Chapter 380: The Heavenly Queen's Submission! A Deceptive Warning!
Even the good-tempered Zhong Lingyin was enraged by Yang Luoluo's words. What did she mean by saying she was the newcomer?
"Seventh Sister, is this how you speak to your Senior Sister? So disrespectful?"
Zhong Lingyin narrowed her eyes and spoke in a cold tone.
The air in the room seemed to stagnate instantly. Zhong Lingyin, usually the epitome of grace and benevolence—the "Nation's Goddess" who smiled from billboards and screens across Yanxia—had shed her gentle mask.
In its place was the imposing aura of a woman who had climbed to the absolute peak of the entertainment industry, a queen who brooked no insolence.
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a piercing chill that cut through the luxury suite like a blade of ice.
Shen Anyu hadn't expected that Yang Luoluo, after mustering her courage, would directly infuriate Zhong Lingyin, and was about to step forward to mediate.
He knew Luoluo's temperament; she was a martial idiot, straightforward and lacking the subtle social maneuvering skills of someone like Lingyin. If this escalated, the innocent Luoluo would be eaten alive verbally.
But the always gentle Zhong Lingyin glared angrily at Shen Anyu with her starry eyes and said,
"Go away, you stinky husband, this is a matter between us Senior Sisters and Junior Sisters."
Shen Anyu: "…"
He paused, one foot mid-step, and tactfully retracted it. The glint in Lingyin's eyes warned him that intervening now would only redirect the firepower onto himself. It was a rare sight—his docile, doting canary showing her claws.
Yang Luoluo looked at her always gentle and good-tempered Fifth Sister Zhong Lingyin, who had even rebuked her Master Brother, and her momentum faltered.
The invisible pressure radiating from Lingyin was not Martial Intent, yet it felt suffocatingly heavy to the young girl. It was the pressure of hierarchy, of seniority, and of a woman claiming her territory.
It was a long while before she responded:
"As the old saying goes, a husband is the guiding principle for his wife. Master Brother is older than Fifth Sister, so you, Fifth Sister, are the one being disrespectful."
At this, Yang Luoluo lifted her head and puffed out her chest, a hint of pride in her. She felt she had found a logical loophole, a moral high ground based on traditional values. Her naive confidence was almost endearing, like a puppy barking at a lioness.
Yang Luoluo, you are too clever!
Shen Anyu suppressed his laughter, pressing down the corners of his upturned mouth. He had to physically bite the inside of his cheek to maintain his composure. Luoluo really dared to use the "Three Obediences and Four Virtues" against a modern superstar? It was a bold, if suicidal, strategy.
Zhong Lingyin's beautiful and delicate face, originally angered, immediately turned serious. The coldness vanished, replaced by a sudden, fluid shift in demeanor that showcased exactly why she was an award-winning actress.
Her eyes shifted, and she looked shyly at Shen Anyu. The transformation was instantaneous and mesmerizing. The domineering queen evaporated, replaced by a submissive, ancient-style beauty. She clasped her hands in front of her chest, with both thumbs raised and crossed in a perfect, classical etiquette gesture. She lowered her head, exposing the elegant, swan-like curve of her pale neck, bowed and curtsied, then lowered her hands to her abdomen and performed a formal bow, saying:
"Husband My Lord, this concubine was out of line just now. Please, Husband My Lord, grant me your forgiveness."
Heavenly Queen Zhong Lingyin's voice was originally a heavenly sound, capable of captivating millions, but now, with her deliberate performance, her voice was incredibly soft, husky, and alluring. It was laced with a sugary sweetness that was thick enough to drown in, vibrating with a submissive undertone that struck directly at a man's primal dominance.
Especially the four words "Husband My Lord" (Xianggong Daren), which she drew out slowly. The syllables rolled off her tongue like honey, the breathiness of her tone hooking into Shen Anyu's soul. The allure seeped into one's bones, bypassing logic and hitting the nervous system directly.
