Chapter 36 Are We Going Too Far

Chapter 36: Is This Taking Things Too Far?

For the next couple of weeks, Lin Juangui faithfully attended his psychological counseling sessions with Song Jie every Tuesday morning.

The moth orchid Lin Juangui had taken home was now thriving on his bedroom balcony, thanks to Song Jie's guidance.

But flowers, too, have their cycles. So, during their hour-long sessions, Lin Juangui would discuss not only the evolving trust between himself and [Lin Juangui] but also various plant care issues with Song Jie.

While Song Jie and Lin Juangui enjoyed their pleasant conversations, Yao Zhi's resentment grew noticeably heavier. The gloomy atmosphere in his office only worsened his already poor complexion. It wouldn't be long before more complaints about him surfaced on StarNet.

Yao Zhi had taught at the business school for many years, possessing extensive experience and having encountered countless students. Yet, only Lin Juangui managed to capture his attention so completely.

Lin Juangui was no ordinary person. He was, after all, Mu Zhang's Omega, and his recent donation of cultural relics had garnered him significant public acclaim. Everyone was curious about him, and Yao Zhi was no exception.

So, when Yao Zhi witnessed Lin Juangui revealing a side rarely seen by others, he felt not just excitement, but a profound satisfaction as his curiosity was finally appeased.

Lin Juangui was beginning to frustrate Yao Zhi.

He wasn't nearly as bothered when other students sought counseling from Song Jie. But Lin Juangui had offered him so many "hints," only to completely dash his hopes. Yao Zhi felt as though Lin Juangui was merely toying with him.

Yao Zhi was Liang Shanyue's lover, his role entirely dictated by Liang Shanyue's whims. Consequently, the emotional needs Liang Shanyue couldn't fulfill had to be sought elsewhere. Over the years, he'd likely tried countless times. Lin Juangui's sudden appearance had greatly pleased him, yet Lin Juangui kept him at arm's length, offering no response whatsoever.

Yao Zhi even felt as if Lin Juangui was testing him. But as a psychologist, how could he not discern whether someone was stringing him along or genuinely uninterested?

It was precisely this ambiguity that made Lin Juangui unforgettable to Yao Zhi.

Lin Juangui was uniquely captivating. Anyone he favored with a few extra glances would inevitably yearn for his perpetual attention.

This was the inherent human craving and desire, from which no one could truly distance themselves.

That day, as Lin Juangui concluded his session and prepared to take the elevator, Yao Zhi seized the opportunity, rushing in and positioning himself beside Lin Juangui.

Lin Juangui appeared startled, taking a step back. He looked at Yao Zhi's somewhat desperate gaze and smiled, feigning confusion. "Where are you off to in such a hurry, Dr. Yao?"

"Student Lin, don't you know why I absolutely had to come find you?"

Yao Zhi had run quickly. Leaning against the elevator wall, he panted, his gaze direct and unwavering. He no longer wished to waste time with Lin Juangui.

Lin Juangui pursed his lips, seemingly pondering for a moment before addressing Yao Zhi: "Do you think my consulting Dr. Song implies I'm discriminating against your professional skills? That's not it at all, please don't misunderstand. I simply don't care for the atmosphere in your office, that's all."

"You..." Yao Zhi was at a loss for a rebuttal. Lin Juangui's reason sounded genuinely sincere. Yao Zhi knew his office was decorated to his own taste, and Lin Juangui was perfectly entitled to dislike it. There was no need for Lin Juangui to even offer an explanation, especially one that would only make Yao Zhi feel awkward.

But upon further reflection, Yao Zhi felt it wasn't so simple.

If Lin Juangui truly disliked the dark tones of his office, why had their conversation been so pleasant back then?

Noticing Yao Zhi's quick realization, Lin Juangui flashed the mischievous smile Yao Zhi had seen countless times on the holographic screen. "When the relationship between doctor and patient becomes too close, it can lead to complications, especially with psychologists. Aren't you concerned about that, Dr. Yao?"

Lin Juangui asked as if in passing, but Yao Zhi guiltily averted his gaze. "So, from the very beginning, I was never even an option for you?"

"The fruits adorning a cake are always fresh and delightful, but right now, I don't even want the cake itself. I've been incredibly busy lately, Dr. Yao. Final exams are approaching, and I've missed some classes. Catching up will be quite difficult."

