THE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS

Chapter Ninety-One — Just a Game

“Dandan, what happened here?”

Without even glancing at Dong Tianba—

The white-robed young master walked directly toward the woman in red instead.

Meanwhile—

The red-dressed girl merely sneered toward the Dong Clan group dismissively.

“Nothing important.”

“Just a few blind dogs ruining my mood.”

The white-robed young master laughed softly.

“Oh?”

“Someone actually dared offend Young Miss Xiao of Peony Tower?”

“They really must be blind.”

The moment those words fell—

Everyone around the market instantly stiffened.

Even Dong Tianba’s face turned pale.

“Peony Tower?”

“One of Blossom Rain Tower’s Fifteen Towers?!”

Only now did he finally understand why his stubborn younger sister endured such humiliation silently.

Because the moment a normal family offended one of the Seven Houses—

Dignity stopped mattering.

Survival became the only thing left.

“Xiaowan…”

Dong Tianba clenched his fists tightly while looking toward his crying sister.

Pain filled his eyes.

Meanwhile—

Xiao Dandan glanced toward him mockingly.

“Aren’t you the one who wanted hitting me earlier?”

“Why stop now?”

Dong Tianba’s body trembled visibly.

Cold sweat covered his forehead instantly.

Then—

He bowed deeply.

“This one was blind earlier.”

“I offended Young Miss unknowingly.”

“Please forgive me.”

“Forgive you?”

Xiao Dandan burst into laughter.

“Why would I forgive you?”

“You said I stole your sister’s item first.”

“You said I humiliated her.”

“You wanted standing up for her, right?”

Then her eyes turned sharp.

“So tell me…”

“…do you actually possess that strength?”

Dong Tianba bit his lip so hard blood nearly flowed out.

Finally—

He raised his hand.

SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!

He struck himself repeatedly across the face without hesitation.

Within moments—

His cheeks became as swollen as Dong Xiaowan’s.

Everyone watching sighed silently.

Before the Seven Houses—

No ordinary family possessed dignity.

Xiao Dandan merely pouted in disappointment.

“What trash.”

“Every man is exactly the same.”

“Spineless.”

Then suddenly—

Her eyes brightened mischievously.

Turning toward the white-robed young master, she smiled sweetly.

“Tianyu-ge…”

“Why don’t you play with them a little?”

The young man laughed helplessly.

“What strange idea are you plotting now?”

Xiao Dandan smiled wickedly.

“I noticed that fool cares deeply about his sister.”

“So how about this?”

She pointed lazily toward Dong Xiaowan.

“You possess excellent movement techniques.”

“And you understand women well.”

“So why not make things interesting?”

“If you can strip that girl naked…”

“…while those five Bone Tempering cultivators try protecting her…”

“…then she belongs to you tonight.”

“And Blossom Rain Tower won’t pursue the matter afterward.”

The crowd instantly erupted into shocked gasps.

Dong Xiaowan turned deathly pale immediately.

Meanwhile—

Dong Tianba’s eyes filled completely with bloodshot fury.

This was no longer humiliation.

This was treating them worse than animals.

Yet the white-robed young master only waved his fan slowly and smiled.

“Dandan…”

“You misunderstand me too much.”

“Our Merry Forest may contain the word ‘merry’…”

“…but we aren’t lustful villains.”

“Your request truly puts me in a difficult position.”

Xiao Dandan rolled her eyes.

“Oh please.”

“As if you’re some pure gentleman.”

“Besides…”

“…next July I’ll still marry you anyway.”

“You’ll still marry into Blossom Rain Tower.”

“So what exactly changes?”

Hearing this—

The young man’s gaze slowly drifted toward Dong Xiaowan.

Then a lustful smile spread across his face.

“Well…”

“Since Dandan insists…”

“…I suppose I have no choice.”

“But remember.”

“This is only a game.”

“You’re not allowed getting jealous later.”

“Disgusting.”

Xiao Dandan snorted and turned away.

The young man merely laughed before slowly walking toward Dong Xiaowan.

“Allow me introducing myself.”

He smiled elegantly.

“Lin Tianyu of Merry Forest.”

“Future son-in-law of Blossom Rain Tower.”

