The black-robed figure stood motionless beside Feng Xiu, his presence pressing down on the entire theatre like an unseen weight. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and distorted, as if layered with sothing unnatural.
"I am a mber of the Red Cloud rcenary Group," he said calmly. "I am currently recruiting five people to hunt the Leviathan."
A ripple went through the audience.
"As for the Qualifications to attend this recruitnt..." he continued without pause. "As long as you have Tier-5 mana, you are welco to try. Those who are interested may et in the duel chamber for a test."
His head tilted slightly, as if scanning the crowd through the demonic mask. "That is all."
Without waiting for questions or reactions, a dark aura surged around his body. The light on the stage warped for a brief instant, and then he vanished as if he had never been there.
The theatre erupted into mixed reactions. So hunters whispered excitedly, eyes shining with ambition. Others frowned deeply, instinctively wary. A few sat in silence, faces pale, still feeling the lingering pressure he had left behind.
Inside Lin Fang's mind, a deep, amused voice stirred. "I like this human," Tiamat said lazily. "He is filled with chaos yet has so much control over it."
Almost at the sa ti, Alpha's voice erged from the mana core, calm but probing. "Are you considering joining him?"
Lin Fang didn't hesitate.
"No way," he answered firmly. "I have no intention of associating with soone like that. And if Red Cloud is full of people like him, it's better to stay far away."
Alpha fell silent, as if quietly approving.
anwhile, Adam leaned closer. "So," he asked the sa question, "are you going to join him, bro?"
Lin Fang shook his head. "No. Sothing about him doesn't feel right to ."
Adam nodded at once, relief flashing across his face. "Good. I didn't feel right about it either."
Back on stage, Feng Xiu cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention back. "Apologies for the interruption," he said, his expression composed once more. "Now then, that concludes tonight's briefing."
His tone softened slightly. "To ease the tension, there will be a party on the ship tonight. Consider it an early Christmas celebration. Enjoy yourselves."
A few hunters chuckled, the atmosphere lightening just a bit.
"The banquet has already been arranged," Feng Xiu continued with a nod. "If you prefer Zhonggou cuisine, please proceed to the inner dining hall. If you're in the mood for international dishes from Zuania, Novus Mundus, or Siberia, the outer dining area will be open."
With that, the formal tension of the eting finally dissolved.
Lin Fang rose from his seat along with Lin i, Adam, and Nebula. They had barely taken a few steps toward the exit when a uniford guard approached and blocked their path.
"Excuse ," the guard said, his tone respectful. His gaze settled on Lin Fang. "Are you Mr. Lin Fang?"
Lin Fang paused and nodded. "Yes."
The guard straightened. "Master Feng wishes to et you in the captain's office. Alone. Please follow ."
Lin Fang blinked, montarily caught off guard. Lin i and Adam exchanged surprised looks, neither of them expecting this.
Nearby, a few hunters who overheard the exchange slowed their steps. Quiet murmurs spread among them, curious and speculative.
"Did you hear that?"
"Master Feng wants to see him personally?"
"Who exactly is that guy…"
Lin Fang took a slow breath and nodded again. "Alright."
Lin Fang slowed his steps and turned to his companions before following the guard any farther.
"I know what Master Feng wants to talk to about," Lin Fang said quietly. His voice was calm, but there was a weight behind it that Lin i imdiately noticed. "I'll join you later at the dining area."
Lin i studied his face for a mont, then nodded. "Don't take too long."
Adam gave him a short smile, joking. "We'll save you so food."
Lin Fang turned to Nebula, who stood behind. "Nebula," he said, his tone firm, "your task is to stay with my sister like a shadow until I return. Protect her."
Nebula's eyes glow brightened briefly as she nodded. "You can be assured that she will be safe, Master."
Lin Fang straightened and gave a single nod. With that, he followed the guard away, leaving the warmth of familiar faces behind.
The path to the captain's office led downward, deeper into the ship.
By the ti they reached the second basent, the atmosphere had changed completely. The noise of people and music was gone, replaced by silence and the steady vibration of machinery hidden behind thick walls.
