Armor: After finding the Demon-Sealing Box, I won't eat beef.

Lin Zhen slowly raised his right hand and brought it to his eyes.

With a slight contraction of his five fingers, he exerted force, and a dense ball of energy instantly rose from his palm.

The main body of the sphere is a dark reddish-black color, interspersed with about one-third of it brilliant gold.

The two energy levels are distinct, yet intertwined and embraced.

Yet they are constantly repelling and clashing with each other.

The reddish-black color is the dark primordial energy that spontaneously arises from the depths of his body.

Pure and domineering.

It is deeply rooted in his genes and marrow.

The golden light, however, is completely different.

It is the light-attribute energy that dissipated into the world after each fierce battle between the alien beasts and the armored warriors.

He quietly accumulated them.

There is little gold and much black, resulting in a severe imbalance in the ratio of light to dark.

This means that he must absorb more light energy as soon as possible this month in order to stabilize the imbalance of light and darkness in his body.

The source of darkness has grown significantly again.

If this continues, the power of origin will inevitably cause trouble.

He stared intently at the energy churning in his palm.

He was completely absorbed in examining his own power, his expression solemn.

Just then, a very light footstep sound came from outside the door.

The sound was faint and subtle, and ordinary people could not detect it.

But for Lin Zhen, whose perception far surpasses that of ordinary people, it was crystal clear.

He suddenly snapped out of his reverie, gathering all thoughts in his eyes.

"I hope this isn't the situation I'm hoping for."

Lin Zhen muttered to himself, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible gravity.

He gently loosened his grip.

The restless light and dark energy in his palm instantly calmed down, flowing back into his body along the meridians.

The office door was gently pushed open from the outside.

The person who walked in was west Zhao, who had just been beaten up by a group of people.

"dad."

west Zhao's voice was low, and his eyes were filled with deep weariness.

It wasn't just physical exhaustion; my heart was also filled with a jumble of worries.

Those calm eyes held too many complex and unspeakable past experiences and confusions.

Lin Zhen instantly cleared his mind of all thoughts about genes and energy.

His expression then returned to its usual calm and dignified demeanor.

"Bing'er has told me everything about the farce at ERP."

"You did a great job."

"For the next period of time, you should rest well and not worry about anything."

"I see."

west Zhao nodded slightly in response.

His lips moved slightly, clearly indicating that he still had a lot of questions he wanted to ask.

But he swallowed the words back down his throat.

He could only suppress the doubts surging in his heart and stand silently.

Lin Zhen had seen countless people and possessed a keen and shrewd eye.

He saw right through west Zhao's inner turmoil.

"Just say whatever you want to ask."

"Keeping your feelings hidden for too long, keeping them bottled up inside, will only create distance between us, father and son."

"As expected, nothing can be hidden from you."

west Zhao forced a smile.

Now that his father had spoken up, he no longer needed to hide it.

He took a deep breath and asked the question that had been lingering in his heart for many years.

"Dad, about the tragedy that happened at the orphanage back then."

"And the dean's death...was it something you secretly instructed someone to do?"

"Um."

Lin Zhen remained calm, offering no explanation or evasion, and readily nodded in acknowledgment.

A single word, falling lightly.

But the weight made west Zhao's heart sink.

He had thought his father would try to cover it up and come up with some excuse.

I never expected that they would so readily admit to all the blame.

west Zhao pursed his lips and remained silent for a long time.

The atmosphere in the spacious and quiet chairman's office instantly froze.

The father and son stared at each other silently, the air so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

After a long silence, west Zhao finally couldn't help but break it.

"Why...why did you do that back then?"

In fact, he had already guessed the answer in his heart.

But he still couldn't help wanting to hear his father explain it to him personally.

Even a perfunctory excuse can make you feel a little better.

Lin Zhen's gaze was open and frank, and he spoke his mind without reservation.

"Just for the Light and Shadow Stone."

"But you could have obtained it in a gentler way!"

west Zhao hurriedly retorted, his tone tinged with urgency and confusion.

"Why must it escalate to someone dying? Why must someone be killed?"

Lin Zhen had already anticipated all his words, and his expression remained calm.

"Most of the orphans in that welfare home are descendants of the Guangying Village scattered in various places."

"You and Bei Miao both lived there when you were young."

"The director of the welfare home is also from the Light and Shadow Village and personally experienced the Light and Shadow War of the previous generation."