Yao Zhi was utterly disarmed by Lin Juangui's simple and unadorned reason. He even began to introspect, realizing he had been too eager and hadn't considered the repercussions of pursuing Lin Juangui.

Over the years, Yao Zhi had been a dominant figure in the counseling room. Although the center lacked senior management, as its most tenured member, he commanded great respect from the other psychologists.

He had never experienced a setback, let alone rejection from a student.

The elevator had reached the first floor. Lin Juangui waved to Yao Zhi and said, "Dr. Yao, thank you for being willing to be my cake. Once my studies stabilize, I'll come chat with you again."

Lin Juangui's confident and unburdened departure left Yao Zhi with a bitter smile.

His body was no longer his own, his heart tethered by an Omega. For a Beta to end up like this was truly tragic.

But Lin Juangui was still making excuses to brush him off. How could Yao Zhi possibly give up?

Another weekend arrived, and Mu Zhang finally had no banquets requiring Lin Juangui's attendance. Lin Juangui planned a trip to the Federal Capital Star.

The company was operating steadily, but Lin Juangui's significant investments required more professional oversight. This trip was not only to inspect employee performance but also to make an appearance at Zhuang Xi's gathering. He couldn't let Zhuang Xi feel neglected just because he had connected with Liang Shanyue.

Lin Juangui was on a private jet. Normally, he would wake up upon arrival at the Federal Capital Star, but when he opened his eyes and assessed his surroundings, he frowned in confusion.

The space was not small. About ten centimeters of water flowed across the floor. One wall was covered with monitors displaying the surrounding environment, while the opposite wall displayed an array of whips, ropes, and similar items.

The oppressive and damp atmosphere of a water dungeon was perfectly realized, yet Lin Juangui was hardly the intended audience for such things. He merely possessed extensive knowledge of them and was surprised to be so readily mistaken for an insider.

Only now did Lin Juangui realize he was strapped into an electric chair, his wrists and waist tightly bound, rendering him immobile.

The reason he instantly grasped his predicament was simply that Lin Juangui had experienced this before. He had once barely escaped from an arms dealer who commanded a private army. That man, captivated by Lin Juangui's beauty, desired him to willingly become his plaything, but Lin Juangui's sole desire was to kill him.

No one could inflict harm upon Lin Juangui and emerge unscathed. Lin Juangui was a deeply vindictive person, subscribing to the belief that revenge is a dish best served cold.

The water dungeon was dimly lit, creating a suffocating and eerie atmosphere. Although the surroundings were damp, this place was likely a wealthy individual's specially designed pleasure chamber. Lin Juangui detected no scent of mold or moss, but rather a faint hint of ylang-ylang.

Lin Juangui's glasses had been removed. Unaccustomed to this, he kept his eyes squinted.

He sensed someone standing behind him, observing him intently.

Lin Juangui wasn't about to wait for the person to speak and then be forced to answer questions. So, he chuckled softly and initiated the conversation: "Dr. Yao, what kind of madness is this?"

If Lin Juangui wasn't mistaken, this was likely the "secret base" that Yao Zhi and Liang Shanyue occasionally frequented. Lin Juangui had seen photos of this place, meaning there were surveillance cameras in this water dungeon, and they were easily hackable.

Thus, the mastermind behind this kidnapping was self-evident.

Both Yao Zhi and Lin Juangui were mere actors on this stage. Was Yao Zhi so desperate because he couldn't complete the task Liang Shanyue had assigned him, forcing him to resort to such extreme measures?

From the moment Mu Zhang warned Lin Juangui about the consequences of failing his mental health assessment before he even enrolled, to Mu Zhang taking Lin Juangui to Liang Shanyue's birthday banquet, these were all Mu Zhang's ways of conveying messages to Lin Juangui.

Liang Shanyue was no fool. Both Mu Zhang's forceful pressure and Lin Juangui's deliberate proximity made him sense danger. He knew Lin Juangui's mental health evaluation was unsatisfactory and intended to question Yao Zhi for information, only to find Yao Zhi behaving unusually.

After discovering Yao Zhi had watched Lin Juangui's video footage well over a hundred times, Liang Shanyue laughed for a long time, then slapped Yao Zhi across the face.

"Betas can't release pheromones to please Omegas. Letting you stay with me this long was already a reward, but I didn't expect you to be so cheap, actually enjoying being played with?"

