"It’s actually quite pretty!" Lü Zhong said, putting away the Spiritual Artifact with the expression of someone watching a good show.

At that moment, a streak of rainbow light appeared in the distance, flying at an incredible speed.

It was clearly a Golden Core Master from Changchun Valley, rushing over after receiving a report.

Lady Butterfly truly lived up to her reputation as a Demon Cultivator who had repeatedly escaped Changchun Valley’s pursuit. She had originally planned to dive in for another strike. Even if she couldn’t kill Lü Zhong, she wanted to severely injure him to avenge her recently severed arm. But upon seeing the Golden Core Master from Changchun Valley arrive, she immediately changed her mind, turned, and fled into the distance.

A dozen or so breaths later, a streak of rainbow light shot past at extreme speed, chasing in the direction Lady Butterfly had fled.

One pursued while the other fled, and in the blink of an eye, they were gone.

Another breath later, the ROARING sound of thunder echoed—the commotion kicked up by the Golden Core Master just now.

’Flying faster than the speed of sound... As expected of a Golden Core Master!’

Lü Zhong marveled inwardly before turning to look at the dust-covered Yu Feng’Er.

Regarding their deal, as long as she reported Zhang Miao to Changchun Valley later, he would not be able to escape the crime of colluding with a Demon Cultivator. Her other competitor, Lin Fangyun, along with all the Commerce Association’s Stewards, had died in Yunlu Pavilion.

In a way, Yu Feng’Er’s goal had been achieved, albeit indirectly.

As long as she could take over all the properties of the Chengde Commerce Association, large and small, she would become the rightful Chairman and regain control of the Commerce Association that Yu Chengde had built with his own hands.

It was only after he reminded her that Yu Feng’Er belatedly understood.

"I... I’ve taken back the Chengde Commerce Association?"

She wore an expression of disbelief. Then, as if she had accepted the reality of it, tears began to well up in her eyes, carving two tracks through the grime on her face. She suddenly burst into tears.

Lü Zhong stood aside, watching coolly without disturbing her.

He walked a few steps over to a large impact crater and picked up a fair, tender severed arm from its edge.

The cut on the arm was clean, and the blood that had flowed out was already half-congealed.

What puzzled him was that there wasn’t the slightest trace of Demonic Qi on the arm. Instead, it exuded a strange, fresh fragrance that, upon being smelled, stirred one’s appetite and created an urge to devour it.

’What’s going on?’ Lü Zhong found it baffling.

After a moment of thought, he placed a Sealing Prohibition on it and stored it in a jade box.

’I’ll investigate it when I get back. If it’s some kind of treasure, I’ll keep it. If not, I’ll hand it over to Changchun Valley. That should prevent Lady Butterfly from targeting me later, and I’ll probably be able to get something good in return.’ 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Meanwhile, Yu Feng’Er had finally finished crying.

Seeing Lü Zhong approach, she clasped her hands—right over left—between her chest and abdomen, bent her knees slightly, lowered her head, and performed a deep, standard curtsy.

This gesture clearly showed the depth of her gratitude.

’Looks like she has some redeeming qualities after all,’ Lü Zhong thought to himself. ’At least she knows how to be grateful.’

But then Yu Feng’Er spoke, stammering, "Fellow Daoist, I will never forget your immense kindness. But I also know that a massive enterprise like the Chengde Commerce Association, with all its properties and shops, is worth at least several hundred thousand Spirit Stones. It’s bound to attract covetous wolves. The Yu Family is weak now. Without a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator as a backer, we definitely won’t be able to hold onto it..."

"So?" Lü Zhong raised an eyebrow.

Before she could continue, he cut her off. "Heh, I’m just a contractor. Even if I’m selling you an empty bag, I expect to be paid for it. Aren’t you afraid of repeating your past mistakes by talking like this, and handing the Chengde Commerce Association over to someone else again?"

"I’m not afraid!" Yu Feng’Er met Lü Zhong’s gaze, and for once, she didn’t shrink back. She stepped forward, chest out, and said, "I can tell that you are not a man without principles, Fellow Daoist. You are definitely not some heartless, cruel person. You must have your own code, and you are absolutely not like the Zhangs, father and son!"

"..." Lü Zhong was speechless.

’How come I never knew I had so many virtues?’

’Oh, right. She didn’t mention that I’m a lecher.’