Chapter 771 – "The Decision"
Shi Lian's lips parted, but no words came out at first. Her gaze moved between Yu Mei's steady eyes and Alex's unwavering calm, her thoughts spinning faster than she could organize them.
Finally, she drew in a slow breath. "…What exactly does this 'restoration' involve?"
Alex didn't rush his answer. "It's a form of life magic. I'll weave mana through your body and spirit, repairing and reshaping until there's no trace of what was taken. It won't just be physical — I'll strip away the spiritual bindings that man forced on you. The dual cultivation corruption, the conditioning… all of it."
Shi Lian's heart skipped. "So… I'd be clean again. Completely."
"Clean," Alex confirmed. "Untouched. Your body will respond to you, and only to those you choose."
She lowered her gaze to her lap, her fingers twisting in the fabric of her robe. "That's… what I've dreamed of, if I'm honest. To undo it all. To take back what he stole."
Yu Mei's voice was quiet, but insistent. "Then do it, Aunt. Stop living as his property."
Shi Lian hesitated a moment longer — not because she doubted Alex's words, but because the thought of freedom after so many years felt unreal, almost dangerous to believe in.
Then she looked up, meeting his eyes directly for the first time. "Alright. I'll do it."
A faint smile touched Alex's lips. "Then we start now."
Alex moved closer, his presence filling the small space. "Lie back," he said gently.
Shi Lian obeyed, leaning against the cushions, her breath unsteady. Yu Mei stayed by her side, watching with folded arms but eyes sharp and attentive.
Alex closed his eyes for a brief moment, thinking through the intricate weave of mana in his mind — a sequence of life magic formulas that would reach deep into her body, repairing not just flesh, but the subtle spiritual threads that had been twisted and bound for years.
When he opened his eyes again, his hand came to rest lightly on the flat of her lower abdomen, directly over where her hymen once was.
Warmth radiated from his palm as a soft green glow began to form, growing brighter until it bathed them both in its gentle light. The magic seeped into her, a wave of soothing energy that spread outward, touching every part of her being.
Shi Lian gasped softly. It wasn't just physical — she could feel the corruption breaking away, the lingering effects of the Sect Master's technique dissolving like smoke in the wind. Years of unwanted conditioning unraveled, leaving only her own untouched self behind.
Her hands clenched in the sheets, not from pain, but from the overwhelming relief washing through her. The cursed heat that had plagued her for so long faded, replaced by a calm warmth that felt wholly hers.
When the light dimmed and Alex withdrew his hand, Shi Lian lay still for a moment, as if testing the silence inside her own body. Then her eyes opened, clear in a way they hadn't been in years.
"I… I feel… better," she whispered, her voice trembling. "So much better…"
Yu Mei's lips curved into a small smile. "You're free now, Aunt. Completely."
Shi Lian sat up slowly, her fingers brushing over her abdomen as if confirming that what had just happened was real. The calm warmth Alex's magic left behind felt… pure. But beneath it, she noticed a stubborn thrum of heat — faint, yet persistent — curling low in her belly.
Her brow furrowed. "It's strange… the corruption is gone, but I still…" She hesitated, cheeks coloring slightly. "…still feel it. That… need."
Yu Mei's eyes narrowed slightly in understanding. "Residual effects," she said simply. "Even after cleansing, the body remembers certain patterns. Your Sect Master trained you for years, Aunt — some things won't vanish in an instant."
Shi Lian looked down, embarrassed. "Then… what do I do?"
Yu Mei's gaze flicked toward Alex, then back to her aunt with a knowing smile. "You ease it. Properly. And there's only one man I'd trust to do that for you."
Shi Lian blinked. "You mean…" Her eyes darted to Alex, then back to Yu Mei. "You would… allow that?"
"Allow it?" Yu Mei's smile widened faintly. "I want it. In fact, I'd like you to become his wife. Not just to free you from that man, but so you can have someone who actually values you."
Shi Lian's lips parted in surprise, but Yu Mei went on before she could speak. "Alex isn't like anyone you've known. He's loyal to the women he calls his own. He doesn't take just for the sake of taking — he gives back, more than you'd ever expect. He'll protect you, treasure you, and yes… please you in ways you didn't think possible."
