Chapter 531: The Three Women Submit

—

“What did you say…?”

“Become your ‘subordinates’!?”

Hearing Wang Haoran’s outrageous demand.

Xiang Shaoling and Dugu Qingyu were momentarily stunned.

Then they reacted strongly—

“Impossible!”

Especially with the humiliating necklace-like ring he wanted them to wear. How could they ever agree to such a thing?

“Keep dreaming!”

“Impossible? Then you can choose the first option!”

Wang Haoran said calmly, “I’ll send you on your way immediately!”

“Exactly, exactly! Wang Haoran is stronger than me. If he makes a move, you’re dead for sure!”

At some point, the little fox had popped out of Wang Haoran’s arms and was now eagerly chiming in—

In Wang Haoran’s household, while her strength was among the top, her status was the lowest.

Even weaker individuals like Xia Xinyan and Liu Xinyao dared to boss her around.

And because of Wang Haoran’s strict instructions, she had no choice but to obey.

However, if these two women became “subordinates” like her.

Their status would undoubtedly be lower than hers, and she could order them around as she pleased!

So she couldn’t help but encourage them:

“Better to live humbly than die miserably. Just give in already!”

—

At this moment.

While Xiang Shaoling and Dugu Qingyu gritted their teeth in frustration.

Lin Chaoyin couldn’t help but ask:

“Um… what about me?”

She was confused as to why Wang Haoran hadn’t asked her.

“Do I get the same two options?”

“You?” Wang Haoran glanced at her, “You don’t get a choice.”

“You can only become my ‘subordinate’!”

Lin Chaoyin exclaimed, “Huh!? Why!?”

“Because you’re my Grandmaster!”

“If I kill you, wouldn’t that make me a true ‘betrayer of my masters and ancestors’?”

I’ve already “betrayed” my master; I can’t also destroy my ancestors!

Wang Haoran turned back to Xiang Shaoling and Dugu Qingyu, “You have three minutes to decide. Give me your answer then!”

Then he walked over to Lin Chaoyin with the necklace-like ring in hand.

“Come, I’ll put it on for you myself!”

Of course, Lin Chaoyin refused, “No way!”

“……”

Wang Haoran ignored her.

As he approached step by step, the bound and immobilized Lin Chaoyin began to plead:

“Please, for the sake of Xiaolan and Nishang, let me go…”

“No.” Wang Haoran’s gaze was cold. “The three of you attacked me the moment we met with your strongest moves.”

“If I weren’t strong, I’d be dead by now!”

“So now, even as my Grandmaster, there’s no room for negotiation!”

“But…” Though she knew she was in the wrong, how could she accept becoming Wang Haoran’s “subordinate”?

It was too humiliating!

Her pride and dignity would never allow it!

“I won’t wear that thing of yours!”

Unfortunately.

No matter how much she resisted, it was useless.

Wang Haoran easily placed the necklace-like ring around her neck.

Feeling the tight grip encircling her neck, she let out one last defiant cry—

“Ugh, just kill me already!”

“Not a chance, my dear Grandmaster!”

With a thought, the ring on Lin Chaoyin’s neck disappeared into her skin.

From the outside, there was no trace of it.

But Lin Chaoyin could feel the constant sense of restraint—

A reminder that she was now Wang Haoran’s “subordinate.”

—

Then.

Wang Haoran clapped his hands, “Good Grandmaster, come here!”

“Mm~” Lin Chaoyin suddenly found herself unable to resist, crawling toward Wang Haoran on all fours.

It was as if she were wagging an invisible tail.

Wang Haoran patted her head, “Good girl!”

Then he gently untied her bindings.

“You!” Realizing her body was no longer under her control, Lin Chaoyin was horrified:

“What… what did you do to me?!”

Wang Haoran smiled, rubbing the small of her back, “Just a little trick.”

He had infused his Yin-Yang energy into her body, using it as a conduit to manipulate her with spiritual energy.

Much like a certain Rinnegan user controlling six corpses.

Of course, if Lin Chaoyin also possessed spiritual energy and resisted, Wang Haoran wouldn’t have been able to control her.

But unfortunately, she didn’t.

“Don’t worry. As long as you behave, I won’t make things difficult for you!”

“Exactly!”

The excited little fox leapt onto Lin Chaoyin’s head:

“Wang Haoran, let me teach her!”

As someone who had been Wang Haoran’s “subordinate” the longest, the little fox knew all the rules!

“Alright!”

After pinching his adorable Grandmaster’s cheeks and leaving her to the eager little fox for “training.”

Wang Haoran turned to Xiang Shaoling and Dugu Qingyu.

“Have you two made up your minds?”

“……”

Both remained silent.

There was no way they could accept such humiliation—

But refusing meant death.

They weren’t afraid of dying, but they couldn’t die before avenging their families, comrades, and masters.

Caught in this dilemma, they didn’t know what to say.

Whether to submit or resist.

And Wang Haoran had perfectly grasped their hesitation:

“I think you should put on this ring.”

“You know, as the former top expert of the ancient martial world, Xiang Shaotian still has many admirers.”

So—

“If you die now, no one will avenge your families and comrades.”

“No one will remember their unjust deaths.”

“And the true culprit, Xiang Shaotian, will continue to live freely, admired by the ignorant masses.”

“Are you really okay with that?”

Wang Haoran stared into their eyes, letting the necklace-like ring float before them—

“It seems you lack the resolve to give up everything for revenge!”

“Your pride is more important than avenging those who suffered!”

“!”

“We’re not…” The two women instinctively tried to refute, but Wang Haoran cut them off—

“Time’s up. No more nonsense.”

“One last reminder.”

“Your tragic fates aren’t my fault. No matter how miserable you are, it has nothing to do with me.”

“So don’t expect me to pity you.”

“Now, choose—”

“Die, or become my ‘subordinates’?”

“……”

“……”

There was only one choice left.

After a long pause.

“Can you promise not to hinder our revenge?”

“Of course! I’ll even help you deal with Xiang Shaotian!”

“…Fine.”

Xiang Shaoling reluctantly raised her arm.

Dugu Qingyu followed suit.

Both reached for the necklace-like rings floating before them.

With trembling hands.

They placed them around their own necks—

“Alright.”

Having made their choice and been marked.

They closed their eyes in humiliation.

But surprisingly, they felt no anger or resentment toward Wang Haoran.

Instead, their hatred for someone else deepened—

“Xiang Shaotian, not only did you cruelly kill those we cared about.”

“But because of you, we can’t even die.”

“We had to sell every ounce of our dignity.”

“Xiang Shaotian, we will make sure you…”

“Wish you were dead!”