Chapter 70: Only to Harm, Not to Kill

Seeing Qu Junchu suddenly adopt a murderous demeanor, Zhao Mingyi and his son Zhao Hu, standing nearby, exchanged bewildered glances, uncertain as to what had provoked such a reaction. Zhao Hu, in particular, was flattered to the point of disbelief—was Second Young Master Qu truly so loyal, or was he simply misunderstanding the situation? Judging by his expression, upon learning that Lin Le had bullied him, Qu seemed even angrier than he himself was, as if he were ready to commit murder.

How could Zhao Hu have known that the suffering Second Young Master Qu had endured at Lin Le’s hands was no less than his own? At this moment, Qu Junchu had finally, thoroughly understood: the so-called Master Mu, the scoundrel who had made him end up covered in filthy blood and lose face before Tang Nianchen, was none other than Lin Le.

No wonder that day the fellow had been at odds with him from the very start, putting obstacles in his way at every turn—so this was the reason! The humiliation he had suffered at the Tang family’s hands that day made Qu Junchu so furious he could barely restrain his urge to tear Lin Le to pieces.

After that incident, Qu Junchu had already ordered people to investigate the real identity of that Master Mu, with every intention of teaching him a harsh lesson. Unfortunately, nothing had turned up. Who would have thought he’d learn everything today from the Zhao family’s mouths? Qu Junchu couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—damn it, fate truly brings enemies together.

“Second Young Master Qu… is something wrong?” Zhao Mingyi, sensing Qu Junchu’s overreaction, asked hesitantly.

“Nothing at all,” Qu Junchu replied, of course keeping to himself the story of how Lin Le had made a fool of him. “Rest assured, Mr. Zhao—your trouble is my trouble as well. Besides, Zhao Hu and I have always gotten along; I’ll make your family’s problem my business!”

“Really? That’s wonderful!” Zhao Mingyi was surprised and overjoyed, having never expected Second Young Master Qu to be so accommodating.

“So, Mr. Zhao, what is it that you plan to do now?” Qu Junchu inquired.

“Second Young Master Qu, since there are no outsiders here, I’ll speak plainly: I want that brat dead!” Zhao Mingyi revealed his vicious intent.

For families like the Zhao and Qu, taking lives was hardly a taboo. Even if something did go wrong, they had plenty of ways to settle matters.

“Oh? Mr. Zhao, you truly are decisive. But if you simply wish to kill someone, you need only spend some money—there are plenty of people in Haizhou’s underworld willing to do the job. Why bother seeking help from the Qu family?” Qu Junchu was no fool and immediately saw through to the heart of the matter.

“You’re absolutely right; hiring muscle to deal with that brat would be simple enough. However, his skills are truly extraordinary—a genuine martial artist. Ordinary people can’t handle him,” Zhao Mingyi explained.

“So what are you suggesting?” Qu Junchu asked.

“If we could persuade Boss Tu to act, I believe he could deal with that brat,” Zhao Mingyi ventured.

“What? You want Uncle Tu to handle this? Hahahaha…” Qu Junchu couldn’t help but laugh.

“Is there something wrong?” Zhao Mingyi was bewildered.

“To use a butcher’s knife to kill a chicken—aren’t you overestimating that brat a bit?” Qu Junchu found the suggestion laughable, as if Zhao Mingyi had never seen the world.

“It’s not just my estimation. I heard even Guan Tianxiong, Lord Xiong himself, isn’t his match!” Zhao Mingyi quickly passed on what Zhao Hu had discovered.

“What? He singlehandedly took on the entire Tianxiong Gang? Are you joking?” Qu Junchu was incredulous, but recalling the changes in Lin Le since his return from the army, he couldn’t help but feel uncertain.

“Very well, come with me to see Uncle Tu,” Qu Junchu decided after a moment’s thought. Whatever the case—whether it was overkill or not—as long as it would lead to Lin Le’s death, he was willing to use whatever means necessary.

Led by Qu Junchu, Zhao Mingyi and Zhao Hu were brought deep into the Qu estate, to a vast training ground the size of a football field. There, nearly a hundred men clad in black martial uniforms were practicing, their movements reminiscent of a martial arts hall.

