"Did you hear that, Changhai? You're the future head of the Morin Family. From now on, don't act so arrogant and reckless. You have to shoulder the responsibility of our family! No more partying and wasting your days away! Last time, you nearly died—if it weren't for Shawn Young saving you, you wouldn't be standing here today!" Samuel Morin turned around and spoke earnestly to Changhai Morin.
"Yes, I've got it!" Changhai Morin replied honestly. After that nightmare a few days ago, he'd really become much more obedient and started to think things through.
"Oh, as long as you're okay. I'm really sorry about all the trouble earlier, Shawn. The challenges you faced were all arranged by us ahead of time. We had no choice but to do this so you could attend the Three Great Houses Council." Samuel Morin turned to Shawn Young, his face full of apology.
"Uh—arranged? Mr. Morin, are you saying that to get into this Emerald Court private club, I actually had to pass your Three Great Houses' collective test?" Shawn Young asked in surprise, feeling a bit annoyed inside.
Unexpectedly, Fiona Nangong chimed in, "That's right! Kid, wipe that annoyed look off your face. You have to understand, there are plenty of people with ulterior motives toward the Three Great Houses of China. To keep the secret we've guarded for over a century safe, we have to do things this way. You're technically an outsider—normally, we never invite outsiders to our council! But things are urgent now. With Uncle Morin vouching for you and your special background in the state authorities, we all agreed that if you passed our test, you could join our internal meeting."
The Easton Family's patriarch, Quentin Easton, nodded in agreement and said to Shawn Young, "Yes, Fiona's absolutely right! There are several powerful factions that have been eyeing the secret we've been protecting. If they get their hands on it, it won't just affect the survival and development of the Three Great Houses—it could impact the whole country, maybe even the world! So Shawn, don't hold our previous tests against us."
"Oh—so that's how it is! Looks like the secret you’re all guarding must be earth-shattering!" After hearing their explanation, Shawn Young finally calmed down. When national affairs are involved, personal grudges have to be set aside.
"Actually, it's not just the Three Great Houses of China protecting this secret. Even the Shaw Family in Hong Kong—represented by Luna Xiao of the Thirteen Enforcers—shares part of the responsibility!" Samuel Morin suddenly said.
"Huh? Xiao—Luna Xiao!!" Shawn Young immediately pictured the breathtaking, goddess-like Luna Xiao in his mind.
"Yes, that's right. The Thirteen Enforcers may be labeled as a cult and criminal gang, but their thirteen leaders have always acted independently. Because of historical reasons, some of their business is on the shady side, but they still respect the Shaw Family as their head! Every year, they pay a hefty 'tribute' to the Shaw Family. So the Shaw Family usually doesn't interfere in their gang activities. If that rebellious An Tianqi hadn't learned the Shaw Family's secret from the Japanese side, he wouldn't have tried to seize Luna Xiao's position as leader!" Samuel Morin explained.
"Oh—so that's another layer to all this!" Shawn Young started to suspect there were even bigger secrets hidden here.
"Haha—Shawn, that An Tianqi and his loyal followers from the Thirteen Enforcers got busted by the authorities on the mainland! I bet your National Security Bureau or the Military Espers Division had a lot to do with it, right? Ordinary cops couldn't handle them!" Samuel Morin laughed and asked Shawn Young.
"Uh—so you guys got some inside information too!?" Shawn Young replied in surprise.
Samuel Morin nodded cheerfully and said, "That news may be locked down to the public, but the Three Great Houses have a wide network. Plus, the case isn't classified at the highest level, so it wasn’t too hard for us to dig up some details."
"Yeah, that's true—" Shawn Young realized Samuel Morin was right. The Three Great Houses of China had influence everywhere: business, politics, even the military. With their people in all the right places, getting information on a case like this wasn’t really a problem.
"Shawn, to be honest—the reason I invited you to our council this time is because of your government background! We need the support of the state’s top authorities if we’re going to get through this crisis." Samuel Morin revealed a reason that really surprised Shawn Young.
"Hmm—so you all know about my—my other identity!?" Shawn Young said.
At that moment, Fiona Nangong leaned in close, pouting, "Alright, alright! I know you're amazing—you're 'Agent Seven!' Mysterious, powerful, a total heartthrob! Satisfied? Want any more titles?"
"Uh—that’s not what I meant, I just wasn’t expecting it!" Shawn Young blushed at Fiona Nangong’s sharp words. He glanced at her tight-fitting qipao and her perky behind, and honestly just wanted to drag her into a dark corner and give her a good spanking!
"Hey—you little punk, your eyes are way too naughty! You're so shameless! Hmph—I'm telling your girlfriend right now! You just harassed me with your eyes!" Fiona Nangong felt Shawn's scorching gaze, her cheeks flushed red, and she hurried off toward the white Lamborghini parked nearby, clearly ready to tattle to Hu Yiner inside the car!
But—what Fiona Nangong didn’t expect was that Shawn Young wasn’t fazed by her at all! Of course, she only realized this later, and by then, it was too late to regret it.