「How about letting my protector here have a little spar with the two of you?」
The moment the words left Sun Qian's mouth, the patriarchs of the Li and Zhao families paled dramatically.
Sun Zhong, a Seventh Layer Saint Realm powerhouse, was far beyond their league.
If a fight really broke out, they'd be the ones getting crushed—badly.
What's more, if they truly offended the Sun family behind Sun Qian, both their clans would be wiped off the map without a second thought.
If even the protector assigned to watch over a junior had such terrifying cultivation, one could only imagine how monstrous the Sun family's true power was.
「D-Dare not! We dare not!」 the Li family patriarch stammered, bowing deeply.「It's a misunderstanding, Young Master Sun! I acted out of desperation to save my grandson earlier—any offense was completely unintentional!」「Both of us are willing to offer a Sixth-Tier Royal Artifact as a humble apology—please accept our sincere atonement!」
With that, the two patriarchs hastily rummaged into their storage pouches and pulled out two gleaming artifacts.
Artifact hierarchy in this world was clearly defined: Mortal Artifact → Spiritual Artifact → Mystic Artifact → Numinous Artifact → Treasure Artifact → Royal Artifact → Imperial Artifact → Divine Artifact → Immortal Artifact.
A Royal Artifact was a weapon tailored for cultivators of the Sixth Realm of Transcendence.
But master smiths were just as rare as talisman masters—making such artifacts incredibly precious.
Even a Sixth Realm Transcendent might not be able to lay hands on a Royal Artifact in their entire lifetime.
For clans as powerful as the Li and Zhao families, parting with one was like cutting out a piece of their own flesh.
The Li family patriarch's offering was a jade ruyi scepter, inscribed with a special formation that exuded vibrant life energy, capable of healing grievous wounds in an instant.
The Zhao family patriarch's gift was a pitch-black cloak, woven from the hide of a Mist Phantom, a sinister supernatural creature. It could release a dense, obscuring mist that rendered the wearer completely invisible.
These two men—among the most powerful figures in all of Magic City—were now groveling and flattering a mere teenager, grinning from ear to ear like obsequious lackeys.
There was no other choice. When your opponent was far stronger than you, you had to bow your head and accept the humiliation.
Ding. Host has used his authority to cow two Saint Realm patriarchs into submission, forcing them to apologize and offer tribute. Reward: 20000 Villain Points.
In the blink of an eye, another 20,000 Villain Points were added to his tally.
Sun Qian's total Villain Points now soared to a staggering 30,000-plus—an absolute fortune.
On top of that, he'd just scored two Royal Artifacts with unique abilities.
「You two know your place. That's good.」
Sun Qian glanced at the artifacts with a dismissive flick of his eyes, nodding slightly, his expression radiating the arrogant disdain of someone far above them.
Compared to the endless hunts and humiliations he'd endured in the Villain Simulator, he was now riding high on a wave of triumph.
He'd completely disrupted everyone's carefully laid plans with his sudden appearance. Not only had he thoroughly trounced Li Yang—the mastermind behind the plot—but he'd also forced the hidden Li family patriarch to reveal himself.
At this point, the so-called assassination trap was already half-destroyed.
The only loose end was the Thousand Shadows Assassin, who was still lurking in the shadows somewhere.
But with so many Saint Realm powerhouses gathered here, even the assassin wouldn't dare to show her face—not unless she wanted to die a painful death.
If anything happened to Sun Qian tonight, no one in this room would walk out alive. And the Li family patriarch would be the first to hunt down the assassin and tear her limb from limb to save his own skin.
When all the darkness was dragged into the light, all schemes and plots became nothing but worthless smoke.
This was a conspiracy laid bare for the world to see—crude, clumsy, and utterly futile.
Sun Qian shot Sun Zhong a subtle glance.
His protector instantly understood, stepping forward to take the two Royal Artifacts before retreating silently back to his post behind Sun Qian.
「Alright, the two old fogeys are dealt with. Now, let's get back to you two brats.」
Sun Qian turned his gaze back to Zhao Kun and Li Yang, his smile widening into something bright and cheerful.
But to the two young masters, that smile looked as terrifying as the grin of a demon from the deepest pits of hell.
