Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 761 620 Thank You for the Hospitality_1

So, it's another internal struggle within the Li Jian family, all that messy business again?

Huai Shi couldn't help but roll her eyes, ready to close the door. She couldn't be bothered. She didn't believe that if she, a guest of the Li Jian family, refused to go, these people would dare to make a move here.

But before the door was closed, the man who seemed to be in charge took a step forward, wedged his hand in the crack of the door, and his smile became increasingly eerie. "Miss Zhenxi has arrived; she's waiting for you there... You wouldn't want anything unpleasant to happen, right?"

In the silence, Lady SuZi's movements paused.

She lifted her eyes to gaze at him.

After a while, a smile that made them feel uneasy appeared on her beautiful face...

The middle-aged man's expression twitched slightly. Suppressing an inexplicable unease in his heart, he stepped aside and gestured behind him. "Please, Madam."

Despite some twists along the way, the target ultimately did not resist and very obediently followed them.

The middle-aged man leading the way walked ahead, his expression pleased. It seemed what he'd seen in the courtyard wasn't just an act. This woman and that Hybrid Zhenxi truly had a deep bond; otherwise, she wouldn't have complied so readily. It was just a pity. With her weakness exploited, she had fallen into the Fourth Young Master's hands... She would probably become yet another of his playthings.

And Huai Shi, walking behind, felt the increasingly evident danger around her, her gaze gradually calming.

Clearly, that Fourth Young Master's status within the Li Jian family wasn't low. He even had an independent, heavily guarded courtyard, with every conceivable security measure in place. It was just a shame that, judging by the situation, this Fourth Young Master seemed to be remarkably incompetent. To have such status and yet not a single backer—even when seeking representatives, major conglomerates had discerning eyes. They wouldn't bother with a good-for-nothing, hopeless case.

This kind of bluff might scare a country girl, but to Huai Shi, it was so dull she couldn't even muster a laugh. Utterly beneath contempt.

It didn't take long for her to see that 'Fourth Young Master' in the hall. The air still lingered with an unpleasant, persistent scent.

Recalling the two women who had hurriedly left the room, it wasn't hard to guess what had transpired here earlier.

Huai Shi's expression suddenly turned disdainful.

"Welcome, Miss Huaizhi!"

The young Fourth Young Master approached proactively, reaching out a hand. "Ever since I saw you, I have been looking forward to this meeting."

As he drew closer, his gaze became increasingly fervent.

Even though they had met once at lunch, the sight of her was still stunning... he couldn't shift his eyes away.

He couldn't help but lick his lips, greeting her obsequiously.

Only, no one paid him any attention.

Huai Shi looked around but saw no sign of Zhenxi, and her brow immediately furrowed.

The Fourth Young Master's expression stiffened for a moment, then he slowly retracted his hand.

The middle-aged man from earlier approached him and whispered something in his ear. Realization dawned on the Fourth Young Master. "I apologize. It seems that to have the honor of your presence, my servants had no choice but to tell a little lie... But I assure you, as long as our meeting goes smoothly this time, nothing unpleasant will happen."

The implied threat had no effect.

Huai Shi rolled her eyes, feeling a wave of boredom, and turned to leave.

But behind her, the door was slammed shut.

A few Sublimators blocked the entrance, their eyes filled with eager anticipation, clearly unable to wait any longer.

Seeing this woman being so unappreciative, the Fourth Young Master scoffed, returned to the sofa, and kicked up his feet. He taunted, "Although I don't know what relationship you have with that Hybrid Zhenxi... you better understand one thing clearly. This is the Li Jian family, not a place where just anyone can act out of line!"

In the silence, Huai Shi shook her head, unable to suppress a sigh.

It seemed the kind of drama everyone secretly loves to watch was about to unfold. Provided... Miss Huaizhi was truly as they imagined: pitiable and as helpless as a newborn chick.

"To be honest, I'm not in a good mood right now—for certain reasons. And now, it's worse."

Huai Shi reached into her pocket, took out a cigarette, tilted her head, and lit it.

The low, husky voice made everyone freeze, staring in astonishment at Miss Huaizhi's lovely face.

They were incredulous, unable to comprehend what exactly had happened...

Then, as the wisps of smoke curled and dissipated into the air, a cold, malicious smile appeared on that face. "I have a rough idea of what you want to do. Honestly, I can understand the curiosity teenage boys have about the female body... Since you're all so impatient, let's begin."

As she spoke, Miss Huaizhi's hands dropped slightly, grasping the pure white hem of her dress.

Smiling, she lifted it inch by inch.

"—Do you want to know what's underneath a girl's skirt?"

