In terms of acting skills.
And also a bit of thick skin and mindset.
He didn't see anything wrong with that.
Especially when it came to his own wife, it was even more of a good thing.
Since he'd already gotten her, a little coaxing was just a matter of words.
A situation with all benefits and no drawbacks—why not do it?
As for losing a bit of face, what did that matter?
For the sake of family harmony and long-term coexistence.
What was wrong with coaxing his own woman?
As long as he kept the right measure.
For example, right now, facing Huang Xuemei, lowering his pride a bit to coax her had far more benefits than drawbacks.
He could even lower it further—Huang Xuemei's personality and strength made it worthwhile.
But he couldn't do the same with He Qinghua.
Leaving aside her strength, her personality alone—she'd just fly straight to the heavens.
So, Li Daoqiang felt he should thank that drama queen, Wan Wan.
It was those few days of training with her that further honed his acting skills, thick skin, and mindset.
As for rewarding her...
He briefly considered it, then decided to deal with it later.
All his focus was on Huang Xuemei.
At that moment, beneath Huang Xuemei's cold and disdainful expression, her eyes were filled with complexity.
Suddenly, she forced herself to stand, turned her back, and said coldly, "If you want to talk about this, go say it to Wang Yuyan and Qi Fang."
Li Daoqiang chuckled inwardly.
Just as he thought—Huang Xuemei was flustered, unable to handle it.
All that talk about not falling for sweet talk was nonsense.
She was lying through her teeth.
Smiling inside, he put on a helpless look and said, "Alright, alright, I won't say it. I'll just do it from now on. One day, Xuemei, you'll believe that every word I say is true, that I've never deceived you."
Huang Xuemei felt a warmth in her heart, but it vanished in an instant as she gave a cold snort.
She wouldn't believe such sweet talk.
Letting out a light breath, she cleared those messy thoughts from her mind, hesitated for a moment, then couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "With your current strength, are you still so wary of that幕后黑手?"
She paused, then added, "I'm not asking you to avenge me. I just want to know some information about them."
Thinking that even Li Daoqiang, who could defeat and capture Bi Xuan alive, was so cautious, she felt a heavy weight.
She couldn't help but want to know more.
As for asking Li Daoqiang to avenge her, she had never strongly considered it from the start.
All she asked was for him to protect Xiao Lin.
"Xuemei, it's not that I won't tell you—it's for your own good.
Once your own strength reaches the top tier, I'll tell you.
Trust me, okay?" Li Daoqiang said with a soft sigh, his tone earnest.
Huang Xuemei fell silent, saying nothing more.
Li Daoqiang stepped forward, gently wrapped his arms around her from behind, and said tenderly yet firmly, "Don't think too much, and don't let anything trouble you.
I've got everything covered.
I'm your husband. Even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up for you."
A faint, domineering strength radiated from him, mixed with sincerity.
Huang Xuemei lowered her gaze, silent.
But suddenly, she didn't want to push away the broad, firm chest behind her.
A wave of exhaustion washed over her.
Slowly, she closed her eyes.
Li Daoqiang, who had been watching closely, felt a surge of joy, mixed with a hint of pity.
He knew—Huang Xuemei was truly tired.
Right now, she was savoring this rare moment of reliance.
He didn't speak again, silently acting as that pillar of support.
After all, how could he not cherish his own wife?
After a long while, Huang Xuemei recovered, her eyes flickering with a hint of panic. She broke free from his embrace and quickly walked into the house.
Li Daoqiang didn't disturb her further—too much would backfire.
Take it slow.
Leaving behind a "We'll have dinner together as a family tonight," he turned and left.
He had soothed that proud, snow-defying plum blossom of a giraffe.
Next up were the two little lambs.
Soon, the two little lambs were calmed.
As night fell, the family of four had a meal together.
At the table, Li Daoqiang noticed that Huang Xuemei's relationship with Wang Yuyan and Qi Fang had improved considerably.
At least the two little lambs dared to speak to Huang Xuemei on their own, and she even replied.
Clearly, a lot had happened among the three during his absence.
He didn't pry, choosing to let things take their natural course.
Night descended.
Without hesitation, Li Daoqiang chose to stay with Huang Xuemei.
