I Only Need an Obedient Dog

The referee standing nearby saw Zhu Yan pinned down completely and, fearing Qin Ye might cause an accident, hurriedly announced the result.

After all, those above had specifically instructed him that Zhu Yan could lose, but she absolutely could not die in the Soul Fighting Arena.

"I declare Qin Ye the winner of this match!"

The announcement pierced Zhu Yan's ears. Inside the dark space, she instantly lost all hope. Her eyes went vacant as she stared at the heart demon before her, muttering, "I lost. I lost completely."

Zhu Yan had lost not only the match and her dignity, but even her entire life along with them.

"Lost? You're admitting defeat just like that?" The heart demon pinched Zhu Yan's chin and brought its face close. "You only lost one match. You can win it back over the next three days. Zhu Yan, tell me, do you still want to compete to become your family's heir?"

The heart demon pressed a fingertip against Zhu Yan's red lips. "Now, you only need to nod or shake your head. This decision could change your destiny, so you'd better give it some thought."

Zhu Yan did not hesitate. Her body instinctively nodded.

"Heh, I knew it." The heart demon crouched down and gently gathered Zhu Yan into its arms, soothing her as softly as her closest girlfriend would. "That's the Zhu Yan I know. Never admitting defeat, never surrendering. Don't worry. I'll help you claim that position, and all it will cost you is a tiny little price."

"What price?" Gradually, Zhu Yan had begun to believe the heart demon's words. She believed tenderness could not lie, that the heart demon must be on her side. Yet this was precisely the disguise the heart demon was best at wearing.

"Do you hate Qin Ye?"

"Qin Ye? The one who defeated me tonight?" Hearing this, Zhu Yan smiled in acceptance, like a rose bursting into bloom. "A loss is a loss. I wasn't as skilled as he was. There's no reason to hate him. Individual strength is the underlying rule of the Great Soul Arena. In the end, he could extort me only because I was too weak."

The heart demon thought, Girl, you certainly catch on fast.

"Good." The heart demon rose and pulled Zhu Yan up from the dark ground. "To tell you the truth, I'm actually Qin Ye's Martial Soul. I came here to find a suitable partner for my master."

"What?" A trace of confusion flickered across Zhu Yan's pretty face. "You're with him? Then why... why were you comforting me just now?"

"Shh, Zhu Yan. Don't interrupt me. I don't have much time left, so think carefully about every word I'm about to say." The heart demon took a deep breath, then continued after a pause. "I'm a special Martial Soul with an independent consciousness. The purpose of my existence is to help my master grow stronger. I understand Qin Ye. The only reason he hasn't killed you yet is that you still have some value he can exploit. Otherwise, you would already be dead."

"Aren't you a contender to become the Zhu Family's heir? Very well. My master will help you seize the position you want, letting you trample and crush everyone who once looked down on you beneath your feet. All you need to do is acknowledge him as your master and seek his protection."

"What! You mean you want me to become his servant?" Zhu Yan reacted violently, as though those words had touched a dragon's forbidden scale. "How is that any different from being a slave stripped of freedom? I will never accept that!"

Zhu Yan came from a distinguished family and carried deep within her the pride unique to her class. Becoming the dog of someone with no status or background was something no member of the Zhu Family would ever agree to.

"Zhu Yan!" The heart demon pressed its palms firmly onto her shoulders, its tone forceful. "If you refuse to submit, what awaits you will be a fate more miserable than slavery. Your Martial Soul will be torn out of you while you're still alive. Your dignity will be mercilessly trampled by your own clansmen. When that happens, you'll live a life worse than death, beneath even a slave. I'm trying to help you. If you can't see the situation you're in, then there's nothing I can do."

The heart demon released her, its figure beginning to fade. "Zhu Yan, remember this. Tonight is your only chance to meet my master. Once tonight passes, you'll lose the only opportunity in your life to turn the tables from the brink of ruin. I hope you make the most of it."

Hum!

A force of suction pulled Zhu Yan's consciousness back to reality. By then, Qin Ye had already released his hold on her.

With a bewildered look in her eyes, Zhu Yan rose from the floor. Bruises covered her body, and her joints ached everywhere, as though rats were gnawing at them. Barring a miracle, she would not be able to fight again tonight.

Another day gone. Do I really still have a chance? Zhu Yan wondered blankly.

"Miss, you need to leave the stage. The next match is about to begin," the referee urged.

"Oh, right." Zhu Yan snapped back to her senses, picked up the spear on the ground, and hurried off the platform in a fluster. At the corner after she stepped down, Qin Ye suddenly called out to her. "Hey, have you thought it over?"

Zhu Yan turned around in surprise. "You've been waiting for me!"

Qin Ye spread his hands helplessly. "For less than two minutes. I wouldn't waste my time on someone worthless."

"So, what have you decided about that matter?"

"You want me to be your dog? Dream on!" Zhu Yan gritted her teeth as she spoke to Qin Ye, itching to fight him again. "I, Zhu Yan, will never be anyone's slave! I have my own freedom and pride! You want me to submit to you? Hmph! Not a chance!"

"Heh. What a fiery, ill-tempered mare." Qin Ye leaned against the wall and spoke leisurely. "In that case, I'll have to invest in your older brother instead. Hmm, perhaps he'll even package up your crippled self and send you to me as a gift. When that happens, you really will be no different from a slave here."

"What! You're going to him!"

"That's right. After all, I only need an obedient dog. Who it is doesn't matter to me at all." Qin Ye pushed away from the wall and turned his back to Zhu Yan. "What I need is the Zhu Family's powerful intelligence network and purchasing power, not that ordinary shell of yours. If you really think I'm after your body, you couldn't be more wrong." With that, he made to leave.

"Zhu She won't agree to it!" Zhu Yan shouted at Qin Ye's back. "He's a dark-hearted, petty man! Someone like him doesn't care about promises. Even if he agrees, he'll only be lying to you!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Qin Ye turned his head slightly and glanced sideways at Zhu Yan. "It doesn't matter. If he dares betray me, I'll break his arms and legs, destroy his Martial Soul, and turn him into a useless wreck just like you. Then I'll put another puppet in his place. Or I could go to the Li Family or the Sun Family. With so many heirs among the Seven Great Families, there are bound to be a few I can use."

Qin Ye carried himself as though he stood above everyone, his words brimming with the arrogance and confidence of an arbiter. "Don't forget. I only need an obedient dog. If you don't want the job, plenty of others do."

Qin Ye raised his right arm and clenched his fist. "Anyone who stands in my way-even a Titled Douluo-won't be spared."

"You're just a One-Ring Soul Master about to be crippled, and you still dream of negotiating terms with me?"

"Hmph. You're not worthy." Qin Ye swept his hand dismissively and strode away without mercy or a backward glance.