Chapter 4: A Turbulent Beginning

The mercenaries did not sense the ominous shadow of death, and the slight trembling in Qian Ye’s hand holding the gun was seen as a sign of fear. Many mercenaries began to draw their swords, while others pulled out their origin guns.

The encirclement was gradually tightening, a group of lambs attempting to hunt down a lion.

Suddenly, Qian Ye raised his hand, and Butcher pointed at the head of the highest-ranked mercenary! In the next instant, Butcher roared with a thunderous boom, and the mercenary’s head immediately turned into a cloud of blood mist! The arms of the decapitated body had not even fully lifted to the chest, and the nascent origin power that was just beginning to gather instantly dissipated.

A few drops of blood splattered onto Qian Ye’s face, and by some misfortune, one drop even flew into his mouth. That taste, like a long-awaited rain, almost made Qian Ye groan with satisfaction.

Butcher’s roar did not scare these mercenaries but instead made them feel they saw an opportunity! They howled like beasts, pouncing on Qian Ye, with three or four short blades aiming for his vital points!

Qian Ye’s body twisted at a minuscule angle, avoiding the most lethal knives, only one slicing diagonally across his waist and ribs. The mercenary wielding the knife felt as if it were cutting through thick hide, unable to penetrate, and then skewed aside, leaving only a shallow cut.

In Qian Ye’s hand, the short blade swung rhythmically, neither too fast nor too slow. With three quick stabs, it pierced the bodies of three mercenaries.

Qian Ye’s attacks were now instinctual, each stab hitting a vital point. The three mercenaries could no longer stand.

Instead of retreating, Qian Ye advanced, charging into the mercenary crowd, briefly closing in on each one, then quickly separating. With each slash, a mercenary fell.

In a blink, nearly half of the twenty mercenaries lay sprawled. The remaining ones finally reacted, turning and fleeing amidst shocked cries.

Qian Ye did not pursue but instead, with great effort, forced himself not to look at the carnage on the ground, and turned to leave.

He silently returned to the small inn where he stayed, heading straight for his room. Qian Ye was staggering as he walked, bumping into several people. Smelling the heavy stench of blood on him, these people dared not say anything and hurriedly cleared a path.

Finally, the low, shabby door appeared before him. Qian Ye pushed it open so hard it nearly came off its hinges. He stepped into the room, slamming the door behind him, and immediately threw himself onto the bag Ying Nan had sent.

Qian Ye pried open one food can after another, stuffing everything into his mouth, regardless of whether it was the main course or side dish. Only when all the cans were empty did he barely quell his overwhelming hunger, stumbling to the bed. Exhausted, he fell into a deep sleep.

While Qian Ye slept, Ying Nan sat motionless in her room, having hardly eaten anything all day. She felt neither hungry nor thirsty, her mind in a state of sluggishness, unaware of what she was thinking.

At that moment, Ying Nan suddenly heard a noise outside her door and leaped up from the sofa.

Qian Ye is back? She thought involuntarily. However, at this time, her thoughts were clearly scrambled, and she didn’t think about why Qian Ye would return to her.

The door opened, but it wasn’t Qian Ye who entered, but Tian She.

Ying Nan immediately snapped out of her reverie, reaching for the gun at the small of her back. But her hand stopped halfway, as Tian She’s gun was already pressed against her forehead.

“Miss Ying Nan, I really regret that we must meet in this manner. But it seems there is no better way.”

Tian She slowly advanced, pressing Ying Nan against the wall until her back hit it heavily, forcing her to stop.

The pistol moved slowly down from Ying Nan’s temple, past her cheek, and finally pressed against her chin, forcing her to tilt her head back.

“What do you want?” Ying Nan asked coldly, showing little fear.

Tian She looked down at her, extended his large hand to caress her face gently, and then suddenly grabbed her breast, saying, “I want to see how charming you are!”

Ying Nan showed no sign of shame or anger, continuing to speak coldly, “By this method?”

Tian She forcefully tore down her tight-fitting top, tossing it to the floor, revealing her full, perky breasts.

Ying Nan suddenly lifted her leg, delivering a vicious knee strike toward Tian She’s groin! Tian She, seemingly prepared, clamped her thigh between his legs and punched her in the abdomen!

She felt her internal organs shift, and the last bit of her origin power was shattered, leaving her gasping for breath.

Tian She grabbed Ying Nan’s hair, lifting her off the ground, and said, “Miss Ying Nan, it would be best if you cooperate. This way, you will suffer less. I may have some interest in you, but not now. After I crush that punk Qian Ye, I might consider you. So, don’t force me to act now.”

Ying Nan quickly understood Tian She’s intentions: “You’re going to kill Qian Ye?”

“Kill? Of course not! Killing is too easy for him. I want to play with him for a while first, then we’ll talk about killing.”

Tian She struck Ying Nan’s neck, knocking her unconscious. He then wrapped her in his cloak, slung her over his shoulder, and left. Before departing, Tian She placed a Tian She Gang emblem on the torn tight-fitting top.

