Evil Rectification (1)

"The Zhenguohou Mansion is a few streets away from here, and it's dark when you bring silver. How can we compete in dog fighting?" Xu Tianan said lazily, showing little interest.

Murong Ye's expression turned gloomy. "Xiao Ye's silver has run out, and they don't allow credit for dogs and bets in the Colosseum. If we don't go back to the house to get silver, how can I compete with you?"

"You can use the woman behind you as collateral!" Xu Tianan looked at Murong Ye's side and smirked maliciously.

Woman? What woman?

Confused, Murong Ye turned around and saw Murong Xue standing a couple of meters away, looking at him calmly. He was shocked. "Sister, why are you here?"

"Sister!" Xu Tianan was stunned. He had thought that Shuangxi, who followed behind her respectfully, was Murong Ye's secret lover. Little did he expect that she was Murong Ye's sister, Murong Xue, who had a marriage contract with King Jing Ye Yichen.

Rumors had it that she was seriously ill and weak, confined to the backyard for a long time to recuperate, and rarely made appearances. But here she was, a rare and stunning beauty.

"Just passing by, I saw you here and decided to come in and take a look," Murong Xue replied with a cold voice that pierced through the eardrums.

Xu Tianan's heart stirred, recalling that his brother Xu Tianyou often followed King Jing. According to him, King Jing didn't like this fiancée of his and even planned to demote her to a lowly concubine. If he were to humiliate her, wouldn't it give King Jing a reason to degrade her? King Jing would be pleased, and maybe he would reward Xu Tianan handsomely.

Being praised by King Jing while enjoying a beautiful woman—it was definitely killing two birds with one stone.

Xu Tianan's eyes sparkled as he stared at Murong Xue, his gaze filled with undisguised lust and evil intentions. He wanted to ravage her fiercely in his arms. "Murong Ye, let's not pretend to be brotherly love. Just make a precise decision. Do you want to use her as collateral..."

"Xu Tianan, watch your words! She's my sister, not an object. How can she be used as collateral?" Murong Ye interrupted sharply, his face darkening with anger.

Xu Tianan didn't see it that way. "What kind of sister isn't close to her brother? She's just a girl. Losing money, what's there to treasure? If I were you, I'd immediately bet her here for a few thousand taels of silver, pick a good dog, win back some face. Then, when someone brings back the silver, you can redeem her..."

"I'm not as heartless as you, sacrificing my sister's reputation for dog fighting," Murong Ye snapped, his face filled with anger. The thought of the eldest lady of the Guohou Mansion being used as collateral in the Colosseum, treated like an object, and ridiculed by everyone made his blood boil. He couldn't bear to see his sister being mocked and unable to hold her head high.

"Stop with the high-sounding words. I think you're just afraid of losing!" Xu Tianan leaned against the fence, squinting at Murong Ye with pride. "You're afraid your judgment is terrible and that you can't defeat me even with a hundred dogs. You're afraid of losing your sister and losing face..."

"Xu Tianan, shut up!" Murong Ye couldn't tolerate the ridicule anymore. He felt a surge of anger in his chest and was about to pounce on Xu Tianan.

But Murong Xue reached out her hand, pulled him back, took a few steps forward, and looked directly at Xu Tianan with a cold gaze. "If my brother is having a stroke of bad luck today, don't try to provoke him anymore. If you want to fight dogs, I'll accompany you."

Although Murong Ye was reckless, she was fiercely protective of him. She couldn't sit by and watch him being ridiculed.

Xu Tianan's eyes widened in surprise. "You want to fight dogs with me?" he exclaimed. Murong Xue, a delicate and sheltered young lady, had probably never even witnessed cockfighting or cricket fighting. And now, she wanted to fight dogs with him? Was she hallucinating?

"Can't I?" Murong Xue's voice remained cold.

"Of course you can!" Xu Tianan raised his head arrogantly, looking at Murong Xue with a presumptuous gaze. His narrowed eyes revealed blatant lewdness and wickedness. "I know how to treat a delicate beauty like you. Even if you lose, I won't make you cut off a finger. Just serve me well for one night, and we'll settle the score between us..."

"Snap!" A resounding slap landed on Xu Tianan's face, cutting off his words. His head snapped to the side, and his cheek bore the mark of a bright red palm. It stung with heat.

"Murong Xue, how dare you hit me!" Xu Tianan seethed with anger, spitting out blood from the corner of his mouth. He fiercely lunged toward Murong Xue.

Teach her a lesson? Bite off more than one can chew!

Murong Xue smirked, raising her foot to kick Xu Tianan.

Caught off guard, Xu Tianan took a blow to the stomach, causing him to collapse on the ground. He grimaced in pain, furrowing his brows and glared at Murong Xue with intense hatred.

"The bet for dog fighting is simple. If you agree, nod; if you disagree, shake your head. Stop with the pointless chatter," Murong Xue looked down at him with disdain and contempt in her eyes.

Choked with anger, Xu Tianan swallowed his retort. This insolent girl, who hadn't seen the world, dared to hit him, kick him, mock him, and make him lose face. Did she not care about her life? If she wanted to court death, he would oblige!

With hatred in his heart, Xu Tianan stood up, rushed to the iron cages, and pointed at a dog inside. "I want this one, and this one... Get them all for me..."

Murong Ye looked at Murong Xue with a complicated expression. In his mind, his sister was a gentle and beautiful lady, confined to the inner chambers. Hearing that she wanted to fight dogs shocked him. By the time he came to his senses, she had already finished negotiating all the terms with Xu Tianan. The dog fight was inevitable, and he could no longer stop it. He lamented inwardly:

His impulsive younger sister had set up this gamble, and he hadn't taken good care of his brother. If his sister lost, he would have to sacrifice a finger for her. He had used all ten fingers for fourteen years, and he was hesitant to cut off any of them...

Seeing Xu Tianan buying four or five dogs in one go, he shouted angrily, "Xu Tianan, you and my sister are only gambling on one match. Just pick one dog. Why are you picking so many?"

Xu Tianan glanced at him, his chin held high. Without hesitation, he admitted, "I can do as I please. Can you stop me?"

Murong Ye's face darkened, and he glared at Xu Tianan, his anger burning. "Despicable and shameless scoundrel!"

Xu Tianan snorted coldly, ignoring his words, and impatiently urged, "It's getting late. If you don't want to fight, I'll go back home. But if you have some vile, filthy tricks up your sleeve, I won't bother with them."

Murong Xue sneered, taking a step forward. Her cold gaze swept over the iron cages, finally stopping at one in the far corner.