Chapter Sixty-Five: The Plum Blossom Defies the Snow

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A Shot Without Sin was dressed in a sharp black suit, brimming with energy, looking every bit the imposing company boss.

“Hey, brother, where have you been making money lately?” A Shot Without Sin draped an arm over Wu Hua’s shoulder.

“You…” Wu Hua looked puzzled.

A Shot Without Sin laughed heartily, “This training center is a joint venture between me and Old Long. I only own forty percent of the shares.”

“Congratulations, congratulations!” Wu Hua replied with a smile.

“Heh, you came and immediately brought me business. Tonight, you have to have a few drinks with me—it's been ages since we last met.” A Shot Without Sin greeted Wu Hua warmly.

At that moment, a commotion erupted at the entrance as a group of people walked in.

Dragon Star Field was also dressed in a suit, looking spirited. Beside him was a woman dressed alluringly; A Shot Without Sin whispered, “Heh, that's his wife, Xue’er.”

Wu Hua’s gaze, of course, did not linger on his wife, but rather on the beauty standing behind her.

This young woman wore a crimson evening gown, her white shoulders bare, and with each step, her chest subtly shifted. Her figure and features were flawless, but what truly set her apart was the refined grace that marked her every gesture. Yet, her eyes were cold, giving the impression of warmth on the surface but chill within.

If Yu Jialing was a simple lily, then this stunning woman before him was a peony in full bloom. The eyes of every man present were drawn to her.

She, however, seemed rather composed, appearing to enjoy the attention. After all, she knew that for a beauty, this was a source of pride.

“Who is she?” Wu Hua asked.

A Shot Without Sin gave a knowing smile, “Interested in her? Too bad—anyone can try, except you.”

Wu Hua was baffled, “Why not?”

A Shot Without Sin leaned in and whispered, “Her name is Cold Plum Proud Snow. She’s a level thirty Enhancer.”

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Wu Hua was slightly surprised. Level thirty was already something to fear, but an Enhancer was even more formidable. Her class was quite different from the Manipulators like Su Twenty. Manipulators needed objects for their attacks, while Enhancers could unleash attacks with pure psychic power—highly offensive, yet extremely fragile in constitution. They also needed far more experience to level up than other classes.

For her to reach level thirty-one, she had to be truly talented—a beautiful expert, indeed.

A Shot Without Sin laughed, “Madman, she's your enemy. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Wu Hua asked in amazement, “Is she…?”

A Shot Without Sin nodded, “Yes, she’s from Blue Ocean Company, the youngest of the Seven Fairies.”

Wu Hua’s heart stirred. He recalled Snowy Night Fairy and Lily of the Valley, and with what he’d heard of the Sand Dune Witch and now seeing Cold Plum Proud Snow, Blue Ocean Company’s reputation was well-deserved. He was beginning to believe that the seven of them really had managed to take down a level sixty-two boss together—there was always a stronger hand.

“Why is she here?” Wu Hua asked.

A Shot Without Sin replied, “She’s acquainted with Sister Xue in real life, and apparently, they’re on good terms.”

Wu Hua exhaled, thinking how fate loved to throw enemies together. Blue Ocean Company commanded respect among male players, and the Seven Fairies were famous. Yet he, Wu Hua, had single-handedly taken out two of them. Rumor had it on the forums that Blue Ocean Company’s leadership would never let the killer go—now, here he was, right under their noses.

“We seem to have met before, haven’t we?” Cold Plum Proud Snow stopped beside Wu Hua, a gentle smile on her beautiful face. But the shrewd Wu Hua could tell she was asking knowingly.

Among Blue Ocean’s seven top members, the secret video of Wu Hua instantly killing Snowy Night Fairy and her companion must have been watched countless times. His face was etched in their memories, perhaps even more distinctly than their own husbands’.

“It does seem familiar,” Wu Hua replied with a smile.

Sensing trouble, Dragon Star Field and A Shot Without Sin quickly stepped in, “Let me introduce you—this is my friend Madman, and this is Cold Plum Proud Snow. We’re all friends here tonight, and the training center’s restaurant is ready. Let’s all drink together.”

Cold Plum Proud Snow smiled, “Of course, I could never refuse Brother Long’s invitation. Otherwise, why would I come all the way from Phantom Moon City? Right, Little Shot?”

A Shot Without Sin hurried to agree, “Sister Xue is magnanimous. Let’s not dwell on unpleasant things—come, let’s drink.”

At that moment, Wu Hua realized Cold Plum Proud Snow was likely much harder to deal with than Snowy Night Fairy or Lily of the Valley. Those two, to put it bluntly, were just a bit equipped and clever, but Cold Plum Proud Snow hid a dagger behind her smile—the depth of her composure far exceeded theirs. This was a truly cunning character.

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“Heh, we’re all friends here. Brother Madman, you join us too.” Her voice was sweet, just right, and she even threw Wu Hua a flirtatious glance.

Wu Hua shivered in distaste. The other men around him shot envious, hostile looks his way—damn it, where did this broke pretty boy come from?

The dinner Dragon Star Field arranged was in the Western restaurant at Yunmeng Center. Since the place wasn’t primarily for dining, the space was a bit cramped, but the décor was exquisite and cozy. For some reason, Wu Hua, Dragon Star Field, A Shot Without Sin, and Cold Plum Proud Snow ended up at the same table.

Wu Hua couldn’t shake the sense that tonight’s atmosphere was oddly tense.

Cold Plum Proud Snow picked up a goblet of red wine, her posture elegant. After a few glasses, a charming flush appeared on her cheeks.

“About that Survival Road quest last time, I can’t really blame you two. After all, everyone was just doing their jobs.” Cold Plum Proud Snow addressed Dragon Star Field and A Shot Without Sin.

Dragon Star Field smiled, “You’re always so generous, Xue. Since you’ve said so, let’s drink and leave the past behind.”

Wu Hua bristled—not at Dragon Star Field, but at Cold Plum Proud Snow. Her words were sly; she was willing to let bygones be bygones with those two, but not with him.

He wasn’t afraid of Blue Ocean Company holding a grudge against him. What he couldn’t stand was this kind of pretentiousness, especially from a woman—just because she had some levels and fame, she acted as if her words were law.

But despite his thoughts, Wu Hua’s face remained impassive.

Cold Plum Proud Snow glanced at him and drawled, “I’m sure you distinguished gentlemen have heard—last week, Witchy’s team of Metallurgists met with disaster at the Ayat Ruins.”

Her words made Wu Hua recall the recent gossip on the forums: Blue Ocean’s Sand Dune Witch’s team had been wiped out by a mysterious gunman single-handedly. Wu Hua knew trouble was brewing; she was clearly hinting at him.

But what she said next settled a heavy stone in Wu Hua’s heart: “Actually, our company is preparing to explore the western sector of the Ayat Ruins in Phantom Moon City again. For safety, Sister Qiu Sha and I will be leading the team. We’ve already notified several large companies there, and they all agreed to cooperate.”

Wu Hua let out a quiet sigh, already guessing what this was all about.