If not for Yao Zhi's precise techniques and meticulous guidance, Liang Shanyue would not have kept a Beta by his side for so long, let alone allowed him to hold a position at the top school on Yun Gang Star.

But Yao Zhi emphatically told Liang Shanyue: "Don't you think he has ulterior motives? If I can help you make him talk, wouldn't we also uncover why Mu Zhang is constantly pressuring you?"

Ultimately, this was a probing game where everyone harbored ulterior motives. Both Lin Juangui and Yao Zhi were well aware of it.

The sound of shoes splashing in the water was particularly grating. Yao Zhi approached to observe Lin Juangui's state. Seeing him still lounging loosely, devoid of any tension, he asked Lin Juangui: "Even this bores you? Even at the brink of life and death? You enjoy whips, you enjoy bondage. Have you tried electroshock? Perhaps you'll fall in love with the sensation in my hands?"

Lin Juangui had once told Yao Zhi that life was too boring and he craved a little excitement. Yao Zhi had remembered it perfectly.

"Dr. Yao, are you suggesting you want to play with me until the very end? Then let's make a wager. I bet you can't outplay me."

"So confident? Don't forget, you're currently being kidnapped." Yao Zhi disliked Lin Juangui's air of certain victory, yet he was also drawn to this version of Lin Juangui.

In Yao Zhi's eyes, Liang Shanyue had once been that kind of person—an Omega wielding power, exuding an extraordinary charm. Yao Zhi believed he could control and tame Liang Shanyue, yet unexpectedly, when they played, Liang Shanyue completely surrendered control of both body and mind to Yao Zhi.

Maintaining that balance was difficult. Every encounter with Liang Shanyue demanded extreme caution and adherence to Liang Shanyue's fantasies, leaving Yao Zhi feeling exhausted and harboring an unexpressed sense of grievance. However, due to Liang Shanyue's high status, he could only endure in silence.

Lin Juangui gave Yao Zhi a very different impression. He was a master of effortless control, instantly discerning Yao Zhi's desires. Yet, he held nothing but disdain for someone like Yao Zhi, who, after such a brief acquaintance, was so eager to find a new master—utterly uninteresting.

However, Yao Zhi's current actions intrigued him, so he harbored no fear of what Yao Zhi might do.

"You must value your reputation highly, or perhaps you're particularly concerned about others' opinions of you, aren't you? The reputation of a 'kidnapper' wouldn't be pleasant if it got out. Or are you confident that no one will discover what you've done? Let me consider who might be supporting you in this..."

Yao Zhi couldn't let Lin Juangui continue guessing and quickly interrupted him: "You know, I just wanted to witness your capabilities. But you've always been elusive, like a delicious piece of meat. I need to take a bite and taste it to put an end to my longing, don't I?"

Yao Zhi's smile, once composed, now fractured, revealing a hint of savagery.

When an individual finds themselves in a situation where their actions lack coherence, they seek various methods to rationalize their behavior. Yao Zhi had long been affected; as a psychologist, he couldn't even treat his own ailment.

This was a long-suppressed dissatisfaction, what Lin Juangui had previously termed "hunger." Yao Zhi had initially believed Lin Juangui to be a kindred spirit, but now it seemed Lin Juangui was merely toying with him.

"Don't think I don't know what you're scheming! Let me be blunt: we are both pawns, controlled by others. If you don't want to suffer, shut your silver-tongued mouth."

Lin Juangui relaxed even further, even crossing his legs. "If you were once a dry, flavorless cake, your current actions are like adding a dash of moist syrup, making it a bit sweeter. If I truly shut my mouth, how would you find satisfaction? You know this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Would you really let it slip away?"

Yao Zhi's expression flickered with indecision. He harbored many selfish motives, but he couldn't allow Lin Juangui to lead him by the nose.

From their very first meeting, Yao Zhi understood Lin Juangui was dangerous. Not only was he resolute, but his surroundings rarely affected him, and he was adept at psychological manipulation.

Lin Juangui knew what Yao Zhi desired, what he craved. He would offer just a glimpse, enticing Yao Zhi, then feign complete ignorance as Yao Zhi fell deeper into his trap.

It was infuriating, yet utterly captivating.

Yao Zhi took a deep breath, suppressing his frustration. His earlier claim to Liang Shanyue about helping extract information was merely an excuse; he simply wanted to see if Lin Juangui could fill the void within him.

