One person: Lu Jin, do I look like your master?

“I’ve been secretly observing you ever since this girl started interacting with you. My conclusion is that you really have no sense of propriety in your actions.”

Ma Xianhong frowned, extremely displeased by such comments:

"What do you mean?"

"I mean……"

Wang Xuan slowly turned his head, his gaze sharp as he looked at Ma Xianhong.

"You dare to interfere in other people's fates based on your own likes and dislikes and that ridiculous 'righteousness'."

You want to take her away from the company's control and give her so-called 'freedom,' but you never think things through.

Consider the potential chain reaction this incident might trigger, and whether you are capable of bearing the ultimate consequences!

Wang Xuan's words gradually became stern:

"You're too arrogant! You think you've grasped the truth just because you've seen through the company's 'hypocrisy'?"

You think you're a savior by taking her in? You have no idea what a dangerous powder keg you're setting on!

Ma Xianhong was somewhat bewildered by Wang Xuan's barrage of questions, but more than that, he was unconvinced. He stubbornly retorted:

"I'm just helping her! Those people at the company are just using her!"

Are we just going to stand by and watch her continue to be controlled and exploited? Who exactly are you? Are you part of the company?

He once again suspected the company of Wang Xuan's identity, since only someone from the company would uphold the company's rules in such a way.

Wang Xuan shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm:

"Who I am is not important. What is important is that, Ma Xianhong, you have never truly stood in other people's shoes, let alone looked at the problem from the perspective of the big picture."

He raised his hand and pointed to Chen Duo below:

"You only see her as pitiful and the company as hateful. But have you ever thought about what terrible consequences would occur if the uncontrollable primal Gu in her body were to completely go out of control?"

That would be a disaster affecting countless ordinary people! While the company's supervision of her certainly involves utilizing her abilities, it also bears the responsibility of controlling risks and preventing the disaster from spreading!

"And you..."

Wang Xuan's gaze was sharp as a knife, piercing straight at Ma Xianhong.

"You took her away on a whim. Are you absolutely certain you can get rid of the poison in her body?"

If not, hiding her in Biyou Village would put the entire village and all those who follow you in danger.

Is this what you call being responsible? This is stupid! This is selfish!

Wang Xuan's words were like cold knives, peeling away the veil of "righteousness" behind Ma Xianhong's actions, revealing his recklessness and naivety.

Ma Xianhong's face turned pale and then red. He opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but found that what the other party said... seemed to make sense, making it difficult for him to argue.

He didn't really think that far ahead; he just felt that what he was doing was the "right" thing.

However, just as Wang Xuan said, he didn't know when his own cultivation furnace would be completed, and he couldn't solve Chen Duo's problem in the short term.

Just then, the screech of brakes and the clamor of voices came from afar at the factory—Liao Zhong had arrived!

The atmosphere instantly became extremely tense!

Chapter 20 Send me away!

The air in the abandoned factory was filled with the smell of rust and dust. The cold moonlight shone through the broken dome like a spotlight on a stage, illuminating the two figures in the center of the workshop below.

On the high platform, Wang Xuan's words, like a cold stream, washed over Ma Xianhong's head, which was burning with "ideals".

"Ma Xianhong, let's make a bet!"

Wang Xuan turned his gaze from below and landed on Ma Xianhong, whose expression was constantly changing, not far away.

Ma Xianhong was still immersed in Wang Xuan's merciless analysis, the words "consequences," "responsibility," and "selfishness" pricking him like needles.

He instinctively felt that the other person was wrong, that he was acting chivalrously, but he couldn't find a strong enough reason to refute them, and he was feeling very agitated.

Upon hearing Wang Xuan suddenly mention making a bet, he subconsciously looked up: "What bet?"

Wang Xuan didn't look at him, but instead turned his gaze downwards again, where Liao Zhong, tall and looking anxious and tired, had already strode into the workshop and saw Chen Duo standing there quietly.

"I'll bet..."

Wang Xuan's voice was calm and undisturbed, yet it carried a chilling certainty.

"Liao Zhong... will die here."

"what?!"

Ma Xianhong was stunned for a moment, not understanding the meaning of Wang Xuan's words.

Will Liao Zhong die? How will he die? Why will he die?

However, the moment Bi Yuan, who was standing next to Ma Xianhong, heard Wang Xuan's words, his aged face turned deathly pale! His cloudy eyes flashed with extreme horror!

He instantly understood the terrifying meaning hidden in Wang Xuan's words!

Who is Liao Zhong? The head of the South China region! A key mid-level manager in the company! If he were to die here today, in a situation related to Chen Duo and Biyou Village… what a terrifying, overwhelming wave that would be unleashed!

The company will absolutely spare no effort to thoroughly investigate this matter!

At that time, not only will Chen Duo be doomed, but the entire Biyou Village, which sheltered and indirectly caused Liao Zhong's death, will face the company's most brutal and wrathful punishment!

That's definitely not something Ma Xianhong, his few magical artifacts, or these few villagers could afford!

Bi Yuan finally understood where the vague unease and sense of unease he had felt earlier came from!

They were so focused on "saving" Chen Duo that they completely ignored the fact that doing so was a blatant provocation against the company's authority and a self-destructive act of playing with fire!

Ma Xianhong's willfulness may drag everyone into an abyss of no return!

"Master! No!"

Bi Yuan hurriedly tried to dissuade him.

