Night fell with its pitch-black darkness, like a heavy curtain drawn over the world, drowning everything in a sea of deep blackness. The details of the scene gradually faded, and the shadows morphed into mysterious entities.
Under a glowing crystal of essence, three people sat quietly at the dining table, sharing dinner.
They were Captain Ray Kang, his partner Sui Chang Li, and his thirteen-year-old son, Kang Yun.
Contrary to what one might expect, Ray Kang hadn't told his partner Sui Chang Li about Kogan's promotion to the first rank.
Maybe it was because they hadn't had sex in a long time.
After they finished their meal, they left the kitchen, leaving the cleaning to a lowly servant.
This servant hadn't lost her partner—she had surrendered to her desires and slept with him.
As a result, both were enslaved.
When partners fall into sin or commit a forbidden act and are cursed, they are either marked and enslaved—or executed.
In most cases, they're enslaved to be drained and used for as long as possible.
They might be separated and forced to work apart, or left together. It doesn't matter.
Since Ray Kang was a first-rank individual, and because of his high contribution points, he was granted the privilege of owning a slave.
He could choose either a male or a female slave.
He chose a female slave, as she would be better suited for taking care of the house.
Usually, those who choose male slaves are individuals with hard labor that requires physical strength.
Since Ray Kang works as a squad leader, whenever he needs help, he can simply ask his squad members.
But the difference is that slaves keep secrets — the others don't.
And so, first-rank individuals rarely ask for help — they're physically strong by default.
If someone is to help them, they must also be first-rank.
First-rank slaves, however, are only available to second-rank individuals.
When Ray Kang first met Kogan, this idea came to his mind.
Kogan couldn't hear or speak — just like a slave!
And since Kogan wasn't marked, it meant Ray Kang had gotten himself a special kind of slave!
But, as fate would have it, his plan fell apart.
***
Knock! Knock!
"What, did you forget something?" Mei Li walked toward the door to open it.
"Oh, Jin Chao!"
Mei Li was slightly surprised — she had thought Wei Li had returned from outside.
"From the way you said that, it sounds like Wei Li hasn't been gone for long," Jin Chao said.
"That's right. He said he just went out for a short walk," Mei Li explained.
Jin Chao scratched his head and, with some hesitation, said,
"Look, I don't know if I should say this or not, but..."
Mei Li began to feel a bit uneasy. "What is it?"
"Wei Li hasn't been stable lately. He's about to make a huge mistake," Jin Chao said in a worried tone.
Mei Li's heart sank, and she felt like she could no longer stand.
"Were you really thinking of hiding something like this from me? Did you... did you...!"
Her lips trembled, and she couldn't hold herself together.
Her hard work, her bright future — Wei Li was about to shit all over it.
What Wei Li didn't realize was that she was getting close to reaching the first rank.
Within two years, she would make a significant breakthrough in her life.
And if a few lucky coincidences happened again like last time, she might even reach the first rank in less than a year!
Who could achieve that without support from someone else?
Very few.
But now, everything was at stake.
Now, thinking back to her earlier deep thoughts, she would surely be delighted to replace Wei Li with Kogan — she might even throw in an essence on top of it.
Seeing her fearful and tense expression, Jin Chao didn't waste any time. He handed her a folded note, then left immediately.
"This is the right choice," Jin Chao thought.
He didn't want to see Wei Li and Mei Li turned into slaves, used as bait.
At the same time, he didn't want to share their fate.
Since Wei Li was unstable, it was best to keep some distance.
And giving Mei Li that note was the most he could do.
In fact, this was truly a noble and heroic act.
Since the inn owner could almost hear everything happening inside the inn,
now the matter was up to Mei Li and Wei Li.
Mei Li opened the note and was shocked by what was written.
"This is... this is..." her lips trembled.
Wei Li went to spy on Kogan and Mei Lan.
"What a... suicidal plan,"
Because jealousy hadn't affected her, she was able to distinguish right from wrong.
Previously, Jin Chao agreed with Wei Li's plan because he had already lost hope,
but after obtaining the essence, he regained his rational senses and realized that this plan had no chance of success.
"Those neighborhoods are crowded with first-rank individuals. The chance of being detected is high."
Mei Li panicked, hastily put on her clothes, and rushed out of the inn.
First-rank neighborhoods are patrolled by surveillance squads, and the rank of the monitors is first rank.
How could an angry Wei Li sneak among them without being discovered, unless a miracle happened.
A miracle!
***
Silence filled the room, but their eyes said it all.
Ray Kang and Sui Chang Li changed their clothes and lay down on the bed.
Their gazes met for seconds, then he moved toward her without a word.
She didn't pull back; it seemed as if she had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
He slowly reached out and touched her cheek, getting closer until their breaths mingled.
"Your scent is sweet," Ray Kang smiled, running his fingers through her hair strands.
Sui Chang Li smiled and closed her eyes, then gently took his hand and followed its path.
From now on, words were no longer needed.
He gently moved his hands and unbuttoned her shirt, revealing her soft breasts.
He licked his lips, and lowered his head, to taste her nipples with his tongue.
"Come down here."
Ray Kang stopped immediately.
'Am I imagining things?' He furrowed his brows in confusion.
"Don't waste my time, come down quickly," the voice shouted again inside his head.
"Sorry, I'm coming down right now," Ray Kang quickly got off the bed.
"Darling, what's wrong?" Sui Chang Li asked worriedly.
"Nothing important," he began changing his clothes.
"Could it be that you're suffering from…"
Ray Kang angrily cut her off, "No, it's not that. I have important work to do. When I get back, I'll tear you apart."
"Oh, I'll be waiting," Sui Chang Li laughed softly, swaying on the bed.
'What is the leader doing at this hour?' Ray Kang thought as he went down the stairs.
He arrived at the door of his house and opened it quickly.