Fang Chu glanced coolly at Xu Mu.
He noticed Xu Mu had the same black teardrop on his face as Miao He.
Looked like he was one of Miao He's right-hand men.
To preserve his lofty image, he ignored this underling.
"Miss, may I have the honor of a drink?" Fang Chu lifted his glass to Miao He with a smile.
"Sorry, I don't drink." Miao He's expression stayed calm. She'd seen far too many men try to curry favor; she was sick of it.
"Miss really won't give me any face."
Fang Chu's tone remained even. Now that his strength had recovered, he didn't lack for women.
Last night Chai Wang brought in a few actresses to entertain them; naturally, Fang Chu didn't refuse.
But those third-rate starlets could only satisfy physical needs—there was no emotional resonance.
Because they knew he was the Chai family's honored guest.
He preferred the women he'd met before his "three-year deadline" was up:
Li Yun, Zhao Yingying, and Lu Xueyao—none of them had despised his identity.
Yet because of Xu Mu, his ties with them had all fallen apart.
Even the good-tempered Zhao Yingying had blocked his contact info.
Still, Fang Chu wasn't in a hurry. The more they disliked him, the more it stoked his desire to conquer.
When the time came and they were forced to lie beneath him—faces full of disgust yet having to accept his favor—that would be worth it.
The thought alone made him react.
He could, of course, just abduct Li Yun and the others and force them.
But that would be boring.
As his strength returned and his realm rose, the cards in his hand multiplied.
When he reached a certain point, a single word from him could drive Li Yun and the others to the brink.
Then they'd have no choice but to beg him.
Just then, a few more punk-styled people walked over from afar.
The leader looked about thirty-five, in casual wear, with maroon long hair down to his shoulders.
His face was lean and deeply tanned.
He wore a nose ring—like the Bull Demon King.
When he spoke with the punks beside him, a tongue stud flashed on his tongue.
Fang Chu eyed the man, then immediately walked over with his wine.
That left only Xu Mu and Miao He at the table.
Miao He glanced at the long-haired man and said coolly, "That's the Mourning-Love Family's Third Boss, Qingshang—Zhao Pinglu."
Xu Mu looked over. Fang Chu went straight up to Zhao Pinglu and hugged him.
From their friendly chatter, they clearly knew each other already.
"They seem pretty tight," Xu Mu observed.
"No wonder that guy rubs me the wrong way—turns out he's my enemy's friend."
No sooner had she spoken than Fang Chu and Zhao Pinglu walked toward them together.
"Number Two, didn't expect you here," Zhao Pinglu called out before he'd even arrived.
"Had some business. Just happened to be passing through," Miao He rose with a faint smile.
"Let me introduce you. This is my old friend Fang Chu, from a powerful hidden clan—though his family was wiped out by enemies."
Zhao Pinglu clapped Fang Chu's shoulder. "But Fang Chu isn't simple. His revenge is only a matter of time."
Fang Chu lifted his glass again toward Miao He. "Miss, could you share a drink with me now?"
"I'll be driving later." Miao He refused.
A flicker of displeasure crossed Fang Chu's face.
This woman really wouldn't give him any face—it made him want to take her on the spot.
He wasn't fond of forbearance anymore.
"Old Zhao, Master Chai's been waiting ages. Let's go."
Fang Chu drained his wine, set the glass down, and left with Zhao Pinglu.
Inside the manor's villa.
Seeing Fang Chu enter, Chai Wang stood at once. "Mr. Fang."
"Master Chai, this is the man I mentioned—one of the Mourning-Love Family's bosses, Zhao Pinglu," Fang Chu said with a smile.
"Mr. Zhao, hello. About your three men from last night—there's been no news. We waited at the spot all night and never saw them bring the target in."
Chai Wang looked embarrassed. If Fang Chu hadn't kept vouching for them, he'd have thought he'd been swindled.
"The three I sent—one dead, two injured," Zhao Pinglu said, face turning grave. "There's a master guarding Feng Yue's company."
"What?" Chai Wang was stunned. How could a mere illegitimate daughter like Feng Yue hire someone so strong?
"I have video. We're ranked fifth in the Hundred Ghosts Night Parade; we're not going to lie to you over a few peanuts."
Zhao Pinglu handed over his phone.
Chai Wang watched; Fang Chu leaned in too.
The footage made Chai Wang a little queasy:
one man's jaw shattered with his tongue lolling out, another missing an arm, and a third not only missing an arm but half his torso looked torn apart.
Looking closely at their faces, though, they were indeed the same men from before.
"With hands that ruthless—who on earth is the other side?"
Fang Chu's expression darkened.
"I only know he's missing an arm," Zhao Pinglu said, pocketing his phone.
"Missing an arm? Could it be… No. Impossible."
Fang Chu shook his head. A figure of that level wouldn't stoop to bodyguarding for some small company's woman.
"What is it, Mr. Fang?" Chai Wang asked, noticing his look.
"I recall a certain master who was one-armed—but he's terrifyingly strong. It can't be him."
Having said that, he looked back to Zhao Pinglu. "Old Zhao, what's your plan?"
"For your sake, I'll see this through," Zhao Pinglu replied, smiling.
"No need. I know the rules of the Hundred Ghosts Night Parade—buyout jobs are counted by the number of tasks, and don't affect your standing, right?"
Fang Chu needed manpower; he wanted Zhao Pinglu on his side.
"That's right. With buyouts, as long as the client leaves a good review, it counts. Buyouts are 'doing tasks,' not necessarily killings—even making us sweep a floor counts as one," Zhao Pinglu nodded.
"Master Chai, I'll handle this for you. Feng Yue will slip up sooner or later. I'll help you grab her then."
Fang Chu patted Chai Wang's shoulder. "In a week, remember to leave a good review."
"Alright." Chai Wang didn't dare refuse; he couldn't afford to cross Fang Chu.
"Brother, I owe you one," Zhao Pinglu said gratefully. Fang Chu really was a decent guy.
"No need for thanks. By the way, that woman outside—is she your Second Boss?" Fang Chu suddenly smiled.
"Yeah. She keeps ruining my plans. I followed the First Boss for over ten years—just about to receive his Earth-grade cultivation art—then she barged in and became Second Boss."
Zhao Pinglu spoke through gritted teeth.
"If that woman died, there'd be no one left to compete with you, right?"
Fang Chu's lips curled into a sly grin.
"No. She's very strong—I can't beat her head-on. Poison's no good either; she practices gu arts."
He'd tried many methods through his men and failed miserably every time.
"What about using Spring Night Grass?"
Fang Chu chuckled. "Honestly, I'd like to sample the taste myself."