The electric chair was certainly not just for show. Previously, Liang Shanyue had occupied it, with Yao Zhi playing the role of the aggressor. Yao Zhi disliked witnessing Liang Shanyue feign fear and contort his face under the electric chair's influence; he wanted to see Lin Juangui's reaction.

Yao Zhi activated his Light Brain and pressed a control button. Lin Juangui’s body trembled; he took a deep breath and looked up at Yao Zhi with a half-smile. "You're full of contradictions, Dr. Yao. Why haven't you asked me the most crucial question yet? Do you think I'll reveal everything to you once I lose my senses?"

"Would you answer if I asked? You need to suffer a bit first to realize I'm not as patient as you think!"

The current intensified under Yao Zhi's fingertips, the dial pushed to its maximum. Yet, apart from a few muscle spasms, Lin Juangui merely lowered his head and breathed heavily, without even a single cry of pain.

An ordinary person would have turned pale and struggled to breathe by now. Yao Zhi's frown deepened as he continuously observed Lin Juangui. Seeing Lin Juangui remain so composed even after being struck by the maximum current, he bent down to examine Lin Juangui's expression.

Lin Juangui was actually smiling.

This morbid smile made Yao Zhi frown; he hadn't expected Lin Juangui to endure even this.

Whether he was enjoying it or it triggered Lin Juangui's past trauma was unclear. He drooped his eyelids as if greatly annoyed.

Lin Juangui's consciousness had detached from his body. Even as his fingers twitched uncontrollably, he still exuded an untouchable, superior air.

The moment the electricity struck, many deliberately forgotten memories flashed through Lin Juangui's mind.

Many envied Lin Juangui's face, believing such looks would bring him countless advantages. But Lin Juangui, lacking family background, found that beyond his sharp intellect, his appearance only attracted misfortune.

As a project manager, Lin Juangui frequently traveled to Europe and America. He embraced business trips, spoke excellent English, commanded respect at the negotiating table, and could even fire a few shots to protect himself during riots—truly versatile.

But some believed his business dealings were too effortless, and they manipulated circumstances to reassign his projects.

Lin Juangui knew he couldn't refuse. Harmonious and friendly colleague relationships were what Old Man Zhou desired. So, after work, he found that colleague and proposed a wager: "It's never easy doing someone else's specialty. If you need help, you can come to me. You'll have demands of me too."

Collaboration leads to mutual success. Lin Juangui was not inflexible, and this slight concession proved highly effective; otherwise, he might not have returned from Southeast Asia.

Lin Juangui was severely injured that time. He was imprisoned by a local arms dealer in a pitch-black dungeon. The dealer, seeing his unwillingness to submit, drugged him. However, unwilling to see such a beautiful face wither, he refrained from killing him, instead using every means to torture Lin Juangui into submission.

But Lin Juangui's will refused to bow to such a despicable individual. He continuously attempted to communicate with his captor, but the arms dealer, accustomed to his own stubborn ways, completely disregarded Lin Juangui's words, merely demanding his obedience.

In the end, after Lin Juangui had finished torturing him, the arms dealer was shot in the head.

This was a lawless country; Lin Juangui had merely retaliated according to its rules. His decisive actions would only deter those who sought to treat him as a plaything. Lin Juangui intended for everyone to know that those who underestimated him would meet this very fate.

By the time Lin Juangui returned home, his colleague was overwhelmed by underhanded schemes from European and American counterparts. Lin Juangui's rescue was thanks to his colleague contacting friends for help. In return, Lin Juangui generously shared his expertise and even flew back to assist.

A few years after this incident, that colleague came to congratulate Lin Juangui on his promotion and even became his loyal subordinate. But Lin Juangui's nightmares were far from over.

He could feign indifference, but that didn't mean he wasn't afraid internally.

The drugs amplified his senses, giving rise to his fear of darkness. The stench of decay seemed to fill his mouth and nose. If Lin Juangui hadn't detached his consciousness, he might not have survived until his colleagues rescued him.

Lin Juangui sought help from a psychologist, who, already familiar with his extraordinary experiences, asked what new predicament he had encountered. Lin Juangui recounted his business trip, omitting details, and the psychologist tapped her pen against her chin, remarking, "Your stories are almost too exciting."

For a lone wolf like Lin Juangui, with no one to rely on, he was unwilling to expose his vulnerabilities to anyone, nor did he believe in unconditional trust in this world.

