Chapter 174

“How can that be?” Feng Zixuan had her own principles.

She couldn’t accept such a huge favor from Xu Hao without reason—it didn’t sit right with her.

“Miss Feng, to be honest, I admire your compassion for saving lives and your dedication to promoting traditional Chinese medicine.”

“I’m also part of the TCM community, and I don’t want to see it decline.”

“The Nine Heavenly Needles are useless in my hands. It’s better to teach them to you so you can lead TCM forward…”

Xu Hao spoke passionately, stirring Feng Zixuan’s emotions.

She remembered the promise she had made to her master when she first descended the mountain—to carry on the legacy of TCM.

Now, with Shennong Hall facing a crisis, one misstep could ruin its reputation.

If that happened, how could she possibly uphold TCM?

But here was an opportunity right before her.

If she mastered the Nine Heavenly Needles, she could turn the situation around.

Xu Hao’s words swayed her.

Yet, she still hesitated.

The debt of gratitude was too great—so great that she didn’t know how to repay it.

“How about this…”

Seeing her hesitation, Xu Hao’s eyes gleamed.

Feng Zixuan looked up at him.

Xu Hao continued, “Why don’t you become my disciple? A master teaching his student—nothing wrong with that, right?”

“But I already have a master.”

“Who says you can only have one? It’s a new era—having multiple masters is normal.”

“Well… alright.”

After a moment of hesitation, Feng Zixuan agreed.

Her master was understanding—surely, he would approve.

“Master, let me toast you.”

Feng Zixuan raised her teacup, offering it like a wine toast.

“Good… I never thought I’d have a disciple too.”

After she drank, Xu Hao reached out to help her up, his face beaming with joy.

Accidentally gaining a female protagonist as a disciple?

Not bad at all.

As Xu Hao’s hands rested on her arms, Feng Zixuan tensed up.

This was her first time being so close to a man.

It felt… awkward.

Feng Zixuan, don’t overthink it—he’s your master now.

“Miss Feng… no, I’ll just call you Zixuan from now on.”

“Zixuan, we don’t know what tricks Western medicine has up its sleeve, so let’s start immediately.”

“First, I’ll explain the Nine Heavenly Needles…”

And so—

Xu Hao lectured, Feng Zixuan listened intently, occasionally nodding in realization.

Once the explanation was done, Feng Zixuan led Xu Hao to the clinic’s practice room.

She began practicing the needle techniques based on Xu Hao’s instructions.

“Zixuan, that’s not right. It should be like this… and like that…”

Feng Zixuan nodded and tried again.

“Still not right.”

She glanced nervously at Xu Hao.

“I’m sorry, Master…”

Of course, it wasn’t her fault.

She had trained under her master for years—she knew these techniques well.

The reason she struggled now was because Xu Hao had deliberately made his explanations overly complex.

His goal was…

Xu Hao stepped forward, took her hand, and swiftly guided the needle to the correct point.

Just like that, he began personally instructing his new female protagonist disciple, hands-on.

Feng Zixuan froze, her mind blank.

The warmth of Xu Hao’s embrace and his mature masculine aura made her stiffen.

Her first instinct was to pull away.

But remembering his status as her master, she held back.

He must not mean anything by it.

He’s just helping me because Shennong Hall is in danger, and I couldn’t get the technique right.

She forced herself to stay calm.

Soon, she realized that Xu Hao’s method was even more precise than her original master’s.

She became engrossed in learning.

[Ding… Feng Zixuan is flustered, Emotional Value +741…][Ding… Feng Zixuan’s heart races, Emotional Value +852…]

Noticing the Emotional Value notifications, Xu Hao smirked.

Since this was their first hands-on session, he didn’t push too far.

No need to scare his new disciple away.

After one round of teaching, he released her.

As his warmth faded, Feng Zixuan felt an inexplicable sense of loss.

Evening—

Xu Hao prepared to leave.

Feng Zixuan extended an invitation.

“Master, thank you for teaching me all afternoon. Let me treat you to dinner.”

“If I let you leave like this, people might think I’m a disrespectful disciple…”

After spending the day together, their relationship had grown more familiar.

She now called him “Master” with ease.

“Alright then…”

“Master, don’t stand on ceremony.”

Feng Zixuan reserved a table at the finest restaurant nearby.

