[{"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-164":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},560652,810,"Chapter 164: Smiling Poisons","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-164",164,"\u003Cp>Smiling Poisons\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright then, let’s shake hands after you wash up,\" Thalia said with a bright smile, lifting one jeweled hand and gesturing them inward. \"Let’s go inside and chat over some food.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her laugh rolled through the marble foyer like oil over water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sticky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>False.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian D’Aurelius smiled politely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bianca De Dominicis smiled too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But beneath that elegance, both were already reading the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crystal chandeliers spilled molten gold over the polished floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soft piano music drifted from somewhere unseen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything looked luxurious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything smelled expensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And somehow—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>everything felt wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalia walked ahead, her heavy steps oddly eager.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t wait to help Lucas push his plan forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to his arrangement, someone would tamper with the drinks soon during the meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as they drank the spiked drinks—even a sip—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>their bodies would lose control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas’s target was Bianca.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as for Julian...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalia’s little eyes gleamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would follow the plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And make Julian her prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tongue passed across painted lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Predatory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hungry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bianca noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression did not change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But inside—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Disgusting.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian merely thought:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(If this woman looks at me one more time like that, I’m jumping through a window.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were led into a private dining hall layered with carved screens and dark sandalwood furniture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A banquet had already been prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too elaborate for a simple business discussion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone was suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian’s golden eyes narrowed for half a breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then elsewhere— high above in a suite overlooking the hotel—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas stood beside a wall of glass where the city glimmered below in molten threads of gold and white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A half-finished glass of red wine rested in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been staring at the lights without seeing them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calculating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the door opened softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A subordinate entered, head lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Lucas...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas did not turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The subordinate swallowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Julian has arrived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wine glass paused halfway to Lucas’s lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time since morning—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a flicker moved in his blue eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room seemed to grow colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Again...\" Lucas murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The word was almost inaudible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression remained composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his fingers around the crystal had tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of Julian...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a hint of apprehension flashed through him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That man’s strength was unpredictable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He appeared ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No obvious cultivation that should have made him a threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas’s shoulder seemed to ache at the memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could still feel it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just the force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His jaw hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know what I hate most?\" Lucas suddenly asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The subordinate froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas slowly set down the wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at his own hand as if remembering something unpleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hate things I cannot measure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That man...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He feels ordinary enough to mock.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his voice lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And dangerous enough to kill kings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The subordinate dared not answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas let out a dry laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ridiculous, isn’t it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moved back toward the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poured more wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His caution was not born from timidity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was born from surviving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he had gambled and lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless necessary—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he would avoid confronting Julian directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one day...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he stepped into Gold Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would be the day Julian died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He whispered almost like a prayer,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Survive until then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The subordinate heard it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did not dare react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas’s fingers cracked through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four figures who had been waiting in silence emerged forward as if summoned from shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Members of the Scythe Division.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disciplined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Lucas.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their voices merged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas looked at them the way a man might inspect knives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Useful until broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Prepare yourselves,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the four stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The original plan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a sip of wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Make sure the drinks are spiked.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another operative asked, \"Enough to incapacitate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough to blur judgment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked past them slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And when Bianca is taken away...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thin smile touched his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Put on a good show.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One man grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A staged violation scandal?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas’s eyes turned glacial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grin died instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Lucas spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But make sure no one lays a finger on her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room went still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his own men seemed surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas’s tone sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you misunderstand me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, Young Master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Close enough his voice was almost a whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fear her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frighten her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shake her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Make her think she has fallen into hell...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But touch?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice became ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like Evan before him, Lucas could not tolerate another touching a woman he considered his prize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even staged corruption had limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One operative lowered his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas studied them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then said quietly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Possession is not shared.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dangerous line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men exchanged no glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None were foolish enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas resumed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And that man Julian is here too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now a crueler smile bent his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If he falls for it...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swirled the wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Arrange a few ugly women for him to enjoy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One subordinate blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another almost smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas caught it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Amused?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smile vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, Young Master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take photographs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke as if discussing weather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Compromising ones.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another operative asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas’s blue eyes glimmered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Post them online.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned against the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Destroy the righteous man first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His smile widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"People forgive murder.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They rarely forgive disgrace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the men who served him felt a chill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas lifted two fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slicing motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once he’s exhausted...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Finish him off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words fell like execution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One operative asked carefully,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You believe the four of us are sufficient?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unblinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I believed he were ordinary...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I would send one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am sending four.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That answer said everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted Julian dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But death alone was too merciful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted humiliation first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disgrace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas had no intention of acting personally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian carried a strange aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An uncertainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Lucas hated uncertainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let others test the blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let others bleed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This danger would be borne by his loyal subordinates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To die for him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>that, in Lucas’s mind, was their highest honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the Scythe members suddenly asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And if he sees through the trap?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That smile was somehow worse than anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then you improvise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And if he kills us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas took another sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I have learned something valuable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man lowered his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no outrage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only obedience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because that was Lucas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even loyalty was disposable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood, Young Master Lucas.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again all four replied in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas gave a lazy wave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They vanished from the suite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas stood alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then slowly lifted the wine again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before drinking—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he murmured into the glass,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Julian...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His reflection stared back from the dark red surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A predator studying another predator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered that punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That impossible calm in Julian’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for a brief moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>just a brief one—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas wondered whether he had made a mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then pride buried the thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lips curved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s see whether luck saves you twice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the suite windows,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>city lights flickered below like a kingdom waiting to burn.\u003C\u002Fp>",1247,"2026-05-30T15:14:55.253Z","2026-06-01T04:31:33.482Z",1,"novelbin.me","7d34fb79a23be516d7ed0123b73249a5a4c69ca3b795a771704c5be861e56435","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-165","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-163",232,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fvillain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-cover.jpg"]