Chapter 559: Playing with the Divine Path, and Playing with the Divine Path

Sneaking into someone's home on their birthday and burning all the contracts—such an act is no different from theft, perhaps even worse. If Li Qingshan had a choice, he wouldn't want to do such a thing, but he had no other option.

What seemed like a disgraceful act to Li Qingshan merely elicited a light chuckle from Chen Ling.

"I thought you were going to do something big... And this is it?"

"Huh?" Li Qingshan instinctively retorted, "Isn't that enough?"

Clearly, if committing evil acts had ranks, Li Qingshan might not even make it past the first level. Whereas Chen Ling, as a "trouble maker," "family annihilator," "financial fraudster," "master scapegoater," "top instigator," and "realm destroyer," could definitely be crowned with a ninth-level title. The thought that for the gentleman Li Qingshan was already considered utterly wicked was no different from child's play in Chen Ling's eyes.

Chen Ling silently patted his shoulder, comforting him: "For you, deciding to take this step is already quite good."

Li Qingshan didn't understand Chen Ling's meaning. As if remembering something, he countered, "By the way, Brother Lin, what are you doing infiltrating the Big Dipper Conglomerate?"

"Nothing much, just taking care of a small matter."

"Oh..."

Chen Ling looked at Li Qingshan before him, and a thought suddenly came to mind. "Brother Li."

"Hmm?"

"How about this: I help you solve your contract problem, and you do me a favor?"

"Really? Brother Lin... You can really help me solve it?" Li Qingshan was startled, then shook his head. "No... This is the Big Dipper Conglomerate. There are Divine Path wielders everywhere. The risk is too great... Brother Lin, I can't drag you into this."

Chen Ling chuckled, "Don't worry, your matter is just a piece of cake for me."

Li Qingshan recalled the commotion Chen Ling had caused in Willow Town earlier, and his expression grew complicated. What was difficult for him might truly be nothing for Chen Ling. He then asked: "Brother Lin, just tell me how you need my help."

A smile played on Chen Ling's lips as he leaned in close to Li Qingshan's ear. "Here's the situation... I need you to..."

After listening, a flicker of shock crossed Li Qingshan's face. He pondered for a moment, looking uncertain, then nodded slightly: "I understand. Brother Lin, don't worry, I'll make sure there are no slip-ups on my end."

"Good."

Li Qingshan straightened the corner of his robe, which Chen Ling had creased earlier. He exchanged glances with Chen Ling, who, seeing this, gave an awkward smile. The two then walked simultaneously towards the warehouse door.

Dim light filtered in through the narrow windows, and dust rose with their footsteps. Two opera robes, one red and one blue, brushed the ground as they walked side by side, stopping before the warehouse door.

"Brother Lin," Li Qingshan turned to him, "I never thought we'd have a day fighting side by side."

"Indeed, fate works in mysterious ways."

Chen Ling gripped the warehouse doorknob. As if remembering something, he smiled faintly, "Oh, Brother Li, I forgot to tell you something just now..."

"Welcome to... the Way of the Thespian God."

*Creak—*

As the warehouse door creaked open, the two figures, one in red and one in blue, simultaneously raised a hand to their chins and tore, two mask-like faces dissolving into the air. Their forms shifted at the same time, and they vanished side by side at the end of the road.

Audience Anticipation: 5

Deep within Big Dipper Manor.

As a black car slowly pulled up in front of a luxurious building, Li Ruohong opened the door and stepped out. This was Mu Chunsheng's private residence, outside the guest activity area of the birthday banquet hall, and thus exceptionally quiet. Apart from the occasional security guard passing by, no one else was seen moving about.

After the car stopped, a figure emerged from behind the main gate. Li Ruohong recognized this man; he was Mu Chunsheng's personal bodyguard, and also a powerful Divine Path wielder.

"Zhong Qi, long time no see. Is my uncle inside?" Li Ruohong raised a hand to greet him.

Zhong Qi didn't even look at him, merely grunted faintly, then his full attention fixed on the two figures getting out of the back seat. As their gazes met, an inexplicable pressure began to spread through the surroundings. Zhong Qi could feel that these two individuals were of no low rank, and both carried a strange, mysterious aura, along with an aloofness that warned others to keep their distance—perfectly matching their stereotypical impression of the Way of the Shaman God.

"Please, come in, both of you." Zhong Qi gestured with neither humility nor arrogance. "The Chairman has been waiting for quite some time."

As he assessed the two, they also gave him a brief glance. After a grunt, they slowly ascended the steps and walked into the residence.

Just as Li Ruohong was about to follow, a hand stopped him outside the door. Li Ruohong froze. "Zhong Qi, what is the meaning of this?"

"The Chairman wishes to speak privately with these two. Young Master Ruohong, it is not appropriate for you to be present," Zhong Qi replied calmly.

"Not appropriate for me to be present??" Li Ruohong's eyes widened. "Are you serious? Chairman Mu is my own uncle, and I brought these two people here myself..."

"The Chairman said your temperament is too impetuous. It's not appropriate for you to overhear what they discuss."

"My temperament is impetuous, I..." Li Ruohong opened his mouth, intending to argue, but under Zhong Qi's intensely oppressive gaze, he silently swallowed his words.

"You can amuse yourself at the banquet hall for now. After the birthday banquet affairs are concluded, the Chairman will see you," Zhong Qi added, his tone much softer this time.

"...Tsk, fine, fine." Li Ruohong cast one last glance at the closed door, then, resigned, turned to leave. He happened to see several servers pushing mountains of gifts into the lavish mansion and suddenly seemed to remember something.

"Oh, right, the gift I prepared for my uncle is in there too. Remember to remind him to take a look; that thing was very expensive."

"Understood."

Li Ruohong left Mu Chunsheng's residence and headed straight towards the banquet hall.

As more and more guests arrived, the atmosphere at the venue grew livelier. Li Ruohong walked along a path and, from a distance, saw the bustling crowd inside the hall, including several slender female celebrities. Li Ruohong licked his lips, adjusted his hair and collar in a nearby glass reflection, and was about to approach to chat when a figure suddenly stepped out from the side.

"Young Master Ruohong."

Li Ruohong looked back in confusion, seeing a burly man with thick hair standing at the corner. The moment he saw that face, Li Ruohong instinctively trembled.

Damn it... How is he here?

Li Ruohong forced an awkward smile and spoke politely: "Isn't this Director Wang from the Police Department...? Is there something you need me for?"

The "Director" held a transparent umbrella, standing in the drizzling rain. His gaze fixed on Li Ruohong's somewhat unnatural expression as he slowly began to speak.

"Young Master Ruohong, there are some matters we need to discuss."