Chapter 458: Yanran Takes Action

“Let my woman go, and I’ll let you leave here alive!”

The cold voice carried without a hint of emotion. Watching Qing Luan being held captive by that woman, his heart sank slightly. He hadn’t expected Chen Jiamin to actually resort to such a despicable tactic.

“Xiao Yufan…”

The three words seemed to be squeezed out through clenched teeth. Chen Jiamin’s face twitched visibly, clearly overwhelmed with rage.

“I’ll count to three. Release my woman, or I can’t guarantee your survival!”

Surveying the three people before him, Xiao Yufan had already confirmed that it was indeed Chen Jiamin and his two other elite warriors. The woman holding Qing Luan hostage must be Huo Feng.

“You really overestimate yourself. Your woman is in my hands. Dare to make a move, and I believe my men will kill her before you even lift a finger. My life means nothing, but at least I’ll have this delicate beauty accompanying me.”

Chen Jiamin bared his yellow teeth, his face twisted into a hideous grimace. Xiao Yufan had ruined his only family member—how could he not harbor hatred? If given the chance, he would make this man pay with his life.

Perhaps sensing Xiao Yufan’s threat, Huo Feng drew a dagger, placing it against Qing Luan’s neck. A small trickle of red slowly began to seep out…

“Do you hate me so much? Do you really want me dead? Hahahaha!”

As the undisputed king of the Shanxi underworld, how could Chen Jiamin tolerate the fact that his brother had been crippled? The deaths of Gu Lang and Qing Long’s betrayal were also linked to Xiao Yufan. He wouldn’t rest until this man was utterly devastated.

“Very soon, you will be a dead man…”

Xiao Yufan was completely enraged. His tightly clenched fists trembled violently, his fingernails digging into his palms, blood trickling down his hands.

“I prefer it when you beg me on your knees…”

A bloodthirsty, sinister smile flashed across Chen Jiamin’s face. He had already lost all reason; all he wanted now was to torment Xiao Yufan. As long as he controlled his woman, forcing Xiao Yufan to kneel wouldn’t matter at all.

However, before his words could finish, his voice abruptly ceased. He saw that Huo Feng had suddenly collapsed straight backward. A gash on her neck slowly widened—she was undeniably dead.

Finally, Xiao Yufan’s icy expression turned slightly cruel. He hadn’t expected Dongfang Yanran to appear at this moment…

Chen Jiamin turned around and saw a breathtaking profile. Her long, black hair danced gently in the breeze, yet even in this disheveled state, she exuded an ethereal beauty that seemed otherworldly.

Another man beside Chen Jiamin attempted to attack but was immediately knocked aside. To even consider fighting Dongfang Yanran was a foolish notion.

Chen Jiamin couldn’t fathom why an unexpected obstacle had appeared. He had planned to humiliate Xiao Yufan thoroughly and exact revenge through his woman. But now, all his calculations had failed to account for this twist.

Qing Luan was no longer under Huo Feng’s control, meaning Chen Jiamin now had no leverage for negotiation. Thinking back to Xiao Yufan’s earlier words, his expression turned grim.

Xiao Yufan exuded a chilling aura, sending shivers down one’s spine. He couldn’t imagine how Qing Luan might have fared had Dongfang Yanran not suddenly appeared…

Xiao Yufan longed to kill Chen Jiamin, but not yet. Someone else would handle it for him. Killing him now would be too merciful.

Feeling the cold steel against his neck and the murderous gaze, Chen Jiamin’s wild eyes slowly dimmed, giving way to rising fear. He had enjoyed his dominance in Shanxi for so long; he didn’t want to die here.

“What should we do with him…?”

Since Xiao Yufan had no intention of killing him, Dongfang Yanran naturally wouldn’t either. For the first time, she realized she couldn’t fully understand this man. Around Xiao Yufan, she sensed a dangerous aura.

Dongfang Yanran believed that if Qing Luan hadn’t been held hostage, Chen Jiamin wouldn’t even have had the chance to stand and speak. Putting himself at risk for a woman might not be the mark of a true leader, but she couldn’t deny that something deep inside her had been profoundly stirred…

“Cut his tendons and send him back to Shanxi. I think he’ll suffer a fate worse than death!”

Xiao Yufan’s smile was sinister. To Chen Jiamin, it was like the grin of a demon. If he were crippled and returned to Shanxi, countless enemies would come after him, and he would live a life worse than death.

Before he could resist, Tian Xuan moved. The dagger traced several arcs through the air, and Chen Jiamin’s body collapsed, blood trickling from several small wounds on his arms—Tian Xuan had already completed the task.

