Both Zhao Feng and Liu Mei stood before Li Wei, bowing their heads deeply. Their thoughts were in disarray, unable to comprehend how they had ended up in such a situation. They cursed their ill fortune for encountering this madman today.
Zhao Feng inwardly felt like crying. He had worked tirelessly to become the personal servant of one of the ladies of the Liu Clan, earning countless benefits, including the right to act arrogant toward others. But today, all of that crumbled when he met Li Wei.
Liu Mei was equally distressed. As a young prodigy from a middle-rank clan in Crescent Moon City, she had faced few challenges in life. Even members of higher-ranking clans rarely dared to trouble her. She had only ever bowed to her parents, her elders, and the occasional visiting powerhouse. To be asked to not only kowtow but to strip naked? It was unthinkable. A part of her wondered if death would be preferable.
Desperate to salvage the situation, Liu Mei took a step forward and softened her tone. "Great sir, please forgive me for not recognizing you sooner. It was my negligence, and I am deeply sorry. If you are willing, my Liu Clan would be honored to host you should you pass through Crescent Moon City."
Zhao Feng, catching on to her strategy, quickly added, "Yes, yes, great sir. The Liu Clan is one of the most prestigious clans in Crescent Moon City. If you accept my lady's invitation, I assure you, you will not regret it."
Li Wei listened with an air of indifference, his hands clasped behind his back. Tilting his head slightly, he fixed his gaze on Zhao Feng, his expression twisting into one of disgust.
"Who are you to decide what this venerable one will or will not regret?" Li Wei's voice dripped with disdain. "Presumptuous! Even the death of your entire lineage could not atone for such an insult. But I am merciful. Cripple your cultivation and roll away, and I will consider letting you off."
Both Zhao Feng and Liu Mei froze, their minds struggling to process his words. Even Leng Yue, who stood silently beside Li Wei, was momentarily stunned. Though she had heard many tales of Li Wei's antics, none aligned with the domineering figure before her now.
He must be angry that Master sent us here and is taking it out on them, Leng Yue thought, her expression remaining stoic. I pity them.
Liu Mei quickly recovered, her mind racing. She turned sharply to Zhao Feng and barked, "Do as the great sir commands. Cripple your cultivation now and roll away."
Zhao Feng's heart sank. Years of loyalty, dedication, and service—all cast aside in a single moment. He had always been willing to sacrifice for his mistress, but this was beyond comprehension. Still, he knew he had no choice.
Trembling, Zhao Feng raised his fist and struck his chest and abdomen in quick succession. The force of his blows ruptured his meridians, and he collapsed to the ground, coughing blood. Weak and barely able to move, he began rolling away as instructed, leaving a faint trail of blood in the dirt.
Li Wei couldn't hide his surprise. Wow, he actually rolled away. I thought he'd at least try to run.
Suppressing a smirk, he turned his gaze to Liu Mei. She had watched Zhao Feng's pitiful exit, her face a mix of disbelief and growing dread. Now it was her turn.
Straightening her back, Liu Mei forced herself to remain composed despite the humiliation burning inside her. In a last-ditch effort to escape her fate, she softened her voice and pleaded, "Oh, magnanimous venerable sir, is there no other way I might atone? I have a fiancé, and it would not be right to undress before another man. Please, reconsider—"
Li Wei cut her off with a wave of his hand. "Don't worry. It is also his honor that I gaze upon his fiancée. In fact, after this, you should find him and tell him to thank me personally—with gifts."
Liu Mei's eyes widened in shock. Her breath caught, and for a moment, she felt lightheaded. Never in her life had she encountered someone so audacious. The sheer absurdity of his words rendered her speechless.
How could anyone under the heavens be this brazen? she thought, her fists clenching at her sides. But she knew she had no way out. Swallowing her pride, she began to untie the sash of her robe.
Her hands trembled slightly, not from fear but from the sheer humiliation of the act. The fabric slipped through her fingers, and she caught it before it fell, taking a moment to compose herself.
Li Wei watched silently, his face a mask of indifference. Internally, however, he wrestled with conflicting emotions. So this is what power means in this world, he thought grimly. The reality left a bitter taste in his mouth. Beside him, Leng Yue stood as still as a statue, her expression unreadable.
Liu Mei's movements were painfully slow, each gesture a testament to her inner turmoil. Her robe slid off her shoulders and pooled at her feet, leaving her in a thin undergarment. The golden light of the setting sun cast a warm glow on her alabaster skin, accentuating her beauty despite her discomfort.
For a brief moment, Liu Mei hesitated. Her gaze remained fixed on the ground, her jaw tight as she fought to maintain her composure. Then, with a deep breath, she let the final piece of clothing fall, leaving her completely exposed.
Her arms instinctively moved to cover herself, crossing over her chest as her legs pressed together. Her cheeks burned with a mix of shame and fury, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Yet, despite her humiliation, she forced herself to kneel.
With trembling hands, she lowered herself fully to the ground, her forehead pressing against the cool earth in a deep kowtow.
Li Wei remained silent, his expression carefully neutral. Inside, however, he felt a strange mix of satisfaction and guilt. Is it wrong to feel a sense of accomplishment? he wondered. But the absurdity of the situation weighed heavily on him, and he knew this was just another consequence of the system's influence.
For Liu Mei, the moment dragged on endlessly. The weight of her shame felt unbearable, yet she endured, knowing there was no other choice. And for Li Wei, the line between power and cruelty blurred further with each passing second.