His life had long lost its anchor. Whenever he encountered something beyond his control, he would feel particularly anxious, forced to seek the help of a psychologist.

Lin Juangui could still maintain his composure in public, but recently his sleep had been terrible, plagued by constant nightmares, leaving dark circles under his eyes.

"I always provide you with new material, don't I? So, any good suggestions?"

"Given your personality, gentle approaches aren't suitable for you. You need a fierce and decisive break. How about we reset the scene? You need a complete rebellion to shed your psychological shadows."

Lin Juangui disliked feeling passive and was uncomfortable with his own vulnerability.

His psychologist earned a hefty consulting fee from Lin Juangui, so naturally, she was responsible for designing the treatment plan.

Like playing a survival game, Lin Juangui did succeed a few times. His psychological shadows seemed less profound, though it was also possible he had merely buried them deeper within his heart.

This situation was an almost exact replica of Lin Juangui's past experiences, but with added layers of complex interests.

The Omega suddenly sneered, his shoulders shaking with laughter: "When people stay in comfort for too long, they tend to believe the storms outside are romantic and controllable."

Lin Juangui slowly raised his head, his eyes devoid of light. His voice, though soft, was crystal clear: "Your kiddie ride is far too childish. I thought you'd add some unique magic, but it's just this? I'd say you lack imagination."

Yao Zhi was completely stunned.

The beauty trapped in the chair was perfectly sinful, like a potent poison capable of melting one's soul.

He disdained Yao Zhi's tricks, yet Yao Zhi had indeed unearthed the side of him he never wished to reveal—or perhaps... the several pairs of eyes watching this water dungeon thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle.

[Lin Juangui] had already been summoned when Lin Juangui awoke. Seeing Lin Juangui in this state, [Lin Juangui]'s expression was one of pained disbelief as he exclaimed, "Isn't this going too far!"

Lin Juangui cast a cold glance over, and [Lin Juangui] quickly relayed the clues he had found: "There are many monitors here, all lit up, so they must be connected to the network. And there's one I recognize very well, a stealth monitor Mu Zhang often uses."

So, not only was Liang Shanyue watching the "live broadcast," but Mu Zhang was also fully aware of Lin Juangui's kidnapping. He might have even played a part in it; otherwise, Lin Juangui wouldn't have been brought here unconsciously.

Mu Zhang wouldn't rescue Lin Juangui. Until his objectives were met, Lin Juangui was merely a disposable asset in the arena, and the same applied to Yao Zhi.

Yet, Lin Juangui still held a natural allure for Yao Zhi. Lin Juangui silently mouthed "kneel," and Yao Zhi, seeing his lips form the word, sank to his knees with a splash, his trousers soaking wet. In that moment, Yao Zhi felt a sense of helpless resignation.

He knew he was no match for Lin Juangui; the excuses he gave to Liang Shanyue were nothing more than self-deception.

Yao Zhi yearned for a swift end. Though years of praise and accolades had once blinded him, all he desired now was to escape the agony.

Lin Juangui moved his foot away from Yao Zhi’s grasp, tapping the tip of his shoe lightly, then firmly, against Yao Zhi’s chin. "Be good, don't be afraid. Look, I can't do anything right now, but you must be really wound up, huh? How about we play a game? Pick a few of your favorite little things and tell me their stories. If I'm satisfied, I'll use them on you. Choose wisely, okay?"

Yao Zhi's Adam's apple bobbed unconsciously; he could almost imagine the pleasure that awaited him.

He felt like a devotee on the brink of death, finally receiving a glimmer of care—knowing it would betray his beliefs, yet still drawn like a moth to that tiny, insignificant flame.

The items Yao Zhi selected were ones Lin Juangui had previously mentioned enjoying—thick, long ropes and a whip covered in barbs.

Yao Zhi had already unbound Lin Juangui's hands. Weak from the earlier electric shock, Lin Juangui leaned limply against the chair, listening as Yao Zhi knelt on the ground and recounted his stories.

A psychologist's stories always quickly distilled to their core. Yao Zhi explained that he had begun exploring these niche communities during his student days. It started with curiosity, but later, to master the techniques, he diligently practiced, only for others to benefit from his efforts rather than himself.

"That's a shame," Lin Juangui remarked, seemingly sympathetic.

