Chapter 31: It’s Only the Beginning!
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Luo Hong had been secretly watching Lu Li all along. The moment she saw him approach, she immediately put on a pitiful expression.
“Lu Li, you…”
Before she could finish, Chen Hao, who had been standing nearby, kicked her hard twice more.
“Shut up! I told you to repent. Why can’t you understand that?”
Lu Li raised a hand to stop Chen Hao, then stood before Luo Hong and asked,
“Well? Do you admit to the sins you committed back then?”
Luo Hong’s face was filled with innocence and grievance.
“I truly don’t know what sins you’re talking about… I—I’ve never been here before, and I have no idea what happened here…”
“Still pretending…”
Lu Li rested one hand against his forehead and laughed.
“Then let me tell you a little story.”
“Once upon a time, there were two girls who had been best friends since childhood.”
“One was called Little Lan, and the other Little Hong.”
“Their family backgrounds were worlds apart. Little Lan came from a wealthy household, while Little Hong’s family was comparatively poor.”
“But the two girls never cared about that. In their eyes, there was only each other and a friendship that shone as brilliantly as the stars.”
“They shared everything and became the closest of friends.”
“Because Little Hong’s family was poor, Little Lan often lent her a helping hand.”
“When they were young, it was a few pieces of candy. As they grew older, it became financial assistance.”
“At first, Little Hong was grateful. But as time went on, she began to take everything for granted.”
“Then one day, Little Lan’s family fell into ruin, and she could no longer provide Little Hong with help as she had before.”
“Coincidentally, Little Hong needed a sum of money for her mother’s surgery.”
“Because the money could not be gathered in time, Little Hong’s mother sadly passed away.”
“Little Hong was furious and had a huge argument with Little Lan.”
“She believed that everything was Little Lan’s fault—that Little Lan had caused her mother’s death.”
“Their friendship fell apart, and they became strangers.”
“Until one day, Little Hong unexpectedly received some news—news that would allow her to ‘take revenge’ on Little Lan while also bringing her wealth and glory.”
“Without sparing a thought for their past friendship, she sold Little Lan without hesitation.”
“Even when Little Lan’s family was destroyed and everyone she loved was dead, Little Hong deliberately appeared and personally drove nail after nail into her best friend’s body!”
After finishing, Lu Li lowered his hand from his face and asked Luo Hong with a gaze cold as frost,
“What do you think of that story, Little Hong?”
Luo Hong lowered her head. Her lips trembled, and her eyes bulged from extreme fear.
She stammered,
“H-How did you know all of that…? That’s impossible. The Zhao family kept it so secret. There’s no way you could have known…”
“But I do know.”
Lu Li rose to his feet and looked down at Luo Hong, who was kneeling on the ground.
“Do you have anything else to say?”
“Lu Li!”
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Luo Hong cried out urgently, then suddenly slammed her head against the ground twice.
She tried to crawl forward, hoping to embrace Lu Li’s legs and beg for mercy.
But Chen Hao kicked her back.
“Cough, cough… I’m truly sorry about your mother. I’m so sorry… After that day, I couldn’t sleep properly. The image of your mother in her final moments kept replaying in my mind…”
“Everything I did was forced on me by the Zhao family. I had no choice!”
“Yes, I accepted benefits from Zhao Jin, but if I hadn’t told him where that book was, he would have killed my entire family!”
“I really had no choice, Lu Li. Please let me go, all right? Let me go… Sob, sob…”
As she spoke, Luo Hong began to weep.
Lu Li remained unmoved, gazing indifferently at the woman’s performance.
If this had been his previous life, he might have believed Luo Hong’s “sincere remorse,” spared her life, and released a dangerous enemy back into the world.
But after living through it once more, Lu Li would never again be deceived by such acting.
“If you’re only trying to stall for time, stop wasting your energy on this performance. I’ll stay right here until Zhao Jin arrives.”
Lu Li slipped his right hand into his pocket, rubbing the object inside with his fingertips.
It was a thin ticket.
