The low growls of a man and the moans of a woman intertwined, echoing constantly down the corridor.

Standing at the corridor entrance, Zhang Yifan trembled all over. So it's true, the Young Miss and Lu Luo are together! And they're actually... UGH!

Zhang Yifan, a grown man, actually covered his mouth.

I have to hold back my tears! Damn it, I can't! No, no...

Although he was in great pain, Zhang Yifan still carried out his duties. He stopped a maid who wanted to come over and clean.

"Mr. Lu Luo isn't up yet. It's not a good time to disturb them."

"Er, Lord Zhang Yifan, why are you here?" the maid asked.

"That's none of your business."

"Understood!"

The maid left dejectedly, leaving Zhang Yifan standing alone in the corner.

If Lu Luo had been there to see his heartbroken expression, he would surely have played "A Spray of Plum Blossoms" for him to suit the mood.

Inside Luo Xuemin's room, Zhang Yifan stood silently.

"Was it the two of them last night?" Luo Xuemin asked.

"Yes. The Young Miss went into Lu Luo's room."

Luo Xuemin didn't speak, looking out the window with a smile.

"Family Head, shouldn't we intervene?" Zhang Yifan asked.

"Why should I intervene?"

Zhang Yifan was taken aback, unsure how to respond. "But they haven't..."

"Haven't what? Married? You've investigated Lu Luo many times, haven't you? He's capable, strong, and Yuetong likes him. We elders should support them."

Zhang Yifan lowered his head. Yes, from Family Head Luo Xuemin's perspective, Lu Luo is truly outstanding. But why do I still feel so resentful?

"But Lu Luo has more than one woman," Zhang Yifan pointed out.

"How many women he has is between him and Yuetong. It's best if they can work it out. If not, that's just youngsters' squabbles. It's not for an old man like me to interfere."

It was clear Luo Xuemin was very satisfied with Lu Luo, so Zhang Yifan's report had no effect.

"I understand, Family Head."

"Yifan, I know what you're thinking, and I know what you want. But life is full of disappointments, and at the same time, many choices. Don't walk into a dead end!"

Zhang Yifan looked up at Luo Xuemin and took a deep breath. "Is Lu Luo your choice, Family Head? Don't you think this is too risky?"

Luo Xuemin stared at Zhang Yifan, his usual calm demeanor replaced by an imposing aura not seen in a long time. "Zhang Yifan, have you ever done business?"

"Business?"

"When many people think a business is a good opportunity, there's a high probability it will lose money, even end in total failure!"

"Er! Family Head, do you truly understand Lu Luo? Last night, you saw his tentacles, didn't you? This man is problematic."

"Heh," Luo Xuemin chuckled. "If you understood Lu Luo, if you understood the truth of this world, you wouldn't say such things."

Zhang Yifan was stunned. The truth of the world? What does the truth of the world have to do with Lu Luo, someone from the Fourth Ring? Isn't that a bit far-fetched?

"What is this 'truth of the world' you speak of, Family Head?"

"I don't know either. But Bai Qingshuang told me these things."

"The Judgment Chief?"

Meanwhile, after some time, Lu Luo emerged from the room with Dumb Hair.

He ran into Zhang Yifan, who was just returning from Luo Xuemin's.

"Hello, Bodyguard Zhang," Lu Luo greeted.

Bodyguard Zhang? Zhang Yifan thought. Although the description perfectly fits my role, coming from Lu Luo's mouth, it sounds like he's teasing me.

He glanced at Bai Yuetong, hoping to see a flicker of evasion or guilt in her eyes. But Bai Yuetong's gaze was filled only with unwavering determination and sweetness.

This plunged Zhang Yifan into despair.

"Is the Young Miss alright?" he asked.

"Me? I'm fine. Why?" Bai Yuetong replied, her complexion rosy.

Zhang Yifan looked at her and finally shook his head. "Nothing. Just get ready. After breakfast, we're leaving for the Ji Family's estate. There's important business today."

Zhang Yifan didn't want to say more, choosing to bury his emotions and thoughts. After all, his purpose in the Luo Family wasn't to pursue Bai Yuetong. Although years of growing up together had fostered deep feelings for her, he had more important matters to attend to beyond his emotions.

I checked the time; it's already 9 AM. We were still quite restrained with each other. Mainly because Bai Yuetong's Constitution is weak; this timing was probably just right for her. Zhang Yifan's emotions are fluctuating wildly, though he's managed to rein them in now. He's a dangerous seed, but I don't know his motives or his relationship with Luo Xuemin. If I get a chance, I should warn Luo Xuemin.

