Chapter 112: The Local Tyrant

Sitting in the back of the car, watching the familiar scenery pass by the window, Zhao Ming felt a whirlwind of emotions. Since graduating from high school, this small road leading to the factory had become an inescapable part of his life. Every time he traveled this path, he felt deeply irritable, harboring a burning resentment toward that unscrupulous factory.

It felt like heading to school for an exam—he would rather dawdle on the road, wishing the journey would last forever, than arrive early to face the purgatory of testing.

But today, his mood was entirely different. He wasn't heading there to slave away or endure the cold glares of a stingy boss. He was going to walk in with his head held high, deliver a resounding kick to the boss, and arrogantly tell him, "I quit."

Zhao Ming had long wanted to do this, but bound by the pressures of life, he had lived like a dog—toiling without complaint and swallowing his pride even when the boss berated him. Just thinking about his upcoming moment of defiance made him incredibly excited; it felt absolutely exhilarating.

Ling Tian sat with his eyes closed, in a state of meditation. Since his full recovery, his strength had stabilized at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, and his mastery over power and the circulation of true energy had become flawless. What pleased him most was that his spiritual sense was continuously growing; it currently covered a two-meter radius and was still expanding.

Through his years of experience, Ling Tian knew that other cultivators lacked this spiritual sense, possessing only strong mental and willpower. But mental power and spiritual sense were entirely different concepts, which meant Ling Tian could utilize his strength with far greater precision. Sometimes, when the difference in raw power was not significant, those who could not master their own abilities could never be considered true experts. A true powerhouse required not only immense strength but also exquisite techniques and secret arts.

When the factory gates appeared, Zhao Ming said, "We're here. Brother Sun, please pull over and we'll walk in."

Sun Yibin nodded and parked the car by the side of the road. He stepped out first, personally opening the door for Ling Tian, and asked respectfully, "Young Master Ling, I have some impression of this factory. It's said the owner is a local thug with some influence. To be safe, should I call some of my men over to hold down the fort?"

Ling Tian smiled slightly. "If he is a local thug, then I am the powerful dragon from afar. Though the saying goes that a dragon shouldn't cross a local snake, I intend to crush this thug's arrogance today."

Sun Yibin chuckled. "Young Master Ling, there is no need to use a butcher's knife to slaughter a chicken. Let me call my men to level this place and avenge Brother Zhao Ming." He took out his phone, ready to make the call.

Ling Tian did not stop him, as he intended to handle the thug himself to vent his friend's frustration. As for Sun Yibin's men, they could clean up the aftermath. Having made his plan, Ling Tian said to Zhao Ming, who had just alighted, "Play it however you want today. I've got your back."

Zhao Ming clenched his fists tightly, his eyes blazing as he stared at the massive iron gate and the sign hanging above it.

"Yongchang Stone Factory" was inscribed in large, gold-plated characters. They gleamed in the sunlight, looking impressive and substantial. Despite the grand appearance, it was managed like a tiny, run-down workshop—the boss made all the decisions, and there were no rules or regulations. Ling Tian had learned this from their conversations.

"This is it, the place where I work every day. Let's go in and take a look," Zhao Ming said, puffing out his chest and walking in front with pride.

Ling Tian and Sun Yibin exchanged a knowing smile and followed. Ling Tian knew that Zhao Ming needed this outburst to shed the shadows in his heart.

Arriving at the gate, Zhao Ming kicked it hard and shouted, "Open up!"

After about a minute, the gate creaked open. A bald man with a strange, delinquent look peered out. When he saw it was Zhao Ming, his face darkened. He spat his cigarette onto the ground and cursed, "Zhao Ming, have you lost your mind? Are you looking for a beating?"

Zhao Ming, fully liberated today, roared, "Go to hell! I've put up with you for too long. You’ve been extorting me every day just because you’re the boss’s brother-in-law. Today, I’m taking back everything with interest!"

The thug was stunned, unable to process the situation. Had the sun risen from the west? Zhao Ming, the factory’s perennial pushover, was actually snapping?

"Are you insane? You dare yell at me?" The thug lit another cigarette, took a deep drag, and tilted his head, seemingly confident he had Zhao Ming under his thumb. "Go buy me a pack of Furong Wang cigarettes to apologize, and I'll pretend today didn't happen. Otherwise, I’ll break your legs."

Zhao Ming hated the boss, but he hated this gatekeeper even more. Every time he was late, he was extorted for a pack of cigarettes—over two hundred yuan, half of his food budget for the month.

"Come here, I'll give you the money," Zhao Ming said, making a motion as if to reach for his wallet while quickly closing the distance.

Hearing this, the thug grinned. "That's more like it. Actually, it's not just one pack anymore. You yelled at me, so buy me a few. Or just hand over the cash." The thug, accustomed to bullying Zhao Ming, leaned in expectantly.

As they collided, Zhao Ming lunged forward, grabbed the thug by the collar, and slammed his head down into a rising knee. Once... twice... five times...

After a dozen strikes, Zhao Ming, breathless, finally released the bloodied man.

"Blood... Oh god, I'm bleeding!" The manager's brother-in-law huddled on the ground, staring in terror at his hands, trembling violently. He was used to throwing his weight around, and no one had ever dared touch him. Being beaten half-to-death by the factory's softest worker left him in a state of shock.

Struggling to his feet, the thug lunged at Zhao Ming, screaming, "You bastard, I'll kill you for this!"

Before he could reach him, Zhao Ming kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying over a meter. He pounced on him, pinned him to the ground, and began delivering a series of stinging slaps to his face.

Only when Zhao Ming was completely exhausted did he stop to catch his breath.

Surprisingly, the thug was tough; despite the brutal thrashing, he hadn't passed out, staring at Zhao Ming in wide-eyed terror. He couldn't understand it—had Zhao Ming eaten gunpowder today? He was supposed to be the easiest person to bully. Today, he was like an enraged lion, fierce and relentless.

The thug was so shaken by Zhao Ming's ferocity that he forgot to fight back.

"I’ve calculated the tab. You’ve extorted twenty-eight packs of cigarettes and thirteen hundred yuan in cash from me. Let's round it up—give me five thousand yuan, or I'll slap you until you’re dead, you pathetic sycophant," Zhao Ming growled. He realized the price was steep, but considering how the thug had treated him, he felt justified.

Sun Yibin joked, "Zhao Ming, you have the makings of an excellent manager. You've already learned to extort. That’s very important in business, though your methods are a bit blunt."

Zhao Ming laughed heartily. "It is blunt, but it feels great."

He slapped the thug again and shouted, "What are you staring at? Give me the money, or I'll crush your manhood!"

The thug’s eyes rolled back. When a quiet person finally snaps, they are as ferocious as a lion.

"You... you're ruthless... I'm telling my brother-in-law, and he'll deal with you," the thug stammered, pulling out his trump card. "I’m warning you, my brother-in-law is a local kingpin. His farts can cause earthquakes!"

Ling Tian walked over, smiling at the thug. "Your brother-in-law's farts must be truly impressive; I’d love to see how powerful he is. But he’s in trouble himself. After we finish with you, we’ll go have a nice chat with him."

"You... you're not afraid of death! This is my brother-in-law's territory—you won't leave here alive!" The thug tried to stand, but before he could move, Ling Tian stepped down, snapping his arm. When the thug moved his leg, Ling Tian decisively stepped again, shattering his right leg.

The agony caused the thug to let out a blood-curdling scream.

Ling Tian said to Zhao Ming, "To deal with evil, you must be even more ruthless. Now, let’s go inside and have a 'talk' with your boss. I really want to see if his farts can trigger an earthquake."