Meet with Zou Wendong?

Li Si smiled, now more convinced than ever that Zou Wendong had hired someone to take the photo. Her outing last night had been kept very secretive. With Sun Yuli's help, the gossip-mongering paparazzi had no chance of tailing her.

Yet Zou Wendong had gotten hold of her movements. Who else could it have been?

Armed with such a photo, he could threaten her future and coerce her into doing things she was unwilling to do.

Heh...

One had to admit, this Zou Wendong has some tricks up his sleeve.

Li Si shook her head to herself. This was just how the circle worked; people would do anything to get what they wanted.

"Why should I go to him?" Li Si asked.

"Why else?" Yang Chun sneered. "He has the original footage now. Of course, we have to get it back. Otherwise, you'll forever be under his thumb."

"I won't go!" Li Si turned her head away, her face an expressionless mask.

Yang Chun chuckled, leaning down to stare at Li Si. "I'm warning you, don't you dare act so arrogantly in front of me! Without me, would you be where you are today?"

"I relied on myself," Li Si retorted.

Besides her own talent, the company had, of course, provided a platform, but that had little to do with Yang Chun. If she had to say she relied on someone, there was indeed one person.

That was Chen Yang.

The two Martial Department performances and the 80,000-person concert in Cangyun City had all been arranged by Chen Yang himself.

"Feeling like your wings have hardened, have you?" Yang Chun mocked. "How about I pull all your resources and see what happens?"

"The company gave me those. What do they have to do with you?"

"I'm a major shareholder. You tell me if it has anything to do with me." Yang Chun looked proud for a moment before snorting with contempt. "I heard a former shareholder used to support you heavily, but that's ancient history. He's not around anymore. If you want to maintain your current status, you'd better start listening to me!"

"I can raise you to the pinnacle, and I can cast you down into hell."

With that, Yang Chun threw a short skirt in front of Li Si. "Change into this immediately and come with me to meet Young Master Zou Wendong!"

Her words were final, leaving no room for doubt.

"To put it bluntly, you're just a little songstress. You think you can fight me?"

Li Si's eyes welled with aggrieved tears. She was sick of living like this. Many times, she had wanted to drop the facade completely and just walk away. But after so many years of hard work to get where she was, could she really give it all up? Honestly, she couldn't bear it, nor could she accept it.

Sigh... Letting out a deep sigh, Li Si stopped thinking about it, grabbed the skirt, and walked into her room.

Yang Chun crossed her arms and laughed smugly. "Little bitch, still trying to defy me? You really think you're someone important now?

"No matter how glamorous you are out there, in front of me, you will grovel!"

Soon, Li Si stepped out of her room, now dressed in a white spaghetti-strap miniskirt.

Yang Chun nodded in great satisfaction. "Very good!"

Li Si's face, however, was grim.

How could she not know what the fat woman intended by making her wear this skirt to meet Zou Wendong? If he already has the photo, why would he hand it over for something as simple as one dinner?

Although Li Si had chosen to compromise, it didn't mean she would yield on everything. She had her principles, her own bottom line.

「Meanwhile.」

News of the Martial Association's Lingjin City branch unveiling its grand opening spread like wildfire, sweeping through the entire city in an instant. The announcement stated that starting today, the Martial Association Lingjin City branch would begin recruiting students, urging those who wished to join to sign up quickly.

This was undoubtedly a bombshell. It left countless people dumbfounded and their thoughts in disarray.

Previously, the Martial Association Lingjin City branch had been destroyed twice in succession, and several high-ranking Martial Association officials had been slain in Lingjin City, their souls sent to hell. Logically, given the Martial Association's methods, they would not let the matter rest, but the speed of their response still took everyone by surprise.

This time, they had secretly built the Lingjin City branch before announcing it to the public—an undeniable declaration of war against the mysterious powerhouse. The message was clear: The Martial Association has established its Lingjin City branch. You want to oppose us? Fine. Come and get us. We'll be waiting right here!

This was, after all, very much in keeping with the Martial Association's style of doing things: utterly domineering.

Instantly, the entire city was abuzz with discussions about the matter.

"After suffering two straight losses, the Martial Association must have come fully prepared this time. They've probably sent a Martial Guard team to hunt down that mysterious powerhouse."

"I heard that this time, the team is led by an eighth-generation Elder, assisted by two King Kongs and a group of Disciples! Most importantly, the Helmsman of our Lingjin City branch is supposedly the Association President's own nephew."

"With a lineup like that, they could probably steamroll all the major families in Lingjin City, right?"

"In any case, the Martial Association has made its move and set the stage. Now we just have to see how that mysterious powerhouse responds."

"I'm afraid that mysterious powerhouse won't dare to respond at all."

"..."

Anyone could see that the Martial Association meant serious business this time with such a grand display. Who else could contend with them? Even that mysterious powerhouse probably wouldn't dare to challenge them head-on.

As the discussions continued, countless people also began to stir eagerly. However, the ones who actually went to sign up at the Martial Association were in the minority. The situation was not yet clear, and if that mysterious powerhouse were to suddenly appear and wreak havoc again, people could die.

***

「Xianghui Grand Hotel—A Character Private Room」

"Mr. Tao, the Martial Association has finally established a branch in our Lingjin City! I've been looking forward to this day for a very, very long time!" Zou Wendong held up a wine glass, giving a respectful nod to the middle-aged man in a grey robe sitting next to him. He grinned and said, "Congratulations! Congratulations!"

The middle-aged man had an ordinary appearance, but the aura enveloping him was dense and powerful, solid as a mountain, commanding respect. He was one of the Eight King Kongs of the Martial Association, Tao Jinshui.

Many years ago, Tao Jinshui and Old Mr. Zou had been close friends. That was why, upon his arrival in Lingjin City, he had declined countless banquet invitations from others, choosing to accept only Zou Wendong's.

"You're too kind, nephew," Tao Jinshui said with a wave of his hand, then asked with great interest, "I hear a female celebrity will be joining us?"

"It's Li Si!" Zou Wendong said with a touch of pride.

Tao Jinshui's eyes suddenly lit up as he gave a thumbs-up. "You are quite capable, nephew, to be able to invite Li Si herself to dinner!"

"My plans involve more than just a simple dinner with her," Zou Wendong said, a smug grin spreading across his face.

"TSK, TSK..." Tao Jinshui said enviously. "They say that Li Si is not only a fantastic singer but also a peerless beauty. A man's life wouldn't be wasted if he could have a... wonderful encounter with a woman like her."

Zou Wendong clearly understood the implication in his words. He chuckled and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Tao. Once I'm done with her, I'll personally deliver her to you."

"HAHAHA!" Tao Jinshui roared with laughter, thoroughly satisfied.

...

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