Chapter 1 You Still Remember

"Do you remember the 'Promoting Ancient Arts' project led by the Five Elements Alliance more than ten years ago?"

"I have a slight impression. Didn't our family also participate?"

"The family didn't participate, but it invested money. Back then, the Five Elements Alliance had only been established for a few years. The five major gangs were still in a period of integration and were relatively weak. They were often bullied by Heavenly Retribution, so they were eager to improve their strength. However, the upgrade of Lingjing Xingzhe could not be forced and could only start with equipment. Props were scarce and precious, and even scholar families could not mass-produce them. After researching, the Five Elements Alliance set its sights on mechanical arts." Fu Long recalled, "At that time, the mainland was not as wealthy as it is now. The Five Elements Alliance headquarters had limited funds, so they came to the Fu family, hoping to get sponsorship. You had just divorced not long ago and were very depressed. All you did was drink or hit your daughter, surrounded by a group of gigolos."

"These are all old things. Why bring them up?" Fu Xue said somewhat awkwardly, and quickly changed the subject, "Continue."

Fu Long's expression was stern, and he nodded, "Recently, Fu Qingyang somehow obtained a mechanical arts manual and plans to mass-produce it, becoming the mechanical weapon supplier for the Five Elements Alliance."

Fu Xue's heart thumped upon hearing this.

"The Lingjing families can develop and grow precisely because they provide the official with life essence and props, but the output is limited. Mechanical weapons can be mass-produced. If the family can become a mechanical weapon supplier, it can gain a firm foothold on the mainland."

Fu Xue elegantly exhaled a puff of white smoke, her face full of longing, "No wonder the elders want to participate. Who wouldn't want to get a piece of the pie? I also want to be able to share some, but unfortunately, my nephew is naturally unfeeling and looks down on his old and fading aunt."

"Fu Xue, your Chinese wording is very problematic. It's best not to use 'unfeeling' and 'old and fading aunt' together. Your cultural studies were very poor when you were young," Fu Long said in a deep voice.

Fu Xue pouted, "You're a bookworm, so you're amazing."

Fu Long didn't take the bait and said seriously, "But Fu Qingyang gave a condition that the elders cannot agree to, at least not at this stage. The elders will not agree to let him inherit the position of family head."

The succession to the position of Fu family head only occurs in two situations: one is that the previous family head died in Lingjing, and the heir naturally takes over. The second is that the family head is tired of the position and voluntarily relinquishes power to enter the elders council.

The Fu family is full of factions, but to put it simply, there are only two factions: the elders council and the family head faction. That is to say, the family head's power can compete with the elders council.

Fu Qingyang's proposed condition is tantamount to forcing the elders council to rebel, forcing the current family head to abdicate.

The current family head will definitely disagree. At that time, the Fu family will suffer internal friction due to power struggles.

Fu Xue: "This will be the backlash of the family rules. If it weren't for the Fu family's rules, how could he be at odds with his own father?"

"What do you mean?" Fu Long frowned.

"You and I both know what happened to Fu Qingyang when he was a child. In the beginning, he was bullied outside, so he ran crying to my brother for help, but the Fu family believes in the law of the jungle. If you can be bullied in the family, you are even more useless outside. Therefore, military management is adopted for the children in the family."

"What's the problem?"

"Of course, there is no problem. That's what my brother told him back then. He said, 'Yang, this world is ruled by the strong. If you are strong, you will seek justice yourself. If you are weak, I won't pity you even if you die.'" Fu Xue clicked her tongue, "Fu Qingyang wants this position of family head to tell the family head the same principle. He is retaliating, just like he retaliated against those children who bullied him back then. I remember your son was among them."

"Yes, both legs were broken." Fu Long nodded slowly, "I see. It seems that the elders council can't persuade him."

Fu Xue put away her smile and said, "Since Fu Qingyang is unwilling to let the family invest, then the funds from selling the company..."

"Will be invested in the mainland, and it has nothing to do with you," Fu Long said lightly.

