Heavens! Rinobie nearly cried out. What an immense figure to be standing right before her.

The name “Shadow Commerce Guild” was thunderous in her ears. It was the most formidable merchant association in the entire "Winter Moon Empire." Despite only existing for just over two years, it had already completely monopolized the market for weapons and equipment sales.

Its power could not be summarized in a few simple sentences!

Rinobie stared blankly at Kaini, utterly astonished that this delicate and charming woman before her was the Vice President of the "Shadow Commerce Guild." She had only heard of such high-ranking individuals but had never met one.

Rumor had it that the high leadership of the "Shadow Commerce Guild" was even more mysterious and difficult to see than national leaders. Yet, here one was today. And they had even taken the initiative to invite her to the "Shadow Commerce Guild." Good heavens, was she dreaming?

Rinobie felt dizzy. This was something she hadn't dared to imagine before!

“You don’t need to rush your answer! Once you’ve made up your mind, you can use this card at any "Shadow Commerce Guild" location, and someone will arrange employment for you,” Kaini said with a smile.

Rinobie gazed vacantly at Kaini, still unsure how to respond. Her brain was likely short-circuiting at that moment!

Kaini spoke a few more words, then excused herself and departed!

Downstairs, Zhong Shenxiu and the others had already ordered their meals and were now waiting.

“I’ve spoken with her,” Kaini murmured softly to Zhong Shenxiu before sitting down.

Zhong Shenxiu merely nodded, asking no further questions.

For any enterprise, what is most crucial? Talent!

Although the "Shadow Commerce Guild" had firmly established its footing and already held a dominant position, it did not mean it could cease developing. The future "Shadow Commerce Guild" needed to expand even further. Leaving aside the future, even right now, they were in urgent need of vast amounts of talent!

Talent like Rinobie—if they could secure her, they shouldn't let the opportunity slip. After all, one excellent individual could bring bountiful returns to a company!

Of course, not everyone would receive an opportunity like Rinobie’s; they absolutely had to satisfy Zhong Shenxiu, a condition that was inherently difficult to meet!

The hotel’s efficiency proved quite good; the dishes were soon brought out in succession.

The "Ethereal Mercenary Group" divided themselves among several tables. Those seated with Zhong Shenxiu were Anjilia, Xia Luo, and others with whom he had spent considerable time.

Without waiting for Zhong Shenxiu’s instruction, everyone began to eat. The food here was decent, but it still fell short compared to the cooking of Anjilia and the other women!

Robin’s appetite remained undiminished; the way he ate was still terrifying—truly the undisputed king of big eaters!

Yet, no matter how much Robin consumed, he never gained weight; his stomach remained perfectly flat. Kaini had once been curious enough to research this, but she never understood the reason. Perhaps this was simply the gap between people.

The hall where the group was seated was divided into sections, with one zone designated for every five tables. Since the window seats had already been taken, Zhong Shenxiu and his group settled in a zone near the stairs.

As they were eating and chatting merrily, Yin Zhou overheard sounds of laughter and conversation drifting up from below the staircase.

This was the downside of being near the stairs; every sound from the stairwell could be heard with perfect clarity.

“I’ll treat today; order whatever you want to eat!” a female voice echoed from the stairs.

“Will it be too crowded?”

“We usually get private rooms; changing the environment today won’t be bad. Didn't that waiter say there weren't many guests here?”

The two voices drew closer, making it hard for Anjilia and the others not to overhear!

Soon enough, two young women emerged from the staircase, followed by several guards!

The two women were smiling, but the smile on one suddenly vanished. Her entire body stiffened as if she were a wooden board, her eyes fixed rigidly on Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, as if she had just spotted a monster!

If one had a decent memory, they should recall that this girl was Loris, the Duke's daughter whom Robin had once thoroughly thrashed!

Her memory of Zhong Shenxiu and Robin was crystal clear. Even though the pair had changed slightly over the past two years, she recognized them instantly!

