When Isabella saw Xu Shou, she smiled and walked over. "Hello, Chairman Xu."
"You're too polite, Miss," Xu Shou said kindly. "I happen to have some time right now. What would you like to know?"
He had long considered this issue. Within the Dragon Nation, the Xu family had enough capital and didn't really need partners.
But foreign markets were a different story.
The overseas business environment operated under entirely different rules. Without a powerful partner, even if one made money, there was no guarantee of taking it home safely.
You could work tirelessly, earn a fortune, and still lose it all because of some obscure legal loophole.
In the end, it would be nothing but working hard to lose money.
"I want to learn more about your weight-loss medicine," Isabella said directly.
Obesity had always been a global problem. If this drug truly worked, its potential value was beyond measure.
"Of course," Xu Shou said, motioning her forward. "Follow me. Our research took several years, and after my son's improvements, it finally became what it is today."
He didn't hesitate to praise Xu Mu.
Hearing this, Isabella glanced back at Xu Mu in surprise—so he had been involved as well.
This man… was clearly more capable than he appeared.
When they reached the main hall, Xu Shou explained Isabella's visit.
As the department head, Li Yun hurried over.
In recent days, to dispel company rumors, she had been studying the firm's culture, the development of their weight-loss product, and its long-term prospects.
Standing straight, Li Yun spoke fluently, introducing the company and its product with professional confidence.
Xu Shou nodded quietly to himself. Her grasp of the firm's vision and mission was solid.
He knew very well that this woman had been arranged by Xu Mu.
Originally, he thought she was just close to his son—but now, it seemed she was truly capable.
While they spoke, Xu Ningbing walked up to Xu Mu and quietly led him aside.
"What's wrong?" he asked curiously.
"Remember that place I told you about before? It's been a few days—still no word from those people."
Xu Ningbing looked at him seriously. "Why don't we go check it out?"
Xu Mu hesitated. "I'll go. It might be dangerous for you."
"I'm a martial artist now," Xu Ningbing said evenly.
"But your strength is still weak—and you're a woman," Xu Mu said helplessly.
"What's wrong with being a woman? If I don't experience danger, how will I ever improve?" she retorted.
Turning around, she walked off. "I'm not someone who fears death."
"Look at you," Xu Mu sighed toward her back. "We'll need to think this through carefully."
Meanwhile, in another villa, Feng Kang sat in the courtyard.
Lin Yan was there as well—without his human-skin disguise this time.
"Mr. Lin, this stain on my name might follow me forever. I can't swallow this humiliation."
Feng Kang slammed his fist into the armrest of the sofa. "I want Dai Xiao dead! I want Xu Mu dead!"
"When we first agreed to cooperate," Lin Yan said calmly, "I was clear that I'd only help you deal with the Xu family."
He smiled faintly. "But… taking care of Dai Xiao isn't impossible either."
"What do I need to do?" Feng Kang asked.
"Hire assassins, of course. Your company has plenty of money—spend a bit and get the best."
Lin Yan leaned back on the sofa, smiling.
"I've heard of something like that," Feng Kang said. "They say the Dragon Nation has top-tier killers on the so-called Death Rankings, but I can't reach them."
At his level, Feng Kang knew a lot more than most businessmen.
"I can make contact for you."
Lin Yan pulled out his phone and opened an app called Hundred Ghosts Parade.
He sat beside Feng Kang and tapped the screen.
"What is that? You can actually hire assassins with this?" Feng Kang asked, peering at the display in disbelief.
"That's right," Lin Yan said. "The organization behind this app manages the Death Rankings. But the top-ranked killers are reserved for big contracts. Even with this software, you can't hire them easily."
He gave Feng Kang a sharp look. "You have to complete ten smaller contracts before you're eligible. And even then, the assassins have the right to refuse."
"What a hassle," Feng Kang muttered.
Still, it made sense. If they were that easy to reach, the Cleaners would have wiped them out long ago.
"I'll show you how it works," Lin Yan continued. "The top-tier killers are expensive. Click this tab—the 'Event Center.'"
He guided him through the interface.
Feng Kang leaned closer, studying the screen. It displayed advertisements from different assassin organizations:
Heaven's Wrath Guild:
"Celebrating our 5th anniversary! Deposit 100 million and get 50 million bonus credits—no upper limit!"
Blood Sword Alliance:
"Veteran brings a rookie! Two assassins for the price of one!"
Moonlight Waltz:
"A new member has entered the Death Rankings! Limited-time event — Kill One, Get One Free!"
Feng Kang blinked, stunned.
"Mr. Lin… is this for real?"
The flashing banners looked no different from shady online ads.
It seemed completely absurd.
"You think I'm joking with you?" Lin Yan said, displeased.
"N-no, of course not," Feng Kang said quickly.
Lin Yan was not someone to offend—a powerful ancient martial artist with ties to the Russell family wouldn't scam him.
"There are many assassin guilds, and the competition is fierce," Lin Yan explained. "Every killer ranked in the top ten has their own organization. If they don't run promotions, how do they compete?"
"You're right," Feng Kang nodded. "That Moonlight Waltz one sounds perfect—buy one, get one free!"
He pointed to the ad. "I'll have them kill both Dai Xiao and Xu Mu!"
"This group is formidable," Lin Yan said. "Its founder is a woman—currently ranked fifth on the Death Rankings."
He tapped on the Moonlight Waltz logo—a curved crescent moon.
Inside, there was only a short description:
'The righteous shall not be slain.'
Then a message appeared from Moonlight Waltz, echoing the promotional tagline:
"Celebrating our newest member's entry into the Death Rankings! Kill one, get one free!"
An automated customer service message popped up next:
"Dear client, who would you like to kill?"
Seeing that he could even send voice messages, Feng Kang pressed the mic button and said, "You have a promotion, right? I want two targets eliminated."
Moonlight Waltz replied:
"Please fill in the target information below. We'll first verify the moral standing of the targets."
Feng Kang quickly filled in the form—names, photos, residences, and occupations for Xu Mu and Dai Xiao.
When he submitted, the response came back:
"We are screening your targets. Please wait."
Feng Kang looked to Lin Yan. "Mr. Lin, how much will this cost roughly?"
"The price depends on the country and the target's background," Lin Yan explained. "The Dragon Nation is the safest country in the world, and with the Cleaners organization maintaining order, the price here is the highest."
"I once took a mission in the Middle East," he added. "Do you know what an ordinary life costs there? Just a few hundred yuan, and someone would risk it."
Feng Kang nodded quietly—he knew that was true.
"As for Xu Mu and Dai Xiao…" Lin Yan smirked. "There's no doubt—Dai Xiao's bounty will be much higher."