"Are we leaving now? What about Uncle?" Bai Yuetong asked.

"The Family Head has already gone to the council. Today, just follow me," Zhang Yifan replied.

Lu Luo nodded. Looks like I won't get to see Luo Xuemin. I wonder if Zhang Yifan will cause any trouble today. Still, he's managed to stay quietly in the Luo Family for over twenty years. His purpose probably isn't as simple as targeting me. And with my own strength, I should be able to handle any problems. My only worry is Dumb Hair. With Luo Xuemin absent, I'm a bit uneasy about leaving her home alone.

Lu Luo glanced at Dumb Hair. She had a demure, clingy air about her, quite different from her usual self. A girl turning into a young woman... I guess this is what it's like!

Seeing Lu Luo staring, Dumb Hair instantly reverted to her old self. "What are you looking at me for? Planning to abandon me? Just gonna 'hit it and quit it'? Use me up and then disappear?"

What a verbal assault!

Lu Luo: ???

He hadn't said a word and was already hit with a triple accusation!

They had just crossed the final threshold, and things were supposed to be passionate between them. Expecting Dumb Hair to stay home quietly was definitely unrealistic. So, Lu Luo looked questioningly at Zhang Yifan.

"Zhang, it shouldn't be a problem if she comes with us, right?"

The Young Miss has changed, Zhang Yifan thought. She used to prefer staying home to research machinery rather than going to places like this. She's not the same Young Miss anymore, and it's all that bastard Lu Luo's fault! Damn him! But if she comes along, maybe she'll see Lu Luo's tentacles, his true nature. That terrifying form... any woman would be scared, right? Yes, that must be it.

"In the Inner Ring, there's no place the Young Miss cannot go," Zhang Yifan said.

"Great! Dumb Hair, let's go together!" Lu Luo said.

"Okay!" Dumb Hair chirped.

After they finished breakfast, Zhang Yifan was already waiting with some men at the estate's Training Ground.

When Lu Luo and Bai Yuetong arrived, they found that besides Zhang Yifan and some uniformly dressed family servants, the good-for-nothing Luo Feng was also there.

What use is a bum like him? Lu Luo thought. Is he just going to hold us back? While Lu Luo kept silent, Bai Yuetong wasn't about to indulge Luo Feng.

"Luo Feng, what are you doing here? To make a fool of yourself?" she challenged.

"That's crap! How would I make a fool of myself? If you can go, why can't I? I need to look after family matters. Besides," Luo Feng added, "he's a Lu, he's a Zhang, and you're a Bai. Is it right for the Luo Family's affairs to be handled with no Luo present?"

You know, Little Luo actually has a point, Lu Luo thought, nodding in agreement. Luo Feng's reasoning was sound and convincing.

Not just Lu Luo, but Zhang Yifan and Dumb Hair also thought it made sense. Bai Yuetong sized Luo Feng up and down, then nodded.

"Alright then. But you behave yourself when you're with us!"

Luo Feng was already quite intimidated by Bai Yuetong; now, with her standing next to Lu Luo, he was even more apprehensive. It couldn't be helped; the impression Lu Luo had made on him yesterday was too profound and visceral.

Luo Feng glanced warily at Lu Luo. I'd better keep my distance from this guy!

"Let's go!" Zhang Yifan announced.

"Okay!"

Once in the vehicle, Lu Luo adjusted his suit. This was one of about twenty suits Qi Xinzhu had carefully selected for me back in the Outer Ring, for any formal occasions that might arise in the Inner Ring. If one got worn or old, I could just switch. Twenty sets should be enough. Today's outing seemed fairly formal, which is why I wore a suit.

But unexpectedly, Zhang Yifan and the others were all in combat gear. Wasn't competition between Inner Ring families supposed to be about diplomacy and connections? Could it really come down to a physical fight?

"Zhang Yifan!" Lu Luo called out.

"What is it?"

Zhang Yifan's attitude towards me has become somewhat hostile; I can clearly sense it. It seems this guy has strong feelings for Dumb Hair. If you're going to be a mole, be a mole. How can you get emotionally involved? So unprofessional. As the ultimate mole himself, Lu Luo internally criticized Zhang Yifan's lack of professionalism.

"We're going to deal with the Ji Family today. Shouldn't it be negotiations? Why are you all in combat gear?" Lu Luo asked.

