Dai Hao's cheek burned from the slap, yet he dared not show the slightest discontent. Instead, he trembled even more, overwhelmed by fear.
Previously, as the White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao had believed his status and influence to be above Qianran's. He had even entertained the thought of stepping on him.
Now, Qianran had crushed that delusion.
What was the White Tiger Duke Mansion's wealth and power compared to Qianran's? It was as laughable as comparing a child to a titan.
Dai Hao had accepted his fate.
At this point, he wasn't thinking of revenge—he was thinking of survival and how to please Qianran enough to stay alive.
"What a disgrace," Qian Renxue muttered, her disdain echoed by the Snow Empress and Ice Empress. Even as a Titled Douluo, Dai Hao knelt without resistance. Disgusted by the pitiful sight, the three women left, uninterested in seeing any more.
The contrast between Dai Hao and Qianran was stark—one a groveling coward, the other a figure of supreme dominance.
"You're right, I'm nothing but a failure," Dai Hao stammered, agreeing eagerly.
At that moment, Zhu Ying stepped out from the Xumi Ring.
Inside the ring, Qianran had set up a small, comfortable room. Zhu Ying, emerging with effortless grace, radiated confidence and allure.
Dressed in a tight-fitting white blouse and a black leather pencil skirt, her long, shapely legs were encased in shimmering stockings. She wore black open-toe heels with towering stilettoes that clicked sharply as she walked.
Dai Hao had never seen her look so stunning—or so utterly out of reach.
Seeing him kneeling before Qianran, Zhu Ying's red lips curled into a smug smile, adding to her seductive charm.
"Dai Hao, weren't you threatening to kill me before? Why aren't you saying anything now?" Zhu Ying's voice dripped with contempt.
The arrogance in her tone kindled a flicker of anger in Dai Hao's eyes, but it was quickly extinguished.
Being humiliated by Qianran was one thing—he could stomach that.
But seeing Zhu Ying, his wife, now treating him like dirt filled him with a fire he could not act on.
Zhu Ying glanced at Qianran. Receiving a nod of approval, she slapped Dai Hao across the face.
"You're a pathetic worm. How dare you question me? Do you think you can compare to Qianran? There's not a single man in this world as cowardly as you."
The more submissive Dai Hao became, the more disdain Zhu Ying felt for him.
Once, he was a mighty Duke; now, he knelt before her, utterly humiliated. She felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
She was grateful—grateful to be Qianran's woman.
"Dai Hao, you won't mistreat my Yingying after I leave, will you?" Qianran said casually, his hand teasing Zhu Ying's curves as he spoke.
"I wouldn't dare!" Dai Hao replied hurriedly. "From now on, I'm your servant and hers. I swear I'll never interfere in your affairs."
To Dai Hao, preserving his life mattered far more than preserving his pride.
"Did you just call me by name?" Zhu Ying snapped, slapping Dai Hao again. "You address me as Mistress! Understand?"
Dai Hao didn't dare protest, lowering his head.
"Crawl over here," Zhu Ying commanded, standing two meters away.
Dai Hao hesitated but ultimately obeyed, crawling toward her like a dog.
"You lowly wretch," Zhu Ying sneered, pulling out a leather whip from somewhere. She cracked it against Dai Hao's back, leaving a bloody mark on his skin.
Despite her tender demeanor toward Qianran, Zhu Ying had no mercy for those beneath her. Born into nobility, she had grown up treating servants with disdain.
"Lick your mistress's shoe," she ordered, extending her foot toward Dai Hao.
Overwhelmed with humiliation, Dai Hao felt an absurd sense of relief in his despair, as if resigning himself to his fate brought a twisted comfort.
He obeyed, leaning forward.
"You're not even worthy of that," Zhu Ying scoffed, kicking him away with her stiletto.
The more pathetic Dai Hao became, the more Zhu Ying loathed him. She continued to berate and humiliate him, deriving pleasure from his suffering.
Even Qianran was momentarily stunned. Not even Zhang Lexuan had treated Bei Bei with such cold detachment after joining him. When it came to cruelty, women were unmatched.
"Qianran," Zhu Ying said softly, turning her gaze to him. Having vented her frustration on Dai Hao, she now focused entirely on Qianran. Her eyes sparkled with adoration as she leaned in for a kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Unbothered by Dai Hao's presence, Zhu Ying initiated a passionate kiss. Qianran's hands slid under her skirt, exploring her smooth thighs and full curves.
Dai Hao watched, his face expressionless.
He knew he could never return to his former glory. As long as Qianran lived, he would remain shackled by today's humiliation.
After satisfying themselves, Qianran turned his attention back to Dai Hao.
"Dai Hao, do you want to live?"
"Yes!" Dai Hao exclaimed, grasping desperately at the opportunity. "If Lord Qianran spares my life, I swear the White Tiger Duke Mansion will serve you loyally, without hesitation or deceit."
"Don't waste my time with empty promises," Qianran said coldly. "If you truly want to live, I'll give you a chance: castrate yourself. You don't lack heirs, so there's no need to keep that useless thing."
The words sent a chill through Dai Hao's heart.
Still, Qianran's suggestion was better than death. Dai Hao's eyes filled with turmoil before he gritted his teeth.
"Ahhh!"
A blood-curdling scream pierced the air as blood soaked Dai Hao's trousers.
"You may go now," Qianran said indifferently.
Dai Hao's vacant eyes flickered with a trace of hope.
"One more thing," Qianran added. "You have concubines in the Duke Mansion, don't you? Bring them to me in a few days—I need more attendants. And send me some young, talented women from the Dai family. I want the best."
His tone left no room for negotiation.
Qianran was now one of the most powerful figures in the world. While he loved his women, he couldn't bear to see them doing menial chores. Even the servants in his household had to be exceptional.
For the Dai family, serving Qianran was a privilege—a way to escape annihilation should his mood ever sour.
"Yes," Dai Hao muttered, his spirit crushed.
He staggered away, drowning in regret.
Why had he listened to Moon?
Qianran's entourage was filled with powerhouses. Dai Hao had been a fool to provoke him.
If only he had turned a blind eye to Qianran's affair with Zhu Ying.
But there were no second chances. Dai Hao was a joke. From now on, his survival hinged entirely on Qianran's whims.
(End of Chapter)