Chapter 4: A Turbulent Beginning

The mercenaries did not sense the peculiar aura of death, and Qian Ye's hand trembled slightly with the gun, which they interpreted as a sign of fear. Many of the mercenaries began to draw their blades, and some even pulled out their force guns.

The encirclement slowly tightened, like a group of lambs attempting to kill a lion.

Qian Ye suddenly raised his hand, pointing Butcher at the head of the highest-ranked mercenary! In the next instant, Butcher roared, and the mercenary's head turned into a mist of blood! The now headless body's arms had not even fully lifted to the chest, and the force energy that was just beginning to gather instantly dissipated.

A few drops of blood splattered onto Qian Ye's face, and one droplet flew right into his mouth. The long-awaited taste, akin to sweet rain after a drought, almost made Qian Ye moan in pleasure.

Butcher's display of power did not scare these mercenaries; instead, it made them see an opportunity! They howled like beasts and lunged at Qian Ye, with three or four short knives aimed at his vital points!

Qian Ye twisted his body by a minuscule angle, dodging the deadliest knives, and only one knife grazed his side. The mercenary who wielded the knife felt as if he had cut through thick hide, unable to penetrate, and the blade veered off, leaving only a shallow cut.

Meanwhile, Qian Ye's short blade moved in a rhythmic pattern, neither too fast nor too slow. Three distinct sounds followed, and three mercenaries were pierced through.

Qian Ye attacked instinctively, targeting the vital points with each strike, and the three mercenaries crumpled to the ground, never to rise again.

Rather than retreating, Qian Ye charged into the midst of the mercenaries, sticking close to each one for a fleeting moment before separating. With each slash, another mercenary fell.

In a blink, nearly half of the twenty mercenaries lay on the ground. The remaining mercenaries finally reacted, and amidst cries of alarm, they turned and fled.

Qian Ye did not pursue them. Instead, he mustered immense willpower to ignore the carnage and turned to leave.

He silently returned to the small inn where he stayed, heading straight for his room. Qian Ye's gait was unsteady, and he bumped into several people along the way. Sensing the terrifying stench of blood on him, they quickly stepped aside, saying nothing.

Finally, the low, shabby door of his room appeared. He pushed it open so hard it nearly came off its hinges. Stepping inside, he slammed the door shut and immediately pounced on the bag Ying Nan had sent him.

Qian Ye opened one food can after another, stuffing everything into his mouth without discrimination, whether it was the main course or a side dish. Only when all the cans were empty did he manage to suppress his intense hunger, staggering to the bed. Exhausted, he fell into a deep sleep.

While Qian Ye slept, Ying Nan sat motionless in her room. She hadn't eaten much all day. She wasn't hungry or thirsty, and her thoughts were sluggish, devoid of clear direction.

Suddenly, she heard a noise outside her door and jumped up from the sofa.

Is Qian Ye back? She thought involuntarily. But at this moment, Ying Nan's mind was clearly short-circuiting, and she didn't question why Qian Ye would come back to her.

The door opened, but it wasn't Qian Ye. It was Tian She.

Ying Nan snapped out of her reverie, instinctively reaching for the gun at her waist. But her hand stopped halfway, as Tian She's gun was already pressed against her forehead.

"Miss Ying Nan, I'm quite reluctant to meet you in this manner. But it seems there's no better way."

Tian She advanced step by step, forcing Ying Nan to retreat under the barrel of his gun until her back hit the wall.

The pistol moved down her temple, across her cheek, and finally rested under her chin, forcing her to look up.

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

Tian She looked down at her, extending a large hand to caress her cheek, then suddenly grabbed her breast. "I want to see just how charming you really are!"

Ying Nan showed no shame or anger, continuing coldly, "By this method?"

Tian She's hand tore down her tight-fitting top, tossing it aside. Her full, perky breasts were now completely exposed.

Ying Nan suddenly raised her leg, aiming a powerful knee strike at Tian She's groin! Tian She, seemingly prepared, clamped her thigh between his legs and punched her in the stomach!

Her internal organs shifted, her last bit of force energy was shattered, and she could barely breathe.

Tian She grabbed her hair, lifting her roughly. "Miss Ying Nan, it would be best if you cooperate. This way, you'll suffer less. I do find you somewhat appealing, but not now. After I crush that little scoundrel Qian Ye, I might think about you. So, don't force me to take action now."

Ying Nan immediately understood Tian She's intent. "You want to kill Qian Ye?"

"Kill? Of course not! Killing him is too easy. I want to play with him for a while first, then decide how to end him."

Tian She struck the back of her neck, knocking her unconscious. He wrapped her in his cloak, hoisted her over his shoulder, and left. Before departing, he threw a badge of the Tian She gang onto the torn top.

Yu Ren Yan's injuries to Qian Ye were not severe, but there were many, making quick healing difficult. Qian Ye rested for a day and a night, regaining some vitality. He changed his appearance as usual, left the inn, and went to a bar to gather information.

