Starting from the imperial palace guards, his clones spread all over the world.

Chapter 575 Even Macho Men Can Be Artistic?
Within just two days, Silverwing Marquis, amidst an awkward silence, led his remaining guards and filled with humiliation, and slunk away from the city that no longer belonged to him.

In the end, he still didn't have the courage to directly force the Hualongmen to rebel.

But that doesn’t mean he’ll give up easily.

Retreat is not the same as admitting defeat; humiliation only breeds deeper hatred.

After securing his safety, Marquis Yinyi repeatedly reported to the imperial court that Hualongmen was plotting a rebellion.

One after another, strongly worded secret memorials bearing his official seal as Marquis of Silver Wing flew to the capital's central government like snowflakes.

He went to great lengths to exaggerate, portraying Liang Jin's domineering nature, the rapid expansion of the World Society, and the erosion of government authority by the disaster relief alliance as a huge conspiracy to overthrow the country.

His report was not made by Gu Ming; it received support from the Six Doors.

The Six Doors also believed that the Dragon Transformation Gate already harbored rebellious intentions.

This dual pressure from local military commanders and imperial henchmen finally drew the attention of the imperial court.

Just as the imperial court was sharpening its knives, preparing to take swift and decisive action against the Hualongmen, the flames of war along the southeastern coast forcibly shifted the empire's focus in a more brutal and direct manner.

Iron Dragon Gang!
This notorious pirate tycoon, who dominated the East China Sea, launched an unprecedented surprise attack at this moment!

They were no longer satisfied with plundering merchant ships, but instead turned their attention directly to the coastal garrisons and navy of the Great Qian Dynasty!
The Iron Dragon Gang's offensive was like a hurricane, swift and precise.

They not only possess a powerful naval force, but also seem to have mastered the core defense secrets of the Great Qian Navy!
Each attack struck the weakest link in the imperial court, resulting in heavy losses for the Daqian navy and leaving the coastal defenses riddled with holes in an instant.

The pirates' swords are already at the throats of millions of people in the five southeastern states!
Its threat and precarious situation far exceed those of a "mysterious" Hualongmen.

The cold reality was like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing the flames of hostility towards the Hualongmen that had just been ignited in the capital.

The imperial court's decision-making scales tipped instantly.

After all, the Hualongmen sect did not rebel or cause trouble; instead, they were diligently carrying out disaster relief work.

The imperial court's target in the southeast naturally changed to the Iron Dragon Gang.

The imperial court even sent envoys to try to contact the Hualongmen, intending to win them over to deal with the Tiejiao Gang. As long as the Tiejiao Gang of pirates was destroyed, the Hualongmen leader would be promoted and ennobled.

When the news reached Shi Danqin's villa where she was recuperating, the old marquis, who was already emaciated from his unhealed poison wounds, trembled with rage and spat out a mouthful of blood, staining the brocade quilt red.

"Foolish! The imperial court is foolish!"

He pounded on the bed, screaming hoarsely:
"The Dragon Transformation Gate is the real threat! Using a tiger to devour a wolf? Who knows if the tiger won't turn on its master first?!"

However, his roars and protests seemed so pale and powerless in the face of the court's national policies.

It is said that Shi Danqin was so depressed by this that she fell seriously ill for more than a month and almost lost half her life.

In Dongzhou.
From nobles to commoners, the most discussed topic these days is undoubtedly the "Dragon Gate".

If there's any topic that's even more popular than "Changlongmen," then it's undoubtedly the recently established "Tianxiahui"!
The leading sect in the World Society is the Dragon Transformation Sect, so the common people often discuss the two together.

However, in the eyes of the world, the Hualong Sect is mysterious and unpredictable. Apart from its chief disciple Xiong Ba, no one knows what other high-ranking members the Hualong Sect has.

Even the location of the Hualongmen sect's headquarters remains unknown to the world.

Like a giant beast in the deep sea, it only occasionally reveals a corner of its majesty, yet it is enough to awe all around.

However, the common people know a great deal about the World Society.

The World Society is a disaster relief alliance composed of various sects and folk organizations in Dongzhou, and its leader is Xiong Ba, who was elected by the people.

Even in local villages and counties, some influential people have successfully joined the outer circle of the World Society, which has made the World Society quite familiar to everyone.

It can be said that in a short period of time, the World Society spread wildly and took deep root in the land of Dongzhou like ivy.

