Manipulative Harem God

Xie Meirong - Illustration!

[A/N: Updated Xie Meirong illustrations, as the last one didn't do her justice]

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Amidst the hidden chamber, a masked man leaned casually against the stone wall. He broke the silence, his voice cool and collected, "You have guests."

Xie Meirong, in the middle of arranging an intricate reservoir of water in a rectangular basin, paused, her fingers delicately hovering over the surface.

"Who is it?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

The masked man's eerie, phantom-like eyes glimmered slightly as he pointed towards his bandaged abdomen. "It's that man, the one who dealt this wound."

Xie Meirong's eyes narrowed, and a mischievous smile played on her lips as she started to move toward the exit.

"Are you going to meet him?" Phantom's voice echoed from behind her.

In response, Xie Meirong spoke with calm and determination, "I am not as weak as you." She continued her graceful path toward the exit.

In the concealed chamber, Song Shoushan's heart raced, despite the duct tape gagging her. The knowledge that Zhang Wei had come to find her filled her with hope.

Meanwhile, Phantom merely shook his head, remaining aloof as he continued to lean against the ancient stone wall.

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As Zhang Wei and Leng Yan exited the concealed corridor, they stepped into a massive underground chamber beneath the Royal Academy. The sight that greeted them was beyond their expectations, leaving both of them in a state of awe.

The underground space was an intricate labyrinth of colossal pipelines that crisscrossed in every direction, forming a sprawling network beneath the entire academy.

The dimly lit chamber gave off an eerie atmosphere, illuminated only by the faint glow of the overhead lights on the pipelines.

The walls were constructed of worn, rough concrete, with rusted metal stairs and catwalks extending in various directions.

Leng Yan's eyes widened with astonishment as she took in the enormity of the hidden space.

She couldn't believe that such an extensive area existed beneath the academy, concealed from their knowledge all this time.

It was like stepping into a secret world hidden from the eyes of the students and staff above.

Zhang Wei couldn't help but be equally amazed by the underground chamber. He knew they had stumbled upon a crucial discovery.

The network of pipelines and pathways beneath the academy was likely the key to understanding Xie Meirong's operation and perhaps even finding her.

Leng Yan spoke, her voice echoing in the cavernous space, "This place... it's unbelievable. I had no idea any of this was here."

Zhang Wei's sharp gaze swept across the hidden network of pipes beneath the academy. "This hidden network might be the key to uncovering all secrets. Let's proceed—"

A puzzled frown crossed Leng Yan's face as Zhang Wei abruptly ceased his words.

Her voice, filled with surprise, echoed through the vast underground space. "Hm? Zhang Wei?"

In the blink of an eye, he seemed to vanish into thin air, leaving Leng Yan bewildered and calling out for him.

"Zhang Wei!?"

She spun around, scanning the eerie underground expanse, but there was no sign of her companion. Unbeknownst to her, two gleaming eyes had become an ominous presence, hidden within the edge of her shadow.

Zhang Wei had already spotted someone coming in their directions, thanks to X-Ray vision, thus he hide in her shadow.

Amidst the gloomy and echoing underground passage, a series of eerie footsteps broke the silence.

*Tap...*

*Tap...*

Leng Yan's eyes widened as the foreign noise reached her ears. She spun around, her curiosity momentarily overshadowing her concern for the missing Zhang Wei.

She was met with an unexpected sight. Emerging from the shadows was a mysterious girl clad in an unconventional black gothic dress.

The stark contrast between her attire and the industrial surroundings of the underground added an unique aura to her presence.

Leng Yan muttered in surprise, her voice echoing softly in the desolate space, "You are...?"

Xie Meirong, her dark eyes reflecting amusement, raised a single eyebrow in response. "It's you... Leng Yan," she whispered to herself, her voice filled with a peculiar interest.

Leng Yan's wariness grew, her stance shifting to a defensive posture. "You know me?" she questioned, uncertainty evident in her tone.

Xie Meirong's eyes flickered with a wicked grin as she advanced deliberately towards Leng Yan.

Her eerie confidence sent a shiver down Leng Yan's spine. "Of course, I've heard all about you," she declared. "Leng Yan, the deputy chief of PSB and the daughter of the owner of Powergen Corporation. They say you never give up, no matter how daunting the case."

"How do you know so much? Were you spying on me?" Leng Yan couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She had heard of this girl, but facing someone with such extraordinary information was beyond anything she had anticipated. Not to mention, only a few knew about her relationship with Powergen Corporation.

Without warning, Xie Meirong extended a hand, her gaze focusing intently on Leng Yan. In an instant, the detective felt invisible forces constricting her, as if an unseen vice tightened around her.

"What—ugh!" Leng Yan gasped, her voice strained.

Leng Yan fought with all her might, her muscles straining, but the telekinetic grasp only grew stronger. Desperation clawed at her as she gasped for breath, her limbs pinned by Xie Meirong's relentless will.

It was a chilling demonstration of the girl's psychokinetic powers, and Leng Yan realized she was outmatched. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she struggled for every breath.

Xie Meirong smiled wickedly, seemingly enjoying her prey's torment. "Haha, you should have never come here."

'Never come here?' Before the last thought finished for Leng Yan, she already felt her vision blanking out and fainted.

"Thud!"

Leng Yan's body fell to the ground, and Xie Meirong walked gracefully, picking her up and retracing her steps.

"There are no signs of another person? Did that white-faced one lie to me?" Xie Meirong's eyes scanned the area, but aside from Leng Yan, there was no other presence. It slightly surprised her, but she ignored it and continued.

After all, her mission had already been completed. However, now her work had increased; she had to design a masterpiece of artwork for Leng Yan.

Things were already moving ahead of schedule for her.