Chapter 80: Forced to Observe

The young woman, renowned for her beauty, was at that moment trembling in the arms of the Poison Saint, the master of the Ten Thousand Venoms Sect. She looked as helpless as a little white rabbit caught by a hungry wolf. His weathered hand was slowly slipping inside her collar, and she dared not even breathe, her face flushed, her body shivering as she tried to escape, yet found nowhere to go.

Suddenly, she cried out in alarm, her lovely face turning crimson, as his hand moved with shocking audacity. Instinctively, she shoved him away. The man on the fox-fur couch narrowed his eyes, twisted his body, and pinned her beneath him. Before she could protest, his large hand seized her ample chest with force.

“No, please, I beg you…” she pleaded, her voice breaking with tears. But before she finished, her collar was torn away with a loud rip. She cried out again, and as his hand gripped her mercilessly, a helpless moan escaped her lips.

Perhaps realizing resistance was futile, she squeezed her eyes shut and bit her lip, surrendering to his will. But the Poison Saint, who had been so eager, grew cold the moment she stopped moving. Without the slightest pity, he shoved her to the floor and stood up abruptly, displeased. “So quick to surrender? How dull!”

Ignoring the pain, the woman scrambled to her feet and forced a charming smile. “Master, let me try again. See, I’m even crying for you.” Her demeanor was now all seductive coquetry, nothing like the tearful maiden she’d been moments before.

“That’s enough. Leave me,” he said, his voice low and impatient.

She was about to protest when someone announced themselves outside. “Master, we’ve captured a peerless beauty at the foot of the mountain and brought her here for you. I’m certain you’ll be pleased!” The kneeling man spoke with unwavering confidence.

“How many times have you said that? The quality of your offerings has only declined these past months! I can’t even be bothered to look,” the Poison Saint snapped, clearly annoyed.

“Master, this time I stake my very life on it! You will not be disappointed!” the man insisted.

The Poison Saint arched an eyebrow, interest flickering in his eyes. “Your life? Very well, let’s see what you’ve found. Bring her in.”

“Yes!” The man hurried off and soon returned, dragging Jin’er in.

Jin’er’s expression was cold as she met the master’s piercing black eyes. She frowned slightly. So, he really had mastered techniques to preserve his youth. According to Aunt Xue, he should be nearly fifty, yet he looked barely forty, his eyes bright and spirited, exuding a kind of mature, masculine charm.

Well, that was better. If he had truly looked like an old wretch, she would have found the coming encounter unbearable.

Meanwhile, the Poison Saint had seated himself, staring at Jin’er with the hungry gaze of a beast that has just spotted a delectable prey. Stunning—truly stunning! Though still young, she was already irresistibly alluring. Her features were flawless, her figure graceful, her bearing exquisite. But it was her cool, fearless eyes that drew him most, as though they contained a magic that compelled him to conquer her.

“Generous rewards!” His voice rumbled like distant thunder. The three who had captured Jin’er immediately thanked him excitedly and withdrew.

“Come here,” the Poison Saint said, stroking his chin with a half-smile as he commanded Jin’er.

“Why have you captured me?” Jin’er stood her ground, frowning.

A woman nearby, her clothes disheveled, burst into laughter at Jin’er’s question, as if it were the funniest thing she’d ever heard.

“You may go,” the Poison Saint said sharply, displeased, turning to the woman.

“Master…” she tried to protest coquettishly, but when she saw the warning in his eyes, she quickly covered her chest and hurried out, not daring to provoke the lion any further.

Once she was gone, the Poison Saint’s expression softened. He crossed the room toward Jin’er, his manner domineering. “Stay by my side, and I’ll give you anything you desire.”

“And if I refuse?” Jin’er smiled coldly, glaring at him.

“Refuse?” He laughed, suddenly seizing her delicate chin and gazing down into her beautiful eyes. “You’re already in my grasp. Whether you say yes or no, the result will be the same.”

The scent of cosmetics and powder on him made Jin’er wrinkle her nose. She pulled his hand away and took a step back. “You smell disgusting. Stay away from me.”

The Poison Saint blinked, then smirked. “Do you know, if anyone else had said that to me, they’d be dead by now.”

