Chapter 258: The Dragon King's Rage! The Green Hat Shines Brightly!
"Hmm... Little Han, you've been doing well recently. Very well indeed. I'm... satisfied."
Shen Anyu's handsome face was filled with a lazy, king-like satisfaction as he leisurely strolled down the grand spiral staircase of Jiangjing Manor.
He was wearing a loose purple silk bathrobe, tied casually at the waist. His hair was slightly damp, and he radiated the refreshed, relaxed aura of a man who had just enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon.
His gaze swept over the two men waiting in the living room.
Han Qi immediately stood up. His face was full of practiced flattery and respect as he cupped his fists, bowed deep at a 90-degree angle, and greeted him loudly.
"Young Master Shen! You praise me too much. It is my duty to serve you!"
However, next to him, Tianfeng Ichiro—the Grandmaster of Kendo from Sakura Country and Han Qi's adoptive father—stood stiffly.
He held his katana scabbard tightly in his left hand, his knuckles white. His expression was cold, almost frosty.
He didn't bow. He just nodded slightly, a gesture that barely met the minimum requirements of politeness.
He was clearly displeased. Annoyed. Insulted.
Shen Anyu's attitude of treating them—especially him, a renowned Sword Saint—as mere household servants grated on his warrior's pride.
After all, in the hierarchy of this world, Martial Dao Grandmasters were esteemed figures. Even high-ranking government officials treated them with courtesy. In ancient times, even Emperors would not insult a Grandmaster without reason.
Yet here, in this modern villa, this rich second-generation brat acted as if they were dogs waiting for scraps.
Shen Anyu smiled, noticing the old man's stiffness.
He wasn't inherently an impolite person. He was very courteous to Aunt Xiao, his own bodyguard captain, treating her like family. He was kind to his butlers and maids.
However...
In Shen Anyu's eyes, Tianfeng Ichiro and Han Qi were already dead men walking. Their names were written in the Book of Life and Death, scheduled for deletion today.
So why bother pretending?
Why bother with etiquette for corpses?
Moreover... being strong, arrogant, and dismissive in front of the "Dragon King" and watching him endure (Ninja Turtle style) was quite amusing in a twisted way. It was a psychological experiment.
[Ding! The Child of Destiny, Han Qi, is slightly displeased and humiliated.]
[Ding! Plundering +3 Destiny Value!]
…
Han Qi was indeed the King of Endurance.
When he was at the Liu family, he could remain indifferent even when his mother-in-law threw slippers at him or when he was forced to wash his father-in-law's feet. He played the part of a useless, cowardly son-in-law perfectly for three years.
So, Shen Anyu's arrogance? It was nothing compared to what he had suffered. He swallowed his pride like water.
But in Tianfeng Ichiro's eyes, a flicker of genuine anger flashed.
'Baka! This boy... he has no respect for the blade!'
Even in Sakura Country, the heads of the top Yakuza families or the Zaibatsu leaders would bow to him. Yet, this Young Master of the Yanxia Shen Family looked at him like he was a piece of furniture.
However, feeling Han Qi give him a warning look from beside him—a subtle shake of the head—Tianfeng Ichiro could only suppress his killing intent. He forced his hand to relax on the sword hilt.
Han Qi was the biological son of Li Qi—his goddess, his moonlit muse who died too young. Han Qi was also his disciple, his legacy.
Tianfeng Ichiro, being an orphan with no relatives, practically regarded Han Qi as his own son.
For his son... he could endure. He would swallow this insult.
Shen Anyu chuckled inwardly, seeing the silent exchange.
'If one can endure grievances, there will be endless grievances to endure. If one accepts suffering, suffering becomes their destiny.'
"Sit," Shen Anyu commanded, waving his hand at the sofa opposite him. He sat down first, spreading his arms along the backrest.
Subsequently, Han Qi began his report. He adopted a professional, eager tone, detailing the recent expansions of the Dragon King Society.
"Young Master Shen, thanks to your funding and connections, the Dragon King Society has been advancing by leaps and bounds recently. We are prospering day by day!"
