111 -120

The policemen were all dumbstruck. This scene had thoroughly destroyed their worldview. They wondered whether they could handle a person who isn't even afraid of a bullet and stopped it in mid-air.

Even the government would feel an immense pressure when confronting such an existence. Only a few across the entire country could do something to him.

"Did you think you can kill this Deity?"

Chen Bin collapsed to his knees from the fear.

"Die!"

Jiang Xiu flicked the bullet with his finger. It flew out along with a dreadful light and penetrated through Chen Bin's head. It was the same as a gunshot from a silenced pistol. It noiselessly pierced through the forehead and went out through the back.

Chen Bin's pupils grew large then became soulless.

His body fell forward, a pool of blood leaking out from his head.

Death! A violent death!

The others drew in a cold breath, looking at everything in front of them in a daze.

It was too shocking!

They never expected a person to be killed in such a way.

They were even more shocked by the fact that this person was too brazen. He had killed a person in front of so many policemen, leaders, and especially Secretary Gu.

Though they witnessed it, no one said anything or criticized him since it would just be akin to throwing their life away. Not to mention that they couldn't even judge such a case correctly. Would the court believe it if they said he caught a bullet with his hand then threw it back again? Let alone, Chen Bin had tried to kill him first.

Jiang Xiu sat down again, paying no attention to their gazes.

"Secretary Gu, you have to give an explanation for this matter to this Deity."

Gu Dezhi had already heard that this Mr. Jiang's methods are ruthless. All those who had offended him ended up in dire straits. He had personally witnessed this today. He could have left Chen Bin alive, but he still killed him.

He inevitably felt scared of Jiang Xiu a little.

Anyone would be afraid of such a ruthless person.

However, as the top head of Jiangnan's border region, Gu Dezhi wasn't any ordinary person. He quickly calmed down, "The entire staff shall be punished for this."

"There shall be no leniency!"

The expressions of the police officers changed. Fang Congyi cried out, "Secretary Gu, we are innocent! Really!…"

"Take them all away."

They would naturally get sacked for arresting him. However, they had also offended Mr. Jiang, so he had to make sure to resolve Jiang Xiu's rage.

He made a mental note to himself that he had to adequately explain Jiang Xiu's godly skills to his elder brother. The ability to stop a bullet in midair was too shocking. Fortunately, he had seen him use such a skill today by chance or else the Gu family would have let a great opportunity slip by.

"Mr. Jiang, are you satisfied with this kind of punishment?"

"It's fine!"

Fang Congyi fell to the ground as if he had lost all strength from his body. The bureau chief position he had obtained after striving for so many years was gone.

"Chief, there's bad news…"

A police officer rushed inside to report but then stopped speaking midway. He saw the Deputy Captain's dead body, the messed up chairs and tables, as well as the bureau chief who was had collapsed to the ground.

"What happened?"

Secretary Gu questioned him.

"Eh, it's like this. News has come from the officers from the hospital that Xiao Xuetong has gone missing." He paused for a moment. "It was strange. She went missing after following a snake."

"A snake?"

"I have an image here…" He connected a USB flash drive to the computer then played the video.

In the video, Xiao Xuetong had a lifeless look in her eyes. She walked out from the elevator in a patient's clothes, and a snake was crawling in front of her.

"Hmm?"

Jiang Xiu could see the image of the Evil God overlap on Xiao Xuetong's face more clearly now. Frightening curse energy rushed out from her and in his gaze, that snake was releasing a black sinister energy.

"This is…"

"It appears as if she became possessed."

Accurate to say, she was indeed possessed right now.

"Organize a squad to rescue Xiao Xuetong as soon as possible." Secretary Gu sent out an order. He naturally wouldn't concern himself with such a matter, but since he was present here, they would follow his commands. Actually, this kind of work was handled by the police department.

"Yes, sir!"

The Deputy Bureau Chief to the side answered back. He immediately organized a special squad to investigate this.

"Mr. Jiang, today has been a troubling day. Please let me invite you for a drink." Gu Dezhi continued, "Consider this as an apology to you for today."

"Wouldn't it better for Secretary Gu to go to the hospital to get your injury checked first?"

The reason he had made this trip wasn't to sincerely look at the concert with Cheng Lingsu. He had come for the Evil God manipulating Xiao Xuetong. First, it was the kidnapping then sorcery. All this was to take Xiao Xuetong away. Jiang Xiu was sure that the person behind both the events was the same one, which was that Evil God.

Secretary Gu caressed the injury on his forehead awkwardly. He had lost a lot of face due to this.

"This Deity also wants to go to the hospital so shall we go together?"

Secretary Gu naturally didn't decline the offer. The administration of Jiang City immediately arranged for a vehicle to deliver these two big shots. After reaching the hospital, Secretary Gu went to undergo the required tests for his injury while Jiang Xiu went to the ward that Xiao Xuetong was in.

When he arrived, Deputy Chief Wu Rong was investigating the room along with the team. Such supernatural cases were the most troublesome for the police as it was difficult for them to find a solution.

They could only do their best though it might be useless.

"Who are you!?"

A police officer shouted at Jiang Xiu when he entered inside.

"Mr. Jiang…"

Wu Rong rushed over after seeing Jiang Xiu.

"This Deity came to take a look…"

"That's great. We have never seen this kind of case. There are no clues at all, so we are at a complete loss about where to begin investigating."

Jiang Xiu didn't reply to him and walked inside directly. He narrowed his eyes, and his field of view changed instantly yet he didn't find anything exceptional. It was the same when his line of sight fell on top of the bed. But when he looked in front of the bed, there were traces off black smoke forming a line, as if a snake had crawled through there.

He followed the marks. This snake was quite intelligent. It had crawled alongside the corners, and it would be difficult to take note of this black smoke at the dark corners unless he had followed it from inside the room.

He followed the trail which led him outside the hospital. He raised his head to look at the sky and muttered to himself, "No wonder, it's the day of Nine Yin today."

A halo was covering the full moon in the sky while the entire sky had darkened.

"Mr. Jiang, did you discover anything?"

Wu Rong asked him.

"Follow this Deity!"

Saying so, Jiang Xiu moved forwards and walked towards the woods. Two people were standing outside the woods right now. One of them was Xiao Xuetong's agent, Sister Li, and the other one was a middle-aged man with an intimidating aura. Wu Rong recognized them. "What are you doing here?"

All of a sudden, a savage howl appeared from the woods. Wu Rong turned pale with fright and almost dashed inside while pulling his gun out.

"D-Don't go in…"

A person escaped out of the woods along with that voice. He wore a Taoist robe and appeared to be a Shaman.

"This is bad. That monster has already taken form."

The man asked, "Are you telling the truth?"

"Boss Wang, I'm not cheating you. It'll be difficult for you to believe it even if I explain it to you."

"That snake has already taken a spirit form. My ancestors have been trying to deal with this demon for many generations. It's already been over a hundred years since we have taken up this task."

Sister Li couldn't believe it, "Hundred years?"

Even Wu Rong couldn't believe it. He could understand something like Jiang Xiu stopping a bullet then throwing it back to kill a person because it was related to martial arts.

But a snake taking a spirit form, something like this was too unbelievable. It wasn't like they were filming a movie like the Legend of the White Snake.

"Moreover, Lady Xiao Xuetong has been marked by this monster."

A voice came through at this moment, "A snake needs 500 years to take form. That isn't a snake which has cultivated into spirit form, it's just a Yin Snake refined by using a secret art after pouring baleful qi into a snake's corpse."

"It's an insignificant thing."

After hearing this, the Shaman turned his head towards the voice. He saw a youth come over with his hands behind his back yet his gaze fixed on top of the woods. The scene of his eyes flickering under the night scene appeared quite elegant.

The Shaman felt that tone of speaking was a bit too much. If it were indeed only a Yin Snake refined from a snake corpse, it would mean that the three generations of his ancestors had died due to such an insignificant thing.

"Are you frightened so much because of a mere Yin Snake?"This Shaman wasn't that famous, yet he posed as a genuine skilled traditional follower. He scowled when he saw an immature youth speak some nonsense, "Who are you?"

"You talk quite big."

Although he wasn't that famous, his ancestors were quite remarkable. His family name was Zhang. He was from the Water and Fire Dao Mountain. His ancestor was the famous Heavenly Master, Zhang Tianling.

So he also had his pride.

"This is Mr. Jiang…"

The Shaman snorted. He felt that a person of such an age as Jiang Xiu should use his sect's name instead of calling himself 'Mister' shamelessly. He replied in a flat tone, "Never heard of him…"

Not only him, even the man to the side and Sister Li had never heard of this name. After all, they weren't from Jiang City. In fact, outside the underworld of Jiang City, the others still didn't know about him as he had risen up just recently.

Only, the martial arts community might have heard his name.

"But, Mr. Jiang is…"

Wu Rong saw how much disdain this Shaman felt towards Jiang Xiu and wished to tell him what kind of existence he was, but Jiang Xiu prevented him by shaking his head.

"Master Zhang, what should we do now?"

"Please think of something quickly. Isn't Xiaoxiao still inside?"

Wu Rong was stunned, "Lady Xiao is inside the woods?"

Sister Li didn't want to admit it. But since the matter had come this far, she had to lay the facts bare. "Yes, our Xiaoxiao has become marked by some demonic thing. After she became famous, strange incidents kept increasing. First, she created a hideous household shrine. So we prohibited her from it, but she started to sleepwalk frequently then head towards the balcony and kowtow to the world while saying some obscure words."

"We invited a Shaman over, but she got kidnapped."

"After that, she got possessed."

Sister Li's brows locked up. The man also wore a face full of worry. He was Xiao Xuetong's boss. That brat was like a money tree for him and a perfectly good girl. He had no idea why such a thing happened.

Shaman Zhang asked, "Were the days when Lady Xiao sleepwalk to the balcony and kowtow full moon nights?"

"That's…" Sister Li muttered to herself, "Though I didn't notice it much, now that you mention it, it seems like they were."

"This is called Worshipping the Moon… it's ancient sorcery."

Jiang Xiu couldn't help but want to laugh after hearing this.

Although he didn't laugh, Shaman Zhang could make out his smile from his face. He felt quite unwell. What's that smile? Do you doubt this Shaman's words?

"This whatever Mister, what's your opinion?"

Jiang Xiu knew that Xiao Xuetong was being used as a medium to collect divine faith by the Evil God. Of course, it wasn't something like 'Worshipping the Moon', let alone 'Worshipping the Moon' wasn't even sorcery.

