I'm a villain in the superhero world.

Undeniably, there are too many extraordinary forces in this world—

Both in terms of the acquisition methods and the types of products themselves.

After all, most of the extraordinary power in the universe has gathered on this small Earth because of the [Three Philosophers System].

But there is one thing that must be understood.

The fact that there are many ways and types to obtain extraordinary power does not mean that it is easy to obtain.

Wealth and power alone cannot lead to extraordinary achievements.

The seven people who slowly walked towards the front of the Desolate Bone Scepter understood this perfectly well.

They were all at the top of the mortal realm, but none of them could access extraordinary power on their own.

Falkenhausen is different from them.

completely different.

Even though they are restricted and cannot access most information about the extraordinary realm, judging from previous examples—

They could also deduce that Falkenhausen was probably an extremely powerful being in the Extraordinary World as well.

The power that Falkenhausen displayed during that great purge six years ago is still vivid in our minds.

And just as Kalman, who was walking at the front and being supported by his child, finished reminiscing.

He then noticed that Lü Buyi, who was leaning on the Desolate Bone Scepter, had also approached him.

Despite being supported, Kalman, still hunched over, raised his head—he was one of the few people here who had the right to look Falkenhausen directly in the eye.

His gaze lingered on the familiar face of Lü Buyi's avatar, a hint of nostalgia flashing in his eyes.

"Your Excellency, you look more and more like your grandfather than you did six years ago."

This is actually a misunderstanding. Lü Buyi's appearance is not exactly the same as his grandfather's, and it can be said that they are completely unrelated.

However, whether now or during the great purge six years ago, Lü Buyi used the same appearance as his grandfather when he was young.

That's why Kalman had such a remark.

However, Lü Buyi did not correct him. He simply gazed at the old man and spoke softly.

"By comparison, you're much older, Kalman, practically dead old."

For Lü Buyi, remembering a person's name was not a difficult task.

Therefore, six years ago, he wrote down the names and biographies of all the key figures at Falkenhausen, just in case.

And clearly, all that memorization wasn't in vain; it came in handy at this point.

Kalman and Lü Buyi had only met once, and he himself did not expect that Falkenhaus would remember him.

Moreover, compared to six years ago, Falkenhausen is clearly easier to talk to now.

But Kalman knew that this was just an appearance, nothing more than an appearance.

Just like eighty years ago, when he met another Falkenhausen at the White House in North America—

It was his father who enlightened him at that time.

At that time, after Kalman had met with Lü Buyi's gentle grandfather, he couldn't help but whisper to his father:

"Father... Falkenhausen doesn't seem as terrible as you described?"

"Foolish! That's because you're too ignorant to see how terrible it is!"

My father, in the prime of his life, spoke in a very low voice, his words trembling uncontrollably:

"He is gentle, he is calm, only because he still needs our bodies to keep this empire running in the sunlight! If he feels he no longer needs us, or if we become an eyesore to him..."

In my memory, my father's words came to an abrupt end.

Then, in the long silence, all that remained of his words were sighs and words of comfort.

"Remember, never try to guess his thoughts, and never try to get close to his territory."

"Obey, remain silent, and do your job well. This is the only rule that allows us to survive under the name 'Falkenhausen'."

Yes, obedience and silence are the only ways to survive under Falkenhausen.

Otherwise, the fate of his old friends from six years ago is still fresh in his mind.

After regaining his senses, Kalman struggled to lift his cloudy eyes, intending to offer a slight bow.

But it was clear that his aging body wouldn't allow him to do that.

"Forgive me, Your Excellency, as you said, I am too old and my legs are not very nimble anymore."

"I need my child's support to stand before you, so please forgive my rudeness."

Lu Buyi raised his hand slightly, a small movement that immediately silenced Kalman's apology.

He never clung to these superficial formalities, which were merely ritualistic tools for consolidating his rule.

And today, all these people have gathered here, trembling with fear, wanting to ask only one question—

Was Lü Buyi really there to settle scores with them?