Fu Xue bit her lower lip tightly, "Brother Long, you know that my business has been bleak in recent years. The economic environment is bad, and there is a lot of industry competition. The companies that the family lets me manage are all sunset industries with poor development prospects. Even so, the elders council still wants to fleece me. Isn't that too bullying?"

Fu Long looked towards the door, his tone calm and composed, "You can go and tell the elders."

Fu Xue said quickly, "You are the liaison between the elders council and the family. If it were you..."

Fu Long said coldly, "Why should I help you? Have you forgotten the family rules? People without ability should be eliminated."

Fu Xue suddenly faltered, her eyes slightly red. Fu Long's expression softened, "Facilitating Guan Ya and the Miller family's marriage is your only chance. You are also working hard to facilitate this matter, but I heard that you have recently changed your mind."

Speaking of this, Fu Xue finally understood why her company was sold.

The faction in the elders council that supports the marriage is exerting its strength, and Fu Long is also a supporter of Guan Ya and the Miller family's marriage.

"Guan Ya has a boyfriend, it's Yuanshi Tianzun. I'm very satisfied with the young man. Marriage with the Miller family is not necessarily a good choice." Fu Xue put away her pitiful expression and switched to a strong woman's posture, as if the person opposite her was no longer her cousin, but a business competitor.

"Yuanshi Tianzun has offended headquarters, you should know."

"Xuan Xuan offended headquarters in the same way back then. Geniuses are all proud and rebellious."

"It seems you are indeed very satisfied with him, so what are you waiting for? Go to the mainland and join him," Fu Long said lightly.

Fu Xue snorted coldly and turned to leave, but at this moment, the phone in her bag rang. She took it out and saw that the caller was Fu Qingyang.

"Answer it here, put it on speaker," Fu Long said quickly.

Fu Xue glanced at him, but didn't refuse. She answered the phone.

"Mother-in-law, are you doing well?" The voice that came from the phone was not Fu Qingyang's, but a young man whose tone could be imagined as very carefree.

Fu Xue was stunned for a moment, "Yuanshi Tianzun!"

Fu Long's eyes immediately sharpened, staring intently at the phone screen.

"It's me, I want to talk to you about something serious. Is there no gigolo next to you?" Yuanshi Tianzun said with a smile.

Fu Xue couldn't help but smile, and spat, "There are no gigolos, but there is an old geezer."

"Huh, didn't Guan Ya say you like gigolos?"

"That dead girl." Qian Fu Xue gritted her teeth and said seriously, "You are calling me with Fu Qingyang's phone, is something wrong with him?"

"I want to talk to you about a business deal."

"Business deal?" Fu Xue said suspiciously, "What kind of business can you have? You are just a kid who hasn't graduated from college."

"Fu Qingyang has established a mechanical arts research and development company, and I own 10% of the shares. The company is now short of money, and I plan to transfer 5% of the shares to you. If mother-in-law is interested, you can prepare the money and come to the mainland to discuss the contract."

It was like a bolt from the blue! Fu Xue froze instantly.

Fu Long's stern face was filled with astonishment.

After a few seconds, Fu Xue suddenly reacted. Fu Xue's hands were trembling slightly, she tried her best to suppress her emotions, but her voice still couldn't help but tremble, "You, you, don't tease me, how could such a good thing fall on me?"

"You are my mother-in-law, I am your half son, rounded up, you are my mother," Zhang Yuanqing said with a smile.

Fu Xue was almost dizzy from his sugar-coated bullets, she hurried out of the office and came to the outside of the ancient castle. The fresh air and warm sunshine calmed her emotions a little.

"5% of the shares, how much equity transfer fee are you planning to ask for?" Fu called Xue in a low voice, "Yuanshi."

Zhang Yuanqing interrupted with a smile, "Call me son."

She spat, "I'm telling you, Auntie's savings are limited, if you ask for too much, I can't afford it."

"5% equity, 1.5 billion Federal currency."

"1.5 billion?" Fu Xue's face turned pale, "Are you trying to make me sell everything I have or sell myself?"

