177: juvenile

After several hours of driving, Shen Mingyuan and Xu Lang arrived in Nandu City one after another.

As agreed, the two did not meet up. Shen Mingyuan guided Xu Lang over the phone to check into a mid-range hotel located in the city center, with dense crowds and relatively standardized security, and used Xu Lang's identification to complete the formalities.

Such a place may seem conspicuous, but due to comprehensive surveillance and a complex mix of people, it actually provides a certain degree of concealment, making it less likely to be targeted for searches compared to remote areas.

After settling Xu Lang, Shen Mingyuan himself checked into a business hotel a few blocks away. He first called Xu Lang.

"I've arrived and checked in." Xu Lang's voice on the phone still carried tension, but there was a bit more reassurance than before.

"I just contacted home again; everything is normal."

Shen Mingyuan's voice was calm and steady, showing no signs of fatigue from the long drive. "Stay in your room for now, and don't go out unless necessary. Order room service for meals. I need to go scout the situation first."

"You... what do you plan to do? Go directly to find Sun Qian?" Xu Lang's voice rose again.

"No, going directly to him is unwise. Start from the periphery; his subordinates always have regular hangouts."

Shen Mingyuan's thinking was clear. "Tell me the places you knew from your previous investigation that might be connected to him, especially where his people often frequent."

Xu Lang listed several addresses, mostly around nightclubs, underground gambling dens, or less formal loan companies and pawnshops.

One of them was an unnamed Bar located on the edge of the old city, hidden in an area of dilapidated houses awaiting demolition, which Xu Lang specifically marked as "reportedly where several of his hired thugs are often stationed, and also one of their meeting spots."

"Understood. Keep your phone on, but don't contact me unless it's an emergency." Shen Mingyuan noted the addresses and ended the call.

He didn't leave immediately. Instead, he first opened the laptop he carried with him, quickly searched for public information, news, and map street views around these addresses, building a preliminary geographical impression.

Then, he got up and walked to the corner of the room, opening an inconspicuous black sports bag he had brought.

Besides a change of clothes and daily necessities, at the bottom of the bag lay the "twin stars," disassembled into two parts and carefully placed in custom soft padding.

The matte black gun bodies had smooth lines, with dark red biological vein patterns almost invisible under the indoor light, exuding a quiet lethality. Shen Mingyuan skillfully checked them and reassembled them into a convenient dual-pistol form.

He tucked them into the inner layer of a specially made crossbody bag with internal cushioning and straps, which looked like an ordinary casual messenger bag from the outside.

After preparing, Shen Mingyuan changed into dark, comfortable casual clothes, put on a hat, glanced at the deepening dusk outside the window, and left the hotel.

He first ruled out the places that were too flashy or located in overly central areas. Based on Xu Lang's description and on-site risk assessment, he ultimately locked onto the unnamed Bar in the demolition area as the first target for investigation.

Such places are a mixed bag, with hidden information flow and relatively lacking official surveillance coverage, making them suitable for initial, less compliant "inquiries."

Using navigation and the street views he remembered, Shen Mingyuan spent some time finding the place among the maze-like narrow alleys and peeling old walls.

The Bar's facade was very low-key, without even a sign, just a heavy, peeling wooden door, with faint dark red light and the muffled bass of noisy music seeping through the cracks.

No one was at the entrance, creating a stark contrast with the brightly lit main street not far away, making it seem particularly isolated and gloomy.

Shen Mingyuan didn't push the door open directly. He first walked around nearby casually, observing possible other exits and the surrounding environment—a typical blind spot for security.

Then, he adjusted his breathing, shifting his mindset to a calm observation mode. His hand lightly pressed against the outside of the bag containing the "twin stars," feeling the hard outline that provided a baseline sense of security, before walking toward the wooden door.

Just as his hand was about to touch the doorknob, the originally muffled noisy music inside suddenly mixed with some discordant, sharper sounds—the crisp shattering of glass, followed by several angry roars and the dull thud of a body hitting something hard!