“Everyone heard the rules already.”

“I’m not some villain bullying women…”

“…I’m merely punishing someone who offended my future wife.”

Dong Tianba immediately stepped forward.

“Then let’s clarify the rules completely.”

“If by some chance…”

“…we stop you once…”

“…what happens?”

Lin Tianyu paused briefly.

Then sneered dismissively.

But Xiao Dandan answered lazily instead:

“If you stop him even once…”

“…then this matter ends here permanently.”

Dong Tianba’s eyes instantly ignited with fighting spirit.

“Good!”

“Then excuse us for offending Young Master Lin!”

BOOM!

The five Bone Tempering cultivators immediately surrounded Dong Xiaowan protectively.

Seeing this—

Lin Tianyu’s eyes filled with ridicule.

“Good courage.”

“Unfortunately…”

“…you lack the strength.”

WHOOSH!

A white blur suddenly flashed past everyone.

The next moment—

Lin Tianyu already stood behind Dong Xiaowan.

And in his hand—

Hung one of her outer garments.

AHHH!

Dong Xiaowan screamed instantly.

Both arms crossed desperately over her exposed shoulders.

The crowd gasped.

Because none of them had even seen how Lin Tianyu moved.

Only Zhuo Fan remained unimpressed.

This idiot sacrificed nearly all offensive power for speed alone.

Though possessing seventh-layer Bone Tempering cultivation—

His actual striking force barely matched sixth layer.

He was fast.

Very fast.

But fundamentally—

His cultivation path was already crippled.

Eventually—

The imbalance between speed and power would only worsen further.

No wonder Merry Forest used him as a political marriage piece.

To true experts—

This type of cultivation was trash.

Yet Dong Tianba and the others clearly couldn’t see that.

Their faces already filled with panic.

“Four elders!”

“Protect Xiaowan tightly!”

Dong Tianba roared immediately.

The elders instantly tightened formation around Dong Xiaowan completely.

Lin Tianyu only smirked.

“Useless.”

“With your level…”

“…you can’t even see my movements.”

WHOOSH!

Another gust of wind swept past.

Dong Xiaowan screamed again.

The second outer garment now appeared in Lin Tianyu’s hand.

Dong Tianba’s pupils shrank violently.

Too fast.

Even staring directly at him—

He still couldn’t track Lin Tianyu’s movements at all.

Meanwhile—

Lin Tianyu slowly lifted the garment toward his face.

Then inhaled deeply.

“Mm…”

“What a lovely scent.”

His eyes gradually filled with obscene excitement.

“If even the second layer smells this good…”

“…I wonder about the undergarments beneath?”

Dong Xiaowan trembled uncontrollably.

“Brother…”

Dong Tianba clenched his teeth violently.

“I’ll protect you.”

“I swear it.”

Though years ago he nearly married his sister to Song Yu—

At least that came from genuine trust.

But now—

Someone truly intended violating her publicly.

And for Dong Tianba—

That crossed the absolute limit.

WHOOSH!

Lin Tianyu vanished again.

Then instantly reappeared holding two more garments.

Dong Xiaowan now wore only a thin final layer.

THUD.

Dong Tianba collapsed to his knees completely.

Despair filled his eyes.

Too fast.

The gap felt impossible.

Meanwhile—

Dong Xiaowan slowly closed her eyes.

Tears slid silently down her cheeks.

The four elders also looked utterly humiliated.

This wasn’t combat anymore.

It was torture.

A deliberate trampling of their dignity.

At that moment—

Footsteps echoed slowly across the silent market.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

A calm figure walked forward lazily and stopped beside Dong Tianba.

The moment Dong Tianba looked up—

He saw Zhuo Fan’s relaxed smile.

“Brother Dong.”

“How about adding me for this final round?”

Xiao Dandan immediately frowned.

“And who are you?”

Zhuo Fan scratched his nose awkwardly.

Then pointed toward Dong Xiaowan.

“I’m her husband.”

The entire crowd froze instantly.

Even Zhuo Fan blinked briefly afterward.

“…No.”

“That came out wrong.”

“She’s my wife.”

“That’s not any better!”

Someone shouted immediately from the crowd.

