The fact that such a covert method was uncovered by the informant proves one thing—the evidence must be irrefutable.

No one would dare ignore this kind of report.

If not for the Lu Family's extensive connections, they would have already been taken in for investigation.

But now, things aren’t much better—it’s only a matter of time.

At this moment, a half-dead man hung in the Lu Family ancestral hall. All the core members of the family were present, including Lu Youqi.

"You disgraceful son! I’ve told you before—the Lu Family can do anything, except touch this stuff. Did you think my words were just for show?"

Having been hung from daybreak until late at night, Lu Ludu could no longer speak. Merely clinging to life was a miracle.

"If you wanted to ruin yourself, fine, but you had to drag the entire Lu Family down with you. If you were so bold, why didn’t you tell me earlier? I could’ve sent you to a war-torn country to face reality. Who knows? It might’ve made you even bolder."

Lu Youqi gripped his belt, continuing his "fatherly education" in front of all his other sons.

By now, Lu Ludu had given up resisting, hanging silently—until he saw Lu Youqi’s gaze land on him.

"Pah!"

"What did you say?" Lu Youqi’s furious expression was genuinely terrifying.

"Lu! You! Qi! I despise you."

"You dare call me by my full name, you ungrateful wretch?" Lu Youqi was truly enraged.

Lu Ludu’s face twisted with hatred. "You hypocritical fraud. Every single one of us in the Lu Family—my siblings included—are nothing but tools for your gain."

His voice was weak, his body devoid of strength, but he wouldn’t die. Not because Lu Youqi held back out of love, but because this son still had uses.

"My greatest regret in life was being born into the Lu Family. Why didn’t you just strangle me at birth?"

Despair filled Lu Ludu’s heart.

Why bring me into this world? Why the Lu Family? And if you did, why abandon me?

Lu Ludu had never even met his mother—because no matter how many sons the Lu Family had, there could only be one official wife.

"And if you hadn’t made me seduce Luo Yao back then, would I have ended up like this?"

"Now that I’m no longer useful, you’re throwing me away?"

A bitter smile crept onto Lu Ludu’s face.

"Yes, I dealt drugs. Not just any drugs—I partnered with the biggest cartel. My goal was to make money and ruin you."

"You’re the person I hate most in this life."

The person he hated most was his own father?

Lu Ludu’s words even made Lu Youqi question himself.

"You vile creature! You still dare talk back?"

Lu Youqi didn’t hold back with the lashings. Lu Ludu’s body convulsed from the pain, but he clenched his teeth, refusing to beg for mercy.

"Speak, you brat! Say something!"

Lu Ludu forced out a ghastly grin.

"What’s there to say? Want me to confess? Forget it."

"If you’re so capable, find a scapegoat. But if you think handing me over will save the Lu Family, I’ll never admit to anything."

"No matter how many witnesses you produce, I won’t budge. Did you really think you’re the only one with connections? All these years, I’ve spent fortunes nurturing my own people. If anything happens to me, what do you think they’ll do?"

Lu Youqi hadn’t expected his own son to see through his plan so easily.

He had indeed intended to sacrifice Lu Ludu to bear the consequences.

A random scapegoat wouldn’t cut it—it wouldn’t convince anyone, not even himself.

Unless… it was a member of the Lu Family, and a direct descendant at that.

Lu Youqi narrowed his eyes. "You think you can play this game with me? Fine. I’ll show you what ‘forced confession’ really means."

Just as he prepared to continue, a subordinate rushed in with a report.

"Patriarch, it’s bad! The Lu Family’s drug dealings have been exposed. Not only is our port shut down, but all our subsidiaries are under siege. By tomorrow morning, our stock will plummet."

The subordinate merely stated facts. The Lu Family’s survival mattered to him, but not enough to stake his life on.

"The stock crash won’t destroy our foundation, but we’re in the middle of a bid. If this affects the outcome, securing future funding will become a problem—and the authorities will certainly take note."

"Plus, officials are already on their way. The entire Lu Family may be taken in for questioning."

Lu Youqi listened in shock, struggling to process the news.

"Luo Yao… you ruthless witch. Just you wait."

His gaze flicked back to Lu Ludu, who sneered.

"Oh? Is there something the great Patriarch Lu can’t handle?"

"Guards! Lock this wretch away. No one sees him without my permission."

"As for the investigation, cooperate fully. No resistance."

Once Lu Ludu was dragged off, Lu Youqi gathered his prized collection and left…

The current situation:

Samsung Group kept facing scandals, its stocks in freefall. Rumors spread that South Korea was entering an economic crisis, with countless citizens already standing on rooftops, awaiting their fate.

The Lu Family’s involvement in contraband had paralyzed their port—their most vital asset.

The exposure led to protests outside their subsidiaries, and partners were calling in the dead of night, demanding solutions or threatening to sever ties.

As for the Wang Family? Wang Dacong, the ultimate disgrace, had single-handedly become the internet’s newest meme icon.

You wouldn’t see him online, but his legend was everywhere.

The only one in the Tri-Alliance relatively unscathed was the Li Family.

Many in the Li Family were practically worshipping Li Chifen—though he himself, while basking in the praise, couldn’t shake his unease.

But just because Luo Yao hadn’t targeted Li Chifen didn’t mean others wouldn’t.

Both the Lu and Wang Families had noticed something off about him.

"If we’re all in this alliance, why are you the only one untouched? If you’re not a mole, we’ll eat our hats."

So, before dawn even broke, the Li Family’s assets came under fire.

After all, an alliance meant sharing both fortune and misfortune, right?

And our protagonist? So far, he remained untouched.

By daybreak, two people awoke in the Stargazer’s Cave—once Luo Yao’s "home," now shared with another.

Truth be told, Lin Ran hadn’t slept well. Unlike Luo Yao, long accustomed to the place, he had… quirks.

No combat skills, no brains, no talent, no money—just a laundry list of flaws.

All he had was a handsome face and a soul devoted to Luo Yao.

But since when did protagonists have to be invincible?