At this moment, Brother Dao was hurriedly making his way downstairs, having heard that Luo Yao and Lin Ran had arrived. The news left him utterly stunned.
This seemed to be the first time the two had appeared together at his establishment.
Something major must have happened.
When he entered the lounge, Brother Dao immediately spotted the two figures lounging on the sofa. He hesitated, unsure whom to address first.
If he greeted Luo Yao as "Boss Luo," Lin Ran might raise an eyebrow.
But if he called out to "Young Master Lin," he risked earning a frown from Boss Luo.
His life, it seemed, was a tightrope walk.
"Bosses... what brings you here without giving me a heads-up?" he ventured cautiously.
Luo Yao waved a hand dismissively. "We came to discuss something with you. You’ve worked hard for me these past few years. Soon, I’ll be moving you to a different role."
Brother Dao froze. What did Boss Luo mean by that? Was he being sidelined—too old to keep up?
Wait… had Luo Yao just revealed something unintentionally?
The realization eased his tension. At least he wouldn’t have to hide her identity anymore.
When Brother Dao remained silent, Lin Ran chimed in, "Brother Dao, you’re not getting any younger. It’s time for a change of pace. This life… eventually, you have to leave it behind."
Brother Dao snapped out of his daze, absorbing their words. The light in his eyes dimmed slightly.
He understood now—they were pushing him into retirement.
For someone in the underworld, a peaceful retirement was a rare luxury.
But this wasn’t what Brother Dao wanted.
"I’ll follow whatever arrangements you make, Bosses," he said, choosing the diplomatic route.
His response visibly pleased Luo Yao. "Hand over all the records of illegal dealings between you and the Yu and Ai families."
Brother Dao’s heart sank.
Of course. The rich and powerful were ruthless. This wasn’t about retirement—they were setting him up as the fall guy.
Once he turned over those documents, the Yu and Ai clans would hunt him down.
Ah, well. He owed Boss Luo his life anyway.
"Understood. I’ll have them prepared immediately."
Soon, he returned with the evidence, his spirit dulled further, as if fading to gray.
He knew his days were numbered.
Just moments ago, he’d dreaded retirement. Now, even that seemed like an impossible dream.
Luo Yao pocketed the USB drive and stood, studying Brother Dao’s bowed head.
"I’ll be forming an organization called ‘Shadow.’ You’ll oversee one of its divisions. As for this place… let it go. Give the authorities what they need—let the people believe justice always prevails."
Her words reignited a spark in Brother Dao.
So, Boss Luo wasn’t sacrificing him after all.
Following the right leader truly made all the difference.
Overcome with gratitude, he nearly wept.
"Thank you, Boss. Thank you, Young Master Lin. I’ll repay this debt with my life."
Luo Yao saw right through him—his earlier fears laid bare. But she had no patience for such concerns.
"Mm. I’ll find a scapegoat with your name. From now on, you won’t exist. Your codename will be…"
Her gaze drifted, searching the air for inspiration—until the dark silhouette of a shadow caught her eye.
"From now on, you’ll be called the ‘Shadow King,’ serving only our A’Ran. I’ll hand over my intelligence division to you."
Why entrust Brother Dao with the intelligence department? Because this guy was exceptionally skilled at it. Over the years, the information he’d gathered was almost as comprehensive as her own intelligence network.
Keep in mind, Brother Dao was just a gang leader—his people weren’t as professionally trained as hers. Yet, in many cases, Brother Dao’s investigations moved even faster than her own network.
That was real talent.
"Additionally, I’ll merge the security department into ‘Shadow.’ The head of security is Abu, responsible for enhancing combat capabilities. Once I’ve settled some matters, I’ll introduce you. In the future, you’ll jointly oversee Shadow."
In truth, Luo Yao had also assigned someone to manage finances. The three branches would jointly govern Shadow, forming its most stable structure.
Brother Dao immediately dropped to his knees. "The Shadow King pays his respects to his two masters."
Pfft—
Lin Ran nearly burst out laughing. Since when had Brother Dao become so… adorable?
The man switched roles way too fast.
Still, Lin Ran had some concerns.
An organization like this would essentially control their future—their ultimate trump card. It had to be entrusted only to those they could trust completely.
