Inside a grand residence, Maurice Mo—one of the Five Elders of the Cloud Guild—sat at the head seat. Below him sat a fair-skinned, round-faced, and adorable young woman. The atmosphere between them was tense, almost explosive, yet both wore expressions of cold indifference.
After a long silence, Lily Ling finally couldn’t hold back and spoke, “The Ghost Guild and Cloud Guild have always been rivals, but this time, Cloud Guild’s blatant snatching of Ghost Guild’s business is simply too much, isn’t it?” She had tolerated previous provocations only because the Protectors advised patience, but if not for their words, the Four Hall Masters would have already taken action against the Cloud Guild!
But to her surprise, giving ground didn’t bring peace—it only made the other side press their advantage!
During the incident at the Qin Fortress, the Sect Master was present. Since he hadn’t pursued the matter, they let it go. But this time, the Ghost Sect was interfering with the business she managed. She had every reason to demand an explanation—the Ghost Sect had never suffered such humiliation since its founding!
Maurice Mo had always been cold and distant. Even now, facing Lily Ling’s accusations, he remained unmoved. He glanced at her indifferently and replied with words that were especially infuriating, “No need to make it sound so unpleasant. The employer pays, we do the job—nothing more. What does this have to do with the Ghost Guild?”
Lily Ling slammed the table and stood up, her voice rising in anger. “The Ghost Sect accepted this job long ago. Once the Ghost Sect takes a commission, no other sect is allowed to interfere. That’s a rule everyone knows!”
Maurice Mo leisurely sipped his tea before replying with indifference, “That’s a rule of your Ghost Sect. What does it have to do with our Cloud Sect?”
His words sent Lily Ling’s fury soaring. “Outrageous!” she thought. If the Sect Master hadn’t allowed the Cloud Sect to grow, would they be where they are today? Not only were they ungrateful, but now they openly challenged the Ghost Sect. Truly shameless!
In the vast hall, the two faced off, and it seemed a fight was about to break out at any moment.
“What’s going on here?” A cool, clear voice rang out. Both turned to see a newcomer dressed in flowing white, ethereal as an immortal—a true celestial gentleman!
"Cloud Guildmaster!" Maurice Mo’s eyes lit up with joy. After bowing, he spoke bluntly, "Our sect stole the Ghost Sect’s business." He acted as though Lily Ling didn’t exist at all.
Maurice Mo respected Morgan Shangguan. After all, the business snatching was on her orders. But she had told him to be careful, and he wasn’t sure exactly what she meant by ‘careful’—whether he could target the Ghost Guild’s Hall Masters or not. That’s why he wanted Morgan Shangguan to come in person.
Upon hearing this, Morgan Shangguan mused softly, "Is that so? Then keep snatching! I’ll give you a raise." She’d been a bit annoyed at having to wake up so early, but now her mood had lifted like sunlight breaking through the clouds. If there was business to snatch, she’d snatch it—she still needed to earn more to support her baby!
"Cloud Guildmaster..." The magnetic voice was pleasing to the ear. "So what about my losses?" There was a gentle reproach in his tone—pregnant and still sneaking out, she truly needed someone to watch over her with care.
When Lily Ling saw the man entering through the door, her eyes lit up. "Sect Master!" Wonderful! With the Sect Master here, even Fiona Yun wouldn’t matter—the Cloud Sect was doomed!
But the next moment, something unbelievable happened!
Lily Ling’s mouth dropped open and her eyes widened as she watched her Sect Master walk over to the Cloud Guildmaster, scoop ‘him’ up, settle into a chair, and place ‘him’ on his lap, cradling ‘him’ like a precious treasure while discussing compensation.
Though Damien Gray wore a mask, Lily Ling felt he was being unusually gentle—gentler than she’d ever seen him before, as if a spring breeze had softened his edges.
Could enemies really be this friendly, this intimate? The world had truly become fantastical!
It wasn’t just her—even Maurice Mo was instantly petrified. Both thought the same thing: So the Ghost King really does have feelings for men! And, of all people, he’s fallen for the strongest rival!
Both Lily Ling and Maurice Mo knew that Damien Gray was the Ghost King, but neither realized Morgan Shangguan was actually a woman. Faced with such a scene, they were truly at a loss!
After their discussion, Damien Gray and Morgan Shangguan reached an agreement: from now on, Morgan was not allowed to run off on her own—wherever she went, Damien would accompany her. And Damien would no longer ask her to compensate for any losses!
Maurice Mo finally snapped out of it and said gravely, "Cloud Guildmaster, I will support all your decisions!"
Seeing his serious expression, Morgan Shangguan couldn’t help but smile, a gentle curve at her lips, and nodded softly. No wonder she’d chosen him—her trust had not been misplaced.
Lily Ling shot Maurice Mo a look and snorted, then turned solemnly to Damien Gray. "Sect Master, I support you too!" She even threw Maurice Mo a provocative glance, as if competing to see who was more loyal!
Morgan Shangguan couldn’t help but shake her head. This girl would get along famously with Muriel Murong—their temperaments were a perfect match. They both looked innocent, but anyone close to Damien Gray was never simple!
Outside the door, Ethan Gu clapped a hand over Maxwell Jing’s mouth and dragged him away. Only when they reached a secluded spot did he let go, sighing, "Can’t you be a little more discreet?"
Maxwell Jing snapped open his folding fan with a ‘pa!’ and shook it vigorously, retorting, "Does this young master not even have the right to laugh?" Those two acting so serious was honestly hilarious!
Ethan Gu shook his head, "It’s best if not too many people know the Princess Consort’s true identity right now."
Maxwell Jing frowned. "Lily Ling is one of us, and anyone by the Princess Consort’s side should be trustworthy!" He still believed in Morgan Shangguan’s judgment!
Suddenly remembering something, Maxwell Jing frowned at Ethan Gu and asked tentatively, "Is there something wrong with Lily Ling?"
"It’s not that I don’t trust Lily Ling!" Ethan Gu narrowed his eyes. "I’m just uneasy about Qianye."
Maxwell Jing fell silent for a moment before saying, "True. Leo Leaf has always been a bit moody. Right now, she may not have any ill intentions toward the Sect Master, but if she ever learns his true identity and..." He sighed and shook his head. "Honestly, the Sect Master has never truly trusted her."
Of the Four Hall Masters, only Lily Ling had inadvertently discovered Damien Gray’s true identity. He’d ordered her not to tell anyone—especially Leo Leaf. Damien was always cautious and perceptive; even if Leo Leaf was loyal now, there was a real chance she could betray him in the future. That risk wasn’t small, so he could never fully trust her!