Chapter 88: Chapter 87: Masochism
After Zhao Chi clicked confirm, Tang Ruanâs body flashed with light, and she officially became a Hero.
Her excitement was plain to see.
She kept jumping up and down, and with the two bunnies on her chest, it was like three little rabbits were hopping about.
"Ah, Sister Gu, Iâm a Hero now too!"
"You are. Congratulations."
"Lord, Iâm really a Hero!"
"Of course it is."
Tang Ruan remained excited for a good while before she finally calmed down.
But the moment she calmed down, she started to examine her Skills.
"Lord, how do I use this Taunt Skill? After using it, does it really make people angry?"
Zhao Chi chuckled. "Of course it does. Youâve never used a Skill before, have you?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Zhao Chi felt heâd asked a stupid question.
But Tang Ruan still answered in earnest.
"Mhm, Iâve only ever had Spiritual Skills used on me by Sister Gu and you, Lord. Iâve never used one myself."
"Well, you can try it now. You can use it on..."
Zhao Chi looked at the nearby Naga.
That didnât seem right.
The Naga and Harpies were slaves, and their Obedience Level had only recently been raised.
If they became enraged, their Obedience Level might decrease.
"You could try it on..."
Zhao Chi looked over at Gu Qing.
Gu Qing was a good candidate. Her Spiritual Pressure was 30, giving her 30% Defense against this type of Spiritual Technique.
However... it was only 30%.
Even if it weakened the Tauntâs Effect, she would likely still get very angry.
Furthermore, Gu Qingâs Attributes were very high. If she couldnât control herself and started fighting Tang Ruan, that was the last thing Zhao Chi wanted to see.
Besides, the friendship between two women could often be a delicate thing.
Zhao Chi didnât know if these Peach Blossom Women and ordinary Human women were the same in that respect.
But Gu Qing and Tang Ruan were getting along very well at the moment.
It was better not to risk it.
So... it seemed he was the only one left.
His average Attributes were only 5.
This was a decent level for a Human, but compared to the Peach Blossom Women, it was rather weak.
Especially in front of Tang Ruan.
Even if he lost control, he probably wouldnât be able to hurt her.
Plus, with Gu Qing, the super Big Wet Nurse, standing by, he could receive Treatment at any moment...
"You can use it... on me."
Zhao Chi finally pointed to himself.
Tang Ruan, of course, disagreed.
"How could I possibly do that? Itâs not exactly a nice Skill, and after itâs used, youâll be angry, Lord..."
Zhao Chi chuckled. "Itâs fine. The Skillâs Effect is only temporary. I can take this chance to experience this type of Skill and gain some relevant experience for future battles."
Tang Ruan was still hesitant and looked to Gu Qing for help.
Gu Qing smiled. "The Lord wants to see what itâs like, so letâs indulge him."
Hearing this, Tang Ruan no longer protested. "Alright then, Lord. Iâm going to begin."
"Go ahead."
Tang Ruan focused her concentration.
She felt the Spiritual Power circulating within her Body.
Before she had learned this Spiritual Technique, it was impossible to imagine how to use it.
But once learned, it became as natural as speaking, breathing, or eating.
Tang Ruan gathered her Spiritual Power.
A purple light flashed in her pupils.
The next moment, the purple light shot out and struck Zhao Chiâs Body directly.
Zhao Chi felt nothing at all.
He had seen the purple light coming, and he knew Tang Ruan had cast the Taunt Skill, but his Inner Heart was completely unmoved.
Zhao Chi scratched his head.
âItâs Tang Ruanâs first time using a Spiritual Technique. Maybe she isnât Proficient enough, and it failed?â
âShould I try to console her?â
âBut this kind of Spiritual Technique isnât supposed to be able to fail.â
"Lord, are you all right?"
Tang Ruan asked timidly.
Gu Qing also watched Zhao Chi with curiosity.
Zhao Chi smiled. "Iâm fine. Itâs probably your first time using a Spiritual Technique... so..."
Zhao Chiâs words trailed off, growing slower and slower.
For some reason, an inexplicable, malicious fire sparked in his Inner Heart.
That malicious spark quickly blazed into a raging inferno, churning violently within Zhao Chiâs Inner Heart.
His brows knitted together. A moment ago, he had wanted to gently comfort Tang Ruan; now, all he wanted to do was viciously reprimand her.
