Chapter 27: First Light: My Lady, You Are Truly Divine!

"Madam, is there something you need?" Seeing the chilling aura radiating from Chu Wanning, Chuyang felt a fleeting impression of Master Lu and couldn't help but ask.

Could the Madam really handle the environment of the dungeon? He hoped she wasn't planning on going inside.

However, the next second, he heard Chu Wanning say, "I want to see Lu Bofei, Lu Xifeng, and Qian Chengzhi."

She had already learned their names from the housekeeper.

Chuyang’s brow twitched; it was truly a case of speaking of the devil.

"Madam, the dungeon environment is..."

"It’s fine. Let’s go!" Chu Wanning cut him off directly. At this moment, she wanted nothing more than to see them suffer a thousand cuts, and she didn't want to waste a single second. Thinking of what Uncle Lu had told her, her heart ached intensely.

Chuyang didn't try to stop her again, knowing she wouldn't listen. He took a few quick strides past her to open the iron gate of the dungeon. He retrieved a mask from a cabinet at the entrance and handed it to her.

"Madam, please wear this mask; the smell of blood inside is quite strong."

Chu Wanning didn't refuse. She said thank you and put it on.

Even during the day, the dungeon remained damp and poorly ventilated, with a foul, heavy odor. However, Chu Wanning had once waded through pools of blood herself, so she felt nothing of it. Observing her expression, Chuyang was surprised to see her completely unfazed, and his respect for her deepened.

"Do you need to keep watch, or do you have other things to do?" Chu Wanning asked. She knew he had been heading out for something earlier, and she was perfectly fine being there alone.

Chuyang had no intention of leaving; he was dying to see what the Madam would do next. "I'll stay, Madam. Do you have any instructions?"

Very well. Free labor—might as well make use of it. Besides, looking at the three filthy figures on the floor, she was indeed a bit repulsed by the mess.

"Make them swallow this." Chu Wanning produced three pills from the pocket of her qipao. "Don't worry, it won't kill them. It will just make them wish they were dead."

Chuyang’s mouth twitched. He made a mental note to warn everyone never to cross the Madam.

"Yes, Madam!"

Chuyang unlocked the cell, called for two assistants, splashed the prisoners awake, and crudely pried their mouths open to force the pills down. By the time they reacted, the pills had already dissolved in their stomachs. Indeed, fearing some might refuse to eat them, Chu Wanning had thoughtfully crafted them to dissolve on contact, making it impossible to spit them out.

"You—you poisonous woman! What did you give us?" Lu Xifeng cursed weakly.

Chu Wanning gave a cold scoff. "The 'Death-Wish Pill.' It sells for 50 million on the dark web. Do remember to transfer the money to me."

Even though Chuyang was accustomed to grand spectacles, he couldn't help but let out a laugh. The Madam was truly a legend; she poisoned people and then made them pay for the privilege.

Lu Xifeng was so enraged she coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Not paying? Those who don't pay will never get the antidote, while those who do might get a chance!" Not that it mattered—even if they paid, they would still suffer until the very end.

Lu Bofei was thoroughly terrified and reached out to grab the bars.

"Stay back!" Chu Wanning unleashed her full presence with a sharp command, and he immediately pulled his hand back.

"I—I'll pay!"

Chuyang quickly retrieved Lu Bofei’s phone. "Make the transfer."

Lu Bofei was overjoyed, thinking he might use the opportunity to contact the outside world. His heart sank when he realized the phone had been wiped of everything except the payment app; even his SIM card had been removed, and he was forced to use the local Wi-Fi. He had no choice but to transfer the money honestly.

Seeing the notification of the payment, Chu Wanning felt quite good. The rate of profit was excellent.

"Give this to him." For the sake of the hundred million to come, she would reward him with one, though there would be plenty of suffering ahead regardless.

Chuyang took the tiny white pill—ten times smaller than the Death-Wish Pill—from Chu Wanning and handed it to Lu Bofei.

"Eat it. Watch them suffer the effects of the poison, and you'll be glad you paid so promptly," Chu Wanning said, her smile not reaching her eyes.

Shortly after, Lu Xifeng and Qian Chengzhi were seen rolling on the floor. Qian Chengzhi wanted to pay too, but he genuinely had no money. Lu Xifeng had been unwilling, but now, with a sensation like ten thousand ants gnawing at their bodies, they felt that death would be a mercy. Yet, those who feared death lacked the courage even to commit suicide.

Thus, the Death-Wish Pills were perfectly suited for them. This agony would recur once a week. If they survived a hundred cycles, it would be by sheer luck; if not, it was simply their fate.

They had bullied A-Yan and thought they could still live comfortably in this world? They would have to ask her if she agreed.

"I—I'll pay, I'll pay too! Give me the antidote, I—I want the antidote!" Lu Xifeng gasped, her words intermittent with pain.

"Xifeng, pay for me too, please, I beg you!" Qian Chengzhi was more articulate now.

"Make the transfer," Chuyang said, having learned the routine.

"For the two of you, it’s 120 million. The price has gone up! Do you still want it?" Chu Wanning sneered.

"Yes, yes! Give it to me, I’ll pay!" Lu Xifeng’s hands trembled as she hurriedly processed the transfer.

Chu Wanning received the notification and tossed them two pills. Lu Xifeng and Qian Chengzhi swallowed them immediately, and the agony vanished instantly.

"A friendly reminder: the poison will flare up every week. I will have A-Yan release you as soon as possible, but there are only three doses of the antidote in total. This only covers this one flare-up; there won't be any more," Chu Wanning said, shrugging with a feigned expression of helplessness.

It was a blatant declaration that she intended to watch them suffer. But for now, they dared to be angry but dared not speak.

"I will buy it regardless of the cost. Please, I beg you, make more antidote," Lu Bofei pleaded.

"Let's go," Chu Wanning said, turning to walk away without a second glance.

Chuyang was eager to share the Madam's recent maneuvers with Master Lu. It was just too satisfying—making money while getting revenge, and the three of them would continue to suffer.

"Take care, Madam!" Chu Wanning waved her hand.

The moment she stepped out of the dungeon, the coldness in her eyes deepened. The old vultures had been punished, but there were still those so-called cousins who had bullied A-Yan. Hmph, none of them would escape.

She raised her hand to sniff at her clothes; she was in urgent need of a long bath.

***

At the Lu Group.

"Master Lu, I've transferred the video of the Madam at the dungeon to your computer!" Chuyang reported immediately after finishing his task.

Lu Siyan frowned the moment he heard Chu Wanning had gone to the dungeon. The environment there was so foul—how could his little fairy go to such a place? It had dirtied her feet.

However, watching the video and seeing the aura of absolute dominance Chu Wanning displayed, Lu Siyan felt his heart warm and a smile tugged at his lips. Once finished, he immediately placed a video call to her.

At that moment, Chu Wanning was resting with her eyes closed in a petal-filled bath. The sudden ringing of her phone startled her. Seeing the name on the screen, her delicate lips curved upward.

"Hubby, you've been working hard!"

Chu Wanning was submerged in the bathtub, white foam mixed with colorful petals, revealing her flushed, exquisite face and slender, fair neck. Lu Siyan was rendered speechless, staring in a daze.

"Hubby? Do you miss me? Why aren't you saying anything?" Chu Wanning’s soft, sweet voice echoed again.

On the other end of the line, Lu Siyan suddenly hung up.