So, in order to put their minds at ease as soon as possible, and also so that I could resolve the Dragon Emperor's problem quickly.

Without any beating around the bush, Lü Buyi glanced at the seven aged and tense faces before him and gave the most straightforward answer.

"I forgive you, Kalman. Your unwavering loyalty, which lasted until the very end six years ago, deserves this forgiveness and mercy."

The voice was clear, echoing in the quiet courtyard.

I'm not here to settle old scores—I remember which side you took six years ago, so as long as you behave yourselves, I won't bother with you.

The seven people present were all cunning old foxes, well over fifty years old. How could they not understand the subtext beneath those calm words?

As a result, their tense neck and shoulder lines visibly relaxed, and even their breathing became easier.

—As long as they are not here to take a life, and have no intention of causing trouble in the future, then whatever this gentleman wants to do, they are naturally willing to fully cooperate.

Therefore, after he finished speaking, the men looked at Lü Buyi with even greater respect.

Thus, following Kalman, the current head of the Medici family is a behemoth who has dominated the energy and shipping industries in Western Europe for decades—

The second elderly man, who was clearly much more robust and younger, cautiously took half a step forward.

He was about to bow when Lü Buyi spoke first, his voice carrying a hint of almost playful reminiscence:

"You're always second, Medici, from my father's time, to my elder brother, and now... you seem to always be in this position."

Lü Buyi slowly descended the gangway, his steps steady and unhurried.

The Bone Scepter tapped the ground rhythmically with his steps, the "thump, thump" sound striking the hearts of everyone in the silence.

Finally, he paused briefly in front of Medici, bowed slightly, and looked down at this old man who could be considered a hero even in the mortal world.

"Every mistake must be punished, and every merit must be rewarded—the oath that Falkenhausen made with his ancestors has never been changed in the slightest to this day."

"So there's no need to always be so... timid."

He paused, his tone still calm, but this made Medici lower her head even further:

"Or do you think I'm more terrifying than my father and brothers?"

Who dares to answer this question?

Therefore, Medici never dared to speak, but simply listened to the reprimand with his head down.

Seeing this, Lü Buyi did not make things too difficult for him. His gaze then swept over the other five people in front of him.

Then they called out names one by one.

"Rockefeller, Morgan, Kinokunori Akihide, Lin Wen, Zheng Sanchuan..."

Everyone whose name was called seemed to be covered by invisible pressure, and their heads unconsciously drooped a little lower.

"Listen carefully, I'll tell the people you brought after the show, so you won't be tossing and turning at night, unable to eat or sleep—"

"I'm here to take care of my own business. As long as you don't get in my way or bother me, you can continue as you have always done."

He paused for a moment, then gave his final conclusion:

"Is it simple enough, straightforward enough?"

Silence remained. But this time, the silence was a relieved acquiescence, a tranquility born of survival.

Everyone bowed their heads again, knelt on one knee, and remained motionless.

We are grateful for the kindness of the modern-day Falkenhausen.

However, while they remained still, Lü Buyi did move.

He didn't look at the seven core leaders again, nor did he pay attention to the dark mass of people kneeling in the courtyard.

Lü Buyi simply strode forward, holding the Desolate Bone Scepter, and walked towards that seemingly inconspicuous corner on the outskirts of the crowd.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

The sound of the scepter striking the ground was exceptionally clear in the deathly silence, each step seemingly tapping on the heartbeats of everyone present.

His steps were steady and determined, his goal clear, and he did not hesitate in the slightest.

What do you want to do?

Who are you looking for?

These two questions, like pebbles thrown into a still lake, stirred up a storm in everyone's hearts.

But at this moment, no one dared to look up and peek.

So they could only try their best to catch the footsteps that were gradually drifting away from the center and moving toward the edge.

Shock, confusion, curiosity, fear... countless emotions permeated the silence.

Who is it that could make Falkenhausen personally travel to meet with him after meeting with key officials?

Even Gu Yu, who was following behind Lü Buyi, didn't understand what her master was doing.

Only Lü Buyi had a clear goal from beginning to end.

