CHAPTER 696: THE DEAL PART-4 (NEED EDIT)

By the time Lin Fang and Vivian arrived at the Mariotte Grand Hall, it was already 11:30 p.m.

As the valet hurried to open the car door, Vivian stepped out in a scarlet gown. Her hair was styled neatly, and her lips painted the same bold shade as her dress — elegant, poised, and in layman’s terms, rich...

Lin Fang walked beside her, dressed in a plain black suit, the kind of standard formalwear used by personal guards.

But his face was strangely hidden behind a sleek wolf mask, which was popular these days due to the rise of cosplay events in Northern Yan.

Vivian glanced sideways, raising an eyebrow. She murmured, just enough for him to hear, "Was this really necessary?"

Lin Fang adjusted his tie slightly. "The people inside are basically rich folks like you. And if a case arises where I have to protect you, I might need to offend some of them. You’ll leave this city in three days— but I’ll still have to live here. I’d rather not invite unnecessary trouble later on." He said quietly, staring ahead.

She stared at him for a few seconds, then exhaled and nodded slowly. "Fair enough."

Together, they walked through the carpeted hall as the faint sound of classical music echoed all around. The banquet area was supposed to be lively — but as they entered the private hall, Vivian’s steps faltered.

Only three people were inside. The remaining were all a part of the orchestra band or the hotel staff.

One of them was familiar to Lin Fang, too. It’s Mark, who stood in the center in a crisp black suit. The latter’s expression softened as he noticed her but that disappeared in the next instant when he spotted the masked bodyguard. Of course, he didn’t need to ask Lin Fang to learn of his identity. He could easily guess it. Meanwhile, beside him, a man and a woman turned curiously at the newcomers.

Mark was the first to break the silence. As his eyes flicked over Lin Fang’s mask, surprise flashed for a moment before he brushed it aside with a practiced smile. "Vivian," he greeted warmly, stepping forward and pulling her into a hug.

While his arm was around her waist, he leaned close to whisper against her ear, "Please... try to get along with them tonight. We can sort our issues later, but now, smile. They’re important for your father’s business. Don’t make things complicated."

Vivian forced a smile, putting up the perfect social mask, and pulled back, turning toward the couple.

"Good evening," she said smoothly as if she was genuinely happy to see them, "And happy birthday." She said to the man.

"Thank you..."

As the man said, Mark introduced them, "This is Zhang Yifu, the City Mayor’s brother, and this is his wife, Shen Ruyi."

Vivian put on her polite smile and looked at them. "Vivian Moreau," she replied gracefully, shaking his hand. "It’s a pleasure. This is my bodyguard."

At the mention of his name, Lin Fang gave a courteous nod from behind her, his wolf mask glinting faintly under the chandelier light.

The woman, Shen Ruyi, wrinkled her nose slightly at that introduction. "Bodyguard?" she repeated, her tone lined with disdain. "Why would a mere bodyguard be here? Surely you don’t need one inside such a secure place."

Vivian hesitated. "He’s just..."

"You should send him outside, Miss Moreau," Shen Ruyi cut her off, her smile sharp and patronizing as she added. "I don’t know how it was in Novus Mundus, but in Zhonggou, a private banquet isn’t really a place for those who aren’t in the same social circle. I apologize for the blunt tone."

Vivian’s smile stiffened as she glanced toward Lin Fang, who stood silently but with a faint furrow beneath the mask. Before she could respond, Zhang Yifu chimed in with an assuring grin.

"You can trust us, Miss Moreau," he said, gesturing around the room. "There are cameras everywhere — see those little black domes? Our own security personnel are watching every angle. And a few of my friends will be joining shortly. They might feel uncomfortable having someone... outside the circle."

Vivian’s fingers twitched against her gown. She could feel Mark’s presence beside her, his hand resting lightly on her back as he leaned close to whisper.

"Don’t be stubborn," he murmured. "You’ll only offend them over something so small."

Her lips pressed together. She turned toward Lin Fang, uncertain. "If you don’t mind—"

Before she could finish, Zhang Yifu interrupted smoothly, "There’s a security control room upstairs, Mr. Lin. You can stay there if you wish. It overlooks this entire floor."

