Leng Qingqiu's Birthday, Did You Wear Colored Contact Lenses

Three days later.

An unexpected press conference disrupted everyone's train of thought.

Long Tianyun... who had only been the alliance leader for a month, chose to step down and let Leng Qingqiu take his place as the new leader.

The uninformed public cheered in excitement.

They believed Long Tianyun had brought this upon himself—Leng Qingqiu was the one who should lead them.

The entire department was also united in thinking this was the best outcome.

However, Leng Qingqiu’s first reaction upon hearing the news was suspicion. She was certain the other party couldn’t possibly be acting out of goodwill.

And she was right.

When Shangguan Miaoyin and the others returned from their undercover mission with crucial information, Leng Qingqiu’s expression darkened.

The [Demon Weapon] Project.

This was an inhumane experiment—using demonic essence and humans to create so-called [New Humans], all in pursuit of the secrets of immortality.

Among them, Lin Yinyin was the only successful case from this project a century ago.

The silver spiritual energy was also a byproduct of this experiment.

Shangguan Miaoyin spoke respectfully, "Leader, this project will undoubtedly expose countless problems in the future. When that happens, they will surely pin all the blame on you."

"Hmph."

Leng Qingqiu let out a cold laugh. She had already considered this possibility.

No wonder they suddenly wanted her to take over as alliance leader—they were probably just looking for a scapegoat to shoulder the consequences later.

How laughable.

I’ve been stepping back again and again. Do the three great families really think Leng Qingqiu is someone they can push around?

With that thought, she ordered coldly, "Kill all the death squads monitoring the Sword Holding Department."

After Long Tianyuan’s death, Leng Qingqiu had detected the presence of unfamiliar death squads surrounding the Sword Holding Department.

She immediately guessed they were sent by the three great families.

Since they hadn’t openly clashed yet, she had initially ignored them.

But now that the three families were clearly targeting her, she had no reason to hold back.

First, eliminate the spies watching them. Next, find a suitable reason to strike at their families.

Leng Qingqiu hadn’t forgotten—the enemies who attacked the Leng Family years ago.

The martial world faction had been wiped out by Gu Yan.

But the secular world still had remnants, and among them... the three great families were the most powerful.

Moreover, Leng Qingqiu had uncovered something even more critical.

According to Jun Zilan’s recent investigations, the three great families still maintained ties with the smaller families involved in the attack on the Leng Family.

Their current scheme was also linked to the [Demon Weapon] Project!

The experiments required a steady supply of test subjects, and over the years, these smaller families had been providing the three great families with an endless stream of materials.

If this were exposed, the three great families and their accomplices would undoubtedly face extermination.

Leng Qingqiu had already devised the perfect justification to uproot these families entirely.

According to Jun Zilan’s intel, the [Demon Weapon] experiments had not been completely halted.

Long Tianyun’s sudden resignation was likely a ploy to continue the experiments in secret.

Thinking this through, Leng Qingqiu said calmly, "Continue the investigation. Find irrefutable evidence against the three great families."

"Yes!"

......

Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the public-facing "Ray of Hope."

Luo Ya was reporting recent developments to a man who had been absent for a long time.

"The Martial Artist Marketplace is about to open, and the Martial Artist Restaurant is in trial operation."

"Various martial artist retail stores and vending machines have also been set up worldwide."

"We’ve also collaborated with the alliance to provide [Spirit Food] and martial tools that enhance cultivation."

As she spoke, she occasionally glanced at the man before her.

He seemed... even more intimidating than before.

Gu Yan gave a slight nod. "Good."

"Continue the rollout. Ensure everything is fully operational by the end of next month."

Luo Ya nodded, but her expression was hesitant.

Gu Yan noticed and glanced at her. "Something else?"

"......"

"My son recently awakened his spiritual energy and was accepted into a martial artist elementary school. I need to be there as his guardian to complete the enrollment process."

Luo Ya spoke cautiously. If she had to attend as a parent, she would have to leave Ray of Hope temporarily.

Though it would be brief, if Gu Yan didn’t trust her... he might not let her go.

Hearing this, Gu Yan replied indifferently, "Go ahead."

Luo Ya’s face lit up with relief. "Thank you!"

Gu Yan didn’t respond. He simply stood up to leave—he still had important matters to attend to.

However, Luo Ya suddenly called out to him. "Boss..."

"?"

"Your eyes... are you wearing colored contacts? They look... unsettling."

"........."

Whoosh!

Gu Yan vanished.

Luo Ya was left baffled. What was that about?

Outside Ray of Hope, inside a luxury car.

Whoosh!

Gu Yan appeared in the backseat.

He flicked his fingers, and shadows enveloped the vehicle. Then, without expression, he asked, "How is that matter progressing?"

Old Gao, in the driver’s seat, started the car and chuckled. "Young Master’s orders have naturally been carried out. All the evidence linking the three great families and their collaborators to the [Demon Weapon] experiments has been planted in Long Tianyun’s office."

"Now we just wait for Madam to send someone to investigate."

Gu Yan nodded slightly. "Good. Head to the commercial district."

With that matter settled, there was still one more important thing to do.

"Understood, Young Master."

"By the way, it’s been a while since you’ve taken a stroll in the secular world. Did you suddenly feel like sightseeing?"

Old Gao drove while chatting casually.

The car, shrouded in shadows, seamlessly traversed through space.

"No."

"Oh?"

"Because... Leng Qingqiu’s birthday is coming up soon."

"??"

Old Gao froze, slamming on the brakes.

He turned around in disbelief, staring at Gu Yan’s expressionless face in the backseat.

Wait—you’re like this now, and you still remember Madam’s birthday?!

"Young Master... won’t this undo everything you did before? The way you confronted Madam..."

Old Gao clearly remembered how Gu Yan had deliberately acted cruel to make Leng Qingqiu hate him.

But now, wouldn’t this risk ruining all that effort? What if Madam started missing him again?

Gu Yan: "........."

After a brief silence, he replied slowly, "It doesn’t conflict."

"Besides, the moment I dissolved the dagger, it was already clear that Leng Qingqiu wouldn’t resent me for my actions afterward."

"Young Master, you’re that confident?"

Old Gao was surprised. After all, what Gu Yan had done could be considered downright monstrous.

"Yes. Because..."

Gu Yan placed a hand over his chest and said impassively, "This is the bond between Qingqiu and me."

Old Gao: "??"

How can you say something like that with that expression?!

Hadn't he lost his emotions?

Old Gao suddenly recalled Gu Yan's usual infatuated demeanor toward Leng Qingqiu.

Could it be that the young master's feelings for the young mistress were originally at a level of 2, and now, even after subtracting 1, it still equaled 1?

Hiss...

Love truly is a formidable force.

.....

.....

Inside the commercial district.

Gu Yan moved like a shadow through the crowd, unnoticed by anyone.

He didn’t stop until he reached a gift shop.

Relying on touch and instinct, he picked out a present.

At the counter, the cashier girl was idly scrolling through short videos.

Then—

"Hello, I’d like to buy this."

A cold voice sounded in front of her.

The cashier girl looked up.

And froze.

Wow! Such a handsome, aloof guy! And those mesmerizing, chaotic-patterned eyes...

"Are you wearing colored contacts, mister?"

Gu Yan: "......"

Now he understood why Leng Qingqiu had always kept her eyes closed in the past.