Just the Beginning!

Luo Hong had been secretly watching Lu Li the whole time. When she saw him approach, she immediately put on a pitiful expression.

"Lu Li, you..."

Before she could finish, Chen Hao, who stood guard nearby, viciously kicked her twice more.

"Quit talking! We 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:

"So, do you admit to the sins you committed back then?"

Luo Hong's face was full of innocence and grievance.

"I really don't know what sins you're talking about... I-I've never been here before, and I don't know what happened here..."

"Still pretending..."

Lu Li held his forehead with one hand and laughed.

"Then let me tell you a little story."

"Once upon a time, there were two girls. They had been best friends since childhood."

"One was called Xiao Lan, and the other was called Xiao Hong."

"Their family circumstances were worlds apart. Xiao Lan came from a wealthy family, while Xiao Hong's family was relatively poor."

"But neither girl cared about that. In their eyes, there was only each other, and the friendship between them that shone like the stars."

"They told each other everything and became the closest of friends."

"Because Xiao Hong's family was struggling, Xiao Lan often lent her a helping hand."

"When they were young, it was a few pieces of candy. When they grew older, it became financial support."

"At first, Xiao Hong was grateful, but as time passed, she began to take it all for granted."

"Until one day, Xiao Lan's family fell on hard times and could no longer support Xiao Hong as she had before."

"As it happened, Xiao Hong needed a sum of money for her mother's surgery."

"Because of this, the money for the operation could not be gathered in time, and Xiao Hong's mother tragically passed away."

"Xiao Hong was furious and had a massive fight with Xiao Lan."

"She believed it was all Xiao Lan's fault, that Xiao Lan had caused her mother's death."

"Their friendship shattered, and the two became strangers."

"Until one day, Xiao Hong unexpectedly received some information—information that would allow her to 'take revenge' on Xiao Lan while also bringing herself wealth and glory."

"She did not spare a shred of their former friendship and sold Xiao Lan out without hesitation."

"Even when Xiao Lan's family was destroyed and everyone in it died, she deliberately showed up and personally drove steel nail after steel nail into her best friend's body!"

After saying this, Lu Li lowered his hand from his face and asked Luo Hong with icy eyes:

"What do you think of this story, Xiao Hong?"

Luo Hong lowered her head, her lips trembling, her eyeballs bulging outward from extreme terror.

She stammered:

"H-how did you know all this... That's impossible. The Zhao Family handled everything very discreetly back then. There's no way you could know..."

"But I do know." Lu Li stood up and looked down at Luo Hong, who was kneeling on the ground.

"Is there anything else you want to say?"

"Lu Li!"

Luo Hong cried out urgently, then suddenly slammed her head against the ground twice.

She tried to crawl forward, trying to grab Lu Li's leg as she cried and begged.

But Chen Hao kicked her back.

"Cough, cough... I'm truly sorry about your mother. So, so sorry... Actually, ever since that day, I haven't slept well. Over and over, all I could see was your mother as she lay dying..."

"Everything I did was forced by the Zhao Family. I had no choice!"

"Yes, I accepted the benefits Zhao Jin gave me, but if I hadn't told him where that book was, Zhao Jin would have killed my whole family!"

"I really had no choice, Lu Li. Please let me go, okay? Let me go... sob, sob..."

As she spoke, Luo Hong began to cry.

Lu Li remained unmoved, calmly watching the woman perform.

In his previous life, he might have believed Luo Hong's "sincere outpouring," spared her life, and let the tiger return to the mountain.

But having been given another life, Lu Li would no longer be fooled by such acting.

"If you're trying to stall for time, don't waste your effort putting on an act. I'll stay here until Zhao Jin arrives."

Lu Li slipped his right hand into his pocket, his fingertips rubbing the object inside.

It was a thin ticket.

It was a good item he had obtained from the Challenger's Chest.

At Lu Li's words, Luo Hong's sobbing abruptly stopped.

After a moment, she slowly raised her head.

There was not the slightest trace of remorse on her tear-streaked face. It was filled only with gloom and venomous hatred!

"Lu Li, you still have a choice..."

"If you insist on killing me, Zhao Jin will definitely retaliate against you!"

"Then the entire Zhao Family will latch onto you and never let go!"

"Your awakened talent is so outstanding. You have a bright future ahead of you!"

"Are you really going to gamble everything for two dead people who died over a decade ago?!"

Lu Li smiled, and it was a cold smile.

The howling night wind blew into the villa, carrying the roar of car engines.

Zhao Jin had arrived.

Luo Hong heard the commotion outside as well, and a savage grin appeared on her gloomy face.

She actually staggered to her feet and spoke arrogantly to Lu Li:

"Did you hear that? Lu Li, Zhao Jin is here. He came to save me!"

"Do you know the Zhao Family's strength? Do you know how long they have been preparing for the Resurgence War?!"

"If I die, there's no way you'll leave this place alive!"

At that moment, Luo Hong felt the situation had completely turned around, and she was overwhelmed with satisfaction.

Lu Li, standing across from her, merely sighed softly, silently lamenting the ugliness of human nature.

Lu Li no longer paid any attention to the crazed Luo Hong and headed toward the villa entrance.

Crisscrossing headlights illuminated the villa, while a dense crowd blocked every exit so tightly that not even water could pass through.

A man in a fitted combat outfit stood at the main gate, looking toward Lu Li expressionlessly.

"Where is Luo Hong?" Zhao Jin asked bluntly.

"Inside the villa." Lu Li's reply was devoid of joy or sorrow, his tone as calm as if he were greeting an acquaintance.

Seeing how composed Lu Li was, Zhao Jin could not help but feel uneasy.

He had fought through life-and-death battles before, and knew that when people faced threats, their bodies often reacted beyond their control.

These reactions included emotional agitation, trembling, or unconsciously raising their voices.

Yet Lu Li remained this calm, which meant he definitely had something to rely on!

"Looks like the Clan Elder's judgment was right. This man must be brought into the Zhao Family's service, or he will become a source of endless trouble!"

Zhao Jin's eyes shifted as his tone softened somewhat.

"Lu Li, you truly are talented. You're already qualified to join the Zhao Family!"

"As long as you agree, I can write off everything that happened before!"

"And after you join us, the Zhao Family will devote most of its resources to you and cultivate you as a core member!"

"But if you remain stubborn, my men will make sure you stay here forever!"

Zhao Jin was extremely confident about recruiting him.

With threats and temptation combined, ordinary people had no way to refuse.

But to Zhao Jin's surprise, after hearing his offer, Lu Li showed no sign of being tempted. Instead, a mocking smile appeared on his face.

"You husband and wife really do think alike..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Hao dragged Luo Hong out of the villa like a dead dog.

Before Zhao Jin could react, Chen Hao's five fingers curled into claws and violently clamped around Luo Hong's throat.

With a tearing sound, half her windpipe was brutally ripped out!

Blood immediately gushed forth like a fountain!!

"You! Lu Li, what do you mean?!" Zhao Jin's eyes were about to split open in fury.

"Just answering your question."

Lu Li pulled his right hand from his pocket and tore off the ticket stub.

"Not only will I refuse to join the Zhao Family, I'll destroy the Zhao Family."

"Luo Hong's death is only the beginning!"

Flames rose from the ticket in Lu Li's hand.

"Kill him!!"

Zhao Jin sensed that something was wrong and immediately gave the order.

But he was still a step too late.

The flames on the ticket instantly swelled, completely engulfing Lu Li.