, "Yes."
Yan Jia’s voice came through the call. She said, "Your Highness, they brought an entire unit. They are six minutes out," looking at the surveillance feed.
He poured out some liquor, his silver chimera ring on his index finger, catching the light. He sneered and said, "You would think they are here to arrest a mob boss."
She felt this was excessive, but their purpose was to attract attention, so it made sense. She wouldn’t even be surprised if they brought all the news broadcasters and gossip bloggers with them. She gnashed her teeth, wishing she could wipe them all off the face of the planet.
She said, "Your highness, let me come by your side. I fear they will use violence." She was worried that they would come in here, plasma guns drawn and trigger-happy.
Li Jun twirled the glass in his hand with a lost expression and said, "No, make sure everything goes according to plan downstairs."
Yan Jia was reluctant, but she still said, "Yes, Your Highness," and Li Jun hung up the call. At that moment, Yu Xuan came in with the girl who had a sycophantic look on her face, having met her idol. He curled his fingers, gesturing for her to come over and sit.
She was so excited that she couldn’t move for a second. It took Yu Xuan saying, "Hey, his highness is calling you." The woman woke up from her trance and rushed over to sit next to him. She rubbed her fingers nervously.
"Yo-your Highness, I ha-" Her words were abruptly cut off when Li Jun handed her a glass. The woman almost died on the spot. She had never thought the imperial prince of Aurelia would actually pour her a drink. For a second, she couldn’t breathe.
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the club, eight armored cars stopped abruptly, causing chaos on the street. The people standing in the line took their phones out to record while asking each other what the hell was going on, but no one had an answer. Men dressed in black gear came out of the cars and quickly got to work. They pulled the people away and some redirected traffic.
Yu Wen stepped out of the car dress in all black. He didn’t need to be here as this wasn’t his department, but because of who was being arrested, his friend, heading the operation, invited him along, knowing Li Jun’s history with him.
Commander Takumi stood next to him as he put his comm in his ear. He said, "My source says he is inside on the second floor."
Yu Wen said, "Remember, no lethal force unless absolutely necessary," before walking inside his aura oppressive.
