Li Daoqiang’s eyes held a hint of approval.
The young widow smiled gently, her bright eyes revealing a mix of admiration and fierce ambition. She met his gaze directly and said earnestly, “A wise bird chooses its tree to perch on. For a woman, the greatest support is to rely on a sufficiently powerful man. What I desire is to lean on you, Chief, as my towering tree.”
The approval in Li Daoqiang’s eyes deepened. He appreciated her candor. “You truly are a clever woman. But relying on me isn’t simple. Show me what you’re worth.”
“Is my beauty not enough?” The young widow cast a seductive glance at Li Daoqiang.
Li Daoqiang said nothing, still smiling, but his eyes remained utterly still. There was also a lofty, indifferent coldness, as if looking at an ant.
Kang Min’s heart jolted, a pang of unease striking her. Li Daoqiang didn’t fancy her.
In an instant, her usual pride in her beauty twisted into resentment. A surge of anger welled up, but quickly gave way to an uncontrollable fear. A force like crashing waves pressed in from all sides, making it hard to breathe. Her body went limp, and she collapsed to the ground, cold sweat beading on her skin.
“Speak.” Li Daoqiang looked down at the alluring scene, his gaze utterly unruffled. His tone was as indifferent as if addressing a worthless ant.
“Chief, I—I can do anything for you.” Kang Min had lost her earlier confidence, her voice trembling slightly.
“This is your last chance,” Li Daoqiang said casually.
Kang Min shuddered, a chill flooding her entire body. Her eyes widened as she rushed out, “Chief, I have control over Bai Shijing, Elder Xu, Quan Guanqing, and others. I can take over the Beggars’ Sect for you.”
“Ha.” Li Daoqiang laughed, and the invisible pressure mostly dissipated. “That’s more like it. I don’t like hearing nonsense.”
Kang Min looked at Li Daoqiang with lingering fear. Just now, she had truly thought she was about to die. As the fear subsided, she felt even more certain she hadn’t made a mistake. A powerful, ruthless figure like him was worth relying on.
But... she thought, a flicker of resentment and defiance stirring. Li Daoqiang’s lechery was known to all. How could he have no interest in her? Was he more interested in taking over the Beggars’ Sect and wanted to clarify that first?
Her mind raced, and then a slightly impatient voice cut through: “Details.”
“Yes.” Kang Min calmed herself, not rising, and spoke meekly, “Chief, in the Beggars’ Sect, I have many admirers who do as I say. With your support, taking over the sect isn’t impossible.”
“The list?” Li Daoqiang asked with interest.
“I can write it out for you shortly,” Kang Min replied without hesitation, growing even more submissive.
“Tell me, how do you plan to get my support?” Li Daoqiang’s tone softened slightly.
Kang Min’s heart leaped with joy. She spoke solemnly, “Chief, to take over the Beggars’ Sect, three people are the biggest obstacles. First, Hong Qigong. Though he’s stepped down as sect leader, his prestige is immense. As long as he’s around, controlling the sect is impossible. Second, Qiao Feng. He’s no longer the sect leader, but he still has many loyal followers. If he wanted to return, it wouldn’t be too hard. Third, Huang Rong. She and her husband Guo Jing are highly respected, and she’s Hong Qigong’s direct disciple. Some in the sect are already proposing her as the next leader.”
“Chief, if these three are removed, and you send a master-level expert, I can push him into the position of sect leader. Then, the Beggars’ Sect will be in your grasp.”
Her words regained confidence, laced with fierce ambition.
Li Daoqiang found it increasingly intriguing. He showed a hint of contemplation and said calmly, “Making those three disappear isn’t easy.”
“Chief, with your strength, it’s not hard.” Kang Min shook her head quickly, as if she’d prepared this. “Hong Qigong roams freely, but the sect still has contact with him sometimes. I can provide his whereabouts, and you can kill him directly. Qiao Feng is even simpler. There are many unsolved bloodbaths in the martial world now, all blamed on him. You could personally slay him, and no one would question it. If you’d rather not act, I can stir the sect into fighting him. Once they clash, he’ll never return to the sect.”
“As for Huang Rong, heh, she and her husband are defending Xiangyang against the Mongol army. On the battlefield, anything can happen. With me, dealing with her isn’t a problem. If you support me, Chief, the Beggars’ Sect will be yours for the taking.”
A confident smile returned to Kang Min’s beautiful face, set off by her white mourning clothes, making her look both docile and alluring.
“Haha, not bad, not bad. It seems you do have value.” Li Daoqiang laughed heartily, his tone approving.
Kang Min smiled silently, her mind at ease. As expected, for a ruthless figure like Li Daoqiang, big matters were what truly mattered. Men like Bai Shijing and Quan Guanqing weren’t fit to polish his shoes. If she could firmly latch onto him, what couldn’t she gain? Becoming his wife—that would be a real woman.
At the thought, her body grew warm and weak, her eyes glazing over slightly.
“But, how do I trust your word alone?” Li Daoqiang’s smile faded into a faint grin.
“How would you like me to prove it, Chief?” Kang Min’s expression grew even more seductive and sweet.
“I’ll give you a group of people. Plant them in the Beggars’ Sect. Understand?” Li Daoqiang said with a light smile.
“Understood. I won’t disappoint your expectations, Chief.”
Kang Min replied firmly.
“Mm, go wait over there.” Li Daoqiang waved his hand in satisfaction.
Kang Min’s eyes flickered. She made a quick decision, her gaze turning seductive, her face even more charming and gentle. “Chief, there’s one more thing I can do for you.”
Her voluptuous body, still on the ground, stretched slightly, becoming even more enticing.
Li Daoqiang’s lips curled into a half-smile. “What is it?”
Kang Min crawled forward on the floor, her soft, full form moving with stunning allure, every curve on display. Inch by inch, she reached Li Daoqiang’s feet, gently leaning against one of his calves. She lifted her face, brimming with seduction, and breathed out fragrantly, “Chief, I can do anything for you.”
Her lips parted slightly, and one hand began to creep up his leg.
“Ha.” Li Daoqiang laughed, a hint of mockery in it. “You really are quite the slut.”
Kang Min showed no sign of offense. Instead, her eyes grew more dazed, her voice even sweeter. “Chief, whatever you want, I’ll be. I can be even sluttier.”
As she spoke, her hand reached his thigh.
Li Daoqiang’s lips twitched. He casually lifted his leg, as if shooing away a cat or dog, and kicked Kang Min aside. “Do I lack women? Without any merit, you want to climb into my bed? Do you think you’re a grandmaster?”
Kang Min’s face stiffened for a moment, a flash of anger inside her. But she quickly composed herself, kneeling properly and meekly. “I was wrong. I’ll do everything I can to earn merit for you, Chief.”
Li Daoqiang smiled faintly. “Get out and wait.”
“Yes.” Kang Min responded even more submissively.
She rose carefully and walked toward the door. Once outside, her gaze turned cold.
A fierce resolve hardened within her. Li Daoqiang, one day, I will climb into your bed.
Inside the hall, Li Daoqiang’s brow showed a flicker of amusement. He hadn’t expected Kang Min to come to him. But given her nature, it wasn’t hard to understand. And the capital she spoke of was even more interesting. Taking over the Beggars’ Sect wasn’t on his mind right now, but controlling some of its members—that, he had plenty of interest in.
(Only twenty-five, but I never expected a cold to hit me this hard. I just don’t have the energy. Barely managed to write this chapter.)