"No matter what he's planning, let's provoke him first and see if we can startle the snake out of its hole," Li Xin said.

"This is easy to handle, but the key issue right now is Montreal. If he's not a Fallen, he can't really destabilize them," Luo Xue replied.

Li Xin obviously knew this, but this was something the Night Patrol and the Church had to deal with. He could only play along and see if there were any flaws on the Zhao Family's side.

After a brief discussion, they set the strategy. The Luo Xue Family and the Zhao Family were currently one of the biggest powers in Celestial Capital. Zhao Xun intended to gradually engulf the Luo Xue Family through marriage alliances, but dreaming beautiful dreams won't change the reality — the Luo Family was not the type to sit and wait for disaster.

Luo Xue called in the Hex-Tech people to start printing the latest Black Rose notices; speed is crucial, they were racing against time.

The next morning, the Canon Law School students received the notice. To welcome the far-away visitors from Saint Grace Canon Law School and Iron Blood Canon Law School, Black Rose needed to further expand, and a new round of recruitment would start in the afternoon. This time, the selection criteria were different; students with a special skill could also be chosen.

Bam~~~

Zhao Qing slammed the table hard, "What's up with this flyer? Why are we starting a new membership recruitment? Are we turning into a marketplace now?"

Zhao Qing had been holding back because the time wasn't right. Zhao Xun had said not to directly oppose Luo Xue; the aim wasn't to defeat her but to win her over, thereby controlling the Luo Family. This way, most of Celestial Capital's power would be in his hands, a crucial step for the Zhao Family's resurgence. Zhao Xun wasn't just eyeing Celestial Capital.

If a rundown Governor like Luthor could do it, why couldn't the Zhao Family?

"How much more can we tolerate?"

"Vice President Zhao Qing, Black Rose is evolving and needs to supplement its ranks with fresh power. As President, what issue do you have with adding new members?" Luo Xue said calmly.

Zhao Qing was very upset. He preferred the previous silent, compliant Luo Xue. "How come I didn't know about this?"

"Does the President need to check with the Vice President to do things?" Li Xin suddenly asked, his curious expression enough to annoy anyone.

Zhao Qing's face suddenly darkened as he looked at Li Xin, "Li Xin, don't you know how you logged into the Canon Law School? Do you think it's in compliance?"

"Ah, isn't it compliant? Wasn't I exceptionally recruited because I'm outstanding?" Li Xin said innocently. Lu Shuai and others beside him held back their laughter; Li Xin also had a knack for irritating people.

Zhao Qing's expression slowly calmed down, and a smile curved his lips, "Whether or not it's compliant isn't up to me, or you, or Luo Jin to decide."

Zhao Qing didn't want to argue with insignificant people, "Black Rose is Black Rose because of its quality; if we recruit randomly like this, the reputation of Black Rose will get crushed."

Luo Xue smiled faintly, "When Luthor Governor established Black Rose, he said it was to serve the wider Canon Law School students, to set an example and make the school better, and not to serve any individual. Moreover, Black Rose must be brave enough to break through. Li Xin and I have discussed this — Black Rose should expand and absorb talents from various fields; this is a trial."

Luo Xue's gaze directed at Li Xin was clear and gentle, her focused eyes stabbed Zhao Qing's gaze, making it icy, "Too reckless!"

"That's settled. You can come in the afternoon, or you can choose not to," Luo Xue waved her hand, signaling the end of the meeting, directly leaving Zhao Qing out in the cold.

Zhao Qing's face turned ashen, gritting his teeth, "I'll come."

The Black Rose during Luthor's era prioritized nobles, and naturally, it chose reform-minded new nobles, the numbers were scant and selectivity was single, fitting that era. Now, it can involve more people.

Dual approach.

But from Zhao Qing's perspective, mixing in some weaklings would naturally make them grateful to Luo Xue. This would be Luo Xue's method to sideline him while making Black Rose crude, and thereby let Li Xin stand out less.

The Canon Law School students who got the news about Black Rose's expansion were very excited. President Luo Xue made some reforms, allowing those with exceptional abilities in Spiritual Ability, Hex-Tech, Art, etc., to join Black Rose, no longer limited to Spiritual Ability alone.

Fei Ruolin and others were very happy, beginning preparations. This is a good sign; last year, nominally Luo Xue was President but Zhao Qing acted more presidential. Now, finally, Luo Xue was asserting herself, and with Zhao Qing not daring to resist, everyone had more confidence.

This way, everyone felt more motivated. Nan Kai and Fei Ruolin found a sense of presence, no longer Zhao Qing's lackeys doing odd jobs.

Watching everyone busy, Zhao Qing certainly wasn't willing to lend a hand. He took Hao Ye and found an excuse to leave, and once out of the Black Rose Base, Zhao Qing and Hao Ye laughed.

"Boss, your acting is unmatched. Those two think they've really angered you," Hao Ye gave a thumbs-up.

"Arrogant women love thinking they're right, probably because they've been suppressed for too long. Pity, can't be used for me, so must be destroyed," Zhao Qing's smile turned gradually vicious.

Uncontrollable means enemy — this point has been discussed by the family. If there's any hope, gaining an ally is better than facing an enemy. But Zhao Qing has given up on Luo Xue, clever and troublesome sweet naive girls he's patient with, because once controlled, they're easily manipulated. If they have a firm self-righteous will, it's like a stone that can't be warmed, pure waste of time.

With such individuals, he never harbors false hope.

"What's Li Xin's investigation status?"

"Boss, good news! This kid crawled out from a trash heap orphaned, coincidently adopted by Lin Fei, only recently moved back into town, taking Luo Jin's path, using committee privileges," Hao Ye said.

Zhao Qing frowned slightly; process-wise, there's no issue. Lin Fei? That one from the Lin Family? ...a faint memory, thought they were wiped out long ago.

A once prominent lady with her daughter surviving in Underground City, did the gangsters start eating vegetables?

Vaguely remembers Lin Fei was also one of Celestial Capital's beauties, but Spiritual Ability not awakened, incapable of physical resistance. Once in the Underground City, she's fodder.

"Probably Luo Jin, this guy is determined to oppose us."

Looking at the slyly wicked and sleazy Hao Ye, Zhao Qing suddenly thought of something, "How's Lin Fei now looking?"

"Decent, quite plump," Hao Ye licked his lips.

Watching Hao Ye's shameless act, Zhao Qing couldn't help but laugh, "Look at your dog-like expression, what taste, just likes big butts and big boobs."

Back then maybe fine, now at an age, still rolling in Underground City, certainly wasted — no beauty can resist time and environment's erosion, thinking too much here, asking wrong person.

Hao Ye immediately lowered his head, "Boss, I've never seen high-quality ones anywhere."

Zhao Qing ignored Hao Ye, Montreal can't fail — it's a moat.

Either don't act, or act decisively, delivering a fatal blow. Since Luo Jin cares about Li Xin, aim at Li Xin.

Luo Xue and Li Xin want to perform, let him cooperate, see what back-up moves they have.

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