Qian Ye didn’t dodge, instead stepping forward with his left foot and lifting his right knee to collide directly with the young man’s sweeping kick. There was a loud crack, followed by the young man’s agonized scream as his foot contorted unnaturally—his ankle had snapped.
The young man could no longer stand and fell to the ground, staring at Qian Ye in true terror.
Qian Ye’s expression hardly changed; the gentle smile on his face hadn’t completely faded, as if the dozen or so lives he had just ended were nothing more than trivialities.
The young man finally understood that, to this delicate-looking yet formidable youth, his Second-Level Warrior status was nothing more than an ant easily crushed. Qian Ye’s real power far exceeded what was apparent.
“Don’t kill me, don’t kill me! My father is Tian She!” The young man’s voice was laced with sobs as he tried to inch away from the demon before him.
“I know your father is Tian She,” Qian Ye said coolly.
He calmly loaded the last bullet into his gun, aiming at the young man’s good leg, and continued, “I won’t kill you. Go back and tell Tian She that if he dares to trouble me again, I will fight him to the end. As for you, if you show up in front of me again, you won’t be as lucky. This is a small lesson for you and also a warning to Tian She.”
With that, Qian Ye pulled the trigger. The bullet roared out of the barrel, hitting the young man’s knee. Despite being a Second-Level Warrior, the young man’s knee nearly shattered under the heavy round.
Qian Ye tossed the empty gun onto the young man’s face, then plucked the Gold Rose from his waist. “You are not worthy of this gun, and neither is Tian She!”
Qian Ye turned and walked away. Only after he disappeared from sight did the young man let out a long, anguished scream: “Help! Someone, help me!”
Moments later, at the Tian She Gang headquarters, Tian She slammed his hand on a wooden table, shattering it into pieces. His face was dark as he looked at the row of bodies on the floor, his cheeks twitching uncontrollably.
Tian She’s only son was currently being treated by doctors. Both his arms and one leg were broken, and the other knee was nearly destroyed. But these injuries were not the worst part; his son was traumatized, often screaming in fear as if Qian Ye was still there.
Even if the physical injuries healed, his son would never reach Tian She’s level. Tian She had hoped his son would inherit the gang.
Tian She slowly rose, exuding a murderous aura. “Call everyone! We’re going to the Hunter’s Home!”
An hour later, hundreds of leather-clad men filled the street outside the Hunter’s Home, each bearing a tattoo of a different snake on their arms.
Tian She strode in with his strongest subordinates, leaving the hunters seated in the hall staring in disbelief and alarm.
“Mind your own business! Sit down, or I’ll consider you hostile,” Tian She growled coldly.
The hunters, all around Second-Level Warriors, paled and sat back down. Tian She was a Fifth-Level Warrior, and they knew they were no match for him.
Only Elder Two remained seated behind the counter, looking up briefly as Tian She entered, then returning to his book.
With a bang, Tian She slammed his hand on the counter, but instead of shattering it, only cracks spread across the surface. Elder Two had placed his hand on the counter simultaneously, protecting it with a powerful surge of primal force, which clashed with Tian She’s.
The counter still split, but Elder Two’s defense was slightly weaker.
Tian She’s face twisted. “Elder Two, are you planning to go to war with my Tian She Gang over that One-Star Hunter?”
Elder Two adjusted his glasses and looked at Tian She through the scratched lenses. “You mean Qian Ye? His matter has nothing to do with me or the Hunter’s Home. But if you break my counter, what choice do I have but to fight back?”
Tian She’s tone was icy. “Your counter is still intact, but my son is crippled. If the Hunter’s Home shelters that brat, this fight is inevitable. Don’t forget, my gang lost over a dozen men!”
Elder Two frowned. “Tian She, remember, the Hunter’s Home isn’t just here in Black Blood City. It extends to the upper continent. You might not care about my face, but don’t do something foolish.”
Tian She sneered. “The Tian She Gang can’t compare to the entire Hunter’s Home, but I’ve never heard of the Hunter’s Home breaking its rules to interfere in such matters.”
“Rules can have exceptions, especially when someone tries to break your counter.”
