Chapter 1: The Useless Son-in-law

The northern wind howled bleakly, yellow sand blanketing the sky.

A young man stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze so deep and chilling it inspired fear. At his feet, nine infamous Kings of the Underworld were now prostrate on the ground, as lowly as ants, waiting for their judgment.

“Those of the Underworld are utterly devoid of conscience—they should’ve been executed long ago! Now that I’ve accepted the ultimate mission, I’ll use your blood to consecrate my rise to kingship and emperorship!”

Years later...

The world remembers only the name of the Dragon King, the Feathered Emperor, yet no one knows that his real name is Ye Feng.

“Ye Feng, do you know what time it is? Why haven’t you brought me my food yet? Are you trying to starve me to death?”

“Big sister, why did you have to pick such a useless person as a shield just to avoid a forced marriage? Not only does he eat for free, but he’s also a spineless coward—three years now! If it were me, I’d have died of anger eight times over because of him.”

Two voices of ridicule shattered Ye Feng’s memories. He shook his head. Now, he was nothing more than a despised, good-for-nothing live-in son-in-law.

“Dinner’s ready, I’ll bring it right over,” he replied, his tone utterly calm, as if he had long grown used to this way of life. Ye Feng deftly carried the steaming, delicious dishes to the table.

Seated at the table were two breathtaking women who bore an eight-point resemblance to each other—they were sisters. The elder, Su Manman, was his wife. Clad in a loose pink nightgown, her long legs sheathed in black stockings, her features exquisitely refined—anyone who saw her would marvel that such beauty could exist in this world.

The younger sister, Su Niannian, though not quite as stunning as her elder sibling, had her own unique charm. Phoenix eyes, a high-bridged nose, smooth and delicate skin, and with her youth, she radiated a vibrant allure.

With both beauties present, even Ye Feng, who had seen much of the world, couldn’t help but be captivated.

“This soup isn’t bad, sister. Your husband really does have a knack for cooking,” Su Niannian remarked with a hint of scornful mockery.

“Ye Feng, kneel!” Su Manman snapped.

With no hesitation, Ye Feng knelt before his wife. This scene played out nearly every day.

“You really are something, Ye Feng—utterly disgraceful! Tell me, what can you do besides housework, cleaning, and other chores that only infuriate me further? I must have been blind to choose you. If I’d known it would be like this, I’d have picked a dog instead—at least a dog is a thousand, ten thousand times better than you!”

Regret welled up in Su Manman’s heart. She thought back to three years ago, wondering why she hadn’t just accepted the marriage arranged by her family. No matter what, life wouldn’t be as miserable as it was now, spending every day with such a pathetic loser.

Ye Feng gave a bitter smile. Who would have thought that he, the Feathered Emperor, would one day kneel at a woman’s feet?

He! The king of the underworld, the name Dragon King resounding through the heavens! If he wished, not only this small city of Li, but the entire underworld would tremble and fall at his command.

Yet, fate played a cruel joke—he had truly fallen in love with the very wife who insulted him as worthless every day.

Three years!

He had endured this life for three whole years! Even though Su Manman never stopped belittling him, commanding him to do things unworthy of his status—cooking, washing clothes, scrubbing toilets, washing feet, and even her underwear—Ye Feng took it all upon himself without complaint.

Still, the only words he ever heard were: useless! Parasite! Incompetent!

Such humiliating epithets were all that described him.

If Ye Feng did not truly love the woman before him, how could he humble himself, kneel, and endure such scorn?

“Enough, sister, let’s not talk about this loser anymore. No point in making yourself angry over him,” Su Niannian quickly interjected, changing the subject.

Su Manman glanced at Ye Feng, still kneeling, her face full of disappointment.

“Get out of here. Heat up yesterday’s leftovers and eat them in the kitchen. Don’t bother me.” She kicked Ye Feng in the chest.

Ye Feng scrambled to his feet, heated up the leftovers on the gas stove, and crouched in an inconspicuous corner to eat—just as he had done for three years.

“Sigh, what’s wrong with me? Why does everything fall on my shoulders?” As Ye Feng left, Su Manman started complaining to her sister.

“Sis, besides that useless Ye Feng making you unhappy, what else is going on?” Su Niannian never missed a chance to humiliate Ye Feng.

“What else? My company’s in financial trouble. I need ten million within a week to plug the gap or it’ll go under.”

Su Manman was helpless. She believed she managed her business carefully, moving forward step by step, yet she always felt an invisible hand squeezing the life out of her company.

“Why not borrow from Zhang Chao? He’s your number one pursuer, and he’s also the general manager of Tingxuan Holdings. If you ask, I’m sure he’ll lend you the money without hesitation,” Su Niannian suggested.

“I’d rather not. This is my own company’s issue, after all. Besides, we’re not even friends. How could I, a married woman, go to him just because he’s interested in me?” Su Manman’s pretty face showed her indecision.

“Ten million, you say?”

From the kitchen corner, Ye Feng emerged, bowl and chopsticks in hand.

“What’s it to you? Not eating anymore? Then hurry up and mop the floor. If I see even a speck of dirt, you’ll regret it.” Su Manman glared, already irritated enough—Ye Feng, instead of helping, was only adding to her troubles.

“Maybe I’ll just have to bite the bullet and ask Zhang Biao for the money,” she thought.

“Perhaps I can help you gather it,” Ye Feng said, surprisingly not following her orders and remaining where he stood.

“Ha! What did you say? You’re going to scrape together ten million with your two-thousand-a-month allowance? That wouldn’t even cover the golden retriever’s food for a month! If you really get ten million, I’ll wash your feet for a week!” Su Niannian nearly burst out laughing.

“Really?” Ye Feng asked.

“Of course. If you manage to get ten million together, I, Su Niannian, will wash your feet for a week. But do you really have that kind of ability?” Su Niannian dismissed him with a scornful look. Miracles might happen for anyone—except Ye Feng.

“Ye Feng, enough! Is this really the time for jokes? Can’t you just do something a man should do? I don’t expect you to support the family, but can’t you at least give me a shred of hope?” Su Manman glared at him, apron tied at his waist, despair in her eyes.

No man could be as lacking in ambition as him; he was the ultimate disgrace. Otherwise, she would never even consider borrowing money from a pursuer.

The more she thought, the angrier she became. She left her meal untouched and stormed upstairs.

Su Niannian moved closer to Ye Feng, her slender hand patting his handsome face.

“Useless man. My sister’s misfortune is to have ended up with you. Remember what I said—if you can’t come up with ten million in a week, pack your things and get out. Stop hanging around my sister like a dead dog.” She intended to use this as a way to force Ye Feng to leave.

If her sister couldn’t say it, she would be the villain.

“Ah, my sister is still too soft-hearted,” Su Niannian sighed before clicking away in seven-centimeter heels.

Ye Feng watched her leave, biting his lip. He would endure this humiliation for Su Manman’s sake—for now.

Slowly, he took out his phone and dialed a number.

“Hello, F, I need you to take care of something for me…”