The Villain: Claiming The Protagonist's Master

[T/N: New year BONUS chapter 🥳🥳]

"Xiao Ming, what do you think you're doing?"

Xiao Hanshan's face darkened as he glared at his younger brother, who had just intervened.

"Elder Brother, calm down!" Xiao Ming stood protectively in front of Xiao Tiancheng, his expression torn yet resolute. "Tiancheng is a far better fit for the position of the Xiao family's heir than that girl, Ruoyu. Why not grant his wish and avoid unnecessary bloodshed? Prolonging this will only drain the family's strength!"

Seeing his brother's sanctimonious act at such a critical moment, Xiao Hanshan felt his rage boil over. His eyes filled with disdain as he barked, "Xiao Ming, did you truly think your shady deeds from all those years ago would remain hidden forever?"

Xiao Ming's pupils contracted at his elder brother's words. Panic flickered briefly in his gaze, but he quickly suppressed it. "What are you trying to say?" he asked, his voice barely steady.

"What am I saying?" Xiao Hanshan sneered, the corners of his lips curling mockingly. "Twenty-three years ago, when I was away from the family for over a month, just what did you do to Wan'er?"

Xiao Ming froze. His face went pale as he stammered, "How... How do you know about that?"

That incident... only he and Wan'er had been privy to it, and Wan'er had been dead for over a decade. How could Xiao Hanshan possibly know?

"There is no secret under the heavens that remains forever hidden," Xiao Hanshan replied with a cold smile. Then his expression turned frigid, his voice dropping to a deadly growl. "For twenty-three years, I've tolerated you. But it's time we settle this account once and for all, you and your bastard son!"

"What?!"

Gasps erupted from the gathered crowd. Shock rippled across the room like a tidal wave.

Did this mean Xiao Tiancheng was not Xiao Hanshan's son? That he was, in fact, Xiao Ming and Wan'er's illegitimate child?

The revelation struck like thunder on a clear day.

The audience was stupefied. Even in the most outlandish tales, no one would dare write such a scandalous twist. A man raising a son for over two decades, only to discover the boy wasn't his—what kind of cruel joke was this?

Xiao Tiancheng's face drained of color as the truth struck him. His lips trembled, and he stuttered, "This... This can't be true!"

The revelation was too much for him to accept all at once. Xiao Ming was his father?

"Hahaha!"

Xiao Ming's initial shock gave way to wild laughter. He clutched his sides, his expression a mix of madness and defiance. "Elder Brother, so you've known all along. No wonder you've always refused to pass the heirship to my son, Tiancheng."

Now that the truth was out, there was no point in pretense. Xiao Ming straightened, his laughter turning into an icy smirk. "So what? It changes nothing. For years, I've worked behind the scenes to ensure Tiancheng gets what he deserves."

"Xiao Ming!" Xiao Hanshan's voice was thunderous, his finger pointing accusingly. "You defiled your sister-in-law, and now you dare covet the position of family head? You should be executed!"

But Xiao Ming was unfazed by his brother's fury. He chuckled coldly and said, "Defiled her? What about you, Elder Brother? You've failed to even protect your own daughter. What gives you the right to claim the Xiao family's leadership?"

Xiao Ming's words were like daggers, cutting deep. He then turned to Xiao Tiancheng, patting his son on the shoulder. "Don't worry, my boy. Once we've seized control, you can do whatever you want with that old man's women. If you need help, we'll enjoy them together as father and son!"

Hearing this, Xiao Tiancheng's despair vanished, replaced by a gleam of twisted hope. His fists clenched with renewed determination. "Father, I'll follow your lead! Let's kill that old fool right now!"

"Hahaha! Good boy!" Xiao Ming's face lit with pride as he looked at his son.

Xiao Hanshan's expression turned stormy. "Xiao Ming, you and your illegitimate son have only thirty warriors. I have sixty. Let's see how you plan to 'seize control.'"

But Xiao Ming didn't appear the least bit intimidated. Instead, he smiled slyly. "Oh? And what makes you so certain those sixty are on your side?"

Xiao Hanshan's brow furrowed as a sense of foreboding crept in. "What do you mean?"

Xiao Ming clapped his hands, and his tone turned playful. "Elder Brother, it's time to reveal my trump card. Elders, step forward!"

Whoosh!

Before Xiao Hanshan could react, over half of his supposed allies left his side and joined Xiao Ming.

The numbers instantly reversed. Xiao Ming now had sixty warriors to Xiao Hanshan's thirty.

"Family Head, what should we do?" A loyal elder whispered urgently, sweat dripping from his brow.

Xiao Hanshan's face remained stoic despite the odds. "There's no need to panic," he said coldly. As the leader, he could not show fear.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ming gave his son a conspiratorial grin. "See, Tiancheng? These are the forces I've been amassing all these years for you. Now, go. Show that old fool his era is over."

At Xiao Ming's command, his warriors surged toward Xiao Hanshan like a tide.

———

In the Su Family's compound, within Su Chen's study.

The chaos unfolding within the Xiao family was vividly displayed in a projection formed by a Recording Jade.

Xiao Ruoyu's pale face reflected her despair as she watched her father encircled by enemies. Tears welled in her eyes, and she dropped to her knees before Su Chen.

"Master, I'll serve you for the rest of my life. Just please... save my father and the Xiao family!"

She bit her lip, her voice trembling with desperation.

Su Chen reclined leisurely, one leg crossed over the other, his expression indifferent. His eyes stayed fixed on the projection, as though her plea hadn't even reached his ears.

Seeing his reaction, Xiao Ruoyu understood. Su Chen wanted proof of her sincerity.

Biting her lip until it bled, she steeled herself. Her delicate fingers reached for the sash of her pristine white gown.

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