337: beginning

When the stick was removed from Zhao Qingyang’s mouth, he indeed quieted down and didn’t scream.

He just spat out a few broken teeth, gasping for air.

“Mercy… Have mercy, let me go!”

Zhao Qingyang endured the pain and pleaded with Lin Ang.

“I have a few questions for you first,” Lin Ang said indifferently, ignoring him.

“Okay, okay, I’ll tell you. Will you let me go after I tell you?” Zhao Qingyang asked urgently.

“Yes!” Lin Ang nodded, watching him silently.

“Alright, I’ll talk.” Zhao Qingyang breathed a sigh of relief. “They were…”

In a short while, Zhao Qingyang had said everything he needed to say.

Zhao Qingyang looked up at Lin Ang, defending himself, “I know I wronged you, but I had no choice but to do this. They forced me. Please…”

Before he could finish, a fierce glint flashed in Lin Ang’s eyes.

With a squelch, the dagger plunged entirely into Zhao Qingyang’s neck, the tip protruding from the back of his neck.

Just like Lin Ang’s reaction when he had his throat slit, Zhao Qingyang tried to cover his neck with his hands to stop the blood from gushing out.

But at this moment, his hands and Achilles tendons had been severed, making him unable to perform this action.

His eyes, looking at Lin Ang, seemed to be accusing him of not keeping his word.

As he opened his mouth, blood profusely overflowed from the corners of his lips.

After a series of convulsions on the ground, he lay still.

Lin Ang watched him with icy eyes as he slowly lost all movement.

He pulled the dagger from Zhao Qingyang’s neck, and blood splattered across Lin Ang’s face.

Then he put away the dagger and walked out.

Passing through the courtyard, he saw a hanging white skeleton of a child, and a flicker of pain crossed Lin Ang’s eyes.

He already knew that this skeleton was his child’s, the flesh long since stripped clean.

“Wait for me to return,” Lin Ang whispered a few words before quietly leaving.

He already knew that his wife was not dead, but had been sold to a Brothel.

The most important thing now was to rescue his wife first; there was no time to waste here.

As for these little beasts, he wouldn't let a single one of them go afterward.

At this time in the courtyard, the subordinates were busy—some cooking meat, some working, some giving instructions.

Completely unaware that their boss had been silently killed inside the house.

…

By the time Lin Ang arrived, it was already morning, as the city gates were closed at night.

Upon reaching the city gate, Lin Ang was stopped by the city guards.

No other reason than Lin Ang being an Outer City resident.

Normally, one could enter temporarily, but with the recent influx of vagrants everywhere, it was naturally not allowed.

Those who could live in the Inner City, if not wealthy, at least had a comfortable life.

Letting those vagrants in would greatly affect the city’s appearance and residents’ safety.

Who knew what they might do for food after being hungry for so long?

So, even Outer City residents were not allowed in.

Especially these past few days, elite guards had been specifically stationed at the city gate, with additional personnel, to prevent anyone from trying to force their way in.

Before coming, Lin Ang had deliberately wiped his face; otherwise, with his appearance right after killing someone, he surely wouldn’t have been allowed in.

Standing outside, he pleaded and reasoned, almost on his knees, but the city guards remained unmoved.

Force his way in?

He had thought about it, but seeing the well-equipped guards and having only a dagger himself,

He estimated he’d be chopped to pieces as soon as he made a move.

But his wife had already been sold to a Brothel, and if he didn’t act soon, it would be too late.

Gradually, Lin Ang’s gaze towards the guards became dangerous.

Just then, a gentle female voice came.

“Let him in. He is my family servant, who just got separated.”

Lin Ang was startled, turned his head, and saw a strong man walking towards him. Behind him, there was a sedan chair, accompanied by several people.

When he reached Lin Ang, he whispered, “Don’t speak for a while, just follow us. Our Miss is kind-hearted and will take you in.”

Hearing this, Lin Ang suppressed his emotions and agreed, “Okay!”

Who would want to force their way in if they could enter directly?

