Shen Xingchen chose a room on the second floor, diagonally opposite to Lin Zhao's room on the first floor. It was the farthest room in the entire building from Lin Zhao's, not for any other reason than to avoid suspicion. The farther she was from Lin Zhao, the better. This was her promise to her good friend Leng Yan: to minimize contact with Lin Zhao outside of studio and guild official business.
...
Fortunately, the room was large enough, with three walk-in closets, which was enough for Shen Xingchen to store her clothes. While Lin Zhao and the others were helping Shen Xingchen set up the gaming pod, Shen Xingchen was in her room, taking out her clothes one by one and arranging them. To a beautiful woman, clothes were one of her greatest treasures, and she was not at all stingy with them.
Not long after, another VTOL aircraft landed on the lawn outside. A handsome and refined man in a suit alighted from the plane.
Nangong Jilin led two bodyguards forward and nodded with a slight smile, "Young Master has arrived?"
"Yes, I rushed over as soon as the meeting ended."
Shen Lingyuan nodded and looked at the villa ahead. "Is this... the residence of that 'Bai Yi'? The location of the Scarlet Moon Knights' studio?"
"Yes."
Nangong Jilin said, "That's right. We've already investigated. This villa was awarded by the Su City local government as a war merit to a major general guarding the coastal border. The owner's name is Murong Feiyue. We've checked, and she is one of the important commanders of the Southeast Military Region with high prestige in the army. Bai Yi's name is Lin Zhao, and according to household registration, he is Murong Feiyue's cousin."
"So that's the connection."
Shen Lingyuan frowned. "This means we can't move against him easily."
"Ah?"
Nangong Jilin was taken aback. "Lin Zhao is amiable, and very humble towards the Young Miss. Why would we want to move against him?"
"You brat..."
Shen Lingyuan glared. "You've been swayed in less than an hour? What did Lin Zhao give you to make you speak up for him like this? Don't forget, you're here to protect my sister's safety, and Lin Zhao is one of the threats."
"He won't."
Nangong Jilin smiled slightly. "Lin Bai Yi of Snow Domain Celestial Pool, how could someone like him harm the Young Miss?"
"What?"
Shen Lingyuan stiffened. "You mean... this Lin Zhao is *that* Lin Zhao?"
"That's right, he is the Marshal Lin of Snow Domain Celestial Pool."
Nangong Jilin couldn't suppress his inner joy and said with a smile, "Although I haven't had much time to play 'Tian Xia', I've read through its history and various story chapters many times. Especially the one about Snow Domain Celestial Pool. Lin Zhao... wouldn't harm the Young Miss. I don't misjudge people. If I'm wrong, I'll shoot myself, so you don't have to do it, Young Master."
"Hmph, come with me to take a look."
"Okay."
Shen Lingyuan led Nangong Jilin into the villa.
...
"Yo..."
Lin Zhao, Ding Chi, and Zhang Jun immediately recognized Shen Lingyuan as "Jian Shen Yuan" from the duel on the life-and-death stage. His appearance was unchanged, exactly the same.
Lin Zhao stood up and led them forward, smiling, "Shen Lingyuan, you've come too."
Shen Lingyuan glanced at him. This man who had defeated him on the life-and-death stage had an above-average appearance, not as handsome as himself. His eyebrows held a hint of heroism, and his expression was casual and weary. It was impossible to connect him with the killing god "Bai Yi" in the game. But formidable people were often like this; their outward appearance didn't reveal their strength.
"Bai Yi, Lin Zhao?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded. "It's me."
"Pleasure to meet you."
Shen Lingyuan extended his hand.
Lin Zhao clasped it lightly and smiled, "I know you must be concerned about coming here. I would be too. But please believe me, as long as I'm here, no one in the Scarlet Moon Knights' studio will bully Shen Xingchen. I won't let her suffer the slightest grievance. If she ever comes to you to complain about being wronged, I'll accept any punishment and won't resist."
Shen Lingyuan couldn't help but chuckle. This kid's personality... really suited his taste. He was still as infuriating as ever. Not only did he defeat him on stage, but he had also coaxed his precious sister to his side. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Shen Lingyuan frowned. "I didn't come here to talk about this. I'm here to arrange the defenses around the studio to ensure Xingchen's safety here."
"Don't worry~~~"
Ding Chi laughed. "The security here is pretty good. Police cars patrol every ten minutes. Usually, there are only one or two drunken hooligans causing trouble. With the three of us big men here, it's impossible for Shen Xingchen to be harmed."
"That's one thing, this is another."
Shen Lingyuan smiled unapologetically. "Bai Yi, Yu Jin, Lin Feng, plus Xue Qiancheng and Xiao Lu Luan Zhuang, with the five of you living here, no one will trouble you. After all, your value is evident. Without conflicting interests, there won't be much threat. But it's different with Xingchen here. She is the sole legal heir of our Shen Group. In the future, the entire Xinghen Group will be hers. For many years, our Xinghen Group has been active in the business world and has offended quite a few people. Our own interests are substantial enough that it's expected someone might try to target Xingchen. Therefore, I must make strict arrangements to ensure Xingchen's safety and well-being here."
