Upon learning of the Body Refinement Furnace's effects, the Company wasted no time—
they dispatched a team that very day to take Ma Hongxian into custody.
But even after Ma Hongxian was taken away, one person remained behind: Liao Zhong.
His gaze was locked tightly on Chen Duo, especially after he realized something terrifying—
the bomb implanted in her body had vanished.
A tide of anxiety surged in his chest.
He didn't know that Chen Duo's body had already been healed.
All he knew was that the Company would never allow her to roam free.
In his eyes, the bomb was just one of many methods of control.
If she had removed it without permission, she had clearly violated one of the Company's core rules—
a violation that might cost her life.
So, with a trace of pleading in his tone, he said:
"Chen Duo, come back with me. Don't be stubborn anymore."
But Chen Duo only glanced at him coolly and replied with unwavering resolve:
"Uncle Liao, I'm not going back.
I've found the path I want to take—good or bad, I'll walk it myself."
Her words instantly lit the fire in Liao Zhong's heart.
And then, a voice crackled through his earpiece, pushing him over the edge:
"Liao Zhong, the Saint Child is unstable. Come back.
We'll handle it."
A direct order from the Company—
and the last thing he wanted to hear.
His expression changed drastically.
He pressed his earpiece, trying to buy time:
"Wait! I'll knock her out and bring her back."
He stepped toward Chen Duo, intent on forcibly taking her.
But just as his hand was about to reach her—
Hikaru intervened.
His voice was cold as frost:
"Do you really think I'm just standing here for decoration?
Leave. I'll take care of Chen Duo.
Your Company has no say here."
Liao Zhong stared at him, his expression grim.
He knew Hikaru was strong—
but Chen Duo's life was on the line. He was no longer thinking rationally.
His voice was hoarse:
"Move aside, kid! You don't know what's really going on.
If she leaves the Company… she'll die!"
Hikaru found the panic in Liao Zhong's eyes almost amusing.
But more than that—he was puzzled.
Why hadn't Xu Xiang, a Company executive, reported on him?
Then he understood.
Hikaru knew too much about Feng Baobao.
If Xu Xiang reported him to the Company, Feng Baobao might be exposed.
So Xu Xiang chose silence.
Without that internal tip-off, the Company only knew that Hikaru was strong and ruthless—
but not enough to be taken seriously.
Realizing this, Hikaru let out a helpless chuckle.
So this is what I get for keeping a low profile...
In a moment of decision, he extended his senses across the net and forcibly dragged several Company Executives who were eavesdropping into the scene.
They appeared in an instant, expressions blank with shock.
But being top brass, their mental resilience was top-notch.
The moment they saw Chen Duo and Liao Zhong, they grasped the situation.
And their expressions changed.
Now their eyes were filled with caution—
because anyone who could pull them from the Company HQ with such ease…
was far beyond what they were prepared to face.
They exchanged glances.
Then one man, seemingly the leader, stepped forward.
Trying his best to sound calm, he said:
"Mr. Hikaru, we mean no offense.
But Chen Duo's case is unique.
She's an integral part of our Company.
We can't simply let her walk away."
Hikaru stared at them, a cold smile tugging at his lips.
"Integral?
You call that treating her like a person?
Or just a tool to be used and discarded?"
The lead executive choked on the words, but quickly regained composure:
"We have our own considerations.
But I assure you—we only want what's best for her."
"What's best for her?" Hikaru laughed.
"What a noble excuse.
Let me ask—have you ever cared about what she wants?
What she dreams of?
What she's afraid of?
Did you even once consider her feelings?"
A string of questions left the executive speechless.
No—they hadn't.
All they cared about was Chen Duo's instability as the Saint Child.
Seeing their silence, Hikaru continued:
"From today on, I will be responsible for Chen Duo's freedom.
If the Company dares disturb her again—
you'll answer to me."
Then he turned to her.
"Chen Duo, come with me.
I'll help you find what you really want—
a sky that belongs to you and you alone."
Chen Duo met his gaze—
and in his eyes, she saw her reflection.
Warmth stirred in her heart—
a warmth she hadn't felt in so long.
And a flicker of hope for the future.
She nodded softly, her voice light but firm:
"Okay."
Together, they turned and left.
Liao Zhong and the executives stood frozen,
watching the two figures disappear into the horizon.
And in their hearts…
a crushing sense of helplessness.
They knew what they'd lost wasn't just control over Chen Duo.
It was something far greater—
a blow to the Company's longstanding dominance and control.
The lead executive took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
He turned to look at Liao Zhong—
and saw that even this famously composed officer now wore an expression of rare distress.
He knew:
this incident struck Liao Zhong harder than anyone.
After all, he was the one who had brought Chen Duo into the Company—
and watched her grow into what she was today.
"Liao Zhong, we—"
The executive had barely spoken
before Liao Zhong raised a hand to cut him off.
A complex look flashed through his eyes.
He touched his face, perhaps trying to hide his emotion.
And said with feigned indifference:
"Say no more.
Let's just go back."
Yet deep down,
he felt a sliver of relief.
Because he knew—
if Chen Duo had remained in the Company,
her fate would've been nothing short of tragic.
And if anyone could give her a future—
it was Hikaru.
Faced with his sorrow and the silence of the others,
the executives could only nod quietly in agreement.
They all understood—
this was no accident.
Nor was it the end.
Hikaru's name…
was now engraved deep into the Company's watchlist.
And as usual—
the Company's response to unstable elements was always the same:
control… or eliminate.