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Meng Huai gave Ye Yin a clean, decisive beating. Afterward, both men regrouped, preparing for round two, though they were still working out how to fight it.

He Huaying suddenly appeared beside Ye Yin as though she had been there all along. She smiled at Meng Huai and even gave him a flirtatious wink.

Meng Huai's heart lurched. He knew he was in trouble this time. He had yet to settle things with one opponent, and now another had arrived. He had nowhere even to cry. Ganging up really was the surest way to win.

He Huaying grinned. "Why are your legs shaking, esteemed Gu Master?"

Meng Huai kept a straight face. "I've been standing too long. I'm doing a little vibration therapy to prevent varicose veins."

He Huaying smiled seductively. "That's a relief. I thought you were frightened. If that were the case, I'd feel bad about attacking you."

Meng Huai declared righteously, "A decent man doesn't fight women. I won't stoop to arguing with you. This is between us men. Women should stay out of it."

He Huaying covered her mouth and laughed. "You really are amusing, esteemed Gu Master. Don't worry, we won't gang up on you today. Next time, though, I can't promise anything."

She then looked at Chang Yanping. "You can rest easy, Mr. Chang. We'll let this matter go. We'll meet again, and I hope we'll be friends by then."

The first half made Chang Yanping delighted, but the second half nearly sent his calves into spasms. He never wanted to see them again for as long as he lived.

He Huaying wrapped her arms around Ye Yin and inhaled toward his face. All the bruises from his beating turned into black vapor and were drawn into her, leaving him completely restored in an instant.

Secretly astonished, Meng Huai looked at He Huaying. "I didn't expect you to be so capable. Your two substitute bodies each have their strengths, and this one can use witchcraft. It's quite something!"

He Huaying smiled gently. "I was just lucky. This woman has a trace of the nine Li bloodline. Otherwise, how could I have created two substitute bodies?"

Meng Huai frowned. "Now that you mention it, that reminds me. You count as a man, don't you? Watching two men carry on like this gives me goosebumps."

Ye Yin clearly took those words to heart. Without realizing it, he stepped aside twice, putting some distance between them.

He Huaying's expression turned exceedingly ugly. She snorted coldly. "That mouth of yours is truly obnoxious. If there hadn't been orders from above, I'd teach you a lesson today. Let's go!"

As the two vanished, Meng Huai's eyes filled with confusion. What had He Huaying meant? What did the higher-ups have to do with this? What was the Night God Church plotting?

Unable to make sense of those questions, he simply stopped thinking about them. Things would work themselves out when the time came, and the mystery would eventually be revealed.

Meng Huai pulled a bottle of liquor from his bag and took a long swig. "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. This matter is finally settled. I hope you've learned your lesson and won't cause such a huge mess again."

Chang Yanping nodded repeatedly. "It's all thanks to you, Mr. Meng. I'll never forget that you saved my life. I have an idea: I'd like to give you a one-percent equity stake in the company, free of charge, as a token of my gratitude."

Meng Huai scratched his head. "As Gu Masters, we're supposed to avoid entangling ourselves in worldly karma. But things are different for me now. I have a wife to support, so I can't avoid it even if I want to. How much is it worth?"

Chang Yanping hurriedly smiled. "That's hard to say. Essentially, for every hundred I earn, one belongs to you, Mr. Meng. I'm sure you'll be satisfied."

Meng Huai took another drink and said, slightly tipsy, "You're a smart man. Don't put it in my name. Put it in my wife's. And I'll point you toward another opportunity.

"There's a Black-and-White Alley in Dian City. At the end are two bars, the Black Bar and the White Bar. They're contact points for the Black-and-White Witch Cult. Drop by and spend generously whenever you have time. It'll do you good.

"But you must treat them equally. Don't favor one over the other, or your clever plan will backfire and you'll end up shooting yourself in the foot. Don't come looking for me then."

Chang Yanping hurriedly nodded his agreement. That information alone was worth the money he had just spent. Whatever you wanted to do, whoever you wanted to deal with, the most important thing was getting into their circle.

But entering their circle required meeting a few conditions, and knowing where to go was one of the most important. If you couldn't even find the place, how the hell were you supposed to get in?

Meng Huai swayed toward the elevator, saying as he walked, "Remember to have someone repair the rooftop. You don't want trouble down the line and another death on your conscience."

Chang Yanping followed his advice to the letter and immediately instructed Qin Xiuying to get it taken care of as soon as possible.

Meng Huai returned to the Villa and saw Yun Zimo standing at the entrance, looking ready to turn into a stone waiting for her husband. Warmth immediately filled his heart, and a smile spread across his face.

Seeing Meng Huai return, Yun Zimo hurried over and asked with concern how things had gone. Yet there was no worry in her eyes, as though she had never doubted that he would come back.

Meng Huai thoroughly enjoyed Yun Zimo's concern and trust. He recounted the entire affair, embellishing his own role until he sounded like an unrivaled hero.

Yun Zimo looked at him admiringly. "I knew my husband was the best. That fellow dared to act up around you? He clearly didn't know what was good for him. Beat him every time you see him."

Meng Huai pulled Yun Zimo into his arms and laughed. "My wife is absolutely right. That fellow dared to be arrogant because he had no idea who he was dealing with. I'll beat him until he questions his whole life."

Yun Zimo rested her head on his shoulder and slowly closed her eyes, leaving herself entirely at his disposal. She was irresistibly alluring.

After a bout of passionate lovemaking, Meng Huai held Yun Zimo and said, "Chang Yanping offered me a one-percent equity stake for free. I've already told him to put it in your name. From now on, I'll make sure you're well fed and nice and plump."

Yun Zimo smiled and nodded. "Do you think you're raising a pig? What if you fatten me up and then don't want me anymore?"

Meng Huai laughed. "Where would I find a pig as adorable as you? You're the one for me in this life. How could I ever stop wanting you? And not just this life—we'll be together in every lifetime."

Yun Zimo trembled slightly at those words, then looked blissfully happy, as though she was deeply moved.

Several days passed in a flash. Yun Zimo said to Meng Huai, "Chang Yanping's money has arrived, but there's still some paperwork to handle. I have a friend who's a lawyer, and she's a real beauty too. Come meet her with me."

Meng Huai lazily sipped his liquor. "You're the only beauty I have eyes for. I wouldn't spare anyone else a glance. Surely I don't need to go?"

Yun Zimo smiled alluringly. "You're getting sweeter and sweeter with your words. But if you have nothing to hide, why won't you come with me? Besides, with a beauty like me, would you really feel comfortable letting me go out alone?"

Meng Huai nodded glumly and went along with his wife, never expecting that it would lead to yet more trouble.