Jin’er merely smiled, making no reply.

She’d heard everything that had transpired between him and the woman earlier; she and her captors had reached the door but waited outside so as not to intrude. To win the trust of a man like this, she knew she couldn’t rely on ordinary feminine wiles. She had to make herself unattainable, make him pursue and conquer her—play hard to get.

She might not have any romantic experience, but she’d seen enough plays and read enough novels to know how the game was played.

Seeing her unflinching calm, the Poison Saint’s interest in her only grew. With a predatory grin, he advanced on her.

Jin’er glared and backed away, glancing at the doorway out of the corner of her eye.

“You think you can escape from here?” he sneered, then lunged forward, pinning her against the wall.

Jin’er’s heart leaped to her throat. Her wide, almond-shaped eyes burned with wariness as she glared at him.

“Let me go!” she shouted, struggling furiously.

The Poison Saint pinned her hands above her head, pressing his body against hers and grinding against her in a lecherous fashion.

Jin’er’s cheeks burned with shame and fury. Damn him! How could he be so vile? That hard thing pressing against her—could it be…?

Dear heavens! Filthy pervert! She longed to slap him across the room.

Despite her outrage, Jin’er forced herself to swallow her disgust and not act rashly.

“Get away! You’re disgusting! Is this all you’re good for, forcing yourself on innocent women? If you try anything, I’ll bite my tongue and die!” she spat, her eyes blazing with hatred.

At her words, the Poison Saint paused and raised an eyebrow. “Thinking of dying? I have ways to make you beg for death. Still, I like your spirit.” Suddenly, he released her hands. “Guards! Take her away.”

Before Jin’er could catch her breath, two men entered and grabbed her by the arms, leading her out.

“Let go! I can walk on my own! Let go…” Her protests faded as she was dragged away, while the Poison Saint settled back in his chair, savoring his tea in high spirits.

Jin’er was escorted to the rear courtyard and handed over to two middle-aged women, who promptly dragged her to the bathhouse and stripped her bare.

When they tried to remove the pendant from her neck and the scarf from her wrist, she dodged fiercely. “I’m naked enough!”

The women exchanged a glance and did not insist. Their only task was to cleanse her, and as she was, she was clean enough.

After the bath, Jin’er donned the fresh clothes they provided but clung tightly to her own bundle.

She was then led to a simple yet tastefully decorated room. The door slammed shut behind her, leaving her alone.

Jin’er glanced at the closed door and around the room before sighing and lying down on the bed.

At least she’d escaped that ordeal. But what trials awaited her now? Could she manage to kill that old lecher and escape unscathed?

With her hands behind her head, Jin’er stared at the pink canopy, frowning in thought as night quietly fell.

Creak. Just as she was drifting off, the door opened.

Startled, Jin’er sprang up.

“Young lady, the Master summons you,” announced two expressionless maids, both of whom were rather attractive. Jin’er couldn’t help but wonder if they, too, had suffered at the master’s hands, for their eyes carried a hint of sorrow and despair.

As she pondered, the maids urged her again. Jin’er replied and followed them without further protest.

Before long, they arrived at another room.

“Master, she’s here,” one of the maids announced softly.

“Let her in,” came a languid, low voice from inside. The maid opened the door and motioned for Jin’er to enter.

Swallowing nervously, Jin’er stepped inside, hands balled in her sleeves. She looked up—and froze. The door closed behind her.

Jin’er’s eyes went wide as she stared at the two naked bodies on the bed. Shocked senseless, she forgot to blink, to close her mouth, or even to breathe.

“Oh, Master, you’re so naughty!” giggled the woman as the Poison Saint teased her.

That coquettish cry snapped Jin’er from her daze.

My god! Was she dreaming? Were they really— She spun around, her face burning, heart pounding, unable to believe what she was seeing.

“Hahaha! What’s this? Shy, are you?” The Poison Saint laughed, clearly pleased with her reaction. The woman on the bed covered her mouth and tittered.

“Turn around and watch us,” he commanded.

Jin’er bit her lip and strode for the door, hand reaching for the latch.

“Stop!” The Poison Saint’s eyes flashed. “If you try to leave, I’ll take you here and now!”

