Mu Yunzheng’s expression instantly became wary.
“How about this,” Luoyuan continued, “we reach an agreement first. You will send me some construction materials, food, and water so that I can build a castle in the desert.”
Mu Yunzheng hesitated, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.
Luoyuan suddenly pulled out a dagger and pressed it against Mu Xi’s neck.
“Otherwise, Mu Xi dies.”
Mu Xi did not struggle.
Her eyes stared blankly ahead, as if she were completely indifferent to life or death.
“Don’t!” Mu Yunzheng immediately grew tense, “I promise you. I will agree to all your demands.”
Luoyuan lowered the dagger with a satisfied expression and had Mu Xi sit back down in her chair.
For the next ten minutes, she and Mu Yunzheng discussed the supply routes, quantities, and timing in detail before finally ending the call.
“Master,” a subordinate stepped out from the shadows, “why not just take Mu Xi directly into Wu City and seize the throne? Logically speaking, with Mu Xi’s bloodline, we are the legitimate faction.”
Luoyuan turned and slapped the man across the face, “Idiot! Mu Yunzheng is Mu Tianhong’s brother, so they are closely related. He also has two sons and holds military power and resources. If we take Mu Xi in now, aren’t we just looking for death?”
The subordinate took a step back while clutching his face, not daring to speak again.
Luoyuan walked to the window and gazed at the sandstorm in the distant desert.
“Don’t be fooled by Mu Yunzheng’s act of caring for Mu Xi. Once Mu Xi enters the city, she will disappear within one month.”
Her voice turned ice-cold, “We must first possess a certain level of strength before we are qualified to fight that old bastard for the throne of Wu City.”
Mu Xi sat in the chair, her silver hair obscuring her expression.
Her fingers gently rubbed the armrest of the chair, her nails leaving faint marks on the metal surface.
“Then why is Mu Yunzheng so anxious to see me?” Mu Xi suddenly asked, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.
Luoyuan turned around and walked over to Mu Xi, leaning down to meet her gaze as she replied, “Because you are a thorn in his side, my dear. As long as you are alive, he won’t be able to sleep.”
She reached out to stroke Mu Xi’s cheek and continued, “He only recently returned to Wu City himself, and his position is unstable. He long ago forgot about the matter of splitting the family with your father years ago; now, he only wants to eliminate all threats.”
Mu Xi looked up, meeting Luoyuan’s eyes directly for the first time she asked, “Then what should we do, Sister?”
Luoyuan smiled, and her grin looked exceptionally dangerous in the dim light.
“We will utilize him first, and then —”
She made a throat-slitting gesture and said, “We will make him pay the price for his greed.”
Mu Xi nodded blankly, her eyes as hollow as a pool of stagnant water, devoid of any ripples.
Her fingers unconsciously rubbed the corner of her clothes, as if this was the only way she could confirm her own existence.
Luoyuan turned toward the subordinate standing in the corner, her blonde hair shimmering with a dangerous light in the gloom.
“The results after the surgery were worse than expected,” she said with a hint of displeasure in her voice, her eyes as cold as ice.
“Although the hypnosis is complete, the whole person has become dull, even a bit simple-minded.”
Her fingers gently brushed through Mu Xi’s silver hair.
“It seems there is still room for improvement in our technology.”
The subordinate lowered his head in response, a flash of imperceptible fear crossing his eyes.
“Let’s go,” Luoyuan said as she took Mu Xi’s hand.
The girl’s skin felt ice-cold to the touch.
“I’ll take you to see your new home.”
They walked through the narrow corridors of the temporary base, their footsteps echoing on the metal floor.
Outside, the desert wind carried fine sand that pelted the exterior walls of the building, making a faint rustling sound.
Several soldiers immediately lowered their heads and avoided Luoyuan’s gaze when they saw her.
After crossing an open space, a massive off-road RV came into view.
The vehicle was streamlined and entirely black.
Armored plates covered most of the body, leaving reinforced glass windows only where necessary.
A specialized track system was installed beneath the six huge tires, allowing it to handle the harshest terrain in the desert.