It is no longer just the name of a disaster relief alliance, but has become a symbol—a new symbol that transcends government and represents strength and hope.

Official orders sometimes cannot even leave the government office, but the orders of the World Society can be answered by everyone.

A subtle power shift is quietly taking place in Dongzhou.

The most discussed person among the people in the World Alliance was Zhou Baining, the most beautiful woman in the martial arts world of Dongzhou, who was so stunning that she could topple kingdoms.

As soon as the World Society was established, she and her family joined the society and actively participated in disaster relief efforts.

Her stunning beauty was like a soothing balm for the soul.

Every time she appears, she can rekindle the flame of hope in the eyes of desperate disaster victims and inspire even more enthusiasm in the exhausted rescue teams.

Her name and her image possess an unimaginable appeal.

Countless wealthy households who were originally indifferent to disaster relief generously donated money simply because they heard that Zhou Baining was personally in charge of the relief efforts; many hesitant martial artists also joined the World Alliance because they admired her demeanor and sense of responsibility.

It can be said that Zhou Baining, with her own efforts, greatly united the people and promoted the disaster relief process in Dongzhou.

Under the combined force of this effort, the disaster situation finally began to show clear signs of improvement.

……

Dongzhou City.

It was another gloomy, rainy evening.

Raindrops pattered against the exquisite glazed tiles of the Zhou residence, creating a continuous dripping sound.

Zhou Baining dragged her exhausted body home.

Even with the physique of a fifth-rank martial artist, the exhaustion and constant travel of the past few days had left her feeling heavier than ever before.

She just wanted to take a shower as soon as possible to wash away the dust and fatigue.

She quickly washed up, changed into a clean, plain white dress, and before she could even dry the water droplets from her hair, she picked up the disaster relief progress documents that she had prepared on the table, preparing to go to the headquarters of the World Society to report to the gang leader.

Just as she stepped into the corridor, a figure blocked her way.

It was her father, Zhou Xun, the head of the Zhou family.

Looking at his daughter's pale yet stunningly beautiful face, and the lingering weariness in the depths of her eyes, Zhou Xun felt a complex pang of sorrow.

He sighed heavily, his voice filled with barely concealed worry:
"Bai Ning, you... have lost too much weight."

“These days, you’ve been working tirelessly for the World Society, doing everything yourself, throwing yourself into it completely… It breaks my heart to see you like this.”

He paused, his tone becoming even lower, carrying the weight of a head of household:

“But Bai Ning, your father is not only your father, but also the head of the Zhou family.”

"It is true that the World Society is now very powerful."

"But who is Shi Danqin? He is vindictive and ruthless! Although he has temporarily retreated, who can predict the court's intentions? Today they are being appeased, but who knows if they won't turn on us tomorrow?"

"No matter how vast the world may be, can it be greater than the imperial authority of the court?"

"If that day ever comes, and Shi Danqin returns with the imperial decree...wouldn't our Zhou family be reduced to mutual destruction along with the World Society?"

His words, like cold raindrops, struck Zhou Baining's heart, which had just been warmed by the hot water.

Zhou Baining's eyes had initially warmed upon hearing her father's concern, and her lips twitched slightly.

But when Zhou Xun's next words clearly reached her ears, the gentleness on her face instantly froze and vanished. In its place was an almost icy calm.

She slowly walked to the window and pushed open the carved wooden window.

A damp, cold wind, carrying raindrops, rushed towards her, ruffling a few strands of wet hair on her forehead.

She gazed out the window at the gray sky and the endless rain, her voice as cold and clear as the raindrops dripping from the eaves:
"Father, do you still remember the city tower?"

"Lord Yinyi Shi Danqin used the lives of my entire Zhou family as leverage to force my daughter to submit."

"At that time, if we hadn't resisted, the Zhou family would have faced the same fate of annihilation!"

"Just because the enemy is powerful, should we just offer our necks to be slaughtered and let them do as they please?"

She turned around, her gaze as cold as stars, meeting Zhou Xun's somewhat evasive eyes directly, a mocking smile even playing on her lips:

"Moreover, I have personally sent the entire Zhou family into the World Society."

"The ship has left the shore, and there is no turning back."

"If Father were to harbor rebellious thoughts and attempt to betray us at this time... how do you think Chief Xiong Ba would deal with him?"

"The Zhou family will also face utter destruction!"