A faint flush spread across Shi Lian's cheeks. "You speak of him as if he's perfect."
"He's not perfect," Yu Mei said softly, "but he's mine. And if you agree, he could be yours too. You'd never be a pawn again, Aunt. Not in his hands."
Shi Lian glanced at Alex again, her pulse quickening, caught between lingering desire and the cautious hope Yu Mei's words stirred.
Shi Lian lowered her gaze, her hands tightening slightly in her lap. For a long moment, the only sounds in the tent were the faint rustle of fabric and her own uneven breathing.
Finally, she exhaled, a small, resigned smile touching her lips. "…Alright. I'll trust you, Yu Mei. If you believe this is what's best, I'll agree."
Yu Mei's expression softened, but there was a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. "Good. You won't regret it."
Alex stepped forward, his movements slow and unhurried, giving Shi Lian time to adjust. When his hand extended toward her, she hesitated only briefly before placing hers in his.
Neither spoke as they began to undress. Shi Lian's robe slipped from her shoulders, pooling silently on the floor, revealing skin still flushed from the aftereffects of the cleansing magic. Alex's gaze was steady, appreciative without being predatory, as he shed his own garments piece by piece.
When he finally removed the last of his clothing, Shi Lian's eyes widened despite herself. Her breath caught in her throat as her gaze dropped lower… and froze.
Her mind faltered at the sight. Why… is it so big? It was unlike any she had ever seen — thicker, longer, more imposing than even the most well-endowed man she had been forced to touch in the past. Compared to this, every other experience seemed suddenly… small.
Without meaning to, her fingers twitched, as though wanting to reach out, to feel for herself. The heat in her body, already simmering, spiked sharply.
Yu Mei, watching from the side, smiled knowingly. "Now you understand why I said you'd never regret it."
Shi Lian swallowed hard, unable to tear her eyes away. Bigger than any I've ever touched…
The moment stretched, heavy with anticipation, as Alex stepped closer.
Chapter 772 – "An Unexpected Audience" (18+)
Alex was poised above Shi Lian, his body warm and steady against hers, the anticipation in the air almost tangible. Her breath came in short, shallow draws, the heat inside her coiling tighter with every second.
Then the tent flap flew open.
"Mistress," came Mei Suhua's voice — breathless, yet brimming with pride — "I have already captured him."
Alex paused, looking up just as Mei Suhua stepped inside. Dragged along behind her, bound and half-collapsed, was the Sect Master of Heavenly Phoenix Hall himself. His once-pristine robes were torn and stained, his face swollen and bruised from a clear beating.
"He resisted," Mei Suhua continued matter-of-factly, "so I used force."
Before Shi Lian could even process what she was seeing, more figures appeared at the entrance — Fei Xue, Ling Hua, Mei Lian, Ru Yan, Shui Yun, Yan Zhi, and Jin Rou, each holding onto another battered man.
Yu Mei's voice was smooth, almost cheerful. "And these," she said, stepping forward, "are the men who violated our aunt."
The seven sisters shoved them inside without ceremony. They collapsed to the floor in heaps, groaning faintly, their bodies marked with bruises and torn clothing. Their condition was no better than the Sect Master's.
Shi Lian's eyes widened, shock mingling with disbelief. "You… you caught them all?"
Fei Xue's lips curved in satisfaction. "Every last one."
Yu Mei's gaze moved from the broken men on the floor to where Alex and her aunt were still entwined on the bed. Her smile shifted — softer toward them, but with a wicked curve at the edges.
"Well," she said lightly, "it seems our timing is perfect." She glanced at Shi Lian, then at Alex, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Don't you think this will be… fun?"
Shi Lian's cheeks flushed as the implication sank in, her breath hitching. Alex's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing exactly where Yu Mei's mind was going.
Yu Mei stepped closer to the bed, her gaze moving slowly from Shi Lian's flushed face to Alex's poised form. Then she looked over her shoulder at the battered figures on the floor.
"I think it's only fair," she began, her tone deceptively light, "that they watch… while Aunt enjoys what real pleasure feels like."
