Sorry, I'm a cultivator.

After several unsuccessful attempts to persuade them to surrender, Chief Jiang Wanzhao ordered an offensive, and the rebel leader Lin Jin was captured today…

The latest news about Lin Jin's rebel party was playing on the screen, and a small cheer and discussion immediately broke out in the room.

"After Lin Jin declared independence, I was still worried that something would happen to my parents back home. I never expected that he would be suppressed by the Chief of Staff in just a few days."

"Hey, I knew from the start he couldn't cause any trouble. Looking at the world, how many people can compare to the Chief? Lin Jin is simply overestimating himself!"

"The outcome was predetermined from the start. It would be strange if Lin Jin could win, since he actually rallied the gentry to suppress the common people. Do you think I don't know whether I'm doing well or not? Saying that the Chief Minister colluded with the God of Wisdom is utter bullshit!"

Several members of the Imperial Guard were talking, while Li Xingzhou, sitting at the head of the table, sipped his tea and glanced at the news on the screen.

Jiang Wanzhao's personal command of the expedition was not much of a surprise to him.

Because this was a test on his part.

He wanted to test how his sister would react if he really intended to do something big behind her back.

Judging from the current outcome, it's not very favorable for me.

Jiang Wanzhao could definitely guess that Lin Jin had released him voluntarily, but even so, he still personally led the expedition without hesitation...

It's most likely because of himself.

Because of this suppression of the rebellion, there was no longer a need for Jiang Wanzhao to personally lead the expedition to demonstrate his authority.

Li Xingzhou looked at the photos playing on the news and then drank the tea in his cup in one gulp.

He was just secretly carrying out an important matter without her knowledge, and she was already in such a hurry. If she found out about his relationship with Hill III and Emilia, wouldn't she go berserk?

Li Xingzhou could have imagined this scene.

He hadn't thought this way before, but after Jiang Wanzhao confessed to him and even produced an autopsy report, he truly realized that Jiang Wanzhao was a pervert.

It's unrealistic to expect a psychopath to think like a normal person, but Li Xingzhou clearly understands that the most important person in his heart is still Jiang Wanzhao, so he is now in a contradictory position.

She disliked her older sister's overbearing control over every little thing, but she couldn't bear to hurt her... especially now that her health wasn't good.

Because he disliked this controlling nature, he returned to Minghuang City immediately after settling Lin Jin in the Southeast.

The main theme is the mindset of chasing after someone you can't catch.

He didn't want to face Jiang Wanzhao's possible questions, so he decided to play dumb about this matter.

I simply controlled Lin Jin to cause trouble, while I waited for you to return in Minghuang City to boast about my success...

That's it!

That's all!

Other than that, I know nothing!

Li Xingzhou had only one thought at the moment: to calm Jiang Wanzhao down.

No matter what method you use.

Once I've collected all the Heaven's Cups and cured her 'illness,' I won't have to worry about her collapsing from exhaustion when I confront her.

Before that, it would be even better if there was a way to make her understand that she is not her property...

Li Xingzhou looked away and picked up his phone, which had been vibrating on the table for a while.

It was Jiang Yingluo who called.

connected.

"Lord Li, tomorrow night is the eve of Chief of Staff Jiang's coronation, and there may be some meetings scheduled. Would it be alright to reschedule dinner for tonight?"

"can."

"Then I'll be waiting for you at Zixuan Tower at 7:30 tonight."

"Um……"

After hanging up the phone, Li Xingzhou picked up the information about Xingchen Group and Jiang Yingluo from the Jinyiwei database on the table.

Star Group has been established for thirty years and its assets can be said to be spread throughout the Nine Realms. It is a multinational group that mainly deals in spiritual energy combined with technology, and many of its technologies are in a leading position with a gap.

Among them, the research and development of spiritual weapons, mechs, exoskeletons and elixirs are the most outstanding.

In the world of cultivation, Starry Sky Group would be considered a major sect that integrates alchemy, weapon crafting, and formation.

Such a 'sect' must hold a very high status, but without a strong leader to protect it, it will become nothing more than fish on someone else's chopping board.

Xingchen Group is in such an awkward position.

Although Jiang Yingluo employs many "servants" at high salaries, Xingchen Group is a family business that belongs to her alone, so Jiang Yingluo never trusts outsiders.

However, her own cultivation talent was only average, so although the information didn't say anything, Li Xingzhou could guess that Jiang Yingluo was eager to cultivate a strong person belonging to the Jiang family.

This person is most likely Jiang Xuetang.

It can only be Jiang Xuetang.

Therefore, she only has a daughter and has no, and will never, find a husband with a different surname.

For Jiang Yingluo, who was all alone, the people she could trust the most were herself and Jiang Xuetang.

Li Xingzhou reviewed the documents in his hand and discovered the main reason why Jiang Yingluo was able to protect Xingchen Group.

