Chapter 80: A Game of Defiance

The days that followed were a whirlwind of activity for Su Nian.

Each morning, she slipped out into the world, spending most of her hours at the dazzling Magic Feather Fantasy.

Though the flurry of performances and rehearsals had quieted, the focus had shifted to promoting and selling the revolutionary magic phones.

It was a far better place to be than the suffocating confines of Shadowmoon Manor.

She had no desire to cross paths with that wretched Horned Demon.

In her moments of respite, Su Nian found solace in the library of the Magic Academy, poring over tomes of arcane knowledge.

These books were more than mere pages—they were stepping stones to sharpening her skills, essential for the battles she knew lay ahead.

Once, her path had been forced upon her.

The torment of her captivity had branded her with a cursed affinity for suffering, pushing her toward the way of the mage.

In hindsight, she admitted her recklessness.

Even with the system’s aid, reshaping her long-honed combat instincts and accumulated experience was a monumental task.

If fate granted her another chance, she mused, perhaps she could tread the path of a dual cultivator, blending magic and martial prowess.

But that was a dream for another day.

For now, her goal was clear: ascend to the Saint rank and crush that despicable Horned Demon.

As twilight draped the world in shadows, Su Nian’s heart sank.

She had no choice but to return to Shadowmoon Manor.

By day, she was a star—radiant, adored, the center of attention.

But when night fell, humiliation awaited her, a puppet dancing to the Horned Demon’s cruel whims.

Each evening, she donned the outfits he dictated, stepping into his chambers with a collar that marked her submission.

She was his to command.

Beyond the usual degrading tasks—staying at the manor, kissing him, calling him “Master,” wearing that accursed collar—he found new ways to torment her.

Brewing his coffee, undressing him, kneading his shoulders, massaging his feet—every act a fresh wound to her pride.

It infuriated her.

Yet her spirit remained unbroken.

She refused to bend so easily.

Just two nights ago, she’d scored a small victory.

A notification had chimed: “Ding! Master’s Task (Tonight Only): Peel grapes for the Horned Demon to eat. Each grape consumed grants 200 Humiliation Points. If no grapes are eaten, the task fails, triggering one hour of Masochist status.”

What kind of person demands peeled grapes?

The Horned Demon’s arrogance knew no bounds.

Still, a task tied to accumulating Humiliation Points sparked her determination.

She fed him a mountain of grapes, racking up points with grim satisfaction.

The cost, though, was steep.

His lips claimed hers again, pulling her into his embrace, kissing her as she squirmed.

She told herself it was just part of the task—nothing more.

But she’d won that round.

Over a hundred grapes, each a tiny triumph.

She wasn’t losing this time.

Su Nian clung to that thought, soothing her bruised pride.

The days, at least, brought her joy.

Earning money was a balm to her wounded spirit, especially when she stood at Magic Feather Fantasy, watching throngs of people line up to buy magic phones.

The sight filled her with a fleeting sense of victory.

Through her partnership with Shadowmoon Manor, merchants and guilds from the gala were allotted quotas of magic phones, sold at a standard retail price of fifty silver coins—roughly five thousand in her past life’s currency.

The manor supplied them to partners at forty-five silver coins each.

The magic phones were a sensation.

Cheaper and more convenient than traditional communication crystals, they flew off the shelves.

Demand outstripped supply, and black-market prices soared to a gold coin per device.

Her fame as the magic idol drew offers from others eager to poach her, prompting Matthew to renegotiate her contract.

As long as she remained with Magic Feather Fantasy, she’d claim fifty percent of the profits—a fortune for simply being there.

For Matthew, money was secondary.

Promoting his family’s shipping business through Magic Feather Fantasy had already secured wealth and prestige.

As long as the venture didn’t lose money, he was content.

From the second floor, Su Nian gazed at the bustling crowd, watching phones sell like wildfire.

All she had to do was stand there and let the coins roll in.

Despite the indignities she endured, the thrill of earning money painted a crescent-moon smile across her starry eyes.

In a quiet corner, she spun her arms like windmills, reveling in her success.

‘Money! So satisfying!’

She conveniently ignored that the Horned Demon reaped the lion’s share of every sale.

But her joy was short-lived.

A message arrived from him—a photo of Shadowmoon Manor’s exterior.

[Lord Horned Demon]: “What if I accidentally sent this to someone else? Oh dear, what then?”

Su Nian rolled her eyes so hard she nearly strained them.

A magic phone that could send pictures?

Of course his phone would be special, unlike the ones sold to the masses.

That fiend was at it again.

If he controlled the phone’s backend and sent that image to everyone… her reputation would be ashes.

Social death, plain and simple.

[Miss Su Nian]: “I was wrong, Master, please don’t do this!”

Sometimes, survival meant swallowing pride.

She’d play along, bide her time, and wait for her chance to turn the tables.

[Lord Horned Demon]: “Tonight, prepare my bath and attend to me while I bathe.”

Su Nian gritted her teeth, stomping her high-heeled foot in frustration at Magic Feather Fantasy.

She burned with rage but didn’t dare lash out.

[Miss Su Nian]: “Understood, Master. I’ll prepare your bath and serve you well tonight.”

‘Why?’

Why did she have to tend to that vile creature, her sworn enemy, in such an intimate way?

The thought of him in the bath, steam curling around his bare form, sent an involuntary flush to her cheeks, a mix of anger and embarrassment.

Unbeknownst to her, the Horned Demon—Chu Tian—wasn’t at Shadowmoon Manor.

Disguised as a human, he shadowed her, watching her every move.

Her radiant smiles, her triumphant arm-spinning, her furious foot-stomping, her shy blushes—he saw it all.

‘What a delightful fool,’ he thought, chuckling.

Tormenting her earned him “Anger Points” while satisfying his own twisted desires.

And, truth be told, he was growing fond of her.

Her fragrant hair, her soft curves, even her quirks—all of it was endearing.

Her glares when angry, her reluctant submission when collared, her sly grin as she fed him tea or grapes in defiance—every moment was utterly charming.

Love.

Beneath her fiery spirit, he sensed the immense magical power within her.

One slip, and she’d unleash a devastating spell on him.

But that danger?

It thrilled him.

It was like sprinting along the edge of a chasm, heart pounding with exhilaration.

This game was far too entertaining.

If Su Nian could hear his thoughts, she’d likely spit one venomous retort: ‘Entertaining? Screw you!’