The Villain: Claiming The Protagonist's Master

As the tension in the air thickened, Qin Xinran finally broke the silence. Her words were like a bolt from the blue: "Chen'er, this flying sword is a spiritual artifact. Its original owner was none other than the Ghost Strategist."

Su Chen couldn't help but take a sharp breath.

The Ghost Strategist! A name whispered in awe and trepidation.

In the original tale, it was said that the Ghost Strategist was a disciple of the Heavenly Mechanic Elder, a master of divination and deduction. His cultivation method, The Nine Heavenly Techniques, was profound, each move containing the truths of the universe.

With this technique, the Ghost Strategist had slain countless enemies, even those at the quasi-emperor pinnacle. His solitary nature, unpredictable movements, and reclusive lifestyle shrouded him in mystery. No one, except his master, knew his true identity.

The only time the Ghost Strategist appeared in the original story was during his life-and-death battle against Ye Fan.

After Ye Fan ascended to the quasi-emperor pinnacle and massacred the Su family, the Ghost Strategist unexpectedly emerged and attempted to assassinate him. Despite his immense prowess, he faced Ye Fan and his ten heroines, an eleven-member coalition that ultimately led to his tragic demise. Ye Fan severed his head and displayed it on Donghua Continent's main city gate as a warning.

The sheer power of the flying sword before him made sense now. It could tear through space, its edge sharp enough to cleave the void.

Su Chen inhaled deeply, forcing himself to calm his racing heart.

It seemed clear that, contrary to what one might expect, the Ghost Strategist harbored no ill will toward him or his family. Quite the opposite—he had gone out of his way to offer assistance.

But who was the Ghost Strategist, truly?

A glint of determination flashed in Su Chen's eyes as a wild thought crossed his mind: Could I take him as my master and learn the Nine Heavenly Techniques?

Yet he quickly realized how audacious such a notion was. The Ghost Strategist was infamous for his eccentricity and aversion to human interaction. If he misstepped, it could spell disaster.

---

At the Xiao family estate, inside Xiao Tiancheng's study.

Crash!

The tea cup in Xiao Tiancheng's hand shattered into pieces as he slammed it down in rage. His expression twisted into one of fury as he roared, "That damn Su Chen! How does a good-for-nothing like him have such heaven-defying luck? Time and time again, he ruins my plans!"

His hatred burned like an inferno, resentment bubbling within.

Su Chen had interfered too many times. Not only had he rescued Xiao Ruoyu, but now his actions had drastically tilted the balance of power within the Xiao family, threatening Xiao Tiancheng's ambition of becoming the heir.

"Calm yourself, Tiancheng," Su Yong said with a smirk, attempting to pacify him. "Su Chen is just a cripple who got lucky. He can't stop you from claiming your rightful place as the family's heir."

"That's right," Ye Fan chimed in, his tone icy. "Tiancheng, your rise is inevitable."

Xiao Tiancheng's expression eased slightly, though his anger still simmered. He turned to the duo, asking, "Brothers, what do you suggest we do next?"

Ye Fan's lips curled into a sinister grin as he made a throat-slitting motion. "Simple. Once Xiao Ruoyu returns, we end this once and for all. If I can't have her, then neither can Su Chen."

Xiao Tiancheng's eyes lit up with malice. "Brilliant! Ye Fan, your plan is flawless."

He cackled, drunk on the thought of his schemes finally bearing fruit. "Su Chen, you'll regret ever crossing me!"

Just then, Su Yong's subordinate rushed in, whispering urgently in his ear.

Su Yong's face darkened as he shot to his feet. "Tiancheng, I must go. Something urgent has come up at home."

"What's wrong, Brother Su?" Xiao Tiancheng asked, furrowing his brow.

After a brief hesitation, Su Yong revealed, "It's regarding my engagement with Jiang Ruoyun. Something seems amiss."

"What?!" Xiao Tiancheng's expression sank. "Who dares meddle in this?"

"It's Jiang Huai," Su Yong said, sighing heavily.

Boom!

Xiao Tiancheng felt as though thunder had struck his mind. "Isn't Jiang Huai your father's sworn brother? Why would he suddenly break off the engagement?"

Su Yong clenched his fists, his face full of bitterness. "I don't know. I need to investigate."

After a moment of contemplation, he added, "Brothers, let's end our discussion here for today. We'll talk again soon."

Xiao Tiancheng nodded. "I'll see you out."

Once Su Yong had left, Ye Fan turned to Xiao Tiancheng with a cold sneer. "Do you believe him?"

Xiao Tiancheng narrowed his eyes. "It seems genuine. Su Yong has no reason to lie to us."

"But this turn of events is strange," Ye Fan mused, stroking his chin. "The Jiang family might be powerful, but they're no match for the Su family. Why would they dare sever ties?"

"Perhaps there's more to this than meets the eye," Xiao Tiancheng replied, his tone heavy with suspicion.

---

Meanwhile, Su Yong rushed to the Jiang estate, but he didn't even make it past the front gates.

"The master has no interest in seeing you," one of the Jiang guards said coldly. "Leave, and don't bother coming back."

Su Yong froze, disbelief and anger warring within him. "Let me speak to Ruoyun!" he shouted desperately, his voice echoing into the distance.

But there was no response, only the mocking laughter of the guards. "Save your breath. Our young miss won't waste her time on someone like you."

"Why?!" Su Yong roared, his voice hoarse with anguish.

This was not how things were supposed to go. Jiang Ruoyun had once followed him like a shadow, calling him "Brother Yong" with a bright smile. Now, she wouldn't even show her face.

His dreams of leveraging the Jiang and Xiao families' power to reclaim his rightful place in the Su family were crumbling before his eyes.

"I won't accept this," Su Yong muttered, his eyes bloodshot. "I'll find a way. I will get her back."

The guards exchanged mocking glances, one of them shaking his head in disdain. "What a pitiful sight," he sneered, closing the gates firmly behind him.

Outside, Su Yong stood trembling, his fists clenched tightly as a single tear slid down his face.

Why does everything I touch fall apart?

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