“Strip off the excess clothing.”
“I’ve been meaning to say this for a while now—what’s the point of wearing clothes in the bath?”
As the demon Chu Tian spoke, he stole a fleeting glance at Su Nian.
At that moment, the girl knelt by the edge of the bath, her hands clutching a scrubbing towel, pressing down hard on the hem of her lake-blue robe.
Her delicate profile, though etched with humiliation and defiance, remained breathtakingly beautiful.
The faint flush of anger on her cheeks lent her an allure that was impossible to ignore.
Chu Tian’s lips curled into a wicked smirk.
Unbeknownst to himself, he had grown fond of seeing Su Nian like this—her proud spirit forced to bend beneath his will.
The thrill of conquest and the rush of triumph swelled within him, feeding his dark satisfaction.
Perhaps sensing the demon’s leering gaze, Su Nian tugged at her skirt, desperately trying to shield the space between her thighs.
“What’s that?” Chu Tian’s voice dripped with mockery.
“Is my word no longer law? Or do you fancy a stay in the dungeon?”
As he spoke, he gave a sharp tug on the leash in his hand.
The sudden pull yanked Su Nian forward, her kneeling posture collapsing into a graceless bend.
Her exquisite face nearly collided with the bare shoulder of the demon, now stripped of his own garments.
“I… I understand. I’ll do as you say.” Su Nian’s voice was hollow, her words drained of life, as if the light in her eyes had flickered out.
Bound by the collar around her neck, she dared not move as Chu Tian tugged her closer.
Despair and humiliation churned within her, a bitter storm raging in her heart.
Before this vile demon, she was no more than a lamb awaiting slaughter, stripped of any power to resist.
Her eyes squeezed shut, long lashes trembling as tears traced silent paths down her cheeks.
With shaking hands, she began to peel away the robe that symbolized her identity as a mage, the fabric slipping slowly from her shoulders.
Her snow-white skin, once a source of pride displayed confidently on grand stages, now became a mark of her shame.
Her shoulders quivered, her golden hair falling in disarray, stray strands clinging to her tear-streaked face.
Once, she had been a radiant idol of the magical world, her dazzling performances and enchanting voice captivated countless admirers.
As a mentor at the Magic Academy, her wisdom and strength had earned her the respect of her students.
But now, she was reduced to this—humiliated before a wretched demon.
‘Curse you…’ Su Nian screamed silently within, her heart ablaze with defiance.
‘I, Su Nian, will not be trampled by you forever. This shame you’ve forced upon me—I swear I’ll repay it a thousandfold!’
“Ding-dong: Detected host’s humiliation from disrobing before the master. Humiliation Points +10,463.
“Ding-dong: Absorbed humiliation emotions. Annoyance Points +10,463.
Her soul writhed in agony, her reason urging her to endure while her emotions threatened to drown her in shame.
Chu Tian watched her, a flicker of complex emotions passing through his eyes—desire mingled with a trace of pity.
He knew Su Nian must loathe him to her core.
Yet, as a scion of the Morsen family, one of the “three pillars” of the Red Maple Kingdom, he faced his own uncertainties.
After today’s battle, the family’s heir—or perhaps their second son—had been killed or gone missing.
Would this upheaval hasten the demon clan’s advance?
For safety’s sake, growing stronger by accumulating Anger Points was the surest path.
As for Su Nian’s feelings… well, he felt a pang of guilt, but apologies would have to wait.
Victory over the demon clan in three years was uncertain at best, so fretting over her future hatred seemed a distant concern.
For now, as the “vile horned demon,” he held absolute power, wielding threats and leverage over the girls under his control.
Su Nian had no choice but to obey.
“Little slave, be a good girl for your master, and maybe you’ll suffer a bit less.”
Chu Tian’s words were laced with deliberate cruelty, designed to wound her pride.
“Ding-dong: Humiliation Points +2,492.”
“Ding-dong: Anger Points +2,492.”
Despair consumed Su Nian, but she refused to surrender.
Deep within, she chanted to herself: ‘I can’t fall into ruin like this. I have a mission to complete. I must grow stronger. I must have my revenge!’
Forcing her pain aside, she steeled herself, willing her mind to remain calm.
Completing this task would yield 20,000 Humiliation Points.
Combined with today’s daily tasks and the points gained from her suffering, this would mark a crucial step toward advancing to the Saint rank.
With that thought, she clenched her teeth and slowly opened her eyes, a glint of resolve flashing within them.
Chu Tian noticed the shift, her unyielding gaze catching him off guard.
Even in such dire circumstances, she still had that fire in her eyes.
“What’s this? Still defiant, little slave?” he taunted, his hand brushing against her cheek.
Su Nian drew a deep breath, struggling to keep her voice steady.
“Master, Su Nian wouldn’t dare.”
Though rage burned within her, she chose to bide her time—for freedom, for vengeance.
She had no choice but to endure.
“Keep scrubbing my back,” Chu Tian commanded, turning away with a theatrical flourish.
“And take off the rest of your clothes. I don’t want to see a scrap of fabric when I look back.”
“Pour me a glass of wine.”
“Yes, Master.”
“And feed me a grape.”
“Of course, Master.”
Su Nian quickened her movements, each act of serving—feeding grapes, pouring wine—adding to her Humiliation Points.
By now, she had grown accustomed to calling him “Master” daily.
After all, three calls earned her 3,000 Humiliation Points, so what difference did a few more make?
Better to appease the demon and avoid further torment.
Seeing that Chu Tian had no intention of turning around, Su Nian silently shed her dress, leaving only her undergarments.
Even her stockings came off this time.
“Ding-dong: Mental Fortitude of the Path of Resolve: 75%.”
Her mental resilience had dipped again, but no matter.
In a few days, she would ascend to the Saint rank.
She could endure.
“Another grape.”
“Yes, Master.”
Perhaps to make serving easier, or because kneeling was uncomfortable, Su Nian’s rigid posture softened.
Her once-prim knees parted slightly, settling into a more relaxed stance.
Now perched on the edge of the bathtub, she tended to Chu Tian’s whims—pouring wine, scrubbing his back, feeding him grapes.
Her Humiliation Points ticked upward steadily.
“Ding-dong: Humiliation Value +500.”
“Ding-dong: Humiliation Points +200.”
“Ding-dong: Humiliation Value +1,853.”
The kneeling posture grew unbearable, and Su Nian shifted, parting her legs to sit more comfortably on the tub’s edge.
For the first time, she felt a fleeting sense of ease.
Indeed, no kneeling position was truly comfortable.
Once she defeated this demon, she vowed never to kneel again.
Yet, in shedding her stockings, her bare legs were now exposed at Chu Tian’s side.
In the next moment, his voice broke the silence.
“Such dainty toes… like glistening grapes, practically begging to be tasted.”
Suddenly, Chu Tian seized her ankle, yanking her toward the water.
“Are you trying to seduce your master?”