Chapter 218: The Cost!
Li Xiaoran's perfect body was revealed before Zhao Dong, presenting a unique and tempting sight. At this moment, she had completely surrendered. She didn't dare to make a single move, looking at him with a pitiful gaze.
Zhao Dong watched her silently, his gaze as cold as the deepest abyss. It was this very silence that filled Li Xiaoran with incredible tension, making her feel as if Zhao Dong would kill her in the next second. That murderous gaze made her feel as though she were being pierced by countless icy swords!
Finally, Li Xiaoran decided to risk it all. She lifted her head to look at Zhao Dong, her voice trembling with nervousness. "Zhao Dong… please… don't kill me. I'll do whatever you say."
"Oh?" Zhao Dong smiled, his expression full of mockery. He slowly gripped Li Xiaoran's snow-white chin. "Tell me," he said softly, "why would a beautiful girl like you do such unconscionable things instead of being a good person?"
Li Xiaoran bit her lip hard, her gaze darting away. The way he held her chin filled her with shame. "Zhao Dong, I… I have my reasons."
"Your reasons? Tell me."
"I…" Li Xiaoran started to speak but then stopped herself, shaking her head, perhaps fearing that saying more would only anger Zhao Dong. Suddenly, she embraced him, her voice trembling as she whispered in his ear, "Zhao Dong... take me... I'm begging you... just promise me one thing..."
Feeling Li Xiaoran's intoxicating body against him, Zhao Dong frowned. "What do you mean?"
"If you… if you take me... then I'll tell you."
Zhao Dong's frown deepened; he couldn't figure out what she was up to. Seeing his confusion, Li Xiaoran pursed her lips and pinned up her hair, revealing her most beautiful features. "Zhao Dong," she said with a plaintive look, "didn't you say you wanted to conquer me? Come on… now is your chance."
His frown tightened. When he remained silent, Li Xiaoran bit her red lips and added, "Zhao Dong, I'm not playing any tricks on you this time. If you're willing, I'm yours right this moment." As she spoke, her hand rested lightly on her chest, her gaze fixed on him.
A rush of heat coursed through Zhao Dong. This scene... was truly hard to resist. But he still restrained himself and remained calm. He wasn't a reckless man, and besides, something about Li Xiaoran felt very wrong.
Seeing that he remained unmoved, Li Xiaoran gritted her teeth as if she had made a final decision and slowly knelt down. Zhao Dong realized what she was about to do and frowned, preparing to push her away. But she was shockingly swift, catching him completely by surprise.
She looked up at him, biting her lip… In that instant, an indescribable sensation swept through Zhao Dong's entire body.
Now that he had embarked on the path of cultivation, his attitude toward women had changed significantly. Back when he was a special forces soldier, he had been completely devoted to Ding Lan. But he had since learned the hard way that in this world, sincerity is often not returned in kind.
As cultivators, they were no longer bound by the fetters of the mortal world. Cultivators had long lifespans; upon reaching a certain realm, they could live for several hundred years, and reaching even higher realms could increase their lifespans exponentially. On the long, tedious journey of cultivation, it was common for a cultivator to have many companions and partners. After all, cultivators were beings who had practically transcended the mortal coil, unaffected by the moral codes and social norms of the ordinary world.
Compared to the naive man he once was, who would foolishly give his heart away, the current Zhao Dong was far more mature. He now wanted to live for the moment. Why should he let the world's rules constrain him? He and Ding Lan had once been so in love. He had given everything for her, yet his sincere heart had been rewarded only with abandonment. He now understood that a man could live without love, but he could never lack ability, power, or wealth.
Looking at the earnest Li Xiaoran, a storm of complex thoughts flickered through his mind. He didn't harbor much desire for women, nor was he the type to be paralyzed by the sight of a beauty. It was simply that his current status and power led many women to come to him of their own volition. He was no Monk; he was a normal man. While he wouldn't accept just anyone, he certainly didn't mind when a pure and beautiful woman like Li Xiaoran offered herself to him.
Soon, Li Xiaoran coughed a few times, looking tired. Zhao Dong's eyes narrowed, his expression remaining cold. He had no intention of being gentle with her. She had tried to seduce him and had even wanted him dead. He didn't mind thoroughly conquering her now. Seeing her slight discomfort, he asked coldly, "Tired?"
Li Xiaoran nodded, her gaze full of reproach.
Zhao Dong's eyes narrowed to slits as a cold smile played on his lips. "I told you. There's a price to pay for trying to kill me."
With that, he hoisted Li Xiaoran up and tossed her onto the desk behind them.