The roof was covered with solar panels, while several radars and communication devices were mounted on the sides.
“This is your new home.” Luoyuan let go of Mu Xi’s hand and signaled for her to look at the vehicle.
“It is both safe and mobile at any time. No one will be able to find you, and no one can hurt you.”
Mu Xi’s eyes widened slightly, but they quickly returned to their hollow expression as she nodded mechanically.
Luoyuan pressed the code lock next to the door, and the heavy metal door slid open slowly.
The interior was unexpectedly spacious.
The front was the cockpit, the middle was a small living room and kitchen equipped with a sofa and a folding table, and a display screen was embedded in the wall.
The rear contained a small bedroom and a bathroom; though simple, the facilities were complete.
The entire interior used soft lighting and beige tones, forming a sharp contrast with the cold black exterior.
“There is a water purification system here,” Luoyuan said, pointing to a device in the corner.
“The food reserves are enough for you to eat for one month, and the communication equipment can reach me at any time.”
Her finger slid across the control panel.
“Temperature and humidity can be adjusted, completely isolating you from the harsh environment outside.”
Mu Xi’s gaze drifted around the interior of the RV, her fingers gently touching the surface of the sofa as if she were trying to confirm if all of this was real.
“Do you like it?” Luoyuan leaned down and asked, her voice suddenly became gentle, yet it sent a shiver down one’s spine.
“I like it, Sister,” Mu Xi replied in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum, her gaze still hollow.
Luoyuan straightened up with satisfaction and made a gesture toward the door.
Two soldiers walked in, escorting a woman.
The woman’s wrists were covered in blood and her clothes were ragged, but her gaze was still as sharp as a knife.
“This is Ye Lan,” Luoyuan introduced with a cruel smile playing on her lips.
“She almost broke free from her restraints and escaped just now. A truly sly vixen.”
She turned to Mu Xi and asked, “In the future, you must suck her blood greedily. Do you understand?”
Mu Xi nodded, but her gaze was involuntarily drawn to Ye Lan.
Something was burning in those deep, almond-shaped eyes — an emotion she could not understand — causing her heart to race uncontrollably.
Luoyuan signaled the soldiers to release Ye Lan.
Deep ligature marks remained on Ye Lan’s wrists.
“From now on, you are responsible for taking care of Mu Xi’s daily life,” Luoyuan told Ye Lan, her voice as cold as ice.
“You are both a blood bag and a servant. If she loses so much as one hair, I will make you wish you were dead.”
Ye Lan looked up, sparks of anger flickering in her eyes.
“You lunatic!” she spat, her voice hoarse yet full of strength, “What did you do to her?”
Luoyuan laughed, a sound that seemed to make the temperature inside the RV drop by several degrees.
“I simply helped her forget unnecessary pain,” she said nonchalantly.
“This is better for her than those useless emotions of yours.”
“You will regret this,” Ye Lan said, her voice low and dangerous.
“One day, you will pay the price for this.”
Luoyuan waved her hand dismissively.
“Your body is broken and you’ve lost your combat power, yet you’re still so arrogant,” she mocked.
“I really don’t know how you survived in the past. Forget it, I can’t be bothered to argue with you.”
She turned back to Mu Xi and said, “Get some rest. I will come to see you tomorrow.”
With those final words, Luoyuan turned and left.
The soldiers followed behind her, and the metal door slowly hissed shut, closing with a dull thud.
Only Mu Xi and Ye Lan remained in the RV, and a strange tension filled the air.
Mu Xi stood where she was, looking at Ye Lan at a loss.
The sound of her heartbeat felt like a drum in her ears.
Ye Lan’s expression gradually shifted from anger to a complex mix of emotions.
She slowly took a step toward Mu Xi, her voice softening.
“Little Xi,” she called out softly, “do you really not remember me?”
Mu Xi’s heart suddenly constricted.
That name stirred a blur of memories in her mind, like a faint light seen through a thick fog.
Her breathing became rapid, and her fingers unconsciously gripped the corner of her clothes.
“I… should I remember you?” Mu Xi asked, her voice carrying a trace of an imperceptible tremble.
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