According to what Sister Li had explained, Xiao Xuetong had set up a hideous shrine. Jiang Xiu doubted that this was the beginning of everything. However, this shrine was removed by Sister Li and the others as it looked like a demonic thing, so the Evil God used a sacrificial art to gather faith from time to time.

"It's a sacrificial art to gather divine faith."

Shaman Zhang retorted, "Utter rubbish. You're so young. Do you even know what's a sacrificial art or divine faith? Those are all arts to serve Gods, and mysteries of the world. Lady Xiao is just possessed right now, and the other party has definitely used sorcery to achieve this."

Jiang Xiu shook his head lightly.

"Boss Wang, this Shaman has always operated alone while dealing with demons and monsters. I never cooperate with others because some of them try to steal the credit and even are more of a hindrance than a help sometimes."

"If someone else wants to deal with it, this Shaman shall say goodbye right now."

Boss Wang felt that this made sense. The brat was still inside the woods right now, and they didn't know anything about the circumstances inside. If this almighty person left no one could rescue Xiao Xuetong. He didn't believe they or the police or that ignorant youth could do anything.

"Please wait, Master Zhang!"

He hurried to shout towards Master Zhang then turned to Jiang Xiu, "This mister, this matter is unrelated to you. Please don't meddle in it unnecessarily. I request that you leave immediately."

Wu Rong retorted to him, "This is a free region, so Mister Wang has no right to send us away. Let alone, Mr. Jiang is here to help the police locate Lady Xiao."

Shaman Zhang snorted, "You police can catch thieves but can you get rid of demons and monsters?"

"Ignorant people!"

Boss Wang said, "This police officer, you have already seen how it is. This matter isn't within the capabilities of the police. I'll have to trouble you to match accordingly. If we delay Master Zhang from saving the person, you won't be able to take responsibility if something happens to Xiaoxiao."

Wu Rong replied, "Protecting the city residents is our responsibility."

Wu Rong naturally wouldn't compromise unless Mr. Jiang commanded him to.

Boss Wang furrowed his brows, "Police officer, I'm good friends with your Jiang City's police department's chief, Chief Fang. You'll have to obediently go away with just a single call from me so don't bring trouble to yourself."

Wu Rong asked, "By Chief Fang, do you mean Fang Congyi?"

"Yep!"

"Too bad then. Chief Fang is no longer the Bureau Chief as he has been sacked already." Wu Rong said in a ridiculing tone, "Try calling him if you don't believe me."

Boss Wang had a rich experience in life so he naturally knew Wu Rong wouldn't joke about such a thing regarding his boss. He felt quite awkward. Since he couldn't make them leave, he didn't have any way left to make Shaman Zhang act.

At this moment, the savage howl came out of the woods again. The people standing outside were frightened as they looked towards the dark woods in alarm.

A sinister aura soared up in the sky above the woods, faintly taking the shape of a giant snake.

This really scared them.

"OH MY GOD!"

Sister Li screamed while covering her mouth.

"Do you see that?! Do you?!" Shaman Zhang made a solemn face, "How can there be such a big Yin Snake in this world? Your words were just rubbish in the end. Boss Wang, do you believe this Shaman's words now?"

Boss Wang was frightened from this scene, so he nodded mechanically.

That snake's spirit body was around 20 m long. It really gave goosebumps to anyone who witnessed such a thing under the pitch-black night sky.

"Master Zhang, you must save Xiaoxiao!"

He couldn't allow this monster to eat his money tree.

Wu Rong was also left stupefied.

It's really a monster.

Jiang Xiu, however, shook his head, "Today is the day of Nine Yin. It's just the baleful manifestation of the Yin Snake…" In other words, it was nothing other than a collection of baleful energy and no different than a cloud in the sky which was shaped as a creature. It didn't possess any destructive abilities.

"Total crap."

"Do you want to get us killed?"

Shaman Zhang continued, "Boss Wang. If these useless people keep babbling nonsense, this Shaman will immediately take leave from here."

"Don't! Please…"

Boss Wang was alarmed as he had invited Shaman Zhang with great difficulty. He glowered at Jiang Xiu and Wu Rong and spoke in an impolite tone, "Tell your price, how much do you want to leave from here?"

This was a big joke.

Boss Wang continued, "100,000! I'll give 100,000 to you. Take it and leave immediately."

This was indeed a high amount. Boss Wang was ready to smash 100,000 to make them leave.

Jiang Xiu looked at him indifferently.

"Is it not enough? 500,000 then!"

Wu Rong revealed a troubled expression. In the year 2008, one could buy 2 houses with 500,000.

"1 million then. Let's make it final."

Jiang Xiu smiled coolly then shook his head, "It's useless for you to offer money to this Deity as that's something this Deity doesn't lack at all. The thing which this Deity needs the most is right before you…" Saying so, he went forward.

"The most significant difference between a Yin Snake's baleful manifestation is the attribute…"

He had already moved forward while saying this.

"What does he want to do?"

"Does he want to die?"

Such a giant snake demon is floating in the sky. Are you not scared of getting swallowed?

They saw Jiang Xiu take out a talisman and throw it towards the sky. The glyphs on the talisman turned into flames and burnt it. An unstoppable, powerful purifying force engulfed the sky like a gale.

"This is…"

Jiang Xiu stated indifferently, "Purification Talisman."

The flaming glyphs floated towards the snake demon over the woods, and just like how the Sun drove the darkness away, as soon as the light from the flames fell on the snake demon, it disappeared.

There were no tracks of the snake demon after the talisman had burnt off entirely.

And a Purification Talisman could only be used for exorcising spirits. It couldn't do anything to a snake demon.

Shaman Zhang was left dumbstruck.

Jiang Xiu's voice resounded beside his ears, "Tell this Deity."

"Is this a Yin Snake's Baleful Manifestation…"

"Or is it not?"

The snake demon disappeared due to the flame, and it didn't appear again even after the flame had extinguished.

Even those who didn't understand this kind of thing could comprehend that this wasn't a snake demon as it didn't have a corporeal body. At most, it was an image.

"This…"

Shaman Zhang's face got flushed as tried to respond but stuttered.

"Do you have anything to say?"

Jiang Xiu asked Wang Zhenbang, the man who tried to smash money to send them away.

None of them replied, nor did the have any face left to do so. The outcome was already evident.

"Mr. Jiang's power is indeed godly!"

Wu Rong bowed Jiang Xiu deeply, revealing a proud face. As he had come here following after Mr. Jiang, his face was also lifted up due to this.

He was really infuriated before. He, the grand Deputy Chief, with Mr. Jiang at his side, were being driven away. But now, looking at their speechless appearance, it really seemed pleasant when retribution fell to these kinds of people.

"This doesn't make sense…" Shaman Zhang shook his head continuously, "My Great Grandfather, my Grandfather, and my Father, three generations of my ancestors, died under this snake demon's hand. Tell, how could that happen?"

"You think this Deity has any obligation to explain it?"

Jiang Xiu ignored him after saying this.

Shaman Zhang, who got left behind, wore a look of astonishment with an absent-minded gaze. The other party didn't need to explain anything as it was already proven that he was in the wrong.

"T-This Mister…"

Boss Wang felt quite awkward. He tried to call out to Jiang Xiu but got ignored. This made his embarrassment turn into angrier. You're just a Jianghu member, and you dare to put on airs in front of me?

"10 million!"

He raised a finger. It was quite an astonishing amount.

"I'll give you 10 million if you help me rescue Xiaoxiao."

He didn't believe someone would deny money.

"This Deity has already told you that I don't lack money."

"50 million!"

Boss Wang extended the rest of fingers out with a glare. 50 million was no small amount. It was enough to squander money all around the world and still have enough left to live the latter half of life with ease or be used to make deals with the unknown.

Jiang Xiu smiled coolly, "You're quite well-off?"

"This humble person is Myriad Skills Entertainment Company's boss, and also Xiao Xuetong's boss. Though I don't dare to say I'm quite well-off, the assets in my hands aren't something you can imagine. You can set the price for saving Xiaoxiao, and you'll also make me owe you a favor. If you're troubled with anything in the future, come to Pinghai Province to find me, I'll help you out."

Wang Zhenbang had a pretty active social influence. As the boss of an entertainment company which has a famous idol who's in high demand everywhere, everyone tried to flatter him. After such a long time, he naturally started feeling like he was a big shot.

Therefore, his tone of speaking so arrogant.

"Sometimes, you only get one chance in life, if you miss it, it's gone forever."

"Better think it over properly…"

He looked down on these Jianghu members from the bottom of his heart. If not for this matter, he really disdained even dealing with such people.

"What's the situation?"

Another voice came from the police cordon area.

"Secretary Gu, the target is inside the woods."

"Hoh?"

"Gu Dezhi had arrived here. After getting his wound checked in the hospital, it was determined that it was just a minor one and wouldn't cause any problems, so he came down to find Jiang Xiu. After witnessing Jiang Xiu's powers, although he wasn't sure that Jiang Xiu was a Demigod, he was definite that Jiang Xiu was a rare talent, so he naturally wanted to rope Jiang Xiu in and have good relations with him.

After coming here, he discovered that a police cordon was placed here and they were all lying in wait.

"Secretary Gu?!"

Wang Zhenbang and Sister Li shouted in alarm, feeling quite surprised. He felt quite thrilled that the leader of Jiangnan's border region had come over personally come over!

"Secretary Gu, how come you're here? This matter isn't something of your stature needs to deal with."

"How could I dare not to come here when Mr. Jiang is here?" replied Gu Dezhi.

Saying so, he politely called out to Jiang Xiu, "Mr. Jiang!"

Wang Zhenbang was stupefied. The most supreme person of Jiangnan's border region was acting so reverently towards a Jianghu member.

During the time Secretary Gu went to chat with Jiang Xiu, Wang Zhengbang asked Gu Dezhi's secretary who had stayed behind, "Mr. Ye, who is this Mr. Jiang? Why is Secretary Gu acting… in such a polite manner?"

The secretary replied, "Boss Wang, you have come to make money in Jiang City, but don't tell me you haven't heard about Mr. Jiang's famous name yet?"

Wang Zhenbang shook his head.

"At Jiang City, Mr. Jiang has the final say. Even if we consider the Jiangnan province, more than half of it is under his control."

That person was actually such a big shot?!

Wang Zhenbang drew in a cold breath. He was dumbfounded.

"Tell me now, should my boss act politely towards him or not?"

