Hidden Poisonous Dagger: Background Story Unveiled

In the bustling Fire Dragon City, a hidden truth lurked beneath the surface. Although the Long family held true ownership over the city, it was the officials of the Azura Dynasty who governed it in name. To the common folk, the Long family appeared merely as an influential household, their authority concealed beneath the guise of the city lord. Little did they know that these so-called lords were nothing more than puppets, manipulated by the mighty families.

This deceitful arrangement was not limited to Fire Dragon City alone, but prevailed across all cities under the dominion of the Azura Dynasty. The affairs minister of the Azura household handpicked an official who would assume the position of city lord. Endowed with the burden of overseeing both minor and major responsibilities, the city lord commanded a dedicated city guard division to uphold the law. Their duties also entailed collecting taxes from the townsfolk, a portion of which had to be dispatched to the capital annually. However, since numerous cities were ruled by local families, much like the Long family in Fire Dragon City, and the emperor turned a blind eye to this fact since these families are loyal to him, the city lords held minimal genuine power, merely maintaining a semblance of authority.

Nevertheless, the position of city lord remained highly coveted and revered. In Fire Dragon City, the esteemed Wang Tao occupied this esteemed role. With his honest appearance and striking charm, he was admired by all who beheld him. Wang Tao exhibited impeccable manners and gentility, earning him a reputation as a caring individual. Yet, unbeknownst to the general populace, this facade concealed a cruel and power-hungry nature. He manipulated his actions with calculated precision, utilizing one-third of the underground gangs responsible for tormenting the lives of ordinary citizens. Through these clandestine dealings, Wang Tao committed countless acts of wrongdoing, while the very gangs he controlled remained oblivious to his true identity as their benefactor. Such was his mastery of deception and concealment.

Wang Tao possessed a remarkable ability to maintain connections, boasting a wide network of influential friends. Each of these associates held prominent positions, and Wang Tao spared no effort in fostering strong relationships with them. Through various means, he secured their favor and loyalty. Originally, he was not the intended choice for the city lordship of Fire Dragon City. However, leveraging his family background and connections, Wang Tao cunningly maneuvered his way into this esteemed position. For eight years, he had held the mantle of city lord, and it was eight years ago that Prince Chang himself had played a pivotal role in securing Wang Tao's ascension.

Wang Tao, the enigmatic city lord of Fire Dragon City, possessed not only power but also a beautiful wife named Liu Qinyi. Their union had borne a daughter, the ethereal Wang Qinglian. Liu Qinyi hailed from a noble lineage, her family residing in a distant city. During her youth, she had been celebrated as the epitome of beauty, captivating the hearts of all who laid eyes upon her. Even after embracing the joys and challenges of motherhood, Liu Qinyi remained an embodiment of femininity and resilience. Each curve and contour of her form told a story, exuding a profound strength that resonated within her very being. Like a rare and delicate flower, she stood tall, emanating a radiant aura of confidence that evoked admiration from both the young and the wise. Her captivating smile rendered her akin to a goddess in the eyes of all who beheld her.

In stark contrast to her mother's warmth and grace, Wang Qinglian, at the tender age of seventeen, possessed a beauty that surpassed all others in Fire Dragon City. If one were to rank the enchanting maidens that graced the city's streets, she would undoubtedly reign as the epitome of allure. Yet, beneath her bewitching exterior, her character starkly contrasted that of her mother. Like an icy enchantress, she exuded an air of cool detachment, rendering her an unattainable goddess in the hearts of many—a vision of otherworldly beauty that only existed within the realm of dreams.

Yet, another important figure dwelled within the confines of the City Lord Mansion. Huai Lian, the head steward and a slave, held no blood ties to the family. He had been taken in by Wang Tao's father as a reward for saving his life. Loyal and dedicated, Huai Lian had cared for Wang Tao during his formative years. Despite his unwavering support, Wang Tao harbored deep resentment towards him solely due to his appearance. Huai Lian's unfortunate visage evoked revulsion from all who beheld him. His head, barren and patchy, bore the scars of hair loss and a blotchy, irritated scalp. A misshapen nose dominated his face, while his lips, chapped and cracked, revealed decaying teeth stained with a sickly yellow hue. His hunched back further accentuated his unappealing physique, marked by an abundance of unsightly bumps and pustules oozing with repulsive pus. His grotesque appearance repelled everyone, leaving him in perpetual isolation. The disgust directed towards him was all-encompassing.

