Chapter Twenty: Ling Tian Takes Action

As the burly man slapped Wang Yong, he bellowed, “You little bastard, don’t think you’re hot stuff just because your brother has a bit of dirty money. The only reason I don’t bother with you is because I can’t be bothered, but I never thought you’d dare mess with my woman.” His heavy palms landed on Wang Yong’s face as if they cost nothing, making Wang Yong sway from side to side.

After a dozen blows, the burly man threw Wang Yong aside and demanded angrily, “So, kid, do you have anything else to say?”

Wang Yong was completely dazed, his ears ringing, his eyes swollen to mere slits. Still, for the sake of the bravado he'd just displayed, he forced himself to stand, pointing at the burly man and mumbling, “Black Bear… you son of a bitch, don’t push your luck. You think I’m easy to bully? You think you can crush me any way you want? Screw you, today I’ll fight you to the death!”

Fight? When the crowd saw the watermelon knife in Wang Yong's hand, Black Bear was the first to burst out laughing, clutching his belly as tears streamed down his face. He sneered between laughs, “You really are hilarious. You think you can take me on with that piece of junk?”

Wang Yong shouted, “Maybe I can’t do it alone, but my brothers definitely can.”

“Who has more brothers, you or me?” Black Bear waved his hand, and eight burly men entered the private room. Each was tall and muscular, their faces fierce, their bodies adorned with black tattoos—a clear sign they were from the underworld. Their presence was like a wall.

Wang Yong, gripping the watermelon knife, felt a pang of fear. If only he hadn’t bragged so much—now he looked like a fool. He turned and yelled, “Brothers, tonight we have to go all out. Who has the guts to fight with me?”

The lackeys who had been fawning over him earlier shook their heads decisively. “No.”

“Useless idiots.” Wang Yong was seething. They were happy to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves with him, but when it mattered, they all turned into cowards—not even worthy of being called turtles. Wait, his own followers were useless, but there was still one capable fighter in the back. Why hadn't he heard from him?

Just then, Ling Tian spoke lazily, “Wang Yong, I’m just here to broaden my horizons. Play however you like, don’t worry about me.” He took a swig of rum, authentic Cuban rum, and it tasted quite good.

On hearing this, Wang Yong felt utterly defeated. Just moments ago, he’d been talking big, and now he was being beaten and crying for his mother—how humiliating. “Boss, is this playing? This is risking our necks!” Wang Yong swung the watermelon knife with all his might; though clumsy, it flashed with cold light and looked fierce.

For a moment, none of the burly men dared approach him.

Black Bear dragged over a chair and sat down, lighting a cigar. He stared coldly at Wang Yong and said, “The hundred thousand yuan from your Qingcheng Group is already in my pocket. Consider it compensation for cleaning up after your mess last time.”

Wang Yong shouted like a madman, “I’m here to collect the debt today! Not a single cent less than a hundred thousand. Even if I die here, I’ll take the money back. I imagine you wouldn’t want a murder here, right? Besides, if I die here, my brother and President Mu won’t stand by and do nothing.”

Driven to desperation, Wang Yong, to everyone’s astonishment, pressed the watermelon knife against his neck, making it clear that if he didn’t get the money, he would commit suicide.

“Your brother can’t touch me. Even if Mu Qingcheng comes, she won’t be able to do anything. This is the Li family’s territory—do you think the Mu family dares to go to war with the Li family?” Black Bear replied indifferently. After years in the underworld, with the Li family backing him, he had never feared anyone.

A small-time hood grinned maliciously, “Brother Bear, I hear Mu Qingcheng is as beautiful as a fairy. If she really comes, she’d be perfect for warming your bed.”

Black Bear laughed heartily, “Having a fairy in bed—sleeping would be absolutely—”

Before he could finish the word, Black Bear saw a black shadow flash before his eyes—swift as lightning. A scream followed, and the hood who had just spoken was sent flying over five meters away, his life uncertain.

What was that? How could it move so fast?

Black Bear blinked in panic and saw a young man standing before him, his face cold and ruthless, especially his blade-like eyes, which seemed to pierce through flesh and soul. Black Bear also caught a chilling scent from him—a bloody aura that only those who had truly killed possessed.

Ling Tian, worried Wang Yong might do something foolish, glanced at Black Bear, then turned to Wang Yong, snatched the watermelon knife from him, and said calmly, “Threatening others with your own life is the stupidest thing you can do. If I were you, I’d choose to fight to the end. All right, go take a break.”

Wang Yong stared blankly at Ling Tian and asked, “Weren’t you going to stay out of it?”

“I wasn’t planning to get involved, but if I don’t, the money won’t be recovered—and besides, he insulted my woman,” Ling Tian replied coldly.

Your woman—President Mu? Wang Yong felt his mind spinning.

Ling Tian walked back to Black Bear and asked, expressionless, “Can you repeat what you just said?”

Now recovered from his shock, Black Bear took a deep drag of his cigar, glared at Ling Tian, and cursed, “You little bastard, do you dare try to scare me—”

Before he could finish, a slap landed squarely on his face, leaving a bright red handprint.

“Wrong answer,” Ling Tian said quietly.

Black Bear shook his head, spat a bloody glob, and cursed, “Damn—”

Smack—

Another loud slap. This time, Black Bear saw stars and his ears buzzed.

Ling Tian spoke again, “I asked you to repeat what you just said. Do you understand?”

Ling Tian’s presence had cowed Black Bear, who nodded instinctively and repeated, “If a fairy warms my bed, sleeping would be absolutely—”

Halfway through, Ling Tian kicked Black Bear in the chest. Despite his massive frame, weighing over two hundred pounds, Black Bear was sent flying. Ling Tian turned to Black Bear’s men and said, “What are you waiting for? Go and bring your boss back.”

Only then did the stunned lackeys realize their leader had been kicked across the room by Ling Tian.