The secretary saw the chance in Wang Zhenbang's expression and couldn't help ask, "Boss Wang, you didn't offend Mr. Jiang, right? You can offend anyone in Jiang City but not him."

"Because all those who have offended him ended up dead."

Wang Zhenbang's face went pale.

"How's the situation?"

Gu Dezhi asked.

Jiang Xiu's sight was fixed on the woods, "She's inside, so it the person who grabbed her. This Deity needs to go inside. Get rid of the people surrounding the perimeter, okay?"

"Especially that annoying fly."

Gu Dezhi commanded Wu Rong, "What are you doing standing there? Didn't you hear Mr. Jiang? Clear all the irrelevant people back to police cordon."

"Everyone, please back off. Don't make the police use force…"

Wang Zhenbang, Sister Li and Shaman Zhang's faces were filled with embarrassment. Just now, they were planning to send the others away, but now, they were being driven away instead.

Jiang Xiu didn't really care about this, if he did, they would've been dead already. The reason he wanted them to clear the area was that they would suffer if something unexpected happens.

Jiang Xiu had already started walking towards the woods while the others cleared the area.

A silhouette stood inside the woods. A man with messy gray hair who wore a robe and held a crutch in his hand, age unknown.

"Who are you? Why are you interfering?" He asked.

"You have concealed yourself pretty well. That's a pretty good vessel."

"It's a pity, a soul is just a soul in the end."

That man's expression changed, "Who are you?!"

"The person who has come to receive you."

"You're courting death!"

He faced his crutch towards Jiang Xiu, and the Yin Snake at his feet shot towards Jiang Xiu like an arrow. His eyes started releasing black fog as he mumbled.

"Hah!"

Jiang Xiu waved his hand, releasing an incorporeal energy pulse towards the Yin Snake. All of a sudden, a gale passed by, causing the trees in the woods to sway. The Yin Snake, which was just a spirit body, couldn't bear this and turned into black vapors before disappearing.

The trees which were leaning due to the gale recovered their initial position.

"You…"

That man's expression morphed again, the gaze in his eyes flickered, "Don't tell me… You have a Godhead? Are you a God?"

"Looks like you noticed it."

"I'm really shocked, to think there's a Godhead like this."

"I also didn't expect to meet a God here, that too an Evil God," replied Jiang Xiu.

"Likewise."

"How many years have you lived?" asked the Evil God.

"About 20 years or so."

"Impossible. Having such cultivation in just 20 years is impossible. I have lived for a millennium, and it took me a hundred years to raise that Yin Snake. This doesn't make sense… Wait… Which Godhood are you?"

"None." Jiang Xiu replied.

Jiang Xiu felt quite confused about this matter. He had two Godhood Halos in his body but didn't know its use, so he asked, "What's the use of Godhood?"

The Evil God laughed loudly. He was sure that Jiang Xiu was acting this genuinely and wasn't faking, "Your question is akin to an ordinary person asking an official what's the use of an official position."

"It's naturally authority, power and lifespan."

The Evil God explained, "Luck exists in this world, and according to the virtues and achievements, Godhood Halo descends from the Heavens as proof of Godhood, allow an ordinary person to enter the extraordinary by surpassing the boundaries of death and roam the universe.

"Which Godhood are you?" Jiang Xiu asked him.

"Grand North Emperor Godhood."

The Evil God's body emitted a faint luster as he said this, which was the Godhood Halo. It was completely different from the two Godhood Halos Jiang Xiu had encountered before.

This man's Godhood Halo gave off a sinister feeling.

"Quite interesting…"

As Jiang Xiu had guessed, the spiritual energy of Earth had withered, and it became difficult to attain Godhood by cultivating the body using spiritual energy. Hence, it was better to grow through achievements and virtue. And the North Emperor signified the supernatural beings like ghosts; thus the Evil God has cultivated to such a path of Evil Divinity.

In other words, this Evil God would no only kill Xiao Xuetong, he would also seize her soul, and this would add a sin. The more souls he took, the more his power grew. And this North Emperor Godhood Halo would similarly get stronger.

The amount of divine faith from Xiao Xuetong's fans was also quite significant.

"This person is Ming Lun… The Heavenly Dao is sealed, and it's hard to advance the Godhood. So I had no choice but to give up the corporeal body and attain Yin Divinity." Ming Lun sighed, "I'm really ignorant. I doubted whether this word really had Yang Divinity cultivators."

"I've never heard of someone in the past millennium but finally seen it today."

"Alas, it's too late!"

His voice was filled with remorse.

Yin Gods couldn't accept restraints and were Evil Gods who lived in depravity and used sacrifices. They didn't follow the Orthodox path and strayed from it. They were similar to illusionary images, just like ghosts. To simplify it, they were souls, and if we break it down to even simpler words, momentary existences.

There was no doubt they were a lower grade existence.

Although Jiang Xiu still hadn't become a genuine God, he was walking the path of Yang Divinity. If he becomes a God, he would also separate from his physical body and create an all-new Yang God Body.

On the Immortal Martial Continent, there was a controversy between which among the Yin and Yang God were stronger. The debate had come to an end due to an incident.

According to the legends, during the early stages of the Immortal Martial Continent, there existed two brothers. One of them cultivated Yin Divinity and the other Yang Divinity. The day they had finally became Gods was the day Jasper blossoms bloomed in the Imperial Capital. Commonfolk weren't allowed to see it. As both of them had become Gods, they said, "Let's go watch the Jasper blossoms bloom in the Imperial Palace." Thereupon, they sat in meditation, drinking tea while looking at the Jasper blossoms bloom. After their primal souls returned, both of them smiled, speaking in unison, "Let's fetch a blossom." The Yin God brushed his sleeve to the side, and there was no flower, while when the Yang God brushed his sleeve aside, there was a flower.

The Immortal Martial Continent continued to develop crazily after that and history served as the proof. Yin Divinity was the path of destruction and wasn't worth it was it was difficult to reach high levels in it. Due to this, most of the Divinity Cultivators on the Immortal Martial Continent followed the path of Yang Divinity, and the Yin Divinity Gods were left helpless.

From the viewpoint of the Heavenly Court of Fortune in Immortal Martial Continent, Yin Gods weren't qualified to obtain a Godhood.

To say it bluntly, if a person cultivated Yin Divinity, his future was done for.

There were no prospects at all.

In the past, Ming Lun had struggled hard to cultivate by following the instructions of the ancient documents. It was written that there was Yin Divinity and Yang Divinity, so he naturally chose Yang Divinity, but the path was quite arduous. It was hard to make progress, let alone all the sufferings he had to go through. After seeing that his companions too hadn't succeeded with Yang Divinity, he doubted whether Yang Gods really existed, so he finally chose to cultivate Yin Divinity.

But now, after seeing Jiang Xiu casually destroy the Yin Snake he had to spend a hundred years to raise, he was really dejected. Only, he still laughed heartily, "There's no need end to the path of Yang Divinity, it's neverending."

"There's no need for you to choose a path with a dead end. Why don't you cultivate Yin Divinity like me?"

Jiang Xiu sneered, "Ming Lun, the path to Yang Divinity might be a closed dead end to you, but it's a vast and free Grand Dao to this Deity. It's just a matter of time for this Deity to become a Yang God, it would take one or two years at most. As for Yin Divinity, just hearing about it makes me feel offended. It's only a deformed form of divinity. Though they are called Yin Gods, there's no difference between them and ghosts."

There was a burden of the corporeal body in Divinity Cultivation as the spiritual energy on Earth had withered. It was possible to rely on external means like martial arts and heavenly treasures to make headway, but they weren't enough to reach the final stages. In the higher realms, martial arts and heavenly treasures weren't of any use.

"No. You aren't even a ghost. It would be right to call you a monster!"

In Jiang Xiu's viewpoint, the man ahead of him of him didn't have a human appearance. He had only a single eye and a scaled body while his body exuded a sinister aura, which seemed to be his real avatar.

He had also undergone variation like the Wang family's Demigod and ended up in such a way.

The more Jiang Xiu talked, the uglier Ming Lun's face became.

"No has dared to vilify this Deity ever."

"Seeing that you are young and inexperienced, if only you kneel down and offer sacrificial souls to this Deity, I'll pardon your life."

In his view, Jiang Xiu was just an unaccomplished Demigod.

A Demigod was nothing but a joke in front of God.

Jiang Xiu sneered back at him, "It's a pity, this Deity wants you millennium cultivation. Even if you kneel down and acknowledge to serve me, I'll still devour your power."

"You're quite arrogant, brat!"

"Even Heavenly Dao Palace's Zuo Wentian, Bodhi Gene's Li Bodhi and Medicine King Valley's Ninth Immortal Lin don't dare to speak to me in such a way."

"You're courting death!"

A green light flashed through Ming Lin's eye. His gray hair started to float while his voice turned ghastly, seeming similar to a beast's howling.

The people outside the woods turned pale.

An aura burst forth along with his scream, causing an evil wind to engulf the woods. Even the moonlight was obstructed, and the woods seem to have transformed into an evil spirit with howls resounding all around.

"This Deity shall make you understand what's the power of a God."

"North Emperor's Godhood Halo!"

In an instant, endless black fog rushed out like a flood. It was a strange power which seemed to possess its own consciousness and eroded everything, the mind and body, leaving nothing in its wake.

"Hmm? This is…"

Jiang Xiu was shocked. This Godhood Halo was similar to the God's Domain he knew of.

"DIE!"

BOOM!

A huge black claw lunged at Jiang Xiu's chest with the intentions of piercing through it. Black scales covered that claw, and its fingers were unusually long, longer than a foot when compared to human feet. They also had fingernails 10 cm long. It was quite a scary appearance.

The claw's speed was quick and possessed ample power to pierce through the steel plates of an armored car.

"Hah!"

Jiang Xiu snorted. The man opposite to him wasn't a genuine God. He only believed that he had become a God. Ultimately, he just had a Godhood Halo. 5000 sins for imprisonment, 6000 sins to enter Hell, 10,000 sins to become a Yin God, such was the way.

He was too far away.

In fact, the reason he possessed such strength was due to the divine faith he had gathered through Xiao Xuetong. This superstar had too many fans, and since there was a concert today, that power was at its peak.

Bzzztt!

Jiang Xiu pointed his finger towards the claw. A golden light flickered on his finger. Before the two powers could even collide, a twisting sound as if two magnetic fields had struck each other.

