Chapter 213: Taking Advantage

"So..." Xiang Youyou suppressed her shock and looked at Li Nianlong, "Brother, are you going to kill Long Zongheng?"

"Initially, that was the plan. Now..." Li Nianlong shook his head, squinting to conceal the coldness in his eyes. "I want to bring down the Long family and turn Long Zongheng into a stray dog!"

Feeling Li Nianlong's murderous aura, Xiang Youyou shivered, but she was delighted by his idea, though with a hint of unease. "Brother... do you want to be king?"

"A man with such little ambition couldn't possibly want to be king!" Shao Meiyun said with a look of resignation. "Youyou, you should be happy! Menglong intends to elevate your Xiang family to royalty out of consideration for you."

"What!?" Xiang Youyou exclaimed, then looked at Li Nianlong with joy. "Brother... is that true?"

Li Nianlong smiled wryly. "I planned to tell you after the Martial Arts Conference, but now you know. Just keep it to yourself."

Xiang Youyou nodded repeatedly, placing her right hand on her chest. "Phew... first, there were those terrifying demons, and now this great news. The shocks today are too much for my heart to handle."

Shao Meiyun chuckled. "If your heart is bad at such a young age, what will you do when you're older? Besides, the Xiang family practices the Tyrant's Art, which shortens lifespan—a major problem."

"That reminds me." Li Nianlong reached into his pocket and pulled out a small medicine bottle. "Catch."

Xiang Youyou caught the bottle. "Brother, what's this?"

"A medicine to repair and strengthen your meridians," Li Nianlong explained with a smile. "Remember I mentioned it at the airport? The Tyrant's Art is too harsh on the meridians. It's manageable when you're young, but it shortens lifespan as you age. This bottle contains one hundred pills. Take one daily for ten days, and your meridians will be about three times stronger. This is enough for ten people. You have ten pills, distribute the rest as you see fit."

Clutching the bottle tightly, Xiang Youyou trembled, her eyes filled with unspoken emotions as she looked at Li Nianlong. Under everyone's surprised gaze, she hugged him tightly.

Li Nianlong was momentarily stunned but then smiled and patted her back. "I understand your feelings. A hug is fine, but don't think this repays the favor of the medicine."

Xiang Youyou rolled her eyes and released him. "Brother, I rarely get emotional. Why ruin the moment?"

Li Nianlong chuckled. "It's easier to create a moment with your cousin. As for you..." He shook his head. "Forget it."

Xiang Youyou fumed. "What's wrong with me!? So what if I'm not as pretty? My cousin's not better than me in other aspects."

"Yeah, being unattractive means you've lost everything. I told you to get cosmetic surgery, but you wouldn't listen. Now you're just embarrassing yourself!" Li Nianlong shrugged, dodging Xiang Youyou's kick. He caught her leg under his arm and patted it. "Nice legs. Too bad you're wearing pants, no good feel."

Xiang Youyou was livid, unable to outtalk or outfight him. Frustrated, she sat on his lap, her face red. "Go ahead, feel all you want. Consider it repaying the favor."

"Uh..." The position was too suggestive, though her tone didn't match.

Li Nianlong laughed awkwardly and released her leg. "Just kidding, Sis. Actually, I want you to call your cousin. I want to talk to her in person."

"Which cousin?" Grandpa Liu and Shao Meiyun were confused, not knowing Xiang Youyou's excuse with Li Nianlong.

"Nothing..." Xiang Youyou quickly shook her head. "It's a private matter between my brother and me. Let's talk about your plan, Brother!"

"My plan?"

"Yeah, the one about helping our Xiang family ascend the throne!" Xiang Youyou was still excited. "Are you planning to act after the Martial Arts Conference?"

"Indeed, around that time." Li Nianlong nodded, but seeing their current position, he coughed. "Could you get up? This doesn't look very dignified."

"Huh?" Xiang Youyou realized their position and blushed deeply, quickly stepping back. She walked over to Nalan Ruoyue and sat down, explaining quietly. "Ruoyue, that was an accident. I didn't mean anything by it."

Nalan Ruoyue smiled and shook her head, signing: I know. You and Brother are really close.

"You and Brother are closer," Xiang Youyou said with a red face, then looked at Li Nianlong. "Brother, please continue."

