Chapter 0230

"What if I refuse?" Luo Yao's voice turned icy, her fists clenching tightly.

"Aren’t you curious why I lured you to the old house?"

A flicker of cunning flashed in Luo Tangji’s eyes. She was like a seasoned hunter, having laid an elaborate trap.

Luo Yao’s gaze wavered as a chilling realization crept up her spine.

"You... what have you done to Ran?"

Luo Tangji curled her lips into a smirk, one eerily similar to Luo Yao’s. "I’m not a fool like your second uncle. I don’t act without absolute certainty."

Her smile carried a hint of triumph.

"Your estate isn’t easy to infiltrate, I’ll admit. Those bodyguards are formidable, and the firepower is impressive. But tell me—what if the attackers were those who came from that place? Could they breach it by force?"

"Who would’ve thought you’d dismiss my warnings so easily, even daring to seek love? The women of the Luo family truly are sentimental fools. Back then, I forced Luo Wuyou to kill the man she loved with her own hands. What about you? Do you want to follow in your aunt’s footsteps?"

Luo Tangji’s eyes brimmed with provocation, as if she held all the cards. Luo Yao narrowed her eyes.

"If you dare lay a finger on Ran, I swear you won’t live to see tomorrow."

The fire of fury burned in her gaze, scorching everything in its path.

She was ready—for Lin Ran, she would defy the entire world.

A trace of melancholy flickered in Luo Tangji’s eyes. "Luo Yao, your second uncle was right about one thing—you truly have no familial warmth."

She seemed disappointed yet oddly understanding.

To her, Luo Yao’s ruthlessness was the result of her own teachings.

But then, why did someone devoid of affection find love?

What kind of magic did that Lin Ran possess?

Luo Yao scoffed, her voice devoid of emotion. "Thanks to you. You taught me this yourself."

Luo Tangji finally confirmed it—Lin Ran held the highest place in Luo Yao’s heart.

A mix of bitterness and envy stirred within her.

"Since you refuse to cooperate, I have no choice. Today, I’ll personally deal with this ungrateful disciple of mine."

Without hesitation, Luo Tangji struck.

Her figure blurred as her weapon lunged toward Luo Yao—swift, precise, without a single wasted motion.

Luo Yao didn’t falter either, charging forward to meet her.

The two clashed instantly, each strike lethal, with no regard for their past as master and disciple.

Their identical daggers gleamed coldly under the sunlight, every slash carrying a deadly edge.

The blades collided, ringing out sharply, the sound echoing like a symphony of death.

Then—Luo Tangji left an opening.

Luo Yao seized it, her attack so fast it sent a chill down Luo Tangji’s spine.

Fear flashed in her eyes. She hadn’t expected Luo Yao to be this quick.

But just as Luo Yao was about to land the blow—

A hawk’s screech tore through the air.

Diving from above, the bird of prey aimed straight for Luo Yao, its talons like scythes of death.

Luo Tangji smirked. "I forgot to teach you this—a lone fighter always faces uncertainty. And you, my dear, lack an ally."

Her voice dripped with smugness as she used the hawk’s assault to turn the tide.

Luo Tangji surged forward, deliberately letting Luo Yao’s dagger pierce her abdomen—but in doing so, she trapped her opponent.

She knew Luo Yao wouldn’t go down easily, so she opted for a brutal trade.

Pain twisted her face, but her resolve never wavered.

Luo Yao blocked Luo Tangji’s dagger with one hand while wrenching her own blade free, her other hand darting to her waist.

She tried to break free, but it was too late.

The hawk loomed large in her vision.

Rip.

Talons sank into Luo Yao’s flesh. A grunt escaped her lips as blood bloomed across her clothes.

Before she could react—

Luo Tangji’s dagger thrust toward her vitals.

"Luo Yao, die in peace. The Luo family will no longer have you as its head."

Her whisper was a demon’s taunt.

Luo Yao felt no fear—only regret.

Lin Ran’s smiling face flashed before her eyes, their shared memories playing like a film reel.

I never got to enjoy retirement with Ran...

A single tear traced her cheek—her silent farewell.

"Ran, I’m sorry... I broke my promise," she thought, her gaze filled with longing.

Then—

"Meow!"

A cat’s cry shattered the tension.

A black shadow shot like a cannonball straight at Luo Tangji’s head.

Her eyes widened in shock—Luo Yao had an ally too?

The shadow moved like a phantom, swift and lethal, throwing Luo Tangji off balance.

It darted like black lightning, disrupting her strike and veering her dagger off course.

By the time Luo Tangji regained her bearings—

Cold steel pressed against her throat.

The blade’s glint mirrored the terror in her eyes. She was cornered.

Simultaneously—

Bang!

Luo Yao’s hidden firearm roared to life, its muzzle flash illuminating the dim space.

The bullet struck true, sending the hawk plummeting to the ground in a lifeless heap.

She had saved this last resort for Luo Tangji, but the hawk had forced her hand.