The visual was equally lethal. As she bowed, the movement accentuated the terrifyingly perfect curves of her figure—the tightening of her dress around her waist, the subtle sway of her hips. She was the embodiment of a "Femme Fatale" disguised as a virtuous wife.
Even Shen Anyu felt his bones tingle and go numb from listening. A wave of heat surged from his lower abdomen, rushing straight to his brain. This wasn't just acting; it was a weaponized seduction technique. If they weren't in a precarious situation, he would have grabbed her right there and then to show her exactly how much of a "Lord" he could be.
He waved his hand with a smile, his voice slightly hoarse as he played along, "It's fine, it's fine, I forgive you."
This smiling appearance, if placed in ancient times, would surely guarantee a greatly depraved emperor, with daily banquets of wine and meat, ignoring the morning court just to spend another hour in the empress's bed. He looked every bit the indulgent tyrant enjoying his favorite concubine's fawning.
Zhong Lingyin rolled her beautiful eyes at Shen Anyu, breaking character for a split second to send him a look that said, 'Don't get too used to this.' Then, she swiveled her head, looking at Yang Luoluo. The sweetness vanished instantly, replaced by a cool, victorious composure as she said:
"Now, it's your turn, Junior Sister."
The trap snapped shut.
Yang Luoluo was instantly dumbfounded. Her beautiful eyes widened in panic. She realized too late that she had been outmaneuvered. By apologizing first so perfectly, Zhong Lingyin had set an impossible standard. If Luoluo didn't apologize now, she would be the one violating the very rules of respect she had just quoted.
She bit her lip, her face flushing red with embarrassment and frustration. She glared at Shen Anyu with vexation, silently accusing him of enjoying the show too much, then clumsily imitated Zhong Lingyin's earlier actions.
She stiffly clasped her hands, her movements rigid and lacking the fluid grace of the Heavenly Queen. She performed a curtsy that looked more like a squat, and apologized:
"Fifth Sister, it was Luo Luo who was disrespectful."
Unlike Zhong Lingyin, the Heavenly Queen Zhong Lingyin, who had years of experience in historical dramas and was proficient in court etiquette down to the angle of her fingers, Yang Luoluo, the martial arts-obsessed beauty who only knew how to practice martial arts, was a bit flustered. Her movements were jerky, her face burning, but there was a clumsy cuteness about her that tugged at the heartstrings in a different way. It was the charm of unpolished jade compared to a refined diamond.
Zhong Lingyin watched Yang Luoluo stumble and bow her head in apology, and her mood was as if she had drunk a glass of iced lemonade on a scorching summer day. The refreshment washed over her soul, cleansing the earlier irritation. Her beautiful eyebrows lifted, and she was beaming with delight, her smile radiant and triumphant. She had successfully established the hierarchy of the harem without shedding a drop of blood.
Yang Luoluo ground her silver teeth, pouting angrily, her cheeks puffed out like a pufferfish, about to blow bubbles. She felt wronged, but she couldn't articulate why. She had lost the battle of wits completely.
Zhong Lingyin had made her point with Yang Luoluo and said no more, not wanting to leave a bad impression of being overbearing on Shen Anyu. She knew the art of moderation—press too hard, and the man might feel pity for the weaker one.
Immediately, Zhong Lingyin changed the subject. Her expression shifted from playful to concerned as she looked at Shen Anyu and asked softly:
"Husband, what's going on with that Susan? Did you and my Second Senior Sister Liu Ruyan break up?"
The atmosphere in the room tightened again. This was the real issue. The elephant in the room.
Upon hearing this, Yang Luoluo also pricked up her ears, forgetting her previous embarrassment. Her eyes went wide, staring at Shen Anyu with intense curiosity. The gossip about the Second Senior Sister and the Master Brother was explosive news in their circle.
Shen Anyu's heart skipped a beat. Here it comes. The interrogation.
Seeing the unfriendly, scrutinizing gazes of the two women—one sharp and intelligent, the other direct and burning—he knew he had to tread carefully. A wrong answer here could ignite a fire that would burn down his backyard.