Zhuo Fan scratched his head again helplessly.

“I proposed marriage once.”

“She rejected me.”

“So technically…”

“…I count as her former husband?”

Instantly—

Everyone looked at him with even greater disdain.

A third-rate family brat rejected by a second-rate clan daughter.

Pathetic.

Even Xiao Dandan laughed openly.

“Interesting.”

“Fine.”

“One extra idiot won’t matter.”

Then her lips curled upward cruelly.

“Actually…”

“…watching a lovestruck fool witness the woman he adores getting stripped naked sounds even more entertaining.”

Lin Tianyu laughed proudly.

“Exactly.”

“No matter how many join…”

“…the outcome remains the same.”

The six quickly formed another protective circle around Dong Xiaowan.

Dong Tianba inhaled deeply.

Then glanced toward Zhuo Fan seriously.

“Brother…”

“You shouldn’t involve yourself in this.”

Zhuo Fan smiled casually.

“Brother Dong…”

“We’re practically brothers-in-law already.”

“When brothers face trouble…”

“…naturally we carry it together.”

The moment those words fell—

Everyone froze briefly.

Even the surrounding crowd looked toward Zhuo Fan differently.

Dong Tianba himself nearly cried from emotion.

“I truly didn’t misjudge you!”

“You’re a man of loyalty!”

Zhuo Fan only smiled faintly before turning toward Dong Xiaowan.

Seeing her frightened expression—

His voice softened slightly.

“Relax.”

“He won’t take another piece of your clothing.”

For some reason—

The moment she met Zhuo Fan’s calm eyes—

Dong Xiaowan suddenly felt strangely reassured.

Then—

Zhuo Fan slowly turned toward Lin Tianyu.

And crooked one finger mockingly.

“Come.”

Lin Tianyu froze instantly.

Because for the first time since arriving—

He saw genuine contempt in someone’s eyes.

Not fear.

Not admiration.

True disdain.

And that expression…

…instantly ignited his fury.

[End of Chapter Ninety-One]

 

Chapter Ninety-Two — Let’s See Who’s Faster

“You little bastard…”

Lin Tianyu stared at Zhuo Fan for a long moment.

Then a cold murderous light flashed deep within his eyes.

“Once I finish cleaning up this old hag’s side…”

“…I’ll deal with you personally.”

As one of the Seven Houses’ younger elites—

Wherever he went, people looked at him with fear and reverence.

Someone like Zhuo Fan openly mocking him in public?

That was unforgivable.

Within the Tianyu Empire—

Disrespect toward the Seven Houses meant death.

Everyone watching silently shook their heads.

This kid was finished.

A mere first-layer Bone Tempering cultivator daring insult someone from the Seven Houses publicly—

He truly didn’t know how death was written.

Meanwhile—

Xiao Dandan laughed mockingly from the side.

“Hahaha…”

“Tianyu-ge…”

“You’re actually being ridiculed by some idiot from a third-rate family.”

Lin Tianyu’s face twitched violently.

Then he sneered coldly.

“Hmph.”

“A barking madman isn’t worth getting angry over.”

“After I finish this game…”

“…I’ll casually crush him afterward.”

WHOOSH!

The moment his words fell—

Lin Tianyu vanished instantly like a gust of wind.

Only his laughter echoed around everyone’s ears.

“Hahaha…”

“The final piece…”

“…allow this young master appreciating the young lady properly!”

Dong Xiaowan immediately shrank backward in terror while clutching her final layer of clothing tightly.

Dong Tianba and the four elders guarded around her nervously.

Only Zhuo Fan remained completely calm.

As though none of this involved him at all.

Then suddenly—

WHOOSH!

A sharp gust exploded directly before Dong Xiaowan.

Lin Tianyu’s figure appeared instantly.

His hand already stretched toward her final garment.

A smug grin spread across his face.

“Heh…”

“Got it.”

“Dream on.”

A cold voice suddenly echoed beside him.

Lin Tianyu froze instinctively.

Then—

BOOOOOOM!

Thunder exploded violently.

A fist wrapped in crackling lightning smashed directly into his face.

Lin Tianyu’s brain instantly went blank.

