"Just answer truthfully." Though Phoenix’s tone was gentle, her expression carried undeniable authority.

"Someone stronger than me… should be gentler."

"Your latter requirement is modest. It’s the first part that’s tricky…" A playful smile curled Phoenix’s lips. "Next question: What is the Yin Family’s purpose in sending you into the secular world?"

These were questions Cat Gem had already answered during her previous visit to The Alliance. Phoenix repeated them now, her voice casual, her gaze seemingly unfocused. Yet those dark eyes meticulously tracked every subtle shift in Cat Gem’s expression.

Cat Gem’s answers matched those from years ago. Phoenix moved on.

………………………………

After a full day of interrogations…

Phoenix had questioned every possible SS Rank district peacekeeper. Like Cat Gem, each faced endless queries before being ushered out of the folded space. By the time she finished, dawn’s first light had faded into sunset.

Now seated at her desk, Phoenix surveyed the ten figures below. Arms crossed, legs swinging slightly, her voice turned icy.

"I’ve found them."

She smiled as she spoke.

The ten froze—but their reactions surprised Phoenix. Not a single face showed fear or shock.

"But I won’t say who." Phoenix continued. "If Raven wants to play this game, I’ll indulge them. No need for suspicion among you. Continue your duties. Within a year, I’ll personally apprehend Raven. Meeting adjourned."

The attendees exchanged glances, relief washing over them. Even the innocent had felt the day’s crushing pressure. As they rose to leave, Phoenix stood alone after the room emptied. She stared at the setting sun, silent for a long moment—then slammed her fist onto the desk.

…She’d lied.

All day, she’d probed them. Even subtle psychological tricks and hypnotic cues revealed no trace of betrayal. All ten were utterly loyal to The Alliance. Some had messy private lives, yes—but none harbored disloyalty.

Yet only these ten had clearance to access her personally designed surveillance system. And Raven’s intimate knowledge of The Alliance *had* to stem from an insider… Who?

For the first time, Phoenix tasted defeat.

Madness flickered in her eyes. She rubbed her reddened knuckles, watching the sunset, teeth clenched as she whispered:

"Whoever you are… I *will* drag you into the light."

……………………………………

Lin Ran spent two whole days gaming at home.

No need to go out meant embracing greasy shut-in life. He and Ink Orange Ice played extensively—but Lin Ran still couldn’t boost her to Diamond rank. Ink Orange Ice’s voice turned plaintive; she was convinced he was doing it on purpose.

When not gaming, she sent him carefully staged photos—each deliberately provocative. Yet Lin Ran stayed unmoved at home, refusing to visit. Left alone, Ink Orange Ice filled her days with toys, games, and idol dramas. Not boring, exactly.

Meanwhile, Xu Zhi’s short videos kept gaining traction. She always consulted Lin Ran beforehand to avoid missteps. Her follower count had just breached one million. Going live now could mean serious income.

But Lin Ran knew Xu Zhi didn’t truly want this. Not that she’d half-ass it—if pushed, she’d work tirelessly to excel. He understood, though: she despised a life built on forced smiles and cheap attention.

So Lin Ran insisted they skip this path. "It pays well," he’d say, "but it’ll cripple your future." Xu Zhi obediently agreed. Today, Lin Ran headed to Silver Lady for a dress fitting.

She *was* a master tailor.

……………………………………

"So… I’m truly the least important of Master’s maids, aren’t I?" Silver Lady sat in an office chair, clad in a maid dress, gazing at Raven across the desk. Her eyes brimmed with wounded reproach. "You summon me for dresses, mall discounts, convention setups… But for *needs*? For boredom? You never call for me."

"Stop talking nonsense."

Lin Ran’s voice was soft. "The dress is exquisite."

Silver Lady’s lips curved upward. Her black heels tapped lightly against the floor—*clink, clack, clink*. "Master… do you realize we’re nearly broke?"

"Broke? Why?" Raven froze.

*Where’s my money?*

"Do you know how much Seductress withdrew from me? Four hundred million! *Four hundred million!*" Silver Lady’s voice quivered with theatrical hurt.

"Why would she need that much? Our plan isn’t for another three months."

"What do *you* think? Don’t you follow entertainment news?"

"…Not really."

"Good." Silver Lady’s mood lifted instantly at his indifference toward *her*. "So where’s our money?"

"Unimportant. Seductress will repay me one billion later." Silver Lady sniffed. "But our cash flow *is* tight right now."

"Then bleed me dry." Raven sighed, offering his wrist.

Silver Lady pulled a row of twenty tiny test tubes—each 2ml—from a cabinet. She placed them before Raven, then slid close beside him.

Lin Ran—unmasked—resignedly bit his index finger. Blood welled, dripping precisely into each tube.

Silver Lady watched his profile. When he finished, she cradled his wrist, drawing his finger to her lips. She sucked it gently into her mouth.

"What are you doing?"

"Disinfecting." Her words were muffled. Lin Ran met her eyes, slowly pulling his damp finger free. He wiped it on the lace heart cutout over her chest.

Silver Lady dipped her head, cupping her breast, and licked the moisture clean.

*So lewd.*

Lin Ran sealed the tubes. "Auction them in two days. I can’t oversee it tonight—I have plans."

"Where is Master going?"

"To The Alliance. To find InkLight Year. He’s negotiating with Phoenix to locate Ink Orange Ice."

"Will Master send InkLight Year back to the mountains?"

"Not necessarily." Lin Ran shook his head. "I might… return Ink Orange Ice myself."

"Yes!" Silver Lady’s eyes lit up instantly.

*Finally.* Without Ink Orange Ice here—without her having shoved her way into Master’s bed years ago—those nights spent with *her* would’ve been Silver Lady’s. Ink Orange Ice was a squatter. Banishing her? Pure joy.

But her excitement dimmed. She looked up at Lin Ran. "And after she’s gone… what will Master do with *me*?"

"Not decided yet. I just feel… Ink Orange Ice is acting strange."

"Strange?"

"I can’t pinpoint it. Maybe she’s nearing SS Rank breakthrough. Whether she returns to the mountains or stays elsewhere—it’s fine. Just… not beside me. I’ll respect her choice. First, I must meet InkLight Year."

Lin Ran sighed.

"Oh." Silver Lady nodded inwardly, already wishing Ink Orange Ice would break through *now*, sense the emotions swirling around her, and vanish forever. If she truly fell for Master later? Disaster. That spoiled brat learning to compete for affection? Unthinkable.

"See you in two days." Lin Ran pinched Silver Lady’s cheek lightly.

Before he could snap his fingers, she caught his collar. Leaning in, her knees parted his legs. "But Silver Lady hasn’t had her dessert yet."

"This isn’t sweet at all!"

"Packed with protein, though."

Her tone brooked no refusal.

Lin Ran *could* leave. But he hated hurting her. He knew her sacrifices. Yet the future weighed on him—a headache with no clear path.

*Barely twenty years left.*

This time, Silver Lady took more than a taste.

After all, her two-piece maid dress slipped off easily. Warmth and fullness met the dimming light.

……………………………………

Dusk.

Mask secured, Lin Ran double-checked the address his mole had sent. InkLight Year should be there. He glanced at the cat napping in the corner—then snapped his fingers.

The next second, he vanished from the spot.