Luo Shiyin.
One of the four elite guards under Long Aotian's command—and arguably the most dangerous. Compared to the other three stunning beauties, Luo Shiyin had the lowest martial prowess, yet she held the top rank among them. Why? Because her true power wasn't physical.
She was a mage.
What's more terrifying than magic? A max-level mage with fully stacked spell penetration and limitless potential. Luo Shiyin's ability was simple yet devastating: seduction. Born with an innate allure and honed by Long Aotian's mentor into the ultimate seductress, even her natural scent carried an aphrodisiac effect. Most men couldn't resist her.
Her methods were varied, her mind sharp. Though her martial skills weren't the strongest, did she need them? As long as men existed, her power was boundless. She could ensnare a man's soul, driving him to madness, rage, or mindless devotion, making every other woman repulsive in his eyes.
What made her truly lethal was her unwavering loyalty to Long Aotian. She was his devoted servant, willing to give her life without hesitation if he asked. Cold and ruthless, she saw everyone else as beneath her master. If killing a hundred people could make Long Aotian's nails look better, her only thought would be, Time to work—Master's nails will be flawless.
That kiss just now had nearly unraveled Lu Chengwen's soul. He'd barely pushed her away in time… or had he? How did I manage to push her off? Do I even have that kind of willpower?
His mind was a mess. The world around him felt like a mirage, voices distant and muffled. Am I under her spell or not?
No wonder Huo Wendong, heir to the mighty Huo family, had stormed into their private room, abandoning all decorum to chase a woman. He was clearly enthralled.
Sweat poured down Lu Chengwen's face as he gripped the table, hands trembling. Luo Shiyin, unfazed, looped her arm through his. "Brother Chengwen, are you okay? You're sweating so much…" She pulled out a handkerchief to dab his forehead.
To Lu Chengwen, she was a specter—a soul-stealing siren. He shoved her away roughly. "Don't touch me!"
Luo Shiyin was stunned. This man pushed me away after I kissed him? Apart from Long Aotian, no man in the world had ever resisted her like this. Undeterred, she reached for him again. "Brother Chengwen, are you feeling ill?"
He pushed her off once more, shaking his head to clear the fog, and staggered to the bathroom. Splashing cold water on his face, he felt a flicker of clarity return. Staring at his dripping reflection in the mirror, he exhaled heavily. This is insane. A small-time villain like him didn't warrant a weapon of her caliber. Luo Shiyin was meant for ensnaring major players for Long Aotian. Me? Lu Chengwen? I'm nobody! Was Long Aotian so fixated on him that, after swearing brotherhood, he'd sent this seductress to take him down?
Emerging from the bathroom, his senses sharpened. Squinting, he noticed a faint red glint in Huo Wendong's pupils. He's definitely under her spell.
Luo Shiyin hurried to his side. "Brother Chengwen, are you alright?"
Before he could respond, Xu Xuejiao shoved her aside. "I've got him." Mistaking Lu Chengwen's state for infatuation, she forced a smile, her voice laced with venom. "Feeling a bit off? Or maybe too good?"
Lu Chengwen looked at her, his expression grave, then broke into a grin and pinched her cheek. "Xuejiao, you're the best."
Xu Xuejiao, caught off guard by the sudden affection, felt her heart flutter. Her jealousy melted, replaced by a giddy urge to leap for joy. Blushing, she mumbled, "Of course I am. You're just too dense to see it, always pushing me away."
Across the room, Chen Moqun and Huo Wendong were locked in a heated argument, their voices escalating. Chen Moqun, impulsive and spoiled, lacked the restraint expected of a wealthy heir. His old rivalry with Huo Wendong made his hostility predictable. Huo Wendong's erratic behavior, however, stemmed from Luo Shiyin's enchantment—his mind was no longer his own.
Chen Moqun roared, "Huo Wendong, enough of your crap! This girl's under my protection now. You got something to say, say it to me! Back then, Cheng Bin saved your ass. Let's see who's got your back in Snow City now!"