He coughed twice, clearing his throat to buy a second of time. Then, he activated his supreme acting skills—skills honed by survival in a world of protagonists and villains.
He walked to the door with heavy, deliberate steps. He opened it slightly, looking out into the corridor with a paranoid intensity, checking left and right as if expecting spies or assassins. Satisfied that no one was listening, he closed the door and locked it with a definitive click.
He then turned back, looking at Zhong Lingyin and Yang Luoluo with a solemn, almost grave expression. The playfulness was gone from his face, replaced by a heavy shadow.
"If I tell you, you mustn't reveal this secret."
His voice was low, vibrating with serious intent.
Seeing Shen Anyu's solemn expression, Zhong Lingyin and Yang Luoluo also became serious. The tension was contagious. They nodded rapidly, repeatedly swearing that they would never reveal the secret, their expressions mimicking his gravity.
Zhong Lingyin even felt a bit of regret, thinking she shouldn't have asked about this; it seemed to be a big deal involving dangerous secrets, perhaps involving the safety of the Shen Family itself.
A hint of a smile flashed deep in Shen Anyu's eyes—invisible to them—then he pointed to the dried, dark red bloodstains on his torn shirt and said:
"You're also very curious why I suddenly disappeared when I was fighting the three Heavenly Human powerhouses of the Martial God Hall, right?"
The visual reminder of his battle was potent. The torn fabric of his bespoke suit, the metallic scent of dried blood that still lingered on him—it all screamed danger.
Seeing Shen Anyu's slightly torn clothes stained with blood, Zhong Lingyin's starry eyes showed distress. Her heart clenched painfully. No matter how many women he had, seeing him hurt was unbearable for her. She stepped closer, her hand hovering over his chest, wanting to touch but afraid to hurt him.
"Husband, you must have been in great danger then. It's a pity Lingyin doesn't practice martial arts and couldn't help you. I... I'm just a burden." Her voice trembled with genuine self-blame.
Yang Luoluo also reddened her eyes. As a martial artist, she felt the shame of weakness even more acutely. She clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white.
"Master Brother, Luo Luo will definitely practice martial arts diligently so I can help you in the future. I won't be useless next time!"
Although she was already a Grandmaster—a realm that ordinary people could only dream of—she was completely powerless to intervene in a Heavenly Human-level battle. In front of those monsters who could manipulate the power of heaven and earth, a Grandmaster was no different from an ant; she couldn't even withstand the aftershocks of their clashes.
Her desire to practice martial arts burned fiercely! The flame of determination roared in her chest. She needed power. Power to stand beside him.
Shen Anyu suppressed the corners of his mouth, hiding his satisfaction at their reactions. Good. Motivated and distracted.
He continued to say seriously, weaving his narrative with the skill of a master storyteller:
"The reason for my sudden disappearance was Susan."
He paused for effect, letting the name hang in the air.
"She is very strong... even stronger than the three Heavenly Human powerhouses of the Martial God Hall combined!"
The lie was delivered with absolute conviction.
"If she hadn't intervened, the consequences would have been unimaginable. I might not be standing here right now."
These words were half-truths. The bloodstains on Shen Anyu's body were indeed from the three Heavenly Human powerhouses of the Martial God Hall—the Sea Dragon King and the two Protectors. However, the part about needing Susan's help was pure fabrication. Shen Anyu, with his God-Level Steel Body and various trump cards, could have handled them. But framing Susan as a savior, a terrifying entity that demanded respect, was the perfect way to prevent these girls from provoking her.
Looking at the two women's shocked expressions—their mouths slightly agape, eyes wide with disbelief—Shen Anyu continued to pile on the pressure:
"Susan is so strong, and she even saved me. Both emotionally and logically, I must give her an explanation. I owe her a life debt. You also know that I, Shen Anyu, always distinguish clearly between kindness and grievance. I cannot be an ingrate."
He sighed, looking weary, as if carrying the weight of the world.
"Susan's personality is somewhat extreme. She possesses a power that distorts her view of normal human interaction. For now, you two should not act too intimately with me in front of her."