"He's stubborn and would never hand over the Light and Shadow Stone to me."

"He will only leave it to the future generations of the Light and Shadow Village."

"Only by keeping the Light and Shadow Stone in my hands can I control the dark source within me and maintain my sanity."

"If the Light and Shadow Stone is lost, I will completely lose control and cause a great disaster."

It will become a disaster for all of humanity.

"From this perspective, seizing the Light and Shadow Stone is something that must be done."

"As for the dean."

Lin Zhen's tone was calm and unwavering.

"Even without me, he would have died anyway."

"This is his fate, a destiny he cannot escape."

According to the predetermined course of fate, the Dean was destined to be eliminated by the mutant beasts.

If he were alive, there would be no point in Mijin and Dr. Garu appearing.

Ultimately, he was just a minor character who drove the plot forward, destined to leave the stage.

But this cold explanation failed to convince west Zhao.

He grew up in an orphanage, where the director treated him kindly.

The friendship built over the years still exists.

He simply couldn't accept that a vibrant human life could be so easily dismissed as mere fate.

"Dad, I don't agree with what you're saying."

This was the first time in west Zhao's life that he had publicly refuted Lin Zhen.

Lin Zhen's expression remained unchanged, and he calmly asked a question in return.

"So what do you agree with? Tell me."

When west Zhao tried to argue, he was instantly speechless.

He opened his mouth, but could only utter a few words haltingly for a long time.

"I...I..."

He was filled with conflicting emotions.

Reason tells me that there are gentle solutions in the world.

But reality is staring us in the face; the die is cast and cannot be changed.

Moreover, he knew this.

The fact that the Light and Shadow Stone remained in the father's hands was indeed the only way to control the darkness and stabilize the situation.

Without light energy flowing into his body, the father will lose control.

The consequences could be disastrous.

west Zhao is kind, gentle, and pure of heart.

This underlying color is completely opposite to, and incompatible with, the fierce and domineering metallic nature of his Golden Shadow Armor.

Lin Zhen watched him struggle and hesitate quietly before speaking slowly.

"Let's look at it from a different angle."

"I have already settled accounts with all those people who stormed the welfare home back then."

"A life for a life, that settles this karmic debt."

"west Zhao, you must remember this."

"The worldly views of right and wrong are never important."

What truly matters is whether we can maintain the established overall situation and achieve the ultimate goal.

The achievement of any grand goal inevitably involves sacrifice.

"Everyone's fate is predetermined."

"The dean's death was ultimately due to his arrogance, stubbornness, and ignorance."

"A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime."

"He clearly didn't have the ability to protect the Light and Shadow Stone, yet he stubbornly refused to let go."

Stubborn as a stubborn, foul-smelling rock, he ultimately met his demise.

This was the ending he chose, and it was his destiny.

To help west Zhao fully understand, Lin Zhen took the opportunity to give a simple example.

"Do you remember Old Man Wei from Wanshou Road?"

"Back then, when the Earth Shadow Stone was in his possession, I offered to buy it, and he readily agreed."

"One million, a clean and efficient deal, and he's still alive and well."

"If the dean had been even a fraction more insightful and knew how to make choices, he wouldn't have met such a tragic end."

"Many people are killed by their own ignorance and stubbornness."

"Don't think that just because Old Man Wei received a huge sum of money, he can enjoy his old age in peace."

Lin Zhen spoke calmly, revealing the truth behind the events.

"When his two sons learned that their father had millions of dollars, they immediately rushed home."

They feigned filial piety to deceive the elderly, ultimately swindling them out of all their money and dividing it among themselves.

The old man is now penniless and burdened by his two sons, with hundreds of thousands of yuan in debt.

Without the corresponding skills, even if you possess wealth, you cannot hold onto it.

"If even a mere sum of money evokes such strong reactions, what about the Light and Shadow Stone, which could potentially shake the world order, or even one's own life?"

"And you."

Lin Zhen then changed the subject.

"I adopted you back then."

"It's because you have extremely pure Jin Cun blood flowing in your veins, and you are naturally bound to and resonate with Jin Ying Stone."

"If it weren't for this, you wouldn't have the status and life you have today."

west Zhao remained silent throughout, offering not a single word of rebuttal.

My father was telling the truth.

If it weren't for this special bloodline bond...

