"Rape—I, as the village chief, will never commit it, nor will I ever allow my subordinates to do so. Remember that well. If you can't control yourself, then I'll have no choice but to deal with you when the time comes." Li Daoqiang added a veiled warning.
Blood Saber Ancestor felt a chill in his heart and quickly nodded, affirming, "I would never dare to violate the village rules."
When the time came and there was no other way, it meant sending him to his death. He immediately took that rule more seriously. Though he had strong objections, thinking Li Daoqiang was setting up a facade while doing the same thing, he had no choice. The other was stronger, and the rules he set had to be followed—wholeheartedly.
"So, if I take a liking to a woman, I'll let her choose to be with me on her own. But women are a very troublesome existence, especially when feelings get involved. Feelings are a person's biggest weakness. I won't get entangled in emotions with women, especially not from the start. It must never be because of feelings that they come to me."
"After they're with me, as long as it's not troublesome, cultivating some feelings and coaxing them is fine. After all, they're the ones who will bear my children and be closest to me. No one dislikes being liked. I'm human too. Once they're with me, having them develop some feelings for me is a good thing. The balance needs to be struck. Understand?"
Li Daoqiang spoke slowly, saying whatever came to mind without much restraint. Blood Saber Ancestor listened carefully, picking up on some meaning. It was about first finding a way to get the woman he wanted through any means except outright robbery or emotional manipulation, then making her develop feelings for him, treat him well, and stay loyal. In short, Li Daoqiang didn't want to invest emotions. He wanted women to come to him out of self-interest, then be sensible, obedient, and loyal. That was roughly the gist.
His rescue of Zhong Ling, with a cold and indifferent attitude, was exactly that approach. Later, he'd use a transaction to get her to stay with him, made easier by the rescue. Afterward, the transaction would make her more sensible, lacking confidence, and easy to manipulate. The rescue would also make her naturally loyal. One step leading to another. Heh.
Blood Saber Ancestor figured it out and sneered inwardly. I've burned, killed, looted, and done every evil, but I don't toy with emotions. Li Daoqiang was actually worse than him, casually manipulating people and feelings. He wasn't even human. He didn't know the modern term "scumbag," but even if he did, he'd think it wasn't enough to describe Li Daoqiang. Yet, unconsciously, Blood Saber Ancestor felt he understood Li Daoqiang better and saw his terrifying nature more clearly.
Young, yet ruthless. Lustful, but without emotional investment, able to let go at any time without creating weaknesses. Greedy for wealth, but always cloaking it in a veneer, not too reckless to avoid public outrage or attacks. He wasn't without flaws. His lust and greed were weaknesses, but not as fatal as one might think. He was too clear-headed, frighteningly so, not at all like a young man. Using those flaws against him would be difficult.
Suddenly, Blood Saber Ancestor felt more confident and reassured. Such a terrifying Li Daoqiang wouldn't fail easily, making him a better patron. He felt more certain about his choice not to flee. He thought silently, while on the surface, he looked confused, as if he couldn't figure it out. After decades of cunning, he wouldn't make fatal mistakes. Gauging a superior's intentions was normal and expected, but in some matters, figuring out the boss's thoughts was suicidal. This was one of those matters.
Seeing Blood Saber Ancestor's puzzled expression, Li Daoqiang smirked faintly, gave him a knowing look, and said calmly, "Alright, it doesn't matter if you understand or not. Just remember one thing: rape is base and beastly. What I do is treat them sincerely. Got it?"
"I understand that, Chief. You're taking them as wives, treating them with complete sincerity." Blood Saber Ancestor affirmed. After all, you're the strong one, so whatever you say is right.
Li Daoqiang smiled, satisfied with Blood Saber Ancestor. Truly a talent—efficient in work and pleasant in speech. It wasn't for nothing that he brought him along every time. Just a bit weak in strength. The thought passed, and he set it aside. It depended on his luck. As for that speech, how much had Blood Saber Ancestor figured out about him? Did it matter? He said it for him to hear; obedience was enough.
He turned and walked toward the Wuliang Sword Sect. Blood Saber Ancestor immediately followed, every move radiating loyalty.
Arriving near the Wuliang Sword Sect, Li Daoqiang did nothing, as if waiting for something. Blood Saber Ancestor and the others naturally dared not object and obediently waited.
Two days later, the Wuliang Sword Sect's East and West factions held their competition. Watching the familiar yet unfamiliar scenes from afar, a hint of depth flickered in Li Daoqiang's eyes. The original story had changed. Zhong Ling had gone home. What would happen to Duan Yu? He didn't care much about protagonists or plot, but since he'd encountered it, he couldn't help being curious about what would happen next. That was one reason he waited.
