Whether for money, martial arts, or revenge for murder, it was all normal. This wasn’t like when Li Daoqiang encountered them and directly threatened their lives. As long as a Xiantian master wanted to, they could live well. Without their own pursuits, why would they let themselves be driven by others? Of course, they were only Xiantian masters, not Grandmasters. To the current Black Dragon Village, they weren’t much—their weight wasn’t enough. So their conditions weren’t immediately accepted. Rather, they had this intention to come to Black Dragon Village and fulfill their goals here. This was the benefit of being strong oneself. It could attract experts to join for free. The platform itself was the greatest advantage. If it were a Grandmaster, things would be different. Li Daoqiang would seriously consider their terms. If possible, he wouldn’t mind helping them fulfill their goals first. After carefully reviewing the situations of these eleven people, there were no issues. Even if two of them had offended first-rate forces and sought refuge, in his eyes, it was nothing. “Send word: this batch, Black Dragon Village accepts. And keep recruiting—the more, the better. Preferably Grandmaster-level experts. Keep an eye out for me,” Li Daoqiang said calmly. “Yes.” Wang Lin acknowledged and immediately went to relay the message. Li Daoqiang glanced at Wang Lin’s retreating back and frowned slightly. He really needed to find a candidate to manage the intelligence system soon. Right now, the development of Black Dragon Village’s intelligence network was stuck in a quagmire, struggling to improve. After thinking it over seriously, he set it aside for now. In the end, it depended on whether he could find the right person. His thoughts shifted, turning southward. With nothing else to do now, it was time to go take a look. Once the decision was made, he began preparations. Two nights later. In a courtyard. Li Daoqiang held He Qinghua’s perfect body in his arms, a hint of pride flashing across his brow. He Qinghua’s face took a while to calm down. Then she grew dissatisfied, speaking sharply: “Hmph, you haven’t come to see me for so long, and the first thing you do is mess around.” “Didn’t you enjoy it?” Li Daoqiang said casually, not even looking up, teasing her. He Qinghua’s face reddened. Embarrassed and annoyed, she couldn’t help but bite down on Li Daoqiang’s shoulder. “Slap!” Li Daoqiang spanked her without hesitation. “If you don’t behave, I’ll make you remember my prowess again.” He Qinghua let out a soft gasp at the slap and released her bite. Hearing this, a flicker of wariness showed in her eyes. But immediately, her unyielding nature flared up again. She lifted her graceful neck stubbornly and said, “Come on, do you think I’m afraid of you?” “Heh.” Li Daoqiang chuckled, looking at He Qinghua with amusement. “I love this stubborn streak of yours. Today, if you’ve got the guts, don’t beg for mercy.” “Pfft, ridiculous.” He Qinghua glared, refusing to back down. Li Daoqiang was thoroughly entertained. Over two hours later. “Mercy... please~!” Li Daoqiang snorted softly, calming his emotions. After a moment, he quietly held He Qinghua as they rested. After a short break, he teased, “Weren’t you not going to beg for mercy?” As he spoke, he patted her delicate cheek. He Qinghua grunted in response, not answering. Li Daoqiang grew even more pleased and proud. He pressed a few more times, lecturing, “From now on, be obedient, got it?” He Qinghua suddenly opened her eyes, her voice slightly hoarse. “I’m not a man, so I don’t need to have guts. What’s wrong with begging for mercy? Got the guts to kill me?” Li Daoqiang was momentarily stunned, a bit speechless. This woman, just barely recovered, and she was already talking back. She knew he wouldn’t actually kill her. “Hmph, I can’t be bothered with you.” He glared at He Qinghua. Hearing this, she lifted her chin as if victorious, then closed her eyes to rest again. Li Daoqiang stopped messing around and closed his eyes to relax. He was about to leave the village for a while again. Realizing he hadn’t seen He Qinghua in about two months, he missed her, so he came. He Qinghua and Qi Fang were truly different women. Physically, they both felt equally wonderful. But the feeling they gave him mentally was different. For a man, physical sensation was just the foundation. Once that was satisfied, he would pursue mental fulfillment. That’s why men always liked beautiful women, women outside, other men’s women, women they hadn’t tried before. This wasn’t just about men and women. It also often reflected men’s pursuits in life, career, and various aspects. Lost in random thoughts for a while, Li Daoqiang silently savored the wonderful sensation of He Qinghua’s jade-like body, then suddenly thought of the candidate to manage the intelligence system. Come to think of it, He Qinghua was quite suitable in terms of ability. Capable, ruthless enough, ambitious enough. But unfortunately, unless he was crazy, he wouldn’t hand the intelligence system over to her. With He Qinghua’s personality, once she controlled the intelligence network, his harem would never be peaceful. He thought about other things for a while, then suddenly