Sharla was a little incredulous when she saw how quickly Evan had expelled the poison. "I didn’t expect you to get rid of it so fast," she said.
"So what? Tell me, what’s your purpose here—and who is your master?" Evan asked.
"That’s my secret. I won’t tell you. As for you, you’ve already been poisoned by my love-poison—there’s no way you’ll ever escape my grasp." Sharla laughed.
"Love-poison?" Evan muttered curiously, then checked his body. He found there really was another kind of poison, but it was being slowly devoured by his Heaven‑Cold qi, so naturally it couldn’t harm him.
Not knowing about Evan’s special physique, Sharla laughed, "That’s right. I ruined myself just to make sure you’d be poisoned by my love-poison. Once you’re infected, you’ll always have to obey me—it’s more effective than any other method of controlling someone."
"So that’s why you went to such lengths to offer yourself to me—now it makes sense. But you’re going to be disappointed." Evan finished speaking, then opened his palm. A wisp of pale blue gas was wrapped in his hand.
Sharla was shocked. This was the very love-poison she’d released, and it had entered Evan’s body through their intimate contact—yet now it appeared in his palm, which utterly stunned her. "How did you do that?" Sharla exclaimed, unable to believe Evan had such ability. This was her most secret technique—never tested herself, but her seniors had always found it foolproof. Yet here, it had failed.
"That’s not your concern. Speak up—if you don’t, I’ll have to get rough." Evan said coldly.
"Damn it, I can’t believe all my hard work was ruined by you." Seeing Evan easily break the spell she’d painstakingly convinced herself to cast, Sharla was frustrated that her effort had come to nothing.
"You didn’t need to go to all that trouble. Everything you did was pointless anyway," Evan replied.
"So what! I really underestimated you. I never thought the Li Family’s Gary Li would have such skills. Goodbye!" Knowing her cover was blown and she could no longer control Gary Li, Sharla tried to escape on the spot.
But Evan’s speed was so fast that he appeared right beside her. He tapped a few points on her body, leaving her completely immobilized.
Sharla was shocked. In her eyes, Gary Li was supposed to be a weakling, so how could he move so quickly—and even use such strange techniques to control her?
"You—" Sharla exclaimed in disbelief.
"Enough of that. Speak up, or I’ll have to give you some medicine to make you confess," Evan said.
Sharla was startled. "You— I never thought the Li Family would have someone like you."
"You flatter me. Enough nonsense," Evan replied.
"Why so fierce? Did you forget what just happened?" Sharla tried to use their recent intimacy to soften Evan’s heart.
Evan paused for a moment, but quickly regained his composure. "Don’t bother with that. I only slept with you because I was poisoned by your drug—if not for that, it never would’ve happened."
"You—am I really that repulsive?" Sharla hated hearing Evan say things like this.
"Enough nonsense—just talk," Evan said.
"You really don’t know how to treat a beauty gently. I don’t get it—people say you’re a playboy, but maybe that’s just how you act in public. Deep down, you’re scarier than anyone," Sharla commented.
Evan knew Sharla meant the old Gary Li, not himself, so he didn’t respond. He just wanted to know why this strange fox-girl had infiltrated the Li Family, and why she had to control Gary Li—it all left him confused.
"Talk. If you don’t, I’ll have to use some methods," Evan threatened.
"I really don’t know. I was sent by my master, but the exact orders only come after I’ve got you under control," Sharla replied.
"Who is your master? What kind of person?" Evan asked.
"I don’t know. We were all taken in as kids, helped him with lots of things. This was my first time out on a mission, but it’s already gone wrong," Sharla said bitterly.
Evan realized that if not for him, Gary Li would’ve ended up tangled with Sharla—and that, unexpectedly, he’d benefited from the situation. Even now, Sharla didn’t know Evan wasn’t actually Gary Li.
"You don’t even know who he is? What does he look like?" Evan pressed.
"He always wears a veil. I have no idea who he really is—I just follow his orders," Sharla said.
Evan thought it over—if he wanted answers, he’d have to follow the clues one step at a time. He casually forced a pill into Sharla’s mouth, then said, "You’re now poisoned by me. If you do as I say, you’ll be fine—otherwise, you know what’ll happen."
"It’s simple. I want to know who’s behind you and what his real goal is," Evan said.
"My master is very clever. He’ll find out," Sharla said, startled.
"That’s only if you expose yourself. Just act as you always do," Evan replied as he released her acupoints.