In an instant, the two heirs of Magic City's great clans burst into tears, wailing and screaming like children throwing tantrums, begging their grandfathers for mercy.
「Grandpa! Save me! I never even touched Liu Yue! I'm going to die for nothing!」 Zhao Kun howled, snot and tears streaming down his swollen face.
「Grandpa! It was all Li Yang's fault! That bastard tricked me into it! I'm so innocent!」 Li Yang screeched, his voice cracking with terror.
Watching their grandsons groveling on the floor like this, the two patriarchs' lips twitched involuntarily in embarrassment.
Who would've thought that a trivial little scheme to drug a girl would end up putting the heirs of two great clans on the brink of death?!
That little woman in Sun Qian's arms was nothing but a femme fatale—a disaster waiting to happen!
「Ahem. Young Master Sun,」 the Li family patriarch cleared his throat, stepping forward with a fawning smile. 「The Li family is related to the Sun family by marriage. I've had dealings with your father in the past—surely you can show us a little leniency? There must be some misunderstanding here.」「The Li family is willing to compensate Miss Liu generously for any distress caused.」
He spoke first, desperate to beg for mercy.
Li Yang wasn't just his beloved grandson—he was also the sharpest, most calculating member of the younger generation, the one with the best chance of leading the Li family to greater glory in the future.
He couldn't afford to lose him.
「Yes! Yes! Young Master Sun!」 the Zhao family patriarch chimed in quickly. 「Tonight's incident must be a misunderstanding! The Zhao family is also willing to offer compensation—anything you want!」
Unlike the Li family patriarch, who was driven purely by calculation, there was a hint of genuine affection in his voice.
It was clear he truly doted on his grandson Zhao Kun.
「Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?」 Sun Qian cut them off with a cold laugh, his tone sharp enough to cut steel. 「Do you two old men think I'm going to take back my words just like that?」「I said I'm in a terrible mood tonight—and someone has to die for it. I don't make empty threats.」
His refusal was blunt and unyielding, darkening the two patriarchs' faces instantly.
But then, his tone suddenly shifted, softening into something dangerously playful.
「However… since the Li family patriarch mentioned my father, I'll give you both a face. Tonight, only one culprit needs to die.」
He turned his gaze back to Zhao Kun and Li Yang, his eyes glinting with malicious amusement.
「So… which one of you is the real mastermind behind all this?」
「Uncle Qian! It was Zhao Kun! I'm your own flesh and blood nephew!」 Li Yang screamed, pointing an accusing finger at Zhao Kun.
「Young Master Sun! It was Li Yang! That bastard was the one who plotted everything!」 Zhao Kun shot back, his face contorted with rage.
Thrown into a panic by this sudden ultimatum, neither of them dared to take responsibility, each scrambling to pin the blame on the other.
Their shouts and accusations filled the room, and the tense atmosphere quickly reached a boiling point once again.
Just as the argument threatened to spiral out of control, Sun Qian's voice suddenly echoed through the room, soft and eerie as a whisper.
「Since neither of you wants to admit it… I have a better idea.」
「Why don't we just do a Soul Search?」
Soul Search!!!
The words were spoken casually, but they sent a shockwave of terror through every single person in the room.
That was a demonic technique—a cruel, invasive method that ripped memories straight from a person's soul!
But no one reacted more violently than Li Yang.
His body convulsed violently, his face turning ashen as the cold hand of death wrapped around his heart.
Because his memories were filled with secrets—dark, damning secrets that would destroy him and the entire Li family if they ever came to light.
「YOU DISGRACEFUL WRETCH!」
A thunderous roar suddenly shattered the silence.
BOOM!
A terrifying wave of spiritual energy erupted out of nowhere, sweeping toward Li Yang like a tidal wave.
Sun Zhong frowned, moving to block it—only to pause when he saw Sun Qian shake his head slightly, his back still turned to him.
BANG!!!
Li Yang was swallowed whole by the raging energy, his body instantly reduced to a cloud of bloody mist, vanishing without a trace—no body left to bury.
And the one who'd struck the killing blow was none other than the Li family patriarch himself.