The injuries Yu Ren Yan inflicted on Qian Ye were not severe, but there were many, making immediate healing difficult. Qian Ye rested for a day and a night, regaining some energy. As usual, he changed his appearance, left the small inn, and found a bar to sit in, hoping to gather some information.

Qian Ye immediately heard a new piece of news: Tian She was actively searching for him. And apparently, someone important had fallen into Tian She’s hands.

Qian Ye left the bar and immediately headed to Ying Nan’s place. Among the people in Dark Blood City, only this female hunter had a close relationship with Qian Ye. He didn’t believe Tian She had the capability to move against Lord Yi and Lord Er.

Ying Nan never locked her door. When Qian Ye pushed it open, he was surprised to find someone else in the living room—Lord Er.

“Ying Nan is in Tian She’s hands,” Lord Er said, pointing to the table.

On the table lay a torn tight-fitting top and a Tian She Gang emblem. Qian Ye recognized it as one of Ying Nan’s, but he still picked it up and smelled it. The fabric indeed carried Ying Nan’s scent, not too long ago.

This top and the emblem were Tian She’s signal to Qian Ye.

Qian Ye put the top down, his face icy, and said to Lord Er, “Didn’t you say Tian She wanted to reconcile with me?”

Lord Er’s expression darkened, “It seems that wasn’t his true intention.”

Qian Ye calmed down and asked, “Do you have any suggestions?”

Lord Er pondered for a moment and said, “In such matters, perhaps you are the expert?”

Qian Ye said coldly, “I do have my own way of handling things. But I’m not sure if it’s appropriate.”

“Given Ying Nan’s nature, as long as you can kill Tian She, she will be very happy.”

Qian Ye nodded, “I understand. But I need some things.”

“Whatever is in the warehouse, you are free to take.”

Moments later, Qian Ye exited the back door of the Hunter’s Home and quickly disappeared into the night of Dark Blood City. Lord Er also left, soon sitting in a tavern near the Expeditionary Force camp.

At the bar, a scruffy, seemingly destitute man sat alone, drinking. Lord Er sat beside him.

“Lord Er, it’s rare to see you here.”

Lord Er ordered a drink, taking a small sip, and said, “If you, Chu Xiong, can come here, why can’t I?”

Chu Xiong chuckled self-deprecatingly, “What good does it do? When that big shot comes, you still hide in the camp! Sometimes, it’s really frustrating!”

“You’d be sending yourself to death!”

Chu Xiong downed his drink in one gulp, saying, “But it’s better than not even daring to fight!”

“I heard someone from higher up came and blocked that big shot?”

Chu Xiong shook his head, “I’m not sure. I only know that Broken Wing Angel sent a general, a powerful guy, not one of those watered-down soldiers from the Expeditionary Force. But a general certainly can’t stop that person.”

Lord Er sighed, with a voice full of the wisdom of age, “Ah, it seems the peace of this place is about to end.”

“Why? Isn’t that person gone?” As soon as the words left his mouth, Chu Xiong understood. Though the big shot from the Eternal Night Council had left, Dark Blood City was now in the spotlight. More people would come, trying to uncover the secret of that big shot’s appearance here.

After a while of drinking, Chu Xiong said, “You must have something if you came here to drink. What do you want me to do?”

“In the next couple of days, the situation in the city will be a bit unstable. I hope you can turn a blind eye to some noises, or better yet, cover them up.” Lord Er calmly stated his request.

Chu Xiong frowned slightly, “Regarding what?”

“Related to the Tian She Gang.”

Chu Xiong’s frown deepened, “This is a bit troublesome. Tian She has more than one connection in the Expeditionary Force, though not everyone will speak up for him. Even if I won’t stay here long, I don’t want to offend a bunch of scoundrels for no reason.”

“Consider the favor you owe me repaid.”

Chu Xiong seemed slightly surprised, “You used it just like that? Fine! Since you say so, I get it. No one in Dark Blood City should really want to cross me. But whether they’ll do something in secret, I don’t know.”

“As long as the Expeditionary Force doesn’t act, that’s fine.”

“I know I shouldn’t ask, but who made you pay such a high price? Is it that newly risen young hunter? Are you grooming him as your successor?”

Lord Er took another sip, saying leisurely, “Of course not! It’s for Ying Nan, the one you’ve met. I always treated her like a daughter, but this time, Tian She crossed the line.”

Chu Xiong ordered another strong drink, downed it, and stood up, “You still owe me a bit of that favor. I’ll make an effort and clean up the remnants of the Tian She Gang. If Tian She isn’t dead tonight, I’ll personally finish him off. But, about the task with Qi Qi, you need to help me soon. I’m about to break. Just find someone decent-looking for now. That’s settled, and put this drink on your tab.”

With that, the somewhat down-and-out man left the shabby tavern. The aged bartender behind the bar gave Lord Er a sympathetic look and shrugged. Not just this meal; whenever Lord Er was around, Chu Xiong never paid. This man truly had no money, often without even a silver coin in his pocket.

Night had deepened, and from the distance, a gunshot faintly echoed. The gunshot was strange, low and penetrating, like a bass drumbeat, striking directly at people’s hearts.