Yang Chun held her cigarette between her fingers, took a deep drag, and showed no panic at Chen Yang's judgment of her.

She slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke and said unhurriedly, "It wasn't about playing dirty. I simply wanted her to use that photo to hype up a 'CP' with Zou Wendong. It would've been good for her."

"Unfortunately, she insisted on holding onto her pathetic self-respect, which made Zou Wendong lose his patience. That's what led to the series of events that followed."

"Even though the issues were promptly clarified, such things always leave a mark. Her reputation and public image are bound to suffer."

Yang Chun remarked without a hint of remorse, "It's truly a pity. She was dealt a winning hand but played it so poorly."

"Dignity is everyone's bottom line. It's sacred. You shouldn't use the word 'pathetic' to describe it," Chen Yang said coolly.

If even dignity is considered pathetic and worthy of scorn, then what in this world is left to fight for?

Chen Yang raised his wrist and glanced at the time. "Go back. When I'm done with my business today, I'll pay a visit to your company to settle the final score."

"Settle the score?" Yang Chun covered her mouth and chuckled. "Don't tell me you think you can look down on everyone just because you dealt with some rich kid."

As she spoke, her gaze darkened. "To put it bluntly, once the Zou Family is free to deal with you, you won't even know how you died. A nobody like you, with no background or standing, wants to settle scores with me?"

Yang Chun scoffed, her tone turning cold. "And me? I've been in this circle for many years. Did you think I was only making money? The connections and power I command are far beyond your imagination. Settle scores with me? That's big talk. Be careful you don't trip over your own tongue."

Chen Yang remained silent, methodically putting away his fishing rod. In a neutral tone, he said, "Don't overestimate yourself, but don't underestimate others, either."

"Heh…" Yang Chun laughed. "In this world, there are certainly many people I can't afford to offend, but you are definitely not one of them. Even if you have some influence in Lingjin City, you're still beneath my notice."

She snuffed out her cigarette, slid her hands into her jacket pockets, and tilted her head back with extreme arrogance.

"Hmm, these two fish will be perfect for a soup for my wife." After stowing his rod, Chen Yang picked up the bucket with a smile, finally rising to face Yang Chun.

Almost at the same instant, the sound of car engines drifted over, mingled with the hurried footsteps of a crowd.

Hmm?

Yang Chun frowned and instinctively turned to look. She saw two Audi A6s driving slowly in their direction, flanked by numerous onlookers who were pointing and murmuring about the vehicles.

Those are cars from the Martial Department? Yang Chun had some worldly knowledge, but she was completely baffled. Why would cars from the Martial Department be here? And by the looks of it, it's someone important, possibly even a high-ranking official! Could it be that some big shot connected to the Martial Department lives in this community?

As she was lost in speculation, the two cars stopped three meters away.

Two tall men dressed in Martial Guard uniforms walked directly toward them. One of them, in particular, stood out. His uniform was emblazoned with the words "Ten Thousand Martial Guards," which were dazzlingly bright.

That... that's someone from the Ten Thousand Martial Guards? Yang Chun was astounded, her gaze growing intense as a storm of complex emotions washed over her. Having lived in Cangyun City for so long, how could she not recognize the name of the Ten Thousand Martial Guards?

To her utter confusion, the two men walked right past her—no, to be precise, they walked directly up to Chen Yang.

The man from the Ten Thousand Martial Guards stepped forward and addressed Chen Yang with a reverent tone. "Chiliarch Ji Ping of the Ten Thousand Martial Guards pays his respects to Lord Governor."

Lord Governor? The Nine Gates Admiral?!

In an instant, a clap of thunder seemed to rock her mind. Yang Chun's eyes bulged, her face turned deathly pale, and a numbing shock coursed through her limbs. Her entire body felt as if it had been electrocuted.

This… this unremarkable-looking man is actually the Nine Gates Admiral? How is that possible?! HUFF... HUFF...

Yang Chun gasped for breath, her expression one of pure horror. She tried to step back, but her legs were frozen, as if filled with lead.

What... what on earth is going on? The guy next to me is passably handsome, I suppose, but everything else about him is utterly unremarkable. He has none of the luxurious air or bearing of the powerful elite. The only thing he projects is a calm indifference, as profound and still as an ancient well. Combined with his hobby of fishing, he seems like a young man with a mature and steady heart, at most. No matter how hard I rack my brains, I can't connect this person to the legendary figure who guards Hanyun Valley. If this is keeping a low profile, isn't it a bit too extreme? In the circle I move in, everyone I meet is either wealthy or noble. Aren't all of them arrogant and haughty, looking down on everyone and ostentatiously flaunting their extraordinary status? But him…

Yang Chun drew in a sharp, cold breath. As a profound sense of unease washed over her, her face turned bright red, feeling as if it were on fire.

Thinking back to what I just said… it's like I slapped my own face. I must look like a posturing clown, utterly ridiculous. I wish I could find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.

Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined that the man backing Li Si possessed such immense power.

You reap what you sow. At this point, how could Yang Chun not realize the enormous trouble she was in?

"S-So, you're the Nine Gates Admiral," Yang Chun stammered, forcing a natural-looking smile. "That girl, Sisi... she couldn't have gotten this far without my contributions as her agent. Besides, Sisi and I only have occasional disagreements over work. I was never targeting her specifically…"

A person like Yang Chun was naturally a smooth operator with an incredibly thick skin. The moment she realized the situation had turned against her, her demeanor changed completely as she began to plead pitifully.

"Your indispensable contribution?" Chen Yang handed the bucket and rod to Yang Hu, clapped his hands clean, and asked with amusement, "As I recall, she had already reached her current level back when I divested from X Film Entertainment. All this time has passed, and she hasn't advanced a single step further. So, may I ask, where does your contribution come in?"

Yang Chun froze, completely taken aback. It took her a long moment to find her voice, and when she did, she could only exclaim in shock, "It… It was you?!"

Chen Yang had no intention of continuing the conversation. He started walking away, saying over his shoulder, "Give Sisi a proper apology." He paused for a moment. "Oh, and I'm only sparing you for now."

The words were like an invisible sledgehammer, smashing down on her divine spirit and shaking it so violently she nearly collapsed.

Does that mean he can take my life whenever he decides to kill me? This…

As Chen Yang got into the car, Yang Hu stared down at Yang Chun, baring his teeth in a sinister grin. "I can see you're a smart person. You should know what to say and what not to say, right? And if you think you can escape from Lingjin City, feel free to try."

Yang Chun remained frozen to the spot, not daring to move a muscle.

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