Me and My Cold CEO Wife

Chapter 1542 - 1531: Return to the Valley Again

You could say that behind every person's desperate struggle for survival, they all wanted to personally witness the Hu Family's demise.If the situation were different, for example, if Ning Fan had only rescued the eight women from the clutches of the Hu Family,

at most, the eight women would have expressed gratitude for saving their lives, but that wouldn't necessarily mean they'd give him their loyalty.

It was precisely because the women were utterly resentful towards the Hu Family that upon learning that over fifty members of the Hu Family were all killed by Ning Fan,

the eight women wholeheartedly followed their vow, completely submitting to Ning Fan in that moment.

Even if Ning Fan were to become another Hu Family in the future, they would still wholeheartedly act as his accomplices.

This is the true nature of the eight women.

To think that just Ning Fan's imposing presence, exuding dominance, could capture the eight women's loyalty and make them willingly follow him.

Of course. Ning Fan wasn't aware of this; instead, he found the eight women's fiery enthusiasm a bit overwhelming, even making him slightly cautious.

Otherwise, Ning Fan might have taught them the complete Foundation Building Technique without leaving anything out.

Till now, Ning Fan finds it hard to clearly discern whether

the eight women were compromising out of survival needs, or if it was as they claimed, that whoever killed the Hu Family became their master.

But as of now, Ning Fan is still willing to trust them, though he feels a little conflicted inside.

Sending Lin Mei there now has a dual purpose.

The first purpose is, as Ning Fan said,

to have Lin Mei act as a teacher, guiding the eight women in matters regarding the outside world, as they have been disconnected from it for so long.

And also to have Lin Mei guide the eight women in cultivation.

With Lin Mei's insight, she will undoubtedly discover that the cultivation technique the eight women are practicing is the secret manual of the Corpse Herding Sect.

The second purpose is a bit more cunning on Ning Fan's part.

It's to have Lin Mei act as a spy, though not exactly a spy, but more of a means to probe.

In case the eight women show any unusual behavior, Lin Mei, with her personality, is sure to secretly report back upon Ning Fan's return to the valley, seeking favor.

Conversely, if Lin Mei harbors any malicious intent, trying to incite the eight women into betrayal or actions like escaping,

if the eight women indeed remain loyal to Ning Fan, they would definitely report such matters.

In Ning Fan's mind, both Lin Mei and the eight women serve as a litmus test.

Since both have reasons to report on the other, any issues arising between them would come to Ning Fan's attention.

Of course, there is the possibility of one other scenario.

If both sides collude to deceive him, that would indeed be something Ning Fan should be wary of.

These were Ning Fan's most profound thoughts, something even Lin Mei hadn't considered.

The deepest Lin Mei had thought was that she wasn't trusted and was simply under gentle confinement.

"Perhaps I'm overthinking it."

For Ning Fan, the best outcome is, of course, if both sides truly pledged their loyalty.

Then he could plan for future strategies.

"Since you've made your decision, let's head over now."

Lin Mei, puzzled, asked, "Now?"

"Do you have any other requests?"

Lin Mei shook her head, then realized she had forgotten to ask something, "Young Master Ning, is the situation with the Hu Family resolved?"

"Not a single one left. Completely resolved."

Ning Fan chuckled, "The place I'm taking you to now is the Hu Family's headquarters."

Ning Fan saw no need to hide this information from Lin Mei, as she would find out sooner or later anyway.

"'Not a single one left' means..."

Although she had a clear idea, Lin Mei still asked.

After all, the matter was so astonishing she wanted to hear it directly from Ning Fan.

"Just as you imagined. The Hu Family is entirely wiped out. The Hu Family is essentially history."

Upon hearing this, Lin Mei was thoroughly taken aback.

Although not particularly familiar with the internal details of the Hu Family, from Lin Batian's words, Lin Mei understood that the Hu Family was a clan teeming with experts.

Simply counting those at the Aerial Mastery Realm, they numbered in double digits; otherwise, how could they have traded equally with the Corpse Herding Sect?

"But wasn't there a Heavenly Gang Realm expert in the Hu Family? Could the information have been mistaken, and the person was only at the Half-step Heavenly Gang?"

With that thought, Lin Mei nodded subconsciously, saying, "That makes more sense."

"What makes more sense?"

"N-no… nothing."

Lin Mei hurriedly shook her head, unwilling to foolishly voice her inner thoughts.

"Are you thinking about the Heavenly Gang Realm expert in the Hu Family?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Mei's expression shifted, then she forced a calm smile and said, "Young Master Ning, you're overthinking. I didn't think that."

"I recall telling you. If there's anything on your mind, feel free to ask and say it upfront."

Ning Fan reminded her lightly, "I despise people playing dumb, pretending to understand. Do you get it?"

Lin Mei panicked, bowing her head, "I understand. I won't dare next time."

Ning Fan said casually, "Indeed, the Hu Family does have a true Heavenly Gang Realm expert. Hu Dawei's information was not off in the least."

"It's actually true."

Lin Mei was so shocked by this information that she nearly lost her voice.

Ning Fan was amused, "Did you think I was deceiving you?"

"I wouldn't dare."

After her initial fright, Lin Mei forced a bitter smile, "It's just that the news seemed too unreal."

"Real or illusory, the Hu Family has already become a thing of the past."

Ning Fan boasted, "All you need to know is, as long as I'm here, no one can harm you."

"But on the condition that…"

Lin Mei immediately knelt, "I understand. I, Lin Mei, swear never to betray in this lifetime, and am willing to follow Young Master Ning through thick and thin, without hesitation."

Ning Fan wasn't moved by her words, instead teasing her calmly, "So you mean to say, you were deceiving me with your previous words?"

"I… I didn't mean it that way…"

Seeing Lin Mei's awkwardness in speaking, Ning Fan waved his hand, "Alright, enough of that. Let's move."

Ning Fan clearly understood in his heart that truly gaining Lin Mei's allegiance wasn't going to be simple.

For someone like her, mere kindness wouldn't sway her.

Appropriate displays of strength, alongside rewards and punishments, were the key to ruling.

Knowing now that Ning Fan could defeat a true Heavenly Gang Realm expert, Lin Mei would surely comply obediently.

Once again returning to the Hu Family Village, Ning Fan blindfolded Lin Mei with a strip of cloth.

The cave leading into the valley would not be disclosed, at least for now.

"There are numerous venomous creatures along the path to the Hu Family's base, the same as encountered before,"

Lin Mei's mild dissatisfaction vanished upon hearing these words.

During the experience of weightlessness like riding on clouds, the thick smell of blood in the air, combined with the rustling sound of serpentine movements,

though not visible, triggered memories of the forest in Lin Mei's mind, causing her face to go pale with fright, and her legs to tremble uncontrollably.

Upon reaching the mountain cave again, Ning Fan had no concerns about alerting the Hu Family, using True Qi to form a hurricane, pushing the venomous creatures to the sides and creating a narrow path.

Ning Fan wasn't planning on eliminating these venomous pests yet, so he continuously controlled his True Qi to avoid killing them.

"Alright, you can open your eyes now, we've arrived."