The Villain: Claiming The Protagonist's Master

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When Qin Xinran married into the Su family as Su Hao's rightful wife, she brought along a group of elite experts from her maiden family. Among them, the most renowned was the Shadow Guard, led by the infamous assassin, Dark Ji.

The Shadow Guard specialized in assassination and intelligence gathering.

Rumor had it that years ago, when Su Jian ventured into a mystic realm with his subordinates for training, he was ambushed and assassinated by the Shadow Guard. However, no concrete evidence was left behind. The then patriarch of the Su family, Su Chen's grandfather, deployed numerous men to investigate, but no clues ever surfaced. In the end, they had no choice but to drop the matter.

Nevertheless, the Su family's core members were well aware that Qin Xinran was no ordinary woman. She was calculating, ruthless, and a force to be reckoned with.

Inside the Su family's council hall, calm had been restored after the recent upheaval.

"Everyone," Qin Xinran's cold yet commanding gaze swept across the gathered elders and core members. She smiled faintly and said, "The Su family's current standing owes much to your support. However, I must remind you: abide by the family rules. Defiance will not be tolerated, and mercy will not be shown."

The audience collectively nodded and thumped their chests in affirmation.

"Rest assured, Lady Qin. Since the Su family's establishment, we've always upheld justice and fairness. There will be no room for corruption!"

---

Meanwhile, at the Xiao family's council hall, the atmosphere was tense and somber.

Hundreds of Xiao family's senior members had gathered, all fixated on a single topic: the Su family's unwarranted interference in their internal conflict.

Seated at the head of the hall was a silver-haired man with sharp, piercing eyes—Xiao Hanshan, the patriarch of the Xiao family.

The Xiao family's elders, enraged upon confirming the news that Su Chen had meddled in their affairs, demanded immediate retaliation.

"How dare the Su family! Their arrogance knows no bounds, interfering in matters that concern only our family!" Xiao Tiancheng exclaimed, his voice thick with indignation.

He added fuel to the fire. "And if that wasn't enough, they've mobilized their four elite military divisions—Qian, Kun, Li, and Zhen—to blockade the prefecture's exits. They clearly see us as beneath them!"

"That's right, Patriarch! This is an outright violation of the unspoken rules. We cannot let them go unpunished!"

"Agreed! Their actions trample upon our family's dignity. If we tolerate this, our reputation will be irreparably damaged!"

The hall erupted into a cacophony of righteous fury as the assembled members voiced their unanimous condemnation of the Su family's audacity.

"Enough!"

Xiao Hanshan's commanding voice silenced the uproar in an instant.

He opened his sharp eyes and looked around the hall. His expression was calm yet brimming with authority. "Tell me, how much do you know about Su Chen, the Su family's young master?"

The question caught everyone off guard. The room fell silent.

"Patriarch, why do you ask this?" one elder finally ventured.

The gathered members exchanged puzzled glances.

Even Xiao Tiancheng furrowed his brows, the sudden inquiry igniting a flicker of doubt in his heart. 'Could Father have noticed something unusual? No, that's impossible. I must be overthinking.'

Suppressing his unease, Xiao Tiancheng spoke up. "Father, regarding Su Chen, my sister Xiao Ruoyu knows more about him than anyone here."

With a subtle smirk, he directed everyone's attention toward Xiao Ruoyu. His intentions were clear—he wanted to shift the blame onto her. If the family grew disillusioned with Xiao Ruoyu, it would pave the way for him to secure the position of family heir.

"Oh? Is that true, Ruoyu?" Xiao Hanshan's sharp gaze turned toward his daughter.

Xiao Ruoyu's expression shifted slightly, but she quickly nodded. "I wouldn't say I know him intimately, but I do have some understanding of Su Chen."

Though her heart was heavy with worry, she forced herself to remain composed. After all, news had already spread that Su Chen had been kidnapped by a peak quasi-emperor outside the Tianqiong Auction House earlier that day. His fate was uncertain, and the mere thought of it filled her with dread.

For Xiao Ruoyu, Su Chen was not just an ally in her fight for the position of family heir; their interests were deeply entwined. If anything happened to him, it would jeopardize her standing in the family.

"Then tell us what you know," Xiao Hanshan said softly, his tone calm but carrying undeniable authority.

Under the weight of his gaze, Xiao Ruoyu nodded and began to speak. "Su Chen is the sole heir of Su Hao, the patriarch of the Su family. Outwardly, he appears to be a hedonistic playboy, indulging in wine and women, but in truth, he is far more intelligent and shrewd than he lets on."

Her words were abruptly interrupted by Xiao Tiancheng's mocking laughter.

"Elder Sister, are you joking? In Donghua Prefecture, who doesn't know that Su Chen is a waste who only knows how to fool around with women?"

"You—"

Xiao Ruoyu's face flushed with anger as she glared at him, her hands clenching tightly.

His words not only insulted Su Chen but also embarrassed her in front of everyone.

Many in the hall exchanged awkward glances. They had heard of Su Chen's reputation, but Xiao Tiancheng's bluntness was appalling. Both the Su and Xiao families were top-tier aristocratic clans, with countless intermarriages binding them together. To mock Su Chen so openly was akin to burning bridges.

Xiao Tiancheng, however, was unfazed. His smirk deepened as he met Xiao Ruoyu's furious gaze. "What's wrong, Sister? Did I strike a nerve? Or perhaps you've already fallen for that good-for-nothing?"

He paused, then sneered. "I even heard a rumor that earlier today at the Tianqiong Auction House, Su Chen spent a staggering ten billion high-grade spirit stones on a broken jade pendant just to win your heart."

The hall erupted in uproar.

"Ten billion spirit stones?"

Even the Xiao family's elites were stunned by the number. To the most privileged scions of aristocracy, this was an astronomical sum.

And Su Chen, a reputed wastrel, had squandered it all on a frivolous trinket. The thought made many shake their heads in disbelief.

Xiao Ruoyu's face turned crimson with anger. Her chest rose and fell as she struggled to suppress her emotions.

"Don't talk nonsense! Su Chen and I are just ordinary friends," she snapped.

"Ordinary friends?" Xiao Tiancheng snickered. "Sister, if that's true, why are you so flustered? Could it be because—"

Smack!

Before he could finish, a loud slap echoed across the hall.

The force sent Xiao Tiancheng flying into a nearby wooden table, shattering it to pieces.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he looked up in shock at the man who had struck him.

"F-Father… why?"

The entire hall fell into stunned silence.

No one could understand why Xiao Hanshan had suddenly lashed out at his own son.

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