A conflict was clearly happening inside, and it was quite a commotion.

Shen Mingyuan's movement instantly stopped, his fingers hovering a few centimeters from the doorknob. He tilted his head slightly, pressing his ear close to the door crack, holding his breath and focusing.

The sounds of fighting, cursing, and furniture overturning became clearer, interspersed with a few panicked screams and the noise of other customers dodging and fleeing.

The conflict inside intensified. Shen Mingyuan's eyes narrowed, and without further hesitation, he pushed the heavy wooden door open with a slight force.

The expected dim and crowded Bar scene did not fully appear, as most of the area was already in disarray.

Tables and chairs were overturned, cups and plates shattered, with alcohol and unknown liquids flowing freely on the ground.

The few customers who had been there were long gone, likely having fled in panic through the back door or other means. The air was filled with the smell of alcohol, sweat, and a faint hint of blood.

In the center, the fight was nearing its end, or rather, it was a one-sided suppression.

A Youth who looked no more than seventeen or eighteen stood in the center of the chaos. His build wasn't burly, even somewhat slender, but every muscle was now taut like a bow, radiating astonishing explosive power. His weapons were merely his fists.

But these were definitely not wild, flailing punches. Shen Mingyuan could see at a glance that the Youth's Boxing Style had clear technique—his footwork was agile and swift, precisely dodging sporadic counterattacks in the limited space;

his punches were fast as lightning, with tricky angles, each strike accompanied by solid, muffled impacts on flesh, targeting the opponent's weak spots and joints.

It was combat skill honed through systematic training, stripped of flashy Moves, leaving only the most concise and efficient takedown techniques.

Four or five burly men, looking like Bar bouncers, were already lying on the ground, groaning, either clutching twisted arms or curling up in pain from broken ribs, incapacitated.

The only remaining bouncer, a bald man and the largest of them, had a face twisted with fear and anger. He roared and raised a broken-legged chair to smash at the Youth.

The Youth didn't dodge or avoid it. Instead, he charged forward swiftly, a sharp low side kick landing first, squarely hitting the side of the opponent's knee joint. The bald man screamed, lost his balance, and the chair flew off-target.

The Youth seized the opportunity to close in, raining down punches like hail—nose, jaw, stomach... each blow heavy and relentless, forcing the bald man to stagger back until his back slammed hard against the Bar counter, sliding to the ground, blood trickling from his nose and mouth, his eyes glazed over, clearly incapacitated as well.

However, the Youth's anger didn't seem to subside. His eyes were bloodshot, his chest heaving violently, burning not only with the excitement of battle but also with a near-desperate grief and fury.

He strode forward, grabbed the bald man by the collar, lifting his upper body off the ground, while raising his other fist high, knuckles white, the fist still stained with blood.

The fist hovered in mid-air, trembling slightly, aimed squarely at the bald man's already collapsed nose and fragile temple area. If this punch landed solidly, the consequences would be unthinkable.

"Stop!"

A clear and forceful command echoed through the empty, chaotic Bar, carrying an undeniable penetrating power.

The Youth shuddered, his bloodshot eyes snapping toward the source of the voice, seeing Shen Mingyuan standing in the shadows at the entrance. His gaze was filled with vigilance, anger, and undiminished madness, his fist still clenched tight, not loosening.

Shen Mingyuan slowly walked in from the entrance, his steps steady, his gaze calm as he met the Youth's fierce stare while scanning the groaning bouncers on the ground.

He raised his hands, making a gesture to show he was unarmed and meant no harm, but his voice remained clear and calm:

"You've already subdued them. Continuing to fight could cost a life." His eyes fell on the Youth's tense face. "You're still young; there's no need to burden yourself with heavier trouble over these people."

The Youth's bloodshot eyes fixed intently on Shen Mingyuan, his voice hoarse and full of hostility: "Who are you?!"

Shen Mingyuan maintained a posture with his hands slightly raised, speaking in a steady tone, trying not to provoke: "Shen Mingyuan, a Lawyer."

