Jiang Shi's vigilance towards Lu Zhi was heightened.
If his attacks were easily neutralized by Lu Zhi in the beginning, implying Lu Zhi was also an S-class powerhouse, then the fact that Lu Zhi could so effortlessly defuse the oppressive aura unleashed by two S-class powerhouses suggested his strength far surpassed S-class.
This made Jiang Shi suspect Lu Zhi's identity, possibly one of the hidden top ten experts on the rankings.
Jiang Shi observed Lu Zhi discreetly. Lu Zhi possessed a gentle and harmless demeanor, and as Lu Chengxuan's biological brother, his features bore a resemblance, though Lu Zhi's were more refined, exuding an approachable aura.
Had it not been for the sudden, overbearing pressure that he confirmed originated from Lu Zhi, Jiang Shi would never have believed that someone so young and powerful was merely a boy who had recently turned eighteen. kuAiδugg
"Brother..." Lu Zhi, unaware of Jiang Shi's inner turmoil, leaned towards Lu Chengxuan, tilting his head. He covered his mouth with one hand and whispered cautiously, "Is this barrier artifact expensive? Do they need us to pay? Is this considered a scam?"
Lu Chengxuan, expecting something else, found himself exasperated and amused. "Don't worry, you don't have to pay."
Lu Zhi breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. I said it myself, this artifact is too fragile."
Lu Chengxuan chuckled inwardly. Knowing Lu Zhi's personality, he didn't dare tell him that an A+ class artifact like the barrier was worth over five hundred million.
"Brother, I'm not lecturing you, but even for Sister Nuannuan, you shouldn't have acted so impulsively," Lu Zhi, now relieved of the financial worry, resumed his 'lecturing.' "Putting aside the guild issues, Vice President Jiang is Sister Nuannuan's brother, your future brother-in-law. If Sister Nuannuan wakes up and sees you two in conflict, she'll be heartbroken."
Lu Chengxuan lowered his head further, raking a hand through his hair. "You're right, I was impulsive."
Satisfied with Lu Chengxuan's admission, Lu Zhi stopped his chatter. "Brother, you're my only family. If something happens to you, who will look out for me when I'm bullied? Who will stand up for me? You know, right?"
Lu Chengxuan: "Who would dare bully you..." I'm not even your match.
As if sensing Lu Chengxuan's unspoken thoughts, Lu Zhi's beautiful eyes widened in displeasure.
Lu Chengxuan quickly responded, "You're right, it was my oversight. I promise, it won't happen again, really."
Only then did Lu Zhi turn his satisfied gaze towards Jiang Shi.
Meanwhile, Jiang Shi looked at Lu Chengxuan's timid demeanor with disdain. How could a brother be so afraid of his younger sibling?
"Vice President Jiang," Lu Zhi, not missing Jiang Shi's contemptuous look, narrowed his dark eyes. The previously approachable aura around him was now laced with a dangerous sharpness. "It seems you have a penchant for resolving issues with force."
Jiang Shi's arrogance had a basis. His strength was comparable to Lu Chengxuan's, or rather, his psionic power value was slightly higher according to the data. In a true confrontation, it was difficult to predict who would win.
His apprehension regarding Lu Zhi stemmed from his unknown strength.
"I'm a very protective person," Lu Zhi sneezed, covering his nose. He pulled up his hoodie, waved away the dust around him, and continued, "Although my brother was wrong to hide Sister Nuannuan first, breaking up a couple like this is something out of movies. To see someone so rigid in reality is truly rare."
Jiang Shi's eyes darkened. "What do you know..."
"Then what do you know?" Lu Zhi interrupted him unceremoniously, his gaze scrutinizing. "Whether it's you or my brother, both of you have your reasons for wanting to protect Sister Nuannuan from the start. So why can't you cooperate, find a way to awaken Sister Nuannuan, and then ask her what she wants, instead of deciding her future for her?"
"To put it bluntly, if you're not the person involved, it doesn't matter if you're a relative or a lover; you have no right to make choices for others."
Lu Zhi's words rendered both Jiang Shi and Lu Chengxuan silent.
"So before that, I hope Vice President Jiang can sit down and have a calm discussion with my brother," Lu Zhi said, hands in his pockets, gesturing with his chin towards Shen Qi, who had been observing from the main seat. He shamelessly added a threat, "If all else fails, I'll have to ask my boyfriend for help."
The members of the Huayong Guild erupted in a commotion.
"Damn it! What did I just hear!!!"
"Boy——friend!"
"Sisters, quick! Help me up! I never thought I'd live to see Shen God's CP being a man~ Ahhh, I'm so happy."
Jiang Shi stiffened, his expression fixed on Shen Qi. After a moment, he coughed into his hand and said seriously, "Let's talk."
Lu Zhi: ...Damn it, I knew bringing up Shen Qi would solve this so quickly. Why did I even say so much!