At the Lu Family Manor, a room usually used as a private cinema had been transformed into a 'photography studio'.
High-precision holographic projection equipment hummed.
In the center of the room, the originally luxurious carpet and sofas were gone, replaced by a scene of broken walls and ruins, twisted rebar, scorched ground, and even the virtual smell of gunpowder lingering in the air.
This was Ji Yao's handiwork, perfectly replicating a 'ruin' messy after a battle.
And Lu Cheng was lying in the center of this 'ruin', completely without regard for his image.
"No, no!"
He frowned, pointing at the two sisters standing beside him... "A corpse should look like a corpse. You need to make me look like I died a more tragic death."
Ji Yao, operating the light and shadow panel nearby, heard this and skillfully added special effects to Lu Cheng.
A ghastly penetrating wound appeared on his chest, with scorched marks from energy burns around the edges... "Click."
Several high-definition 'death photos' were taken from different angles.
"Excellent, props are ready."
Lu Cheng sat up from his 'corpse' state, dusted off his clothes, then looked at Ji Ling, continuing his 'acting guidance'.
"Remember your current identity."
"You are a meritorious hero who killed the enemy but is also trapped and desperately needs rescue."
"Your tone should convey a desire for credit, the fatigue of completing a mission, and also disdain and contempt for an enemy like me."
"This is the scene your good father most wants to see, understand?"
Ji Ling clearly 'felt' Lu Cheng's emotions—that playfulness, that self-assured control over everything.
This feeling produced a tremor within her, a feeling called 'excitement'.
"I... I understand." She nodded.
"Very good, let's begin!"
...Meanwhile.
Thousands of kilometers away in Paris.
Ji Tianxing paced back and forth anxiously... After his last command, there was still no news.
Every second of waiting felt like it was gnawing at his nerves.
He both anticipated that man being torn to shreds and feared that Ji Ling, like Ji Yao, would stage another betrayal.
Just then, a piercing alarm sounded.
[Receiving communication request...]
Ji Tianxing's body stiffened. He rushed to the screen and barked, "Connect!"
On the screen, static flickered for a moment, then Ji Ling's figure appeared.
She looked incredibly miserable.
Her nano-combat suit was badly damaged, her exposed skin was covered in 'wounds', and even her breathing seemed extremely weak, as if she could run out of energy and collapse at any moment.
This, of course, was also a masterpiece of special effects.
"Father."
Ji Ling's voice carried a deliberately suppressed fatigue, along with the urgency of wanting to claim credit.
"Mission... accomplished."
"Lu Cheng... is dead."
As she spoke, she sent over the forged 'death photos'.
On the screen, Lu Cheng's 'unrestful' tragic state was clearly displayed.
The moment Ji Tianxing saw the photos, his pupils sharply contracted. His face first showed uncontrollable ecstasy, but it lasted less than a second before being replaced by deeper, thicker suspicion.
"So fast?"
He stared intently into Ji Ling's eyes, his voice icy.
He knew too well how troublesome Lu Cheng was, possibly even having a system, and he also knew too well that his own creation had a 'record' of betrayal!
He immediately activated the highest-privilege detection program, attempting to scan Ji Ling's status to confirm if she was lying.
Invisible streams of scan data were transmitted back from Ji Ling's body.
[Body status detecting...]
[Vital signs: Weak.]
[Lie detection: No abnormal fluctuations.]
Ji Tianxing, of course, couldn't detect any problems.
The [Link Module] Lu Cheng implanted was a 'rule-level' product, superseding all his technology... All the 'weakness' Ji Ling felt at this moment came from the sensation Lu Cheng'simulated' for her through the link.
To her, the feeling was incredibly real.
Therefore, she wasn't lying.
Ji Tianxing's doubts slightly lessened, but he still hadn't completely let down his guard.
"Specific process." He pressed coldly.
Ji Ling seemed to have anticipated his question and immediately gave a supplementary report according to the script Lu Cheng had provided.
"I exploited his arrogance and hubris. When he thought he could control me, I launched a close-range sneak attack and succeeded."
Her tone carried 'disdain' for Lu Cheng, which Ji Tianxing found extremely satisfying to hear.
"However, his security forces reacted quickly. I am now surrounded and pursued, finding it difficult to escape the Demon City, so I can only find a place to hide first."
"Lu Corporation has suppressed the news, so currently, only a few core personnel should know about Lu Cheng's death."
"I need your extraction, immediately!"
"Trapped?"
This reason was like a key, instantly unlocking the last shackles in Ji Tianxing's heart.
Logical!
This perfectly explained why she hadn't returned immediately.
Lu Cheng was dead, but his forces were still active. Even if Ji Ling was strong, it was perfectly normal for her to be trapped after her energy was depleted.
His suspicions began to crumble in the face of immense temptation.
He regained absolute confidence in Ji Ling's 'ability' and 'loyalty'.
No, this time was different.
She didn't have that superfluous 'emotional module'; she had no reason, and even less ability, to betray him!
"Maintain stealth and await my message!"
Ji Tianxing finished speaking and abruptly disconnected the communication.
His eyes flickered wildly as he made his final assessment.
Go to Demon City himself?
Risky.
What if this was a trap... But what about the gains?
First, personally confirm Lu Cheng's death, eliminating future troubles forever!
Second, recover P2, his strongest weapon!
Third... Ji Tianxing's breathing suddenly became heavy.
Take over Lu Cheng's 'legacy'!
He didn't care about the wealth of Lu Corporation.
What he cared about were Lu Cheng's secrets!
How could that man suppress him?
And also know his secrets?
What was he hiding?
This temptation was fatal!
Ultimately, his absolute self-confidence and boundless greed for Lu Cheng's secrets completely overwhelmed that last, negligible trace of caution.
He believed that with Lu Cheng dead, no one in this world could ever threaten him again.
He, Ji Tianxing, would be the only king of this era!
"Ji Yao shamed me, Ji Ling avenged me."
"I also need to capture that girl Ji Yao and let her know who her father is!"
He walked to a metal wall at the end of the control room and muttered to himself.
The wall opened silently, revealing a brand-new nano-combat suit.
This suit was even more perfect than the previous one, with thicker armor, and the energy core in its chest glowed with a dangerous red light.
"It's time..."
Ji Tianxing put on the suit, feeling the surging power within him, and a cruel smile appeared on his face.
"Go and personally reclaim everything that rightfully belongs to me!"
...Lu Family Manor.
Shortly after the communication ended, Ji Yao's report came in.
"Boss, the fish has taken the bait."
"Ji Tianxing is expected to arrive in three hours."
Lu Cheng looked at Ji Ling, who had completed her mission and whose eyes sparkled with excitement and curiosity.
This perfect work of art, infused with a'soul', became even more captivating.
He reached out and gently stroked her cheek.
"Let's go, my good Ling'er."
"Bring your sister. Together, we will greet your father."