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[System notification: 10 points have been credited to your personal account for inviting a new member to join the organization.]
[System notification: An invitation to join the organization has been sent. Member: Ryoma Genichiro...]
...
[System notification: Shio Miyamoto has been added to the organization panel.]
[System notification: 10 points have been credited to your personal account for inviting a new member to join the organization.]
The notification sounds continued incessantly, each sound signifying that a once arrogant core figure of the Snake Clan had been incorporated into the "Paradise" system.
The points were rapidly increasing in Lu Mingfei's personal account:
+10, +10, +10...
Until the notification sound for the last head of the family, Miyamoto Shio, fell.
Lu Mingfei was not surprised by their reaction, and his gaze finally fell on Yuan Zhisheng.
This young head of the Minamoto family, Erii's older brother, endured the deepest betrayal and pain.
He raised his face, his golden eyes burning, his voice hoarse:
"I'll join, as long as I can protect Erii, as long as I can do something for the young girl..."
He didn't mention Kazama Ruri's name, as if it were a taboo wound.
[System notification: Genjiro's strong desire to join "Paradise" has been detected. Do you agree?]
"Agreed," Lu Mingfei thought to himself.
[System notification: Genji has been added to the organization panel.]
[System notification: 10 points have been credited to your personal account for inviting a new member to join the organization.]
Current points balance: 160.
The cold numbers flashed briefly before falling silent.
Sixty points represent how he subdued the core power of the dark behemoth that had dominated Japan for hundreds of years in an instant, using absolute strength and skill.
The other 100 points come from completing the second main quest.
“The trivial matters are settled.” Lu Mingfei looked at everyone. “Since we are all on the same side, let’s discuss how to deal with the death of the ‘patriarch’. Leaving his body here is a hassle.”
Herzog's death was far more than just the death of one person.
As the spiritual leader and de facto controller of the Snake Clan, his sudden death was a super earthquake that could shake the entire Japanese underworld, inevitably triggering a massive upheaval and attracting countless prying eyes.
Chapter 146 Aftermath (Part 2)
In the time that followed, the starkly lit conference room transformed into a temporary power center.
Lu Mingfei sat at the head of the table, like an indifferent arbitrator, rarely speaking, only occasionally casting a decisive glance at crucial moments.
Xia Mi and Erii sat beside him, remaining silent throughout.
Sakurai Nanami, Fuma Kotaro, and others quickly got into character, showing the experience and ruthlessness of the family leaders.
Yuan Zhisheng sat silently in the corner, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the withered corpse on the ground, his expression complex and indescribable.
One strategy after another was proposed, discussed, revised, and finalized.
Ultimately, a statement issued in the name of all the clan heads was quickly formed and, through the secret channels controlled by the Snake Clan, instantly spread throughout the entire Japanese underworld and rapidly reached the world:
"Tachibana Masamune, the head of the Snake-Headed Eight Families, is a traitor who has usurped a high position and harbors malicious intentions!"
"His true identity is Herzog, who colludes with foreign forces, attempts to overthrow the family, blasphemes against the gods, and even intends to harm the head of the Uesugi family, Erii, through despicable means!"
"Fortunately, the 'Celestial Immortal' Lu Mingfei, with his keen insight, saw through their treachery and descended upon Genji Heavy Industries to rid the Snake-Gi-Hachi family of this great scourge!"
"The traitor Herzog has been executed on the spot! The entire Snake Clan is deeply grateful for the divine grace and wishes to comfort the spirits of our ancestors!"
The statement was strongly worded, completely condemning Tachibana Masamune to the status of a traitor and erasing all his past achievements and image.
At the same time, Lu Mingfei's arrival is defined as a righteous act "entrusted by the family" or "responding to Erii's danger", and he is placed in the position of a benefactor who "eliminates evil and eradicates wickedness".
Unsurprisingly, this statement was like detonating a psychological bomb.
The Japanese underworld is shaken!
Countless small and medium-sized organizations affiliated with the Snake Clan were filled with anxiety, while hostile forces were eager to take advantage of the power vacuum.
The global hybrid organization has focused its attention on Tokyo, with all sorts of speculations and intelligence requests pouring in. Countless spies, like sharks smelling blood, are trying to infiltrate the vicinity of Genji Heavy Industries.
Just as the outside world was filled with speculation and rumors about Tachibana Masamune's death and the purpose of the "celestial being" descending upon Genji Heavy Industries.
The Snake Clan dropped another bombshell, an even more sensational piece of information that instantly shattered all doubts and conspiracy theories:
"Lord Lu Mingfei, the 'Celestial Immortal,' has come to Japan on behalf of Princess Erii, the head of the Uesugi family of the Snake-Headed Eight Families!"
"The two are deeply in love, a match made in heaven, and have already pledged their love under the witness of the gods and their ancestors!"
"When the time is right, we will announce it to the world and hold a grand wedding ceremony!"
"This is the greatest honor for the Snake-Headed Eight Families! And also a great fortune for Princess Erii!"