Huo Wendong fired back, "Fatty Chen, I don't just run Snow City—I run all of China! Your family's small-time deals can't touch me. I'll crush you here!"
Lu Chengwen strode to the table, laughing. "Wendong, cool it! Moqun, chill out." He grabbed Huo Wendong's wrist with a grin. "Old classmate, no need to fight like this. It's bad for the vibes."
"But you—"
"Sit, sit," Lu Chengwen said, pulling him down. "Moqun, you too. We're all classmates."
As he sat, Luo Shiyin moved to take the seat beside him, but Xu Xuejiao beat her to it, sliding in close. Luo Shiyin hesitated, unable to squeeze in on Lu Chengwen's other side without looking desperate. Sit with Er Long? No way. Chen Moqun, ever the gentleman, gestured for her to sit beside him. Though reluctant, she smiled gracefully and took the seat.
Lu Chengwen wrapped an arm around Xu Xuejiao, playing the doting boyfriend. She leaned into him, perfectly content. "Let's have a drink!" he said. "Fill 'em up!"
Huo Wendong and Chen Moqun, still glaring, downed their drinks grudgingly.
Lu Chengwen laughed. "Wendong, we fought back in school, but I've always respected you. You're a hell of a fighter."
Huo Wendong blinked, unsure of Lu Chengwen's angle but obliged to respond. "Haha, that's the kind of talk I expect from an old classmate! You know me—give me face, and I'll give you twice as much."
Lu Chengwen nodded. "I stand by my word. I said I'd protect this girl, and I will. But I can't disrespect an old friend like you either."
"Oh? How do you plan to handle this?"
"Let's make it a game," Lu Chengwen said. "A bet." He held out his hand, and Zhao Gang handed him a deck of cards. "Draw one. Biggest card wins her."
Luo Shiyin's blood boiled. A gambling chip? She'd never been so humiliated. Men fought to the death for her, spent fortunes, abandoned families—yet here she was, reduced to a prize in a card game? How dare they?
Huo Wendong frowned. He knew Lu Chengwen and Chen Moqun weren't small fry in Snow City—escalating this wasn't smart. But he also knew Lu Chengwen was aware of his card-playing prowess. He's throwing me a bone, letting me win with cards so he can back out gracefully. "Haha, alright, but this is a gentleman's agreement. No backing out!"
"My word's my bond," Lu Chengwen said.
"Deal!"
Lu Chengwen shuffled the deck with flair, secretly slipping a deuce into his sleeve. Huo Wendong, sharp as ever, caught the move. He casually cut the deck and drew a card, flipping it over—a queen.
"Your turn, Chengwen," he said.
The room tensed. Huo Wendong had drawn a strong card. Lu Chengwen needed a king to win. Could he pull it off?
Zhao Gang was sweating bullets.
As Lu Chengwen reached to draw, one of Huo Wendong's men shouted, "Young Master Lu, that's not very honorable, is it?" He strode over and, with a swift move, pulled the hidden deuce from Lu Chengwen's sleeve, smirking. "Our young master's been playing these tricks since grade school."
All eyes turned to Lu Chengwen, accusing him of cheating. The man tossed the card onto the table. Huo Wendong peeked at it—a deuce—and nearly exploded. He was trying to let me win, and you ruined it!
The man grinned at Huo Wendong, as if to say, Pretty slick, huh? Huo Wendong glared, lips twitching, and muttered, "Go ahead, draw."
Lu Chengwen, resigned, drew a card and glanced at it, his jaw clenching. The man, sensing victory, lunged forward. "Hand it over!" He slapped the card on the table, and everyone gasped: "King!"
Lu Chengwen stared at the man, who scratched his head, bewildered, glancing back at Huo Wendong, whose eyes blazed with fury.
Unnoticed by all, Luo Shiyin sat to the side, her gaze cold and venomous, like a predator ready to strike. Why did this happen? That card was a deuce. Lu Chengwen… doesn't want to help me? Me, Luo Shiyin, a beauty unmatched, born to captivate! Men would kill, abandon their families, spend everything for me. But you… you dare insult me like this?
_
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