"I understand."
Lin Zhao nodded. "Shen Lingyuan, you arrange the security matters. We won't obstruct you."
"Good!"
Shen Lingyuan had intended to come over and vent his anger, but he hadn't expected Lin Zhao to be so reasonable, and his anger dissipated. He could only calm down. "Everyone, come out. I'll explain the detailed facilities we'll be setting up around here. Once they're in place, don't tamper with them, and we'll ensure they don't greatly affect your lives."
"Okay."
Shen Lingyuan turned, followed closely by Nangong Jilin. Lin Zhao, along with Ding Chi, Chen Xue, and three others, also walked out, following behind Shen Lingyuan. As they exited the villa, they noticed that the surroundings had changed. To the right of the villa, nestled in the woods, a sturdy steel structure had been erected, supporting a heavy cannon with 13 closely spaced barrels.
"Zhu Rong-class CIWS."
Shen Lingyuan pointed. "Equipped with two micro-radars for situational awareness of aerial threats. The entire system is used to defend against attacks from guided weapons like missiles and rocket artillery."
Lin Zhao and Chen Xue glanced from afar. They had heard of such defensive weapons. It was said that one system cost over a hundred million universal coins. Rich people had them as standard equipment, while the poor couldn't even afford to look at them.
Shen Lingyuan led Lin Zhao and the others on a tour around the villa. At each of the four corners of the villa, a device descended deep underground, protruding about two meters above the surface, appearing to be some kind of launch system.
"Nuwa-class shield system."
Shen Lingyuan smiled calmly. "However, the energy level of this shield system is relatively low and can be activated with a solar panel. When the Zhu Rong-class CIWS fails to defend, this Nuwa-class basic shield will automatically activate. It can withstand continuous attacks from about 15-20 high-energy missiles. Originally, I proposed using a modern Nuwa shield system, but its energy consumption is too high and requires two corresponding micro-deuterium fusion reactors to drive it. It would be too much of a fuss, and Xingchen scolded me for it."
Chen Xue smiled faintly. This seemed like something Shen Xingchen would do.
"Over there."
Shen Lingyuan pointed to a large device on an armored RV in the distance. "That's an anti-laser device. I originally wanted to add a Shen Nong-class laser interception cannon, but Xingchen rejected it too. There were too many things, and she found them bothersome. She also felt we men were too slow in doing things. In fact..."
His voice deepened, and he glanced at Lin Zhao. "As her older brother, and with our father at home, who doesn't wish for Xingchen's lifelong safety? She likes lipstick, she likes all sorts of beautiful clothes. These are things we're not good at and can't participate in. All we can do is protect her in our own way."
"Brother-in-law, you're really nice..." Ding Chi said emotionally.
Shen Lingyuan glared. "Damn it, Yu Jin, stop talking! Every time you speak, I get angry! From now on, if anyone calls me brother-in-law again, I'll beat you!"
"Cough cough..."
Lin Zhao raised his hand to signal Ding Chi to be quiet. "Don't be angry. My brother likes to joke. He really didn't mean it. I can also guarantee that during their time at the Scarlet Moon Knights' studio, none of us will pursue Shen Xingchen, nor will we disturb her life. So, please rest assured, she is here solely to offer advice to the Scarlet Moon Knights, helping our newly emerging guild go further."
Shen Lingyuan looked at Lin Zhao. This kid was really good at speaking. His words were impeccable, and almost every sentence hit the mark. If he were to use such rhetoric on Xingchen, could his spoiled and willful sister withstand it?
For a moment, Shen Lingyuan began to worry again.
"That's all for now."
Nangong Jilin said, "There are 20 special forces personnel in the armored RV, each equipped with a Yan Di-class armor system and corresponding weaponry. In short, we will guard here day and night in shifts. Just pretend we don't exist. Also, the equipment installed around the house is fine. Radiation suppression has been applied, so the radiation is very low and negligible. You can carry on as usual. You can even play badminton in the yard, just don't touch the equipment. It's all quite expensive, don't break it..."
"Understood."
Lin Zhao nodded with a smile.
Nangong Jilin also smiled and nodded at Lin Zhao. This Lin Bai Yi of Snow Domain Celestial Pool was becoming more and more likable. Would he be their future son-in-law? Thinking of this, Nangong Jilin quickly glanced at Shen Lingyuan, fearing that his thoughts might be perceived, and that this young master might kill him.
...
"Are we done yet?"
Shen Xingchen leaned against the second-floor window, looking outside, her delicate eyebrows furrowed. "If we're done, go online. We need to plan the guild's future development. Also, brother, if you have nothing else to do, go back. Don't just hang around here. There are many things waiting for you to handle at home."
"Got it, got it."
Shen Lingyuan rubbed his nose, dejectedly. "Getting kicked out already, how rude..."
Lin Zhao couldn't help but smile and looked at Chen Xue. "Let's go, we should get back online too."
"Okay!"