He's most likely just an ordinary orphan, and will probably lead an ordinary life when he grows up.

Perhaps all I can do is struggle to make a living on an assembly line at one of the companies under the Nippon Group.

At this moment, west Zhao's chaotic state of mind quietly cleared up.

"Think carefully about your true goal in this life."

Lin Zhen spoke slowly, his words earnest and meaningful.

"We want to safeguard lasting peace for humanity and end conflict and war."

"The attempt to unify a chaotic situation is destined to be accompanied by bloodshed and sacrifice."

"Unifying the world is never as easy as hosting a dinner party."

Seeing that west Zhao had completely fallen silent and let go of his resentment, Lin Zhen stopped lecturing him.

He waved his hand casually, his tone much gentler.

"I'm giving you a long break during this time so you can relax and recharge."

"Also, you're not a child anymore."

"If you meet a girl you like, go for it boldly, don't keep it bottled up."

The sudden pressure to get married made west Zhao, who is usually aloof and composed, blush today.

He scratched his head somewhat awkwardly and declined in a low voice.

"I'm still young, there's no rush to have children."

Lin Zhen glanced at him and pierced through his thoughts with a single sentence.

"Bing'er, don't worry about it anymore."

"She only had pure brotherly and sisterly affection for you since you were little, without any romantic feelings."

"Don't drag this out and ruin your life's most important event."

These words are like countless sharp arrows.

It was precise and accurate, piercing straight into the softest part of west Zhao's heart.

pain.

Excruciating pain.

His unrequited love, hidden in his heart for many years, was never spoken aloud.

It was completely torn apart by the most direct truth from the person closest to me.

An awkward feeling welled up inside me.

"I happen to have a suitable candidate on my side."

Lin Zhen spoke to himself and continued.

"Old Li hired a new female employee this month, named Li Ruowei."

"He's a distant relative from his hometown, but he's of good character."

"Most importantly, she has the pure bloodline of a descendant of the Tu Village."

"Earth generates metal, and the five elements are mutually generating, making you a perfect match."

"You can try getting to know each other and see how it goes."

Lao Li's real name is Li Qiang.

She is the core secretary of the board of directors of the Riyin Group, holding a high position and great power.

They hold many core powers, including coordinating board affairs, connecting with capital, controlling information, and maintaining personal networks.

To reach this position, one must be extraordinary; both ability and connections are indispensable.

As his relative, Li Ruowei was able to get the job because she was capable enough.

The group conducts monthly health checkups for all employees.

This rare case of a bloodline in the village of light and shadow would naturally be reported to Lin Zhen immediately.

After reviewing the information, Lin Zhen immediately recognized that she and west Zhao were a perfect match.

It not only matches their bloodline but also allows west Zhao to completely let go of his obsession with Bing'er.

"There's really no rush."

west Zhao quickly refused, speaking very fast.

Lin Zhen didn't give him a chance to refuse, and said calmly.

Let's not talk about marriage yet.

"It's just a trial period; if it doesn't work out, we'll move on to the next one."

"Once you've seen all sorts of women, you'll naturally be able to let go of that obsession you have with Bing'er."

west Zhao fell completely silent, speechless.

He has never had a way of dealing with his elders' pressure to get married.

He is outstanding in appearance; in other words, he is handsome.

In addition, he is the only son of Lin Zhen, the godfather of capital, and the top-tier aura of the young master of the Riyin Group.

To outsiders, he was the perfect partner, possessing good looks, wealth, and character.

This casual conversation between father and son completely dissolved the last lingering estrangement in west Zhao's heart.

He acknowledged that the dean's death was regrettable, but he also gradually came to understand his father's predicament.

Compared to the dean who passed away many years ago.

His father, who had been by his side day and night and raised and nurtured him, held a greater place in his heart.

More importantly, he agreed with Lin Zhen's grand vision.

To end worldly strife, unify the chaotic world, and bring true and lasting peace.

When the scales in my heart began to tip in favor of Lin Zhen, all the unease and misunderstanding gradually vanished.

……

The perspective shifts, and the scene moves to the other side.

Guo Hai, in his forties, finished a busy day at Riyin Group.

He drove his top-of-the-line Maybach slowly into the seaside villa district.

The car came to a smooth stop, and he just opened the door and got out.

At a glance, you can see a slender figure huddled on the steps of the villa's main entrance.