Yin Divinity cultivators couldn't win over Yang Divinity cultivators unless they reached the Divine Realm. Before that, they were completely vulnerable.

Spurt!

In a split moment, just like a punctured tire, a huge gaping hole was left behind on the claw as Jiang Xiu's finger had pierced through it. In the end, Jiang Xiu's divine energy had won the battle.

"Hmm?"

Ming Lun's expression changed while he retreated back. He looked at his claw with disbelief. This move was his strongest magic and also the most powerful place of his Yin God Body.

"H-How can this be?"

But Ming Lun quickly recovered his calm, "Looks like you indeed have a little skill. No wonder you came to make trouble. Only…" His hand grabbed the black smoke and scattered it, which healed the hole on his palm. "In the end, you're just a Demigod, not a God. You'll never understand the fearsomeness of a God."

"No power in this world can kill me!"

"I can live forever with my North Emperor Godhood Halo."

…

At the police cordon outside the woods.

"What's happening inside? It's been a long time since Mr. Jiang went inside. Nothing would happen, right?" Wu Rong asked anxiously.

"There was some noise a moment ago, but nothing after that."

Shaman Zhang explained, "I know it. The Yin Snake was raised and controlled by someone. If I'm not wrong, that person is inside. A monster from 100 years ago who even the three generations of my ancestors couldn't handle, there's no way that Mr. Jiang can handle it."

"I fear he's already a pile of dried up bones by now."

"Quick, look over there…"

Everyone followed the voice and looked towards that direction. A giant snake's image had appeared in the sky over the woods.

"Looks like I was right. That Mr. Jiang has been defeated already."

Shaman Zhang shook his head while sighing, "This Shaman had already advised him not to show off, but he didn't listen. See now, he has lost his life."

Gu Dezhi pursed his brows. If Jiang Luoxia couldn't handle an insignificant monster, there was no need for the Gu family to rope him in.

BOOM!

A silhouette flew out from within the woods, knocking a dozen trees down in its wake. It fell to the ground then slid back a few metres.

"Hmm?"

"What's happening?"

Jiang Xiu slowly came walked out of the woods at this moment while shaking his head, "You think you're quite strong?"

The crowd outside the woods cried out in alarm as they instinctively felt suffocation all of a sudden. This was a showdown they couldn't meddle in. It was same terror they would experience in case a bomber aircraft drops a bomb over them.

They believed that Jiang Xiu would be on the losing side but never expected he would walk out of the woods completely unharmed. The ease with which he did so gave off a domineering aura.

Since he was safe and sound, the person who flew out just now was no doubt the perpetrator.

"H-How's this possible?!"

Shaman Zhang Xiaoling's eyes grew wide open. This demonic thing had lived for several centuries and was quite powerful. The ancestors of his Zhang family had researched for centuries yet were unable to find a method to deal with him. He was appalled by Jiang Xiu's strength which enabled him to deal with such a monster so easily.

"This is Mr. Jiang's strength?"

Secretary Gu and Wu Rong were already staring at this scene with awe.

They saw that thing which flew out of the woods fall to the ground. It was a sinister visage with black ink-colored smoke emitting from its body. Gray hair reached till its waist, making it look more demon-like as it spread out.

"RROOOOAAARRR!"

He issued a beast-like snarl which gave goosebumps to the people who heard it as it crawled up from the ground. He appeared to be in pain but seemed angrier.

"You have enraged this Deity."

Boom!

His body pounced ahead like a cheetah, while at the same time, the black smoke in his body rushed out, making his stature 3 m tall.

Black smoke permeated all over his body, gushing out from him as his gray hair rose up like a flame.

"OH MY GOD!"

Sister Li screamed after seeing this kind of a monster.

Ming Lun had already reached in front of Jiang Xiu by now.

"You shall experience the might of the Yin God Body."

A horn sprouted out from his forehead and his body was covered by scales which were slightly discernible within the black smoke. It seemed as if an ancient demonic god had descended to awe the entire world.

"Monster…"

Boss Wang shouted.

"Receive death!"

Jiang Xiu had already seen a body like this. The body which he had evolved to was more thorough than the Wang Ancestor's and approached a God more.

"Hah!"

Jiang Xiu waved his hand, sending an incorporeal sword wave out, which spread out like a crescent moon towards the front. If it were a month or two earlier, he wouldn't have been able to use such a move as his Godhead was too weak then, but now, his 27 divine regalia could support him to use the Heaven Treading Sword Art. The wave traveled quite slow initially, but it reached in front of Ming Lun all of a sudden.

"Boom!"

A loud sound resounded in the sky as the two powers collided violently. It seemed as if two sea waves had crashed into each other, creating an astonishing disturbance.

The black smoke got cut into two halves in front of everyone as if the entire world has had been displaced.

"Why do you have such a powerful divine force?"

Ming Lun cried out in alarm.

His body got sliced into two halves along with the black smoke as well.

"A Yang God's power isn't something you can imagine."

The difference between a Ying God and Yang God of equal ranks was akin to the difference between a breath and a punch.

"RROOOOARRRR!"

Black smoke poured out of his body unceasingly along with his painful screams. His damaged body healed to its former condition after that.

"Hahaha…"

"Didn't this Deity say it before? This Deity is unkillable."

Yin God's naturally had their perks.

The surrounding people felt a chill when they saw this scene. They couldn't fathom how such a person could be killed.

"In the ancestral writings of my family, it's written that this monster is an Evil Spirit which can't be killed by common powers." Zhang Xiaoling phrased the words left behind in the notes of his ancestor.

"What should be done then?" Boss Wang asked in alarm.

Zhang Xiaoling shook his head, "Nothing. Three generations of my ancestors have researched it for a century but couldn't find any means. We can only deal with it if we have a method to do so."

"Though he's strong, his strength is useless against an undying Evil Spirit."

"Heed my words. Withdraw 500 m from here and also evacuate the patients in the hospital or else the consequences will be dire."

…

"Brat, the game is over."

Ming Lun's eyes gleamed with an ominous green light. His entire being turned sinister as he pounced towards Jiang Xiu.

"You're right, it's over!"

Jiang Xiu moved towards him by taking powerful steps, seeming as if a spring had appeared under his feet as he soared to the skies.

10 m!

5 m!

The two of them were about to run into each other.

2 m!

Boom!

Jiang Xiu suddenly sent a punch out, releasing an energy pulse from it like an artillery shell. The surroundings seemed to twist due to the explosive burst of power and the black smoke covering the entire region caved in due to that.

After receiving such an attack, Ming Lun's body exploded. His torso, abdomen, limbs, etc… had all blown into little flecks.

A punch had turned him to slag!

What the…

The crowd was planning to flee, but they stopped rigid in their place after witnessing this scene.

Zhang Xiaoling was stupefied.

H-He killed it with a punch?!

"H-He won?"

"Was the monster killed?"

Yet in the next moment, the black flecks had converged together like a hurricane and started forming into Ming Lun's figure with speed visible to the naked eye.

"As I thought, this Evil Spirit is unkillable. It's going to retake shape."

The crowd became silent before it could even feel happy.

"Brat, it's too early to feel happy."

"Didn't this Deity already say that you can't kill me?"

Jiang Xiu laughed in response. "You're too naive. This Deity didn't punch you to kill you but rather to shatter you because your appearance is too ugly. It really spoiled this Deity's appetite."

"What?"

A smile rose up on Jiang Xiu's face. He suddenly opened his mouth and sucked in. In front of him, Ming Lun, who still hasn't taken form completely, got attracted by this suction and got compressed into fine soul strings. Only when he was about to enter Jiang Xiu's mouth did he realize that Jiang Xiu's genuine intentions were to swallow him.

"AAAAHHHHH…."

He neither had the time nor the power to resist.

The voice stopped after this scream as Jiang Xiu had swallowed him whole.

Everything had come to an end.

The crowd wondered whether they were witnessing a legend as only in those legends did God devour evil spirits. The scene before their eyes was the exact same as those myths.

"The Evil Spirit got devoured by Mr. Jiang?"

Jiang Xiu wiped his mouth sloppily as if pondering over the flavor. In fact, there was no flavor at all. The God Devouring Art could swallow a True Yin God, let alone a fake one.

Ming Lun's spiritual energy got absorbed by Jiang Xiu immediately. A millennium-old soul was naturally stronger than the two souls he had devoured before. It felt like as if he had taken millennium-old ginseng, making his body feel rejuvenated. A buzzing sound came out from his body. The Divine Race bloodline had activated again and surpassed the barrier into the next Awakening.

The no. of divine regalia on his arm numbered 30 now.

His body trembled immediately after that due to another Awakening.

The 31st one had appeared.

He had Awakened twice!

All his efforts were finally bearing fruit. The 1st pattern of the divine regalia was becoming clearer now. It seemed to resemble an ancient character. Jiang Xiu judged that it might be an incantation note.

An incantation note was the most potent spell. In fact, the shorter the incantation, the stronger it is. It wasn't due to the curse but rather the awe. In those days, The Shadow Emperor had just taken a glance back to softly speak one word to eliminate a ten million strong army of the Void Dragon God.

And the first divine regalia pattern was comprised of 31 regalia. Jiang Xiu could easily imagine the effect it would take when he spoke that incantation note.

"What…"

Zhang Xiaoling was wholly dumbfounded as he gazed at Jiang Xiu as if he was looking at a monster. The Evil Spirit which had killed his three ancestral generations got swallowed by Jiang Xiu just like that.

The entire fight seemed to be in Jiang Xiu's favor right from the beginning as he crushed the opponent and quickly took care of him. Zhang Xiaoling felt it was funny that he had asked everyone to withdraw. He felt as if he was clown jumping up and down.

"Mr. Jiang won?"

Secretary Gu was dumbstruck. His mind had turned blank. All of this which he had witnessed seemed like a legend.

The others slowly came to a realization that Jiang Xiu had taken care of the Evil Spirit, albeit through a somewhat terrifying method. Legends of humans capable of swallowing monsters were often spread among the common folk. People like these possessed unusual talents and had an extraordinary fate. In the ancient times, they were awarded positions of nobility, and some even climbed to the place of the Emperor.

They realized that Mr. Jiang wasn't an average person.

"He won!"

"Mr. Jiang killed the Evil Spirit!"

"Very good."

Since the crisis had ended, Secretary Gu and the rest went over to welcome him. Secretary Gu was especially excited, "Thank you, Mr. Jiang, for upholding justice and eliminating this scourge."

"Mhm!"