She took a step forward, closing in on Zhou Xun, her voice not loud, but every word was like a knife:

"If Father truly harbors such thoughts, I... will be the first to report it to the gang leader!"

"Without the slightest hesitation!"

Zhou Xun was struck dumb, his face turning deathly pale instantly.

"you……!"

His finger, pointing at Zhou Baining, trembled violently, his chest heaving, clearly enraged by his daughter's outrageous words.

He wanted to rebuke her, to assert his authority as a father, but looking into his daughter's clear yet unwavering eyes, and at the determination beneath her pale face, all the words of rebuke stuck in his throat.

A tremendous sense of powerlessness, like an icy tide, instantly overwhelmed him.

Yes, what right does he have to criticize?
When his daughter was facing a desperate situation, what could he, as a father, do for her and for the Zhou family besides watching helplessly?
This deep sense of defeat caused his hand, which had been pointing at his daughter, to finally fall limply and dejectedly.

Looking at her father's instantly aged and dejected appearance, Zhou Baining felt a pang of pity in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a deeper resolve.

She stopped looking at Zhou Xun and instead stretched out her slender fingers to gently caress her face, a face that could bewitch the world.

The cool touch from her fingertips gave her words a melancholic air, as if she had experienced the vicissitudes of life:

"Beauty is a curse... Father, do you know? From childhood to adulthood, this face has brought more than ten disasters to the Zhou family?"

Her voice was very soft, as if she were recounting a past event that had nothing to do with her:
“Those self-righteous scoundrels fought over me, even drawing their swords against each other. Thirty-four people have died because of me in the arena, alleyways, and desolate fields. No fewer than a hundred have had their tendons severed and are crippled for life. As for those indirect casualties caused by me, such as those who formed feuds and lost their families… they are countless.”

"And those women who blocked the entrance to the Zhou residence, pointing their fingers at me and cursing me as a 'vixen' and a 'femme fatale,' wishing me a terrible death... Their voices have never truly stopped in my world."

As Zhou Xun listened to his daughter's calm narration, his body hunched slightly, as if he were overwhelmed by the burden.

He lowered his head deeply and let out a long, bitter sigh:

"Bai Ning... Father, Mother, and the entire Zhou family... we all just hope... that you can find a good home... and live a peaceful and happy life..."

He was well aware of the pressure his daughter was under.

For the Zhou family, Zhou Baining's beauty was both a rare treasure and a hot potato.

The entire family placed high hopes on her, expecting her to marry into a truly wealthy and powerful family and bring unparalleled glory to the Zhou family.

This expectation itself is a heavy mountain.

Zhou Baining seemed not to hear her father's sigh. Her gaze pierced through the rain, landing in the distance towards the headquarters of the World Society. Her voice was exceptionally clear, carrying a resolute determination:

"So, I've thought it through very clearly."

"Only by attaching ourselves to the strongest in Dongzhou, to a power that can deter all those who covet and suppress all dissent, can we truly stay away from trouble and completely quell those unfounded insults!"

"The strongest person in Dongzhou right now is Xiong Ba, the leader of the World Society!"

"My daughter's mind is made up; she will follow him to the death for the rest of her life!"

"Sharing honor and disgrace, following each other through life and death!"

As if to confirm her determination, a pale bolt of lightning tore through the gloomy sky.

"Boom——!"

Immediately afterwards, a deafening clap of thunder exploded overhead! A fierce wind whipped up a torrential downpour, violently pounding against the windowpanes.

Amidst the thunder, Zhou Xun abruptly raised his head, his face filled with astonishment, as if he wanted to say something.

But Zhou Baining no longer gave him another chance.

She gave her father a deep look, her gaze complex, containing understanding, resolve, and an undeniable warning:

"So Father, for the sake of the Zhou family, and for the sake of your daughter... please give up those inappropriate thoughts."

After saying that, she resolutely turned around, her white skirt drawing a resolute arc in the wind, and stepped into the torrential rain outside without looking back.

The rain instantly soaked her skirt, but she was completely unaware, and walked firmly toward the core that symbolized the new power—the headquarters of the World Society.

Some words she didn't say aloud, but echoed in her heart.

She had seen too many men of all kinds: greedy, obsessed, hypocritical, cowardly... She had long since seen through their eyes.

But that one man was the tyrant...

He clearly possessed the power to easily possess her, and even when she took the initiative to submit to him and almost offered herself up, he always maintained a... peculiar boundary.

