38: Lure the Ace of Poker

"Young Master, should we take action?" Ling Wu requested, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Daring to lay a hand on the Young Master was already a capital offense in his heart.

Ling Xian played with the Jade Pendant in his hand and shook his head: "Don't alert the enemy by beating the grass.

A killer of this caliber will disappear immediately once she realizes she's being watched. We need a trap she won't suspect.

It's best if she jumps into it willingly."

He pondered for a moment, already having a plan in mind.

He would use himself as bait, lure her with Taohua, and draw the snake out of its hole.

"We need to deal with this tomorrow at the latest; the day after tomorrow, I still have to attend the Donghai Grand Competition."

Just as Ling Xian and Chi Taohua were designing the plan, his parents' call came through.

"Little Xian, I heard from subordinates that you encountered a killer. Should I ask Tianshi to send Fourth Ling and Ling San over to you?" Tang Qiaolan's voice was filled with worry.

In a daze, he imagined his mother sobbing right in front of him.

"Mom, who told you nonsense? Your son is sharp; how could I possibly be injured? It's all rumors," Ling Xian explained, his scalp tingling.

He remembered clearly that he hadn't revealed the news of his injury; almost no one knew.

The Dark Guards couldn't possibly leak his orders... only Ling Wu.

Ling Xian was about to hang up when Ling Tianshi snatched the phone and emphasized, "If you really need manpower, tell me. Also, be more cautious and don't be fooled by those old geezers.

If worse comes to worst, I'll talk to your Grandfather..."

Ling Tianshi's love for Ling Xian was more unspoken; he expressed it primarily through action.

He did his best to give Ling Xian everything he had.

"I'll handle my own matters myself. You don't need to worry. Bye!"

"Little Xian!"

"If something happens, remember not to bottle it up. I know you're independent, but Dad... will always be your backup."

"Bye."

This time, Ling Xian quickly hung up, not giving Ling Tianshi a chance to speak.

In the hospital, inside a special ward.

Ling Tianshi looked at the hung-up phone and remained silent for a long time.

Tang Qiaolan noticed Ling Tianshi's reaction and comforted him: "It's normal for this boy to have his own ideas.

After three years apart, things will get better over time."

"It's also my fault. When he was young, I placed him with the Xia Family to develop the Ling Corporation, so it's normal that he's not close to me." Ling Tianshi recalled the hardships of a decade ago.

"You can't blame yourself either. Back then, you had a falling out with the Old Master..." Tang Qiaolan stopped the words on her tongue, unable to say them... Inside Villa Number One.

Chi Taohua cautiously observed Ling Xian, "Young Master, are you crying..."

"The Young Master isn't crying." Ling Xian quickly wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes and pulled Chi Taohua into his embrace.

"Ah! Young Master, I was wrong, I was wrong."

Ling Xian started spanking Chi Taohua's little bottom.

Honestly, it felt quite pleasant.

"Tonight, you go..." Ling Xian quietly told Chi Taohua the plan.

"Understood, Young Master, I'll go now." Chi Taohua hurriedly left.

Leaving Ling Xian alone where he stood.

"Child of Destiny, hehe, it's just a difference in stance.

Whether it's for myself or for my family.

You people have never been the protagonists in my eyes.

And I will absolutely become your nightmare."

After Chi Taohua left, Ling Xian looked at Ling Wu, who was trying his best to remain calm beside him.

"Ling Wu, explain to this Young Master, how did Ling Tianshi and my mother know I was injured?

Didn't I say to block the news?" Ling Xian slowly approached, his Imposing Pressure making Ling Wu momentarily unable to breathe.

"Young Master, well... recently the Dark Guards' movements were too frequent. The Master noticed and asked, and I... I... couldn't keep my mouth shut.

You can punish me however you want; I accept it all. It has nothing to do with the other Dark Guards." Ling Wu stammered at first, then forcefully accepted everything.

"Don't let there be a next time." Ling Xian was about to start the plan.

He would try his best to show generosity toward Ling Wu.

Moreover, this matter is neither too serious nor too trivial.

Night fell, thick as ink.

In the living room of Villa Number One in Shanhai Manor, Ling Xian leaned on the sofa, his brow furrowed.

He couldn't even investigate the full details of the Poker Organization, only simple intelligence that most forces could uncover.

Before him was an encrypted piece of intelligence. The woman in the photo had sharp black hair and neat features, possessing a softness unique to the East, yet her eyes were cold as frost.

"Yi Shuang, codenamed Poker A, Chinese descent, twenty-five years old.

First-generation Genetic Potion Injector of the Poker Organization, skilled in precision sniping, mechanical modification, and toxicology application.

In the past five years, her Assassination Mission success rate is ninety-nine percent."

This intelligence looked detailed, but Ling Xian knew clearly that most of it had been extracted from Chi Taohua.

The Dark Guards' investigation hadn't reached these details yet, mainly due to insufficient time.

Ling Xian's gaze turned toward Chi Taohua, who was curled up in the corner of the sofa, fiercely eating a bucket of ice cream.

The Little Loli sensed his gaze and protectively guarded the ice cream bucket: "Young Master, I only have half a bucket left."

"Don't worry, this Young Master won't steal yours. Go ahead and eat." Ling Xian chuckled, then said seriously: "Chi Taohua, it's your turn to go on stage."

"A-jie and I have already made contact. But..." Chi Taohua put down her spoon, wiped her mouth, and her round face showed a rare serious expression, "Do we really have to trick A-jie? She's very sharp."

"That's why it has to be realistic." Ling Xian leaned closer, "Just tell her that I imprisoned and abused you, that you discovered I was severely injured, and beg her to come save you."

"Huh?" Chi Taohua widened her eyes.

"Acting." Ling Xian explained persuasively, "Give yourself some real injuries. The Living Dead have medicine that makes the wounds look serious but heal in a day."

Chi Taohua shivered and hugged herself: "Does it hurt?"

"Yes, it hurts!" Ling Xian chose not to deceive the Little Loli, "But there's no choice. Poker A only trusts what she sees with her own eyes."

Chi Taohua's eyes became firm, as if she had made a certain decision: "Fine, for A-jie to leave the Poker Organization, I'll risk it! But... after it's done, I want the full set of 12 Zodiac Custom Cakes!"

"Deal!"

...In the middle of the night, Chi Taohua was deceiving Poker A, and Ling Xian also started his own task.

He took out the opportunity that was originally outside Lin Feng's plot—a Jade Pendant.

Ling Xian didn't know how to activate this Jade Pendant.

So, he imitated the Blood Recognition Ritual mentioned in some fantasy novels, dripping blood from his fingertip, only to find it useless.

"Sure enough, I shouldn't trust..."

Next, he used many methods, roasting it with fire and soaking it in water.

Until the System, illusion dream, couldn't stand it anymore and kindly reminded him:

[host, um... is it possible... that you infuse Spiritual Power into it.]

"Why didn't you remind me earlier? Instead, you've just been watching the show.

illusion dream, you're getting boring."

[Uh...]

As the words fell, Ling Xian infused Spiritual Power into it.

Soon, the Spiritual Power pierced into it, and a white light flashed.

Ling Xian saw nothing and immediately fell into a deep sleep.

Besides the System, illusion dream, no one noticed an invisible Mark appearing on Ling Xian's right palm.