While everyone was stunned by the suddenly appeared milf's beauty… or Luo Mian's son's drastic change, I quietly slipped behind Tang Zhong. Pride aside, I'd need cover for further talk. Otherwise, Luo Mian and Zhu Men would just make me antidote this lovely lady. Though, seeing the senator's hungry gaze on his new 'daughter'… I'm objectively doubting that now.
Once hidden behind the High Tier mage, everyone snapped out and drilled me with various looks. Tang Zhong turned, eyeing me as his sole hope to end the meeting without serious conflict.
He knew Zhu Men's character well—if given ironclad proof and the Serpent stayed hidden till molting ended, the senator would back off. He ignored Luo Mian as usual, given how long the Tang family suppressed him.
Zhu Men's gaze shifted. From mild hostility and disdain after Luo Mian ID'd me, now it held open respect and a hint of wariness. My poisoning skills impressed him.
Luo Mian stared… what the hell, gratitude in his eyes?! Mostly anger and wariness at me disrupting his plans, but gratitude?! Nah, not diving deeper into that rabbit hole. Just peg him as a template villain and forget.
"What did you do to my son?! Undo it now!" Luo Mian came at me with demands once recovered.
But not just me noticed his tone lacked… mm, right—insistence! Like he didn't want it fulfilled. Even his son eyed him oddly and indignantly. But poor new mimicry control made it cheek-puffing, melting several room men. God, what monster did I create?!
"… Ahem. Senator Luo Mian, I apologize for my insolence, but this demo was necessary. Otherwise, everyone would doubt my poisoning skills due to age. This shows them fully. If you and Senator Zhu Men's experts fail, I'll cure your daughter myself… if you want," My eyelid twitched at the absurdity. Talking to national bigshots or perverts?
"Yes, Senator Luo Mian, don't be so… insistent. But if your son's transformation bothers you that much, since we've all seen Mu Bai's poisoning skills, he won't mind undoing it if we provide another demo subject. The senator's son isn't ideal for such experiments," Tang Zhong finally backed me, smoothing things with a good compromise tilted our way.
It meant if agreed, my skills get official nod, and talk shifts from quick Serpent elimination to investigating the incident. Whether we expose Luo Mian fast or drag it—doesn't matter. Key: buy three days for molting. After, this trio of busybodies won't dare barrel at a full-power peak Warlord.
… No need to look for another model for the demonstration; my daughter is no shrinking violet and isn't against suffering a little for the benefit of the Hangzhou people. Our family has always stood for protecting the well-being of the city's citizens and never backed down from the trials that fell to our lot," Lo Mian spoke in a righteous tone, silencing his son with a barely perceptible gesture.
And what the hell is he already calling his son a daughter?! Dude, are you even planning to detoxify him at all? I have a feeling that even if your people really had the ability to undo the spell on him, you'd order them not to! Damn, no wonder I didn't want to get into politics—this is just some absurd bullshit…
"Alright, then it's settled. We'll clear the meeting hall for five hours. During that time, my people and Lo Mian's will examine Lo Gain's body and issue a verdict on his condition. After that, we'll reconvene and base our further discussions and decisions on the results obtained," Zhu Men rose from the table, making it clear his proposal was not up for debate. He didn't want to waste more time on pointless bickering. The further direction of the conversation would be determined after the five-hour check.
Once the main bigwigs present supported his proposal, everyone dispersed, and Lo Mian even left arm-in-arm with his "daughter"… don't think about the white monkey, Mu Bai, don't think! Ahem, as soon as everyone left, only I, Tang Yue, Tan Zhong, and Wu Pin Jin remained in the meeting hall. And, naturally, in the company of fully trusted people, I couldn't help but ask the question tormenting me:
"What the hell just happened?" Rubbing the bridge of my nose tiredly, I turned to the two veterans of the Magical Court and my friend.
"… Ahem, there were rumors that Lo Mian's son is gay, which is why he blocked his access to cultivation resources until he came to his senses. Judging by his relatively low cultivation for his age and position, I can conclude he never did. Your actions… well, they gave Lo Mian an unexpected way out. In his current state, his son can keep loving men without disgracing his father… That's the only logical explanation I can come up with. Plus, Lo Mian has always openly said he wants grandchildren. Given Lo Gain's current appearance, even if his past as a man comes out, I don't think it will deter the majority from competing for his hand," Tan Zhong explained awkwardly.
So that means Lo Mian isn't some villain stealing resources from his own family for a breakthrough, but just a plain old homophobe? Why the hell does he look less and less like a template villain? How am I supposed to kill him with a clear conscience now?!
"… Alright, let's ignore the elephant in the room and introduce ourselves properly. I'm Mu Bai, Tang Yue's invited poison expert and her assistant in many matters related to the Black Church. Nice to meet you, Uncle Tan Zhong, Mr. Wu Pin Jin," I clasped my fists in a traditional respectful bow. After all, they were Tang Yue's family, and I'd caused them a ton of trouble with my somewhat impulsive actions regarding the "sugar mommy."
Yes, they got tangible benefits from it: they cleaned their organization of a bunch of spies and corrupt officials, plus gained fame from organizing several operations to catch Black Church members and prevent their planned terrorist attacks. But it still turned out a bit awkward, especially since the investigation uncovered the wife of Tan Zhong's systematic infidelities. The guy was just pitiable on a human level.
"And I'm pleased to finally meet you too. Tang Yue hid you for a long time. I see you're a good young man, so I fully entrust my niece to your hands. Just please don't deceive her too much. After all, she spent a hidden inheritance of our clan on you, which she didn't even think to share with the family. Cherish such love. And thank you for helping today," Tan Zhong sighed humbly, looking at the stunned Tang Yue with a gaze of "my little girl grew up so unexpectedly."
What… he also thinks his niece spent the family inheritance on me? Isn't that just one of the rumors floating around? What the hell is with this city's sky-high level of absurdity?! Now I get why Tang Yue snaps so quickly every time I call her out! As the only normal one, she just feels uncomfortable in this abode of Sheogorath's adepts! I'm starting to understand the environment she's lived in these past years…