Chapter 593: Zhang Yaqian Is Deceived!
'Sure enough, I still have to imprison the bad master and chain him up, so he'll be mine alone!'
Ice Phoenix's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, a dangerous cold glint flickering within them.
In just these two days, she had already discovered that Shen Anyu had more than one woman. The sheer number was infuriating. Inside Jinxiu Mountain Villa No. 1 Villa, the magnificent mansion that was now her gilded cage, resided the national Heavenly Queen, Zhong Lingyin—a woman whose fame echoed across the country. In another villa within the same opulent community, he kept that canary, Zhou Luyao, tucked away like a precious secret. And then there was the daughter of that hotpot restaurant owner, Yang Qiuchan, whose rustic charm clearly held some appeal for him. Even that girl, Ji Xiaolin, seemed to be within his orbit. And that was only the surface. A cold certainty settled in her heart: there were definitely other women, hidden away in the city's countless corners.
Womanizer! Scumbag!
Bai Bing spat the words in her mind, a venomous assessment that soured her mood. Yet, her reaction wasn't as extreme as Susan's would have been; she harbored no desire to slaughter these romantic rivals. A strange, twisted sense of solidarity bloomed within her. The bitter memories of her mother's misfortune and her father's fickle, cruel heart made her see these women not as enemies, but as fellow victims. They were all ensnared by Shen Anyu, this charismatic, infuriating playboy.
However, Bai Bing was also deeply confused. A part of her resisted lumping Shen Anyu in with her beast of a father. He was different. Though he was undeniably a womanizer, his actions defied simple categorization. He was genuinely good to these women. He was gentle, almost unnervingly considerate, bestowing upon them whatever they desired. He satisfied them materially with lavish gifts, physically with his presence, and in every other conceivable way, he seemed to be the perfect partner.
And his treatment of her… it was a paradox that tied her thoughts in knots. Nominally, she was his female slave, a title that should have carried unending humiliation. In reality, she lived as one of the mistresses of Villa No. 1. Aside from the occasional, private moments where he forced her to kneel, a sharp reminder of her status that both shamed and thrilled her, he did nothing excessive. He provided for her completely, offering treatment and resources that were beyond her wildest dreams.
The Heavenly Human Breakthrough Pill, a legendary treasure that could ignite a bloodbath in the martial world. The Martial God Art, a supreme cultivation manual that dynasties would kill for. Priceless, world-shaking treasures, and Shen Anyu had handed them to her as casually as if they were common trinkets. He even personally took the time to guide her cultivation, his insights sharp and his patience seemingly endless.
If one could ignore his philandering, he was almost perfect.
She scorned him with her words, her sharp tongue a well-honed shield. She mocked his arrogance and derided his collection of women. But beneath the ice, her heart was suffused with a gentle warmth, a feeling she had never known before. It was a terrifying, addictive heat that was making her increasingly, hopelessly inseparable from him.
But that warmth turned to a searing burn whenever she watched him. She would stand in the shadows of the grand villa, her presence concealed, and watch as he emerged from one woman's room only to disappear into another's. The sight sent a spike of pure, undiluted jealousy through her. She didn't want to admit it, hated the weakness of it, but the emotion was obvious. It was a possessiveness that coiled in her gut like a serpent.
'Hmph, I must become stronger,' she vowed, her fists clenching at her sides. Her mind raced, latching onto a single, desperate goal. 'I will find a treasure in the Main God Reincarnation Game, something that can reverse this master-servant contract. Then… then I will make Shen Anyu my man. No, my male servant. He will wash my feet and warm my bed, and his eyes will be for me and me alone!'
Bai Bing watched Shen Anyu's retreating back, his silhouette framed by the morning sun. The dangerous, cold light in her phoenix eyes intensified, a predator's gleam. A moment later, she turned away, the turmoil on her face smoothing into a mask of glacial determination. She sat cross-legged on a plush rug, took a deep, centering breath to quell the storm within her, and focused her mind. Her entire being poured into the intricate flows of the Martial God Art and the Secret Art of Duality Condensation.
She would achieve great success. She would master these arts faster than anyone thought possible. And then, she would give everything—her power, her body, her soul—to Shen Anyu.
Shen Anyu was hers, and she was Shen Anyu's.
And at that time, if he so much as dared to look at another woman, she would personally break both his legs.
[Ding! Detected that the host's investment target, Bai Bing, has entered the second level of Martial God Art. Returning second-level Martial God Art cultivation!]
The System's crisp, emotionless prompt sounded in his mind the moment he stepped out into the manicured gardens of the villa. A genuine smile touched Shen Anyu's lips, and his mood brightened considerably.
"Such impressive talent," he murmured to himself, the warm sunlight feeling pleasant on his skin. "Diligent, focused, and utterly driven. With a mindset like that, it's impossible for her cultivation and strength not to soar."
He paused, a thoughtful and amused expression on his face. "Speaking of which, is Bai Bing actually trying to turn the tables and become the master?"
Shen Anyu stroked his chin, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest. The idea was… adorable. He could almost picture the fierce determination in her eyes as she plotted her little rebellion.
"Heh heh, she'll have to work very, very hard for that."
With another soft chuckle, Shen Anyu continued his stroll, his path leading him towards a small, elegant pavilion nestled by the edge of a shimmering lake within the Jinxiu Mountain Villa residential area.
From a distance, he could see an elegant figure already there. Her profile was as exquisite as a classical painting, her entire being radiating a temperament of serene purity. She sat perfectly still in the lakeside pavilion, wearing a light blue dress that seemed to drink in the sunlight and reflect the lake's glittering waters, making her appear like a dream given form.
