The courtyard was abuzz with chatter as the servants discussed the outcomes of the assessment.
Some were upset at being assigned menial labor in the spirit mine, while others felt a sense of opportunity to prove themselves in their new jobs.
Li Xinrou watched from the corner of the courtyard, her eyes following Zhao Dong's every move.
She couldn't help but note that some servants were being promoted, while others were dismissed.
As she watched Tui, Nii, and Su being praised and promoted by Zhao Dong, she felt a pang of jealousy and unease.
Especially this woman named Su.
However, she could do nothing.
Everyone went their own way, leaving those four.
The further talk was unknown to them.
——
As the night fell, the courtyard was silent and eerily quiet.
Zhao Dong called for both Su and Huan to come to him in his chamber.
The room was well decorated with a large, four legged bed, soft mattress and few cushions.
As they entered, Zhao Dong's demeanor was cold and icy.
He pointed to Su and Huan, and spoke in a chilling voice, without wasting anytime.
"Su, you claim to like Huan, do you not?"
Su was taken back, but, nodded nervously, her eyes flickering with fear and uncertainty.
"Yes, Young Master Zhao," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Zhao Dong smirkes coldly.
"Then I have a test for you... a test to prove your love for him. Come here Huan,"
Young Master Zhao commanded.
This lowly bitch, have eyes but failed to see laozi Infront of her.
Outrageous.
Her entire bloodline must be cursing her.
At the same time, Huan, feeling uneasy, hesitantly stepped forward.
He didn't knew what he has to do, but he didn't have any good feeling.
He looked at Su, his expression conflicted.
There was nothing he could do to stop it, he was merely a servant.
Zhao Dong chuckled, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Huan and Su.
A lobe birds, huh?
Let's see how strong, these wings are.
"You both claim to love each other, correct?" he asked, his voice laced with mockery.
Huan nodded silently, his eyes glancing at Su, pleading with her to not give in to Zhao Dong's demands.
Su, despite her fear, spoke up in a shaky voice. "Yes, we do love each other," she affirmed, her eyes fixed on Zhao Dong.
"Good! Good! Good!"
Zhao Dong's smirk widened, a cruel glint in his eyes.
A sadistic glow.
"Then let's put that love to the test," he said, his voice cold and calculated.
He looked at Huan and spoke in a harsh tone.
"You, Huan, will be the one to punish Su for her insolence. She refuses to obey her young master's orders and insists on loving you instead,"
Eh!?
Huan's face paled, his eyes wide with shock.
He looked at Su, seeing the terror in her eyes.
The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her.
He knew the young master won't be merciful. But this?
Simply, outrageous.
But he was powerless against Zhao Dong.
He was servant, noneless, a low grade spirit root of wood nature.
"But... but she did nothing wrong," he protested weakly.
"Presumptions!!!"
Zhao Dong's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing with anger.
"That's not for you to decide, are you saying, the Zhao family fails to see Mt. Tai!?" he snapped, his voice dripping with authority.
"You will do as I say, or you will suffer the consequences. Now, punish her. Or would you rather I do it myself?"
Huan's heart was in his throat.
He didn't want to hurt Su, but the threat from Zhao Dong was clear.
He knew the young master had the power to make both of their lives a living hell.
He was nothing but a servant with a sick mother at home.
He had seen Young Master slaughter those servants that day, he didn't wished to die.
Fear is too strong than love.
With a look of resignation, Huan looked at Su, his eyes sorry.
"I...I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice shaky.
Zhao Dong smiled coldly, watching the scene unfold.
Su, also, trembelled.
She didn't expected Young Master to be like this.
The fate of servants is truly sealed.
Su, feeling the weight of the situation, felt despair wash over her.
A overwhelming despair.
She could see the pain in Huan's eyes as he prepared to follow Zhao Dong's orders.
"Huan, please..." she pleaded.
"Don't do this. Don't hurt me,"
Huan shook his head, his voice choked with emotion.
"I...I don't want to hurt you," he said, his eyes filling with tears.
"But I don't have a choice. I can't defy Zhao Dong,"
Zhao Dong impatiently snapped his fingers.
"Enough of this nonsense," he said, his tone impatient.
"Huan, you will punish her now. Or do I have to do it myself?"
Huan, nodded his head, came forward, and slapped Su, left and right, leaving a bright red mark.
"Not good enough... The punishment for breaking order of Zhao family is death, slap her, until she dies.
As for you, Lowly Su, if you try to dodge the slap, make a sound, or shed tears, Huan, will die,"
Zhao Dong said sadistically.
Hearing this, both Su and Huan frowned.
A strong feeling of helplessness ripple across their heart.
They should have never came here.
It was a big mistake.
Huan's heart was in race as he lifted his hand to slap Su, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
His hands went weak, midway.
He knew the threat was real, and that Zhao Dong was not joking around.
For a Immortal cultivator like him, human lives are like ants.
And yet, the thought of harming Su was unbearable to him.
One of them have to die?
What cruel fate is this?
Zhao Dong watched him intently, his eyes narrowed in anticipation. "What are you waiting for, Huan?" he asked coldly.
"It seems, you guys are unable to do this... Then how about it, Su, you just have to spend one night with me, I will let both of live, and give you a large sum of money, so, you could live, happily ever after,"
Of course, it was just a lie.
There is separate fun in crushing a hope after helping them develop it.
...
Su's heart sank as she realized the extent of Zhao Dong's cruelty.
'How could this be happening? Why has it come to this?'
Each slap Huan landed on her face stung deeply, not just from the physical pain, but from the knowledge that he was being forced to hurt her.
But those pain were nothing. Nothing at all compared to Zhao Dong's sharp words.
'It's not Huan's fault. He doesn't want this... He is helpless,' she said to herself.
And then, Zhao Dong spoke, offering a lifeline.
'Is it a chance to escape this nightmare?'
She looked at Huan.
No, this wasn't a hope at all.
How can she give her precious to someone like Zhao Dong? He is demon, in human clothing.
A scum.
Su was torn, the thought of spending a night with Zhao Dong was repulsive to her.
The very idea made her skin crawl.
But, the alternative was death, not just for her, but for Huan as well.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
'I can't allow Huan to die. Not because of me...'
With a heart heavier than a stone, Su spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I... I'll do it,"
A cruel smile curled on Zhao Dong's lips.
He knew he had her in his grip now. A pawn with string attached, dancing under his palm.
"Wise choice," he said, his tone smug.
Meanwhile, Huan looked at her, stricken with horror.
"No, Su, you can't," he protested, his voice shaking.
"There has to be another way,"
Huan felt his heart shatter.
'No, this can't be happening. I can't let her do this,'
The thought of Su spending a night with Zhao Dong, a man he despised, filled him with rage.
But at the same time, he felt powerless.
Zhao Dong was a immortal cultivator and he himself was just a trash, who awakened a trash spiritual root, today.
He knew the danger of defying Young Master Zhao, and he wasn't certain if he could keep Su safe if they tried anything.
He clenched his fist.
At the same time,
Zhao Dong smiled menacingly.
"Strip and get on your knees... As for you, Huan, watch carefully, learn how your wife's body works,"
Haha, it's a lie, once Zhao Dong finishes his business with Su, and let Huan watch it.
He will kill Huan.
No point in keeping trash alive.
A ant like him are only born to entertain the strong.