Her words made Shi Lian's cheeks burn hotter, but Yu Mei's smile only widened. She turned her head toward Mei Suhua. "Restrain them — and make sure they look."
"Yes, Mistress," Mei Suhua replied instantly, her tone carrying a hint of relish.
She strode over to the Sect Master first, yanking him upright by his hair. Han Zhaoming groaned but was too weak to resist as she forced his head toward the bed. "Eyes open," she ordered coldly. "Don't look away."
One by one, she repeated the act with Yuanzhi, Elder Qiu Renshu, and Elder Feng Wuyin, dragging their gazes forward. Each of them flinched when their eyes landed on Alex — specifically on the thick, rigid length in his hand as he poised to enter Shi Lian.
Yu Mei tilted her head slightly, her voice carrying just enough amusement to cut deep. "Bigger than anything you could offer her… isn't it?"
A muscle in Han Zhaoming's jaw twitched, his eyes narrowing in impotent rage. Qiu Renshu looked away for a split second before Mei Suhua wrenched his head back. Feng Wuyin's lips pressed into a tight line, his pride clearly stung.
Even Yuanzhi, normally quick with a smirk, said nothing this time. His expression was tight, his gaze flickering between Alex and his aunt with an unreadable mix of emotions — but humiliation was plain in the set of his shoulders.
"They'll remember this," Yu Mei said with a satisfied smirk. "Every time they think of you, Aunt… they'll remember who made you feel more than they ever could."
Yu Mei stepped aside, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Go ahead, Husband. Let them see the difference."
Alex's expression didn't change — calm, steady — but there was an unspoken weight in his gaze as he looked down at Shi Lian. Her breath was fast, her cheeks flushed, but she didn't pull away. Instead, her fingers curled in the sheets, her eyes meeting his in silent readiness.
Without breaking eye contact, Alex adjusted his position, his hand guiding himself to her entrance. The thick head pressed against her soft, slick folds, parting them slowly.
Shi Lian gasped, her head tilting back as the stretch began — fuller, deeper than anything she had ever felt before. Her legs trembled slightly, the sensation overwhelming in the best way.
From the side, Han Zhaoming's fists clenched against his restraints, his teeth grinding audibly. Qiu Renshu and Feng Wuyin both averted their eyes again, only to have Mei Suhua force their chins back toward the bed. Yuanzhi's jaw was tight, his nostrils flaring as his gaze stayed fixed despite himself.
Alex pushed forward, sinking deeper inch by inch until he was fully inside her. Shi Lian's lips parted in a soft, involuntary moan, her chest rising and falling rapidly as her body adjusted to him.
Yu Mei's voice came from the side, smooth and cutting. "See that? That's what it looks like when a woman is truly filled."
Alex drew back slowly, the movement making Shi Lian shiver, then thrust forward again — this time with a controlled, steady rhythm. The sound of their bodies meeting filled the tent, punctuated by Shi Lian's breathless gasps and the low, heavy silence of the men being forced to watch.
Yu Mei folded her arms, satisfaction clear on her face as she glanced at each captive in turn. "I want every one of you to remember this sight. This is what it looks like when she belongs to someone stronger… someone better."
Shi Lian clung to Alex, the world beyond the bed fading from her mind as he moved within her.
Alex kept his rhythm unhurried at first — deep, deliberate strokes that made Shi Lian's body arch into him. Each thrust filled her completely, and each withdrawal left her trembling with anticipation for the next.
Her moans, soft at first, grew louder with every minute, the sound almost musical in the tense silence of the tent. The green glow of the earlier healing still lingered faintly on her skin, making her appear radiant under the lamplight.
Yu Mei circled behind the captives, her heels clicking softly on the floor. "Eyes on them," she ordered. "If you so much as blink for too long, Mei Suhua will make sure you regret it."
Mei Suhua grinned at the chance, standing close enough to the Sect Master to grip his hair and keep his head angled toward the bed. "Don't miss a second," she murmured in his ear.
