Manipulative Harem God

18th April, 2023

The last week unfurled for Zhang Wei with an uncharacteristic serenity. His days oscillated between the high-intensity drama of bullying Chen Yulan and the carefree joy of playing with Feng Xinyue.

This routine, peculiar yet comforting, had become his new normal, temprorily.

On this particular morning, Zhang Wei took a deep, fulfilling breath, a rare occurrence that painted his usually stoic face with a pleased smile.

The air was crisp, the first light of dawn casting a golden hue over the world, promising a day of tranquility and hidden opportunities.

[Host, you've already reached the Core Formation Realm, and in just a month's time. The sects would lose their minds if they were to discover such a feat.]

Zhang Wei's eyes twitched at the system's remark, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Keep it hidden. The last thing I need is more women lusting after my body," he muttered under his breath, a mix of annoyance and amusement lacing his tone.

The system retorted in a playful tone, [Which woman, host? I'm quite sure I've been on my best behavior recently.]

Choosing to ignore the system's remarks, Zhang Wei turned his gaze toward the horizon, the early morning light casting long shadows on the ground.

A sense of curiosity stirred within him, urging him to explore the city that was just waking up from its slumber.

_____________

Meanwhile, in Fengshen town, near a quaint noodle shop fragrant with the aroma of spices and steaming broth, Long Tian was hunched over a bowl of noodles.

Beside him, Chen Xiaoya sat, her presence a silent comfort.

The faint sounds of the town mingled with the soft slurping of noodles, creating a lively yet intimate atmosphere.

"Yu Tian... How about we go back now?" Chen Xiaoya proposed, her voice a gentle nudge in the quiet morning.

Long Tian narrowed his eyes, the gears in his mind turning.

Chen Xiaoya added, her voice tinged with a hint of resignation, "It's already been a week since we've been searching for that guy. Grandpa is already asking us to come back."

Long Tian placed his chopsticks down, the clatter a sharp contrast to the soft hum of the morning. He turned to face Chen Xiaoya, his eyes reflecting the myriad of thoughts swirling within him.

"You're right, Xiaoya. But something tells me we're closer than ever to finding him. It's not just about what Grandpa wants; it's about taking the revenge. If you want to stay, stay; or scram off," he declared, his voice cold and harsh.

Chen Xiaoya's response was a silent one, her gaze locking with Long Tian's.

The resolve she saw there did not comfort her; instead, it ignited a spark of fear.

The weight of their quest, the ancient marriage agreement binding her fate to a stranger, and the shadow of a vendetta that loomed over Long Tian—it all converged into a moment of stark realization.

Her grandfather, Chen Xiaowen, had unwittingly entangled her in a web of ancient promises and dark secrets.

These secrets had come to light a few months ago, casting a long shadow over Chen Xiaoya's life.

Long Tian, having descended from the mountain with a heart set on revenge, was a living reminder of the bloody night that had shattered his life twenty-four years ago.

On his sixth birthday, a day that should have been filled with joy and celebration, tragedy struck.

Intruders, their hearts cold and intentions darker than the night, turned the Longyun city into a scene of carnage.

Long Tian, recounting that night, felt the pain and loss anew.

The river that ran red with the blood of his family, the icy grip of death as he fell into its depths, and the miraculous hand of salvation that pulled him from the brink—these memories were etched into his soul.

Trained under the hnads of the master of Medicinal Valley, every moment of peace was shadowed by the thirst for revenge.

"Crimson Warlock..." The name fell from Long Tian's lips, a whisper laden with darkness and resolve.

This mysterious figure, the orchestrator of his family's demise, remained a ghost, an puzzle that evaded every attempt at uncovering the truth.

In his quest for answers, Long Tian had sought out Chen Xiaowen, hoping for even the slightest clue. Yet, the name "Crimson Warlock" seemed to vanish into the mists of time, leaving no trace behind.

It was in this vortex of frustration and vengeance that Long Tian's path crossed with Zhang Wei. The chance meeting a week ago had ignited a spark of hope in Long Tian's heart.

Perhaps, in Zhang Wei, he might find the key to unlocking the mystery of the Crimson Warlock, or at the very least, a way to channel his frustrations.

As Long Tian was absorbed in the depths of his own brooding thoughts, Zhang Wei, intrigued by the day's potential for testing his newly honed shadow skills, became an unseen force weaving through the crowd.

His movements were swift and silent, a ghostly presence flitting from one unsuspecting individual to another, finally merging with the shadow of Chen Xiaoya.

"Yu Tian, I am going back to the hotel," Chen Xiaoya announced, her patience worn thin. The frustration bubbling inside her couldn't be contained any longer.

Long Tian's indifferent demeanor had left her feeling isolated and disregarded, a feeling she couldn't shake off.

Long Tian, sensing the finality in her voice, paused. His eyes, usually a fortress of resolve, showed a flicker of hesitation before he made his decision. "I will accompany you," he said, reaching for his wallet to settle their meal.

Chen Xiaoya, tapping her foot impatiently, was a bundle of nerves. Her family's situation weighed heavily on her mind.

The Chen family, once respected in the martial arts community, was now facing a decline that threatened their very survival.

Without the necessary resources, which were prohibitively expensive, they had to depend on alliances with business families.

But Long Tian's arrival and his subsequent actions had alienated their affiliates, leaving the Chen family in a precarious position.

As they left the noodle shop, Chen Xiaoya's mind raced with worries. Long Tian's mantra, "Strength is supreme," did little to comfort her.

It wasn't just about survival; it was about the dignity and wellbeing of her family.

Long Tian, with his formidable skills, might weather the storm, but the same couldn't be said for the rest of her family.