Jiang Xiu's face was as calm as still water as if dealing with the Evil Spirit was an ordinary matter.

"How's Lady Xiao?"

"Inside the woods!"

They walked into the woods. Since the Evil God controlling her was already dead, she should have recovered. The group followed behind Jiang Xiu and reached the place where Xiao Xuetong laid beside a pile of burnt matches. Smoke still rose out of the matchsticks, indicating that they finished burning not long ago.

Ming Lun was controlling Xiao Xuetong through the use of fire. Since he was dead, the flame also extinguished.

"Xiaoxiao!"

"Xiaoxiao!"

Wang Zhenbang and Sister Li called out to her many times, but"O she didn't wake up. If it weren't for signs of breathing, they would've doubted she had already died.

"Her soul must have wandered." Zhang Xiaoling commented.

"That's quite troublesome."

Jiang Xiu came beside Xiao Xuetong and crouched down, placing his finger at her Yin Hall while softly chanting a spell. A white light entered between her eyebrows.

"Hmm?"

Xiao Xuetong groaned from her lovely nose, and immediately after that, her eyelashes trembled slightly before she opened her eyes.

She finally woke up!

"Xiaoxiao…"

She asked in a daze, "W-Where am I?"

"It's not important, everything's fine now…"

Jiang Xiu and Secretary Gu didn't stay as the matter was settled. They didn't want to wait for these people to say they wish to repay or something like that. In fact, these people couldn't compensate someone like Jiang Xiu and Secretary Gu.

They had hardly come out of the woods when a person came chasing after them, "Mister, please wait!"

It was Zhang Xiaoling.

"What is it?"

Zhang Xiaoling knelt down on the ground with force, "I request Mister to take me as an apprentice, I wish to follow Mister for my entire life and do anything Mister wishes."

"You aren't qualified!" Jiang Xiu replied indifferently.

Jiang Xiu left after saying this, leaving Zhang Xiaoling kneeling there with a dead look on his face, unable to stand up even after a long time had passed.

"Mr. Jiang, let me see you off…"

Secretary Gu didn't possess the least bit of hesitation. He had decided that he must definitely bring such an eccentric to his Gu family. Even if his elder brother wasn't appreciative of this, he had to have good relations with Jiang Xiu as this man possessed extraordinary abilities.

Jiang Xiu didn't refuse him as he didn't have a vehicle.

Along the route, Secretary Gu inquired about the circumstances regarding Jiang Xiu's father. He had already prepared himself to reverse the verdict of Jiang Xiu's father no matter how big the pressure from others, and reinstate Jiang Xiu's father to his original position.

This matter was very complicated. The current society wasn't a dictatorial one. Secretary Gu didn't have the final say in Jiangnan. In fact, he too felt much pressure in Jiangnan as the powers of all parties were very sophisticated.

Another significant bit was that Jiang Xiu had indeed committed the crime then. So it would bring high risk to Secretary Gu if he acted, but he believed it was worth it.

After returning home, Jiang Xiu found that the all the lights and the AC were on. He saw Cheng Lingsu had fallen asleep on the sofa while snuggling. She opened her eyes slightly after hearing some noise. After looking at Jiang Xiu, she sat up and replied carelessly, "You came back!"

Jiang Xiu scowled, "Why didn't you sleep inside the room?"

"I was waiting for you to return."

"Hah!" Jiang Xiu snorted, pitilessly exposing her lie, "The lights are on in the entire house, the tea room, the kitchen and even the corridor's lights are on, and you say you were waiting for this Deity? You were scared, right?"

Being alone in such a big villa would naturally scare a 17 year-old-girl. Cheng Lingsu kept silent, indicating that Jiang Xiu's words were right.

"You're not allowed to turn on so many lights after this."

"Okay!"

Jiang Xiu didn't bother with her and returned to his room. After turning off the lights, Cheng Lingsu went into the room next door to Jiang Xiu's. Jiang Xiu didn't go to sleep but instead sat in meditation to cultivate to purify the energy he had absorbed today.

Another Godhood Halo had appeared in his body. This one was black, and according to what Ming Lun had said, it was called North Emperor's Godhood Halo. Since it was so, Jiang Xiu surmised that the other two Godhood Halos also had names and their respective uses.

He recalled that Cheng Lingsu had bought some books for him. He picked up the Divine Race Evolution Theory book to read it. He wished to find something related to the Godhood Halo from these books.

There was an analogy made inside the book. There was a dog called a pit bull in the US. They were bred between terriers and bulldogs. By improving the genes, an aggressive dog breed with a high destructive power was trained.

The Author had used this as a metaphor to say that the Divine Race had also done a similar thing, creating divine races with high fighting strength by exploiting the genetics. But for some unknown reason, the Divine Race perished in the end.

"That's quite the novel inference!"

Such a line of thought had never occurred on the Immortal Martial Continent. The Divine Race rejected interracial marriage. Due to this, many lovers were broken up, and also left behind many romantic legends on the Immortal Martial Continent. For a long time, the notion of the Divine Race was that the more ancient and purer the bloodline, the better it was.

If a Divine Race had gathered all the perks of the others, there was no doubt that they would become quite powerful.

"It's inevitable that they perished."

The genetic study of humans naturally couldn't predict the evolution of the Divine Race's genes as it involved the rules of the world as well as endless marvels. Humanity hasn't even touched 1 billionth of the world's secrets till now.

"It'd incur Heaven's Wrath."

The Heavenly Dao kept everything in balance and those who have been able to escape its grasp number very few.

"Maybe it's possible for an Immortal Emperor, otherwise, who else can resist such a degree of Heaven's Wrath?"

Cheng Lingus hadn't actually fallen asleep. She was listening to the sounds of the adjacent room. She heard him get up and also listened to the sounds of pages being turned over. A lot of thoughts flashed through her mind, but it all turned into sadness in the end.

Cheng Lingsu changed her way of work on the next morning. She went out and bought breakfast before Jiang Xiu got up.

It was Jiang City's unique breakfast, soy milk, and deep-fried breadsticks.

Jiang Xiu felt disdain towards him. He had a cell phone in hand as he told her, "My mother called me. She wants us to go over there. It's possible she might have heard about your family's matter."

A big matter like the Cheng family going bankrupt would reach their ears sooner or later.

Cheng Lingsu bowed her head and drank the soy milk.

"You haven't said anything to my parents, right?"

"I haven't called Uncle and Aunt." Cheng Lingsu replied.

"What about your parents?"

Cheng Lingsu muttered to herself. She hadn't called them yesterday, and they too didn't call her yesterday. She shook her head, "I don't know. I think they won't call."

When the Cheng family was at its peak, her father acted decently, but her mother had mocked and ridiculed many people. Now that the Cheng family had gone bankrupt after meeting with misfortune, they naturally didn't have any face left.

"My parents don't know about my matter." Jiang Xiu commented.

"I won't say anything."

After finishing breakfast, Jiang Xiu went to Cloudlake along with Cheng Lingsu. Lin Yueling was at the fruit stall in the morning. Though she was the owner of the entire street now, she was used to getting up early and couldn't stay idle.

Lin Yueling's eyes shone after seeing the youthful Cheng Lingsu beside Jiang Xiu. She welcomed her by gripping her hands cordially, "You are Susu, right? A girl really changes when she gets older. You've become prettier."

The Cheng family's pair of sisters had stunning appearances. Cheng Lingsu was adorned in white today and seemed to transform this messy street view into a dream-like illusion just by standing there.

She smiled sweetly, "Aunt Lin."

"Good girl, have you eaten breakfast?" Lin Yueling felt quite happy being addressed in such a way, but Jiang Xiu frowned inwardly. The matter of his family getting destroyed hadn't happened in this timeline, so Lin Yueling still had a good impression of Cheng Lingsu. He felt that this wasn't a good sign.

"I did."

Lin Yueling took out a red envelope of gift money from her pocket, "I haven't seen you for such a long time. Here's a red envelope from Aunt."

The envelope was quite thick. It was clear that there were at least 1000 bucks in there.

"Thank you!"

Cheng Lingsu received it while clenching her hands. She knew Lin Yueling must have become anxious that she didn't have money after Lin Yueling went bankrupt.

Jiang Xiu shook her head. Mother, you're too kind-hearted. You don't know how malicious this woman is. She's the reason for the ruin of our family in the previous timeline.

Lin Yueling took Cheng Lingsu along with her inside the fruit stall while chatting. The place was the same as before. Cheng Lingsu wouldn't have stepped into such a place in the past, but she did so with ease and a smile on her face now.

The weather was quite warm. By the time the sun rose up, Cheng Lingsu's forehead and nose were wet with sweat as she listened to Lin Yueling speak. Jiang Xiu wasn't interested to know about their topic of discussion, but he guessed from Cheng Lingsu's sad face that it must be related to her home going bankrupt.

It had really affected her much. The more a person felt superior due to money, the greater the hit to their psyche when they lose it. Sun Xiaohong was a standard example. She felt like there was no point in living. On the contrary, Cheng Linran appeared quite tranquil, but weird women like her who didn't care about money were less in number. Except for a few extravagant things, the state of mind was paramount. Similar to Cheng Lingsu's emotions towards her mother and sister.

Lin Yueling picked the biggest apple, planning to wash it for Cheng Lingsu to eat, but Jiang Xiu pursed his brows when he saw this and berated with a cold tone, "Are you waiting for my mother to serve you?"

Cheng Lingsu immediately roused up from the melancholic mood and panicked, "Aunt, I'll do it."

She quickly grabbed the apple from Lin Yueling's hands and ran towards to the sink outside to wash the apple with tap water. As she passed by Jiang Xiu, she asked him, "Do you want one?"

Jiang Xiu snorted.

"Stinky brat, what's with that temper? Is this how you treat Susu?" Lin Yueling glared at him, surprised by the fact that her dim-witted son treated such a pretty fiancée in such a dominant manner.

"Susu, you don't need to obey him next time. If he dares to bully you again, come to Aunt. I'll support you."

Cheng Lingsu smiled faintly.

Cheng Lingsu wasn't such a girl in Lin Yueling's memory. She was colder and had quite the individualistic personality compared to her sister. Lin Yueling sighed as she too had experienced it personally. At that time, when her family had met misfortune, her character had changed even before she knew it. Thus, she sympathized with Cheng Lingsu.

"It's all right…"

Lin Yueling comforted her. She wasn't intending to do this but couldn't bear to look at this kind of Cheng Lingsu, "Aunt will share a secret with you. Actually, my family is quite wealthy. Do you see this street? All of it is ours. The monthly rent nets around a few millions so you don't need to be anxious about living a hard life after marrying."

