[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-urban-villain-system":3,"chapter-urban-villain-system-urban-villain-system-chapter-26":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","URBAN VILLAIN SYSTEM",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1323147,1758,"Chapter 26: Invitation from Academy!","urban-villain-system-chapter-26",26,"\u003Cp>China... Frost Family Estate...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock! Knock!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sharp knock on the door pulled Tony out of his sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His brows furrowed as he opened his eyes, irritation flashing briefly across his face. For someone to disturb him this early meant only one thing...trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swung his legs off the bed and opened the door without much thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julie stood outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something about her was off... Her usual sharp expression was replaced by unease, and there was a hint of urgency in the way she shifted her weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tony,\" she called out quickly, almost too quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony leaned against the doorframe, studying her with narrowed eyes. \"You look like you’ve seen a ghost. What happened?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julie hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering. \"Your father is looking for you. He asked me to inform you the moment you woke up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony’s expression changed instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My father?!\" he repeated slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julie nodded, avoiding direct eye contact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony’s sleep is gone in the next second. Rion Clark never summoned him without reason. And when he did, it was rarely anything pleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did he say why...?!\" Tony asked in a serious tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" Julie replied, her voice slightly tight. \"He didn’t explain anything. Just told me to make sure you go immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony watched her for a moment longer, sensing the tension she was trying to hide. It didn’t take much intelligence to guess what she was worried about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought he might expose her. A faint smile appeared on his lips, but he said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright,\" he said casually. \"I’ll go see what this is about.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting, he stepped past her and walked down the corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his father was calling him this early, something significant must have happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in this family... Significant usually meant dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, Tony arrived outside his father’s chamber. He knocked twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come in,\" a cold voice responded from inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony pushed the door open and stepped in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rion Clark sat behind a large desk, his sharp gaze landed on Tony immediately. On the table beside him lay a sealed envelope marked with a distinct insignia... one that Tony recognized instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’The Nine Lotus Academy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony’s eyes flickered briefly toward it before returning to his father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You called for me..?\" he asked, keeping his tone neutral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rion didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he observed Tony carefully, as if trying to find something different about him. There was a subtle change... something in his presence... but it was too vague to define.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Rion dismissed the thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are two things you need to know,\" he said directly. \"First, your engagement with Lily Frost has been finalized.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony didn’t react outwardly, but his mind stirred slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lady Lily personally approached me this morning,\" Rion continued. \"She insisted that the engagement be announced publicly as soon as possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony’s eyes narrowed faintly.’She was pushing things forward herself?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see...\" Tony replied calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I trust you understand the importance of this marriage. This is not just about you. This concerns the entire Clark family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice grew colder. \"And I don’t need to remind you what will happen if you ruin it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony gave a faint nod though his thoughts moved differently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So even his father doesn’t fully trust him in this matter... Not surprising!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rion leaned back slightly. \"This alliance secures your position as the heir... But don’t misunderstand. That doesn’t make you worthy of her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony almost laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Worthy?!’ He suppressed the thought, keeping his expression neutral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what do you expect from me?\" he asked instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Prove yourself,\" Rion replied without hesitation. \"If you lack martial talent, then compensate elsewhere. Business, influence, leadership. Show that you’re not completely useless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, however, his thoughts were far less obedient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’So I have to prove myself to stand beside her? Let them think that... The less they know... The better.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smirk almost appeared... But something else bothered him more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was everything moving so fast?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the second matter,\" Rion continued, breaking his thoughts, \"is that you have been admitted into the Nine Lotus Academy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony’s composure cracked for the first time.\"What...?!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The word slipped out before he could stop it... He stared at his father, genuinely stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s impossible... I don’t meet any of their requirements.\" He said immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Nine Lotus Academy didn’t accept weaklings. Their standards were ruthless. Even prodigies struggled to gain entry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shouldn’t even qualify to stand at their gates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rion’s expression hardened slightly. \"Watch your tone... It’s not something you need to question. The invitation has already been issued.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony’s gaze shifted toward the envelope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How...?!\" he asked again, more controlled this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rion narrowed his eyes. \"They made an exception with few conditions,\" he said. \"Consider it a result of my efforts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as he said it, there was a trace of doubt in his own voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rion Clark tried all his means to send Tony to 9 Lotus Academy. But they never agreed. But this invitation came out of nowhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rion continued, \"Your engagement with Lily Frost likely played a role as well. With her status, your value increases by association.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony didn’t respond. Inside, however, a different conclusion formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is her.... A Heaven-blessed existence. Fate itself was bending around her... And dragging him along with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And finally...’ Before he could continue, the door opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A familiar figure stepped in with a bright, almost theatrical smile... Andrew Frost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony immediately straightened slightly and gave a polite nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Congratulations, my son-in-law,\" Andrew said cheerfully as he walked in. \"It seems even the Nine Lotus Academy has finally recognized your... potential.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony resisted the urge to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Andrew sat beside Rion comfortably, as if the two had already reached a complete understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’ve discussed this already,\" Andrew continued. \"The engagement ceremony will be held before you leave for the academy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony’s eyes flickered slightly. \"That soon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Andrew smiled wider. \"Of course. Once the engagement is public, everything becomes stable. More importantly, you’ll be able to stay close to Lily at the academy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone turned slightly meaningful. \"She’ll guide you... and protect you from unnecessary trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony almost laughed at that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Protect? Or monitor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you have any objections?\" Andrew asked, leaning forward slightly, his eyes locking onto Tony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Tony could respond, Rion spoke instead. \"He wouldn’t dare,\" he said flatly. \"This is the best outcome he could hope for.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Andrew laughed loudly. \"Good, good! Then everything is settled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Andrew stood up and walked toward him, handing over the sealed letter from 9 Lotus Academy. \"Go... Lily is in the training hall. You should meet her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony took the letter.... His fingers brushed against the seal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The insignia of the Nine Lotus Academy gleamed faintly. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he stepped into the corridor, he immediately opened the letter to confirm his doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>",1157,"2026-06-05T19:16:30.924Z",1,"novelbin.me","c3a132834aa1536b8b51b7555bbb0917a59103fa10027dfa4d0d433cfc7c6f42","urban-villain-system-chapter-27","urban-villain-system-chapter-25",143,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Furban-villain-system-cover.jpg"]