Although Huai Lian had saved Wang Tao's father and had proven himself a trustworthy and capable steward, Wang Tao's contempt for him remained unyielding. Following the demise of Wang Tao's father, the city lord begrudgingly retained Huai Lian for two reasons. Firstly, he recognized the slave's loyalty and his instrumental role in managing the affairs of the mansion. Secondly, Wang Tao himself feared the criticism he would face if he were to dispose of Huai Lian, given his father's previous attachment to the steward. Consequently, Huai Lian accompanied Wang Tao to Fire Dragon City, taking up residence within the City Lord Mansion. However, his days within the mansion were plagued by mistreatment, not only at the hands of Wang Tao but also his wife and daughter. Though Huai Lian maintained an unflinching facade in their presence, his heart seethed with hatred for this family of three. He harbored his own reasons for despising them.

By chance, Huai Lian had overheard a conversation between Wang Tao and his wife, revealing the sinister truth behind his disfigurement. Wang Tao admitted to his wife, "Darling, you know, I was once furious with that repulsive Huai Lian. He, an ugly slave, had the audacity to reprimand me in front of my friends. The humiliation was unbearable, and I desired nothing more than to end his life. But my father intervened, permitting any act except outright murder. So, I acquired a potent, unknown powder—a poison that I believed would render him ugly. Little did I know the full extent of its effects. Once secretly administered to Huai Lian, his body sprouted unsightly bumps, and he became hunched back."

Curious, Liu Qinyi inquired, "Didn't your father discover your actions?"

Wang Tao responded with a chilling revelation, " He did, my dear, but he did not blame me since I did not cross the line. He even praised my ingenuity, stating that inflicting prolonged suffering upon someone brings a unique and twisted pleasure."

As the revelation of Wang Tao's heinous actions unfolded, Huai Lian's heart swelled with a potent mix of fury and sorrow. Once an ordinary man burdened by a less-than-ideal appearance, his transformation into a grotesque figure of torment was a direct consequence of Wang Tao's vile desires. Perhaps, if that were the extent of Wang Tao's transgressions, Huai Lian might have found it in his heart to forgive him after all these years. However, what Wang Tao uttered next shattered any possibility of absolution.

Liu Qinyi, wearing a smile, remarked, "Your father is as ruthless as you, my love."

Wang Tao's own smile widened as he added, "That's not all. Inspired by my father's words, I concocted a new scheme—one that I found immensely satisfying. Huai Lian had a lover named Wu Ningning who, loved him unconditionally and who remained loyal even after his monstrous transformation. So, I manipulated Huai Lian into selling her to a gang of thieves, unaware that the girl he traded away was his own beloved."

Wang Tao continued with a twisted sense of pride, "Did you know, Huai Lian brought me the money from selling his lover, completely unaware of her true identity? Later, I orchestrated a charade, making it appear as though Wu Ningning had abandoned him due to his repulsive appearance."

Intrigued, Liu Qinyi inquired further, "What happened to Wu Ningning afterwards?"

Wang Tao's face contorted with a perverse sense of satisfaction as he replied, "Oh, she endured relentless rape for an entire month. Only after that month had passed did I purchase her back, using her for another... captivating performance."

Liu Qinyi's curiosity piqued once again, craving more details. With a mysterious smile, Wang Tao withheld information, stating, "It's not something you need to know. Just understand that it was the greatest humiliation a woman could ever face."

Liu Qinyi pouted, perturbed by her husband's reluctance to share more details. It appeared that she cared little for the plight of Wu Ningning and Huai Lian, treating their suffering as nothing more than an entertaining story. She inquired once more, her curiosity unabated, "Aren't you afraid that Huai Lian, upon discovering this, might seek revenge against you?"

Wang Tao sneered, his voice laced with derision. "He's nothing more than a lowly slave, incapable of mustering the strength to even bind a chicken. Even if he were to learn the truth after all these years, he would do nothing, for he lacks the courage and power. Besides, should he learn of his own involvement in these events, he would only hate himself."

Huai Lian, who had chanced upon this conversation while hiding nearby, yearned to rush forth and kill Wang Tao on the spot. However, he composed himself, recognizing the truth in Wang Tao's words. He possessed no means to harm Wang Tao and his feeble position. But his love for Wu Ningning burned fiercely, and the desire for revenge consumed his every thought. He kept his emotions tightly concealed, retreating from his hiding place and returning silently to his quarters. Lying on his bed, he attempted to find solace in sleep, to calm the raging storm within his heart. But slumber eluded him. Wu Ningning's visage haunted his thoughts, and he wondered, with aching despair, about her fate since her return. Agonizing pain gripped his heart, stifling his breath, as the relentless need for vengeance surged through his veins.

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Dear readers,

I would like to draw your attention to an upcoming chapter that contains explicit and disturbing adult descriptions. If such content is not to your liking, I kindly request that you refrain from reading it. It is crucial to note that the author bears no responsibility for any consequences arising from the reading of this chapter. Therefore, for those who choose to proceed, please exercise your own discretion and read it at your own free will.

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