Cheng Lingsu still wore the same smile but revealed a little embarrassment behind it.

The problem wasn't whether she was willing to marry. The question was whether Jiang Xiu would still marry her.

"What? You don't believe me?"

"I believe Aunt's words."

Your son is Mr. Jiang who has swallowed the entire Wang family. Just the Myriad Base City Plaza project is worth a 100 million, so a street in the suburbs is nothing at all.

"Why aren't you happy then?"

Cheng Lingsu smiled, "I am."

"Are you worried about your parents?"

The people affected the most by the Cheng family going bankrupt were Cheng Lingsu's parents. The kindness on Lin Yueling's face was replaced by a cold frost when she mentioned them.

Lin Yueling considered Cheng Lingsu as a child. In fact, she was too young then so she wasn't to blame. But Lin Yueling hated her parents to the bone.

Though she didn't attack them now that they were in dire straits, she had no intentions to help them regarding money.

"It's not that…"

After this matter had happened, Jiang Yi stared out in a daze more often, staying absent-minded all day long. Although he was filled with hate, the Cheng family's development was exchanged by sacrificing his official career. In a sense, the more the Cheng family developed, the more worth his sacrifice was when Jiang Xiu married Cheng Lingsu. But now, the Cheng family was destroyed, and everything he had done was in vain.

"Don't think too much. All will be fine."

His state was worse than Cheng Lingsu at that time. He wasn't able to procure a day's meal and had to suffer all kinds of hypocrisy.

"Sister Yueling, give me some pears."

Cheng Lingsu went to ask, "Which one?"

The person who had come was an acquaintance. Ever since Jiang Xiu bought this street, almost all the people who rented stores in the street came here to buy fruits. Only those at the end of the street found it difficult to do this as it was too far.

"This one…"

Cheng Lingsu picked up the bag and worked solemnly.

She wore casual clothing today instead of wearing ostentatious ones like before yet they were equally sexy. Her pale, slender legs revealed outside, flaunting their flawlessness, glowing with a jade-like sparkle under the sunshine. Jiang Xiu's gaze was drawn over to it subconsciously.

He discovered that her legs were shaped really well and her feet didn't have a single blemish. Those tender toes on the sandals were just like blooming petals.

"Such a good girl."

Since one enjoys the riches and honor of the human world, it was also possible to receive the pain and difficulties of the human world. Lin Yueling admired this girl's ability to adapt so fast.

"Mother, sometimes you can't just look on the surface."

Lin Yueling couldn't help but laugh, "You think you've grown up enough to lecture your mother? Think you're amazing after becoming the topper?"

"Right! There are only 2 days left for filling the aspiration form. Have you decided already?"

The husband and wife had consulted about this matter for a long time. They felt quite conflicted to send Jiang Xiu to the Imperial Capital as they were anxious about him getting involved in the mess, but their son was the topper and was qualified to enter the Imperial University or the National University. There were no reasons for him to avoid choosing them. They had already thought up of an excuse and hoped to let Jiang Xiu study in Shanghai as the Shanghai University was also a top grade university, and was also a neighbor to the Jiangnan province. Naturally, the Jiangnan University was okay too.

But Jiang Xiu didn't decide even though they had waited for long, seeming even calmer than them. So she finally decided to ask him.

"Is it the Imperial University or the National University?"

Jiang Xiu naturally knew what his parents were about.

"Shanghai University and Jiangnan University are alright too as they are closer to home so we can visit you often…"

As expected, it had arrived.

After receiving the money, Cheng Lingsu entered the store again. She didn't dare to stand in front of the electric fan to hog all the wind, but her attention was on their conversation. It seemed to her that Aunt Yueling was against Jiang Xiu going to study in the Imperial Capital.

"Mother, have you ever heard of someone turning down the chance to join the Imperial University or the National University?"

Lin Yueling was conflicted too.

On the one hand, she didn't wish for Jiang Xiu to go to the Imperial Capital and get involved in a mess like them. On the other side, these two institutions were outstanding, and if he didn't go there, it would delay her son's prospects.

At this moment, Cheng Lingsu's phone which was inside her purse began to ring.

She looked at the caller ID. It was from her mother.

"Hello, Mom?"

Sun Xiaohong spoke in a sad voice, "Come to the entrance of the street. We couldn't borrow money here, so your father wants to go back to his native place and borrow money from his relative to start up a small business. You'll also come together, okay?"

Cheng Hanlin's native place was on the northern side if Jiangnan province, Ninghai City.

"Mom, can't I just stay here?"

Sun Xiaohong replied in an annoyed voice, "Are you telling me you would instead sell fruits at that fruit stall?"

Sun Xiahong had seen the scene from far.

"Uh, okay!"

She hung the call then said to Lin Yueling, "Aunt, my parents want to return to Ninghai City and want me to accompany them… I'll be leaving first then."

Lin Yueling nodded towards her then turned to Jiang Xiu, "Ninghai is too far. Little Xiu, accompany Susu there, okay? Take care of her."

"Me?"

Jiang Xiu felt gloomy, feeling that the time spent doing that would be better invested in cultivating, but he was helpless against Lin Yueling's harsh gaze.

"Okay…"

Sun Xiaohong didn't reveal anything on her face when she saw Jiang Xiu come along with her daughter and avoided him like before. She hated him even more as he felt that Jiang Xiu's ill luck was the reason for Cheng family's misfortune.

Cheng Hanlin's manners were a tad bit better, "So Little Xiu's coming along too? That's good!"

Frankly, he also didn't wish to travel together with Jiang Xiu.

Their entire family was in dire straits, so it was tough to take such a poor son-in-law along with them. But since Jiang Xiu wished to accompany them, he couldn't decline his kind intentions.

Jiang Xiu had taken utmost care when sending off Cheng Lingran but he treated the Cheng couple coldly and didn't do anything to help. They bought 4 tickets for the long-distance coach to Ninghai City, that too the one with hard seats.

The journey took around 3-4 hours.

"Will they lend money to us?" Sun Xiaohong asked anxiously.

"They will!"

Cheng Hanlin replied in a firm tone. He had a few cousins whom he had provided financial aid before and helped them start real estate companies. Though it was on a small scale, the assets were worth over 10 million.

He believed there wouldn't be an issue for them to lend him some money.

Jiang Xiu was quite familiar with the coach to Ninghai City as he had traveled there once in the previous timeline, filled with apprehension and final hope to look for Cheng Lingsu. He remembered it quite clearly. It was the end of the year then, and the weather was quite cold with snow falling heavily. He spoke out his feeling from the bottom of his heart which he had practiced thousands of time on the way, but he was replied by Cheng Lingsu's heartless refusal.

His emotions fluctuated when he remembered this and his gaze towards Cheng Lingsu turned colder.

The current Cheng Lingsu was different. Though she had a refined appearance, she was still young and inexperienced, a 17-year-old girl. She didn't know what he was thinking about but knew his cold gaze must have been due to the grudge he held in his heart. She believed that Jiang Xiu was provoked by her parents, but the truth was that it was due to her in the previous timeline.

She pursed her lips tightly, "Are you thirsty? Here's some water."

Jiang Xiu took the bottle from her and was about to unscrew it with force but discovered that he had relaxed already, "Are your parents returning to borrow money?"

"It seems like it!"

"You think they'll be able to borrow money?"

Cheng Lingsu discovered the malicious intent in Jiang Xiu's eyes and felt her heart skip a beat, "Y-You aren't going to… Jiang Xiu, let them go, okay? They are already quite miserable. My father looks older all of a sudden, and my mother already has gray hair. Even if they had offended you before for anything, the debt should've been paid back in full."

"If you absolutely want to vent your anger on someone then torment me."

"You're misunderstanding my words."

"This Deity intended to ask whether anyone would be willing to lend money?"

Cheng Lingsu was dazed. The world was indeed filled with hypocrisy. Her father had worked in the business for so many years and had nice social relationships, but none of them were willing to lend money to him after the Cheng family met with misfortune. She didn't dare to say for sure that someone in their native place would give money to them, but she wasn't willing to say this, "Someone will surely lend it. My father is a business genius… or else no one would have had confidence in him."

"I hope that's the case."

After they arrived at Ninghai City, they went right to the company of Cheng Hanlin's cousin.

"Let's try going to Wu Jun first."

He had a good relationship with Wu Jun before, and his power after development was the strongest too. He had assets worth around 40-50 million and was considered a top figure in Ninghai City where the economy had fallen behind. It was also because he had a patron like Cheng Hanlin behind him.

It was an elite construction company!

When they arrived in front of the company, they saw a Porsche standing there in the yard. A youth stood near the car, and it seemed as if the car was newly bought. He was surrounded by a group of people.

"Kid, you're bad at all other things but an expert at spending money. You spent a few millions of your father's to buy this damn toy." A herculean middle-aged man scolded the youth while smiling. Though it sounded like he was scolding, he wore a dazzling smile on his face.

"Dad, this toy is called a Porsche, it's a top grade car."

"It's worth spending that money to buy it lest the money catch dust."

The middle-aged man nodded, "That's indeed true! We can't fall back on his. Businessmen often have grand styles and would be looked down on if we are unpresentable. Only, kid, you really know how to make friends. All of them are quite wealthy. Father has high expectations from you."

At this moment, a voice came through from behind, "A'Jun!"

Wu Jun was somewhat astonished. There weren't many who called him A'Jun in these days. They mostly called him Director Wu as he had been their boss for several years already. He turned back to look and found Cheng Hanlin's family stand there at the company's entrance.

"Hanlin!"

Astonishment flashed through his eyes followed by worry, but it was covered up with a smile very quickly.

"How come you're here?"

He had heard about Cheng Hanlin's matter. Cheng Hanlin had supported him a lot before, and it could even be said that his family had accomplished to such a level due to him. After finding out that the Cheng family had gone bankrupt, he was anxious that Cheng Hanlin would come to him and what he feared had finally happened.

"Stinky brat, quickly greet your Uncle."

Wu Jun's son, Wu Xiaojun, greeted him awkwardly. Cheng Hanlin felt a bad premonition when he saw this. Wu Jun had come to him for help on different occasions all for his son, but this youngster was acting in such a way now, unwilling to even greet properly.

"Little Jun, you've become taller, even taller than your uncle."

"It must've been a hard journey. Quickly come inside."