Han Zhaoming's nostrils flared with suppressed rage, but his gaze was locked on the scene despite himself. Qiu Renshu's breathing was uneven; Feng Wuyin's lips were pressed in a hard line. Yuanzhi's jaw flexed, his eyes darting between Shi Lian's flushed face and Alex's steady, powerful movements.
Alex's pace gradually quickened, each thrust hitting deeper, drawing gasps and half-formed cries from Shi Lian. Her nails dug into his shoulders, her legs tightening around his hips as if to keep him there.
She had never felt like this — not even close. Every nerve seemed alive, the pleasure building in slow, unstoppable waves that left her clinging to him like a lifeline.
Yu Mei's voice cut in smoothly, meant to pierce the captives' pride. "Look at her, Sect Master. Look at the face she makes when she's with a real man."
Han Zhaoming's glare could have cut stone, but it only made Yu Mei's smirk widen.
Alex adjusted his angle slightly, and Shi Lian's gasp turned into a choked moan, her head falling back as her body tightened around him. The tension in her core coiled tighter and tighter until it was all she could focus on.
"You're close," Alex murmured to her, his voice low and certain.
Shi Lian nodded without thinking, her breath ragged.
He gave her exactly what she needed — a sudden increase in speed and force, each thrust driving her higher until the world blurred. The moment her release hit, it tore through her like lightning, her cry echoing in the tent as her body shook violently against his.
Alex didn't stop; he carried her through it, his own release following in a deep, grounding pulse that left them both shuddering.
Shi Lian collapsed against him, her chest heaving, her body glowing with the aftershocks of pleasure.
Yu Mei's eyes glittered as she looked back at the captives. "And that… is something none of you will ever give her again."
Chapter 773 – "Twist the Knife" (18+)
Shi Lian lay slumped against Alex's chest, her breathing still uneven, the flush of satisfaction lingering across her skin. Alex's arm stayed wrapped around her protectively, his other hand stroking her hair in a slow, grounding motion.
Yu Mei, standing at the foot of the bed, watched the scene for a long moment — then her lips curled into a sharp, dangerous smile.
"Not done yet," she said quietly, almost to herself.
Her gaze flicked to Mei Suhua. "Bring them closer."
Mei Suhua didn't need clarification. She yanked Han Zhaoming forward first, forcing the battered Sect Master to his knees just a few paces from the bed. The others — Yuanzhi, Qiu Renshu, and Feng Wuyin — were dragged forward one by one, until all four knelt before Alex and Shi Lian, close enough to see every bead of sweat on her flushed skin.
Yu Mei stepped between them and the bed, her presence radiating dominance. "I want each of you to look at her face right now," she said, her voice low but carrying steel. "Burn it into your memory. This is what she looks like when she's satisfied — something none of you could ever achieve."
Han Zhaoming's eyes burned with fury, but Mei Suhua's hand in his hair kept him still. Qiu Renshu's gaze dropped to the floor until Yu Mei snapped her fingers, forcing Mei Suhua to yank his head up again.
Then Yu Mei tilted her head, a mockery of politeness in her tone. "You know… watching might not be enough. I think you should thank the man who gave her what you never could."
The four men stiffened instantly, their pride bristling. Yu Mei's smile deepened. "And I want it loud enough for everyone here to hear."
Silence hung heavy, broken only by Shi Lian's slow, recovering breaths and the faint rustle of the tent's fabric.
Yu Mei arched a brow. "No volunteers? Mei Suhua, you know what to do."
Mei Suhua's smirk was all teeth as she tightened her grip on Han Zhaoming's hair, making him hiss in pain.
Yu Mei's smirk deepened as she stepped aside from the bed, gesturing for Alex to continue.
"Husband," she said sweetly, "go ahead. Let them see again why they'll never compare to you."
Alex met her eyes briefly, then looked down at Shi Lian. She hesitated for only a heartbeat before nodding, her arms tightening around his neck.
Without breaking eye contact with her, Alex slid back into her with a smooth, deliberate thrust that made Shi Lian gasp. The sensation was still as overwhelming as before — the fullness, the heat, the way every movement sent pleasure coursing through her body.
Her breath caught, her legs wrapping instinctively around his waist. Alex moved with steady, confident strokes, each one deep enough to make her back arch.