This restraint did not make her feel slighted; on the contrary, it made her more convinced of his uniqueness and strengthened her determination to follow him.

It was not the thrill of romantic love between a man and a woman, but a submission and dependence on absolute power and profound cunning.

……

The headquarters of the World Society is located in a grand villa situated at the highest point in Dongzhou City.

High walls and deep courtyards, brightly lit, exuding both solemnity and vitality even in the rainy night.

The disciples guarding the gate were already familiar with this Miss Zhou who frequently came and went.

Seeing her arrive despite the rain, the guards' eyes showed respect; they immediately bowed and informed her:
"Miss Zhou, you're back."

"The leader is at the headquarters today, currently in his study."

Zhou Baining nodded slightly in acknowledgment. Rainwater slid down her smooth forehead, but she paid no attention. She walked straight through the courtyards and headed towards the study deep inside, where the lights were the brightest.

Just as I passed through a moon gate, I suddenly heard a series of hurried and slightly flustered footsteps behind me.

"Zhou...Zhou...Miss Zhou!"

"Please...please wait!"

A voice, clearly nervous and shy, rang out.

Zhou Baining stopped and turned around to look.

A slender, exceptionally handsome young man was seen jogging up to catch up.

The rain soaked him completely, and his thin clothes clung tightly to his body, outlining his delicate, almost girlish curves.

Her long, wet, dark hair clung to her fair, almost translucent cheeks and neck. Her eyes were moist and affectionate, but she was too nervous to look directly at Zhou Bai Ning.

It was An Lansheng, Liang Jin's junior apprentice.

With his androgynous appearance and pitiful looks, nine out of ten people who see him for the first time will mistake him for a stunningly beautiful young woman.

An Lansheng stopped a few steps away from Zhou Baining, her pretty face flushed red, as if it could bleed.

His gaze was fixed on the tips of his muddy shoes, his hands seemed to be tightly clutching something behind his back, and his chest heaved violently from running and tension.

"Young Master An? Is something the matter?"

Zhou Baining's voice remained gentle, yet carried a natural sense of detachment.

She had seen far too many men with this kind of attitude.

She knew perfectly well the root of that shyness and nervousness.

An Lansheng trembled violently, as if burned by the voice.

He gritted his teeth, as if he had made a great decision, and finally mustered the courage to raise his head, wanting to hand over what he had hidden behind his back and was holding tightly in his hand.

However, when his gaze actually fell on Zhou Baining's face, which was soaked by the rain, all his courage and prepared words were instantly shattered by her breathtaking beauty!

In the rain, she resembled a white magnolia blossom bearing dew.

Water droplets clung to the ends of her dark hair and her long, curled eyelashes, shimmering with tiny sparkles.

The rain did not wet her clothes; a thin, almost invisible layer of internal energy circulated around her, gently separating the rainwater—a sign of a fifth-rank martial artist releasing their internal energy.

This level of martial arts skill was something that An Lansheng could only look up to but could never reach.

The ultimate beauty and immense power intertwined, creating a breathtaking and overwhelming impact. An Lansheng felt his mind go blank with a "buzz."

My heart was pounding wildly in my chest, as if it were about to burst out of my body.

Overwhelmed by feelings of inferiority, an indescribable admiration, and the fear of being burned by the other's brilliance, a cacophony of emotions overwhelmed him, leaving him completely speechless.

Time seemed to stand still under Zhou Baining's calm yet questioning gaze.

The color drained from An Lansheng's face, only to be quickly replaced by an even deeper flush.

"I...I...I..."

He stammered, his lips trembling, and finally, the moment Zhou Baining slightly frowned, his mental defenses completely collapsed!
"I'm fine! Sorry to bother you!"

He practically screamed those words, then turned around abruptly and ran away like a startled rabbit!
In his panic, his tightly clenched hand inadvertently loosened.

A white jade hairpin, inlaid with tiny sapphires and exquisitely crafted, fell with a "plop" onto the muddy stone pavement, splashing up a few murky water droplets.

An Lansheng exclaimed in surprise and hurriedly bent down to pick it up.

He didn't dare look in Zhou Baining's direction, haphazardly stuffed the mud-covered hairpin into his clothes, and rushed into the rain without looking back, disappearing around the corner of the corridor.

That figure looked extremely flustered and disheveled.

Zhou Baining looked in the direction where An Lansheng had disappeared, shook her head slightly, and a barely perceptible hint of weariness flashed in her eyes.

