The Villain Plundered the Children of Destiny’s Luck - Chapter 44:

Chapter 44: Seizing a Hostage

“I… I want to live!” Lu Tianxiong bit his lip, his fists clenching tightly, hatred boiling in his heart. He wanted to roar out, “If you want to kill me, then kill me. I’d rather die than submit!” But in the end, fear of death outweighed the humiliation, and the words never left his mouth.

“In that case, kowtow to me three times,” Qin Xiao said coldly.

“You—!” Lu Tianxiong glared at Qin Xiao, wanting to curse him. But when his eyes met Qin Xiao’s smiling, unfathomable gaze, his heart faltered. “This old fox is just looking for an excuse to kill me,” he thought.

“What, you don’t want to?” Qin Xiao asked with a mocking smile.

“I will…” Lu Tianxiong said through gritted teeth.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

He struck his head against the floor three times, each strike deepening his hatred toward Qin Xiao.

Qin Xiao’s eyes flashed slightly as he watched. He hadn’t expected Lu Tianxiong to endure so much humiliation—his wife taken, forced to kowtow—and yet still suppress his rage. “This man can endure well. He’s dangerous if left alive,” Qin Xiao thought. His Blood Slave Seal could control a man’s body and life, but it could not change his heart. Lu Tianxiong would remain a hidden threat. Still, Qin Xiao wasn’t in a rush to kill him. Better to squeeze out his usefulness first.

“Good. Although I’ve decided to spare your Lu Family’s life, you must compensate for the damage you caused my Qin Family. You will pay 5 million taels of silver,” Qin Xiao demanded without hesitation.

“What? 5 million taels?” Lu Tianxiong’s face paled. The Lu Family, one of Xuanfeng City’s great houses, earned 1 to 2 million taels annually. But with so many mouths to feed, they barely managed to save 200,000 a year. To produce 5 million at once? Impossible without selling off their estates.

“We can’t raise that much in such a short time,” Lu Tianxiong said bitterly.

“Then give me 3 million now, and repay the remaining 2 million within three years,” Qin Xiao said, revealing his bottom line.

“Fine,” Lu Tianxiong said reluctantly, gritting his teeth.

“And from today, your Lu Family will secretly become a vassal of my Qin Family. You will aid us in expanding our influence in Xuanfeng City and eliminate anyone who dares threaten us.”

“Fine,” Lu Tianxiong said again, his voice heavy with unwillingness.

“Good. One last thing. Remember, I have planted the Blood Slave Seal on you. Your life and death are in my hands. If you play tricks, I will personally send you to the afterlife. Think of your family—don’t become their sinner,” Qin Xiao warned coldly.

Family bonds were everything in this world. From birth, most people were indoctrinated to put their clan above all else. Qin Xiao wanted to ensure that Lu Tianxiong’s sense of duty chained him in place.

After speaking, Qin Xiao picked up his clothes and dressed himself. Then he wrapped Ling Ziyan tightly in a blanket, slung her over his shoulder, and with a surge of movement technique, vanished into the night, leaving the Lu Family compound.

Lu Tianxiong froze for a moment as he saw his wife carried off. Then panic and fury surged within him. He had been with Ling Ziyan for over twenty years, their relationship deep and affectionate. Seeing her taken away drove him into a frenzy. “Qin Xiao, you damned old thief, put down my wife!” he roared helplessly.

Qin Xiao ignored his futile cries. A beauty like Ling Ziyan, once in his hands, he naturally intended to keep. Having gone to such lengths to seize her, how could he possibly let her go?

…

Time passed quickly. Dawn soon broke, sunlight piercing the horizon and spreading across the vast land.

On the road back to Lingfeng City, Qin Xiao carried Ling Ziyan over his shoulder.

“Mm… where am I?” Ling Ziyan slowly opened her eyes. Seeing the unfamiliar wilderness, she was stunned. How had she ended up here? Then she realized she was tightly bound, only her head exposed, and she was being carried by someone.

“You’re awake,” Qin Xiao said casually, shifting her into a princess carry.

“It’s you! Where are you taking me? Let me go!” Ling Ziyan cried, struggling frantically.

“Don’t move. I’m taking you back to the Qin Family. From now on, you’re my hostage. For now, you’ll stay by my side as a maid,” Qin Xiao said lightly.

“What? I won’t agree to this! Let me go!” Ling Ziyan’s struggles grew fiercer.

“If you don’t agree, I’ll return and kill your husband—and your entire Lu Family,” Qin Xiao said, his voice cold as ice.

“No! Please don’t!” Ling Ziyan’s resistance stopped instantly. His words had struck her greatest weakness.

“Remember this—your husband and your Lu Family live only because of you. If one day you displease me or refuse to obey, then the Lu Family will cease to exist. Do you understand?” Qin Xiao’s tone was sharp, pressing her into submission. He had already seen how naïve she was despite being married. As long as he held her weak spot, she would be easy to control.

“I… I understand,” Ling Ziyan whispered, biting her lip. She didn’t dare resist again.

Qin Xiao sped through the roads and soon returned to the Qin Family estate.

“Husband, you’re back!” Ye Suxin and Nalan Feiyan hurried forward to greet him.

“This sister is…?” Ye Suxin asked curiously when she saw the woman in Qin Xiao’s arms. This woman was stunning, nearly her equal in beauty, though slightly older and clearly married. Why had her husband brought her back? Was he planning to add another concubine?

“Her name is Ling Ziyan, wife of Lu Tianxiong, the Lu Family patriarch. Last night, I dealt with the Lu Family and secretly placed them under my control. But to ensure their obedience, I brought back a hostage,” Qin Xiao said openly, without the slightest attempt to hide the truth.

Ye Suxin, Nalan Feiyan, and Yang Qingwu were all stunned, their eyes wide in disbelief.