A few days later, at the masquerade ball.

Reon wore a deep red gown, like a rose in full bloom. Hima was dressed in a black tailcoat. Arm in arm, they handed their invitation to the attendant at the entrance.

“Please come in. Have a wonderful evening.” The attendant stepped aside.

Inside the banquet hall, men and women in formal attire were dancing or chatting.

“Kagumo came in earlier by herself. No idea where she ran off to.” Hima said.

“It’s fine. She’s easy to find. The dip in the crowd should be her.” Reon teased Kagumo’s height and exaggerated a sigh. “Kids grow up so fast. They don’t even want to stick with us anymore.”

“What kids? You’re making it sound like we’re old.” Hima shook his head.

“It’s called exaggeration. Exaggeration.” Reon said, then pulled him toward the dance floor. “Let’s dance first.”

Hima had just picked up a glass of wine and nearly dropped it. He hurriedly set it back down. “Wait. Shouldn’t we be watching for potential danger?”

“You can watch for danger anywhere. If you come to a ball and don’t dance, that’s a waste.”

“Sister, would you like a dance? A ball is meant for dancing.” Roland asked, watching the cheerful crowd enter the dance floor.

The current head of the Hayes family, Anastasia, took a sip of red wine and lazily swirled her glass. “You go. I’m not interested.”

“…Not interested, or unable to find a satisfactory partner?” Roland asked.

His sister wasn’t married, though she had dated many men. To be clear, Anastasia had never dated more than one man at a time. She simply changed boyfriends rather quickly.

Her requirements were simple. Aside from basic morality, they had to be good-looking. In other words, Anastasia had a habit of keeping handsome young men around.

“No. I’m worried my little boyfriend will sulk. He’s very handsome and charming. I’m not planning to break up with him for now.” Anastasia waved her hand.

“Really?” Roland sounded unconvinced.

“My dear young brother, why are you so concerned about whether I want to dance? There are more important things to pay attention to.” Anastasia glanced across the hall at the masked guests. “For example, someone sneaking in with ill intentions.”

Roland paused. “That’s security’s job.”

“True. But caution is never wrong. After all, that Diviner personally sent a warning.”

Before the meeting of the Three Great Families began, Sibelyna had suddenly appeared before Anastasia. Anastasia’s instinct was to attack, but the trajectory of her strike shifted and missed.

“Head of the Hayes family, wait. I do not wish to burden you with further misfortune.” Sylverina raised her hand. “I am the Diviner of Poker.”

Anastasia examined the veiled demigoddess of Fate and assassin before her. She sensed no malice. Misfortune? Most likely an ability tied to the Fate Affinity.

“What do you want?” Anastasia asked.

“Straight to the point. I like that.” Sylverina smiled. “A crisis will occur during the meeting of the Three Great Families.”

Anastasia waited.

“…That’s all?” she asked.

“Yes.” Sylverina nodded.

Anastasia parted her lips, then finally said, “I understand now why your reputation… is so polarized.”

The Diviner of Poker rarely acted directly. She usually coordinated matters from behind the scenes and offered revelations at critical moments. In theory, even as an assassin, someone like that should not have a bad reputation. Yet those who knew her often described her as mysterious, unfathomable—and someone who made you want to grab her collar and punch her.

No one dared to, of course.

Sibelyna let out a soft laugh. “Fate itself is unfathomable. However, I can reveal one more thing.”

“Be wary of the Yan family’s new weapon.”

“Shouldn’t you be telling that to the Yan family?” Anastasia asked.

“I have. But everyone should be cautious.” Sylverina said. “I hope events do not slip beyond my control.”

“The Yan family’s new weapon… Could the tragedy from four years ago repeat itself?” Roland murmured.

“The same mistake should not happen twice. Unless… there is a traitor?” Anastasia stared into her wine.

In the ruby liquid, a face wearing a crimson mask was reflected.

The man in the crimson mask downed his wine in one gulp and stepped onto the dance floor.

Many people danced—alone, in pairs, women with women, men with men. There were no strict rules. It was entirely free.