Zhang Yifan sized up Lu Luo's suit and slowly nodded. "Of course not. The struggles in the Inner Ring have never been about diplomacy; they're about fighting and killing. The distribution of benefits changes each time, but inevitably, everyone has to display their martial strength."

"Display martial strength? How?"

Although Zhang Yifan was somewhat resentful of Lu Luo, he still explained matters clearly. "Since we're all families from the Inner Ring council, we can't let things get out of hand. So, family members or recruits under thirty will spar. Determining the winners and losers allows everyone to accurately gauge each family's potential and current strength."

Hearing this, Lu Luo nodded. Under thirty is a very broad range. For instance, experts like Han Shiyu, not yet thirty, could break through to the Soxth Tier at any moment. If our opponents this time also have people like that, then I might actually be a bit interested...

While Lu Luo was contemplating, Dumb Hair, beside him, straightened his collar and tightened his tie.

"Nice suit. You've got good taste!" she complimented.

Dumb Hair had never done this sort of thing before, not in her whole life. But after becoming my woman, these actions seemed to come naturally to her. Her technique was even quite skillful, as if she'd always known how. It wasn't just her; Qi Xinzhu and Han Shiyu also seemed to have similar abilities. Are women inherently gifted with these skills, only to have them awaken once they are with a man?

Hearing Dumb Hair's praise, Lu Luo blurted out, "Qi Xinzhu picked out this suit."

The moment he said it, Dumb Hair's expression changed.

"Pfft. Only she would pick out such an ugly suit."

The group drove to a manor in the northern part of the Third Ring. The manor's main gate sign had been destroyed, but Lu Luo could still make out the words "Ji Garden" on a discarded plaque. This must be the Ji Family's estate. As members of one of the thirteen council families, we're just driving straight in without any notice? This is no different from how bandits behave.

"We're just driving in like this? Without even announcing ourselves?" Lu Luo asked.

Zhang Yifan rolled his eyes. "If you'd prefer to walk, you can get out now."

"No, I mean, where are the Ji Family members? This is their manor, right? Aren't there any guards?"

"The Ji Family went to the Second Ring!"

"The Second Ring?" Lu Luo looked surprised. The Ji Family's manor, just abandoned like that?

Luo Feng, in the front seat, turned and grinned at Lu Luo. "Without a Seventh Tier member, the Ji Family naturally had to seek political asylum in the Second Ring. Did you even need to ask? They won't last long, though. Not everyone can withstand the Second Ring's Dark Energy erosion. Over time, they'll either suffer Dark Energy mutations or die from various illnesses. The Ji Family is as good as gone."

Lu Luo narrowed his eyes. Are relations within the Inner Ring really this brutal? The Ji Family members aren't all dead yet, but their estate, Ji Garden, has been brazenly occupied! And the Ji Family themselves can only wait for death in the Second Ring, it seems. That's the Ji Family... if something similar happened to the Luo Family, would Luo Xuemin and the others also have to flee to the Second Ring? No wonder these families build their manors near the Second Ring! It's not just to guard against potential Exotic Species incidents; the greater danger actually comes from other families!

Tsk, tsk. The Outer Ring sometimes still values connections and etiquette, but this Inner Ring... it seems to be purely about benefits! Lu Luo nodded to himself. If all families have this kind of profit-driven attitude, then these negotiations are going to be interesting.

"What do we do next?" Lu Luo asked.

Zhang Yifan glanced at Lu Luo, a meaningful smile spreading across his face. "What we need to do is simple: either win everyone over, or watch someone else do it."

"Win them over? You mean fight?"

"Not just fighting, of course. Your charisma, your speeches, a fair distribution of benefits—all these can sway people. But if you can beat them into submission, that works too."

"Oh."

Dealing with riddlers is so boring, Lu Luo thought, turning from Zhang Yifan to Dumb Hair beside him. Why bother with an irksome guy like him when there's a cute girl right here?

"What's for lunch?" he asked her.

"I don't know yet."

"Have you ever seen a situation like this before?"

"No," Dumb Hair replied. "I was never interested in these things, so I didn't participate much. Besides, I think the Ji Family is the first major family to be wiped out since I was born."

Since Dumb Hair didn't know either, I guess I'll just have to play it by ear, Lu Luo mused.

"Well, let's go in and see. If there's danger, I'll get you out of here."

"Okay!"

Zhang Yifan frowned. This Lu Luo, always talking about running away at the slightest provocation... Isn't that just cowardice?

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