Chapter 8_1

The man towered over her with a commanding presence, like an invincible emperor on the battlefield, admiring the contorted pain in her pretty face. "Wei Anjing, all that I have lost over the years, I will reclaim one by one."

Tears welled up uncontrollably in Wei Anning's eyes as she stared back defiantly at the masked man, whose cruel and predatory eyes shone from beneath the mask like those of a hawk.

If her hands hadn't been bound, she truly desired to tear off his mask to see the hideous face that must lie hidden behind it.

She inhaled sharply with disdain, "You treat a defenseless woman this way, are you even a man?"

Wei Anning was in so much pain that her body broke out in a cold sweat. She wished she could die right there and then, biting her lower lip so fiercely that her teeth sank into the flesh, staining her pearly white teeth with bright red blood.

The man's gaze was dark and unreadable as he glanced at her. A tear rolled down her cheek, and he bent down to lick it away.

The bitter taste on his tongue deepened the intensity in his eyes. As he stood up, a maid hurried in, holding out a silk robe for him to wear.

He waved his hand dismissively, and with the dignity and pride of a dominant lord, the maid quickly withdrew. He removed his mask, and in the dim light, his stunningly handsome face carried a trace of demonic allure. He strode out with long steps.

Outside the door, the butler immediately came forward to greet him, reporting eagerly upon seeing the man's pleased and satisfied expression.

"Third Young Master, the Third Young Lady made two phone calls this morning. One was to a man named Gu Chengjue, and the other to the University of London, UK."

Leng Youchen paused, then turned around, looking surprised, "Gu Chengjue? The heir of the Gu Family of Nancheng?"

"That's him!"

A hint of cold laughter escaped from the depths of Leng Youchen's eyes, "It seems that many interesting things have happened on land while I was not here. Why did she call the University of London, UK?"

"I'm still investigating, but according to the information I've gathered so far, Miss Wei had been to the United Kingdom not long ago. However, her whereabouts are a mystery, completely elusive to our tracking efforts," reported the butler.

"Hah!" Leng Youchen scoffed lightly, "No need to investigate further. It seems that after all these years, she still hasn't kicked her habit of lying." After speaking, he lowered his gaze to his own legs, his expression growing colder by the moment.

"Yes!"

"Moreover, have someone keep a close watch on her every move on the island, and make sure she doesn't get anywhere near the small temple." Leng Youchen commanded in a deep voice.

"Yes, I will see to it immediately," the butler nodded and turned to leave.

As the sound of footsteps faded into the distance behind him, Leng Youchen stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the calm sea. The light from the distant lighthouse seemed to be guiding him home, and the yearning in his eyes grew ever stronger.

He had to return, for the real battlefield was in Beicheng.