Chapter 138: Surprise Appearance

Elham looked coldly at Tixiang, who gazed back at Elham with a smile.

Elham was like an ice mountain—cold, frigid, and unapproachable. What he showed on the outside was only a small part of his true self, making it hard for others to figure him out. Countless sharp icicles clung to the mountain, and anyone who tried to force their way near him would surely end up battered and bleeding.

Tixiang, on the other hand, was like a bottle of perfume—flashy, extravagant, yet its warm scent could hide many things. Beneath that superficial mask, his true face remained unknown; you couldn’t tell whether the fragrance concealed an unbearable body odor or a natural, pleasant aroma.

Two young men with entirely different temperaments sat face to face. Their auras clashed and grated against each other, with no chance of blending into one.

An awkward silence lasted for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before Elham said calmly, “Did you come here at night just for this? For these matters, you didn’t even hesitate to use your grandfather’s name card?”

Tixiang laughed easily. He comfortably rested his hands on the sofa, crossed his legs, and replied casually, “I’m different from those who only dare to shout outside the gate. I came in, sat down before Mr. Elham, and I can make my demands as I please.”

Laughing lightly as if at a relaxed cocktail party, Tixiang remarked carelessly, “Since Mr. Elham and the two young ladies, Ya and Ling, have come to Borelly, they must have a reason. Although I don’t know why you’ve all stayed inside No.1 Shenghui Street without stepping out these past days, no matter the reason, I can help you solve it.”

Lin Qi watched Tixiang with satisfaction. These words were what Lin Qi had taught Tixiang, and Tixiang recited them perfectly.

If Ya and Ling were indeed the two women Lin Qi had tried but failed to kill in Dun Er Ke, then Lin Qi would definitely not let them go. But why had they come to Borelly? What did they want to do? Lin Qi needed to investigate these matters thoroughly.

Especially if Lin Qi wanted to eliminate them completely without causing too much disturbance in Borelly. Even though Lin Qi had returned this time with Bar and Aunt Lili, two Celestial Knights, and a group of elite family subordinates, Shenghui Avenue was the Imperial Capital’s top residential area. It was home to the highest-ranking officials and nobles. Not to mention the guards each family kept, the Imperial Capital Guard Department alone had stationed thousands of elite troops near Shenghui Avenue. The military presence here was second only to that around Victory Palace, where the great noble families congregated.

Launching a direct family assault on No.1 Shenghui Street would be extremely foolish. Lin Qi would never make such a mistake.

So, using Tixiang as a tool to investigate the matter first and then find a way to deal with those two women was Lin Qi’s best choice.

The reception hall fell into a deathly silence once more. Elham stared intently at Tixiang, while Tixiang looked lazily back at Elham. It was clear now—Tixiang had made it obvious that he was targeting Ya and Ling. Tixiang’s identity, the family behind him, and his family’s powerful influence in the Empire had cornered Elham in an awkward position.

Turning against Tixiang definitely did not serve Elham’s interests.

But if he feigned cooperation with Tixiang, and Tixiang were to make inappropriate requests regarding Ya and Ling, how should Elham refuse? Originally, Elham and his group had stayed secluded inside No.1 Shenghui Street without venturing out, hoping to maintain a certain aura of mystery. But now, urged on by Lin Qi, Tixiang had rudely torn away that mysterious veil, leaving Elham no choice but to make a decision.

However, Elham’s trip was only a training experience. Though he had received strict education since childhood and was top-notch in every aspect, he lacked experience. He was inexperienced in social interactions and the scheming and maneuvering between people.

And Lin Qi? He had been mixing in the streets since he was seven or eight years old. Since childhood, he had dealt with all sorts of thugs, swindlers, ruffians, and scoundrels. From those lowlifes, he had learned all kinds of techniques for pressing step by step and forcing others into a corner.

Suddenly, Tixiang laughed. He said lightly, “Don’t be nervous, Mr. Elham. I mean no harm to the two charming young ladies. I’m just curious why you’ve come to Borelly this dreadful winter. If you’re facing any troubles, I can solve them all. I only want a chance to get to know the two young ladies; I want to be their friend. Is that really not allowed?”

Lightly tapping the tea table in front of him, Tixiang said word by word, “Why keep others at a distance? Having one more friend is always better than having one more enemy, don’t you agree?”

Tixiang had essentially laid out his terms to Elham: allow him to meet Ya and Ling, and then Tixiang could freely pursue the two women. If Elham did not agree to his conditions, then Tixiang would become Elham’s enemy.

No matter how powerful Elham’s background might be, since he was not a noble of the Empire, Tixiang had no reason to fear him.

According to Elham’s own claim, he was the seventh son of the Golden Sails Family from the Vias Commercial Federation? What did that even matter?

The Golden Sails Family enjoyed a high reputation on the Western Continent. Their family’s ocean-going cargo ships nearly monopolized one-tenth of the trade between the East and West. They were truly a wealthy merchant family whose riches could rival a nation’s. But that was all. The Gaul Empire was the Continent’s number one power. The Gaul Empire’s military strength was more than twenty times that of the Vias Commercial Federation. Even the Gaul Empire’s vassal states alone could deliver a devastating military blow to the Vias Commercial Federation.

Moreover, Elham was only the seventh son of the Golden Sails Family. Even if Tixiang killed him, the Vias Commercial Federation would certainly not offend a senior minister of the Gaul Empire over Elham.

Elham’s expression grew even uglier. He clenched his fists tightly, his eyes wandering uncertainly, as dangerous glints gathered in his pupils.

Suddenly, Lin Qi walked toward the large hanging painting of the Victory Goddess slaying a Demon. Before Elham could stop him, Lin Qi abruptly struck a corner of the frame. With a sound of mechanisms clicking, the large painting slowly rose upward, revealing behind it a pair of twin sisters wearing light red robes. They were incredibly beautiful yet cold as ice mountains.

At the sight of these two beautiful young girls, Lin Qi nearly drew his axe to strike them down—it was them, definitely them!

But Tixiang had already leaped to his feet. He rushed forward, overjoyed, and exclaimed happily, “Two esteemed young ladies, meeting you has been truly difficult!”

Elham stood up angrily, a strange shimmer of light flickering between his fingers.