Submission and Strategy: The Path Ahead

Chapter 5:

The next morning, Lin Fan sat in the grand meeting hall, Xiao Mi perched on his lap, her body submissively pressed against his. Her hands were busy gently massaging him, while she fed him pieces of food from a silver platter, placing them directly into his mouth. Her eyes reflected a blend of surrender and care, clearly showing her new status as an obedient tool under his complete control.

Raising his hand, Lin Fan calmly ordered one of the servants, "Go and tell Xiao Zhan to come here."

The servant respectfully bowed and left quickly, returning moments later with Xiao Zhan. Upon entering, Xiao Zhan immediately noticed Xiao Mi, elegantly seated on Lin Fan's lap. A wave of relief swept over him. It was clear that she was now part of Lin Fan's life, meaning she no longer posed a threat, which was a good thing for him.

"Young master," Xiao Zhan greeted with a deep bow, his face displaying a mixture of respect and submission.

Lin Fan smiled slightly, then asked in a calm voice, "Is everything ready for your departure?"

"Yes, young master," Xiao Zhan replied respectfully, "We are nearly done. The entire Xiao family is preparing to move towards the Lin family."

"Very good." Lin Fan nodded with satisfaction, then continued, "I will go with Yu Quan. Do not worry about the Yu family. I'll return in time before they plan anything. They won't harm your family before I'm back."

Xiao Zhan bowed once more with deep respect, "I understand, young master. Thank you for ensuring our protection."

"You may leave now." Lin Fan dismissed him with a wave of his hand, his mind already elsewhere.

Once Xiao Zhan left, Lin Fan slightly turned his head toward Xiao Mi, who was looking at him expectantly. He slowly leaned toward her, nibbling her ear softly, causing her to tremble slightly, before planting a light kiss on her neck. She offered no resistance, having fully accepted her submissive role.

Lin Fan smirked devilishly, then pulled out a fifth-grade cultivation technique and a combat technique, handing them to her.

"These are for you. Train well during the days I'll be away. I don't want useless vases by my side."

Xiao Mi took the techniques with trembling hands, lowering her head in submission. "Thank you, young master. I will do my best."

Lin Fan chuckled softly, "Good. That's what I like to hear."

He then summoned his servant again and quietly ordered, "Go and tell Yu Quan to come here."

The servant quickly rushed out to execute the orders, and within minutes, Yu Quan appeared at the entrance of the room. His expression was cold, devoid of any concern for the scene before him. Xiao Mi, who was supposed to be his wife, sat on Lin Fan's lap in a humiliating position, massaging and feeding him like an obedient maid. Anger simmered within Yu Quan. He had become nothing more than Lin Fan's slave, and instead of being furious at this display, his thoughts were now focused on finding a way to break free from this degrading servitude.

Despite everything, Yu Quan was in a relatively good mood; he had received a fifth-grade cultivation technique and had already begun converting his old fourth-grade technique to the new one. Although he had only mastered about 10% of the new technique, the growing sense of power within him was undeniable, easing the sting of humiliation. The benefits of following Lin Fan had, for the time being, made him tolerate the situation, although he was still determined to take his revenge and regain his freedom in the future.

When Yu Quan entered the room, he bowed with forced submission before Lin Fan and said, "Young master."

Though Yu Quan despised Lin Fan to his core, he knew that standing by his side for now was the only way to survive, at least until he could grow stronger and free himself from this humiliating bondage.

Lin Fan, enjoying the sight of Yu Quan showing submission, smirked arrogantly. His ego swelled as he watched Yu Quan, who had once been an adversary, now bow before him like an obedient servant. He couldn't resist the urge to taunt him.

"Hmm, Yu Quan, are you starting to enjoy being under my command? It seems you're adjusting quickly," Lin Fan said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Yu Quan remained calm, hiding his anger behind an indifferent facade. He replied in a steady tone, "I follow because I see the benefits, young master."

Yu Quan had no choice but to swallow the insult. Inside, his feelings of rage and shame burned, but he knew he didn't have the power to retaliate yet.

Raising an eyebrow, pleased with Yu Quan's submission, Lin Fan mockingly added, "I'll be going with you now, be ready."

"To where?" Yu Quan asked curiously.

Lin Fan let out a short laugh before answering cryptically, "You'll find out on the way." He then turned his attention back to Xiao Mi, who was still seated on his lap, playing with strands of her hair between his fingers.

He leaned in slowly, taking in her scent deeply, and whispered with a voice full of disdain, "I'll miss you, my little toy."

Xiao Mi, who had completely surrendered, raised her head slightly and softly said, "I will be here waiting for your return, young master."

There was no resistance in her response; she knew that obedience was her only path to survival. Despite his constant humiliation, she showed no signs of rejection or complaint.

Yu Quan watched the scene with apparent indifference, but inside, his anger boiled. Seeing Xiao Mi, who was supposed to be his, being treated this way in front of him only added to his sense of humiliation. Yet anger wasn't the only emotion overwhelming him; the feelings of shame, disgrace, and helplessness gnawed away at his pride.

"This won't last forever," Yu Quan thought to himself, struggling to keep his emotions in check and mask them behind a cold exterior.

Lin Fan then stood up calmly and gestured for Yu Quan to follow him.

They left the mansion behind, leaving the Beast City as they ventured down the road. Lin Fan's thoughts turned toward his future plans. He looked at Yu Quan and asked in a serious tone, "I want to recruit a few experts from the Deep Sky Realm to become elders of the Lin family. Do you have any suggestions?"

Yu Quan, with his vast experience, didn't need much time to think. He knew exactly who to recommend. In a calm voice, he replied, "There are twin brothers known in demonic circles, both in the fifth layer of the Deep Sky Realm. Their names are Li Mo and Li Qing. They follow the demonic path and became a target of the Yu family after they stole a rare fourth-grade combat technique called 'Demonic Harmony Art.'"

Lin Fan raised an eyebrow in interest as he listened. "The Demonic Harmony Art?"

"Yes," Yu Quan continued, "It's a rare cooperative technique that requires a high level of synchronization between its users. With it, the twins can even defeat an expert in the seventh layer of the Deep Sky Realm. The Yu family has been unable to kill them despite chasing them, and besides, no one within the family could even use such a complex technique."

Lin Fan pondered for a moment before smiling with satisfaction. "So, demonic twins with such power? They sound like a good addition."

Yu Quan nodded and added, "I recently heard that they've been spotted in Xiao Lin City, which isn't far from here. If we move now, we can reach it in about three days."

Lin Fan's lips curled into a wicked smile as he immediately agreed. "Sounds like a great idea. Let's go to them right away."

Without hesitation, Lin Fan and Yu Quan set off for Xiao Lin City, determined to recruit the twins into the Lin family, confident that their power would serve his future ambitions.