Translator: CinderTL
Chang Yinu retrieved the remaining half-stick of Soul-Summoning Incense from her storage pouch and handed it to him. "Please be gentle with him, Brother..."
"Heh, don't worry," Chang Fangmu said with a smile, accepting the incense.
Old Master Chang spoke up, "Although Yin'er didn't succeed this time, it still counts as an attempt. The next batch of 'goods' will belong to Gui Yulian."
"Yes, sir."
Such were the rules, and Chang Yinu couldn't argue.
The Chang Family had their own methods and channels for acquiring 'goods,' so they naturally wouldn't rely on prey voluntarily walking into their trap, as had happened with Xu Sanyan.
Xu Sanyan's arrival was purely accidental.
The Chang Family's reach extended far beyond the few members present. Many others roamed outside the estate, searching for suitable prey in the mountains and beyond.
Old Master Chang set down his teacup and turned to his eldest son, Chang Linmu. "How's the Wang Family's shipment coming along?"
"Rest assured, Father, it's ready. We're just waiting for the Wang Family to collect it."
"Good. We can't afford any mistakes. We can't afford to offend the Wang Family."
Chang Linmu nodded solemnly. "I understand, Father."
Chang Yinu knew what they were discussing. News had arrived from the Wang Family a few days prior, instructing them to prepare one hundred virgins under the age of twenty.
This demand wasn't limited to the Chang Family; all vassal families of the Wang Family were required to comply. Failure to meet the quota before the deadline would result in consequences far beyond their ability to bear.
Even if they had to select from their own clan, they had to fulfill the quota.
"Father, what does the Wang Family want so many women for?" Chang Linmu still couldn't understand.
Old Master Chang shook his head. "I don't know. Perhaps they need them for some cultivation method."
Chang Linmu nodded thoughtfully. Securing these hundred women had been a considerable effort.
Though the number seemed small, the Chang Family wasn't the only one receiving this order. Neighboring clans were also tasked with providing women.
Roughly estimating, the Wang Family had over a dozen vassal clans. With each clan required to supply a hundred maidens, the total demand exceeded a thousand.
Where would these women come from?
Naturally, from the three major powers bordering the Chaotic Cloud Mountains.
The Chang Family was closer to the Qian Kingdom, so most of their hundred maidens were Qian citizens. It was likely that the other clans' quotas were also filled with captives from the Qian Kingdom.
Once such an incident occurred, it was bound to provoke the Qian Kingdom's wrath. After this, any further attempts would be far more difficult, as the Qian Kingdom would undoubtedly tighten its defenses.
"We've severely offended the Qian Kingdom this time," Old Master Chang warned. "From now on, we must proceed with utmost caution."
The Qian Kingdom maintained a large garrison of cultivators along its borders precisely to prevent such incidents. However, years of peace had dulled their vigilance, allowing this breach to occur.
Mass kidnappings and the slaughter of civilians were strictly forbidden in the cultivation world. Righteous dao sects took such transgressions seriously, and the Qian Kingdom even more so. By committing these acts, they had violated a sacred taboo.
The Wang Family was clearly aware of this principle, which was why they had tasked smaller families like the Chang Family to carry out the dirty work.
Families like the Chang Family couldn't afford to defy the Wang Family, leaving them no choice but to obey their orders.
"Don't worry, Father," Chang Fangmu nodded. "We know our limits."
Chang Yinu, however, remained indifferent. "Just some lowly mortals," she scoffed. "Who cares if they die? I'll never understand why those righteous dao cultivators and the Qian Kingdom make such a fuss."
"Father," she pressed, "if Second Brother fails, what should we do with this person?" This was her real concern.
"Hmm... There's no need to rush. This man's cultivation level is quite impressive, and his background remains unclear. If we fail tonight, let him go."
Old Master Chang had no desire to escalate the situation further. If their plan succeeded, so be it; if not, he wouldn't resort to force.
The Chang Family excelled at subtle manipulation, ensnaring their targets without them realizing it. Direct confrontation was always their last resort—the most unstable and unreliable method.
In life-or-death situations, variables were prone to arise. The Chang Family's methods, on the other hand, were both safe and comfortable.
At the very least, their prey could enjoy a period of warmth before their demise, wouldn't you agree?
The Chang Family's cultivation methods and mystical arts couldn't be completed in a single night; they required a prolonged period.
However, the first night was crucial. Once that hurdle was cleared, the rest would flow naturally, like water finding its course.
Moreover, every member of the Chang Family was exceptionally handsome or beautiful. Whether it was Chang Yinu or Chang Yulian, they were rare beauties—the Chang Family's final act of tenderness toward their prey.
As the night deepened, Xu Sanyan sat cross-legged, focusing on healing his injuries. He had already recovered about three-quarters of his strength, though lingering effects remained. Still, he was largely unharmed.
Healing internal injuries was a gradual process, requiring slow cultivation and patience. Rushing it would only hinder progress.
Tap, tap, tap~
Xu Sanyan's ears twitched. Footsteps echoed from the adjacent room, followed by the sound of a door opening.
Chang Yinu is back?
No, something was off.
The footsteps were wrong.
It wasn't Chang Yinu.
Xu Sanyan opened his eyes. Chang Yinu moved with a light, almost silent grace, while this person's heavy footsteps clearly belonged to someone else.
Who's in the next room?
Xu Sanyan frowned. Why the sudden change in personnel?
Could it be because Chang Yinu failed to seduce him last night, so they sent someone else today?
He wondered who the replacement was.
Xu Sanyan recalled Chang Yulian's image. If his guess was correct, it was likely her.
Footsteps echoed from the next room as the person heavily collapsed onto the bed, causing the wooden frame to creak.
Click~
The sound of flint striking steel rang out, followed by the fragrant aroma of burning incense drifting into Xu Sanyan's room.
This again?
Xu Sanyan curled his lip in disdain. With his Subduing the Heart-Ape Method, which suppressed wandering thoughts, such tactics were utterly ineffective against him.
In the adjacent room, Chang Fangmu lay on the bed, his muscular torso half-naked. His mind replayed certain unspeakable images, his face flushing crimson as he murmured softly.
"Ah~ It's so hot~"
Xu Sanyan froze, his eyes widening as he clenched his teeth so hard they ground together. Veins bulged visibly at his temples.
He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Damn it, a man?!
There's a man next door?!
As the man's moaning reached his ears, Xu Sanyan's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. In that instant, he felt as if thousands of ants were crawling all over him, and goosebumps erupted across his skin.
Only one thought burned in his mind:
Insult!
This was utter humiliation!
He felt his dignity had been defiled, as if someone had sullied him out of thin air.
He never imagined the Chang Family would stoop to such depravity!
The moaning continued next door. Chang Fangmu gazed dazedly at the slowly burning incense candle in his hand, a fine sheen of sweat glistening on his skin.
"Ah~"
"Someone... help me..."
Boom!
Suddenly, the wall shattered with a single punch, sending dust and debris raining down to reveal a figure with a face flushed crimson with rage.
Xu Sanyan's arm veins bulged, his features twisted into a ferocious snarl. Bloodshot eyes glared at the man on the gauze-draped bed as he gritted his teeth.
"Hmm...?"
Startled by the deafening crash, Chang Fangmu's senses cleared slightly. He sat up, tilting his head to gaze blankly at Xu Sanyan.
He couldn't understand why this man hadn't used the door. Why take such a roundabout route?
Oh...
Perhaps using other 'doors' was more stimulating...
(End of the Chapter)
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