Yu Mei waited until Shi Lian's moans began to build again before speaking. "Aunt… tell them."
Shi Lian's eyes flickered to the men kneeling before the bed — the Sect Master, Yuanzhi, Qiu Renshu, and Feng Wuyin — all of them watching, their expressions dark and tense. Her cheeks burned, but Yu Mei's voice cut through her hesitation.
"Whose is better?"
Shi Lian swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "…Alex's."
Yu Mei leaned closer, her tone sharp. "Louder."
Shi Lian's breath shuddered as Alex's hips met hers again, forcing another gasp from her lips. "Alex's! It's… better… and bigger!"
Han Zhaoming's jaw clenched, a muscle twitching as the words struck him. Yu Mei's satisfied smile widened.
"Good girl," Yu Mei purred. "Now they've all heard it — the truth they can't change."
Alex's pace quickened slightly, drawing another moan from Shi Lian as the captives were forced to watch every moment.
Alex's steady rhythm grew more intense, each thrust deeper and more deliberate, his movements drawing gasps and choked moans from Shi Lian. Her nails dug into his shoulders, her body trembling as the pleasure coiled tighter inside her.
Yu Mei stepped closer to the bed, her eyes fixed on her aunt's flushed face. "Don't stop telling them, Aunt. Let every word cut into their pride."
Shi Lian's gaze flickered briefly to the men — Han Zhaoming's eyes narrowed with pure hatred, Yuanzhi's jaw tight, Qiu Renshu and Feng Wuyin both shifting uncomfortably under Mei Suhua's grip.
Another deep thrust made her cry out, her voice trembling but clear. "Alex's is better… so much better…!"
Yu Mei's smile sharpened. "And?"
Shi Lian's breath hitched, her voice rising with each word. "Bigger! Stronger! It… it makes me feel things you never could!"
Han Zhaoming's knuckles whitened where his fists clenched against the floor, the muscles in his neck straining.
Alex adjusted his angle, hitting the perfect spot inside her that made her cry out louder, her body jolting with each movement. The pleasure was mounting fast now, the heat overwhelming, pushing her toward the edge.
Yu Mei's voice was low and commanding. "Say it again — as you come."
Shi Lian's entire body tensed, the pressure reaching its peak. Her eyes locked on the Sect Master's just as Alex drove into her one last time, and the climax crashed through her like a wave.
"Alex's is better!" she cried out, her voice breaking as the pleasure tore through her. "Bigger! Always better!"
Her body shuddered violently in Alex's arms, every muscle quivering as he kept moving through her release, ensuring the captives saw every moment of her ecstasy.
Yu Mei let the silence linger for a beat before speaking again, her tone dripping with satisfaction. "Now… that's how you end an argument."
Chapter 774 – "Claiming What's Hers" (18+)
Shi Lian's body was still trembling, the aftershocks of her climax rippling through her as she clung to Alex. Her face pressed against his shoulder, breathing in the steady warmth of him, the scent of his skin grounding her in a way she hadn't felt in years.
The noise in the tent — the restrained breathing of the captives, Yu Mei's quiet satisfaction, Mei Suhua's watchful stance — all seemed to fade into the background. For a moment, there was only the steady beat of Alex's heart against her cheek.
A knot she hadn't realized she'd been carrying began to loosen. It wasn't just the physical release — it was the shattering of chains she had worn for far too long.
Her throat tightened, emotion welling up unexpectedly. She pulled back just enough to look at him, her fingers still curled against his skin. His eyes met hers without a hint of judgment, only calm, quiet strength.
"Alex…" Her voice trembled, but her gaze didn't waver. "I… I've been bound for so long. Used, paraded, broken… and I thought I'd never be anything more than that."
He didn't interrupt, simply letting her speak.
"But now…" Her lips curved into the faintest smile, tears brimming in her eyes. "…now I feel like I can breathe again. Like I can choose again."
Her hand slid up to cup his cheek, her thumb brushing lightly along his jaw. The words came out softly at first, then stronger.
"You are my husband, Alex. From this day on — mine."