“Loris, what’s wrong?” the woman beside her inquired.

Loris, however, remained stubbornly silent, as if she had lost the ability to speak!

Heavens above, she never dreamed she would encounter these two little devils again, and not only that, but here.

Why were they here? Had they come looking for her again?

Overcome with panic, Loris’s face turned green, and she began to tremble. Her thoughts seemed to revert to the past.

She knew exactly how formidable these two children were. They dared to demolish their entire estate; even her father had to speak to them respectfully. These were beings she absolutely could not afford to provoke, nor would she dare!

“Loris?” the neighboring girl called out again, finding it very strange. She had been fine moments ago, so why was she now frozen and speechless like she was having a fit? What was wrong?

Out of curiosity, she followed Loris’s gaze, only to see two exceptionally cute children, nothing terrifying whatsoever. Her confusion only deepened!

Zhong Shenxiu never looked up at Loris once, his expression suggesting he was lost in thought. Robin glanced at her briefly, but his attention quickly returned to the food in his bowl.

In contrast to the duo's calm demeanor, the others regarded Loris with curiosity, especially newcomers like Wayne, who found the girl’s intense staring at their group leader strange. Were they old acquaintances?

Although perplexed, since Zhong Shenxiu hadn't said anything, they dared not speak either, and a silence fell between the two parties.

“Hello, I am a student from the ‘Amay Magic and Martial Arts Academy.’ My name is Eliza!” the girl beside Loris introduced herself.

She was now visibly curious about Zhong Shenxiu’s group. Putting aside Loris’s reaction, their attire alone piqued her interest. These people must be a "Mercenary Group," and they appeared to have just finished a mission. Still, she wondered why they would choose to dine here—this was an expensive establishment, rarely frequented by mercenaries!

“Hello, we are the ‘Ethereal Mercenary Group’!” Kaini replied with a smile. She had a good first impression of this girl.

“Sister, are you visiting from out of town?” Eliza asked curiously.

Kaini merely nodded.

“Do you know Loris?” Eliza asked tentatively.

Loris visibly flinched. She was at the height of tension now, wishing desperately to leave, but she hadn't expected her good friend Eliza to initiate conversation, let alone mention her name! At that moment, she felt an impulse to bang her head against a wall!

She had been thoroughly terrified by Robin’s beating. That single incident was enough to leave a lasting impression. The merciless intensity of his strikes still sent chills through her body when she recalled it!

Now, she dared not utter a single word, terrified of drawing the attention of those two little devils. Yet, she couldn't let Eliza babble on aimlessly. Swiftly, she grabbed Eliza’s sleeve and tugged hard, her expression conveying: Sister, I beg you, let’s get out of here quickly!

Kaini spared Loris a slightly amused glance, then said to Eliza, “We met once before.”

That was all?

Eliza was skeptical. How could one brief encounter leave Loris so terrified? Her expression didn't seem faked. Had something happened that she didn't know about?

Loris was her very closest friend, practically inseparable confidantes who shared everything. However, Loris had never mentioned the beating incident to Eliza, partly because she didn't want to revisit that painful memory and partly to spare herself the embarrassment!

It was precisely because Loris had never brought it up that Eliza was intensely curious now.

Eliza felt no fear toward Kaini and the others. She didn’t sense that they were malicious people, something evident in her conversation with Kaini. Furthermore, she had so many highly skilled guards accompanying her.

Subsequently, Eliza and Kaini began to chat.

Kaini wasn't hungry anyway, and she had nearly finished eating. It was a perfect chance to learn about the local situation from Eliza.

Meanwhile, Loris was pacing anxiously like an ant on a hot pan, but she dared not make any major moves, only praying silently that the two little devils wouldn't unleash their power!

Eliza and Kaini seemed to grow closer in conversation. Eventually, Eliza quite unceremoniously took an empty seat next to Kaini.

This action drew the attention of many people. Zhong Shenxiu spared Eliza a glance but said nothing.

