I raised stunning young ladies, but they all wanted to possess me.

Sima Dahai had also heard his grandfather mention that the highest level of the empire had recently made an exception and awarded the highest honor medal to that young imperial hero, requiring all young people to learn from him.

When the old man mentioned Gu Yan, his tone was filled with rare respect.

The Sima family was incredibly powerful; in ancient times, they wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them a founding family. That even the old man held them in such high esteem...

Both being top young talents in the empire, the gap between him and Gu Yan seems to be more than just one level.

That's what they say.

Looking at Shen Youyao's slender back, Sima Dahai still felt a strong sense of resentment and unease.

He let out a breath, barely managing to calm himself, and said to Li Zhengguo, "I understand."

"I admit, I had a very good first impression of this girl."

"But since she's someone Master Gu values... then forget it."

I'm going out for a walk to clear my head.

After saying that, he stopped looking and turned away from the training ground decisively.

Li Zhengguo watched his departing figure, his brows furrowed slightly, but he did not respond.

He then fixed his gaze on Shen Youyao, deciding to escort her out later.

Whether she is Master Gu's girlfriend or lover, I will never allow the former to suffer even the slightest harm.

Meanwhile, near the Chen family's residence, at the entrance of a secluded public garden.

Lin Zhenting was pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back, his brows furrowed.

Suddenly, from the shadows around him, like ripples on water, three figures dressed in black appeared silently.

All three wore masks of different styles, their auras refined, as if they had merged with the shadows.

These three were Lin Zhenting's strongest support in taking control of the underworld in Jinghai and building his reputation as the emperor of the underworld. They were also his three most valued subordinates who had followed him for the longest time.

"Ghost Face".

"Iron Wall".

"Thunder Owl".

Without turning his head, Lin Zhenting asked in a deep voice, "How are the preparations going?"

"Boss, as you instructed, one-third of the elite combat forces that can be mobilized from Jinghai have secretly arrived and are scattered throughout Shanglu, ready to be assembled at any time."

The one wearing the hideous ghost mask spoke first, his voice hoarse.

Iron Wall added in a deep, resonant voice: "The equipment and vehicles have also been put in place through special channels."

Lin Zhenting nodded, just about to say something more.

"Father, what are you and your uncles talking about here?"

A cold, crisp, yet excessively pleasant voice rang out behind him without warning.

The four people at the garden entrance, including Lin Zhenting, froze simultaneously!

Lin Zhenting was even more horrified.

In the past, when his daughter approached, he could sense a slight energy fluctuation or aura.

But now... he's completely oblivious!

He took a deep breath, suppressed his shock, and turned around.

Not far away, a cluster of leaping golden flames appeared out of thin air. The flames quickly expanded and took shape, transforming in the blink of an eye into Lin Jinyu's stunning figure.

She was wearing a specially made combat casual outfit today.

He wore a fitted dark red leather short jacket over a black turtleneck, and matching tight-fitting trousers tucked into knee-high black tactical boots.

This outfit not only accentuates her hot and sexy figure but also exudes a capable and sassy vibe.

Her long, golden hair was not tied up, but casually draped over her shoulders, shimmering with a molten gold-like luster in the sunlight.

Her exquisite face was expressionless, yet her golden pupils seemed to flicker with invisible flames.

Lin Zhenting forced a smile: "Jinyu, you've arrived."

"Master Gu is not in good health."

"Dad is arranging security to ensure your meeting with Master Gu goes smoothly and safely."

"A better meeting?"

"Then why arrange to meet at the Chen family's residence?"

Lin Jinyu glanced at the outline of the Chen family mansion not far away, then at her father, raised her beautiful eyebrows, and laughed in exasperation.

"Gu Yan is, after all, the jewel of the empire, and her status is special."

"The Chen family are local bigwigs in Shanglu, so it's more proper for them to host us and for us to meet here..."

Lin Zhenting's pupils contracted slightly, knowing that a simple lie couldn't be kept secret any longer, so he forced himself to explain.

"father!"

Lin Jinyu interrupted him abruptly, her voice rising with suppressed anger. She yanked out her phone, unlocked it, and slammed the screen down in front of Lin Zhenting.

On the screen was a photograph taken by Sir Anthony, showing Gu Yan and Cecilia in a close embrace in front of the Dark Magic Roller Coaster.

In the photo, Cecilia's icy blue eyes gaze at Gu Yan's profile, her focus and subtle dependence almost overflowing the screen.

"Do you think I'm stupid?!"

Lin Jinyu's voice trembled with anger, "That white-haired bitch in the wheelchair, how dare she seduce Xiao Yan!"

"Father, you know that, right?"

"Why didn't you tell me?!"

Lin Zhenting stared blankly for a moment as he looked at the phone that had been thrown at him and landed on the ground, along with the incredibly clear photo on the screen.

He spent the entire day mobilizing manpower, weighing the pros and cons, and figuring out how to persuade Gu Yan; he really didn't pay attention to the gossip photos circulating in the entertainment and art circles.

Upon seeing this, I immediately felt a sense of foreboding.

Lin Zhenting has always been concerned with the balance of power, resource allocation, and potential threats.

Entertainment news and art photography, which he considered minor details, were naturally filtered and summarized by his team, and he wouldn't report every single detail.

Given the urgency and the significant implications of Gu Yan's situation, his focus was entirely on getting people and Gu Yan to leave.

Master Gu, you're really... ripping people off!

No, it seems we can't entirely blame Master Gu, since he himself didn't communicate well before sending his daughter.

If Master Gu Yan knew that his daughter had come uninvited, he would definitely reprimand him.

Lin Zhenting had a headache.

"Jinyu, calm down!"

"Master Gu is a role model for the youth of the empire."

"Taking a photo with Miss Chen is probably for some kind of publicity, to increase public goodwill, which is normal!"

"You can't judge based on just one photo..."

He felt the surrounding air temperature begin to rise noticeably, his expression immediately changed, and he quickly explained.

"Alright, Dad!"

Lin Jinyu interrupted again, pointing at the photo, her icy blue eyes practically spitting fire, "Didn't you see the way this crippled bitch looked at Xiao Yan?"

"That's not the way you look at a regular friend or business partner!"

"That bitch lives here, right?"

"I'm going to kill her right now!"

Lin Zhenting was instantly dumbfounded.

Although he and Chen Sinian were at odds and schemed against each other, they had known each other for more than ten years, with both competition and cooperation, and were familiar with each other in the same circle.

If the daughter really stormed into the Chen family's residence in a fit of anger, it could even cause significant casualties.

That would truly be an irreconcilable blood feud, shaking the very top echelons of the Great Xia Dynasty.

Just as Lin Zhenting's mind was rapidly weighing the pros and cons, and he was about to break out in a cold sweat, Lin Jinyu saw that he remained silent and said coldly, "Father, if you won't tell me, I'll go find it myself."

"You don't need to try to persuade me anymore."

Her voice was hoarse with an extreme sense of suppression, and every word was imbued with a chilling killing intent.

"Xiao Yan has been by my side for six years."

"He's too naive and too gentle. He doesn't know how scheming, dirty, and despicable those women outside are."

"It's okay, I can teach him slowly and protect him."

"but……"

She raised her head and looked in the direction of the Chen family mansion, with faint golden flames swirling around her.

"How dare this woman!"

After saying that, she burst into flames and was about to transform into a streak of fire and rush towards the Chen family.