NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6:
Chapter 6: A Cautious Man
Liu Ruyan’s body was overwhelmed by an uncontrollable wave of heat. A tingling numbness spread through her limbs and bones, making her unable to even stand properly, let alone fight back.
“Tie up this female assassin!” Zhao Wujian ordered. “Make sure to wrap the chains around her a few more times!”
At his command, the servants threw out black iron chains that bound Liu Ruyan’s arms, legs, and neck.
This had clearly been arranged by the Old Housekeeper in advance—after all, he knew his young master too well.
Liu Ruyan collapsed helplessly to the ground, her body twisted into an awkward position. Gritting her teeth, she spat, “Zhao Wujian! You despicable coward! If you have any guts, untie me and fight me fair and square!”
“And you think showing up in the dead of night to assassinate me isn’t despicable?”
Zhao Wujian walked up and kicked her curvy rear.
“A fair fight? I’ll show you who’s ‘man’ enough in a moment. Come! Add more chains. Make sure she can’t move or hurt me. Take her to the dungeon!”
…
In the dungeon.
“Everyone clear out. Give the young master and the beautiful assassin some privacy.”
The Old Housekeeper gave Zhao Wujian a knowing look before leaving with the guards.
Zhao Wujian carefully reapplied the Muscle-Softening Incense to Liu Ruyan, making sure she remained weak and no threat to him.
Liu Ruyan knew she was done for.
Without a doubt, this dog of a Heir would take advantage of her the moment he confirmed she couldn’t resist.
“Zhao Wujian, if you’re going to kill me, just do it. Don’t even think about laying a finger on me!”
But to her surprise, Zhao Wujian didn’t move toward her at all.
In fact, though his lips didn’t move, she heard his voice clearly in her mind.
[This woman may be a bit fierce, but she really is beautiful. No wonder Long Zhan in the original novel waited so eagerly for her Dragon-Nourishing Sacred Physique to mature—he lost sleep and appetite just to be the first to claim her.]
[If only I could use her to cultivate, I’d be stronger and wouldn’t have to live in fear every day.]
[Wait, no! That’s a death wish! Even if I want to learn martial arts, I need to be cautious. Only by surviving longer can I enjoy fine food and beautiful women…]
Liu Ruyan froze, her mind buzzing.
She looked down and noticed her skirt had slid up as she lay on the ground, exposing her pale legs to Zhao Wujian’s gaze.
But—Zhao Wujian hadn’t spoken a word!
What she heard—was it his inner thoughts?
How was she able to hear what Zhao Wujian was thinking?
Could it be that her Dragon-Nourishing Sacred Physique was nearing completion and had awakened a special ability to hear the thoughts of men who harbored ill intent toward her?
What a terrifying ability!
Still… how did this useless man know about her relationship with Long Zhan—and even her Dragon-Nourishing Sacred Physique?
Could it be that his father had investigated them before his death?
As expected, the Northern Guardian Prince was formidable—what a pity he had such a useless son.
Trying to use me for cultivation? Pathetic.
Liu Ruyan decided to play along.
Her angry glare softened into one of flirtatious charm. Her teeth gently bit her moist lips, and her flushed cheeks made her even more seductive.
“Young Master Zhao… I was wrong. Please let me go. I have a martial arts manual I can give you. I only ask that you spare me.”
As she spoke, her legs shifted uncomfortably, rubbing against each other and drawing Zhao Wujian’s polite yet admiring gaze.
So long… so fair…
Seeing his gaze, Liu Ruyan instinctively pulled her legs in tighter.
Zhao Wujian chuckled. “A manual? What kind?”
“The ‘Gentle Wind Brushing Sleeve Palm.’ It’s said to be the number one palm technique in the world. If you let me go, I can recite it for you.”
She wore an expression full of sincerity.
If Zhao Wujian were an ordinary man—or didn’t already know her background—he’d be drooling by now.
“No thanks,” Zhao Wujian replied coldly.
Liu Ruyan frowned. “Why? That technique is the best—”
“Enough. You think I’m a fool? The number one palm technique is the ‘Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms.’ Your ‘Gentle Wind’ nonsense doesn’t even rank. But there is one other technique you have that I am interested in.”
Liu Ruyan was confused.
She only mentioned the Gentle Wind technique because it was low-grade and she assumed Zhao Wujian wouldn’t know the difference.
But what the hell was the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms?
It sounded just as ridiculous.
“I don’t have any other techniques.”
“Oh really?” Zhao Wujian grabbed her jaw. “The martial art Long Zhan is training in right now—wasn’t it passed on by your master for you to teach him?”
