[{"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-170":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},560658,810,"Chapter 170: Dogs Bite the Drowning Tiger","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-170",170,"\u003Cp>Dogs Bite the Drowning Tiger\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stairwell still trembled with the aftermath of violence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dust drifted lazily through the dim yellow light overhead, shaken loose by the earlier struggle. One of the wall lamps flickered, buzzing faintly, casting broken shadows across cracked concrete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas stood breathing hard, chest heaving violently, blond hair fallen into wild disorder, blood dark at the corner of his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His knuckles were skinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His suit was torn at the shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain pulsed through his ribs every time he inhaled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before him, Hemil and the other three abruptly halted their assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As though some unseen command had struck them all at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their faces changed instantly—ferocity vanishing, replaced by exaggerated horror so dramatic it would have been laughable under any other circumstance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All four dropped to one knee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We deserve to die!\" they shouted together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We thought it was Julian coming down!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas nearly coughed blood from rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veins bulged at his temples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A muscle near his jaw jumped uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had indeed ordered these four to ambush Julian here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything had been arranged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every angle planned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every contingency considered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>who could have predicted the scheme would twist into this grotesque nightmare?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian and Bianca had not been poisoned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he had fallen into his own trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His own drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His own scheme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His own humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, after being caught in that obscene disaster...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>forced to wear a mask, shift blame, preserve face—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he returned only to be ambushed by his own men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A clown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A joke written by fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought made something in his chest burn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His roar exploded through the stairwell, echoing floor after floor like an enraged beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed trembling fingers at Hemil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know who tampered with my drink?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The accusation was almost a snarl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hemil’s face showed startled confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, however, his thoughts were far less innocent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But outwardly, he looked loyal enough to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyes lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Posture submissive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Voice urgent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know, Young Master,\" he said quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas stared at him, eyes narrowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suspicion flickered there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calculation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a heartbeat, the air felt taut enough to split.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hemil suddenly looked as though recalling something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His brows jumped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slapped his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Careful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Measured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if revealing something dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I did see President Thalia speaking privately to a waiter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas’s eyes sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hemil leaned closer, lowering his voice further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She handed him cash.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the others, sensing the opening, moved immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Young Master!\" one added without missing a beat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That woman’s eyes were on you from the start.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another nodded solemnly, face full of righteous indignation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She might have done it herself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A third leaned in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She wanted you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lie began weaving itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thread by thread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost too smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas’s fury faltered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breathing slowed, just a fraction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>actually be that sow?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind unwillingly returned to the banquet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her reaching for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That heated gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way her voice had softened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, he had dismissed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>through the lens of humiliation—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the possibility seemed grotesquely plausible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A trap born of lust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His jaw clenched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hard enough to ache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed at Hemil again, hand shaking with fury, wanting to explode—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>to smash someone’s skull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To vent this humiliation in blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he restrained himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers slowly lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hemil watched him through lowered lashes, hiding the smile threatening to form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas looked away, chest rising and falling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His pride had been wounded too many times tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed an enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone to pin this madness on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Thalia—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>for this moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>fit perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last he spoke, voice low and murderous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The plan had a slight hiccup.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words came through gritted teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A \"slight hiccup.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if tonight had not become a catastrophe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if he had not been dragged through layered humiliation one absurd disaster after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no one dared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stairwell fell silent again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Lucas’s ragged breathing remained— and the heavy feeling that this was far from over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was forced calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You... are very loyal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words nearly scraped his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because what else could he do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Punish them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had only followed his own orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in appearance... even protected his interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hemil bowed lower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is our duty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four spoke in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half-kneeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfectly obedient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost saintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas took a breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body swayed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was truly in terrible condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m feeling... unwell.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was putting it mildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked half dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I need to leave for a while.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then even now—still unwilling to let go—his eyes sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You stay at the hotel. Watch for a chance to poison Julian and his group.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you succeed, inform me immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even broken and humiliated... he still clung to revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hemil nearly admired the persistence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood, Young Master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And dashed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An ocean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The greasy smell clinging to him felt unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to scrub skin off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But fate had one more joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he ran out the hotel’s back door—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>two figures exploded from the roadside shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like crouching wolves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wham!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A kick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both landed before Lucas fully reacted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body jolted backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attackers were Bianca’s two Old Martial Arts bodyguards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peak Iron Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both formidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they had waited a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking advantage of Lucas’s chaotic mental state, they launched a perfect sneak attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then pressed the advantage without mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Punches stormed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kicks sliced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A palm strike nearly shattered his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas was furious enough to burst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He—a dignified peak Silver Realm expert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A prodigy of the Obsidian Wing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to him, even Obsidian King Evan would pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When had he suffered humiliation like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bullied by two weaklings not even at Silver Realm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under normal conditions he could crush both with one hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His previous injuries remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vital energy depleted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three hours of drug-driven madness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then beaten by the Scythe Division.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment his limbs felt like boiled noodles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Powerless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And against two peak Iron Realm fighters attacking like starving dogs...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he was being driven back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>these two were ruthless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their blows aimed to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One hissed while striking,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For Miss Bianca.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other answered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Break his ribs first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas nearly exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Trash!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forced a counter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A palm blasted one attacker back three steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the second drove a knee into his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain ripped through him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood sprayed from his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He staggered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His condition worsened rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breathing became ragged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vision dimmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another blow hit his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sustaining more injuries, Lucas spat out a large mouthful of blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warm scarlet stained the pavement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart sank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Real danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time tonight...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he sensed death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His pride warred against survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then survival won.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a deep breath—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he cast pride aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And shouted with all his strength,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Help!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1184,"2026-05-30T15:14:55.253Z","2026-06-01T04:31:33.482Z",1,"novelbin.me","63245dea30cc18f19f112fbf1c6f8f4366ef27565eb1bc62a5e2236922a66853","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-171","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-169",232,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fvillain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-cover.jpg"]