Before he even understood what happened—

His body had already been blasted flying over ten meters away.

He rolled repeatedly across the ground before finally crashing heavily into a stone wall.

When he stood again—

One side of his face had swollen grotesquely.

Silence.

Everyone stared blankly at the scene.

Even Xiao Dandan’s eyes widened slightly.

Because nobody had seen what happened clearly.

One second—

Lin Tianyu stood before Dong Xiaowan.

The next—

He was already sent flying like a kicked dog.

Meanwhile—

Zhuo Fan slowly lowered his fist before Dong Xiaowan.

Then casually shook his slightly reddened knuckles.

“Hm.”

“Something did hit my fist earlier.”

“Guess I punched him after all.”

Dong Tianba stared at him in complete disbelief.

“You…”

“…you actually hit him?”

Not merely hit.

He’d blasted away a seventh-layer Bone Tempering cultivator from one of the Seven Houses.

And with only first-layer Bone Tempering cultivation.

How insane was that?

Even more terrifying—

None of them could track Lin Tianyu’s speed earlier.

Yet Zhuo Fan intercepted him perfectly.

“How did you do it?”

Dong Tianba asked blankly.

Zhuo Fan scratched his nose lazily.

“Do I really need seeing him?”

“His target only has one person.”

“If a rabbit always crashes into the same tree…”

“…then waiting beside the tree works perfectly.”

The moment those words fell—

Everyone instantly understood.

Their eyes widened with realization.

Exactly.

Lin Tianyu’s movement technique was fast—

But his target never changed.

They’d been so distracted by his speed that they forgot the simplest solution entirely.

One elder immediately sighed emotionally.

“Brilliant.”

“Simply brilliant.”

“Young Master Song truly possesses extraordinary insight.”

Dong Tianba burst into loud laughter instantly.

“Hahaha!”

“Brother Song!”

“You’re truly incredible!”

“I already told everyone you’re talented!”

Dong Xiaowan also stared toward Zhuo Fan quietly.

A faint blush spread across her cheeks.

The fear in her eyes gradually faded.

For some reason—

The moment Zhuo Fan stood before her—

She felt strangely safe.

Zhuo Fan waved dismissively.

“Don’t celebrate too early.”

“Whether this matter ends…”

“…depends entirely on her.”

His eyes slowly shifted toward Xiao Dandan.

Dong Tianba immediately understood and hurried toward her respectfully.

“Young Miss Xiao…”

“Earlier we successfully stopped Young Master Lin once.”

“According to the rules…”

“…this matter should end now.”

He bowed deeply.

Xiao Dandan glanced toward him sideways.

Then suddenly smiled strangely.

“Oh?”

“I indeed said I wouldn’t pursue the matter anymore.”

Her smile widened slowly.

“But unfortunately…”

“…Tianyu-ge doesn’t seem finished playing yet.”

The moment those words fell—

Lin Tianyu slowly climbed back to his feet.

One side of his handsome face remained horribly swollen.

His eyes burned with murderous fury.

“In my entire life…”

“…nobody has ever hit me this hard before.”

His voice sounded terrifyingly cold now.

“But don’t worry.”

“I won’t bully you using status.”

“This game…”

“…we’ll continue playing properly.”

Dong Tianba’s heart instantly sank.

“What exactly do you want?”

Lin Tianyu slowly cracked his neck.

Then grinned viciously.

“We stop when I get bored.”

The Dong Clan group immediately turned pale.

This wasn’t a game anymore.

It was deliberate humiliation.

Lin Tianyu clearly intended stripping away every shred of their dignity before finishing them.

Even Zhuo Fan’s eyes turned slightly colder.

Originally—

He hadn’t planned escalating things too far.

But these two idiots truly didn’t know when to stop.

At that moment—

Zhuo Fan suddenly laughed softly.

“Interesting.”

“Since Young Master Lin enjoys games so much…”

“…why don’t we make things fairer?”

Lin Tianyu narrowed his eyes.

“What do you mean?”

Zhuo Fan pointed lazily toward Xiao Dandan.

“You’re trying stripping my woman.”

“So naturally…”

“…I should strip yours too.”