He was looking for those two classmates of Ji Mingyang, the future main characters.

Chen Xinchang and Li Yelan were kneeling in that corner.

These two characters actually have quite a few scenes in the comics—

They were among the few classmates who could talk to Ji Mingyang for a few minutes.

She was also the savior who eased Ji Mingyang's embarrassment at the class reunion.

Later, at the auction of the Oriental Pearl, the two of them were drawn into an extraordinary world because of Ji Mingyang.

So from then on, they followed Ji Mingyang forward, experiencing all sorts of adventures.

Unfortunately, they didn't survive to the end.

In Lü Buyi's memory, the two of them died one after the other in the fifth volume, the chapter on the Four Fiends and Demons, in order to buy time for Ji Mingyang.

He used to secretly rub pearls into his bed for Yin Qing and their deaths.

Therefore, whether it was because of Ji Mingyang or for their own sake, Lü Buyi wanted to see them in person.

Finally, the footsteps gradually stopped.

The black boot tip finally stopped at the edge of Chen Xinchang and Li Yelan's lowered gaze, almost within reach.

It seemed as if everyone's senses in the courtyard were concentrated in this corner.

The invisible pressure almost solidified the air.

Everyone else understood at that moment—

Falkenhausen's target was actually these two unknown young men?

Their parents both seem to be newly rich people who have risen to prominence in recent years.

Why are you paying attention to them?

In the suffocating silence, Lü Buyi's clear and gentle voice came from above.

"look up."

Unexpectedly gentle, even gentler than when talking to Kalman.

While everyone else was shocked, Chen Xinchang and Li Yelan also experienced a violent tremor.

They didn't understand why they had been chosen.

Especially since this person doesn't seem to have any malicious intent?

But in their extreme fear and confusion, they obeyed the order almost instinctively and slowly raised their heads.

Then, their eyes fell upon the true face of "Falkenhausen".

Contrary to expectations, she is infinitely younger than I imagined.

From Chen Xinchang and Li Yelan's perspective, Falkenhausen's features were extremely handsome, even considered strikingly beautiful.

The nose is high and straight, the lips are thin and well-defined, and the corners of the mouth are naturally closed without any upward or downward curve.

He stood there quietly, his posture upright, his right hand gripping the ferocious yet majestic scepter of desolate bones.

"Chen Xinchang, Li Yelan?" Lu Bu asked without question.

"Yes...yes!" The two stammered, which made the others present even more confused.

Especially their parents, who couldn't understand why this gentleman knew their children's names no matter how hard they tried.

After receiving an affirmative answer, Lü Buyi nodded almost imperceptibly.

He tapped the ground lightly with the Desolate Bone Scepter in his hand, and the soft "thud" made everyone's heart tremble.

Then, Lü Buyi bowed slightly, neither concealing his voice nor his name, and simply expressed his gratitude to them in a soft voice.

"Thank you all—"

Before anyone present could even process why Falkenhausen would say that,

Lu Buyi smiled gently at the two of them and explained the reason for his gratitude.

"My son, Mingyang, is young and dull-witted."

"Thank you for your care and support over the years."

As the saying goes, brothers are father and son in a certain sense, and Ji Mingyang is still an orphan.

So, as Ji Mingyang's only friend, there's nothing wrong with him referring to himself as Ji Mingyang's father, right?

Lü Buyi didn't feel at all that he was taking advantage of Ji Mingyang; he just found it very interesting.

If this section were to be included in a comic book, it would undoubtedly cause a huge uproar.

Just thinking about it makes me happy.

Thinking of this, Lü Buyi straightened up, as if nothing had just happened.

He no longer looked at Chen Xinchang and Li Yelan, who were completely petrified on the spot, nor did he turn his gaze back to the crowd still standing silently with their heads bowed in the center of the courtyard.

He simply took another step.

Then, under the silent gaze of everyone, he stepped into the glorious courtyard that belonged only to him.

The tall figure and the sound of the scepter striking the ground slowly disappeared into the deepest part of the palace.