Not only were the two little lambs easier to soothe, but Huang Xuemei couldn't stay long at Black Dragon Village anyway. The first night back had to be hers.
Even though Huang Xuemei still put up a resistant front on the surface.
As for what she really thought, Li Daoqiang took it as her being contrary and willing enough.
After a storm of passion, Huang Xuemei, who had kept her eyes closed, fell silent for a moment before suddenly saying, "I'll stay with Xiao Lin for a few more days, then I'll leave."
Watching her deliberate explanation, Li Daoqiang understood she was clarifying her stance. After all, he had originally asked her to stay and hold the fort while he left the village.
Now that he was back, given Huang Xuemei's personality, she would naturally leave. Since she'd decided to stay a few more days, she'd explain herself.
He immediately showed reluctance, tightly embracing her perfect form, and said softly, "Can't you stay? Just stay in the village with me?"
"Impossible," Huang Xuemei said firmly.
Li Daoqiang sighed helplessly, but inwardly, he was calm.
It was better that Huang Xuemei wasn't at Black Dragon Village.
Lambs were easy to soothe, but giraffes weren't—those legs could kick someone to death.
Staying outside kept her from suddenly losing her temper.
If possible, he really wished that only little lambs would stay long-term at Black Dragon Village.
He didn't say more. Over the next few days, he handled village affairs during the day and focused on absorbing the Heaven's Desire Palace.
At night, he attended to marital harmony.
With his boundless energy and strong body, his three stunning wives never grew tiresome.
For a time, he didn't even bother with that little vixen.
Ten days later.
The Jin Kingdom people arrived first.
They brought fifty million taels of silver.
Without a word, Li Daoqiang immediately unsealed Bi Xuan.
"Brother Bi, my apologies for the offense this time. But you have to understand—I'm a bandit after all. In the future, if there's anything, just say the word." Li Daoqiang clasped his hands and said solemnly.
Bi Xuan's expression remained unchanged as he said meaningfully, "In the future, I'll likely trouble the Village Chief often."
"Haha, easy to say, easy to say." Li Daoqiang laughed with genuine delight.
Business was coming his way—of course, he was happy.
He courteously invited, "Brother Bi, why not stay a couple more days? Let me fulfill my duties as host."
"Affairs at home are pressing, so I can't stay. Village Chief, farewell." Bi Xuan said calmly.
"Farewell." Li Daoqiang didn't press further.
He saw Bi Xuan and his party to the village gate, watching their distant figures.
His mind churned with thoughts.
Over ten days of captivity, this confident and self-assured Martial Honor seemed to have changed a bit.
Whether that change was good or bad remained to be seen.
But regardless, it didn't matter much to him—no matter how Bi Xuan changed, he wouldn't be a match for him.
He glanced toward the Song Kingdom capital, a cold sneer rising.
I gave you all time, and you still lack the guts. Probably can't bear to part with the silver either.
Worthless trash, after all.
He didn't dwell on it. The Song court had never mattered to him.
A useless court held no interest for him.
He looked at the fifty million robbery points added to the big robbery system, a surge of joy rising.
In no time, he was almost halfway there.
A few more incidents, and it would be close.
His thoughts immediately shifted to the two matters Bian Bufu had mentioned.
He sank into contemplation—time to prepare.
Without hesitation, he issued several orders.
Then he continued to wait patiently.
In the blink of an eye, a month passed.
Ding Dian and the others were still handling the absorption of Heaven's Desire Palace. Over a month, the matter had gotten on track, with more Black Dragon Village people heading to Heaven's Desire Palace.
And many former Heaven's Desire Palace members had come to Black Dragon Village.
Everything was going smoothly.
That day, after waiting a long time, Zhu Yuyan finally arrived.
She came alone.
"Yin Queen, welcome to Black Dragon Village." In the Assembly Hall, Li Daoqiang greeted her with a warm smile.
"You're too kind, Village Chief." Zhu Yuyan said calmly. Over a month, any anger could be masked.
"Yin Queen, have you brought good news for me?" Li Daoqiang asked directly.
"I want to see Wan Wan and the others first." Zhu Yuyan was equally direct.
"Of course." Li Daoqiang agreed readily.
(Good night.) ......