Dongfang Yanran was somewhat astonished. She hadn’t noticed that this woman by Xiao Yufan’s side was also no ordinary person, her strength rivaling Dongfang’s own.

“Come out now. He’s already unconscious. The rest is up to you…”

Qing Long had stayed hidden, unwilling to face Chen Jiamin. However, upon hearing Xiao Yufan’s voice, he emerged from the shadows. His expressionless face revealed no emotion, as if Chen Jiamin’s life or death meant nothing to him.

Still, he felt deeply grateful to Xiao Yufan for sparing Chen Jiamin’s life, partly because of him…

“Another expert!”

This was Dongfang Yanran’s assessment of Qing Long. Calm and steady steps, controlled breathing—she wouldn’t believe Qing Long was an ordinary man. As the second-ranked female assassin in Asia, the “Huang Ying Feng Huang,” she knew that true masters in China were numerous.

“Don’t let him die easily. I want him to know what happens when he dares to touch my woman!”

Looking at Qing Luan’s slightly pale face, Xiao Yufan’s lips twitched. If Qing Long hadn’t brought Chen Jiamin back to Shanxi out of old loyalty, he wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate Qing Long as well.

“I understand.”

How could Qing Long miss the tone in Xiao Yufan’s voice? He could only sigh bitterly. Chen Jiamin was indeed a tyrant, but his methods were despicable. Qing Long’s lingering guilt gradually faded.

Turning around, he lifted Chen Jiamin and left immediately. Now, he was the Qing Long of the secret faction, clearly aware of what should and shouldn’t be done.

“Are you okay?”

After Qing Long left, Xiao Yufan approached Qing Luan, his icy gaze softening. Gently, he took her from Tian Xuan’s arms, her delicate body leaning into his embrace.

“Just now, I really thought I was going to die…”

All her suppressed emotions found an outlet, erupting instantly. Being closest to Chen Jiamin, Qing Luan had felt his madness firsthand. No one could predict what a madman might do, and that was why she had been so afraid.

“Don’t worry. I won’t let my woman suffer even the slightest injustice again!”

Xiao Yufan’s voice was commanding, yet none of the three women doubted his absolute strength.

Dongfang Yanran pouted slightly, watching the two tender beauties. She finally understood why Xiao Yufan had been indifferent to her confession. She knew that exceptional women were never lacking around this man.

Though Dongfang Yanran was confident in her beauty, she also acknowledged that neither Tian Xuan nor Qing Luan were inferior to her. Suddenly, she felt a twinge of jealousy toward these two women. However, she believed that this man would eventually be hers too.

“Xuan, take Luan back to her room first and help her treat her wound…”

Glancing at Dongfang Yanran, Xiao Yufan couldn’t help but furrow his brow. If he hadn’t known Dongfang’s other identity, perhaps there wouldn’t have been any tension between them. But now, things were different.

“Okay!” Tian Xuan nodded, seemingly sensing something. Her beautiful eyes swept briefly over Dongfang Yanran before she led Qing Luan inside.

“Why? Little brother, aren’t you going to invite me in for a visit?”

Seeing Xiao Yufan’s cautious expression, Dongfang Yanran couldn’t help but laugh. Her chest heaved with each breath, nearly making Xiao Yufan lose his composure. This woman was truly an enchantress.

“I’ve told you many times not to call me little brother. Do you want me to really rape you?”

With her, he couldn’t bring himself to strike or scold. Xiao Yufan naturally found her presence troublesome. Undeniably, she was an extraordinary woman—daughter of the Dongfang family, head of the Financial Club, and second on the Asian assassin rankings. Few men could match her.

“Giggle… Even if you wanted to, you wouldn’t do it out here, right? Come inside, big sister will let you do whatever you want…”

Taking advantage of Xiao Yufan’s momentary hesitation, Dongfang Yanran swiftly slipped into the villa. This villa belonged to the Qiao family but was now Xiao Yufan’s property. It was a place that money alone couldn’t buy.

“Speak up. You wouldn’t come here without reason. You’ve only been gone from Linjiang for a few days—there must be something important.”

Xiao Yufan didn’t believe for a second that she had returned just because she missed him. Although Dongfang Yanran had repeatedly expressed her desire to be his woman, he knew she was no lovesick fool. On the contrary, she was highly intelligent.

“I took care of that person from the Gao family for you, and you didn’t even thank me. Tsk, tsk, big sister was just trying to help…”

Entering Xiao Yufan’s room, Dongfang Yanran casually lay down, showing no concern as her body became partially exposed. Her smooth, baby-soft skin was bare in the air, radiating an irresistible allure.

Instantly, Xiao Yufan’s desire surged. This was practically blatant temptation…