"Sister, Mother is calling for you," Julie said in an urgent tone even before she came close.
Both Lily and Tony turned around to see Julie running towards them in a hurry.
"Sister, Hurry… Mother said it's important. I'll take care of Young Master Tony and show him around." Julie pressed.
Lily frowned slightly, her sharp gaze resting on Julie for a moment longer than necessary. "Mother… now?!" she asked, clearly sensing something off.
Julie nodded immediately. "She seemed serious. I didn't dare delay."
Lily's suspicion didn't fade, but she couldn't ignore the summons. Before leaving, she stepped closer to Julie and whispered in her ear. "Don't do anything foolish."
Then she turned toward Tony, her tone returning to its usual calm. "I apologize. I'll return shortly."
Tony nodded lightly with a stoic face and watched her leave.
The moment Lily disappeared, Julie's polite smile twisted into something far less pleasant. She stepped closer, her eyes gleaming faintly.
"Come with me, young master" she said, grabbing Tony's hand without waiting for his response and pulling him forward.
Tony was quite surprised by her sudden boldness… But he didn't resist.
"You're quite direct," he remarked calmly.
Julie laughed awkwardly, though the sharpness in her eyes didn't fade.
"Tell me something… Don't you think you're… a little too unworthy for my sister? What if one day she gets annoyed and crushes you without even trying?" Julie asked with an obvious mocking look.
Tony let out a faint chuckle. "Seems like you also don't like this marriage."
"Yes… I'll be honest," she said without hesitation. "My sister is the top genius of the Nine Lotus Academy. Her future is limitless. And you…" her gaze swept over him with open disdain, "you're still stuck at the 12th disciple martial. You're going to ruin her life."
Tony's lips curved slightly. "Then why don't you stop it?"
Julie frowned. "If I could, I would have already."
"Oh, but you can really stop this… there is a way," Tony said in a playful tone, his eyes narrowing slightly with a dangerous glint.
Julie's expression changed instantly.
"How…?!!!" she asked, stepping closer, her curiosity overcoming her caution. "Tell me. I'll do anything to stop this."
Tony leaned slightly toward her, his voice lowering.
"It's simple, you can marry me in place of your sister."
Julie froze.
"..."
"If you take her place," Tony continued calmly, "your family still gets the alliance, and you save your sister from me. Everyone wins."
For a moment, Julie simply stared at him… Then anger exploded.
"You—! How dare you!" she snapped, her voice sharp with fury. "You think I would marry someone like you?!"
Tony nodded with an amused smile. "So you won't even make a small sacrifice for your sister? That's disappointing."
Julie clenched her fists, her mind racing. For a fleeting second, the thought crossed her mind… What if she actually did it? But the image of Tony's reputation, his actions, his arrogance- everything crushed that thought instantly.
"You're playing with me," she said coldly. "If you don't want this marriage, say it openly. Ask your father to stop it."
Tony chuckled softly. "That won't work. My father won't listen." He leaned closer, his voice dropping again. "So tell me… will you marry me? I find you far more attractive than your sister."
Julie felt a chill run down her spine. For the first time, she truly understood what people meant when they called Tony dangerous. It wasn't just his actions… it was the way he twisted situations, leaving no clear escape.
"What do you say…? I really like your chubby lips, narrow waist and big bosom. Also your…"
"Enough…!" She shouted angrily after closing her ears with both palms. "I now understand why people call you black suitcase. You are a big pervert!"
"What is this place?" Tony asked her abruptly, changing the topic.
They walked deeper into the estate without knowing. The scenery changed as they approached a dense, forest-like area. Tony slowed slightly, observing the shift.
Julie laughed inside. "What?! Are you afraid? This is the Wild Herb Garden. Restricted herbs grow here… some take hundreds of years. It's restricted, but since you're 'family,' you should see it."
Tony's eyes narrowed slightly, but he followed as Julie already walked isnide.
The deeper they went, the more the environment changed. Towering trees blocked out the light, thick bamboo clusters surrounded them, and strange stone pillars etched with glowing yantras appeared intermittently.
Tony glanced at one of them. "Planning to kill me?" he asked casually.
Julie laughed. "Afraid?"
"Not really."
She smirked faintly. "Even if I kill you, someone else from your family will marry my sister."
Tony didn't respond… Something was definitely wrong.
They continued until a dark, ancient well appeared in the distance. Julie suddenly stopped and turned around. "Wait here," she said quickly. "I forgot to feed my pet. I'll be back in five minutes."
Before Tony could reply, she was already running.
Tony's expression darkened. "That little witch…"
He immediately turned back and tried to follow her. But in a few seconds she vanished.
He paused and began retracing his steps to the original path he came.
But after a few moments… He stopped.
The path was gone… The forest had changed. The direction he came from no longer existed.
Tony's jaw tightened slightly. "Illusion formations…"
He looked around carefully, realizing the pillars were the source. They distorted perception, twisting paths and directions.
"Interesting," he muttered.
But before he could analyze further… A low growl echoed through the forest. Then another… Then many.
Tony's eyes sharpened instantly. Without hesitation, he pulled out his pistol and climbed the nearest tree in one swift motion.
Below… A pack of beasts emerged.
"Hyenas…" Tony muttered.
Before he thought of any escape, some of them began jumping against the tree while others circled with drooling jaws.
"Boom"
The first shot rang out… Then another… Then another.
Each bullet struck cleanly, dropping one beast after another. But the pack didn't retreat. Instead, more emerged from the darkness, drawn by the sound.
Tony's expression hardened. "This is getting troublesome…"
He continued firing, but the number kept increasing. The forest echoed with growls, footsteps, and the sound of tearing flesh.
Soon the pistol became empty without any bullets.
Tony exhaled slowly.
The pack circled the tree, waiting. More shadows appeared.
The night was approaching.And with it… More danger.