"There's not much to say." Li Nianlong replied. "It will be between Grandpa and your grandpa. I'll just assist." He paused and smiled. "And marry your cousin."

"Marry Youyou's cousin!?" Grandpa Liu and Shao Meiyun were stunned.

"Ah, yes, my beautiful cousin," Xiang Youyou quickly signaled them. "The one with a body like mine but much prettier."

Now Grandpa Liu and Shao Meiyun understood. Xiang Youyou and Li Nianlong were playing a double act, but Li Nianlong seemed aware of her true identity. Were they just playing dumb?

Grandpa Liu smiled wryly. Young people are really playful.

Shao Meiyun smiled. "I see, it's your cousin. She's very pretty. I wonder if Menglong likes her?"

"Brother definitely likes her!" Xiang Youyou said. "He fell in love at first sight after seeing her photo!"

"Love at first sight?" Shao Meiyun's eyes were teasing. Xiang Youyou blushed and lowered her head. "I'm not lying. Brother admitted it himself."

Seeing Shao Meiyun's gaze, Li Nianlong nodded. "Yes, it was love at first sight. She's a beautiful and valiant girl. I like her a lot."

He paused. "But being a police officer... I wonder if she'll be a good homemaker after marriage? What if she's a workaholic? I need to consider this."

"Yeah!" Shao Meiyun smiled. "If only Youyou's cousin were like Ruoyue, a true wife and mother. And with hips like hers, she'd be perfect for childbirth."

Nalan Ruoyue blushed deeply, lowering her head.

Li Nianlong laughed. "Let's not drag Ruoyue into this."

"Alright, since you say so." Shao Meiyun smiled, looking at Xiang Youyou. "Youyou, will your cousin be a good homemaker?"

Xiang Youyou didn't answer her but looked at Li Nianlong. "Brother, do you like women who are homemakers?"

"Of course!" Li Nianlong said naturally. "If a woman isn't a homemaker and runs around all day, why marry her? To cause trouble?"

"Well... sometimes work requires socializing."

"Are you stupid?" Li Nianlong looked helpless. "With our family background, does she need to work?"

"So, Brother doesn't want his wife to work?" Xiang Youyou asked.

"Not necessarily." Li Nianlong stroked his chin. "But jobs that require a lot of socializing and running around are a no. If it's a job like being a gym teacher, as a hobby, and doesn't take much time, I can accept that."

"Oh." Xiang Youyou breathed a sigh of relief. "Then don't worry, Brother. My cousin has decided to quit her job as an Interpol officer and be a gym teacher like me. She won't cause you any trouble."

"Quitting a good job with Interpol to be a gym teacher like you? That's quite a change!"

"Isn't it good? She can be with you every day! And with our family background, money isn't an issue, right?" Xiang Youyou smiled.

"True." Li Nianlong chuckled. "That's good. But won't it be funny for two Xiang family ladies to become gym teachers?"

"Let people laugh if they want. I don't care." Xiang Youyou snorted. "And who would challenge a woman like me?"

"Being a woman is great!" Li Nianlong laughed. "Men shoulder all the burdens. Women do what they want without criticism."

Xiang Youyou giggled. "Especially being your woman. No need to cook since your cooking is the best. After marriage, you'll definitely be the one cooking."

"Tell your cousin this." Li Nianlong spread his hands. "These hands are destined for the kitchen. She'll enjoy life."

"I will." Xiang Youyou nodded repeatedly.

"Then make a call..."

"How did Sister Meiyun summon two hundred ghosts? The dead don't all become ghosts, right?" Xiang Youyou changed the topic, hitting Grandpa Liu and Shao Meiyun's curiosity.

"Yes!" Shao Meiyun asked nervously. "Menglong, why did those people all become ghosts? I only gave the order. The armed police killed them. Why are they haunting me?"

"Hard to say." Li Nianlong shook his head. "Ordinary people can become ghosts but quickly dissipate. Only those with deep ties to the world or strong resentment persist as vengeful spirits seeking revenge. But two hundred ghosts harming one person is unusual. Besides, with your official aura, ordinary

 ghosts shouldn't get close... hmm!"

Li Nianlong suddenly had an epiphany. "I think I understand."