He lowered his voice to a whisper, leaning in closer to them.
"Otherwise, I fear for your lives. She might swat you like flies without even realizing it."
As Shen Anyu finished speaking, a chill ran down the spines of both women. The image of a moody, uncontrollable powerhouse who could crush Heavenly Humans was terrifying. Zhong Lingyin and Yang Luoluo exchanged fearful glances and promised immediately, nodding like chickens pecking at rice.
Shen Anyu smiled and nodded, a look of "relief" washing over his face. He then looked down at his ruined, blood-stained clothes and wrinkled his nose slightly.
"I'm going to change and wash up. You two chat first. Be good."
He patted them both on the head gently before turning away.
It wasn't until Shen Anyu's figure disappeared into the bathroom, and the sound of running water began, that the spell started to fade.
Zhong Lingyin sat down on the edge of the bed, her brows furrowed in thought. She slowly said:
"Luo Luo, do you believe that stinky man's words?"
Her instincts as a woman, and as someone who navigated the deceptive world of showbiz, were tingling. Something didn't add up.
Yang Luoluo shook her head repeatedly, like a rattle drum, disbelievingly saying:
"Master Brother thinks we're fools. That Susan looks younger than me! She is so delicate and weak, her arms are like lotus roots... how could she be stronger than the three Heavenly Human powerhouses of the Martial God Hall?"
Luoluo began to pace, analyzing it from a martial perspective.
"Even our Senior Sister Pei Changli—the pride of our sect—only achieved Heavenly Human at twenty-five. She is already the fastest Heavenly Human genius in Yanxia for hundreds of years, a legend in the martial world."
"How could that Susan be even more monstrous than a Female Sword Immortal like our Senior Sister? Unless she started cultivating in her mother's womb, it's impossible!"
Yang Luoluo had always admired Senior Sister Pei Changli immensely. Although she had only met her a few times and hadn't been to the deep valley where Pei Changli secluded herself, hearing the legends of the Female Sword Immortal Fairy Pei also made her heart surge with excitement and longing. To her, Pei Changli was the ceiling of talent. Susan surpassing that ceiling at such a young age was theoretically absurd.
Susan looked only in her teens, delicate and weak, seemingly unable to even tie a chicken, let alone crush a Heavenly Human.
Upon hearing Luoluo's logical dismantling of the lie, Zhong Lingyin's delicate face showed a hint of resentment. She bit her lower lip, her jealousy flaring up again.
"It seems that in that stinky man's heart, Susan's status is higher than ours, so he made up such a ridiculous lie to protect her. We can only humble ourselves in the future to avoid upsetting his 'precious savior'."
She sighed, smoothing out her skirt. "But to use words like 'life-threatening' to scare us... it is really too much. He truly treats us like children."
Yang Luoluo stopped pacing and looked at her Fifth Sister Zhong Lingyin. She noticed that despite the resentment in her words, Lingyin didn't seem truly angry. There was no fire in her eyes, only a resigned, soft affection.
She asked in surprise:
"Fifth Sister, aren't you angry? He lied to us for another woman."
Zhong Lingyin chuckled softly, a sound filled with complex emotions—helplessness, acceptance, and deep love. She looked at the bathroom door, imagining the man inside.
"Why should I be angry? I knew what I was getting into. Anyway, the position of the main wife won't fall to me. Let Second Senior Sister Liu Ruyan or that Su Hongmian worry about such things."
She leaned back, her posture relaxing.
"Anyway, as long as that stinky man doesn't abandon me, I'll stay with him for life."
Her voice was firm, carrying a resolve that shook Luoluo to the core.
"If he abandons me... only then will I hate him for life. Until then, I am his."
Upon hearing this, Yang Luoluo's eyes immediately lit up. A thought sparked in her mind, innocent yet daring. She leaned forward eagerly and said:
"Fifth Sister, you agree to me and Master Brother's relationship now?"
Zhong Lingyin's eyebrows suddenly sharpened…
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