Gao Wu: I became the minor villain that the protagonist was about to destroy.

Luo Huaiyuan turned around and slowly opened the drawer. Inside was a broken photo frame and a broken photo. The old man looked at the photo frame with a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.

"What I have done today has made everything ambiguous, giving him more time. Ultimately, it all depends on him."

Wang Lin bowed his head deeply: "I understand your good intentions, Master. I will keep an eye on the young master's situation in secret."

Luo Huaiyuan waved his hand, looking slightly tired: "Go. Be relaxed on the outside but vigilant on the inside. Keep an eye on everything that happens. The Chu family, the Black Dragon Society, and those rats hiding in the gutter... there will be big trouble soon."

"Yes." Wang Lin said no more, bowed and left the study, gently closing the door behind him.

The study returned to silence, with only Luo Huaiyuan alone, facing the deep twilight outside the window.

Just as Luo Huaiyuan had predicted, the commotion at the birthday banquet was merely a prelude. The news that the Chu Group had developed a new gene-enhancing drug called "Kui Sui" ignited the entire Luoxia City like a spark thrown into boiling oil, and spread to the surrounding cities at an astonishing speed.

The next morning, the spacious square in front of the Chu Group headquarters building was packed with people from major media outlets, intelligence agencies, business rivals, and even unknown forces.

Long lenses and short microphones were pointed at the tightly closed doors, and the noise, questions, and discussions mingled together. However, the Chu Group's doors remained tightly shut, guarded with extremely tight security. All entrances and exits of the building were sealed off, energy barriers were quietly raised, and security personnel stood guard at key positions with cold expressions, refusing all interviews and spying.

Meanwhile, the community where the Chu family villa was located also lost its former peace. Inconspicuous vehicles were parked on the roadside for long periods of time, and there were occasional flashes of light from the green belt. Although there were few people around, countless eyes were staring intently at the seemingly ordinary villa from all angles.

Inside the villa, Uncle Li stood by the window, opening it only a crack, his gaze sweeping across several places outside like a hawk, his face serious.

"Master's 'openly repairing the plank road' move yesterday has lured the rats hiding in the shadows into the open."

Standing slightly behind him, Lin Yue tensed up slightly and said in a low voice, "Uncle Li, should I go out and clean up a bit? It's not good for these people to be watching us."

Uncle Li lowered the curtains and shook his head: "No need. These are just small fry outside, mere spies from all sides. Killing them would be pointless; in fact, they'd just use it to stir up trouble."

"The real threat isn't here, besides."

He paused, glanced down at the living room, and said, "With me and Young Master Baki here, these petty scoundrels won't be able to cause any trouble."

"The key lies in the research and development headquarters in the far suburbs. That is the final battleground for the new drug, and also the real target coveted by all forces."

The atmosphere in the living room was different. Chu Yu stood with her hands on her hips, glaring angrily at Baki, who was sitting on the sofa, enjoying a sumptuous lunch.

The table was covered with various high-energy foods, and Baki's eating manner was less like eating and more like he was undergoing some kind of efficient "energy replenishment".

"Baki!" Chu Yu raised his voice.

"Stop eating! Answer me! Why is it that even though I'm already at the Village Dry Realm, my spiritual sense still misses you completely, like a mud ox sinking into the sea? I can't see your true form at all! Tell me honestly, what realm are you at now?"

Without even looking up, Baki stuffed another large piece of spirit beast meat into his mouth and replied indistinctly, "Miss Chu, cultivation level is a personal matter, just like a woman's age and weight. It can't be told to others casually."

"Tch! I would have found out sooner or later even if you didn't tell me! Just you wait! Once I break through to the Zhenkun Realm and my spiritual power increases further, I'll definitely be able to see through you!"

"Oh." Baki finally finished the last piece of food, patted his belly with satisfaction, and then looked up with a lazy smile that was almost provocative.

"Then you'd better do your best, Miss Chu."

"You—!" Just as Chu Yu was about to start another verbal exchange, Baki suddenly put down his chopsticks.

"Hmm?" He moved naturally, just slightly twisting his neck and moving his shoulders from side to side, producing a slight, teeth-grinding sound of bones grinding together.

Chu Yu asked, somewhat puzzled, "What's wrong? Did you eat too much?"

"More or less."

Baki stood up, stretched his arms, and his muscles rippled smoothly under his casual clothes.

"I've had a bit too much energy; I need to digest it."

Almost at the same moment Baki got up, the door to the study upstairs opened. Uncle Li and Lin Yue quickly walked down the stairs.

At this moment, Uncle Li's expression was even more serious than before. Just a split second before Baki made a move, he clearly sensed a powerful and chilling spiritual force sweeping across the entire villa without restraint.

Baki glanced at them, his gaze lingering briefly on Uncle Li, before walking toward the door. His tone was casual yet authoritative: "Something has arrived outside that needs to be 'digested'."

Without waiting for a reply, he directly opened the heavy solid wood door of the villa.

Outside the gate, dozens of elite guards from the Chu family who were on duty had fallen silently in the courtyard, their fates unknown.

On the path in front of the door, two figures had appeared at some point.

Both men wore large black cloaks with their hoods hanging low, obscuring most of their faces. One was taller and broader in stature, while the other was thinner and stood quietly to the side and behind.

Baki's gaze fell upon the two, and his invisible Observation Haki spread out like a tide. However, the black cloak seemed to have some kind of barrier effect, making his perception somewhat sluggish.

But right next to that tall figure, on the slightly thin man in black robes, Baki caught a faint, yet strangely familiar, energy.

"Oh?" Baki raised an eyebrow, a hint of interest in his expression. "Have we... met somewhere before?" Though his tone was calm, his gaze was fixed on the slender figure.

The gaunt man in black robes moved slightly but did not raise his head. A deep, hoarse voice came from within the cloak.

"That's something you'll have to figure out for yourself."

Baki picked at his ear, looking nonchalant: " Figure it out? Never mind, it's just somewhat familiar, not being able to remember it is obviously insignificant."

Upon hearing Baki's words, the thin man in black clenched his fists tightly, and his aura became somewhat violent.

The tall, black-robed man at the head of the group stepped forward, his voice now much deeper: "Our target is only the girl inside. Hand her over, or you can step aside. We can pretend you don't exist."

Baki put his hands in his pockets, twitched the corners of his mouth, and said with a slight smile, "That sounds reasonable, but it won't work."