Early summer.
Glory City—Law Enforcement Hall of the Sacred Family.
"Chang Ping, do you know your crime?"
The voice cut through the hall like a cold wind, sending a chill through the air.
Deacon Shen Ming narrowed his triangular eyes. Seated upright in his chair, he stared at the young man kneeling below like a venomous snake watching its prey.
Chang Ping looked frail—pale, thin, his cheeks slightly sunken. He seemed so weak that a strong gust of wind could knock him over.
Kneeling on the cold stone floor, he lowered his head, fists clenched tightly. His eyes burned with suppressed fury.
"I am not guilty!" he suddenly shouted, lifting his head to glare at Shen Ming.
A cold gleam flashed in Shen Ming's eyes.
"You broke into the young lady's chamber and attempted indecent acts—and you still dare claim innocence?"
He waved his hand dismissively.
"Men, drag this lustful dog away. Castrate him!"
Two burly servants rushed in, grabbing Chang Ping from both sides and hauling him toward the door.
Chang Ping did not beg.
He did not plead.
He simply gritted his teeth and stared at Shen Ming with burning hatred.
This bastard had treated him like livestock, withheld his wages—
And now, he framed him for a crime he didn't commit, intending to destroy his future entirely.
If I survive this…
I'll repay this humiliation tenfold.
"Wait!"
A soft yet commanding female voice rang out.
Chang Ping turned his head.
Shen Xiu stepped into the hall.
She crossed the high threshold gracefully, her figure striking and captivating.
Her long wine-red hair was tied behind her. She wore revealing, form-fitting clothes that accentuated her curves, and her pale legs appeared and disappeared beneath a short crimson skirt.
"Put him down. Get out."
Her tone was cold.
The servants immediately released Chang Ping and hurried out.
Chang Ping brushed the dust from his clothes and stood upright, lifting his chin as he looked provocatively at Shen Ming.
"Miss, what is the meaning of this?" Shen Ming asked, frowning.
This brat dares glare at me?
Could he have some connection with her?
He sized Chang Ping up again.
Poor.
Untalented.
Ordinary.
Is Shen Xiu blind?
Shen Xiu crossed her arms, her lips parting slightly.
"Castration is too lenient."
Her voice was icy.
"He dared peek at me while I was bathing. At the very least—his limbs should be cut off. His nose and ears removed. His eyes gouged out."
Her gaze turned colder.
"Only then will my anger be satisfied."
"…?!"
Chang Ping's face went pale.
His legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground as if falling into an icy abyss.
He had thought she came to save him—
Instead, she came to destroy him.
Damn it!
Why is my luck so bad?!
He howled inwardly.
He wasn't even from this world.
He had come from Earth—mysteriously transported into the world of Tales of Demons and Gods.
With no system.
No special abilities.
He had no choice but to survive as a servant in the Sacred Family.
Working harder than anyone.
Sleeping less than anyone.
Enduring humiliation, bullying, and Shen Ming's constant exploitation.
He endured everything for one reason—
Two thousand demon spirit coins.
Once he saved enough, he could enter the Holy Orchid Institute.
With his knowledge of the plot, he could change his fate.
Tomorrow—
Tomorrow he would finally get paid.
He would be free.
And yet—
Now he was falsely accused of peeping.
If he had actually seen something, he might have accepted the punishment.
But he hadn't!
It had to be Shen Ming—trying to avoid paying him.
"Very well!" Shen Ming sneered. "We'll do as the young lady says."
"I'll have someone—"
"No need."
Shen Xiu raised her hand, cutting him off.
"I'll handle him personally."
She glanced at Shen Ming.
"He's just a servant. That's acceptable, isn't it?"
"No problem, no problem!" Shen Ming replied immediately, waving his hands.
After all, she was the half-sister of the family head.
He couldn't offend her.
"There is a problem!"
Chang Ping sprang to his feet, raising his fist.
"I came here to work—not to sell my life! Even if I committed a crime, it should be handled by the City Lord's Mansion! You have no right to punish me!"
Shen Ming laughed.
"Kid… you're adorably naive."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Our Sacred Family is one of the top families in Glory City. Even if we kill you, the City Lord won't interfere."
His voice dropped.
"Because you are nothing."
"A powerless vagrant."
Then he turned respectfully to Shen Xiu.
"Miss, please."
Shen Xiu didn't respond.
Instead—
She moved.
In an instant, she appeared behind Chang Ping, her hand snapping around his throat.
Her nails pierced his skin.
Blood flowed.
Chang Ping choked, unable to breathe.
She lifted him effortlessly—
As if he weighed nothing.
Dragging him out like a discarded object.
Her delicate appearance hid terrifying strength.
Chang Ping's face flushed red.
I'm dead…
Behind them, Shen Ming narrowed his eyes.
"…Strange," he muttered.
"Why do servants try to peek at her every month? Aren't they afraid of death?"
He paused.
"And those she takes away…"
"…they never come back."
---
"Bang!"
The door slammed open.
Chang Ping was thrown inside, his body tracing a clean arc before crashing onto the polished agarwood floor.
His mind was blank.
His thoughts gone.
All he could do was gasp for air.
The room was filled with a faint, mysterious fragrance—
Mixed with the subtle scent of blood.
Shen Xiu closed the door behind her.
Locked it.
She removed her shoes, revealing flesh-colored stockings, and walked toward him with a graceful sway.
Beautiful.
Deadly.
Chang Ping felt his waistband loosen.
Buttons came undone.
Cold air brushed his chest.
When he forced his eyes open—
Shen Xiu was already sitting on him.
Her phoenix-like eyes burned as she stared down at him.
Her sharp fingers slowly reached toward his chest.
"What are you doing?!" Chang Ping struggled, trying to push her away.
She grabbed his wrist.
Crack.
"AAAH—!"
His arm twisted unnaturally.
The pain snapped him fully awake.
"Don't be afraid."
She covered his mouth with one hand.
Her other hand pressed against his chest.
Her tongue lightly brushed her lips.
"I just need to borrow your heart for a while."
Her voice softened—almost gentle.
"I'll give it back when I'm done."
"Pff—!"
Her hand pierced through his chest.
Grasped his heart.
As he watched her swallow it—
Chang Ping forced out one final question.
"…Why… me…?"
Shen Xiu stood up calmly, wiping her lips with a handkerchief.
Looking down at him, she answered:
"Because only the heart-blood of a virgin can help my cultivation."
She grabbed his neck again and walked to the bed.
Press.
The wall mechanism activated.
The bed flipped open, revealing a hidden passage below.
Faint sounds of flowing water echoed from within.
Without hesitation—
She tossed him inside.
The passage closed again.
Smooth.
Effortless.
Clearly not her first time.
Chang Ping fell deeper and deeper into the darkness.
His breathing weakened.
His consciousness faded.
Then—
A cold mechanical voice echoed in his ears.
---
[Golden Finger Activated!]
[Congratulations! You have obtained S-Rank Talent: Physical Enhancement]
[Your strength will increase by 1 pound every minute.]
___________________________
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