Before leaving, she glanced outside—the crowd at Shennong Hall’s entrance still lingered.

So, she led Xu Hao out through the back.

They dined together as night fell.

Throughout the meal, Xu Hao played the role of the perfect master.

Now was the time to build goodwill.

Once her affection grew, he could begin training this female protagonist disciple properly.

After dinner, Feng Zixuan offered to escort Xu Hao home.

He declined.

“You haven’t fully mastered the Nine Heavenly Needles yet. Go back and practice—I’ll return on my own.”

“But remember to rest. Don’t overwork yourself.”

“If anything happens, contact me. As your master, I have some influence…”

Hearing his concern, Feng Zixuan felt warmth in her heart.

Aside from her master on the mountain, no one had ever cared for her like this.

Her favorability slowly rose…

Hmm?

The moment Xu Hao stepped out of the restaurant, he sensed a pair of eyes watching him.

Even after parting ways with Feng Zixuan, the gaze remained fixed on him—clearly, he was the target.

Xu Hao smirked coldly.

Interesting.

He had Bai Ling drive him home.

Sure enough, the moment the car started, the watcher locked onto him again.

Let’s see who it is…

Xu Hao narrowed his eyes.

Though he sensed no threat, caution was necessary.

Focusing his spiritual energy, he activated his X-ray Vision.

His gaze pierced through the car, the crowd, and the walls—

—landing on a woman in red.

Her expression was cold, her aura icy.

Above her head floated a halo of destiny.

Another female protagonist.

[Character:] Scarlet Rose

[Identity:] Top-tier Assassin, Female Lead of The Peerless Killer in the City

[Charm:] 94 (Max 100)

[Strength:] 848 (Transcendent Realm – Late Stage)

[Physique:] 495 (Average: 10)

[Spirit:] 326 (Average: 10)

[Favorability:] -50

Tsk…

Even stronger than the protagonist Luo Yan.

Why was she after him?

Did she come to avenge Luo Yan?

Xu Hao withdrew his gaze, stroking his chin.

A flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes.

He sensed faint killing intent from her.

She wants to kill me?

He wasn’t like those naive protagonists who would grovel before their would-be killers.

Whether she was a female protagonist or not, if she wanted him dead—she’d pay the price.

Let her go so she can try again?

Not happening.

The car cruised smoothly down the road.

At an intersection, a stunningly beautiful woman stepped into their path.

The aura of a late-stage Transcendent Realm expert erupted, forcing the car to halt.

Bai Ling gripped the steering wheel tightly.

The overwhelming pressure made her feel powerless.

“Master…”

She glanced back at Xu Hao, silently asking if she should ram through.

Xu Hao replied calmly, “Let’s get out and see.”

Without question, Bai Ling stepped out and opened the door for him.

The red-clad woman studied Xu Hao with curiosity.

This was the billionaire who had crushed Luo Yan, the nemesis of her life.

Before confronting him, she had done her research.

Apart from his business genius, the records showed nothing extraordinary.

But could someone who crippled the infamous “Yan Luo” really be ordinary?

In her mind, Xu Hao was a scheming, ruthless mastermind.

Now, face-to-face, her impression only deepened.

His demeanor was refined and elegant, his smile as warm as a spring breeze.

Who would have guessed such a man could be so sinister behind the scenes?

He was a wolf in sheep’s clothing—more terrifying and despicable than any murderous thug.

She and Yan Luo (“Netherworld King”) had come from the same assassin training camp.

They were the two most elite killers, the very best of their generation.

Her codename was Scarlet Rose.

In the underworld, her reputation eclipsed even Yan Luo’s.

She was a deranged psychopath, acting on whims, slaughtering without blinking.

No one knew what Scarlet Rose truly looked like—because all who had seen her face were dead.

The only proof of her presence? The crimson roses left beside her victims’ corpses.

Though they shared the same training camp, their relationship was far from friendly.

She had always been fiercely competitive, obsessed with being first—a pathological fixation.

During training, she dominated every discipline, claiming the top spot without fail.

But in the final trial…

Someone had matched her.

They tied for first place.

How could there be two firsts?

The solution was simple: kill the other.

And so, for years, she had hunted Luo Yan relentlessly, seizing every chance to erase this “flaw” in her perfect record.

Yet each time, Luo Yan escaped.

This time was no different.