With Miss Huaizhi's actions, from beneath the pure white dress, tendrils of dense darkness poured out, spreading, creeping rapidly, swelling into rolling waves of pitch-black.

In the deadly silence, the sound of a raging torrent began to rise.

The darkness churned, rampantly flowing across the ground, rising along with the screams.

From within, countless crimson eyes slowly opened, casting greedy gazes upon the world. They excitedly flapped their wings, eagerly awaiting the start of the feast.

Hungry eyes brimmed with greed.

At that moment, as the skirt lifted, an indescribable nightmare arose from the darkness. Accentuated by terrible screams, it revealed its loathsome and frightening contours. It violated all ignorant souls who dared to gaze directly upon it, tormenting every wretched creature's reason and spirit without end.

The time for the stars to converge had come. The great being rose from the eternal darkness, and from then on, it was an unending era of despair…

After what felt like an eternity, the darkness slowly dissipated.

The door opened once again.

Miss Huaizhi, pure and lovely, stepped out from behind the door with a light step. She plucked the spent cigarette from her lips and tossed it casually to the ground.

"Thank you for your hospitality," she said.

In the room behind her, only a dozen or so empty husks remained, their dull eyes fixed on the spotless, mold-free ceiling, stripped of all spirit.

Only the meaningless act of breathing continued, along with the last of the Remnant Souls, as they sank into the endless pain of the nightmare.

One thing was certain: they had fully understood the answer to the question they sought.

If they had another life, they likely would never again be curious about what lay beneath a girl's skirt…

Such a major incident could not possibly be concealed from others. This was especially true since Huai Shi's comings and goings were unconcealed. Even when the Li Jian family inquired, she hid nothing.

In the evening, the aged Samurai Inu River knelt in the quiet room opposite Huai Shi, who appeared calm, and beside him, the uneasy Zhenxi. His expression was devoid of any warmth.

After a long period of contemplation, he finally spoke.

"The details of the matter are clear to me... It was Ping Xuan's failing first. Madam Huaizhi showed mercy in sparing his life; it was a gesture of kindness. We naturally cannot ask for too much."

If it were another time, there might have been disputes. But at such a critical moment, it was unwise to offend a Sublimator whose depth was unknown. Especially when it was the Li Jian family who had first committed such an embarrassing act against a guest… If it could be suppressed, that would be one thing. But now that it couldn't, the Li Jian family's last shred of dignity was about to be ground into the dust. Why bother?

The longer one navigated the world, the more cautious one became. One grows cautious with age. They know their energy isn't what it used to be and that there are more important goals to achieve. Without sufficient benefit, one becomes unwilling to easily offend others. Although, when it was necessary, these people would offend more thoroughly than anyone, ensuring their adversary would never recover, or, more directly, send them to meet their maker. But since they had no way to deal with the other party, and now wasn't the time, they could only seek an amicable resolution.

Inu River looked back over his shoulder.

The burly Samurai rose, holding a box, and moved forward. He knelt beside Huai Shi and placed the item in front of her.

Upon opening the box, the light from the Source Crystals illuminated her eyes.

They were of considerable value.

"This is a modest token of gratitude from the Li Jian family for your rescue of Miss Zhenxi, and as compensation for your troubles. Please do not take offense." Inu River bowed deeply in apology, performing all due courtesies before someone less than a quarter, or even a fifth, his age.

Huai Shi was unmoved, still watching him. She was waiting for the rest of his statement.

Inu River raised his head, speaking solemnly, "At this moment, it is indeed a troubled time for the Li Jian family, and we can no longer continue to entertain guests. Please forgive us."

So, they were asking her to leave.

Huai Shi took out her phone, ready to speak, but then she heard the Teenage Girl by her side.

Though uneasy, Zhenxi forced herself to remain calm.

"Grandfather Inugami, she won't leave." Zhenxi raised her head and said to the elder who had once controlled her Fate, "Because I intend to participate in the formal selection for the head of the family. I will hire Miss Huaizhi as my representative to compete on my behalf."

"…"

In the silence, Inu River did not speak, only letting out an involuntary, soft sigh.

Indeed, it wasn't going to be that simple, was it…?

Through the attitude between the two, he had come to understand what had happened and had a vague guess at the worst-case scenario.

"Miss Zhenxi, the selection for the head of the family might not be as simple as you think."

"I know," Zhenxi replied. "When I left, my mother told me I might die, but I didn't come here for death."

"This isn't something someone told me, nor is it due to the persuasion or deception of others; it's a decision I made before I arrived in the Current Circumstances."

She stated:

"—I am the eldest daughter of Li Jian Qingping, carrying the blood of the Li Jian family. This time I have returned to participate in the selection for the head of the Li Jian family."

It was that simple.