Chapter 649: Impact

In the driver’s seat, a woman with glamorous makeup stared with wide eyes, repeatedly glancing back at the slowly approaching Han Ning, her voice filled with excitement.

She deliberately slowed the car just to get a few more glimpses of Han Ning.

“Sister Yan, we’re on a mission. Calm down.”

For some reason, Xie Mingke felt a pang of jealousy. She looked away and reminded her in a low voice.

“Hey! Look at you, so serious. Appreciating handsome men is human nature. What I’m doing is perfectly normal, you know.”

The woman Xie Mingke called Sister Yan said with a serious expression,

“You, on the other hand, are so prim and proper you won’t even look at a handsome guy. You’re the one who isn’t acting normal.”

“Anyone paying attention would think you have ulterior motives.”

“Learn from your big sister. This is called ‘blending in.'”

“You might have a point…” Xie Mingke opened her mouth to reply.

“What are you doing here?”

Suddenly, a spiritual message from Han Ning appeared in Xie Mingke’s mind.

Xie Mingke blinked, unsure how to communicate back to Han Ning.

‘Just think the message in your mind. I’ll hear it.’

This was a skill that only Beast Masters who possessed Spiritual Power of Profound Moon quality could master.

Of course, that was only if the other person had no spiritual defenses raised.

‘The Eternal Spring Association was suddenly wiped out. We received orders from our superiors to monitor the Yongfu Commerce Association’s top brass and gather intelligence.’

‘They’re the Black God Association’s only faction in Ludao.’

Xie Mingke thought the message in her mind.

‘Who’s the woman with you?’ Han Ning asked again.

‘Her name is Yu Yingyan. She’s an investigator assigned by our superiors. Her cover is being the heiress of a consortium from Yuhang City. At tonight’s banquet, she’s supposed to be discussing business with people from the Yongfu Commerce Association.’

‘Behind the scenes, our organization has tasked Yu Yingyan with finding the Black God Association’s exact location, which is backing the Yongfu Commerce Association.’

Xie Mingke answered.

‘Got it. Things might get a little chaotic later, so be prepared,’ Han Ning warned her in advance.

‘You…’ Xie Mingke wanted to say more, but Han Ning had already withdrawn his Spiritual Power.

To own a manor in this part of the city, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, was a testament to the sheer scale of the Yongfu Commerce Association’s Energy.

And the place known to Ludao locals as the Bailu Restaurant was built right on the manor grounds.

As he walked slowly into the estate, he saw neatly manicured European-style gardens flanking the road. In the center stood a tall sculpture, and behind it, a cluster of Western-style buildings.

‘Tsk, tsk. Talk about decadent…’

Although his predecessor had heard of the Bailu Restaurant since he was a child, this was Han Ning’s first time setting foot inside.

In his predecessor’s memory, this was a place frequented only by high society.

The central main building was brilliantly lit. A dozen or so domestic-brand business sedans and various luxury cars were parked in the lot near the entrance.

Just as Han Ning reached the entrance of one of the buildings, its lavishly decorated doors swung inward. A woman in an exquisite evening gown stood there smiling, accompanied by several other splendidly dressed men and women.

Just as he was wondering who they could possibly be welcoming.

From nearby, he heard Yu Yingyan’s laughter. “Sister Zhang, why all the ceremony?”

“Nothing is too grand for our distinguished guest. Miss Yu, please, come in.”

“And you must be Miss Xie Mingke? Good evening.”

The woman in the evening gown, whom they called Sister Zhang, gave a radiant smile and greeted them both in turn.

The club wasn’t open to the public tonight; the only reason Han Ning could be here was thanks to an invitation from Zhang Nengfa.

Like any ordinary guest, he discreetly slipped in through a side door.

Still, his handsome features were enough to catch Sister Zhang’s eye.

“Let me make some introductions. This is Wang Liming, the youngest director of our Yongfu Commerce Association…”

“And this is Li Han, the daughter of the city’s Director Li…”

Sister Zhang leaned in close to Xie Mingke and Yu Yingyan, introducing them to the people around them.

“I’ve heard so much about you, Miss Yu. Seeing you in person today, you’re every bit as remarkable as they say.” The speaker was Li Han. She wore a low-cut evening gown and heavy makeup, her eyes sizing up Yu Yingyan from time to time.

“You’re too kind, you’re too kind. Compared to all of you, I’m just a humble corporate employee.”

‘So these are Ludao’s local elites… a mix of top intellectuals, trust fund kids, and the children of officials… Quite the gathering.’

Han Ning, who had already entered the main hall and picked up a glass of fine wine, was inwardly surprised at their host’s methods. Still, he maintained a placid expression as he greeted a few other people.

“Please, follow me.” At the entrance to the main building, a female attendant in a beautiful uniform gestured for them to proceed, then led the way.

Intricate crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. At the far end of the hall, on a slightly raised stage, an elegant woman in a long dress with a plunging neckline was engrossed in playing a guqin.

To the accompaniment of the melodious music, attendants moved through the hall, wearing polite smiles as they greeted each guest entering the banquet.

The hall was vast. Han Ning estimated it to be at least five hundred square meters, easily large enough to seat around a hundred people for dinner. However, in the east-central part of the hall, there were only a few round tables set up, each seating a dozen or so guests.

Zhang Nengfa had said there would be a banquet tonight, and that the Yongfu Commerce Association had invited many of Ludao’s local celebrities.

In addition to the group of young people, there were also several noticeably older individuals standing in the main hall.

Presumably because of their age and status, they hadn’t come to the door to greet Yu Yingyan.

As Yu Yingyan’s group entered the main hall, the older individuals stopped their conversation and turned their gazes toward them.

“Miss Yu, allow me to make another introduction. This is our Yongfu Commerce Association’s Chairman Zhao.”