She has seen far too many boys like this in her life.

Those meaningless admiration, pointless gifts, and clumsy attempts to please her had long been a heavy burden for her.

She only hoped that this sensitive boy would back down and not cause any more trouble.

She withdrew her gaze, tidied her slightly damp temples, completely putting aside the little incident brought by An Lansheng, and continued walking towards the brightly lit study.

……

After passing the artificial hill and the last corridor, the small courtyard where Liang Jin's study is located is now in sight.

However, just as Zhou Baining was about to step into the courtyard—

A melody, like a clear mountain spring, with a strange penetrating power, flowed clearly through the pattering rain and entered her ears.

Zhou Baining's steps froze on the spot!

Her pupils suddenly contracted, and all her fatigue seemed to be completely dispelled by the sudden sound of the piano, replaced by an indescribable shock and ecstasy!
琴！
She has been immersed in the art of playing the zither for over a decade, possessing exceptional talent that far surpasses martial arts.

In terms of martial arts skills, she is decent in Dongzhou, but not among the best in the world.

But when it comes to her musical skills, Zhou Baining is confident that she is absolutely a top-notch player even in the entire Great Qian Dynasty!
As the saying goes, a true expert's skill is immediately apparent upon their first move!

The moment the music entered her ears, Zhou Baining's soul felt as if it had been struck by lightning!
The exquisite fingering, the delicate control over tone, and the profound and far-reaching interpretation of the music's meaning... were even slightly superior to hers!
What shocked her even more was that the music contained an indescribable rhythm, as if it were in harmony with some kind of pulse in the world!

She subconsciously focused her gaze and looked into the courtyard.

The falling raindrops seemed to create a strange rhythm as the music flowed.

Countless tiny raindrops, as if drawn by invisible threads, twirl and leap lightly in mid-air, even pausing and resonating briefly, reluctant to fall.

This is no longer just a skill in playing the piano; it is a flawless integration of profound inner strength into every note, using sound to control things and emotion to govern one's spirit!
This is precisely the realm that Zhou Baining has devoted his entire life to studying, dreaming of, and yet has never been able to reach!

"who is it?!"

"Who on earth is playing this?!"

Immense excitement overwhelmed reason like a tidal wave.

Zhou Baining no longer cared about etiquette or disturbing anyone; only one crazy thought remained in her mind—to see him!

We'll meet this master of the zither right away!

She even longed to kneel down and beg for guidance!

The highest hall I've been searching for for over a decade is now right before my eyes!
She practically stumbled into the courtyard and pushed open the half-closed door to the study!

"Squeak-"

When the door opened, the scene inside struck Zhou Baining like a thunderbolt, completely shattering her understanding!
She stood there, frozen, like a clay or wooden sculpture, her mind completely blank!
The study was brightly lit.

Sitting before that precious rosewood guqin was not the ethereal, long-fingered master of the guqin she had imagined, but rather…

A towering, bald giant whose head almost reached the roof beams!

Liang Jin!

The leader of the World Society, Xiong Ba, who was known throughout Dongzhou for his fierce, domineering, and ruthless methods!

His massive body almost completely enveloped the guqin, and his thick, iron-like fingers created an absurd and striking visual contrast with the delicate strings in front of him!

However, these hands, which should only be used to smash an enemy's head with a fist, were now leaping, plucking, and stroking the strings with incredible dexterity!
A series of clear, melodious, and profound musical notes flowed from the contrasting combination, filling the entire space!

Zhou Baining's worldview was completely overturned at this moment!

In her mind, a master of the zither should have a gentle and refined temperament, a slender and graceful figure, and fingers as white as jade, exuding an otherworldly aura when playing the zither.

The person before me... was rugged, fierce, muscular, and bore hideous scars on his face...

He should be a demon god drinking wine beside mountains of corpses and seas of blood, a tyrant commanding thousands of troops, but he shouldn't be... a musician sitting in this elegant study, playing the seven-stringed zither!
This huge, almost absurd contrast brought Zhou Baining's thoughts to a complete standstill.

"Zheng——"

The music stopped abruptly because of her intrusion.

Liang Jin raised his head, and a smile appeared on his fierce face that was extremely incongruous with his temperament, yet seemed exceptionally gentle at this moment.

His massive body slowly rose to its feet, like a mountain rising from the ground, and the shadow he cast instantly enveloped Zhou Baining, who was standing dumbfounded at the door.