He immediately heard the latest news: Tian She was looking for him, and it seemed that someone important had fallen into Tian She's hands.

Qian Ye left the bar and rushed to Ying Nan's place. Among the people in Dark Blood City, the female hunter was the only one with a close relationship to Qian Ye. He doubted Tian She had the capability to target Lao Yi or Lao Er.

Ying Nan never locked her door. When Qian Ye entered, he found Lao Er sitting in the living room.

"Ying Nan is in Tian She's hands," Lao Er said, pointing to the table.

On the table lay a torn top and a badge of the Tian She gang. Qian Ye recognized it as Ying Nan's usual attire, but he still picked it up and sniffed it. The fabric carried her scent, and it wasn't old.

The top and the badge were Tian She's signal to Qian Ye.

Qian Ye put the top down, his face frosty, and said to Lao Er, "Didn't you say Tian She wanted to reconcile with me?"

Lao Er's expression was grim. "It seems that wasn't his true intention."

Qian Ye calmed down and asked, "What do you suggest?"

Lao Er pondered for a moment. "In such matters, perhaps you are the expert?"

Qian Ye said coldly, "I do have my own way, but I'm not sure if it's appropriate."

"Knowing Ying Nan, no matter what you do, as long as you kill Tian She, she'll be happy."

Qian Ye nodded. "I understand. But I need something."

"Take whatever you need from the storeroom."

Moments later, Qian Ye emerged from the back door of the Hunter's Home and soon disappeared into the night of Dark Blood City. Lao Er also left, soon finding himself in a tavern near the Expeditionary Army camp.

At the bar, a disheveled man with a beard sat alone, drinking quietly. Lao Er sat next to him.

"Lao Er, it's rare to see you here."

Lao Er ordered a drink and took a small sip. "If Chu Xiong can come here, why can't I?"

Chu Xiong gave a self-deprecating laugh. "What use am I here? When that big shot comes, won't I just hide in the camp? Sometimes, I feel so damn helpless!"

"Wouldn't you just be risking your life?"

Chu Xiong downed his entire drink. "But it's better than not daring to fight at all!"

"I heard someone from above came and stopped that big shot?"

Chu Xiong shook his head. "I'm not sure. I know a major general from the Fallen Angel came, a very formidable guy, not one of our expeditionary fakes. But a major general alone can't stop that person."

Lao Er sighed in the weathered tone unique to an old man. "Ah, it seems the peace in this place is about to end."

"Why? Didn't that person leave?" The words had barely left his mouth before Chu Xiong understood. Although that great figure from the Eternal Night Council had departed, Dark Blood City had been left squarely in the eye of the storm. From now on, people would keep coming here, trying to uncover the secret behind that person's appearance.

The two men drank in silence for a while before Chu Xiong said, "You didn't suddenly come all the way here just to drink. Go on—what do you want me to do this time?"

"The situation in the city will be a bit unstable over the next couple of days. I hope you can turn a blind eye to some noise. Better still if you can cover it up." Lao Er stated his purpose unhurriedly.

Chu Xiong frowned slightly. "What kind of matter?"

"It concerns the Tian She gang."

Chu Xiong's brows drew even tighter. "That's a bit troublesome. Tian She has greased more than one palm in the Expeditionary Army. Not everyone will come forward to speak for him, but even if I won't be staying here long, I don't want to make enemies of a pack of scoundrels for nothing."

"Then consider the favor you owe me repaid."

Chu Xiong seemed somewhat surprised. "You're using it up just like that? Fine! Since you put it that way, I understand. In Dark Blood City, no one should really want to fall out with me. But whether they'll try something behind the scenes, that I can't say."

"As long as the Expeditionary Army doesn't move, that's enough."

"I know this probably isn't a question I should ask. But just who is worth such a price from you? That newly risen little hunter? Are you planning to train him as your successor?"

Lao Er took a sip of wine and said leisurely, "Of course not. It's for Ying Nan—you've met her. I've always treated her like a daughter. But this time, Tian She crossed the line."

Chu Xiong ordered another full cup of strong liquor, drained it in one gulp, and stood up. "You still have a little left on that favor, so I'll trouble myself a bit more and clean up the Tian She gang's loose ends for you. If Tian She isn't dead tonight, then I'll kill him myself. But about that assignment with Qiqi, you need to help me soon. I can't hold out much longer. No matter who it is, just find someone decent-looking and send them over first. That's settled. And this round goes on your tab."

With that, the man who looked somewhat shabby and down-and-out strode out of the ramshackle tavern. The equally aged bartender behind the counter cast Lao Er a sympathetic glance and shrugged. It wasn't just this round—whenever Lao Er was around, Chu Xiong had never paid. The man truly was short of money; often he couldn't even dig a single silver coin out of his pockets.

The night had grown very deep. From far away there seemed to come the faint crack of a gunshot. It was a strange shot, low and muffled, yet penetrating, like the beat of a bass drum striking directly upon people's hearts.