The declaration hung in the air, quiet yet resonant, and even Yu Mei's smile softened at the sound of it.
Alex's hand covered hers where it rested on his face, his grip steady and warm.
Alex's hand slid from hers to the back of her neck, drawing her closer until their lips met. The kiss was deep and unhurried at first — a slow claiming, a sealing of the words she had just spoken.
Shi Lian melted into it, her arms winding around his neck, pulling him down to her as though she feared even an inch of space between them. The taste of him, the heat of him, consumed her.
When Alex began to move again within her, their mouths never parted. Every thrust made her breath catch into the kiss, their tongues tangling in a rhythm as natural as the motion of their bodies.
Her moans were swallowed into his mouth, and his steady exhale brushed against her cheek as they moved together — slow, deep, deliberate, as if each motion was an unspoken promise.
She clung to him, not just with her arms but with her entire body, her legs tightening around his waist, keeping him close, keeping him hers. The world beyond the bed didn't exist — not Yu Mei, not the captives, nothing but the two of them locked together.
When their pace finally began to build, the kiss only grew fiercer, neither willing to let go until the very end.
Their mouths stayed locked as Alex moved within her, the heat between them making everything else blur — until Yu Mei's voice cut in from the side, smooth but edged with intent.
"Aunt," Yu Mei said, her eyes sliding to the four men kneeling nearby, "what do you want me to do with these four?"
Shi Lian didn't break the kiss at first. She only pulled back enough to breathe a little harder against Alex's lips and answer, her tone calm, almost careless despite the intimacy.
"Kill them," she said simply, then leaned back in to kiss Alex again, her hips moving with his without missing a beat.
Yu Mei's smirk sharpened, but she wasn't finished. "And the other sixteen who came with them?"
Shi Lian let out a soft, breathless sound as Alex's next thrust made her arch into him. She broke the kiss just long enough to speak again, her voice still oddly casual for the words she was saying.
"They raped me too," she said, as though stating a fact about the weather. "Kill them."
Then she pulled Alex back into the kiss, the conversation over in her mind as she surrendered to the pleasure again.
Yu Mei's gaze lingered on her aunt for a moment — the nonchalance, the utter lack of hesitation — and her smile was one of pure approval.
The tent was thick with heat — the mingling scent of sweat, the faint rustle of silk under their bodies, and the low, unbroken rhythm of their movements.
The four men kneeling nearby could do nothing but listen. Shi Lian's voice still echoed in their heads: Kill them… kill them all. Every thrust, every gasp, every kiss that followed carried that same indifference toward their lives, as if their deaths were as inevitable as the rise of the sun.
Alex's pace grew stronger, deeper, each movement coaxing Shi Lian higher and higher until her breath came in desperate, urgent bursts. Her nails raked lightly down his back, pulling him closer still, her lips never straying far from his.
Her release began building again, coiling tight inside her until she could hardly breathe. Alex, feeling her tense around him, adjusted his rhythm — perfectly timed, perfectly deep — until the pressure snapped.
Shi Lian broke the kiss with a cry that was half-pleasure, half-release, her body shuddering violently in his arms. Alex followed her over the edge moments later, holding her tight as his own climax surged through him.
They stayed locked together, the aftershocks making her tremble, his heartbeat pounding against her ear. And all the while, the captives were forced to watch — forced to witness her claiming her freedom, her pleasure, and her vengeance in one unbroken moment.
Yu Mei's smile was razor-sharp as she glanced at them. "You heard her," she said coldly. "Your death sentences have already been spoken."
Chapter 775 – "No Mercy"
Shi Lian was still nestled against Alex's chest, her breathing slowing, her skin glowing faintly in the dim light. The air in the tent was heavy with the scent of sweat and sex — but also with the unspoken finality of what had just been said.
Yu Mei straightened, her gaze sweeping over the four kneeling men. The playfulness from earlier was gone; in its place was a cold, cutting edge.
"Mei Suhua," she said evenly.
"Yes, Mistress," Mei Suhua replied instantly, stepping forward from where she'd been keeping the captives in place.
"Kill them."
A slow smile curved Mei Suhua's lips — one that promised pain. "Yes, Mistress."