"Miss Zhou, you're finally back."

His voice was deep and resonant, carrying a hint of approval:
"These days, the reports that the headquarters has received from various places have all owed much to your efforts."

"You've done your part, comforting the disaster victims and uniting people's hearts... Thank you for your hard work."

This was no mere politeness. Zhou Baining's name appeared frequently in the briefing Xie Wuwei sent, and Liang Jin had witnessed her efforts and achievements.

Zhou Baining's gaze remained fixed on the guqin, as if she had not yet recovered from the soul-stirring music and the mind-blowing scene before her.

Her lips moved slightly, but no sound came out.

Upon seeing this, Liang Jin's smile deepened.

He strode forward and walked to Zhou Baining in just a few steps.

A large, rough, calloused, and powerful hand gently pressed down on her delicate shoulder, conveying an undeniable sense of control.

A warm yet heavy force emanated from her clothes, causing Zhou Baining to tremble violently, as if she were waking from a deep dream.

She hurriedly looked up, meeting Liang Jin's deep, unfathomable eyes. Two red clouds instantly rose on her face, her eyes filled with shyness and panic.

"Boss! I...I'm sorry!"

"I'm so sorry! What...what did you just say?"

In her daze, she didn't hear Liang Jin's previous words at all.

Liang Jin was not displeased by her absent-mindedness; instead, he smiled and said:
"It doesn't matter."

"It seems Miss Zhou is also a lover of the zither?"

"I acquired this zither by chance, and its tone is acceptable. If you like it, I will give it to you."

He was referring to that sandalwood guqin, which was certainly not the Heavenly Demon Qin, but it was by no means an ordinary piece.

Zhou Baining's mind was finally brought back to normal, but huge questions churned in her heart like boiling magma.

She could no longer contain herself, and disregarding whether it was abrupt or not, her voice trembled slightly with urgency:

"Master! I...I would like to ask you for guidance..."

As soon as she spoke, she realized that her question might have touched on some taboo, and she hesitated for a moment.

Liang Jin's hand on her shoulder tightened slightly, conveying a strange, comforting power, his voice calm:
"We are not strangers, so please feel free to ask."

This gesture of "trust" was handled perfectly.

Zhou Baining took a deep breath, mustered all her courage, looked directly into Liang Jin's eyes, and asked, word by word:

"May I ask, Chief... do you know of Yue Xuefeng, the peerless master in the ancient martial arts world who was revered as the 'Sound Demon'?"

"Legend has it that he possessed profound musical skills, using music to enhance his martial arts, and left behind a peerless musical score called... 'Phoenix Dance on Seven Strings'?"

When Zhou Baining asked this question, her heart nearly jumped into her throat.

She stared intently at every subtle change in Liang Jin's face, her body tense, bracing herself for rage, denial, or even more terrifying reactions.

This is tantamount to testing whether the other party has obtained Yue Xuefeng's inheritance, and may even touch upon the other party's secret identity that they do not want others to know.

However, Liang Jin's reaction once again exceeded her expectations.

Far from being angry, he smiled calmly, with an air of matter-of-fact acceptance.
"of course I know."

"What I just played was the 'Clear Stream and Flowing Clouds' piece from 'Phoenix Dance on Seven Strings'."

boom!
Zhou Baining felt as if she had been struck by lightning, her mind went completely blank!
He actually... just admitted it like that?!

So easily?!
Overwhelmed with shock, she blurted out, her voice rising with emotion:
“I…I heard that the book ‘Phoenix Dance Seven Strings’…was taken from Senior Yue’s resting place by a mysterious and unpredictable master known as the ‘Demon in the Wind’…”

"Could it be...!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she had misspoke!

This is no longer just a test; it's downright accusation!

The identity of the Demon in the Wind is an absolute taboo in Dongzhou, which has aroused the hostility and hatred of many sects in the Dongzhou martial arts world!

She's playing with fire!

She instinctively took a half step back, trying to free her shoulder from Liang Jin's grasp, and a layer of cold sweat instantly seeped out of her back.

Fear gripped her instantly, as if the large hand on her shoulder would turn into a deadly claw in the next instant!
But Liang Jin's face still held that calm, almost eerie smile.

He even casually shrugged his broad shoulders, speaking as casually as if he were talking about the weather:
"Yes."

"The Demon in the Wind, that is me."