Wu Jun still acted politely on the surface and invited Cheng Hanlin's entire family inside, including that son-in-law, to his office. He prepared tea to recept them.

"This is?"

He knew everyone in Cheng Hanlin's family, but he didn't recognize Jiang Xiu alone.

"Oh, this is…"

Sun Xiaohong replied before he could, "He's a friend's son who came over to help."

Cheng Lingsu hung her head down in sadness. Seeing that her mother was unwilling to say Jiang Xiu's identity even after they had degenerated to such a stage, she really felt disgusted by her mother's actions. She couldn't help but gaze towards Jiang Xiu but saw that he was the same as before, acting indifferent to everything.

So this is how he viewed me before.

Cheng Hanlin explained it, "He's Jiang Xiu, Jiang Yi's son…"

Wu Jun's expression morphed after hearing this, "Jiang Yi?"

Jiang Xiu's gaze swept past him, "You know my father?"

Wu Jun sized up Jiang Xiu again. He felt that this youngster's demeanor was pretty good before, but after observing carefully, he noticed that Jiang Xiu possessed a very unique temperament. Especially his eyes which seemed as deep as the abyss. His couldn't match this with the visage of that refined yet intelligent man he knew of, "I know him. I did something for your father before. Your appearance is quite different from your parents."

He had already awakened 31 divine regalia which meant that this divine race bloodline had transformed 31 times. It was inevitable that there would be some changes in his appearance. It was just that since he was undergoing puberty, the difference in appearance didn't fall into other's attention.

"Maybe."

Wu Jun sighed. In those days, he used to admire two men. One of them, Jiang Yi, had fallen and gone to prison, while the other, Cheng Hanlin had gone bankrupt now. On the other hand, he was doing pretty well, but he didn't feel proud at all. Feeling pride over such a thing was impossible for him.

"I'll set up a banquet to invite a few of our sworn brothers."

"Mhm!"

"I have many empty rooms here. I'll let someone tidy them up so you can take rest there as you must be tired from the journey." The time right now in summer was just around the time people slept.

He arranged everything properly but only did the bare minimum.

After settling everything, Wu Jun returned to his office alone. A voice came through from behind at this moment, "Uncle Wu!"

Wu Jun turned back to discover Jiang Xiu standing behind him, "Oh, it's you. Is there anything you need?"

"Let's talk in the office!"

Wu Jun nodded.

He entered the office along with Jiang Xiu. His office was quite big and fitting to be among the rich locally. A few paintings and calligraphy were hung on the wall, and the tables, as well as the chairs, were carved out of wood. A huge tea table was placed in the middle which seemed to be made of cedar. It looked quite extravagant.

Wu Jun sat on his seat then asked, "What's up? What did you need me for?" He stretched his hand out to indicate Jiang Xiu to sit down.

Jiang Xiu sat opposite to him, "I want to ask you about something."

"What?"

"Were you close with my father and father-in-law in those days?" He deliberately pulled a relation close to Cheng Hanlin after thinking it over, "You must surely know the reason why my father got imprisoned."

Wu Jun's expression changed, "You don't know?"

Jiang Xiu shook his head, "These are the scars of adults. It wouldn't look good for me to ask as it would only add to their pain, but I really want to know the reason. That's why I came to dispel my doubts through Uncle Wu."

Wu Jun replied awkwardly, "It wouldn't look good if I leaked it out when your father and father-in-law haven't."

"Uncle Wu can consider it as helping me once."

"A long time has passed. The matter always can't stay within the coffin, right?"

Wu Jun pondered over it for a bit then replied, "There's nothing much to say here. Your father and father-in-law offended a person. This person wasn't someone they could afford to offend. Your father was okay, but your father-in-law was in dire straits and couldn't hold on anymore. That's when your father took risks to violate the rules but got caught, and the two of them faced imprisonment then."

"As it was better for one to serve a sentence instead of two, your father took responsibility for the entire matter."

Jiang Xiu nodded as this matched what he knew, "Who's the person my father had offended?"

"Your father's former political enemy, and the current Secretary of Ninghai City's municipal committee, Tang Zhengping."

"Tang family is one of the four influential families of Jiangnan and a colossal existence."

"Since we can't afford to offend them, isn't it better to forget this matter, nephew? The reason your father and father-in-law didn't wish to tell you this must be because they were worried you would take rash action."

"The Tang family, huh?" Jiang Xiu commented.

Wu Jun sighed, making a grave expression. "Yeah, Jiagnan's Tang family. Over a decade has passed by and this family has grown ever stronger."

Wu Jun was trying to warn Jiang Xiu that even his father couldn't handle him at his peak strength, and now that the Jiang family was in destitute straits, they couldn't afford to make an enemy out of such a strong opponent.

In fact, this Tang family was completely different from the Wang family. Although they were both one of the four prominent families of Jiangnan province, Wang family didn't mix either in the military or the officialdom and was an authentic martial arts lineage. Taking a look from another perspective, though they were part of the four prominent families on the surface, the reason was their 200-year long heritage as well as the connections they had made. As for the Tang family, although this family rose up after the nation's founding, they possessed enough power in officialdom.

Jiang Xiu asked him, "How did my father fall into Tang Zhengping's hands back then?"

"That's…" Wu Jun's expression changed, yet he quickly shook his head, "I too don't know. I was just an unremarkable nobody back then, so I didn't know much of the details. If you want to know, why don't you ask your father?"

"Uncle Wu is unwilling to say it?"

"I really don't know."

Jiang Xiu felt that this matter wasn't so simple. If his father had voluntarily chosen to take responsibility for it, it didn't make sense that he detested the Cheng family so much as both the families were helpless back then, so the Cheng family shouldn't have been the target of blame.

Jiang Xiu knew that Wu Jun definitely knew about the inside story but wasn't willing to say it because it was too troublesome.

Jiang Xiu had already made preparations to deal with this.

"Uncle Wu, I've heard about something recently. It seems like there's a serious problem with the quality of the materials used by the Elite Construction Company for their new art park project."

Wu Jun's face went pale, "D-Don't say rubbish." This matter was a secret, and only he and a few people within the company knew about this, so he was startled that Jiang Xiu knew about it.

He felt a chill in his heart!

Jiang Xiu continued, "Uncle Wu knows pretty well whether it's true. We are old friends, so I naturally won't spread this matter out, but I want to know how my father fell into Tang Zhenping's hands back then."

"Alright. Since you want to know so badly, I'll tell you."

"Don't regret it later…"

Jiang Xiu smiled lightly.

Wu Jun lowered his voice, "The person who handed over the evidence of your father's crime was none other than your father-in-law, Cheng Hanlin."

Jiang Xiu nodded then stood up, "Pardon the disturbance."

He had already guessed it was so before confirming it. Tang family possessed a significant influence in Jiangnan, and if Cheng Hanlin hadn't defected to Tang Zhengping back then, he wouldn't have let the Cheng family off, and their business wouldn't have developed.

Wu Jun waited for Jiang Xiu to leave then sighed, "There's no need to drown in pain, it'll only hurt you. You can only see the path ahead if you lay down the grudge."

After saying these words, he was stunned that he said such profound words and felt it would look good if he hung a calligraphy piece in his office consisting of these words.

When Jiang Xiu returned to his room, Cheng Lingsu came out of her room and asked him, "I knocked on your door just now and saw that you weren't there. Where did you go?"

"I took a walk. Do you need me for anything?"

"My parents said that there's going to be a party soon so we should make some plans for ourselves. Brother Xiaojun said that there's a party over at his friend's place today and invited us over there today. I wanted to ask your opinion. If you want to go, we'll go together, or else, I too won't go."

"Oh?"

Jiang Xiu wasn't interested towards parties like these, but since he was the guest over here, he couldn't just stay in the room and cultivate, so decided to follow their plans.

"We have to eat dinner anyway, so there's no harm in going over. We'll come back if it doesn't seem fun."

Cheng Lingsu nodded, "I'll tell Brother Xiaojun then."

On the way to the party, Wu Xiaojun gave an introduction to them, "There are many prominent families in Ninghai City. The Song family, Ren family, Qian family, Sun family, Tang family and some others. Out of all these, only the Tang family and Lin family were the most powerful. Old Man Tang has controlled Ninghai City for many years, and Tang Mingzhi is the No. 1 Young Master here."

Wu Xiaojun glanced towards the pretty Cheng Lingsu, "Susu could have associated with them on equal standing before but now… only I can. I finally entered into their circle, so they call me to such parties whenever they were hosted."

Adults wished to enter the elite circles, and so did the younger generation. Wu Xiaojun's background was pretty standard, so he was barely qualified to enter into this circle but was also some of the middle ranks in this circle. His father had also used his hard-earned savings to buy him a Porsche.

Cheng Lingsu felt somewhat frightened after hearing this, "Won't it be bad if you take us along to such a high-class party?"

"It's fine. I also have some hold, so it won't matter if I bring a friend or two along."

Cheng Lingsu felt that this situation wasn't that good.

She had once been a part of this elite circle and clearly knew about the inside rules. Those wealthy young masters were all realistic and only associated with people based on their background, forming alliances. If a person who brings them no profit enters their circle, they would undoubtedly reject that person and kick them out. She was a live example of this. Her best friends, Ouyang Qian and Li Dan, had broken relations with her.

"Otherwise, let's not go then. We can go somewhere else."

Wu Xiaojun got anxious, "We can't do that."

"I already promised my father."

Cheng Lingsu looked at Jiang Xiu, intending to know his opinion, but laughed to herself when she looked at him. There was no place in Jiangnan where Mr. Jiang couldn't set foot on.

"Alright then."

The car stopped in front of a villa where a lot of expensive cars were parked. A Ferrari, a Bentley, a Lamborghini, a Maserati, and others. Wu Xiaojun's Porsche barely made it in when compared to these cars.

"We're here."

The party venue was a private villa. People had learned to enjoy themselves in the recent years. The villa was even fancier than a five-star hotel. It also had a swimming pool inside. There was a group of girls wearing bikinis running inside the pool as well.

Those young masters were also wearing swimsuits. The sun was just about to set right now, and it was the perfect time to have fun. They held different kinds of cocktails or wine, discussing things with each other. It was quite the scene to behold.

One of the youths among them who had oiled hair asked, "Did your family see Mr. Jiang when they went to Jiang City?"

Another youth who had his feet inside the pool replied, "It isn't that easy to meet Mr. Jiang. All those who went to Jiang City to see Mr. Jiang came back empty handed. My family's circumstances were better. Wang Xiaotong met my father and chatted with him for half-an-hour."