Without another word, she reached for the nearest — Han Zhaoming — and yanked him to his feet by his hair. His legs barely supported him, but she dragged him forward like a piece of unwanted cargo.
Yu Mei didn't blink. "Start with him."
Han Zhaoming's eyes darted toward Shi Lian one last time — but she didn't so much as glance at him. Her head was still resting against Alex's shoulder, her expression one of serene detachment.
The Sect Master's jaw tightened, but no plea came. He seemed to know it wouldn't matter.
Mei Suhua's hand tightened, and her other palm began to glow faintly with condensed mana. The air in the tent seemed to grow sharper, colder.
Yu Mei's eyes lingered on the four broken men, their pride stripped away, their bodies trembling in pain. She didn't bother hiding the satisfaction in her expression.
"Finish it," she said simply.
Mei Suhua's lips curved into a sharp, eager smile. "Yes, Mistress."
She moved first to Han Zhaoming, gripping him by the hair and forcing his head back to expose his throat. Without hesitation, she drew a thin blade of condensed mana along his neck — the cut so clean it took a moment for the blood to flow. His body slumped forward, lifeless, before she kicked it aside like refuse.
Yuanzhi was next. Even weakened, he glared up at her, jaw tight. Mei Suhua met his gaze briefly, then slammed her palm into his chest. The burst of mana pierced straight through his heart, and his body went limp in an instant.
Qiu Renshu tried to shuffle back, but she caught him by the collar and wrenched him forward, driving her glowing hand through his sternum until the light faded from his eyes.
Feng Wuyin barely had the strength to raise his head before Mei Suhua seized it in both hands and, with a sharp twist, snapped his neck cleanly. His body crumpled to the floor beside the others.
When it was over, Mei Suhua straightened, her breathing steady despite the swift violence. She turned back to Yu Mei, bowing her head slightly. "It's done, Mistress."
Yu Mei's gaze moved over the four corpses, her tone flat but final. "Good. Dump them outside. Let their people see what happens when they touch what's mine."
Mei Suhua gave a single nod before dragging the first body toward the tent's entrance.
Yu Mei didn't even wait for Mei Suhua to finish clearing the bodies before she spoke again.
"And the other sixteen," she said coldly, her eyes glinting. "Kill them the same way you killed these four. Tonight."
Mei Suhua's lips curved in anticipation. "Yes, Mistress."
She vanished through the tent flap without another word. Moments later, the stillness of the night was broken by the first sharp, agonized scream. Then another. And another. The sounds came in waves — high-pitched cries, guttural shouts, and the sickening silence that followed each one.
Inside the tent, Alex and Shi Lian never stopped.
Her arms clung to him tightly, her legs locked around his waist, her mouth finding his again between gasps and moans. The distant screams might as well have been the wind outside; they didn't touch the heat between them, didn't slow the steady rhythm of their bodies.
Each time another cry pierced the air, Shi Lian's hips rolled against his, her eyes half-lidded, her voice soft with pleasure. Alex's focus never wavered from her, his hands firm at her waist as he drove into her again and again.
By the time the last scream faded into silence, Shi Lian was panting into his neck, the tent heavy with the scent of their sweat and the quiet aftermath of vengeance.
Yu Mei, watching from nearby, smiled faintly — satisfied with both the justice dealt and the bond being forged in front of her.
The tent flap rustled, and Mei Suhua stepped back inside, her hands faintly stained, the faint scent of burnt flesh clinging to her. She bowed her head slightly toward Yu Mei.
"It's done, Mistress. All sixteen are dead. Their bodies have been thrown outside for all to see."
Yu Mei's smile was cool, edged with approval. "Good work, Mei Suhua. You've served me well tonight."
Mei Suhua straightened, pride flickering in her eyes. "It was my pleasure, Mistress."
Outside, the night was silent once more, the corpses of twenty men lying as a grim warning to any who might have thought to cross them. Inside, the warmth of the tent and the steady sound of Alex and Shi Lian's breathing filled the space.
Yu Mei glanced toward her aunt, still entwined with Alex, and her smile softened just slightly. "Now," she murmured, "everything is as it should be."