She was a young woman wearing loose maternity clothes.

"Who are you? What are you doing squatting at my doorstep?"

Guo Hai frowned slightly and asked a question.

Upon hearing the sound, the woman trembled slightly, filled with fear, and slowly raised her head.

A beautiful and delicate face came into Guo Hai's view.

Her eyes were red and streaked with tears, clearly indicating that she had just been crying for a long time.

Even though she looked haggard, it couldn't hide her outstanding and lively eyes.

Her pitiful appearance evoked pity in people at first glance.

Guo Hai subconsciously swallowed.

Now over forty, he is already calm and reserved.

A sudden tremor ran through my heart, as if I had instantly returned to my innocent and naive eighteen-year-old self.

The thrill of youth and the urge to protect surged through my body in an instant.

Only one thought remained in my mind—protect her, I must protect her.

The resentment and domineering aura that had accumulated from work just now vanished instantly.

He stepped forward quietly, his tone incredibly gentle.

"Girl, what's your name?"

Why are you squatting here all by yourself?

The woman was filled with fear and instinctively took a half step back.

His head was bowed, and his voice trembled noticeably with a sob.

"I...I am Liu Ruyan."

"The child's father doesn't want the baby in my belly and insists that I abort it..."

"I couldn't bear to leave, I didn't want to... so I had to sneak out."

That's right.

This downtrodden and helpless pregnant woman was none other than Liu Ruyan, whom Lin Zhen had been searching for all over the city but whose whereabouts were unknown.

When she talked about the baby in her womb, her originally fearful eyes softened instantly.

One hand gently supports her slightly protruding belly, while the other hand softly caresses it.

His eyes were filled with undisguised tenderness and doting affection.

It is the pure and moving radiance of maternal love.

After hearing the whole story, Guo Hai was instantly enraged and exploded on the spot.

"He's not even human!"

"How can someone be so heartless as to abort their own child? Do they deserve to be a father?"

He shouted angrily, filled with indignation.

"Ruyan, don't be afraid!"

"With me here, no one will dare force you to abort the child. I'll protect you!"

He didn't know why he was angry.

I just felt I should be angry.

We should stand up for this pregnant woman we're meeting for the first time.

Liu Ruyan shook her head gently, her eyes filled with worry and concern.

"You're a good person, but I don't want to drag you down with me."

"His power is too great; no one can stand against him."

"Great power?"

Guo Hai, his eyes red-rimmed, patted his chest confidently.

"In the industry, no one dares to disrespect me, Guo Hai!"

"The Executive Vice President of the Riyin Group, the third-highest-ranking executive in the entire group!"

"As long as you stand on my territory, I can guarantee your safety!"

Guo Hai is undoubtedly a core figure in the second tier of the Riyin Group.

Top-notch abilities, wielding power, and deeply entrenched in the political landscape.

Therefore, he dared to say such things.

Liu Ruyan remained uneasy, murmuring softly.

"But we're not related, you don't need to risk your life for me..."

Looking at her pitiful appearance, Guo Hai felt a surge of heat in his heart and spoke bluntly.

"Ruyan, you are a good girl, I really like you."

"If you follow me, you will enjoy wealth and prosperity for the rest of your life, and never have to worry about food or clothing."

"But I'm carrying someone else's child..." Liu Ruyan said awkwardly.

"I don't care."

Guo Hai blurted it out, a brief struggle flashing in his eyes.

We want to restore Qingming.

But it was as if some inexplicable force was pulling and controlling his thoughts.

That faint struggle of reason vanished in an instant.

All that remained in his eyes was intense greed and possessiveness.

"This child is mine from the moment he is born."

"All my assets will be left to you and your children."

Liu Ruyan raised her eyes, her reddened eyes filled with anticipation.

"You can't touch me until that child is born."

"You must do your best to fulfill my every wish."

"No problem! Whatever you want, I'll give you!"

Guo Hai was completely captivated, readily agreeing and becoming extremely excited.

"I believe you can protect me and the child."

Liu Ruyan spoke softly, her tone filled with complete entrustment.

"Of course!"

Guo Hai was completely moved by her gaze, and his whole body was filled with a protective instinct.

"It's windy outside, let's go inside and settle in."

"What would you like to eat? I'll have the nanny make it for you right away."

As he spoke, he carefully protected Liu Ruyan and turned to walk into the villa.