"That Wang family's princess?" Another person asked.

The youth nodded, "Right, her."

A bikini girl came out from under the water, "I heard she's quite pretty. I wonder how pretty she is that she was able to move Mr. Jiang's heart."

"Wang Xiaotong's beauty is really indeed otherworldly, but the reason Mr. Jiang looks upon her isn't due to her charm but rather due to the 200-year old heritage of the Wang family behind her and her IQ which allowed her to hold a Ph.D. at the age of 20. This woman will play a big role in Jiangnan's future."

The oily haired youth also commented, "As long as the Wang family and Mr. Jiang stay strong, Wang Xintong will be the same. She had double insurance. Really scary."

The youth drank the cocktail in his hand, "Since Mr. Jiang has suppressed the Wang family, there's no doubt that the powers of other regions in Jiangnan will also suffer attacks. The power will shift in many places."

As they were discussing this, Wu Xiaojun came in along with Jiang Xiu and Cheng Lingsu, feeling very thrilled. He hadn't got the opportunity to take part in such activities much, so it felt new and exciting to him.

"Young Master Song!"

Wu Xiaojun saw the youth holding the cocktail and called out excitedly. The youth raised his chin as a response and complained, "Why are you so late?"

Wu Xiaojun got excited due to Young Master Song's intimacy, "I got late as I was waiting for two friends…"

Young Master Song's gaze fell on Jiang Xiu and Cheng Lingsu. When he saw Cheng Lingsu, he was left dazed by her shocking beauty.

"Who is she?"

Wu Xiaojun felt embarrassed, "A relative. Her family's condition was good before, but they've run into trouble recently. She's the 2nd Young Lady of the Cheng family."

Cheng family wasn't just famous in Jiang City but also all over Jiangnan province. They also heard about the matter of such a group going bankrupt.

Young Master Song revealed a look of understanding then said, "Can't you see everyone's wearing swimsuits here? Go change into a bikini and come back."

Everyone looked at Cheng Lingsu with a look of schadenfreude. They wanted to see how this former spoiled princess would act now that she had nothing left.

She had a beautiful appearance which provoked the desire of these young masters to ravage her, bring down that haughtiness on her face, and completely obliterate it.

Cheng Lingsu had experience with this kind of pattern, but before, she was the perpetrator, and now, she's the victim. She smiled, "I only accompanied Brother Xiaojun to look and didn't plan to enter the pool. Moreover, I won't be swimming."

Young Master Song said, "It's fine even if you don't enter the pool. If you're attending the party, you must match the scene."

"Go change into a bikini."

Cheng Lingsu wasn't a conservative person, and it was summer now so she too wished to wear clothes which would make her feel cool. However, a girl would naturally feel unwell if someone forced her to wear a bikini for the boys to watch. It would feel as if they were molesting the girl.

"Since it's this way, I won't be disturbing you. Brother Xiaojun, you can have fun. I'll be leaving early."

Young Master Song's face turned cold, "Is 2nd Lady Cheng not willing to show face to me?"

These young masters were often like this, aggressive and imperious.

How else would they maintain their status?

If they weren't unwilling to let a person go, then the person can't leave.

Cheng Lingsu's complexion turned ugly. She was too familiar with this sequence. If the person didn't agree, they would deal with the person and also pester the business of the person's family. This was a common trick the younger generation of the entrepreneurs used to have fun. Her Cheng family was already impoverished right now, so she wasn't afraid at all. "Young Master Song, are you planning to force me to wear it?"

Young Master Song was put in an awkward situation.

"2nd Lady Cheng, do you think we aren't qualified?" A bikini girl within the pool intruded. She appeared around 20 years old and had dyed her hair in brown color. Though she didn't look pretty, she was after all a girl from a wealthy family, so she took good care of her looks. She had spoken out at this moment for a reason.

Some people liked to reveal their body and thought their figure is perfect and wished to show it off to boys, but some girls didn't like to do this. They only want to reveal their body to their man. Each person holds different notions.

But her words were implying that Cheng Lingsu was even more licentious than them.

In fact, at a party with many men, they often liked to invite those escorts and so on who would wear bikinis and have fun with them. There was no doubt the woman who spoke was one of these suspicious roles.

"I don't have that intention."

"Everyone is welcome to do what you want to."

Cheng Lingsu turned back to leave, but a hand grabbed her tightly, making her unable to move. Jiang Xiu said, "Go change into a bikini. The one with minimal clothing and most revealing."

Cheng Lingsu looked at Jiang Xiu with a gaze of disbelief, "W-Why…"

Cheng Lingsu felt as if her entire world was crashing down at this moment. She held a bit of hope before because Jiang Xiu used to like her right from their childhood, but she felt despair at this moment. If Jiang Xiu still loved her, then he wouldn't let a woman he loved wear a bikini and come out in front of so many men no matter how much he hated her.

Jiang Xiu replied in an indifferent tone, "Do you want this Deity to repeat it?"

Cheng Lingsu's eyes went red as she bit her lips, "Alright, I'll go change. Torment me as much as you want if it makes you feel well."

"Where are the clothes? Where's the changing room?"

Sounds of whistles came from the pool when they saw that Cheng Lingsu was willing to change.

These obscene whistles made Cheng Lingsu shudder all over. Young Master Song wore a grin as he pointed towards the changing room then said to Jiang Xiu, "Brat, leave now."

Wu Xiaojun looked at Jiang Xiu with shock. His father had told him that there was an engagement was set between Cheng Lingsu and Jiang Xiu in their childhood. He couldn't believe that Jiang Xiu had sold off his fiancee in such a manner just to obtain favor.

Cheng Lingsu returned back soon. She wore a black bikini swimsuit which really emphasized her petite body. Her skin glowed the under the sunset, and the entire pool seemed to go still the moment she came out. No matter whether it was the men or the women, all of them stared at her. Jiang Xiu was no exception either. He had to admit that Cheng Lingsu's figure was superb under the rays of the sun. Her waist was slender and the curves of butt flawless.

It's just that her eyes were welling up with tears at this moment. She was forcing those tears back in, and it made her look pitifully cute.

Only Jiang Xiu remained in her eyes as she asked, "Are you satisfied this time?"

Jiang Xiu smiled a little nefariously.

"Such a good figure must be showed to everyone."

Cheng Lingsu shivered all over, "You bastard!"

She felt that the Jiang Xiu before her eyes was strange. She couldn't see the visage of his childhood him anymore. He seemed like a Devil, a Devil who was set on ravaging her.

Young Master Song felt regret. Nowadays, a few had a good appearance, but a sorry body and some had a nice body but a bad appearance. Those with a beautiful face and body were really rare. He thought it was a pity that the Cheng family had gone bankrupt or else he too would've been moved by her. In fact, his heartbeat had sped up a little just now.

"What's with all the noise?"

A voice came through all of a sudden as two youths walked in. The one leading looked around 20 and seemed mature than the others. The carried himself with an extraordinary bearing.

"Young Master Tang!"

"Young Master Tang!"

The people inside the pool shouted excitedly.

The person who had come was none other than the famous prince of Ninghai City, Tang Mingzhi. Jiang Xiu also cast a curious look towards him. He guessed that this person was Tang Zhengping's son.

Tang Zhengping's gaze fell on Cheng Lingsu, "This person… looks unfamiliar."

Wu Xiaojun naturally didn't miss such a chance to communicate with Tang Mingzhi, "Young Master Tang, this is my distant relative, Cheng Lingsu. She came to have some fun today after staying in Jiang City for many years."

"She's gorgeous."

Tang Mingzhi's sight cruised past Cheng Lingsu's body. Jiang Xiu could see the hairs on Cheng Lingsu's body rise in fear, "This humble person is Tang Mingzhi!"

He extended his hand quite elegantly.

Cheng Lingsu shook it feeling helpless, "Cheng Lingsu!"

However, Tang Mingzhi didn't release her hand. This made Cheng Lingsu turn pale with fright. She screamed as he pulled her and threw her towards the pool, causing her to tumble down into it.

All the people in the pool cheered.

"Guegh…"

Cheng Lingsu came out form underwater and coughed. She knew how to swim, but her skills were average. She almost choked just now due to being thrown in suddenly.

"Cheng Lingsu, right? Not bad."

Tang Mingzhi wore a ridicule-filled smile on his face.

Cheng Lingsu's eyes turned red. Perhaps because she almost choked or due to crying, it appeared as if she was weeping. Tears slid down her eyes and merged with the droplets on her face. Cheng Lingsu felt wronged but could only clench her teeth and endure it, but she couldn't stop her tears from flowing out.

"Tsk-Tsk…"

Tang Mingzhi continued, "Your skin's perfect, really…"

He was about to continue but saw the astonished gazes of the crowd look behind him in disbelief. He turned back to see"O but was welcomed by a kick to his butt which caused him to fly forward.

"Oh my God!" A woman within the pool covered her mouth.

"Fuck!" One of the boys cursed out.

"Brat, do you know who this you kicked just now? It's Ninghai's No. 1 Young master, Tang Mengzhi, the heir of the Tang family…"

"And you dared to kick him?"

To the side, Wu Xiaojun's legs were already wobbling due to the fear. My dear brother! My ancestor! You have invited a disaster by kicking him.

One of the biggest issue with these young masters was that they would bully you, but if someone did the same to them, they would flip out and return it a hundredfold.

Tang Mingzhi fell into the water. Though his swimming skills were pretty good, he still choked as he was kicked suddenly. Fury filled him, making him as savage as a lion as he wished to kill the person who kicked him.

He had hardly come out when his hair was grabbed by a hand roughly and forced underwater. He struggled, flapping his arms with force, running out of breath, but that hand was too mighty, just like iron pincers.

"What the…"

You kicked Young Master Tang down the water, and now, you're pressing him underwater?

"This brat is really courting death."

Just wait for Young Master Tang to take revenge.

Slap, Slap…

Young Master Tang flapped the water with all this strength. The pool wasn't deep, and the head was above the water line after going in, but his head was being forced underwater right now.

Time passed by just like that.

20 seconds.

30 seconds.

Everyone started to feel nervous, feeling that this show was going on too long. It was possible for an accident to occur.

40 seconds.

After making a final struggle underwater, Young Master Tang went still.

"He didn't drown, right?"

The people watching the scene all stood up, their faces going pale. They saw Young Master Tang's body float on the water with his face down, completely motionless.

Just like a floating corpse.