Daily Intelligence System: Don't Kill Me, Honey! Chapter 1596 - 367: Why Not Let Her Be a Concubine_2

Back when he was powerless, he would go to any length to curry favor with his superiors, such as Liu Futong and previously Han Shantong. Whether it involved perilous missions or other demeaning tasks, he performed them without hesitation to secure their approval, fueled by a relentless desire to ascend the ranks, even if it meant risking his own life.

This drive was exactly why he risked everything to infiltrate the imperial court as a deep-cover operative during those formative years.

It is common knowledge that agents infiltrating the enemy rarely meet a pleasant end, yet he, Du Zundao, was determined to struggle for his survival.

He believed that only through relentless conflict could one secure a future. This mindset was rooted in his upbringing: orphaned at a young age, he was placed under the guardianship of his brother and sister-in-law, who subjected him to harsh conditions, daily beatings, and constant verbal abuse. These childhood trials in the Mortal World taught young Du Zundao to read others' intentions swiftly and claw his way upward.

Later, he realized his brother was a mere lackey for the local landlord. Because his brother blindly obeyed the man’s every command, Du Zundao began to cozy up to the landlord's youngest son, manipulating him into spreading rumors about his brother’s failures to the landlord.

As a result, every time his brother punished the boy, Du Zundao would report him, leading the landlord to discipline the brother in turn.

Eventually, the landlord hired a martial master to instruct his son. Since the boy couldn't handle the grueling training, Du Zundao managed to tag along, and over time, the martial master grew fond of the observant and hardworking youth.

In time, the landlord realized his son was wasting his potential, so he hired a different instructor. Du Zundao immediately abandoned his former teacher to pledge his loyalty to the more talented newcomer.

As his status rose and he eventually became a martial master himself, his estranged, bullying brother and sister-in-law began fawning over him.

Yet, Du Zundao harbored deep hatred for them. When the county government required labor for public works and his brother was drafted, a local convention existed where households with martial artists could claim an exemption.

His brother pleaded with him to intervene, as the labor camps at that time were essentially death sentences from which few returned.

Upon hearing this, Du Zundao went to the county official in charge, bribed him with Silver, and insisted his brother be captured, pointedly suggesting it would be best if the man never returned.

Just as he commanded, the brother who had terrorized his childhood was sent away and never set foot in their home again.

In retaliation, using his status as the senior household member, he remarried his malicious sister-in-law to an elderly, impoverished, and abusive butcher, promptly seizing all the family inheritance for his own use.

Later, reports reached him that his sister-in-law had lost her mind under the butcher’s cruelty, while his brother had been crushed by falling boulders during the construction of the city walls.

Disposing of the family property, he ventured into the Jianghu. After many twists of fate, he joined the Zoroastrian Sect. Utilizing his sharp wit, a willingness to betray old allies, and a fierce drive, he eventually rose to become one of the Zoroastrian Sect’s Four Great Dharma Kings.

While luck played a part, his rise was largely dictated by his ruthless schemes and cold heart.

Though it is distressing to validate the behavior of those with such low moral fiber, this is often the reality of society. High-minded individuals often suffer losses, while those like Du Zundao—who harbor malice toward the weak and greed for the powerful—tend to climb even higher through acts of savage vengeance.

Occasionally, one realizes that society often functions as nothing more than a contest of depravity.

It was in this manner that Du Zundao progressed toward his current ambition: the position of Sect Hierarch. How could he possibly pass up such an opportunity?

People know him as the 'Descending Mountain Tiger.' Such a title implies a person of cruel, domineering nature who refuses to relent until their objective is achieved.

Many believe that nicknames are rarely wrong, and the label of a 'Descending Mountain Tiger' signifies an omen of certain disaster.

Consider this: an 'Ascending Mountain Tiger' is satisfied and sleepy, posing little danger; you might barely register as a threat to it. However, a 'Descending Mountain Tiger' is starving from days of hunting; seeing you, it will ruthlessly aim to destroy you. Thus, encounters with such a man bring only misfortune.

This was the essence of Du Zundao.

In the past, he sought the marriage of Liu Caidie for his son. It was not the girl he coveted, but the status and connections she represented.

The present plan for his son to marry Han Ling’er is identical, for Liu Caidie has lost all utility in his eyes.

He has only one son, and he refuses to let him marry a woman of no status. After all, his own rise within the sect only occurred because he married the former Dharma King’s daughter, who became the mother of Du Xiong.

To him, marriage is nothing more than a tool to shift one's destiny. He believes his son must continue to rise and never falter, making Liu Caidie entirely irrelevant.

Han Ling’er, as the widow of the late Sect Hierarch, holds true value, as she provides the moral authority needed to unite the hearts of everyone within the Zoroastrian Sect.

Du Zundao stared at Du Xiong and said: "Son, you are my only progeny. You must assist your father. Forget about Caidie; that girl is beneath you. When we return from the Ruins, I will prepare your union with Ling’er."

"But Father, my heart belongs to Caidie."

"Listen, you are seventeen now, no longer a child. Learn to make choices that matter. Remember, a man’s marriage defines his future. Personal preference is trivial; total utility is what dictates success. You are the heir of Du Zundao; you will inherit my legacy one day. Do not throw everything away for the sake of a woman, understand?"

Hearing these words, Du Xiong felt deeply wounded; he despised the idea of his marriage being treated as a mere transaction.

Seeing his son’s distress, Du Zundao sighed before adding, "Very well. Since you are my blood, we shall do this: marry Han Ling’er first, and then I will allow you to take Liu Caidie as a concubine."