"Mom, stop acting." Fu Qingyang said, "If you can take it out, you definitely can."

"Of course, I have another plan," Zhang Yuanqing said, "I can give you an equity transfer fee of only 1 billion Federal currency. As a condition, you have to lend the company 1 billion Federal currency without interest. When the company is profitable, it will repay the debt as soon as possible."

"Lend the company 1 billion Federal currency," Fu Xue quickly calculated in her heart. Buying 5% of the shares with 1 billion Federal currency, she would definitely make a fortune.

But if she had to lend the company another 1 billion Federal currency, she could only borrow it.

It would not be difficult to raise 1.5 billion by selling everything, but in this way, she would only need to borrow another 500 million. It would definitely not work with the bank, because if she sold her assets, she would have nothing to mortgage for a loan.

The only way was to ask the family for help, or borrow from acquaintances using props as collateral.

Fu Xue immediately thought of Chen Shu, this best friend was very rich, and their relationship was also good. Recently, she needed her help, so it shouldn't be difficult to borrow 500 million from her.

Thinking of this, Fu Xue said, "Okay, I will buy a plane ticket back to the mainland now, shall we meet tonight?" After speaking, she hung up the phone and opened the car door.

At this moment, Fu Long ran out of the ancient castle, held the car door, and said in a deep voice, "The elders want to see you, Fu Xue, your chance has come. As long as you transfer 5% of the shares to the family, the family will not treat you badly. You will own three well-performing listed companies, and the elders council has also promised to increase your share."

Fu Xue turned her head to look at the old castle, then looked at Fu Long, raised her hand and gently stroked her cousin's chest, and said with a charming smile, "I'm going to the mainland to join my son-in-law, I'll see the elders another day."

"You damn old hag!" She pushed Fu Long away, got into the red sports car, and drove away from the castle with a slam of the gas pedal.

The sun was shining brightly, the green and yellow fields stretched to the end of the horizon, and the warm wind on her face carried a lazy, drunken feeling.

Fu Xue drove with one hand and dialed Chen Shu's phone.

"Chen Shu, I've been bullied by the old things of the Fu family."

As soon as the phone was connected, Fu Xue couldn't wait to sell her misery and tell her best friend and partner about her situation.

Chen Shu listened silently and said calmly, "With your strong personality, if you were really bullied, you would only grit your teeth and persevere, putting on a brave face. Why would you cry miserably? Just say it directly."

"Fu Qingyang has established a mechanical arts research and development company on the mainland, and I have the right to purchase 5% of the shares." Fu Xue said with a raised eyebrow, "But I don't have enough funds, can you lend me 500 million Federal currency, the interest rate is best lower than the bank. Chen Shu, I am helping you acquire the life essence recently."

"As long as you can get the life essence, I can lend you money at a low interest rate. I must remind you, how could such a good thing fall on you?" Chen Shu said calmly and rationally.

Fu Xue seemed to be waiting for her to ask, and hurriedly said, "Oh, isn't it just that I have a good son-in-law."

"What?" Chen Shu's tone changed. The whistling wind around her made Fu Xue not notice the strangeness in her best friend's tone, and she said to herself with a smile, "Yuanshi Tianzun has 10% of the shares in the mechanical research and development company, isn't he just thinking of being filial to his mother-in-law, and he called me Mom again and again just now, don't mention how affectionate he was. Alas, Guan Ya, that girl, her eye for men is indeed more accurate than mine, I can't accept it."

"He called you Mom, and he was very affectionate?" Chen Shu's voice turned cold.

Yuanshi rarely called her Mom most of the time, and even if he did, it was cold and without emotion.

Fu Xue's words made her a little unacceptable.

"More affectionate than Guan Ya. That dead girl, when she calls me Mom, it's like calling an enemy. Let's not talk about them, Chen, I need that money recently, how soon can you give it to me?"

"I won't lend it," Chen Shu refused coldly and hung up the phone.

Night shrouded Tokyo. Ginza, which was once said to be able to buy the entire Free Federation, lit up with dazzling and dreamy neon lights.

