Xiao's father

He also had responsibilities toward the Shangguan family! There were so many things he needed to do that he never had time to spend with his younger brothers. The hierarchy within the Shangguan family was strict, yet Shangguan Xiong’s father was an incorrigible philanderer. He had never understood the meaning of fidelity; one might even say he loved only himself.

Shangguan Xiong had four half-brothers and three half-sisters. He had always longed for a sister, and now he had three. Yet none of these brothers or sisters truly regarded him as their elder sibling; in fact, they were constantly plotting his downfall. They went so far as to risk exposure by slipping poison into his food, hoping to eliminate him once and for all.

Ironically, their schemes led Shangguan Xiong to meet Meixi, the woman he now loved. Meixi was a beautiful Western lady, with enchanting violet eyes and golden curls—a golden aristocrat from the Kingdom of K, a family the Shangguans were eager to win over. He was supposed to dine at home that day, but Meixi insisted they dine out together, and he had no choice but to accompany the capricious young lady. At the time, he found her childishness irritating; however, when he returned home, his trusted aide informed him that a servant had died after eating what was meant to be his lunch. Shangguan Xiong suddenly felt grateful for Meixi’s whims—if not for her, he would have been the one to perish that day.

He narrowed his eyes for a long moment, carefully suppressing the dangerous aura that threatened to spill forth. It seemed he had been far too lenient with them, allowing them to believe they could snuff out his life at will. So Shangguan Xiong wielded his authority, punishing all those involved according to family law. The family rules were clear: anyone attempting to harm the young master would face the death penalty. The instigator was his own beloved sister. He watched coldly as his aunt pleaded desperately before him.

From a young age, Shangguan Xiong had been taught that anyone, regardless of their identity, who harbored ill intentions toward him must be dealt with. Human life meant little in their eyes. Yet this ruthless approach only fueled the hatred others felt toward him. At that time, he had fallen for Meixi, sparing no effort to shelter her beneath his wings, determined to keep her from harm.

But sometimes, the greater the desire to protect, the more violent the backlash. Meixi nearly lost her life to a conspiracy among his brothers. In response, Shangguan Xiong summoned the Shangguan family's secret army.

He traversed the chilling black forest, where human bones lay scattered and snakes slithered over them. Countless nameless insects gnawed away at the remains of other creatures. The surrounding trees were a withered yellow, evidence of the forest’s deadly peril. The writhing snakes flicked their crimson tongues, eyeing Shangguan Xiong with venomous intent. At that moment, Shangguan Xiong was resolved to risk his life.

He had come to seek out the army; nothing mattered more than his beloved now. He was prepared to sacrifice everything. Drawing the Qilin Whip, he swung it at the encroaching snakes. Unexpectedly, the snakes vanished the instant they saw the whip, moving with astonishing speed. Gripping the Qilin Whip, Shangguan Xiong finally stood before a dilapidated wooden cabin.