A faint, suspicious blush uncontrollably crept up the girl’s fair cheeks.
Chu Tian watched her struggling to play the obedient little kitten, yet unable to fully hide the stubbornness and unwillingness deep in her eyes.
A wider curve formed at the corner of his mouth.
He slowly stretched out his hand, using his fingertip to lift her chin, forcing her to look at him.
“Hm… Taking you back isn’t entirely out of the question…” He feigned contemplation, dragging out the tone, savoring the fleeting nervousness in her eyes.
“But…”
He paused, satisfied to see her breath caught for a moment.
“I’m the kind of person who never makes a losing deal.”
He leaned in a little closer, warm breath fanning across Su Nian’s face, carrying an undeniable pressure.
“When we get back to the manor, you have to promise me one condition.”
Su Nian’s heart tightened suddenly, ‘A condition?’
What kind of humiliation did this damned horned demon want to inflict on her this time?
Countless scenes of disgrace flooded her mind instantly.
But no resistance could show on her face.
Not even the slightest hesitation.
Otherwise, all her previous efforts would have been in vain.
She had to agree immediately, showing absolute obedience to her “master’s” command.
“Mm! I promise! Master!”
She practically blurted out the words, her voice deliberately laced with feigned delight and submission.
As if easing her master’s burdens and agreeing to any of his demands were her highest honor.
Receiving Chu Tian’s approving nod, Su Nian fought to suppress the turmoil inside her chest and climbed down from the carriage to the scattered bandit corpses nearby.
In the stable was a horse that still looked somewhat sturdy.
The animal pawed the ground anxiously, seemingly disturbed by the scent of blood.
Next to it was an old but structurally sound cart.
Its wheels were caked with mud, and the wooden boards showed some cracks.
But it was at least usable.
Perfect for transporting the three recently rescued women, who were still trembling from fright.
“Da Hei.”
Su Nian’s voice rang out—cold, emotionless, yet carrying an unmistakable tone of command.
The terrifying knight figure moved slightly; the ghostly blue soul flame flickered in its hollow eye sockets.
“Harness the horse and the cart.”
“Take them back to Academy City by cart.”
Da Hei turned silently and obeyed Su Nian’s orders.
Its movements remained stiff and unnatural, with joints creaking softly.
Yet the efficiency was surprisingly high.
The thick bony hands easily looped the reins around the horse’s head and attached the cart.
Every step was economical and precise.
Soon, a simple carriage was ready.
Su Nian approached the three women curled up in the corner.
She gestured for the rescued women to get onto the makeshift cart.
They helped each other up slowly, bodies still trembling from fear.
Crowded in the narrow wooden cart, they huddled close together, eyes vacant.
Su Nian looked at their tattered clothes and gaunt faces.
She offered a few simple words of comfort.
“Don’t be afraid anymore.”
“You’re safe now.”
Her voice softened as much as she could, but within that softness lingered an unmistakable trace of distance.
The three women only nodded blankly, tears silently streaming down.
Su Nian said nothing further.
She turned and returned to the carriage belonging to her and Chu Tian.
The curtain was drawn tight, shutting out the smell of blood.
“Travel through the night.” Chu Tian’s voice came from inside the carriage.
Lazy, but carrying a faint, undeniable urgency.
“This place isn’t safe.” Su Nian nodded.
Of course she knew.
This was still too close to Mossenburg, within the Morsen Family’s territory.
Leon Morsen had just died, and danger was likely on its way.
Every moment lingered meant more risk.
All she wanted now was to leave this place as soon as possible and return to Academy City.
As for why Chu Tian was also eager to leave—
The reason was simple.
It was still too early to confront the Morsen Family head-on.
Moreover, the situation had already changed.
The undead mage who could bring future disaster was dead.
“History” itself might yet be rewritten.
If the Morsen Family stayed firmly on the frontline against the Demon Race, all the better.
If they could hold firm against the Demons, maybe they could still be used as temporary “allies.”
If not, Chu Tian would deal with them when the time came.
In any case, leaving quickly was the only consensus between him and Su Nian.
“Let’s go.”
She whispered to Da Hei, who stood guard by the carriage.
The two carriages slowly started moving, wheels grinding through the blood-soaked ground at the village entrance with a dull thud.
Behind, the simple wooden cart creaked and groaned as Da Hei pulled it along.
Flames flared up in the bandit camp—the Fire Magic released by Su Nian—this wicked stronghold would be reduced to ashes.
This time, much to Su Nian’s surprise, Chu Tian took the reins himself.
His excuse?
It was a bit cold tonight…
A strange emotion flickered in Su Nian’s heart, ‘The damned horned demon actually said something like that.’
Night had completely shrouded the land.
The mountain road was rugged and treacherous, making the carriage’s journey slow and bumpy.
Su Nian leaned back against the soft cushion inside the carriage, closing her eyes to rest.
But her mind churned like stormy waves, impossible to calm.
The plague in Bai Shui Town.
The Necromancer’s conspiracy.
The betrayal of the Knight Order.
The bandits’ crimes.
The townspeople’s tragic fates, and the despair in those three women’s eyes.
Each scene flashed vividly in her mind.
This world was far crueler than she had imagined.
Power.
She needed stronger power.
Only by being strong enough could she protect herself.
Only then could she crush all those evils completely.
Only then… could she take revenge on the man before her.
Meanwhile, driving the carriage, Chu Tian struggled to suppress the surging fantasies in his mind.
He took the reins willingly, partly because he didn’t want to see Su Nian overexert herself.
More importantly, he needed the cold night breeze to blow away those growing, burning thoughts in his head.
Because just now, he had imagined the scene when Su Nian returned to Shadowmoon Manor and agreed to his “condition.”
A perfect, exhilarating idea had formed in his mind.
The little wildcat liked playing a role in front of him, didn’t she?
Pretending to be obedient, pretending to be tame, but with flames hidden deep in her eyes.
Very well.
Then he would gladly play along, accompany her, and put on a grand performance.
The setting would be Shadowmoon Manor.
As for Su Nian’s role… she would continue to play the one she had in Bai Shui Town.
That lofty figure, worshiped by all, radiant and pure, untouchable in her holiness—the “Holy Lady.”
Yes, just like that.
As for himself, Chu Tian’s lips curled into a cold smile.
He would begrudgingly play the role of a thoroughly ruthless villain.
A cold and merciless noble lord, perhaps?
Or maybe a conquering general from an enemy kingdom who used iron and blood to subdue her land—that wouldn’t be bad either…
The identity wasn’t important.
What mattered was that he would use every means to coerce this “Holy Lady.”
Make the girl wear that shining robe of glory and purity, and in that sacred and noble posture, perform the most humiliating acts.
Just imagining that scene—
Imagining those clear, stubborn amber eyes burning with anger, yet forced to suppress it.
The heavenly, pure tone uttering words so ingratiating they pierced to the bone…
Maybe even more than that…
Chu Tian’s breathing quickened slightly.
Thinking of it, a wave of indescribable heat surged, spreading rapidly through his limbs and body.
The corner of his mouth lifted uncontrollably, curling upward.
He couldn’t wait to return to Shadowmoon Manor and witness that moment.
Ngl, if they can just sort their issues, they’ll probably be enjoying their life right now doing some of the most kinkiest shit imaginable XD