Elvire wore a smile. Huang Long wore silence.

They walked through the medical zone—technically a top-tier hospital in Radiance City, with a section temporarily cordoned off for the magic exchange tournament.

The grassy area, bustling earlier, now lay eerily quiet. Elvire settled onto a stone bench without hesitation, then crooked a finger at Huang Long. Every movement dripped with allure.

Huang Long felt no excitement before this vision—only fear. He remembered her power, her family’s weight. Even Huang Long, who controlled nearly twenty percent of the world’s commerce, dared not entertain improper thoughts. He perched rigidly on the very edge of his seat.

"Mr. Huang Long, you needn’t fear me so," Elvire sighed, watching his half-sitting, half-standing posture. "You’re making *me* nervous."

"Miss Elvire," Huang Long said flatly. "State your business. I have no time to waste. My injured daughter needs me."

"Hmm~ Rest easy about your daughter. Garna will care for her. It’d be terribly rude if my people couldn’t even manage that."

*So Huang Shi-Yao is already a hostage.*

Understanding this, Huang Long swallowed hard. Sweat beaded on his brow.

"T-That’s... good to hear."

"Hmph... Enough chatter. Let’s discuss a deal."

"A deal?"

Huang Long turned, startled. Elvire’s face glowed with sunny warmth.

"Mmhmm! A deal that benefits *only* you, Mr. Huang Long. A very... *big* deal."

"But my daughter—"

"I’ve already paid the deposit. Or would you prefer returning that vial? That would trouble me greatly."

".........."

Beneath the calm words, Huang Long’s heart hammered with terror. He forced his trembling limbs still. Her meaning was clear: *Dare return my deposit, and your entire family dies.*

He knew this wasn’t empty threat. Elvire’s delicate beauty often drew fools who mistook her for easy prey. Their fate? Death. Not just the offender—every relative vanished overnight. All because she’d frowned at their crude words.

"M-May I ask... the price for this transaction?" Huang Long ventured.

"Hmm? Most ask *what* they’ll gain. You ask *what* you’ll lose first. How intriguing, Mr. Huang Long."

"Y-Yes..."

Sweat trickled down his temple. He didn’t dare wipe it. Seeing this, Elvire decided playtime was over.

She rose and stepped before him. Her gentle smile vanished, replaced by a businesslike mask.

"Simple. You pay a sum. In international currency."

"May I ask the amount?"

"Two billion."

"So... *little*?!"

The figure stunned him—not for being too high, but too low. Such a paltry sum from *her* lips?

"Enough to hire *them*."

"*Them*?"

Huang Long caught the keyword instantly.

"Enough!" Elvire’s voice turned icy. "I tolerate this charade only because you hold the *timing* I need. Understand that."

"Y-Yes..."

The sudden venom in her eyes chilled him. An intangible pressure—psychological, yet undeniably real—froze his worry for his daughter into numb clarity.

"Two billion. I’ll broker mercenaries to annihilate the Ouyang Clan. You get revenge. I achieve my goal. That’s the deal."

"This..."

Huang Long reeled at her words.

"The potion I gave you will heal your daughter’s skin. I’ll extinguish the hatred festering in your heart. You lose nothing."

"But why destroy the Ouyangs *now*? They’re one of this continent’s mightiest families! Annihilate them? How can you—"

"Heh."

Her gentle smile returned. Yet Huang Long felt no sweetness—only creeping dread.

*Fear.* A girl who casually ordered entire families erased was unnatural. And she had the power to make it happen.

"Think carefully. But I have six hours. Sunset is my deadline to leave this city. I won’t reclaim the potion... but your chance for vengeance will vanish. Weigh your strength honestly. Your laughable *connections* can’t topple the Ouyang Clan."

Without waiting for reply, Elvire sashayed away.

".........."

Huang Long remained seated, ignoring her departure. Thoughts churned. Every path led to the same choice. He loathed Ouyang Feng. He despised that vile Ouyang Long. Given the chance, he’d tear them apart with his bare hands.

Only one answer remained.

"Shi-Yao," he whispered, rising. "Father will avenge you. Even if it costs me everything..."

His posture shifted. A shrewd aura radiated from him—the true bearing of a master merchant.