The entire market instantly exploded into chaos.

Everyone stared toward Zhuo Fan like he’d gone insane.

Strip a woman from Blossom Rain Tower publicly?

Did this bastard truly want dying that badly?

Even Dong Tianba nearly collapsed from shock.

Meanwhile—

Lin Tianyu froze briefly.

Then burst into laughter.

“Hahahaha!”

“You?”

“You think landing one lucky punch means you can compete with me?”

“What a joke.”

But Zhuo Fan only smiled faintly.

“What?”

“You lack confidence?”

“Or…”

“…you’re scared of your future wife?”

The crowd instantly erupted into suppressed laughter.

Even some surrounding cultivators failed hiding their amusement.

Because honestly—

Xiao Dandan truly dominated Lin Tianyu completely.

Lin Tianyu’s face immediately darkened.

He instinctively glanced toward Xiao Dandan.

Meanwhile—

Xiao Dandan slowly studied Zhuo Fan carefully.

For the first time—

A trace of genuine interest appeared in her eyes.

“Interesting.”

“Very interesting.”

Then she smiled beautifully.

“Fine.”

“If you can remove even one piece of my clothing before Tianyu-ge stops you…”

“…I’ll immediately dump him.”

“And instead…”

“…I’ll recruit you as Blossom Rain Tower’s live-in son-in-law.”

The crowd nearly exploded.

A live-in son-in-law of Blossom Rain Tower?

That was equivalent to ascending directly into heaven.

Countless men dreamed of such fortune their entire lives.

Yet nobody believed Zhuo Fan truly had any chance succeeding.

Not against Lin Tianyu’s speed.

Even Zhuo Fan merely smiled playfully.

“Miss Dandan…”

“…you shouldn’t speak too confidently.”

“This game’s extremely exciting.”

“If you cry later…”

“…don’t blame me.”

“Hmph.”

Xiao Dandan raised her chin proudly.

“You’ll cry before I do.”

“Enough talking!”

Lin Tianyu suddenly roared furiously.

“I’m starting now!”

Dong Tianba and the others instinctively prepared themselves again.

But Zhuo Fan simply raised one hand lazily.

“No need.”

Then he looked toward Dong Tianba calmly.

“Brother Dong…”

“Leave her to me.”

Dong Tianba froze.

Then after meeting Zhuo Fan’s eyes—

He slowly nodded.

“I’ll entrust Xiaowan to you.”

The five Bone Tempering cultivators withdrew completely.

Now—

Only Zhuo Fan and Dong Xiaowan remained standing before the crowd.

“Do you trust me?”

Zhuo Fan asked quietly.

Dong Xiaowan hesitated briefly.

Then slowly nodded.

“I do.”

Zhuo Fan smiled faintly.

“Good.”

“Then just watch the show.”

WHOOSH!

The instant his words ended—

Lin Tianyu vanished again.

A violent gust exploded beside Dong Xiaowan.

“Hahaha!”

“The final piece belongs to me!”

Dong Xiaowan trembled instinctively.

Yet after glancing toward Zhuo Fan’s calm expression—

She somehow forced herself to remain still.

Then—

PA!

A loud slap echoed throughout the market.

Lin Tianyu hadn’t even touched Dong Xiaowan’s clothing—

Before his body flipped repeatedly through the air once again.

Another swollen handprint now covered his other cheek.

This time—

Everyone saw it clearly.

Zhuo Fan had intercepted Lin Tianyu completely.

And struck him down effortlessly.

Lin Tianyu staggered upright in shock.

“You…”

“…you can actually track my movements?”

Slowly—

Zhuo Fan turned around.

And for the first time—

The playful smile vanished completely from his face.

Only cold disdain remained.

Then—

Lightning suddenly exploded around his body.

WHOOSH!

Before anyone could react—

Zhuo Fan had already appeared directly behind Xiao Dandan.

RIIIP!

Her outer robe instantly shattered into countless red silk fragments flying through the sky.

The entire crowd froze completely.

Meanwhile—

Zhuo Fan’s cold mocking laughter echoed slowly across the silent marketplace.

“Compared to me…”

“…you’re far too slow.”

[End of Chapter Ninety-Two]