She had come to Jiuzhou solely to pursue him.

But just days ago, when she finally tracked him down…

She found Luo Yan lying broken in his home, utterly ruined.

It was the perfect opportunity to kill him.

But she didn’t.

The Luo Yan she wanted to kill was the one who had once rivaled her strength—not this crippled wreck.

So she decided to wait, letting him recover before finishing him properly.

In the meantime, curiosity led her to investigate the man who had beaten Luo Yan into this state.

At first, it was just idle interest.

But now?

She had made up her mind.

Xu Hao had to die.

She despised two-faced hypocrites like him—all smiles on the surface, knives hidden behind their backs.

Her killing intent, once faint, now surged like a tidal wave.

“SO YOU’RE THE ONE WHO CRIPPLED LUO YAN?”

Xu Hao paused mid-step, amused.

“That’s between Luo Yan and me. Why do you care? Here to avenge him?”

To his surprise, Scarlet Rose shook her head.

“He’s mine to kill. I just wanted to see who had beaten my rival so badly.”

“But after meeting you… I’ve changed my mind. I’ll send you to your grave instead. I can’t stand scheming snakes like you.”

Xu Hao’s expression turned odd.

This female protagonist… is a yandere?

He had assumed she was Luo Yan’s ally, here for revenge.

But no—she wanted to kill Luo Yan herself.

“Only I get to kill him, no one else?”

What kind of brain-dead logic is that?

But if she was a yandere… well, that explained everything.

“KILL ME? WHO GAVE YOU THE GUTS?”

Xu Hao smiled faintly—

—then vanished.

[Instant Teleportation] activated.

In the next breath, he stood before Scarlet Rose, his hand snapping around her throat.

It happened too fast for even a Transcendent Realm expert to react.

First, she hadn’t expected him to strike first.

Second, his speed defied reason.

By the time she registered the movement, his grip was already tightening, cutting off her breath.

She struggled, but Xu Hao’s strength overwhelmed her.

Her windpipe creaked under the pressure—one more second, and it would snap.

Suffocation burned through her lungs.

Her limbs went limp.

For the first time, death’s shadow loomed over her.

Staring into Xu Hao’s icy eyes, even this legend of the underworld felt true fear.

[Ding… Scarlet Rose is utterly shaken. Emotional Value +888…]

Her flawless face flushed crimson from lack of air.

What a waste of a good “leek” (韭菜, slang for exploitable target).

But so be it.

She had dared to threaten him.

Xu Hao never showed mercy.

Letting her live would only endanger those around him.

A normal female protagonist might have principles—avoiding harm to innocents.

But a yandere? Unpredictable.

Her strength was impressive. Under different circumstances, he might have recruited her as an elite subordinate.

Then—

A thought struck him.

The Star-Slave Pill.

He had drawn it from the system long ago—a pill that forced absolute obedience.

The victim could rage inwardly, but their body would obey every command.

He had saved it for the right candidate.

And this yandere was perfect.

She would hate him yet serve him dutifully, generating endless Emotional Value.

Even better, she could double as his personal bodyguard—and a psychological weapon against Luo Yan.

Imagine Luo Yan’s face when he sees his lifelong rival bowing to me.

Delicious.

Xu Hao retrieved the pill and forced it into her mouth, then released her.

THE SUBMISSION

Scarlet Rose collapsed, gagging, certain she was about to die.

Instead, Xu Hao had fed her something—then let go.

She dropped to her knees, retching, desperate to expel the unknown substance.

But the pill dissolved instantly, its effects already spreading through her veins.

The moment she regained a shred of strength, she scrambled back, eyes blazing.

“What did you make me swallow?!”

“Something to ensure your obedience.”

“What… do you mean?”

Her confusion deepened as Xu Hao’s smirk widened. A terrible premonition gripped her.

“Come here.”

Two simple words.

Scarlet Rose scoffed internally.

You think I’ll obey just like that? How naïve.

Yet—

Her legs moved against her will, carrying her toward him.

“What’s happening?!”

She fought with every fiber of her being, but her body was no longer hers to control.

Like a puppet on strings, she stopped only when she stood before Xu Hao.

“Kneel.”

Her knees hit the pavement with a thud.

“From now on, I am your master. You will remain by my side.”

Her lips trembled, but the words spilled out against her will—

“Yes… Master.”