Loris, nearby, nearly died of fright from Eliza’s bold move. She thought, My dear god, why did you just sit down without a word? What if you provoke these two little devils? Then neither of us will ever get out of here!

It wasn't that she had no confidence in the guards behind her; it was simply that the sheer strength of Zhong Shenxiu and Robin was deeply etched into her soul!

“Loris, you should sit down too! This sister is very kind!” Eliza then beckoned to Loris.

Loris vehemently shook her head. There was no way she would sit down. Just being where she was made her feel insecure; if she actively moved closer, she feared her heart might stop from sheer tension!

“Loris, what exactly are you afraid of?” Eliza asked directly.

“N-nothing, Eliza. We should go back. I’m not very hungry today,” Loris stammered, stealing glances at Zhong Shenxiu and Robin as she spoke.

“Didn’t you insist I treat you to a meal?” Eliza asked, puzzled.

“Let’s go back first. I’ll treat you next time!” Loris said, her tone bordering on pleading.

However, Eliza was oblivious to the mood, showing no inclination to leave. Instead, she kept saying, “Let’s stay a while longer; it’s rare that I click so well with this sister!”

At that moment, Loris felt like crying. She was absolutely terrified, enduring agony while Eliza was comfortably chatting away. The contrast was too stark!

Time ticked by. Through their conversation, Kaini learned that this girl, Eliza, belonged to the “Teshira Family” and was even a contestant in the “Royal Tournament”!

By then, everyone had mostly finished eating, even the ever-hungry Robin was full.

Just as Zhong Shenxiu and the others paid the bill and were preparing to leave, Eliza suddenly said, “Kaini-sister, since this is your first time here, you must be unfamiliar with the surroundings, right? How about I act as your guide? I know this area very well!”

Kaini glanced at Zhong Shenxiu. Seeing no reaction from him, she replied to Eliza, “That sounds great. Then you’ll have to help Sister find an inn first!”

Kaini mentioning an inn was for Wayne and the others; she and Xia Luo could stay at the “Shadow Commerce Guild”! “Consider that done!” Eliza declared confidently.

One of the "Teshira Family's" businesses was running inns, so this task would be no problem for Eliza.

After leaving the hotel, Loris claimed she had something urgent and left immediately. Eliza didn't press her, knowing Loris must have some unspoken reason, resolving to question her thoroughly upon their return.

Thus, under Eliza’s guidance, the group began touring the "Capital City"!

After touring for the afternoon, Eliza returned to her dormitory. Though tired, she was quite happy. She found the “Ethereal Mercenary Group” genuinely pleasant; everyone seemed nice, certainly much better than the mercenaries she usually encountered!

The only thing she couldn't figure out was the true identity of those two children. She had asked Kaini and the others, but they only gave vague answers. While she hadn't received a clear answer, she could sense that everyone held a degree of apprehension toward those two youngsters!

Eliza had considered the possibility that the children were royalty, but she had met the royal descendants. And if they belonged to other noble families, that was even less likely, as she was well-acquainted with the children of the Four Great Families!

Unable to figure it out right then, she decided to shelve that question for later. First, she needed to understand what caused Loris’s strange behavior today?

Loris was sitting in the dormitory when she saw Eliza return, letting out a sigh of relief.

“Eliza, did anything happen to you?” Loris asked, sounding curious.

Eliza paused. She hadn’t expected Loris to speak first.

“Nothing happened!” Eliza walked to the bedside, sat down, and looked directly at Loris, asking, “By the way, Loris, what was going on with you today?”

Loris was also looking at Eliza, her expression extremely complicated, as if she were wrestling with some internal struggle. Finally, she spoke, “Eliza, the next time you see those people, you must keep your distance. Especially those two children—you absolutely must not provoke them! Remember, never provoke those two children!!”

“Why?”

[Ti: Dear reader, the current chapter has reached the final page of this book]