wanted to have a proper conversation with He Qinghua. After a moment’s hesitation, he said softly, “How have you been lately?” He Qinghua didn’t open her eyes, speaking weakly, “What do you mean?” “Nothing, just asking casually.” Li Daoqiang didn’t know what else to say. “What about that divine skill you mentioned? I’ve been waiting for ages.” He Qinghua didn’t mind, perking up a bit. Li Daoqiang inexplicably felt a bit annoyed. He slapped her again and said irritably, “What’s the rush? When you see your man, all you talk about is divine skills?” “What else should I talk about?” He Qinghua twisted her body, speaking with justified dissatisfaction. Li Daoqiang was momentarily at a loss for words. It seemed that aside from business and cultivation matters, he had nothing to say to his women. Things like daily life had nothing to do with them. Qi Fang might be able to talk about that, but he wouldn’t listen. For some reason, he sighed and changed the subject. “How’s your practice of the Lingbo Weibu going?” “Not bad.” He Qinghua replied casually. “Mm, ask if you don’t understand. And, if I don’t come to you, don’t you know to come to me? You’re my woman. Do you even keep that in mind?” Li Daoqiang grew more displeased as he spoke. Huang Xuemei was one thing, but He Qinghua was the same. He’d been busy with big matters these past two months and hadn’t sought them out. Didn’t they know to come to him? “Heh.” He Qinghua closed her eyes, a look of disdainful sneer on her face. “Come to you? Aren’t you afraid I’ll ruin your good deeds?” Li Daoqiang said confidently, “What good deeds could you ruin?” He Qinghua opened her eyes and glared hatefully at Li Daoqiang. She didn’t want to deal with him. This bastard was just relying on his strength, acting fearless. Clenching her teeth, she said stubbornly, “Anyway, don’t expect me to come to you willingly.” “Fine, suit yourself. If you don’t come to me willingly, there are plenty of women who will. Then, my divine skills will go to them first, and my money will be spent on them first.” Li Daoqiang chuckled, a playful tone in his voice. “Li Daoqiang, you really are a bastard.” He Qinghua gritted her teeth. “Heh, Qinghua, you’ve known that since day one.” Li Daoqiang said calmly. Pursing her lips, He Qinghua huffed angrily. After a few seconds, she said jealously and defiantly, “You have to give me money to spend too.” “That depends on whether you’re obedient.” Li Daoqiang said leisurely. “Dream on.” He Qinghua turned her back in anger. Li Daoqiang didn’t mind, feeling quite pleased. He stayed there for a day, and before leaving, he still left a hundred thousand taels of silver. He had money; that amount was nothing. Leaving He Qinghua’s place, he headed to Huang Xuemei’s. Huang Xuemei was different from He Qinghua. Besides personality, Huang Xuemei was far stronger in strength, so her weight was naturally different. Waving off the approaching Qi Fu, ignoring his words that the young lady wasn’t there, he walked straight into a room and saw Huang Xuemei sitting coldly before the Heavenly Demon Qin. After many days apart, Huang Xuemei seemed even more aloof. He glanced at Qi Fu, signaling him to leave. Qi Fu didn’t dare meet Li Daoqiang’s gaze. He looked at Huang Xuemei, sighed softly, and withdrew. Li Daoqiang’s eyes showed a hint of concern as he stepped forward and said gently, “Xuemei, why have you lost weight?” Huang Xuemei lifted her eyes to glance at Li Daoqiang but didn’t respond. Li Daoqiang didn’t mind. He sat down beside Huang Xuemei and reached out to grab her slender, jade-like hand, ignoring her struggle as he held it tightly. He said seriously, “Is it because you’re not eating well? How is Qi Fu doing his job? I’ll punish him later.” Huang Xuemei couldn’t help it. She turned her head and said coldly, “Is there something you need?” “What are you saying? Can’t I come see my wife if there’s nothing?” Li Daoqiang pretended to be displeased. Huang Xuemei closed her eyes, the meaning clear: if there’s nothing, leave. Li Daoqiang acted as if he hadn’t noticed. He sighed softly, his tone a bit low. “Xuemei, you don’t know, but a while ago, your husband almost died.” Huang Xuemei’s expression shifted in shock as she looked at Li Daoqiang. Then, as if thinking of something, she said urgently, “Did the person behind it come for you?” “No, it was another trouble.” Li Daoqiang shook his head, sighing. “It was one of the world’s few behemoths. Of course, it’s resolved now. No one knows it ever happened. Don’t worry, I sent Xiao Lin away during that time. No matter what, he’ll be fine.” Huang Xuemei blinked, then turned her head away, a bit embarrassed to face Li Daoqiang like this. After a moment of silence, she said coldly, “Why didn’t you tell me?” “Heh.” Li Daoqiang chuckled, pulling her other hand over and holding it gently. “I knew you were the one closest to me, willing to face difficulties with me. No matter when, I can trust you.” Huang Xuemei grew even more embarrassed. She wanted to say she was willing to face it with him for other reasons, but couldn’t bring herself to say it, so she kept up her cold demeanor. (Chapter 3, requesting full subscription. 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