Lin Fang paused, reading the unspoken message in their eyes. Then, without a word, he gave a small nod. "Understood."

As his footsteps faded toward the exit, Mark’s lips curved into a calm, satisfied smile. He raised his glass from the nearby table, the red liquid swirling slowly within.

"Well then," he said, voice light, "let’s have some wine, shall we?"

Vivian forced an awkward smile in return, the unease in her stomach growing heavier by the minute.

Would you like me to continue right from here — with Lin Fang upstairs noticing something off through the security feed (the early hint of a setup or ambush)? That would naturally lead to the upcoming confrontation scene.

Here’s your scene rewritten in novel-quality prose with pacing, tension, and cinematic flow, consistent with your ongoing tone and narrative style:

65)

The hotel staff led Lin Fang toward the elevator at the end of the hall. The man smiled politely, pressing the button for him.

"Please wait on the top floor, sir. Another staff member will assist you there," he said, bowing lightly.

Lin Fang gave a simple nod, stepping inside. The doors slid shut with a soft chime.

As the elevator began to rise, a faint hum echoed through the small, dimly lit space. Lin Fang leaned against the railing casually — until Alpha’s voice resounded sharply in his mind.

"Something’s wrong."

"What?" Lin Fang frowned.

"The elevator... It isn’t stopping at the fourth floor."

His eyes darted toward the display — it had already passed the 4th and was climbing rapidly. "Great," he muttered under his breath.

And then—

"Protect yourself with mana. Now!"

Instinct overrode thought. Lin Fang instantly wrapped his body with a layer of dense, shimmering mana.

A split second later, a hiss filled the elevator. From the vents above, a thick purple gas poured down like smoke from a furnace.

His system chimed rapidly in his mind:

[Warning: Foreign toxin detected.]

[Mana barrier neutralizing effect...]

[Mana reduced: -1500 MP/sec.]

The gas coiled around him like living mist, trying to seep through every gap. His eyes narrowed, the pressure from his mana field flickering faintly.

"Poison?" he muttered coldly. "How original."

Seconds dragged on. The elevator kept climbing.

By the time it dinged open again, his mana reserves had already dropped by twenty-seven percent.

He stepped out silently — into a wide, moonlit terrace. The night air carried the faint scent of salt and gun oil.

Six men stood waiting, each clad in sleek black suits and wearing half-masks. Every one of them held a katana drawn and ready.

For a brief moment, surprise flickered through their eyes. One of them — apparently the leader — clicked his tongue.

"Tch. As expected of the intel we received... the gas didn’t work."

He raised a hand, his expression hardening.

"Doesn’t matter. We’ll cut him down the old-fashioned way."

The sound of six blades slicing through air filled the rooftop.

"Boys—get him."

Lin Fang rolled his shoulders once, mana pulsing faintly around him like an aura of blue fire.

"Perfect," he said quietly. "I needed some warm-up anyway."

Would you like me to continue with the fight choreography next (showcasing Lin Fang’s combat finesse and partial use of Alpha’s buffs), or do you want it to take a stealthier tone — where he tests his upgraded sword and newfound reflexes?

Here’s the continuation written in proper cinematic style — crisp, impactful, and visually vivid, while keeping your tone consistent:

66)

Lin Fang’s eyes hardened behind the wolf mask. The six men spread out, circling him with deadly precision, their blades gleaming beneath the terrace lights.

"Alpha."

[Understood. Activating skill — Divine Blessing.]

A surge of golden light pulsed from his hands, coating his arms up to the elbow like molten fire. The air rippled around him as the system’s notification echoed in his head:

[All physical stats increased by 500%. Duration: 60 seconds.]

The leader barked an order—"Cut him down!"

But Lin Fang was already gone.

In the blink of an eye, a blur of motion cut through their formation. His fist met the first guard’s chest with a thunderous crack, sending the man flying backward like a ragdoll. Before the others could react, Lin Fang pivoted—his palm slammed into the second’s face, shattering his mask and sending him sprawling unconscious into the wall.

The third swung his katana desperately, but Lin Fang caught his wrist mid-swing, twisted it with casual force, and drove his knee into the man’s gut. The air left his lungs in one wheezing gasp before he crumpled.