As Qin Zhan declared his loyalty, a row of Hongmen Mountain Villa's experts knelt behind him.
They gazed at Li Chen with burning eyes, as though looking up at a god.
Those who had stubbornly resisted had either become corpses the guards were clearing away outside the courtyard or been thrown into the dungeon.
"From today onward, you are Hongmen Mountain Villa's new master," Li Chen said evenly.
He flicked a finger, and a streak of golden light sank into Qin Zhan's brow. "If you dare harbor any disloyalty, this restriction will make you wish you were dead."
This was their first meeting. Li Chen could hardly believe that this fellow would swear unconditional loyalty to him.
He was not arrogant enough to think that.
There was an old saying: trust those you employ, and do not employ those you distrust.
But the point was that such a gamble could only be taken with someone he knew.
Li Chen did not know Qin Zhan, so placing a restriction on him was the safer choice.
If you want to become the villa's master, you have to pay a price.
If Qin Zhan performed well, a little guidance would be enough to make him profoundly grateful.
The art of handling people required different approaches for different individuals.
Li Chen had some experience in that regard.
Qin Zhan pressed his forehead to the ground, his voice trembling. "I swear to serve you faithfully unto death!"
Li Chen nodded in satisfaction and left the remaining trivial matters to Luo Qimeng.
As he turned away, the breeze stirred by his sleeve made everyone prostrate on the ground involuntarily lower their heads even further.
After Li Chen left, Qin Zhan remained on his knees and turned toward Luo Qimeng. "Thank you for elevating me, Fairy Luo!