Sharla looked at Evan, half believing, half doubting. She checked her body and didn’t notice anything strange. "Are you sure you poisoned me?"
"Yes. Try pressing the bone on your right side—does it hurt?" Evan said.
Sharla tried it, and sure enough, a sharp, drilling pain shot through her. In reality, this wasn’t poison but a sealing technique Evan had used on a specific part of her body.
"What kind of poison is this? Why does it hurt so much?" Sharla asked.
"It’s my own secret poison—no one else knows how it works. As long as you finish my tasks, I’ll give you the antidote," Evan said.
Sharla actually believed him. After a moment of internal struggle, she finally said, "Fine, I’ll help you. But don’t betray me—if my master finds out, I’ll be dead for sure."
"Do I look like that kind of person?" Evan asked.
"So what do you want me to do now?" Sharla asked curiously.
Evan said, "It’s actually simple. Just go back and tell your master you’ve already got me under control. Then do whatever he asks next."
"That’s all?" Sharla asked.
"Yeah. If you get any news, just come find me here," Evan said.
Sharla nodded and left the room. Evan thought for a moment and said, "I’d better escort you out."
"Okay." Sharla knew this was the Li Family estate—she couldn’t come and go as she pleased. With Evan leading the way, she wouldn’t be stopped by anyone.
The two walked down a side path. When the Li Family members saw Evan, they were all envious.
"He’s really lucky," someone muttered to themselves.
Evan, still disguised as Gary Li, swaggered out the door, saw Sharla off, and then returned to his own room to wait for nightfall.
Sharla was anxious. Not only had she failed her mission, now she had to help the other side. Just as she was feeling uneasy, a voice sounded in her mind: "Go to the usual place."
Sharla recognized it as her master’s voice. She quickly composed herself and, with a troubled heart, headed to an inn in the city. At a table inside, she saw a middle-aged man wearing a veil—her master.
"How did it go?" the man sent his voice to Sharla.
"It’s done. I’ve successfully brought him under control," Sharla replied, just as Evan had instructed her.
The man replied, "Not bad. You did very well this time. You’ll be rewarded for sure."
"Thank you, Master," Sharla said.
"Now, there’s a new task for you," the man said.
"Please give your orders, Master," Sharla replied.
"You’ve used the love-poison to control him. Now, it’s time to use him for something," the man said.
"What exactly do you want me to do?" Sharla asked curiously.
"The Li Family is getting close to Shadow Soul Sect these days. I don’t know why, but I want detailed information—especially anything about Evan Yang. If you can find out about him, that’s even better," the man said.
"Evan Yang? Who’s that?" Sharla asked, unfamiliar with the name.
"He’s a remarkable figure—able to challenge Immortal‑Lord level with just Heavenly‑Immortal strength. That kind of power is extraordinary. And the footwork he taught his disciple—I know his disciple is from the Chu Family, and the Chu Family head might be in Li Family’s hands now. So you must investigate the Li Family’s connection to Shadow Soul Sect, and the whereabouts of the Chu Family head. If you can find out about Evan Yang, that’s perfect," the man explained.
"Understood. I’ll get right on it," Sharla said.
"Good. Be careful and don’t blow your cover. Next time, don’t come out in person—just use a secret code with the messaging stone. That way you won’t arouse suspicion," the man instructed.
"Thank you, Master. I will," Sharla replied.
"Once I capture Evan Yang, I’ll increase your power and promote you to Immortal‑Lord level. You’ll also get to command your own team," the man promised.
Sharla was overjoyed. The man had ten teams under him, each exceptionally strong. To command one was a dream for everyone in his organization. But thinking about the pill Gary Li had given her, she felt a bit gloomy.
"What’s wrong?" Seeing Sharla go from happy to troubled, the man asked curiously.
"No, I’m just excited—afraid I might not be able to handle it," Sharla said.
"Don’t worry. As long as you finish the task, the position will be yours," the man replied.
Sharla nodded. "I’ll definitely do my best to complete this mission."
"Go on. I’ll be waiting for your good news," the man said.
Sharla nodded, bid farewell, and headed back to the Li Family. At the gate, the guards saw Sharla carrying some wine and were secretly envious—not only did Gary Li have a beauty, but she also helped him with his favorite pastime.
At the entrance, Sharla smiled and said, "Here’s a jar of fine wine. It’s not anything expensive, but consider it a gift for meeting you all. From now on, we’re all friends."