Tian She didn’t flinch. “So, Elder Two, you want to push this to the limit?”
Before Elder Two could respond, Qian Ye spoke up. “And if I do?”
Tian She turned, eyes sharp as an eagle, glaring at Qian Ye. “Good! I haven’t seen anyone dare challenge the Tian She Gang like this. Do you think I’m easy to bully?”
Qian Ye smirked. “Your men tried to kill me, but they weren’t skilled enough and got killed instead. Is there anything more to say? Should I just wait for death? Tian She, do you think I’m easy to bully?”
Tian She’s eyes narrowed. “A mere Third-Level, why would it matter if I bullied you? I saw some potential, but now, even the best talent is useless if you’re dead.”
Qian Ye laughed mockingly. “You think you can?”
Tian She’s eyes flashed. “Wanna try?”
Elder Two stood. “Tian She, must you kill here?”
Tian She scowled. “Elder Two, what do you want? Even if you fight, remember, the Hunter’s Home has more hunters.”
Elder Two was unmoved. “Bringing so many men here is crossing a line. No one can fight here today. Otherwise, you’re against me. From tomorrow, whatever happens between you and Qian Ye is your business.”
Tian She raised an eyebrow, hesitated, then nodded. “Fine! Elder Two, I’ll give you this face, but it’s the last. Starting tomorrow, I’ll deal with that kid. Remember, your hunters aren’t all strong. Hope they stay safe. If I run into any, I might ‘help’ them.”
Tian She glared at the hunters and left with his men.
Several Two-Star Hunters looked grim, knowing they couldn’t escape if they met Tian She or his experts. Their already dangerous job now carried a higher risk. Many looked at Qian Ye with hostility.
“A rookie who doesn’t know his limits! He wants to fight the Tian She Gang, fine, but don’t drag us into it!”
“Agreed!”
“Be careful around him. Being too arrogant gets you killed!”
Their grumblings grew louder and harsher.
Qian Ye glanced at them, silencing them with a single look. They exchanged fearful glances and hurried away.
Qian Ye approached Elder Two. “Got any wine? I need a drink.”
Elder Two poured a cup from a small, palm-sized purple clay jar and slid it to Qian Ye.
Qian Ye drank it in one gulp, pausing to catch his breath. “Good wine, but not as good as mine.”
“Meaning military stimulants?” Elder Two knew more than he let on.
“They do damage if overused.”
Elder Two refilled his cup. “Seems you have big trouble with Tian She.”
“Yes, his son tried to rob me.”
“Sounds like him. He’s smart, picking fights he can win.”
Qian Ye chuckled. “But he wasn’t lucky enough. I’m not someone to mess with.”
Elder Two eyed him. “You’re very confident.”
“I just can’t let them act freely.”
“What do you need?”
“You’ve done enough.”
“Maybe more ammo and weapons…”
“No, I’ll get what I need from Tian She.”
Qian Ye set the empty cup on the counter and walked out.
At the door, a burly man leaned against the wall, one of the three Qian Ye had met on his first visit.
Seeing Qian Ye, he spat. “I hate imperial lackeys, but the Tian She Gang’s scum are worse. The street’s full of their spies. Be careful, or I might be burying you tomorrow.”
Qian Ye paused. “If you like grave digging, congratulations. You’ll have lots of Tian She Gang members to keep you busy. Thanks, though I don’t like you either.”
The man nodded, moving aside, and walked to the counter. “Elder Two, I have a mission to report.”
After Qian Ye left, the man muttered, “That kid might actually do something. Maybe worth cultivating.”
Elder Two shrugged, saying nothing.
Qian Ye walked casually into a dark alley. Some loiterers nearby followed at a distance. Once inside, Qian Ye suddenly sped up, reaching the end and turning left.
His followers raced after, but by the time they reached the crossroads, Qian Ye was gone.
Minutes later, Qian Ye appeared at Yu Ying Nan’s door. Before he could knock, the door swung open, and she emerged, armed with a massive double-barreled shotgun.
Qian Ye grabbed her, pushing her back inside and slamming the door shut.
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