A valuable item he had obtained from the Challenger’s Chest.
At Lu Li’s words, Luo Hong’s sobbing abruptly stopped.
A moment later, she slowly raised her head.
Her tear-streaked face showed not the slightest trace of remorse. It was filled only with gloom and venom.
“Lu Li, you still have a choice…”
“If you insist on killing me, Zhao Jin will certainly retaliate against you!”
“When that happens, the entire Zhao family will cling to you like a dog that refuses to let go!”
“You’ve awakened such an outstanding talent, and a brilliant future awaits you!”
“Are you really willing to stake everything you have for two dead people who died more than a decade ago?!”
Lu Li laughed, but his laughter was icy.
The howling night wind swept into the villa, carrying with it the roar of automobile engines.
Zhao Jin had arrived.
Luo Hong heard the commotion outside as well, and a ferocious smile appeared on her gloomy face.
She actually staggered to her feet and addressed Lu Li arrogantly.
“Did you hear that? Zhao Jin is here, Lu Li. He’s come to save me!”
“Do you know how powerful the Zhao family is? Do you know how long they’ve been preparing for the Resurrection War?!”
“If I die, you’ll never make it out of here alive!”
At that moment, Luo Hong felt that the situation had completely reversed. She was filled with exhilaration.
Lu Li, standing opposite her, merely let out a soft sigh, silently lamenting the depravity of human nature.
He no longer paid any attention to the hysterical Luo Hong and walked toward the entrance of the villa.
Headlights from cars crisscrossed the grounds, illuminating the villa, while a dense mass of people blocked every exit.
A man in combat attire stood at the gate, staring at Lu Li expressionlessly.
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“Where is Luo Hong?” Zhao Jin asked bluntly.
“She’s inside the villa.”
Lu Li’s answer held neither sorrow nor joy. His tone was as calm as though he were merely greeting an acquaintance.
Seeing how composed Lu Li was, Zhao Jin could not help feeling uneasy.
He had experienced life-and-death battles before and knew that when people faced a threat, their bodies often reacted involuntarily.
Their emotions might become agitated, their bodies might tremble, or their voices might rise without their realizing it.
Yet Lu Li remained completely calm. That meant he must have something to rely on.
“Clan Elder was right. This man must be recruited by the Zhao family. Otherwise, he’ll become a source of endless trouble!”
Zhao Jin’s eyes shifted, and his tone softened slightly.
“Lu Li, you truly are a rare talent. You’re already qualified to join the Zhao family!”
“As long as you agree, I can wipe the slate clean regarding everything that happened before!”
“Once you join us, the Zhao family will devote most of its resources to you and nurture you as one of our core forces!”
“But if you remain stubborn, my men will make sure you stay here forever!”
Zhao Jin was extremely confident in his attempt to recruit Lu Li.
Threats and enticements—ordinary people had no way to refuse them.
But to Zhao Jin’s surprise, after hearing his offer, Lu Li showed not the slightest sign of being tempted. Instead, a mocking smile appeared on his face.
“You two really do think alike…”
The moment he finished speaking, Chen Hao dragged Luo Hong out of the villa as though she were a dead dog.
Before Zhao Jin had time to react, Chen Hao’s five fingers curled like claws and clamped violently around Luo Hong’s throat.
With a sharp tearing sound, half of her windpipe was brutally ripped out.
Blood gushed forth like a fountain!
“You! Lu Li, what the hell do you mean?!” Zhao Jin roared, his eyes nearly splitting with fury.
“I’m merely answering your question.”
Lu Li withdrew his right hand from his pocket and tore off the stub from the ticket.
“Not only will I refuse to join the Zhao family, I’ll also destroy it.”
“Luo Hong’s death is only the beginning!”
Flames suddenly rose from the ticket in Lu Li’s hand.
“Kill him!” Zhao Jin realized something was wrong and immediately gave the order.
But he was still one step too late.
The flames on the ticket expanded in an instant, completely engulfing Lu Li.
…
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