No one dared speak, not even Ji Jue. Even Lei Yaoxing, who had been watching from a distance, had his expression falter for a moment, as though he had sensed something was off.

But he did not even have time to think, because a second car had already stopped at the entrance. It was a luxury vehicle on the same level as a top-tier Lumina model, like those used by important heirs when traveling.

A rather ordinary-looking, slightly chubby man stepped out. Aside from his high-end luxurious attire and the expensive watch on his wrist, there was nothing particularly remarkable about him, yet his arrival made the atmosphere tighten once again, even more so than before.

Lei Yaoxing shook hands with the visitor. “Long time no see, Mr. Tong.” 

The CEO of the Tong Corporation gave a slight nod and had someone present a wreath. “Since my father said that he and Mr. Lei once knew each other, he asked me to come and see him off.”

Lei Yaoxing paused briefly, then stepped aside. “This way, please.”

Thus, Tong Shengnian[1] walked in, lit two sticks of incense, joined his hands in silent prayer for the deceased, and, like the others, declined the emcee’s invitation to rest in the side hall.

Instead, he turned and walked toward the back of the venue. Under Ji Jue’s rapidly twitching eyelid, he sat down beside the elder of the Radiant Church.

The next vehicle was an imperial Shadowflare, which was understated yet still quite luxurious....