The guard stopped in front of a reinforced door and gestured politely. "Please wait here."
Lin Fang stood alone in the quiet room, hands resting loosely at his sides. He didn't pace. He didn't sit. He simply waited, his mind steady, though sothing uneasy stirred beneath the surface.
The door opened a few minutes later.
Feng Xiu walked in and closed it behind him, his expression composed as always. He gestured toward a couch nearby. "Have a seat."
Lin Fang sat down, his posture straight but relaxed, eyes never leaving Feng Xiu.
Feng Xiu took the seat opposite him and studied him for a mont before speaking. "Do you know why I wanted to et you now?"
Lin Fang didn't answer imdiately. "Is it related to my family," he asked instead, "or the Rift?"
Feng Xiu's lips curved slightly. "Both."
The word settled heavily in the air.
"Over the past few months," Feng Xiu continued, "I've been tracking your records. Not just your performance as a hunter, but your personal history as well, considering you know how we parted badly last ti."
Lin Fang's fingers curled subtly.
"I have so news about your biological mother," Feng Xiu said calmly, "and your twin sister."
Lin Fang's breath caught before he could stop it. His body tensed, every muscle drawing tight. "Where are they?" he asked, the words coming out sharper than he intended.
Feng Xiu's expression turned serious. "Before I answer that, you need to understand sothing." He leaned forward slightly. "This information is… a bit heavy, I must say. Once you hear it, there's no turning back. You won't be able to walk away from it as if nothing happened."
Feng Xiu then looked him straight in the eye. "Do you still want to hear it?"
Lin Fang t his gaze without flinching. After a brief silence, he nodded slowly. "Tell the truth," he said. "What I do with it… leave that to ."
Feng Xiu studied him for another mont, then exhaled softly.
"Very well," he said. "Then listen carefully."
When he finally began, his voice was steady, but the story itself carried the weight of decades.
"This story begins about fifty years ago," he said. "Back then, there was only one dominant force: The Sky Group, headquartered in the Eastern Han nation. Your great-grandfather was its founder."
Lin Fang sat still, listening.
"Your great-grandfather had two sons," Feng Xiu continued. "One was his biological child. The other was adopted. The adopted son was older and beca the first child in the household. Because of that, your great-grandfather favored him greatly. Not just that, his adopted son was very talented and brave, said to have all the qualities of a hero."
Feng Xiu's eyes flickered with sothing unreadable. "But, your biological grandfather grew up in that shadow of a talented and inspiring elder brother whom everyone looked up to, and over ti, resentnt took root in his heart. Eventually, he made a terrible decision."
Lin Fang's jaw tightened.
"That's right. He planned the assassination of his adopted brother," Feng Xiu said calmly. "The plan has also succeeded. The adopted son died, and everyone believed the Sky Group would naturally fall into your grandfather's hands."
Feng Xiu paused for a mont before continuing. "But your great-grandfather surprised everyone. Instead of leaving everything to your grandfather, he split the Sky Group in two."
Lin Fang's eyes narrowed slightly.
"He gave half of the shares and assets to the adopted son's wife, who was believed to be pregnant with the adopted son's child at the ti," Feng Xiu said. "That decision led to the birth of the Northern Sky Group and the Southern Sky Group."
Feng Xiu leaned back slightly. "It was only much later that the truth ca out. The adopted son was actually infertile, and the child in his wife's womb was not his. She had conceived through sperm donation."
Lin Fang felt a strange chill.
"But by then," Feng Xiu continued, "your great-grandfather was already dead. With half of the Sky Group's assets, that woman also fully established the Northern Sky Group."
Feng Xiu let the silence stretch before moving on.
"Your father was born to your biological grandfather," he said. "And your mother…" He paused briefly. "Well… this is where things get interesting. Your mother was born as the Northern sky's heiress. The wife of the adopted son."
Lin Fang's eyes widened. "What?" His voice slipped out before he could stop it. "They were brother and sister?"
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