Seeing the newcomers, the leading guard quickly stopped what he was doing and respectfully greeted, “Miss Ye has returned. Greetings, Miss Ye.”

Then, with a wave of his hand, “Quickly, let them pass!”

A group of guards consciously lined up on both sides, waiting for the party to pass.

The person in the sedan chair replied with a “Good” and then left past the guards.

Even after they had gone far, no one mentioned Lin Ang, who was mixed in with them.

Whether the identity of the family servant was real or fake didn't matter; what mattered was that Miss Ye said he was, so he was.

“Alright, continue working,” the leader ordered after Miss Ye and her party had passed, and the others resumed their tasks.

Upon entering the Inner City, the prosperous scene was indeed completely different from the Outer City.

The streets and alleys were bustling, showing no signs of drought.

The vibrant atmosphere of the Inner City formed a stark contrast with the desolation of the Outer City.

This unreal, almost dreamlike feeling.

Faintly, Lin Ang felt a chill in his heart.

After walking a certain distance, the gentle voice from inside the sedan chair spoke again, “Alright, we’re in the city. Sir, you may leave now.”

Understanding her meaning, Lin Ang cupped his fists and thanked her, “Thank you, Miss, for your kindness today. This humble one is eternally grateful and will surely repay you in the future.”

Actually, even if Miss Ye in the sedan chair hadn't spoken, Lin Ang would have had to find a way to separate after entering the city.

Now that she spoke first, it avoided an awkward situation.

“Mm, go!” the figure in the sedan chair replied.

“Thank you, Miss, for your kindness today.” After thanking her again, Lin Ang turned and left, disappearing into the street.

Miss Ye and her party stopped talking and proceeded towards a certain direction in the city.

Inside the sedan chair, a dignified woman in a plain white dress, composed and gentle in temperament.

Her attire was simple, and in her glossy black hair, only a single glazed hairpin was adorned.

Her hands were clasped on her lap, but her eyes glowed with a faint golden light.

She turned her head slightly, her gaze piercing through the sedan chair, looking at Lin Ang’s retreating figure, “A Fate-Defying (rebel against fate), perhaps…”

…

On the other side, after Lin Ang left, he headed straight for a Brothel in the city.

He checked the name of the establishment, confirmed it repeatedly, and then rushed inside.

Once inside, he started shouting, “Su Fen! Su Fen! Su Fen…”

The madam inside, thinking he was there to play, greeted him with a beaming smile.

But upon seeing that he was looking for someone, and his impoverished clothes, her face immediately darkened.

They had seen many like him, all wanting to take back the girls who had been sold there.

Just then, from a room inside, a woman’s scream suddenly rang out, “Husband, I’m… Mmmph mmmph mmmph!”

Before she could finish, her mouth was covered by something.

But Lin Ang had already confirmed his wife was there and located her position.

His eyes lit up, and he was about to rush towards that room.

The madam behind him just watched him coldly; if it were that easy to take someone away, what would be the point of their business?

From the side, a group of burly men suddenly swarmed out, all armed with spears and clubs.

Lin Ang pulled out his dagger, ready to fight for his life; he was determined to take the person today.

Just as he was about to charge, someone in the crowd behind him struck him on the head with a club.

Lin Ang was knocked down, falling to the ground, and the dagger in his hand came loose, dropping somewhere unknown.

Seeing this, the group of burly men immediately surrounded him.

“Don’t fight here, it affects business. Take him to an alley,” the madam intervened.

“Okay!” So, the group of burly men dragged Lin Ang outside.

Inside the room, the woman’s constant struggling could still be heard.

“This slut!” The madam, hearing this, rushed directly into the room.

Slap! Slap!

Two slaps rang out, and then silence fell inside.

At the same time, the madam’s voice came, “Still thinking of your old lover, eh? He’s probably gone by now.”

“Oh, you dare to glare at me!”

“I was going to wait a couple of days, but seeing how desperate you are for a man, you’re going to entertain customers tonight!”

“You’re already a slut ridden by thousands, what’s with this act of a chaste woman!”