Manipulative Harem God

"So that's it…? As long as I wield Master Yanling's cane to strike him down, the entire underworld of Xianghui will fall under my control?"

Zhang Wei couldn't help but stroke his chin thoughtfully, a spark of profound enlightenment igniting in his eyes.

Indeed, seizing control of Xianghui was, in fact, astonishingly simple!

Tang Lifen, "..."

She found herself baffled, pondering the source of his unwavering confidence.

Yet, who was she to challenge him?

Brother is majestic! Unrivaled!

She clenched her teeth in frustration, aware that opposing him at this moment might only sabotage their plans.

However, patience wasn't a virtue shared by all—

Boom!

"Come outside!"

"Coward, stop hiding!"

"..."

"..."

Zhang Wei and Tang Lifen shared a look that screamed 'not again', as the quiet was obliterated by an over-the-top boom, punctuated by the melodramatic screams and the thunderous approach of multiple footsteps.

______

The front of the pavilion was bathed in the harsh light of evening, casting stark shadows that mirrored the tense standoff before it.

Hiss!

Seven women stood resolutely, their eyes sharp and unwavering, forming an imposing line against the intruders.

Each woman wore a distinct outfit, ranging from flowing robes to tight, functional battle gear, their expressions etched with a blend of defiance and readiness.

Facing them were two dozen men, their numbers dwarfing the women but not their spirit.

These men, rugged and battle-worn, had infiltrated under the command of a formidable figure known as Iron Fist.

Iron Fist himself was a tower of a man, with broad shoulders and arms that seemed forged from steel, his face set in a grim scowl.

"Explain yourselves!" Iron Fist barked, his voice echoing off the pavilion walls.

He gestured aggressively towards five of his men standing slightly apart, all swathed in bandages, their faces bruised and battered. "What happened to my men? Who dared to lay hands on them?"

One of the women, with long flowing lavender hair stepped forward slightly, her stance relaxed yet unmistakably ready for any sudden moves, her long blade shinning in the light.

She was draped in a scarlet cloak that fluttered slightly with the breeze, her dark hair pinned back to reveal piercing eyes and a calm, unsmiling mouth.

"Iron Fist, have hour men forgot their manners? Is that the respect you show to the Jade Court?" Zi Weixiu said, her voice cool and steady.

Iron Fist clenched his fists tighter, the very mention of the name evidently striking a nerve as his jaw set in a grimace. "This insolence will cost you dearly," he growled, his voice low and threatening as he took a step forward, his posture menacing. "First you dare to attack my men, and now you threaten me! I wonder how Master Yanling would react to this?"

Qing Cuiying, a younger woman with eyes blazing and a rebellious smirk, laughed softly, the sound echoing slightly in the tense air. "We are not intimidated by your threats," she declared, stepping confidently to stand shoulder to shoulder with her companion. "You've trespassed on our ground, Iron Fist, and here, you'll play by our rules."

Iron Fist paused, his eyes scanning the defiant assembly before him, his mind racing with calculations and consequences, when suddenly another voice cut through the standoff—

"Enough! Iron Fist, what are you doing on my land?!"

Tang Lifen's approach was swift, her presence almost ethereal as she floated towards them, her long, flowing black robe gracefully behind her.

Close on her heels, Zhang Wei appeared, coming forward with an easy grace.

He casually surveyed the scene, his gaze briefly flickering to the wide-eyed Qing sisters, to whom he flashed a conspiratorial wink.

"!"

Qing Cuiying and Qing She exchanged glances of bewilderment before Yin Yaqing, with a subtle hand gesture, signaled for them to hold their position.

She then stepped forward to join Tang Lifen, her movements embodying a quiet grace that seemed to captivate even Iron Fist, whose eyes lingered on her a moment too long, a trace of desire flickering across his face.

'Ugh! This woman, if only I—' Iron Fist couldn't help but think, his gaze overt and undisguised, prompting a frown from Tang Lifen.

"Iron Fist, have you forgotten your manners?" Tang Lifen snapped, her voice sharp with irritation.

Her annoyance only deepened when Zhang Wei, unable to contain himself, let out a snort of laughter.

Pfft...

"Haha... Little girl, you seem to have a fan following!" Zhang Wei couldn't help but tease Yin Yaqing, whose eyes narrowed sharply at his remark.

"Humph!" With a disgusted toss of her head, Yin Yaqing turned away, her expression one of scorn as she looked off to the side, irritated by the exchange.

"These two..." Tang Lifen muttered under her breath, feeling the urge to massage her temples. But before she could react further, Iron Fist, who caught her gesture, was already seething with rage.

He gave a sharp wink to his five men swathed in bandages, one of whom immediately tensed, understanding the unspoken command.

"Boss! It's him, he was the one who charged at us and beat us!" the man exclaimed, pointing an accusatory finger.

"!"

The others, initially slow to react, quickly echoed the accusation.

"Yes, boss! It's him!"

"He is the one who beat us!"

"Boss! It's him!"

"You must take revenge for us!"

"..."

Tang Lifen's expression darkened as the accusations flew, turning to Zhang Wei for an explanation. He merely shrugged, his nonchalance as if to suggest, 'I'm hearing about these fools for the first time.'

Zhang Wei's dismissive shrug only fanned the flames of Iron Fist's fury.

His face contorted with anger, he stepped closer, his massive frame casting a shadow over the smaller group.

"Laughing in the face of my men's pain? You'll pay for your mockery!" Iron Fist yelled, his voice booming across the open space in front of the pavilion.

Tang Lifen, however, remained composed, her gaze steely. "We will not be intimidated by baseless accusations! Your men trespassed and paid the price for their folly. That is all."

But Iron Fist was not to be placated. He turned to his bandaged followers, his eyes sweeping over them with a mix of concern and rage. "This injustice will not stand Scarlet lady! We demand satisfaction—a duel! Your best fighter against me. If I win, you will apologize and compensate my men." His gaze intensified, sharp as a blade, as he pointed directly at Yin Yaqing, "If you lose... well, we will consider the debt paid. And... if you hand that woman over to me for one night!"

His tongue swept hungrily across his lips, as if he were already savoring the idea of Yin Yaqing's presence, sending a visible shudder of disgust through her.

"!"

Yin Yaqing recoiled in disgust, her expression darkening, but Tang Lifen was already formulating a countermove.

With a slight nod and a cunning glint in her eyes, Tang Lifen agreed, "Very well, Iron Fist. You shall have your duel. Zhang Wei will represent us."

Zhang Wei, wearing a sly grin, subtly stepped back, gently pushing Tang Lifen forward. "I am feeling a bit under the weather from night's exertions. The Scarlet Lady herself shall lead the juniors by example today!"