The news caused a global uproar, followed by a wave of relief and a flood of blessings.
"So that's how it is! He's just a lovesick fool who came here to marry his beloved!"
"No wonder they came directly to Genji Heavy Industries, were they there to propose marriage? But they ended up uncovering Herzog's plot?"
"A hero saves a damsel in distress, slays a villain, and wins the heart of the beauty... This script is even more exciting than a movie!"
"Blessings! We must bless them! Anyone who dares to lay a finger on the Snake Clan is offending the 'celestial beings'!"
"Tsk, Herzog, that traitor, deserved to die. He's a perfect congratulatory gift for the immortals."
Public opinion was instantly and completely reversed.
Tachibana Masamune's death was downplayed as a minor villainous interlude in the immortals' love story.
Lu Mingfei's terrifying, world-destroying power was now tinged with a romantic aura of "a hero's rage for a woman" in the eyes of the world.
All attention has been focused on this unexpected "love between a celestial being and a mortal."
The atmosphere in the private lounge area on the top floor of Genji Heavy Industries is completely different from the hustle and bustle outside.
Sunlight streamed in through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, spreading a warm golden hue across the floor.
Xia Mi was sitting cross-legged on the soft cashmere carpet, while Erii knelt obediently opposite her, like a quietly blooming deep red rose.
Xia Mi held an open, colorful magazine in her hand, pointing to the pictures and explaining in a clear, crisp voice:
"...So, if you're approached by a stranger outside, especially a middle-aged man who's smiling particularly 'enthusiastically,' never go with him, and definitely don't eat anything he offers! You need to immediately run to a crowded place or find uniformed staff, remember?"
Xia Mi imitated the expression of a lewd old man, which amused Erii so much that the corners of her mouth curved into a tiny arc, and she nodded vigorously.
“And another thing,” Xia Mi turned a page, pointing to the cosmetics on it, “this lipstick color is too bright, it doesn’t suit you. Look at this light pink, or one with a hint of orange, it would look especially good on your lips…”
She spoke with great enthusiasm about the private things girls talk about, gradually instilling common sense about how to live safely and decently in human society into the mind of this pure and innocent girl.
On the other side, Lu Mingfei and Yuan Zhisheng stood in front of the huge viewing window, looking down at the Tokyo metropolis that looked like a model.
The huge glass windows shut out the noise from the outside world, making the interior completely quiet.
"As for the Demon Clan..." Genji broke the silence, his voice low and filled with barely concealed exhaustion and anxiety, "The King's sudden death will likely send the news over soon."
"Without a leader, they, who were already insane, may become even more dangerous and unpredictable."
“Those demons…they need an outlet for their pent-up emotions, and the Snake Clan is the perfect target.”
He paused, his eyes growing even darker. "Moreover, the young girl... the king is dying, and the constraints on him may lessen, but the other 'him' will only hate me more."
“I’m going to see him… The Demon Clan will never allow it, and Kazama Ruri would probably rather kill me herself.”
Lu Mingfei's gaze remained fixed on the endless stream of cars outside the window, his tone calm:
"With Herzog dead, the King of the Demons is no more."
"A bunch of brainless rabble can never amount to anything, no matter how crazy they are."
"As for hatred," he tilted his head slightly and glanced at Yuan Zhisheng, "that's a matter between you brothers. I can guarantee you'll go to see him alive, and I can guarantee you'll leave alive. As for whether it can be resolved, that's up to you."
Genji was silent for a moment, then his tense shoulders relaxed slightly.
"I understand. Thank you."
“I’ll go with you tomorrow,” Lu Mingfei promised.
Yuan Zhisheng thanked him again solemnly, said nothing more, and turned to leave the rest area.
Lu Mingfei then turned around and looked at Erii, who was listening quietly to the lecture.
The sunlight outlined the soft lines of her profile, and her long eyelashes cast a faint shadow under her eyes.
She listened intently, occasionally flashing a faint smile at Xia Mi, but she couldn't utter a sound.
The inability to speak is ultimately a huge regret and an obstacle to communication.
"System," Lu Mingfei asked silently in his mind, "is there any way to temporarily restore her ability to speak? Or a safe way to communicate?"
Almost as soon as the thought crossed his mind, a cold notification sound rang in his head:
[System prompt: Searching for relevant solutions...]
[Recommendation: Mental Mantra Potion (Trial Version)]
[Effect: After consumption, thoughts and intentions can be transformed into stable mental fluctuations, which can be directly transmitted to a specific target or a certain range of consciousness without the need for vocal cord vibration (one-way/directional, requires guidance and setting). It can effectively avoid spatial rule oscillations caused by the power of words.]
Duration: 30 calendar days.
[Exchange Price: 50 points]
Lu Mingfei's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.
Fifty points!
This system is a total rip-off!
He was mentally ranting about being a "profiteer" and a "bloodsucker," but his gaze toward Erii's quiet profile remained unusually firm.
Points can be earned again, but Erii's safety and convenience are the top priorities.