But after a brief moment of surprise, Ma Xianhong's indomitable spirit and blind confidence in his own judgment prevailed.

He didn't think about it deeply at all, or rather, he refused to consider such serious consequences.

He felt that Wang Xuan was exaggerating and speaking on behalf of the company.

In his view, Liao Zhong, a company henchman, was no big deal if he died. The company was unethical, and their people deserved to die.

"Okay! I'll bet you!"

Ma Xianhong agreed almost out of spite, without even asking what the stakes were.

"I refuse to believe it! How could Liao Zhong have died here?"

Upon seeing this, Bi Yuan closed his eyes in anguish, his heart turning ice-cold.

He knew that things were probably really heading in the worst possible direction.

The three of them turned their attention back to the interior of the factory below.

In the workshop, Liao Zhong saw that Chen Duo was safe and sound. His great sense of relief lasted only a few seconds before it was completely shattered by Chen Duo's next words.

"Uncle Liao... can I... not go back to the company?"

Chen Duo looked up at Liao Zhong and, in her characteristic, flat tone, made the first major, independent decision of her life.

"Shut up!!"

Liao Zhong's expression changed drastically, and almost reflexively, he slapped Chen Duo across the face!

The sound was crisp yet piercing!

It wasn't that he didn't feel sorry for Chen Duo; on the contrary, he felt extremely sorry for her!

But he knew even more clearly that he wasn't the only one present at that moment!

The communicator in his ear was transmitting all the sounds here in real time!

The board members, especially that Mr. Bi, were all listening!

Chen Duo's words were undoubtedly a challenge to the company's bottom line and a recipe for disaster!

"Chen Duo! You're sick! What nonsense are you spouting!"

Liao Zhong's voice became hoarse and distorted with fear and anxiety. He roughly grabbed Chen Duo's slender arm with such force that he almost crushed her bones.

"Don't say anything! Listen to me! Come back to the company with me! We'll talk about it when we get back!"

He had only one thought: to get Chen Duo away from this awful place immediately and take her back; perhaps there would still be room for maneuver!

However, what came through his earpiece was the board's cold and impatient orders, especially Chairman Bi's unquestionable voice:

"Old Liao! Let's make our move! The Gu Child has already turned against us and can no longer be used by us. Let's do it."

"No! Chairman Bi! She's just sick! She's talking nonsense! She..."

Liao Zhong panicked completely and frantically tried to explain incoherently into the communicator, attempting to buy Chen Duo a last chance at survival.

But his grip tightened unconsciously, pulling on Chen Duo as he tried to drag her away by force.

His anxiety and fear manifested as violent actions.

Chen Duo stumbled as he pulled her, but she stubbornly repeated her decision:

"I don't want to go back..."

Her persistence was seen as incomprehensible resistance by Liao Zhong, and as unmistakable rebellion by the board of directors.

"Chen Duo!!"

Liao Zhong was on the verge of collapse. On one hand, the board of directors was urging and warning him more and more severely, and on the other hand, there was Chen Duo, whom he regarded as his daughter, but who was now completely unresponsive.

Left with no other choice, he suddenly swung his hand, sending Chen Duo flying heavily into the air. She crashed into the rusty machine tool wreckage with a dull thud.

He hoped to knock Chen Duo unconscious so he could forcibly take her back and then figure out a solution.

However, Chen Duo only groaned, struggled to stand up again, and stared at him stubbornly.

Liao Zhong's heart sank completely. He knew there was no turning back. The board of directors would lose patience.

His face showed an expression of extreme pain and struggle, and his eyes were filled with despair.

Finally, with trembling hands, he slowly pulled out the remote control from his pocket... the remote control for the bomb on Chen Duo's collar!

He took this out perhaps intending to intimidate Chen Duo one last time and force her to submit, or... it was a pathetic, almost instinctive act under immense pressure.

But just as Liao Zhong took out that remote control!

Down in the workshop, Chen Duo's eyes suddenly lit up! It wasn't fear, but a light that was almost a sense of relief and anticipation!

She came here not to seek so-called "freedom" from Ma Xianhong, as those things were too abstract for her.

What she truly cared about, the only thing she cared about, was Liao Zhong's attitude! Whether Uncle Liao could approve of her choice! Even if only once!

She saw Uncle Liao take out the thing that could decide her life or death.

In her naive understanding, this meant that Uncle Liao had to make a "choice" for her!

So, under Liao Zhong's desperate and incomprehensible gaze, Chen Duo actually took a step forward.

She tiptoed and did something that surprised everyone—she gently and awkwardly kissed Liao Zhong's lips, which were parted in astonishment.

At the same time, the dormant, deadly primal poison within her body was quietly activated through this intimate contact, surging into Liao Zhong's body like a burst dam!

Liao Zhong's body stiffened abruptly, and his eyes widened instantly.

Chen Duo took a step back, a pure and expectant expression appearing on her face. She spoke softly, as if asking for a gift:

"Uncle Liao... please send me away."

On the high platform, the gambler's confidence and ease on Ma Xianhong's face froze instantly, turning into utter astonishment and horror!

Bi Yuan closed his eyes in anguish, unable to bear watching any longer.

Wang Xuan simply watched the inevitable tragedy unfold below, his eyes devoid of sorrow or joy, only filled with profound understanding.

The bet has been decided.

Chapter 21 Who are you?

A soft sigh echoed from the platform high above the abandoned factory, containing a complex emotion of knowing the ending yet being powerless to stop it.