Chapter 716 - The Enemy's Face

Lu Yin Ze's and the Guan brother's tasks were simpler than Tang Yin's.

Xiong Zhi gave them a list of people whom they needed to sound out. The information already have some details which they could take advantage of through the help of their family's name.

Like Xiong Zhi said, those people in the list might approach them because of their family's power, although most of them might be due Ming Zhi Yi's order. 

So in return, they must welcome them with open arms. It was not to join their ranks or persuade them for an alliance, but to simply watch them closely.

Lu Yin Ze was currently talking with the people who had affiliated businesses with the Lu family. 

He remembered how shocked he was when he first learned about the information from the file that Xiong ZHi gave him three days ago.

...

Lu Yin Ze flipped through the pages with shocked eyes.

"...I know these people. Some of the  have plenty of collaboration and joint projects with the empire. They have stayed for a very long time in the empire. Are you saying that these people are Ming Zhi Yi's men?" Lu Yin Ze asked in a disbelieving tone.

"That is what the file says. Ming Zhi Yi easily planted Gunan in the Guan family fifteen years ago. This kind of thing can happen in your family as well. He had stayed for quite a while in the Lu family's side after all," Xiong Zhi explained.

Lu Yin Ze fell silent. After a while, he opened his mouth. 

"If Grandpa discovers this, he will be heartbroken. Some of these people have been his friends for a long time. I can't believe they are in cahoots with that man."

"Perhaps they are not siding with Ming Zhi Yi, but to your brother instead," Linfeng commented. "It is not surprising that way. Even though your brother was casted out of the Lu family, he is still the eldest young master in their eyes. If you make a even one mistake, or if they are unsatisfied with you, they will run to Lu Jin anytime and help him take the Lu Empire from you."

Lu Yin Ze's eyes became deeper. "Even though I don't like what you just said, I cannot deny that what you said is right." 

Linfeng's mouth twitched, but did not say anything in the end. 

"Are all the details here all true? These projects that I thought are originally from them, they are actually just bait from Ming Zhi Yi?" Lu Yin Ze was still in disbelief as he continued to read the file.

Those potential projects were already on the process of approval and were important to the company. Once they approved of those projects, if Ming Zhi Yi wanted to, he could use those as cards to cause trouble for the Lu Empire by pulling a few strings here and there.

Lu Yin Ze weakly held his head. "Grandpa and the other elders plan to accept them all..."

"That is why you have to be in charge of these projects. Convince them and make them hand these projects to you, or at least the core ones I listed. It will be easier for us if you are able to interact with the people on the list directly. Make use of these three days to convince both sides," Xiong Zhi suggested.

Lu Yin Ze nodded seriously.

These information were truly important and helpful. Before receiving them, he was still in the dark. 

His father actually infiltrated the Lu family deeply than he could imagine, by utilizing the remaining influence of his elder brother.

Lu Yin Ze knew that this kind of detailed information was priceless. He looked up at Xiong Zhi and could not help but ask. "Where did you get this? This must be difficult to get."

"...."

Xiong Zhi and Linfeng subtly glanced at each other.

"We have intel from the other side. We will tell you the details once the right time comes."

....

Lu Yin Ze lowered his eyes. 

Whoever gave them the intel, he was grateful to him. 

The Lu family was indebted to that person.

"Young Master Lu Yin Ze, we are looking forward to working with you."

Lu Yin Ze woke up from his daze and smiled gently. 

These were the very people whom his cunning father sent to their door. 

"Me, too. I am looking forward to working with you," he said meaningfully.

*******

The time before the official start of the event was wisely used by the savvy people in the room.

Finally, as fireworks flew up and exploded in the sky outside, the host walked up on the platform and kindly reminded the guests to go back to their seats. The event would be starting in a minute.

The back lighting dimmed and the hall became quiet.

All eyes of the prestigious personages akin to dragons and tigers of the society turned to the spotlight on the stage.

They were waiting for the new official head of the IAmFashionista organization to come up and give the opening speech.

Everyone here had connections that run deep in various industries. They naturally knew who the newly elected head of the organization was. But they were still looking forward to witnessing the momentous hallmark in the international organization that was about to take place today. 

For the first time since the IAmFashionista organization was created, the shift of power was taken away from the legendary families by this man.

At this moment, their eyes shone, when the person they were waiting for finally showed up on the stage.

A tall person in a fine black suit with ornate ornaments walked forward. He wore a festive silver mask which made his lips look redder. His broad shoulders and lean but strong arms could be seen from his suit. 

His whole figure was under the spotlight, grabbing all the attention of the people in the hall. 

Xiong Zhi sat quietly, her attention fully focused on the man's image.

The masked man stopped at the center of the stage and smiled. Amidst the silence, his low and masculine voice echoed.

"Greetings, ladies and gentlemen. It is my pŀėȧsurė to stand before you today for the first time. I am the new head of our beloved organization. I welcome you to the new era where a new chronicle in the annals of history will be written...."

The man who stood over everyone carried an overwhelming presence. He was undoubtedly a very charismatic person whom no one could ignore.

Even his words carried a deep meaning. 

The allies in the legendary families' faction tightened their faces.

The atmosphere in the room changed subtly after these few words uttered by the masked man.

The man's lips rose slightly. He took in the expressions of the people nearest to the stage with excitement. 

He especially savored seeing a certain old man's darkened face.

The man's smile turned deeper.

"It has been a long time since all of us gathered here. A lot of you are surely excited to bring out what you have on the table to help the poor and the people in need. For all of you who came here with that purpose, I shall not disappoint you, and bring forward many amazing and dazzling icons in the auction, above your expectations." The masked man then glanced deeply at the Lu family's table. "I am certain that everyone will be pleased with them, perhaps even more so than in the past."

Old Lu frowned as he felt that this damned man was looking at him specifically.

The man then turned to the guests. "Of course, the more you spend, the more help you will bring to the people in need whom our organization is helping. Your affection and aid will be extended to the projects of the organization, all for the cause of helping the poor."

The guests clapped heartily, except for the representatives of the legendary families and their factions.

"This will be our first day. Everyone, enjoy it to your heart's content."

He never took off his mask. However, even if he did not, everyone present knew who he was.

He was Ming Zhi Yi. 

A new rising power who overwhelmed the legendary factions recently in the organization's election.

The people under Ming Zhi Yi's faction in the organization had their eyes shining. Their hearts were waiting in anticipation for a bright future awaiting them for the days to come.

They had been hiding for too long and kept their discontent towards their legendary families hidden deep in their hearts. Because the power of these families was too overwhelming, everyone who went against them had their clans destroyed and then left with nothing. Even their innocent descendants were not forgiven for the crimes of the older generation.

If your family offended the legendary families, then expect your whole life to be ruined. The only hope you have was to throw away your surname, live far from the country, and live quietly. 

That was the only way for them to survive.

But now, they could finally see the hope for a counterattack. 

Their bottled up emotions could be finally released and they could send back the shame that these legendary factions put them in.

Of course, if they defeated these legendary families, there would be the new empty spots in the legendary families' ranks that everyone had been eyeing for.

And it was because of this person who rounded them up a few years ago that made this impossible dream become possible.

They would no longer be hidden. It was time to come out!