"We can choose someone who truly meets our expectations." "There are three slots for successors, but only one will ultimately become the ruler." "As long as we unconditionally raise the standards when making the final decision and secretly support our chosen candidate, the Tianxing Group will forever remain in our hands." The Tianxing Group could spend vast resources to secretly support their chosen successor. After all, the resources spent would just circulate within the Tianxing Group—moving from the left hand to the right, from the east treasury to the west treasury—a simple matter of bookkeeping. At most, there would be some minor losses, but the impact would be negligible. But if the White Eagle wanted to support these two candidates to create competition. And in the end, it would still end up in the Tianxing Group's coffers, becoming nourishment to support their chosen candidate. This was also one reason for the ancient Great Han saying: "A mighty dragon cannot crush a local serpent." Overall, the White Eagle was powerful—angry enough to destroy you—but for such minor matters, it wasn't worth getting so worked up. If handled poorly, it could result in drawing water with a bamboo basket—coming up empty. Then no one would benefit. So Kim Nam-won wasn't worried. Knowing when to stop was the mindset of the strong. A hundred percent profit was for gamblers; true tycoons always considered how to protect their capital and lock in their investments before weighing the pros and cons, then gradually expanding their greed through steady encroachment. Lu Ding wasn't from the White Eagle, nor would he think so much for them. Kim Nam-won had also considered this issue: if Clark was really Lu Ding. Then trouble might be brewing. Though it seemed unreasonable and highly unlikely to him. He still needed to confirm it. He gave the order: "Submit Clark's video materials to the Wei Gao authorities in the name of the Tianxing Group and have them test the Great Han and White Eagle's reactions." He immediately began carrying out Kim Nam-won's orders. The materials were quickly submitted to the Wei Gao authorities. In the conference room. Looking at that familiar face. The Wei Gao higher-ups glanced at each other. "He looks like Lu Ding." "I'm asking you—is this Lu Ding or not?!" "His... ruthless fighting style also resembles Lu Ding's." "Fuck it, I'm asking if you think this is Lu Ding!!" "Well... it might be Lu Ding." Three answers came from three different higher-ups. The man at the top of Wei Gao's hierarchy darkened his expression. But he couldn't vent his anger—because he wasn't sure either. After all, this involved the Great Han and the White Eagle. After staring for a long time, he finally sent out video conference requests to the higher-ups of both nations. A three-way discussion. But as soon as it began. Even though Wei Gao was the one with doubts. The Great Han side preemptively struck: "Huh?! Why does this guy look so much like Lu Ding?" "You Wei Gao people have gone too far! First, you steal our festivals, then our intangible cultural heritage—and now you're even stealing our investigator's face?! Have you no shame?!" "Perhaps there's a misunderstanding, we—" The White Eagle side passionately joined in: "Great Han, don't go too far. Even when beating a dog, you should consider its master. Stop throwing dirty water at Wei Gao." Then, the White Eagle representative turned to Wei Gao: "No offense to you." Then continued: "This is our White Eagle officer stationed in Wei Gao—Clark! Not your so-called Lu Ding!!" The Great Han side raised an eyebrow: "No?" The White Eagle stood firm: "No!!" Then, the Great Han turned to Wei Gao: "Well? Is it or not?!" The White Eagle's temper flared: "Who the hell are you trying to intimidate?!" Great Han: "Who's intimidating anyone?! I'm just asking if it's him or not?!" White Eagle: "Your attitude is intimidation! Go on, Wei Gao—tell them loud and clear: No! Don't be afraid, I've got your back." Wei Gao had no choice but to grit their teeth and say: "No!" If they expressed doubt, they'd be undermining the White Eagle's stance and giving the Great Han an excuse. They could only deny it. The Great Han snorted coldly: "No? Even if it's not, you'd better watch yourselves. If you keep stealing from us, don't blame me for making sure no one gets out unscathed. So annoying—I'm out!" The screen went black. The White Eagle side followed up: "What an attitude. You'd think they were the third circle's boss. And you—why provoke them?!" "I already sent Clark to Wei Gao, and you had to parade him around where the Great Han could see? You ruined my plans!" Wei Gao hurried to explain: "No, we—" White Eagle cut them off: "No 'we'! This is your last warning. But you'll compensate us for leaking our plans—let's say a thousand dollars." Wei Gao instinctively asked: "Ten thousand?" White Eagle: "Billion!!!!!!!!" The screen went black—they hung up. No room for negotiation. The exquisite conference table in Wei Gao's highest-level meeting room: HP-1 "Fuck it! It's all the Tianxing Group's fault! They're paying this trillion!!" Just half an hour after the Tianxing Group submitted their report. The highest authorities of Wei Gao called, berating Gong Cang and Kim Nam-won relentlessly!! "Just because he looks like Lu Ding means he is?!" "Just because his style is similar means he's Lu Ding?!" "Just because he fights ruthlessly means he's Lu Ding?!" "Now, because of you, Wei Gao was forced to reveal the White Eagle's top-secret plans to the Great Han, severely damaging our cooperation with them." "You've undermined the friendly relations between our nations, causing Wei Gao and the White Eagle to lose one thousand five hundred dollars." "If you don't pay up, no one gets to play!!" Kim Nam-won and Gong Cang exchanged glances. Fuck it, the consequences sounded so severe... but why was the compensation so small? "No problem, we'll pay the fifteen million. Our apologies, it's just that—" "What fifteen million?! It's one trillion five hundred billion!!!!" "You think this is child's play?! Fifteen million?! So annoying—I'm out!" Beep beep beep beep... The dial tone echoed. Kim Nam-won stared at Gong Cang. The emotions in his eyes were impossible to hide—even as the current ruler of the Tianxing Group, he found this unbelievable. "Half an hour... one trillion five hundred billion?! And in dollars!!" No matter how rich they were, they couldn't burn money . It made them look like utter fools. But they had to pay—otherwise, things would get worse. Though the Tianxing Group was Wei Gao's third-largest power after the authorities and White Eagle's stationed forces. If the third-ranked clashed with the second, there might still be room to maneuver. But now, they'd offended both the White Eagle and Wei Gao's authorities. If they didn't pay, they'd face dire consequences. Lu Ding drove An Wuyang, Kim Gyeong-joo, and Kim Yeon-ju to a scenic riverside. After parking and stepping out. Standing by the river, he asked: "Speak. What's your purpose in being so blatant?" For more chapters visit N0v3l.Fiɾe.net "I want to live. I want freedom. I can also be an 'isolated vassal.'" Those two words made Lu Ding turn his head: "You understand this concept?" That was somewhat unexpected. Kim Yeon-ju's expression was serious: "Her path as an 'isolated vassal' was arranged by you. I'm different—I can walk it willingly."