I'm a villain in the superhero world.

An imperial banquet prepared entirely for me?

What kind of grand and luxurious banquet could make someone like Lü Buyi call it an imperial banquet?

"May I ask what the Imperial Banquet is?" Ji Mingyang asked the question under Yin Qing's watchful gaze.

"It means exactly what it says—the banquet to entertain you tomorrow night will be held in every aspect according to the highest standards of the great empires of the late ancient times."

"If I had to give a specific figure... my butler told me that it would cost around four hundred million US dollars in total."

Lu Buyi's casual remark of four hundred million US dollars almost made Ji Mingyang spit out a mouthful of blood.

"Is the US dollar you're referring to the currency unit I know?"

"Are you sure this isn't some kind of Zimbabwean currency?"

As for Ji Mingyang's helplessness, Lü Buyi found it extremely amusing.

"Of course, it's the kind you know... What, does that sound too good to be true?"

Ji Mingyang believed that Lü Buyi would not lie, after all, with his power, no matter how much money he made, it was probably just a number.

"A dinner party for four hundred million—and that's in US dollars! I think that's even more shocking than what you said about power the other day. Just how rich are you?"

Lü Buyi gave him a wonderful analogy regarding this issue.

Do you know Batman?

"My childhood idol, of course I know him."

"Do you know what's a popular saying about Batman that's circulating online right now?"

Lu Buyi was incredibly patient in his conversation with Ji Mingyang: "Gotham's wealth is essentially a closed loop. No matter how much money Bruce Wayne spends here, the wealth will eventually return to Wayne Enterprises."

"So?" Ji Mingyang raised an eyebrow and continued to ask.

"This statement applies to me as well, except that if I had to put it in perspective, the scope could be extended to the whole of North America—"

"This is not an exaggeration or fiction; this is reality."

"If you ever have the interest to take a stroll there, you'll understand that it was essentially a kingdom that our family ruled for nearly two hundred years."

A kingdom that ruled over North America for nearly two hundred years...

With these two limiting terms revealed, Ji Mingyang turned his gaze to Yin Qing, trying to get answers from her about Lü Buyi's identity.

Unfortunately, this naive girl, protected by her master and brother, was also unaware of this.

Therefore, Ji Mingyang could only shift his attention back to his conversation with Lü Buyi.

"How many people will be attending the banquet tomorrow night? You know, I don't really like crowded places."

Ji Mingyang's words were not meant as a polite refusal, but rather as a request that he could go and chat with Lü Buyi or do other things, but please do not let him socialize.

Lü Buyi was well aware of this, and he simply smiled at Ji Mingyang's perpetual social anxiety.

"There is no one else, there is no one else."

"Just you and me, Mingyang."

Ji Mingyang was stunned for a moment. Well, maybe he really didn't have much of a concept of wealth.

Four hundred million dollars, dinner for two—

What exactly do they eat to achieve an average consumption of two hundred million US dollars per person?

"Just you and me, the two of us?" Ji Mingyang asked again, as if he hadn't heard clearly.

Lu Buyi, realizing something, chuckled and lightly patted his forehead: "Of course, if you'd like, you can bring your little girlfriend along—"

"If you don't mind, I'll also choose a female companion to accompany me."

"That's not what I meant," Ji Mingyang sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"I know, so I'm just giving you a choice, but I still suggest you bring her along. I'd really like to meet your future wife."

"Why are we talking about our future wife again? We're only eighteen. Well, it looks like she might not even be eighteen yet. Putting aside everything else, she's still a long way from the legal age."

Lu Buyi simply shook his head at this, but unfortunately Ji Mingyang couldn't see the ambiguous look on his face.

"This is your destiny with her; you can't resist it, so you might as well accept it."

"You haven't truly experienced the taste of love yet, have you? Trust me, try falling in love with that girl next to you; maybe it will be wonderful?"

Ji Mingyang's face darkened: "Don't you think you sound like a gossip right now?"

"Really? Would you mind if I, this gossipy old woman, chatted with the woman? I'm quite interested in my future daughter-in-law's personality."

Daughter-in-law... another word that left Ji Mingyang speechless.

Nevertheless, he still looked to the person in question for her opinion, and after confirming that Yin Qing agreed, he handed her the phone.

During this process, Ji Mingyang also observed Yin Qing's expression—aside from being stubborn and quiet, he didn't think he had ever seen this girl blush before.

Hmm... Although he might not be my match in a real fight, at least his mental fortitude should be much better than mine.

"Hello, thank you for your blessings and encouragement to my wife and me—"

"What can I do for you?"

This was the first time Lü Buyi had heard Yin Qing's voice, and it was also his first interaction with his "arch-enemy".

The moment she opened her mouth, Lü Buyi, who had watched the entire "Love Story of Haidu," felt...

This sounds just like something Yin Qing would say.

"I thought your first question would be something else, like who I am, why I want to get close to Ji Mingyang, etc..."

Lu Buyi walked along the island's coast, enjoying the sea breeze, and asked with a low laugh:

Aren't you curious about my identity?

Should I be curious?

Yin Qing's personality is just like in the original work, stubborn with a touch of naivety, making her a perfect match for Ji Mingyang.

Therefore, Lü Buyi was not surprised by her answer, but continued to ask:

"So, you really don't know?"

"Know what?"

"Regarding me, the Zen master and your brother have never told you anything?"

"Should they tell me about you?"

Lü Buyi was amused by Yin Qing's question and answer: "You know what? You're even more fun than I thought, little girl."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"To make a long story short, young lady, we're not familiar with each other yet, and I can't tell you too much for now."

Lu Buyi paused for a moment, then continued:

"Therefore, I am here to offer you some advice, just as I said to Ji Mingyang just now."

"The destiny between you and him is irreversible, so don't treat everything between you as a mission."

"I know you and he are the same right now, you don't understand what love is, but that's okay, you will understand in the future."

"So, young lady, from now on, try to truly fall in love with him, if you don't want to regret it later..."

At this point, Lü Buyi stopped, having already heard Ji Mingyang's embarrassed and annoyed voice from the other side.

So he smiled and concluded the conversation:

"My name is Lü Buyi, young lady. If you have the chance, please give my regards to the Zen master."

"Finally, you and Ji Mingyang are welcome to attend my dinner party tomorrow night."

The call ended there.

And the fates of the three people began to truly intertwine.

"Then... let's play a little Tengu first, just for fun—"

Lu Buyi's figure disappeared into the shadows of the manor, and he began to ponder the location of the Snake Queen and the Great Tengu.