"Failing on your very first time using a Spiritual Technique? Were you even trying at all!?"
Zhao Chiâs voice suddenly boomed, startling Tang Ruan.
"Lord, I... I was very serious when I cast the Taunt Skill. And... it seems to have succeeded now..."
"Success? You call this success? My Inner Heart was completely unmoved, and I was even thinking about how to comfort you! How is that a success!?"
Tang Ruan was stunned.
Gu Qing was also very surprised.
âSo this is the power of the Taunt Skill?â
Zhao Chi had always spoken gently to Gu Qing and Tang Ruan, never once raising his voice.
But after being hit by the Taunt Skill, he was now shouting right at Tang Ruan.
âThis Skill really works!â
Gu Qing stepped forward, intending to speak up for Tang Ruan.
Zhao Chi stopped her directly. "Gu Qing, donât you plead for her! Give me that whip youâre holding. Iâm going to teach her a lesson today!"
Gu Qing quickly tried to placate him. "Lord, please calm down! Youâre under the effect of Tang Ruanâs Taunt Skill. These arenât your real thoughts..."
"How are they not my thoughts!? This doesnât concern you! Now give me the whip!"
Gu Qing stared blankly at Zhao Chi.
"Lord, youâre actually quite manly when youâre angry."
"What? Give me the whip!"
Zhao Chi snatched the leather whip from Gu Qingâs hand.
SCHLICK!
He had used so much force that the edge of the whip sliced his index finger.
This only made Zhao Chi even more furious.
Gu Qing hurriedly cast Treatment.
But the moment the light appeared, Zhao Chi stopped her. "I donât need Treatment! This has nothing to do with you. Just stand over there!"
With that, he stormed over to Tang Ruan.
Gu Qing quickly grabbed hold of Zhao Chi.
"Lord, calm down! If you really hurt Tang Ruan, youâll feel terrible about it once youâre back to normal."
"Get out of my way!"
Zhao Chi threw off Gu Qingâs hand and raised the whip.
"Tang Ruan, do you know what you did wrong?"
How could Tang Ruan possibly know what she had done wrong? She hadnât done anything wrong in the first place.
But she didnât argue back.
Instead, she knelt directly before Zhao Chi. "Lord, I know I was wrong. I wonât dare do it again. Please, punish me."
With that, she lowered her head and shut her eyes tightly.
Awaiting the lash of the whip.
Gu Qing ran over and pleaded again. "Lord, wake up! That whip is no toy; youâll definitely injure Tang Ruan!"
At this point, Zhao Chiâs Inner Heart was also in turmoil.
Reason and rage clashed within him.
Seeing the pitiful-looking Tang Ruan, coupled with Gu Qingâs pleading, his reason began to regain the upper hand.
In an instant, the rage in his Inner Heart dissipated.
Guilt took its place.
He was the one who had insisted Tang Ruan use the Skill on him.
Yet he hadnât been able to resist it at all and had ended up scaring her so badly she knelt on the ground.
Zhao Chi reproached himself. "Iâm sorry, Tang Ruan. That was my fault. Please, get up."
Gu Qing also explained on Zhao Chiâs behalf. "Tang Ruan, donât blame the Lord. He was under the influence of the Skill; otherwise, he would never have been so harsh with you."
Zhao Chi bent down and took Tang Ruanâs hand. "Come on, get up."
Tang Ruan tilted her head up.
Both Zhao Chi and Gu Qing assumed that, with Tang Ruanâs personality, she would surely be in aggrieved tears.
But unexpectedly, her face was flushed, her teeth were gently biting her lower lip, and her eyes held a hint of excitement and anticipation.
"Lord, youâre not going to hit me anymore?"
Was that a tone of disappointment?
"No! Now get up!"
Zhao Chi handed the whip back to Gu Qing and pulled Tang Ruan to her feet.
Tang Ruan said with a hint of regret, "Lord, if you get angry in the future, you can just hit me a couple of times. I wonât blame you."
Zhao Chi stared into Tang Ruanâs eyes, realizing she truly wasnât upset at all.
This allowed Zhao Chi to breathe a sigh of relief.
Gu Qing watched from the side, secretly amazed.
âIt seems Tang Ruanâs Talent is kicking in.â
âWorthy of the name "Sadomasochism."â
âLooks like the Lord is going to have some fun in the future.â