By pooling the resources of the Starry Sky Group, they forge sacred artifacts or refine elixirs for renowned and virtuous saints in exchange for a 'tribute' status for a certain period.

During this time, Li Xingzhou also discovered some collaborations between Xingchen Group and his sister, and it seemed that his sister was secretly helping Xingchen Group because of her relationship with Jiang Xuetang.

That makes sense. The Star Group, located in a neutral zone, has a complete technology chain, and with the connection to Jiang Xuetang, the Star Group, with the surname Jiang, is definitely better than groups with other surnames.

Li Xingzhou closed the document, his mind already forming a preliminary outline of Jiang Yingluo's weaknesses.

Jiang Yingluo... lacks a sense of security.

This is somewhat similar to that of Hill III, but also different.

From the very beginning of establishing Xingchen Group, Jiang Yingluo has never felt secure, and she also has to be constantly on guard against those with ulterior motives who covet Xingchen Group.

So...President Jiang, you don't want Xingchen Group to fall into someone else's hands, do you?

Li Xingzhou chuckled and shook his head; he wouldn't stoop to such a tasteless act.

However, there is one thing... Li Xingzhou is really interested in Jiang Yingluo.

It's not that I'm lustful, it's just that the flowers are in full bloom, and if I don't go to see them, I'll seem like I'm not romantic enough.

Li Xingzhou got up and walked outside, thinking about what clothes to wear.

Zixuanlou is one of the top restaurants in Minghuang City. If you dress too poorly, you'll look very impolite.

······

Taizhou No. 1 Prison.

Jiang Wanzhao looked expressionlessly at Lin Jin, who had become a prisoner: "So you mean, after Li Xingzhou sent you back to the Southeast, he immediately went back?"

“That’s right.” Lin Jin, leaning against the wall with an unshaven beard, said, “Even if he leaves, I can’t escape his control and can only obediently do as he says…”

As he spoke, he suddenly laughed: "Chief of Staff, you really are ill. With your abilities, how could you not figure out where Mr. Li is?"

He continued, "But no one expected that your biggest trump card wasn't yourself, but Mr. Li."

No wonder you were able to achieve such a great victory on Dragon Rising Island, no wonder you were able to easily conquer the Demon King's City and open up the Spirit Mountain..."

He looked at Jiang Wanzhao and sighed sincerely, "Everyone says that intelligence and talent tend to approach the average, but God has really favored you guys too much, hasn't He?"

Jiang Wanzhao tapped the table lightly with her fingertips: "Are you afraid of him?"

"I'm afraid!" Lin Jin said without hesitation, "Of course I'm afraid. I'm afraid of his strength, and even more afraid of his unscrupulous methods and ruthlessness."

Of course I fear you, but your position dictates that you have a bottom line. But he's different. He's like the Skywing Clan when they first arrived in the world; perhaps he's capable of being treated as a human being, but more often than not, he's like someone toying with water poured on an anthill.

“This kind of person…” Lin Jin licked his lips, his mouth dry, “is the most terrifying.”

He paused, then changed the subject: "But fortunately, he has a shackle on him."

"shackles?"

“It’s you.” Lin Jin smiled. “He’s paying respects to you.”

"To be honest, I'd love to see what the world would be like if something happened to you."

Jiang Wanzhao got up and left. Lin Jin was taken aback: "Aren't you going to ask any more questions about the rebels?"

"I already know what I want to know."

"Ok?"

Lin Jin was stunned again. What had he said?

They haven't said anything yet!

You didn't ask anything!

Watching Jiang Wanzhao about to leave, Lin Jin suddenly crawled forward a few steps and gripped the railing with both hands: "Chief, give me a quick death, this is what Mr. Li promised me!"

boom!

The prison door was closed, and Lin Jin slumped to his knees on the ground. After a long while, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Li Xingzhou, Li Xingzhou... Chief of Staff, you've kept him hidden for so long!"

In the corridor, Liu Ying quickly caught up with Jiang Wanzhao: "Chief, are we going back to Minghuang City next?"

"Let's go back tomorrow." Jiang Wanzhao smiled slightly: "Let's see what surprises he has in store for me."

I was overthinking it.

Xingzhou only prepares surprises for itself, so why wouldn't it listen to you?

Right now, he might still be preparing a birthday surprise for himself.

After all, it had been a long time since he had celebrated his older sister's birthday.

"Today, expedit the interrogation," Jiang Wanzhao said as he walked. "Eliminate all unstable factors in the southeast!"

"As ordered!"

Meanwhile, Jiang Xuetang, wearing a baseball cap, patted the steering wheel after hanging up the phone: "He's not here. I've made a wasted trip. No, I have to leave quickly, it would be bad if Wanzhao found out..."

Jiang Xuetang stepped on the gas, thinking that since Jiang Wanzhao had left in such a hurry, Li Xingzhou must be here, but to her surprise, he wasn't.

But if he's not here, where would he be?