He trusted Abu. But Brother Dao? Well… there didn’t seem to be any reason not to trust him.
Luo Yao wouldn’t take risks without good reason.
He had to trust his wife.
Right now, Lin Ran had no idea just how formidable Shadow would become in the future—or how terrifying its name would grow to be.
But that was a story for another time, one that would unfold in the next novel.
(Already brainstorming the next sweet, unhinged, and hilarious story, huh?)
Lin Ran exhaled and patted Brother Dao’s shoulder. "Do well, and Luo Yao won’t let you down."
Brother Dao nodded eagerly. His success wasn’t just luck—it was also his foresight.
He’d cling to Lin Ran and Luo Yao’s coattails with everything he had.
"Don’t worry, Boss Lin. I won’t disappoint you."
Lin Ran was satisfied with Brother Dao’s attitude. At the very least, the man adapted quickly, maintained a good mindset, and called him "Boss Lin" without a hint of insincerity.
Pure sincerity.
"Now that the serious business is settled, let’s move on to the less important matters. Where’s my son?"
"Your son?" Brother Dao blinked, momentarily confused before it clicked.
"Ah… Your esteemed son said he was starving, so he’s currently… dining in the detention room."
"Take me there."
In the dimly lit room, Lin Tianba had been stuck in a cycle of eating, vomiting, and eating again for five straight hours.
One of the lackeys kicked him in the face. "Hurry the hell up! Weren’t you whining about being hungry? About us starving you? Well, eat up!"
Lin Tianba sobbed, snot and tears mixing. "Boss, I can’t eat anymore…"
Today was officially the fullest he’d ever been in his life.
Ever since arriving here, he’d been beaten, forced to reflect on his sins, beaten again…
The cycle never ended. Not even a single bite of food had been spared for him.
Finally, he’d cracked, crying about the abuse and starvation—how he didn’t even have the strength to get beaten properly anymore.
And so, he’d earned himself this "feast."
So. Damn. Full.
"Boss, I really can’t… This is such a waste of food. It’s disrespectful to Grandpa Yuan!"
The lackey kicked him again. "Stop yapping and eat up. If you leave even a crumb, I’ll knock your teeth out one by one."
The lackey wasn’t about to go easy on Lin Tianba. Brother Dao had given strict orders—this guy wasn’t allowed to slack off. The basic rule was that whenever Young Master Lin did a surprise inspection, he had to see this bastard suffering.
Lin Tianba had no choice but to force down the food that was already choking him.
Suddenly, the door swung open.
"Ba’er, did ya miss your dear old dad?"
young master of the Shen family—a figure of immense power and wealth beyond measure—and awakened the "Destined Ultimate Villain System"! His starting scenario? Running into his icy fiancée who shows up with a mountain-descending divine doctor to break off their engagement. The divine doctor arrogantly taunts: "What does your Shen family have besides a bit of stinking money? You're not even worthy of tying Qingxue's shoelaces!" Shen Fei just smiled. He completely defied the usual script: "Fine, I agree to break off the engagement. Also, notify the finance department to withdraw all investments from the Su family." Minutes later, with its capital chain severed, the Su Group teetered on the brink of bankruptcy! The once aloof and proud ice queen CEO was thrown into utter panic. That very night, she went to Shen Fei's villa, casting aside all dignity to beg and plead desperately... From then on, in this world teeming with Sons of Destiny, Shen Fei embarked on a path of extreme dimensional suppression! A mountain-descending divine doctor? Peerless medical skills? Shen Fei: "Reporting you for practicing medicine without a license! I'll gladly take your ancient medicinal cauldron and twin sister assassins." The Crooked-Smiling Dragon King? Commanding a hundred thousand soldiers with a single order? Shen Fei: "Illegal assembly and suspected treason! Let a fleet of attack helicopters sanitize the area and teach you what the state apparatus really means!" A reborn tycoon? Knows all the golden opportunities of the next decade? Shen Fei: "A trillion in capital to reverse and pump the stock market, making you blow your margin and jump on the very first day of your rebirth!" What Chosen Ones? What bearers of Heavenly Fortune? In Shen Fei's eyes, they're all just chives (i.e., suckers/marks) waiting to be harvested! Shen Fei: "Sorry, but as the Destined Ultimate Villain, I don't play by the rules of honor. I only play the game of dimensional suppression."