"Since we subdued the Black Tiger Gang of Jinling in Jiangnan some time ago (with your name), there are no longer any forces or troublemakers in the vast Jiangnan province that dare to resist us."
"I have purged the dissenters. I have consolidated the routes."
"Within three months... no, two months! Little Han guarantees that I will be able to fully integrate the entire underground network of Jiangnan for Young Master Shen. I will serve as your loyal dog, guarding the south!"
Han Qi's eyes shone with a fanatical light (mostly fake, but partially real ambition).
"Once we dominate the Jiangnan underworld, we will move to Jiangbei, then the Southeast, the North... and eventually, the entire country!"
"With Young Master Shen's support, Little Han will surely conquer—"
Han Qi's passionate speech suddenly paused. The words died in his throat.
His eyes fixed on a specific spot on Shen Anyu's body.
Shen Anyu was wearing a loose bathrobe. As he leaned back, the collar shifted slightly, revealing his collarbone and upper chest.
There... stark against the fair skin... was a mark.
A vivid, reddish-purple bruise.
It was clearly a hickey. A fresh one. Left within the last hour.
The shape of the mark suggested small, delicate lips sucking with passion and possessiveness.
[Ding! Detected that the Child of Destiny, Han Qi's mentality has exploded!]
[Ding! Child of Destiny Han Qi felt a massive sourness in his heart! Jealousy +100!]
[Ding! Plundering +6,888 Destiny Value!]
…
Just now, Han Qi hadn't really cared about Shen Anyu's impolite attitude. Being treated as a subordinate was part of the plan.
But now?
Seeing the woman's hickey on Shen Anyu's chest... his mentality shattered.
His heart twisted with a sour, burning jealousy.
'Situ Yueying!'
Han Qi's mind immediately jumped to the only woman he knew was here.
'Is that... is that Yueying's hickey?'
'She... she kissed him there? She marked him?'
Even though Situ Yueying was sent to Shen Anyu by him personally... even though he knew logically that she had to sleep with him to maintain her cover...
Knowing it and seeing the evidence were two different things.
It was like watching a video of your girlfriend cheating versus finding the used condom. The visual impact was devastating.
A playful look flashed in Shen Anyu's eyes. He noticed Han Qi's stiff expression and the way his eyes locked onto the mark.
He naturally guessed what Han Qi was thinking.
After all, there weren't many things that could make this "Ninja Turtle" protagonist lose his cool.
However... Han Qi had misunderstood.
This hickey... was not left by Situ Yueying. Situ Yueying was currently resting in another wing.
This mark... was left by Liu Qingyue.
Shen Anyu's lips curled.
Just moments ago, upstairs, the "White Moonlight" wife had been overcome with emotion and gratitude (and perhaps a bit of revenge against her "useless" husband). She had clung to him, and in a moment of passion, she had left this mark.
If Han Qi knew the truth...
If he knew that the mark on Shen Anyu's chest was made by his wife...
He would probably scream, vomit blood, and die of anger on the spot. He would forget all patience, draw his sword, and fight Shen Anyu to the death right here.
Situ Yueying only held a certain position in Han Qi's heart—a trusted subordinate, a sister.
But Liu Qingyue? She was his life. She was the existence Han Qi cherished most, the one he endured everything for.
Han Qi took a deep, shuddering breath. He forced his eyes away from the hickey. He bit his tongue to ground himself.
'Calm down. Calm down.'
'It's just a mark. It means Yueying is doing her job. She is gaining his trust.'
He quickly composed himself, regaining his calmness with terrifying willpower. He continued his report, though his voice was slightly strained.
But in his heart, he roared ferociously.
'Shen Anyu... enjoy it while you can.'
'I will gain more support from you. I will suck your resources dry like a parasite.'
'I will quickly develop and expand my own forces under your nose.'
'Once my wings are fully grown... I will reclaim the position of Emperor Capital Han Family Patriarch. I will kill Han Xiu.'
'And then... I will break away from your command. I will crush the Shen Family.'