Then, events unfolded bit by bit. Duan Yu still angered the Wuliang Sword Sect members, but this time, his hidden guards saved him. That was normal; the original story was abnormal. A prince and heir to the throne wandering the martial world alone? If a non-martial arts prince could sneak out, the Dali Duan family wouldn't exist anymore.
Rescued, Duan Yu still stumbled into the Langhuan Blessed Land. Li Daoqiang felt that sometimes things were just that coincidental. But this time, Duan Yu gained nothing. Leaving the Blessed Land, he fatefully encountered the Poison King, the Manggu Vermilion Toad. Li Daoqiang naturally didn't miss the chance and took the rare beast in advance.
Next up, it should be Mu Wanqing, right? The Four Villains were about to appear. Li Daoqiang thought to himself, glancing at Duan Yu in the distance, perking up.
Soon, Li Daoqiang spotted a black-clad, veiled woman riding a magnificent black horse, being chased. He watched from a distance. Beside him, Blood Saber Ancestor looked at the veiled woman and, with years of experience, immediately knew she was a rare beauty. Glancing at Li Daoqiang, he guessed his intent and flattered, "Chief, that veiled woman is definitely a rare beauty. How about...?"
Li Daoqiang paused briefly and said calmly, "Wait here."
"Yes." Blood Saber Ancestor replied instantly.
The next moment, Li Daoqiang vanished. Hundreds of feet away, Mu Wanqing fled on her injured horse, with several figures chasing behind. Suddenly, a tall, imposing figure appeared on the road ahead, exuding a commanding presence. He moved fast, closing in quickly. Mu Wanqing only reacted then, startled, and shouted coldly, "Get out of the way!" Instinctively, she nudged her horse. The intelligent beast slowed slightly, but the figure just a few feet away showed no sign of dodging.
Mu Wanqing's clear, cold eyes glared angrily. At that moment, the pursuers saw an opportunity and slowed to throw hidden weapons. A barrage of projectiles flew toward the horse and Mu Wanqing, also heading toward the figure. Hearing the sound, Mu Wanqing panicked and gritted her teeth, ready to jump off the horse.
Suddenly, the figure raised a hand. Golden light burst forth, and a fierce wind appeared. The wind was so strong it forced the horse to a halt, scattering the hidden weapons. The wind, like a deft hand, snatched the veil from Mu Wanqing's face.
"Ah!" She cried out, instinctively reaching for the veil, but missed. Realizing something, she glared at the figure ahead. He was looking at her too. In an instant, Mu Wanqing's eyes widened, and she raised her arms to cover her face, her eyes filled with anger, panic, and confusion.
Li Daoqiang silently praised her beauty, then casually looked away, a cold glint in his eyes as he turned to the pursuers—a few old women. Coldly, he said, "Scram."
The old women, seeing his skill, grew serious. At his words, anger flared. "Who are you to meddle in the Wang family's affairs of Mantuo Villa?" one demanded coldly.
Li Daoqiang found it amusing—how cooperative. He'd spare her life. With a cold expression, he waved his hand. Another golden flash erupted, unleashing overwhelming force. The old women, except the one who spoke, were struck and flew backward, dead before they hit the ground.
Mu Wanqing and the surviving old woman stared in shock. "Go back and tell your master. For this offense, the Black Dragon Village will come to settle the score soon," Li Daoqiang said disdainfully.
The old woman, terrified, turned and fled without a second thought, not even registering the name "Black Dragon Village." Li Daoqiang didn't care; he was pleased. Now he had an excuse to visit Mantuo Villa for a reckoning. The Wang family there was a fat prize. Delighted inwardly, he glanced at Mu Wanqing expressionlessly, as if nothing had happened, and continued walking.
After a few steps, "Wait!" A crisp, anxious voice called from behind.
Li Daoqiang paused, turned, and said coldly, "You have business?"
Mu Wanqing still covered her face with her arms, her expression behind them full of panic and confusion. Gritting her teeth, she stubbornly said, "You can't leave."
"You want to die?" Li Daoqiang said indifferently.
Mu Wanqing was furious, tempted to raise her sleeve arrow and kill him, but recalling the earlier scene, she had no confidence. In despair and confusion, she gritted her teeth, lowered her arms, and declared resolutely, "Then kill me."
(Chapter 3, requesting subscriptions.) ......