Understatement!

Shocking!

Zhou Baining froze completely.

stunned!

She had imagined countless possibilities, but she never expected the other party to so readily and frankly admit to an identity that would attract countless enemies.

This completely overturned her understanding and preparation for dealing with it!
Looking at Zhou Baining's shocked and speechless expression, Liang Jin's eyes flashed with a hint of barely perceptible satisfaction.

He leaned slightly closer to Zhou Bai Ning, his deep voice possessing a captivating magnetism that clearly reached her ears:

“Miss Zhou is not an outsider; she is someone I, Xiong Ba, completely trust.”

"I have no need to hide anything from you."

His words were like a spell, striking Zhou Baining's still-shaken heart.

"but……"

He abruptly changed the subject, lowering his voice and imposing an undeniable tone:

"This matter is of great importance, and I hope you will keep it a secret."

"I don't want a third person to know until I'm ready."

As he spoke, his large hand, which had been resting on Zhou Baining's shoulder, not only did not loosen but tightened slightly, conveying a stronger sense of control and... a hint of indescribable intimacy.

The scorching heat from the palm of her hand, penetrating the thin fabric, was clearly imprinted on Zhou Baining's skin.

Zhou Baining suddenly woke up with a start, realizing that this overly intimate contact had lasted for too long and was extremely impolite!
Her cheeks burned, her heart pounded uncontrollably, and a strong sense of shame welled up inside her.

She should have broken free immediately, stepped back, and kept her distance...

but……

Why does my body feel like it's frozen in place?
Why is that feeling of resistance so weak?
Why was she unable to muster even a shred of strength to resist under the gaze of those deep eyes and the aura of that power?

This unprecedented, almost instinctive shyness and fluttering of the heart left her flustered and at a loss.

She had seen too many men and her heart was already indifferent.

But at this moment, facing this fierce yet mysterious, domineering yet honest bald man, her defenses were suddenly crumbling!

"Boss...you...you trust me so much..."

She could only try to hide her embarrassment by speaking, her voice trembling almost imperceptibly:
"Bai Ning... Bai Ning swears that she will keep this secret to herself and will never divulge a single word of it!"

Liang Jin kept observing the subtle changes in Zhou Bai Ning's facial expressions.

She went from extreme shock to disbelief, and now to panic, shyness, and that strange glimmer of light ignited by "trust."

This made Liang Jin realize that the bait he had carefully cast had firmly hooked this beautiful fish.

Zhou Baining's value goes far beyond her beauty and influence.

Her abilities, demonstrated in the short time she spent in the World Society, and her rising prestige in the five southeastern states, all prove that she is an extremely important pawn.

Using the resources of the Dragon Transformation Gate to build the World Alliance was a key step in his independent development.

Zhou Baining will be the powerful engine that accelerates this process.

He had already discerned Zhou Baining's almost obsessive desire for "Phoenix Dance Seven Strings" through the "Daily Intelligence".

This secret manual was the most tempting rein in his hands.

The time has come.

Liang Jin slowly withdrew his large hand from Zhou Baining's shoulder.

The heavy pressure suddenly disappeared, causing Zhou Baining to subconsciously breathe a sigh of relief, yet she inexplicably felt a sense of unease...

Lost?

But Liang Jin's next words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a tidal wave in her heart:

"You... really enjoy playing the piano?"

He asked casually, but his gaze held a sharp insight into people's hearts:
"If you want to learn this 'Phoenix Dance on Seven Strings'..."

He paused, looking at Zhou Baining's eyes, which suddenly lit up with a pleading look, and a meaningful smile curved his lips:

"I can teach you too."

"I'll teach you slowly..."

boom!
An overwhelming sense of happiness overwhelmed Zhou Baining like a surging tide!

She felt a wave of dizziness and almost couldn't stand up!

Phoenix Dance with Seven Strings!
The most precious zither treasure that she longed for and searched the world for but could not find!

The Zhou family spent countless resources and connections, only to be met with repeated disappointment and disillusionment.

Now, this long-awaited treasure is right in front of her, within her reach!
It takes no effort at all!
Overwhelmed with joy, she temporarily forgot her earlier shyness and shock, leaving only boundless longing for the highest hall of musical artistry.

She looked at Liang Jin with an unprecedented, almost pious light in her eyes.

Liang Jin, however, saw a deeper level of control forming in her gaze…

(End of this chapter)