The area was not empty. Many men, and even a few women, were positioned at a respectful distance, their gazes fixed upon her. They were like worshippers at a shrine, their admiration a tangible force in the air. Yet, none dared to approach, none dared to shatter the perfect tranquility of the scene. They seemed to fear that a single misplaced word would disturb this girl who resembled an ethereal, fairy-like being and cause her to vanish like morning mist.
When Shen Anyu began walking directly toward the pavilion, he immediately became the focus of their collective animosity. Countless glares, sharp with disbelief and envy, shot in his direction. A evident wave of resentment washed over him, a silent plea for him to stop, to turn back. A few of the more hot-headed young men looked as if they might physically block his path.
"Master Shen!" But their hopes were shattered in the next instant. The ethereal, dreamlike girl, the fairy of the lake, spotted Shen Anyu approaching. A look of pure, unadulterated joy blossomed across her features, instantly animating her serene expression. She proactively stood and stepped forward to greet him, her movements graceful and light. She then personally led him into the lakeside pavilion and, with her own hands, began to pour him tea.
Seeing this scene, a collective sound of shattering hearts echoed through the quiet air. The onlookers' jaws dropped to the floor, their faces a mask of utter shock.
How could they not recognize this fairy-like girl?
Zhang Yaqian!
She was Hangzhou's number one socialite, hailed by all as a dreamlike beauty, an elf princess made real. Her admirers were countless, a legion of men who would do anything for a smile, and she was so universally beloved that even other women found themselves captivated by her charm.
But Zhang Yaqian was too beautiful, too pure. Her beauty created an invisible barrier, making people feel they dared not defile her with their mundane presence. They dared not approach, content to simply guard her from afar, protecting their shared dream. The very few who had mustered the courage to strike up a conversation were always met with a gentle, sweet refusal that left them unable to press the matter further, feeling as though they would be committing a sin to pester her.
They had never, ever seen Zhang Yaqian act so familiar and close with a young man. Could it be? Could it be that such a pure and beautiful girl, a goddess in their eyes, already had a beloved?
Countless eyes, now burning with the green fire of envy and the red heat of jealousy, fixed upon Shen Anyu.
Shen Anyu, however, was not flattered in the slightest. His expression remained calm and composed, utterly unmoved by the daggers they threw with their eyes. He accepted the cup of Mingqian Longjing tea that Zhang Yaqian personally handed to him, took a small, appreciative sip, and gave a slight nod.
Zhang Yaqian noticed his subtle reaction, and a smile as sweet as honey bloomed on her face. "As long as Master Shen likes it."
That simple smile, directed at him and him alone, broke countless more hearts.
Shen Anyu grew thoughtful. There was something more to Zhang Yaqian's charm than mere beauty. It was almost a passive enchantment, a subtle spell woven into her very being. In terms of facial features alone, she was indeed stunning, but Shen Anyu had seen his fair share of Destined Heroines. Each one was a natural stunner, a peerless beauty capable of toppling kingdoms.
Yet, none of them provoked this level of widespread, reverential awe, with the sole exception of Yang Qiuchan after she had awakened her Heavenly Sound Charming Body.
Shen Anyu hadn't paid it much mind before. With his profound cultivation and immense mental fortitude, this kind of passive charm couldn't affect him in the slightest. But now, observing the reactions of everyone around them, he realized something was distinctly off. This wasn't normal adoration; it was an almost hypnotic effect.
Could it be that Zhang Yaqian possessed some kind of unusual, latent power? A special physique, perhaps? Or was there another reason for this phenomenon?
It seemed he would need to find a suitable opportunity to thoroughly study Zhang Yaqian's body.
Driven by a purely academic desire for research, of course, Shen Anyu made up his mind.
After a few more pleasantries, Zhang Yaqian stated the reason for seeking him out, her brow furrowing with a delicate worry. "Master Shen, Zhang Yaqian has been feeling restless and terribly uneasy these past two days. It feels as if something terrible has happened, but I can't pinpoint the reason. It's not a physical ailment; it feels more like… like someone important to me has met with trouble. I would like to ask Master Shen to perform a divination and tell me what it is."
A flicker of light crossed Shen Anyu's eyes. He secretly praised her intuition. To sense that someone important had met with trouble from so far away showed a keen, almost supernatural perception. These past two days... that would perfectly align with Zhang Zhiyun's "incident" the night before. She had actually sensed it.
Shen Anyu observed Zhang Yaqian, and a faint, almost imperceptible golden light flickered in the depths of his pupils. She had never cultivated, was not skilled in any martial or magical arts, and was by all accounts an ordinary mortal. Yet, her perceptive ability was extraordinary.
As Shen Anyu's gaze fell upon her, Zhang Yaqian suddenly felt a profound sensation wash over her, as if she were being observed by a higher being, a deity looking down from the heavens. When she noticed the faint golden shimmer in Shen Anyu's eyes, her heart filled with even greater reverence and awe.
'Master Shen is indeed a true master,' she thought, her conviction solidifying. 'An extraordinary expert beyond the mortal coil. It seems I've found the right person this time.'
[Ding! Detected that the Destined Heroine Zhang Yaqian's favorability +5. Plundering 15,000 Destiny Points!]
…
"I want to look at your palm lines," Shen Anyu said with an air of calm.
Zhang Yaqian already believed in Shen Anyu implicitly and unhesitatingly offered her slender, fair hand, palm upward:
"Master Shen, please take a look!"
Shen Anyu grasped Zhang Yaqian's hand and carefully examined her palm lines.
Zhang Yaqian's delicate face immediately flushed with a charming blush. This was the first time she had been so intimate with a young man. She silently reminded herself that Master Shen was an expert, and palm reading was normal~
"Let go of Zhang Yaqian's hand, take your dog paws off!" A furious voice suddenly rang out, as Zhao Tao stormed over, seething with rage!
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