Shen Qiang and Xiu Ju got dressed and came down from the second floor to the terrace garden, where Qian Shanxue was delicately savoring her fried dough sticks.

Seeing Shen Qiang, Ali smiled slyly.

Ye Xiaolei, blushing, stood up and nervously greeted, "Senior Shen."

"Long time no see." Shen Qiang, who had greeted them, unceremoniously pulled Xiu Ju to sit at the table, grabbed some of the breakfast Qian Shanxue and the others had bought, and started eating.

Qian Shanxue, who was devoutly eating her food, glanced at Xiu Ju and said, "Bed-wetter, I hadn't thought it would be you. If someone hadn't made a fuss about you sleeping with Shen Qiang, I wouldn't have figured it out."

Xiu Ju's face turned cold: "Are you looking for a fight?"

"Yes," Qian Shanxue's eyes shone: "Because I'm very curious about what exactly happened back then that led to your transfer to the Dark Department while I, as excellent as I am, failed to get in despite applying three times. I still remember the response I got from the Dark Department on my third application—it was just two words: 'Stop it!'"

"So for many years, I've been feeling really unsatisfied, because in our class, no one was better than me."

Xiu Ju smiled: "Different departments have different requirements for their personnel." She glanced sideways at Ali and Ye Xiaolei: "Just like how these two would be disqualified in your training environment or the Dark Department; but in another department, they would be the elite."

Qian Shanxue frowned.

At this moment, Shen Qiang interjected, "Someone made an issue out of Xiu Ju and me?"

Qian Shanxue glanced at Shen Qiang and said, "Yes, a guy with the codename 'Green Scorpion' claimed that Xiu Ju sleeping with you was a serious violation of the rules, asking for you to be reassigned to his side for protection."

Shen Qiang laughed, "Then you can tell him that Xiu Ju has decided to retire, and he is welcome to come and protect me here anytime."

Hearing this, Qian Shanxue took a serious look at Shen Qiang after finishing her fried dough stick, "You've gotten yourself into big trouble. Although many in the Cultivation World think you're very kind, there's an unwritten rule that you can kill your opponents, but you shouldn't cripple their Cultivation, as it's an insult."

Shen Qiang laughed: "You're here because I insulted those who tried to kill my family?"

Qian Shanxue took a deep breath, raised an eyebrow, and said, "No, I'm here because your actions have completely infuriated the Long Yan Sword Sect."

Shen Qiang smiled, "They had already angered me, so I don't think angering them matters. Even if I did not fight back when attacked, or talk back when scolded, they would still not let me be—and that's the reality."

"I can try to mediate for you," Qian Shanxue said: "They would respect the face of Dragon Group."

Shen Qiang laughed and said, "Would that be useful? Give them a way out? And then what? Would they allow another power to rise within their sphere of influence?"

"Let's stick to the facts."

No sooner had Qian Shanxue spoke when Shen Qiang interrupted her: "Many people keep saying 'Let's just stick to the facts, it's nothing personal,' but in reality, everyone knows it's a load of crap. Have you ever been moved by the lunches your parents packed for you your entire life? How many times?"

"If it's your crush who brings you food, you'd be incredibly touched and say, 'Ah, he's so good to me.'

Watching Qian Shanxue with a raised eyebrow, Shen Qiang said, 'When the man you love hugs you and makes love, you feel thrilled because you feel the love. But if it were a man you didn't like doing the same thing, you would find it disgusting.'

'So don't talk to me about sticking to the facts, because I know that's just the groundwork you're laying to target someone.'

Hearing this,

Qian Shanxue felt helpless. 'You're like a cactus bristling with spines.'

Shen Qiang lifted his eyebrows in resignation. 'I just like to tell the truth, the whole truth, but often, not many people like me for it.'

After a moment of silence, Qian Shanxue said, 'I can arrange for you to meet the Sect Leader of the Long Yan Sword Sect. He will claim that he was unaware of the actions taken by the members of his sect, that they acted on their own, and his oversight led to this unfortunate outcome.'

'Do you believe that?' Shen Qiang asked coolly, lifting an eyebrow, 'One of the three CEOs of the Long Yan Group, along with fifteen skilled men, stormed into Shen's Holding with great fanfare. Could he mobilize so many people without the Sect Leader's tacit approval?'

Qian Shanxue frowned. 'They will apologize to you and ensure to restrain their disciples, promising to coexist without interfering with each other.'

Shen Qiang laughed. 'My dear female boss, why don't you go join a hearty battle? The intrigue of scheming really doesn't suit you.'

Seeing that Qian Shanxue's expression seemed somewhat unhappy.

Shen Qiang, who was equally unaccommodating, remarked indifferently, 'There can't be two tigers on one mountain, nor can someone else snore under your bed. The Long Yan Sword Sect feels their reputation is tarnished and wants to play the victim, predictable as ever. After pushing the blame onto the deceased CEO Feng, their Sect Leader will likely resign in a dramatic display of taking responsibility.'

'Following that, the new Sect Leader will make a big show of reforming the sect's morals, punishing a few irrelevant disciples while righteously announcing noble slogans to other Cultivation Sects. Once they maintain good relations...'

'They will assuredly look for any means to pin a new charge on the Shen Family, and then send their righteous forces to attack.'

Qian Shanxue frowned and said, 'They won't do that, they've promised me they'll keep the peace with you.'

'You're not cut out to be a peacemaker,' Shen Qiang said calmly with a raised eyebrow, 'because you can't see through people's malicious hearts. Simply put, before the rise of the Shen Family, when Cultivation World mentioned Provincial City, it was synonymous with the Long Yan Sword Sect, because the monks of Doushi Temple stay out of worldly matters.'

'But now, when Cultivation World mentions Provincial City, both Long Yan Sword Sect and the Shen Family come to mind.'

'The influence of the Long Yan Sword Sect in Provincial City is no longer absolute, and we at Shen's Holding definitely do not want anyone ruling over us. So, between us and the Long Yan Sword Sect, there's simply no room for reconciliation.'

Observing Qian Shanxue, who did not seem entirely convinced by Shen Qiang's words, he continued, 'If I'm not mistaken, this role of peacemaker was not something you sought out, but rather something the Long Yan Sword Sect pressed upon you.'

'Don't trust them. Their current overture for peace is to salvage their situation and to regain the Cultivation World's recognition.'

Gazing into Qian Shanxue's beautiful eyes, Shen Qiang smiled faintly and said, 'And I will definitely not give them such a chance, because being merciful to an enemy is cruelty to oneself. I'm not an actor, so there's no need for me to feign emotions and play along with their charade.'

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