Night had fallen, but for Ginza, the wonderful nightlife had just begun. The lights were on, and this prosperous area was bathed in a colorful ocean of lights.

At this time, bars and nightclubs showed their unique charm.

One pot-bellied successful person after another entered and exited in groups, accompanied by laughter.

Asano Ryo stood here, overlooking the dreamy night scene.

The Ginza bubble had long burst, and the ambitions of the Japanese people had also vanished, and they had once again succumbed to the feet of a powerful enemy.

Just like the Chizuru-gumi surrendering to Heavenly Retribution. Tonight, the honored guest of Heavenly Retribution was about to arrive. As a member of the Chizuru-gumi and the only beautiful girl, she would receive the honored guest with the members.

The leader had also specially asked her to put on delicate makeup and wear a beautiful cherry blossom kimono.

This was Asano Ryo's first time meeting an envoy from Heavenly Retribution. She had not been qualified before. The leaders and elites of Heavenly Retribution were unattainable for her.

It was said that among the few members who came this time, there were outstanding figures in the Saint realm, top-notch elites in the world.

I wonder how he compares to Yuanshi-kun? The thought flashed through her mind for no reason, and the sound of footsteps interrupted her thoughts.

A Chizuru-gumi clerk wearing a workplace suit entered the office and said softly, "Asano Section Chief, the leader has asked you to come over. The guests have already arrived at Oyama-ya."

Asano Ryo nodded, put on her clogs, and walked in small steps towards Oyama-ya.

She took the elevator to the floor where Oyama-ya was located and went to the private room under the guidance of the waiter.

From afar, she heard the leader saying in fluent English, "Lord Demon Hunter, your arrival is an honor for the island nation, an honor for the Chizuru-gumi."

But the other party was indifferent.

Demon Hunter? Asano Ryo racked her brains to recall, but unfortunately, she had not heard of this name.

There were a large number of Heavenly Retribution organizational level executives, so it was normal for her not to know.

Thinking in her heart, Asano Ryo arrived at the entrance of the private room, knocked lightly on the door, and said, "Leader!"

"Come in," Kobe Ichiro responded.

Asano Ryo opened the door and glanced at the private room. A sake table was set up on the tatami, and the guests were sitting lazily around the table.

In the first seat was a middle-aged man with short blond hair, high nose and blue eyes, clean cheeks, and a beautiful beard. His facial features and temperament were somewhat similar to the protagonist of the movie *Doctor Strange*, which Asano Ryo liked.

This must be the executive officer, the "Demon Hunter," in the leader's mouth.

In addition to this one, there were three foreign youths in the main room, one was casual, one was serious, and one was light-hearted and arrogant. The last one had obvious aggressiveness in his eyes when he examined himself.

"Come, come, sit next to the Demon Hunter executive officer," Kobe Ichiro said with a smile.

The dignified leader was now smiling humbly, his attitude respectful.

Asano Ryo walked slowly and approached the executive officer with a straight back and poured him sake.

"Can you speak a foreign language?" The Demon Hunter glanced at the beautiful girl next to him and asked in the island nation's language.

Asano Ryo nodded.

The Demon Hunter then asked sharply, "Heavenly Retribution's intelligence department has found out that you have a good relationship with Yuanshi Tianzun and are also a member of his gang."

Asano Ryo's face froze, and she hurriedly looked at the leader.

Kobe Ichiro said in a deep voice, "Lord Executive Officer is asking you a question, say what you know."

Heavenly Retribution had planted a lot of spies in the Chizuru-gumi. Asano Ryo's relationship with Yuanshi Tianzun was not a confidential secret, and the Chizuru-gumi did not deliberately hide it. It was easy for Heavenly Retribution to find out about these things.

Asano Ryo nodded vigorously, "Yes, Lord Executive Officer."

The Demon Hunter said, "We received a report that Yuanshi Tianzun is a descendant of the Demon Lord and has conclusive evidence. Now we want to ask you a few questions, and I hope you will answer truthfully."

Mai Bao Xiao Lang Jun reminds you: Remember to collect after reading