Emma Frost's offer sounded tempting on the surface. She spoke with poise and confidence, laying out the benefits of joining the Hellfire Club: help in times of trouble, access to resources, and the promise that, with Su Zhan's strength, no one would dare provoke him. The conditions seemed generous, almost selfless, and for a moment Su Zhan almost felt as if he was taking advantage of the deal.
But he knew better. The White Queen was no ordinary woman. Without the Black King Sebastian Shaw, she had single-handedly kept the Hellfire Club not just afloat, but thriving. That alone spoke volumes about her cunning and capability.
"It is not easy for a woman to support such a powerful club," Emma said, her voice softening with a sigh. "Of course I hope for help. But with you, everything would change. There might be trouble at first, but once you prove your strength, no one will dare challenge you. And as your ally, the club would only benefit. I think you would not be mistreated here."
Su Zhan regarded her with a touch of admiration. "That's a bold decision. No matter how sincere your words, you must bear pressure from all sides. Not everyone can do that."
Emma's eyes brightened. "So, do you agree to join us?"
He smiled, then shook his head. "No, I'm not interested in joining."
Emma's surprise was genuine. "Why? The conditions I've offered are more than generous. We can help you solve your problems and help you grow stronger. Why refuse?"
Su Zhan's voice was calm but resolute. "Because your so-called benefits are not attractive to me. I don't need anyone's shelter—especially not a woman's. If anyone wants to come for me, let them try. I'll show them the consequences. As for power, I have my own channels. I don't need your help."
He stood up slowly, his gaze sweeping over the room. He paused at Blink, who stood quietly to the side, her eyes still unfocused. "Can you release your control?" he asked Emma.
Emma shrugged, and in the next instant, Blink's eyes cleared. She looked around, confused. "Boss? Where are we? What is this place?"
Su Zhan gave her a reassuring nod. "I'll explain later."
He turned back to Emma. "There is an old saying in my country: 'Buying and selling is not a matter of benevolence.' Even if there is no cooperation, I hope you can respect my decision."
Emma opened her mouth to reply but suddenly noticed Su Zhan's eyes turning pitch black. A chill ran down her spine, and she instinctively tried to shift into her diamond form. But before she could react, her mind went blank. She stood up, poured a glass of wine, and walked over to Su Zhan, her movements smooth and obedient.
"Is that all?" Su Zhan said with a playful smile. "That doesn't feel very sincere. I've heard of a more interesting way to drink. Why don't you hold the wine in your mouth and feed it to me?"
Azazel's eyes blazed with fury. "You dare insult the White Queen?" With a roar, he vanished, teleporting behind Su Zhan. At the same time, Warpath tensed, ready to strike.
But Su Zhan was prepared. Without turning, he swung his arm back, summoning a powerful gust of wind that hurled Azazel across the room. Azazel reacted quickly, teleporting away before he hit the wall, and reappeared at Su Zhan's side.
"Get down!" Su Zhan commanded, and a massive green hammer materialized above Azazel's head, slamming him to the ground. Instantly, the hammer transformed into a cage, trapping Azazel inside. He tried to teleport but found himself unable to escape. No matter how many times he entered his transfer space, he always emerged back in the same spot, as if the outside world was completely sealed off.
Su Zhan turned to Warpath, who was about to charge. But Blink, now fully recovered, acted first. She opened a portal, enveloping Warpath and sending him spinning away. In the blink of an eye, she reappeared at Su Zhan's side, ready to defend him.
Warpath was a powerhouse in close combat, with superhuman endurance, strength, and stamina. He was a formidable opponent, but against Blink's teleportation, he was left flustered and unable to land a blow. Blink's training had paid off; she was faster and more precise than ever.
Su Zhan glanced back at Emma, who was still under his control. "So, what do you think of my proposal now?"
Emma, still dazed, lifted her glass, took a sip, and then leaned in to kiss Su Zhan, letting the wine flow from her mouth to his. Su Zhan wrapped an arm around her waist, laughing softly as he accepted the kiss.
"Do you have the power to control minds?" She murmured softly.
Emma's expression changed, a flicker of awareness returning to her eyes. She stepped back, her body instantly turning into sparkling diamond. "Thank you for your hospitality," Su Zhan said with a smile, "the wine was excellent."
He nodded to Blink, who opened a portal behind them. Su Zhan stepped through but not before turning back to Emma with a warning. "Just a friendly reminder: if you ever try to control the people around me again, it won't end with a simple kiss. Don't give me a reason to devour you—or your people."
With that, Su Zhan and Blink vanished through the portal.
As the portal closed, Warpath climbed to his feet, the cage around Azazel dissolving. The two immediately moved to Emma's side. Azazel, still seething, asked, "Should I go after them?"
Emma's diamond form glinted under the light. "Go after them?" she replied coldly. Azazel fell silent, understanding the futility of such a move.
In the quiet that followed, Emma Frost realized that Su Zhan was not someone to be underestimated. The game between them had only just begun.