These were all personal guards of the Qu family.

The head of the Qu family, Qu Tiannan, like Master Gu Huaishan in his youth, had served in the military and was deeply passionate about martial arts. In fact, Qu Tiannan’s expertise surpassed even Gu Huaishan’s, a result of his family lineage. Qu Tiannan’s ancestors were true grandmasters of Xingyi Boxing, the orthodox inheritors of the style.

As a young man, Qu Tiannan had relied on his formidable Xingyi Boxing skills to achieve inner strength, earning the appreciation of senior military officers, which led him into the army. Over the years, he rose from an ordinary soldier to the rank of general, and eventually entered officialdom, laying the foundation for the Qu family's present glory in Haizhou.

It could be said that the Qu family's standing was built by Qu Tiannan through martial strength, which is why he always emphasized the importance of martial arts. Otherwise, he would never have spent such resources to have Tu Manjiang’s sentence reduced and brought him out of prison.

As a result, the Qu family’s internal hierarchy was based on martial prowess.

However, when it came to grooming his successors, Qu Tiannan had clear preferences. Qu Junchu and Qu Shenghui were each assigned their roles—one in academics, one in martial arts. Having studied history, Qu Tiannan understood that for a family as vast as the Qu’s, there could only be one true leader; otherwise, internal strife was inevitable.

That leader, in his eyes, was the eldest son, Qu Shenghui.

Now, as Zhao Mingyi and Zhao Hu gazed upon the training guards, they felt like country bumpkins entering a grand estate, their eyes opened to a new world.

“That is Uncle Tu,” Qu Junchu pointed toward a man at the front of the training field.

Tu Manjiang had spent twenty years in prison and was now over fifty, but thanks to his years of martial practice, he appeared barely over thirty, betraying none of his actual age.

The sight left Zhao Mingyi and Zhao Hu stunned—this legendary figure of Haizhou’s underworld, whose fame had lasted nearly thirty years, looked so impossibly young.

“Second Young Master, what brings you here?” Tu Manjiang’s expression was stern, his presence like an angry Vajra, imparting an air of solemnity.

Without much preamble, Qu Junchu relayed the matter concerning Lin Le.

“Very well,” Tu Manjiang replied curtly.

“Wu Dong!” Tu Manjiang called in a voice as deep and resonant as a great bell, without even turning his head.

As soon as the words left his mouth, a man with a panther-like build and dark skin appeared before him in an instant.

This was Wu Dong, Tu Manjiang’s senior disciple. Wu Dong had trained under Tu Manjiang for years, was his most prized protégé, and was being groomed by the old master Qu Tiannan to serve as a future bodyguard for Qu Shenghui.

After years of training, Wu Dong’s martial arts had nearly reached Tu Manjiang’s level, and in a few years, he might well surpass him. More importantly, Wu Dong was still young and his future was limitless.

“For killing, let Wu Dong do it. I myself only injure, not kill, now,” Tu Manjiang declared. Since leaving prison, he had made this vow—no matter how fierce the tiger, if caged too long, it is no different from a stray dog. Twenty years behind bars had taught Tu Manjiang many lessons.

“But if even Guan Tianxiong was no match for that brat, can Brother Wu handle it?” Zhao Mingyi’s doubt was evident.

Wu Dong, however, merely smiled. Without a word, he strode to the weapons rack, drew a steel saber, and, with a single motion, brought his palm down hard on the blade.

A crisp snap rang out—the forged steel saber was split in two by his bare hand.

“Good heavens…” Zhao Mingyi and Zhao Hu both gasped in shock.

“I’ve seen Guan Tianxiong before. He was only at the level of minor inner strength. Wu Dong here is a step away from mastering great inner strength. He could handle four Guan Tianxiongs at once. As for that youngster you mentioned, how many Guan Tianxiongs could he possibly take on?” Tu Manjiang said, full of confidence.

“Excellent! With Master Wu taking action, that brat Lin Le is surely doomed!” Zhao Mingyi exclaimed excitedly.

Qu Junchu, standing to the side, sneered coldly in his heart. Lin Le, after making me lose face before Tang Nianchen, I’ll take your life and your woman—may you never rest in peace, even in death!