Chapter 46: The Return Of White Bird

Ethan's proposal was brilliant.

Lillie had to admit—she was impressed.

After a moment of silence, she gave a slight nod. "Alright. Let's do it."

Ethan was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected her to agree so easily. Then, realization dawned, and excitement surged through him. He fought to maintain his usual composed demeanor, but the slight upward twitch of his lips betrayed his emotions.

Five months later, Long Fenghuang Corporation made its grand debut, shaking the gaming and entertainment industries to their core. It wasn't just another company—it was a powerhouse that redefined the landscape, setting new records and revolutionizing the digital world.

___

"You quit the military? Why?"

Lillie sat in her bedroom, a phone pressed to her ear as she skimmed through a stack of documents.

On the other end, Tang Hejiu sighed.

[Got tired of it. Besides, things at Black Tiger Organization have been getting serious. The military was limiting my ability to handle my responsibilities as its leader. And now, that damn reptile has left me no choice but to step forward.]

His tone was cold—unlike the usual easygoing Tang Hejiu

Lillie barely looked up. "Idiot. That's exactly what he wanted."

[Doesn't matter. What's done is done.]

"Relax. I have everything under control."

Silence.

Tang Hejiu frowned. [Under control? What do you mean?]

"That old man—Vermillion Dragon—has been careless with his belongings."

A beat of silence.

Then, laughter exploded through the speaker.

[Hah! You finally got your hands on it, huh?! Damn, you're amazing! Should I start calling you my ancestor?]

"No, thank you." Lillie's response was flat.

Tang Hejiu, unfazed, continued, [Ancestor! Ancestor Bai!]

"Shut up."

He chuckled before his voice turned serious again. [So we were right about their leadership being compromised. Ever since Vermillion Dragon Organization changed overnight…]

"It was a bloodbath." Lillie's tone was as sharp as a blade. "That man isn't the real Boss of Vermillion Dragon. With this file, we can expose him."

"I assume you have a plan?"

"I'll contact Vermillion Dragon's former allies and members. It's possible that we can form an agreement to take him down."

[Not a bad idea. But then what? Even if we take him down, who's going to lead the organization? The Underworld follows its own laws—without a legitimate ruler, no takeover can happen. And the real Boss? No one has seen or heard from him in years.]

Lillie didn't hesitate.

"Tang Hejiu, have you forgotten who you're talking to?"

The line went quiet.

Then, He Jiu sighed dramatically. [Ah, yes, how foolish of me. Of course, if anyone can find him, it's you. Please forgive my ignorance, my dear ancestor.]

"Keep working hard."

And with that, she hung up.

Tang Hejiu stared at his phone. Did she just tell him to train more so his brain gets even more muddled?

Poor Hejiu. His only purpose in life was to be the unfortunate recipient of Lillie's venomous tongue.

___

Inside White Bird Organization's headquarters, chaos erupted.

The news had spread like wildfire—White Bird was visiting.

Her appearances were rare, so rare they could be counted on one hand. And every time she showed up, someone disappeared.

Not just anyone.

Rats.

Traitors.

The newer recruits buzzed with excitement, eager to see the legendary woman for the first time. The veterans, however, were wary. They knew what her visits meant.

A reckoning.

The sound of an approaching vehicle silenced the chatter. A pristine white limousine rolled up to the entrance, its silver phoenix hood ornament gleaming under the lights.

There was no doubt—she was here.

Everyone moved into position, standing in perfect formation. They had rehearsed this moment, memorized their places, their greetings, their every move.

The driver's door opened.

A man stepped out, dressed in an impeccable white suit with a black shirt underneath.

His presence alone sent a chill down the spines of those watching.

The mask he wore—white with a sharp, menacing bird's beak—was unmistakable.

White Crow.

The Organization's second-in-command. The leader of the Elders. The Boss's right-hand man.

He walked to the passenger side and opened the door.

A woman emerged, moving with effortless grace.

She was tall, slender, with curves in all the right places. Draped in an elegant white coat over a form-fitting dress, she was the embodiment of power and poise.

Her face was concealed behind a striking half-mask—a phoenix crafted in white and gold, its metallic feathers forming a crown-like crest. The narrow slits where the eyes should be gleamed ominously, and behind them, a pair of glowing red eyes pierced through the shadows.

The air turned heavy.

A silent, suffocating pressure settled over the assembled members.

Their gazes locked onto her, sweat forming at their temples. Even the most hardened veterans swallowed nervously.

This was White Bird.

And when she arrived…

It meant judgment day had come.