“I feel like someone’s been staring at me.” Wei Zhiheng, wearing a top hat, said.

His partner, Mo Ying, glanced behind him. A man in a deep red suit. She recognized him instantly.

He appeared to casually watch the dancers, yet his gaze kept drifting toward them.

“My ex-boyfriend is glaring at you.” Mo Ying said.

“I feel like you’re enjoying this. You’re not hoping we’ll start fighting, are you?” Wei Zhiheng stole a glance at Yan Yuhuai.

“No. He’s not impulsive. He’ll just spend the entire evening staring at you darkly.” Mo Ying guided him through a turn.

“Huh? No way. I just danced one song with you. Wait—that’s the wrong step!” Wei Zhiheng suddenly realized he had taken the female part.

“Why worry about it? The ball is very free.” Mo Ying said.

She looked straight at Yan Yuhuai, narrowing her eyes.

His possessiveness had not changed.

She remembered their final year of high school, when she had accidentally seen the photo album on his phone. It was filled entirely with photos of her—some clearly taken through stalking.

His love had never been healthy. She had realized that back then, but she had not taken it seriously.

In the end, she paid the price. Among the hands that pushed her into the abyss was his.

When the music ended, Mo Ying passed by Yan Yuhuai and only gave him a brief glance.

For now, it was best that they had no interaction. It was not yet time for her to step into the sunlight.

Not far away, Yan Yining was speaking with a member of the Omniscient Scholars Association. She had noticed what happened on the dance floor.

Yan Yuhuai’s mood must not be pleasant right now.

“Miss, you’re from the Yan family, correct?” the man asked.

The Yan family had a distinct trait—red pupils. Even with masks, it could be seen.

“Yes.” Yan Yining replied.

The Omniscient Scholars Association was an academic organization. Its members all possessed notable scholarly achievements. However, joining required more than intelligence; one also needed an Omniscient Affinity.

The Omniscient Affinity specialized in analysis and uncovering hidden information—for example, seeing what had previously occurred in a location, or discerning a person’s ability traits. Before reaching demigod status, those with this Affinity had almost no combat capability.

The Association believed that possessing an Omniscient Affinity signified recognition by the God of Omniscience, Ganisa. Those without divine acknowledgment were unqualified, unless they possessed extraordinary academic accomplishments.

“May I ask an indiscreet question?” the man lowered his voice. “How is your Ignis Rail Cannon?”

As expected, everyone’s focus was on the new weapon.

“Are you questioning its safety?” Yan Yining asked.

“No, not at all. I have no intention of doubting the Yan family.” The man quickly said. “Please forget I asked.”

“I’ve heard the Association is searching for something. If you’re willing to share, I can offer information in exchange.” Yan Yining said.

The man’s expression shifted beneath his mask. He shook his head. “Sorry. I cannot disclose that.”

He then left.

The former president of the Association, an Omniscient demigod—Theodore Kennedy. They were searching for his legacy. It was an important object; their secrecy was understandable.

But why had they come to Changyuan to look for it?

“Yining.” Someone called her name.

She recognized the voice and paused before turning around.

“Why are you alone? Didn’t I tell you to build more connections?” It was her mother, Yan Wanyi.

“I was just speaking with a gentleman.” Yan Yining replied.

“Then go meet others. A ball is for socializing.” Yan Wanyi gestured toward a nearby group. “I worked very hard to sort through the guest list and identify important figures for you. Don’t waste my effort.”

“Actually—”

“Enough. Go. Don’t you see Yan Yuhuai handling guests with ease? It was fine when your grades were worse than his. But if you want to become head of the family, you cannot lose to him.”

Yan Yining glanced toward Yan Yuhuai. He was raising his glass in a toast.

She sighed. “I understand. But…”

“Mother, I still want to say this. There was no need for you to work so hard. I never asked you to organize the list for me. And I have my own plans.”

Watching her daughter walk away, Yan Wanyi lifted her wine glass.

“She thinks I’m being meddlesome, huh?”