But he said this only because it reminded him of his own days as an employee working for a company—ostensibly to learn and advance, but in reality, if you knew how to do something, you were stuck doing it endlessly, while those who couldn't sat back and enjoyed the benefits.

Lin Juangui found this deeply unfair. Back then, he didn't wield much power within the Zhou Corporation. It wasn't until Old Master Zhou fully entrusted him with the company that he began implementing reforms. Having experienced hardship himself, he wanted to offer others an umbrella—creating a simpler, purer work environment for some of the grassroots employees.

Of course, many believed Lin Juangui's approach increased costs, but his management skills were consistently excellent. One competent person is always more valuable than ten who merely muddle through.

Though Lin Juangui's mind had wandered far away, he still responded to everything Yao Zhi said.

Why was Yao Zhi so fixated on Lin Juangui? Simply because, no matter what he said, Lin Juangui always offered him some emotional validation in return.

With Liang Shanyue, Yao Zhi had to dedicate all his attention to guessing and performing, but with Lin Juangui, whatever he said, Lin Juangui was willing to listen.

Even these brief moments of ease were something Yao Zhi didn't want to let go of.

After graduating, Yao Zhi joined a psychological clinic where he met Liang Shanyue. Not long after, they encountered each other again at a private gathering.

Liang Shanyue heard Yao Zhi was skilled with his hands and, after experiencing it firsthand, became completely addicted. Yao Zhi grew cocky about it—he wanted to climb higher using Liang Shanyue's influence, but Liang Shanyue would never allow Yao Zhi to slip from his control.

So Yao Zhi remained stuck as a mid-level consultant at the institute. Over time, he gained money and fame, but inside, he felt hollow, as if eaten away from the inside.

It was a familiar story—Lin Juangui had heard many like it over the years, but aside from offering a few words of sympathy, there was little he could do.

These were choices they made themselves—hadn't they considered the consequences back then?

Yao Zhi's current life was already enviable, yet people are never truly satisfied.

Still, directly to his face, Lin Juangui said, "You almost make me feel sorry for you."

Strangely, despite all Yao Zhi had said, and despite Lin Juangui occasionally glancing at the monitors on the wall, there was still no movement from Liang Shanyue's side.

Lin Juangui knew he had to act. He slowly stood up, took the rope Yao Zhi offered, and bound him tightly. Then he asked Yao Zhi how the experience felt.

Yao Zhi was beyond words. Lin Juangui's binding technique was artistry itself. He lay in the water, flushed all over, thrilled and exhilarated by the experience.

"Please, more..."

Lin Juangui suddenly wagged his finger. "That's not right. You need to resist a little for me to feel accomplished. Do you know why I ignored you before? Because you were too easy to get. But well... since you're already like this, I can't exactly force you to do anything. Start praising me now, understood?"

"Yes..."

Lin Juangui flicked the whip, sending splashes across the water, its tip always hovering near Yao Zhi—like dangling a piece of meat just out of his reach.

In the dim light, Lin Juangui's face appeared somewhat grim. His gaze toward Yao Zhi was contemptuous. When he stepped on Yao Zhi's stomach, Yao Zhi excitedly exclaimed, "Incredible!" But Lin Juangui suddenly lowered his voice. "Do you know? In this environment, killing you would be effortless. Liang Shanyue can't save you. But your past did move me. Now you face two choices: I end you here, freeing you from your pain—you become Liang Shanyue's scapegoat—or you tell me everything you know, and from now on, I'll satisfy your physical and emotional hunger."

Yao Zhi shuddered. He had never once mentioned Liang Shanyue's name to Lin Juangui, yet Lin Juangui had humored him all this time, already knowing the answer.

His mouth hung open as if he didn't know what to say. Lin Juangui's whip finally struck his arm.

Yao Zhi expected to be torn open, but just as Lin Juangui had smugly hinted, the whip only tore his clothes. His skin, aside from a little redness, remained unharmed.

"I..."

Before Yao Zhi could voice his choice, Lin Juangui heard a huge crash outside the water chamber. Checking the monitors and seeing no activity, he knew they’d been hacked.

Lin Juangui quickly looked down at Yao Zhi. Yao Zhi closed his eyes, struggling internally. He knew what awaited him, yet he spoke with a heart full of despair: "I should pay for my past vanity and hypocrisy. Give up—you are no match for Liang Shanyue."

"Not necessarily. I'm not trying to fight him—I just need you to be the fuse between us. You will agree, won't you?"