] This is a dark fantasy-themed dating simulation game. The main gameplay involves containing various monster girls and investigating the truth of a world shrouded in mist alongside your companions. However, due to his love for the dark and bizarre atmosphere, Luo Wei ended up turning a dating game into a detective mystery game. Women? Women only slow down his quickdraw! To Luo Wei, the female leads in the game are more like tools to perfectly clear levels and squeeze out rewards. For Luo Wei, flirting with every girl he meets and then discarding them is standard procedure. Worried about characters losing affection points? No need. With his maxed-out charm stat, Luo Wei is practically a "human incubus." A little psychological manipulation and those points come right back. It's a bit scummy, but the paper cutout heroines in the game won't actually come at him with real cleavers. However... Luo Wei has transmigrated. He's accidentally entered the second playthrough of this game. His past actions have caused all the girls to transform into terrifying yanderes. Due to the game's setting, most of the heroines he once contained are "troubled girls." Obsessive, twisted, mentally unstable, all aggressive yanderes... The type who will kill you if they can't have you... Luo Wei wants to cry but has no tears left. "I really just want to survive..." In short, this is a story of battling wits and engaging in a love-hate relationship with yanderes.
ive and Ruthless] Before his transmigration, Ye Xuan was playing a game called "Severing Emotions to Attain the Dao." The game's core wasn't about leveling up by fighting monsters, but about conquering various "bad women" with wicked personalities and cold, fickle natures. There was only one method to conquer them: stay unwaveringly by their side, then die at a critical moment, driving them to madness after losing the protagonist. The higher their level of regret, the higher the player's score. To dominate the server, Ye Xuan conquered all the bad women. In the early stages, he showered them with boundless tenderness, only to choose to sacrifice himself for them later, making them weep bitterly and drown in regret. Among them were: Xia Lengyue, the unfaithful immortal wife who chased after powerful men and discarded her husband like trash. Ye Qingcheng, the Demonic Venerable of the Joyous Union Sect, who appeared pure and innocent but was, in reality, promiscuous. Wu Lingxiao, the Empress of the Great Xia Dynasty, who lusted after men and loved maintaining a harem. Bai Qiangu of the Endless Demonic Sect: a bloodthirsty mass murderer. However, when the protagonist transmigrated into the game world, he made a horrifying discovery. Eight hundred years had already passed. The bad women he had conquered had now each become deities and revered ancestors. Faced with the endless stream of toxic women coming for him, Ye Xuan could only rely on his god-tier acting skills to carve a path of survival through this world of treacherous women.
transmigrates into the world as the sect master of the Heavenly Yan Sect, which is on the verge of being wiped out. He binds a system that grants him cultivation power based on the number of disciples he has: for each disciple, he automatically gains a year's worth of cultivation every single day! Take one disciple: every day he gains 1 year of cultivation power. While others struggle through a year of bitter training, he gets the same just by sleeping through a single night. Take ten disciples: every day he gains 10 years of cultivation power. Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul—he breezes through all bottlenecks without lifting a finger. Take one hundred disciples: every day he gains 100 years of cultivation power. Even a Soul Transformation Venerable before him can’t survive a single blow. Take ten thousand disciples: every day he gains 10,000 years of cultivation power! With a wave of his hand, he topples empires. With a single step, he crushes the sacred grounds of the universe. ... While others fight tooth and nail for secret techniques, Lin Yan casually hands out Nascent Soul-level cultivation manuals as beginner textbooks. While others strain to find talented recruits, Lin Yan opens his doors to anyone—so long as they’re human. In just three short years, the Heavenly Yan Sect went from a backwater sect made up of three crumbling huts to a sacred land that every cultivator under heaven would kill to enter. ... One day, otherworldly demon gods invade, with a million demon soldiers pressing down upon the realm. Lin Yan, yawning, rises from his lounge chair and glances at the system panel: [Current Disciples: 1.28 million] [Daily Cultivation Increase: 1.28 million years] He waves his hand casually, and the countless demon soldiers are reduced to ashes in an instant. “So noisy… interrupting my fishing.”