Jin’er’s hand froze on the latch. After a long pause, she took a deep breath, clenched her teeth, and turned to glare at him.

Fine, let’s see what you’re up to.

“Watch closely. See for yourself just how skilled I am,” he sneered, then bent to lavish attention on the woman, drawing cries and moans.

Jin’er’s lips twitched in exasperation. Was she really being forced to watch an erotic live performance?

Heavens, this was hardly suitable for someone her age! She wasn’t even eighteen yet; even in this era, one wasn’t considered an adult until sixteen.

But as the act continued, Jin’er realized with growing horror that this was far beyond anything she’d ever imagined—violent, frantic, with sounds that bordered on terrifying.

The Poison Saint, eager to prove his prowess, performed with zeal, switching positions and paces, from sprints to marathons. The woman’s cries escalated from seductive moans to shrieks and finally to howls that threatened to shatter eardrums.

Thus, Jin’er stood there, face aflame, forced to endure the spectacle for most of the night, unwillingly learning much about the ways of men and women. It was an utterly passive, mortifying experience—her innocent heart forever tainted.

At last, the performance ended.

“Finished? Can I go now?” Jin’er asked, looking at the exhausted pair sprawled on the bed.

Apparently drained, the Poison Saint lacked even the energy to reply.

Jin’er shrugged and left without a backward glance.

Hmph! An old fool trying to keep up with the young—wasn’t he afraid of dropping dead halfway through?

Back in her room, Jin’er collapsed into bed and immediately fell asleep. After standing—and suffering—through half the night, how could she not be exhausted?

The next day, Jin’er rose late—not out of carelessness, but because she was sure the Poison Saint would be sleeping in as well.

Any faint admiration she might have had for his looks was utterly destroyed by last night’s display. To put it plainly, he was nothing but a repulsive, laughable old lecher in a handsome disguise!

—

After lunch, Jin’er sat in the courtyard under the watchful eyes of the two middle-aged women, basking in the sun as if she hadn’t a care in the world. The women eyed her with confusion—of all the girls they’d seen, only this one seemed utterly unruffled, neither frightened nor anxious.

Just then, the Poison Saint appeared out of nowhere. With a wave, he dismissed the two attendants.

“So, you seem quite at ease. Have you changed your mind?” He was as lively and refreshed as if the previous night’s exertions had never happened.

Jin’er cast him a sidelong glance. “Changed my mind about what?”

He sat across from her, raising an eyebrow. “About willingly becoming my woman.”

She snorted. “That was never my intention.”

“Oh?” He narrowed his eyes. “Then why are you so calm?”

“I’m just waiting for you to let me go,” she replied carelessly, not even bothering to look at him.

The Poison Saint laughed aloud. “Should I call you adorable or just a fool?”

“Either is fine. ‘Fool’ is a compliment in my eyes,” Jin’er said with a shrug.

He fell silent, studying her flawless profile, more intrigued than ever by this mysterious girl. Instinct told him that winning her heart would be no easy feat.

As they sat in silence, a servant entered hurriedly. “Master, the three Hall Leaders have brought Snow Dancer and are waiting in the main hall.”

The Poison Saint's eyes lit up and he rose to leave, but then paused, glanced at Jin’er, and suddenly grabbed her arm, pulling her to her feet.

“Come, accompany me to meet the greatest dancer in the Jin Kingdom,” he said, not allowing her to refuse, and strode off, dragging her along.

“Let go! I can walk by myself!” Jin’er protested, but he pretended not to hear. After a few futile struggles, she gave up.

Fine, she’d save her energy. But why bring her to see a dancer?

They soon arrived at the spacious main hall. The Poison Saint meant to have her sit with him, but Jin’er resisted so fiercely that he finally let go, focusing on what mattered—Snow Dancer.

“Kneel before the Master,” the three Hall Leaders intoned, bowing low. Before them stood a figure in snowy white, long hair cascading down their back, elegant and proud as a celestial being, eyes full of defiance.

Jin’er stood beside the Poison Saint, unable to take her eyes off the striking figure at the center of the room, awestruck by their beauty.

So this was Snow Dancer? But why did she seem so androgynous that Jin’er couldn’t quite tell if she was male or female?