[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system":3,"chapter-villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-123":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Villain of Fate: The Tyrant System",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},560711,810,"Chapter 123: A Battlefield Without Swords","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-123",123,"\u003Cp>A Battlefield Without Swords\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Folks say the yearly trade gathering in Valemont kicked off with words from the town’s top officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A grand space once filled with feasts now held quiet order. Down its center, long rows of smooth tables ran like tracks through stillness. Before every delegate sat tools ready: mics beside screens, tags aligned just so. The air felt tight with expectation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hint of coffee drifted through, mixed with the quiet smell of clean wood. Morning light touched the floorboards, soft underfoot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment city officials walked up, noise in the room began to fade. People stopped talking as attention turned forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure shifted, straightening the frames on his nose before sound spilled from the mic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Next year, Valemont will focus heavily on environmental protection.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We must reduce carbon emissions and improve industrial sustainability.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A glow spread across the back wall, filling it with graphs and numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Several new policies will be implemented. Companies must adjust their production models accordingly. Those who actively cooperate will receive government support and incentives.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speech continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Projects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Infrastructure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Green industry transformation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Urban planning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For nearly half an hour, the leaders carefully outlined their vision for the coming year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most people in the audience listened politely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some pretended to take notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others simply waited for the real battlefield to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because everyone knew—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real meeting would only start after the speeches ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the leader concluded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for your attention.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Applause echoed across the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the microphone was passed to representatives of the major households.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>--------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first person to stand was Bianca De Dominicis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She rose calmly from her seat at the front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her long red hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her red eyes carried sharp intelligence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many eyes turned toward her immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Henrik De Dominicis, the patriarch of the De Dominicis household, leaned slightly toward her and murmured quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Remember.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Confidence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And strike precisely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bianca gave a small nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Wystan Valquin, sitting a few seats away, leaned toward Gwen Valquin and spoke in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Watch carefully.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is how business wars begin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen nodded thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the podium, Bianca began speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our De Dominicis Group will actively respond to the city’s environmental initiative.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We will invest in green technology and support Valemont’s long-term environmental goals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tone was calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But suddenly her expression sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I also have a question for the leaders.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room grew slightly quieter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bear Group, as a major enterprise in Valemont, has been damaging the environment for profit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Their chemical plant in the southern district has been discharging large amounts of untreated wastewater.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The surrounding ecosystem has suffered serious damage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice became firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This issue deserves investigation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of murmurs spread across the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not simply a statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a public accusation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Bianca finished speaking, representatives of the D’Aurelius household and the Valquin household began speaking as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They presented financial reports.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Environmental data.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Market violations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each point struck like a hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three powerful households launched a coordinated assault against Bear Group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No shouting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only calm, precise words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But everyone in the room understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a declaration of war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Businessmen across the hall exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others quietly calculated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Bear Group collapsed...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its market share would become an enormous opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many companies began thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should they take a side?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within minutes, most had reached the same conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-----------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time the annual meeting ended, Bear Group had unknowingly gained more than half of Valemont’s business world as enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the hotel, luxury cars lined the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The evening air carried the faint scent of rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside one car sat Wystan Valquin and his beloved granddaughter Gwen Valquin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old patriarch glanced at her quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gwen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What exactly is going on between you and that boy from the D’Aurelius household today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice wasn’t angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the two of them had played the piano earlier...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The happiness on Gwen’s face had been obvious to anyone watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Gwen could answer—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mike Valquin leaned forward from the front seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grandpa, do you even need to ask?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My sister likes my big brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re perfect together.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could say another word—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>WHACK.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cane struck his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mike yelped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ow!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wystan Valquin glared at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your sister may be a perfect match.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But you are a complete disaster.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised the cane again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you bring another woman home again, I’ll throw you out of the Valquin household.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mike rubbed his head and laughed awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grandpa... relax...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her grandfather looking at her seriously, Gwen bit her lip slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she spoke softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grandpa... I do have feelings for Julian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The car fell quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wystan sighed slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should have said this earlier.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I knew sooner...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I might have secured the marriage before the Aurevale household did.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen looked forward calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It doesn’t matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They aren’t married yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice carried quiet determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won’t easily give up what I want.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>----------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In another car nearby, Henrik De Dominicis sat beside Bianca De Dominicis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old patriarch looked at his granddaughter seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That boy from the D’Aurelius household is excellent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But he’s already engaged.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bianca flipped her red hair lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grandpa.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just take care of your health.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled confidently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your granddaughter will obtain whatever she wants.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside her mind, another thought quietly formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tomorrow...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll call him for a meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A playful smile appeared on her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe I’ll wear something special.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old patriarch sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young people these days...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were far bolder than his generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, inside another car—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan Aurevale was giving his daughter Selene Aurevale a serious lecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Selene, you must act quickly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop being so cold like before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke passionately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good men are rare.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When I was young, I was even more popular than that boy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver nearly lost control of the car hearing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this really the right conversation to have while I’m driving?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan continued proudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know why your mother married me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene felt a bad feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan said proudly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She got me drunk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then she slept with me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And after she got pregnant with you—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene’s face turned completely red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can you teach me something else?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shan laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Men understand men.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m doing this for your own good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned forward seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Invite him for a drink.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her heart beat slightly faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She quietly thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad idea.\u003C\u002Fp>",1114,"2026-05-30T15:14:55.252Z","2026-06-01T04:31:33.482Z",1,"novelbin.me","f3b6898c6bb8862038ec731c4ad562d310e6ba3910503a17c68868b11f1624b1","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-124","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-122",232,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fvillain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-cover.jpg"]