Liu Ruyan was stunned.
But what shook her even more was what Zhao Wujian’s inner voice said next.
[I remember in the novel it said—without the exclusive internal cultivation technique from the Dao Sect, the ‘True Yang Heart Technique,’ if someone forcibly tried to seize Liu Ruyan’s Dragon-Nourishing Physique, it would backfire and drain their life force, benefiting her instead.]
[I need to coax the True Yang Heart Technique out of her first. That’s what Long Zhan was practicing in the early chapters.]
Zhao Wujian’s lips didn’t move.
But Liu Ruyan’s head was spinning.
He actually knew her identity—her relationship with Long Zhan—and even the secret of her Dragon-Nourishing Sacred Physique and the True Yang Heart Technique?
As Liu Ruyan reeled from the shock…
Zhao Wujian, seeing her still silent, assumed she was just being stubborn.
[Even though I don’t want to offend your sect, if you people keep messing with me, I’m going to squeeze something out of you for sure!]
Zhao Wujian decided to extract the True Yang Heart Technique from her.
He opened a nearby chest.
Inside was an old torture device called the Wooden Donkey.
Once a woman was seated on it, the transition from pleasure to pain was instant.
Clearly, this was something left behind by the old Zhao Wujian.
[Looks like I’ll never shake off this perverted reputation.]
[Forget it. Liu Ruyan, right? You’re the second female lead, huh? Time to let you taste what us cannon-fodder villains are capable of.]
He turned toward Liu Ruyan.
What he didn’t know was—Liu Ruyan was already on the verge of collapsing emotionally.
If you want the manual, why don’t you just ask?! I can hear your thoughts, but I can’t say it outright or I’ll be killed even faster!
But you go straight for torture without even interrogating me?
Could you at least respect me as a woman?
Liu Ruyan was utterly miserable inside.
Rather than being tortured, she might as well pretend to cooperate.
After all, the True Yang Heart Technique required high talent to master.
And Zhao Wujian clearly didn’t have that.
“I’ll tell you!” Liu Ruyan suddenly shouted.
Hmm?
Zhao Wujian paused, confused.
[What the heck is this woman saying? I haven’t even asked anything yet.]
[Isn’t there supposed to be torture, forced confessions, and the heroine stubbornly resisting? Isn’t that how it usually goes in these novels?]
Hearing his thoughts, Liu Ruyan shivered.
Zhao Wujian wasn’t some shallow character—he was a deeply calculating, unpredictable man who didn’t play by the rules.
“You’ve already figured it out, so there’s no need for me to hide it. My Dragon-Nourishing Sacred Physique can enhance your cultivation. But there’s a catch. You must first master the first level of the True Yang Heart Technique. Otherwise, trying to use my physique will only harm you. The manual is… inside my inner garment. If you don’t believe me, look for yourself.”
[What the hell are you saying?!]
[Wait, this easy? Just giving it to me like that?!]
[Shouldn’t there be some intense resistance? Some plot-worthy drama?!]
Looking at Liu Ruyan’s sincere expression, Zhao Wujian was puzzled.
He gave her another dose of Muscle-Softening Powder.
“Do you have to be this cautious? Where’s your pride as a man?” Liu Ruyan snapped, flushed and weak. Zhao Wujian remained calm, unfazed by her insult.
“My manhood lies beneath me. My caution lies within.”
“Tch! Zhao Wujian, I’ll say this now—just because you get the True Yang Heart Technique doesn’t mean you’ll be able to cultivate it. Don’t even think about touching me until you’ve mastered it!”
Once he confirmed she couldn’t resist, Zhao Wujian reached into her clothing to search for the manual.
“Don’t grope around! It’s not there—you have to undo the strap first!”
Liu Ruyan yelled.
Zhao Wujian reached behind her and tugged—the garment fell open.
From the inner layer, he pulled out an old yellowed booklet.
On its cover were the words: “True Yang Heart Technique.”
Zhao Wujian tucked the manual into his robe.
He gently straightened Liu Ruyan’s disheveled clothes.
She thought he had a change of heart…
[Better not loosen those chains. They need to stay tight!]
[Have the maid wash you clean later. Once I master the True Yang Heart Technique, I’ll come back for your Dragon-Nourishing Physique.]
Liu Ruyan was speechless.
After checking everything, Zhao Wujian left the dungeon with satisfaction.
Back in the training chamber, he opened the True Yang Heart Technique.
He wasn’t sure if he had the talent for martial arts.
But regardless, if he wanted to survive, he had to become stronger.
If he lacked talent—he’d train through sheer effort.
If he had talent—he’d still train hard.
Survival was no game.