'At that time, I will definitely rescue Situ Yueying. I will wash away her humiliation with your blood.'
'At that time, I will let my wife Liu Qingyue know the truth. I will show her that her husband is a True Dragon among men, not some useless Son-in-law!'
Han Qi's internal monologue was a classic protagonist's vow.
"In the past, Han Xin could endure the humiliation of crawling through someone's crotch; I, Han Qi, can endure this! To achieve great things, one must sacrifice!"
Han Qi gritted his teeth, his jaw muscles flexing. On the surface, he remained calm, even bowing slightly to show respect.
Shen Anyu looked at the expressionless Han Qi.
'This guy is quite interesting. A cockroach with dreams.'
If it weren't for the recent lack of Destiny Value—with a significant gap remaining until the 10,000,000 Destiny Value System upgrade—keeping him alive would actually be quite entertaining.
After all, where in this world could one find such an excellent "Worker Ant" like Han Qi?
He works his heart out on the front lines to expand Shen Anyu's territory. He takes the risks. He kills the enemies.
And in the back? Shen Anyu plays with his confidantes and wife.
Ahem. That's a bit too evil. Too inhuman.
Shen Anyu felt a flicker of amusement.
Suddenly, a playful thought flashed across his mind. A way to squeeze the last drop of value before the kill.
A cold smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
He raised his hand, interrupting Han Qi's droning report about logistics.
"Enough."
"Young Master Shen?"
Han Qi stopped immediately. He looked at Shen Anyu with a puzzled gaze, respectfully waiting for instructions.
Shen Anyu picked up his tea, blew on it, and slowly said:
"Little Han. I've been thinking."
"You are doing a great job. But the Jiangnan underworld is vast. You need help. You can't do it all alone."
Han Qi frowned internally. 'I don't need help. I need control.'
"I have a... woman," Shen Anyu continued casually. "She has been idle recently. She's bored."
"But she is quite capable. Her cultivation is at the Grandmaster Peak level. Only a step away from Great Grandmaster."
Han Qi's eyes widened. 'Grandmaster Peak? That's stronger than me!'
"I was thinking... it wouldn't be bad to arrange her position in the Dragon King Society."
Shen Anyu smiled, looking Han Qi in the eye.
"She's from Jinling originally. She knows the area. So it's quite suitable for her to be stationed in Jinling... to manage the Jiangnan underworld forces alongside you."
"Or rather... to supervise."
It was Luo Yuhe.
The Destined Heroine from the "War God Returns" arc. Her adopted daughter Luo Xiaoxiao had recently started kindergarten, leaving the beautiful widow with too much free time.
Luo Yuhe had been bored. She talked to Shen Anyu, wanting to work, to be useful.
Shen Anyu thought: Why waste talent?
After Luo Yuhe recovered from her poison and took the elixirs Shen Anyu provided, her strength had skyrocketed to Grandmaster Peak. Among Shen Anyu's harem, she had the strongest martial arts foundation (until Aunt Xiao broke through).
She could completely hold her own.
Originally, Shen Anyu had other plans. But now? Inserting her into the Dragon King Society was a masterstroke.
It was a hostile takeover.
"What do you think, Little Han?" Shen Anyu asked pleasantly.
Upon hearing this, Han Qi's expression instantly turned extremely ugly. His mask cracked.
His whole body trembled.
This wasn't help. This was seizing power!
Shen Anyu was sending a Grandmaster Peak expert—a woman loyal only to him—to infiltrate the Dragon King Society. To watch him. To command his men. To take his hard-earned foundation!
He was furious!
[Akarin Note:
Your Support Keeps This Story Alive!
If you're enjoying this novel, your support means the world to me. Simple actions like leaving a review, power stone, comment, or sharing the story let me know you're out there. It's the greatest motivation for me to keep updating until the very end and ensures this project continues.
For those who wish to support me more directly, you can join my Patreon at [patreon.com/AkarinTL]. As a thank-you, you'll receive access to 50 advanced chapters.
I hope I am still worthy of your support. My life truly depends on this... haha, I know I'm so shameless.]