"A Lawyer?" The wariness in the Youth's eyes deepened, mixed with obvious distrust and mockery, "What's a Lawyer doing in a place like this? Are you with these scum?!"

"On the contrary," Shen Mingyuan met his gaze and said clearly, "I'm trying my best to legally send the people behind them, and their accomplices, to prison. My friend has also been threatened. I came here to look for clues and evidence."

As he spoke, he slowly reached into his chest with his left hand. This movement made the Youth instantly tense up, his fighting stance becoming steadier. But Shen Mingyuan only took out his Lawyer's License, showed it briefly, and carefully placed it on a still-intact table beside him.

"Look, this is my ID. I stand on the side of the law, and on the side of the victims."

The Youth glanced at the license, then quickly locked his gaze back on Shen Mingyuan, seemingly not fully convinced, but the absolute killing intent that wanted to put someone to death wavered slightly.

He looked at the thugs he had beaten to pieces, then at Shen Mingyuan, his chest still heaving violently: "...I don't care who you are! If you're really a good person, then stay away! This is between me and them, it has nothing to do with you!"

After saying this, he turned his attention back to the barely breathing Bald Bouncer, tightening his grip on the collar again, his other fist clenched once more, as if ready to strike.

"I care!"

Shen Mingyuan raised his voice, resolute, "I care about a young person with a future and strength, who might ruin himself in a place like this, on these scum, because of momentary anger! You're just caught up in rage, your reason burned away by fury! Don't let anger destroy you!"

"What do you know?!" the Youth roared suddenly, grief and indignation almost overflowing from his eyes, "They... they did...!"

"I may not understand exactly what you've been through," Shen Mingyuan interrupted him, his tone stern with a hint of imperceptible understanding, "but I understand the law, and the consequences! Think about it: right now, you're the victim, the one fighting back! But if you throw this punch, the nature changes! Is it worth it for them?!"

"I said, I don't care!" The Youth clearly wasn't listening to reason; long-suppressed grief and the adrenaline surge made him only want to vent.

Looking at the barely breathing bald man at his feet, that deep-seated hatred surged again. He gritted his teeth, his trembling fist about to fall once more.

This time, Shen Mingyuan couldn't just talk. He stepped forward quickly, his right hand precisely aiming to grab the Youth's wrist as it was about to strike, intending to stop this fatal blow. "Don't hit! If this punch lands, there's really no turning back!"

The Youth reacted extremely sharply. Just as Shen Mingyuan's fingers were about to touch his wrist, his arm muscles twitched, violently breaking free from Shen Mingyuan's grip, and this sudden physical contact completely enraged him!

"You're stopping me?! You're helping them too?!" The Youth's bloodshot eyes instantly locked onto Shen Mingyuan, all his grief and indignation seeming to find a new outlet.

Without hesitation, he followed through with a fierce hook punch, aiming for Shen Mingyuan's temple! This was no longer just to push back, but a truly hostile attack.

Shen Mingyuan was prepared. He quickly leaned his head back while raising his left arm to block.

"Thud!" His forearm blocked the Youth's fist, a solid, heavy force transmitted, making his arm slightly numb. This Youth had incredible explosive power!

The Youth, missing his first strike, didn't hesitate, unleashing a barrage of punches like a rainstorm.

Straight punches, hook punches, uppercuts, combined with agile and swift footwork, each Move fierce, targeting Shen Mingyuan's vital points. His Boxing Style wasn't flashy, but exceptionally concise and efficient, each strike showing solid fundamentals and strong combat intent.

Shen Mingyuan responded calmly. He hadn't systematically learned any Martial Arts Style, but due to long-term training and the potential influence of the armor, his physical fitness, reflexes, and dynamic vision far exceeded ordinary people.

He relied more on his absolute speed, strength, and exquisite body control, far surpassing the Youth's, to block, dodge, and parry as necessary.

His movements didn't look as "technical" as the Youth's, but he always avoided attacks by a hair's breadth or deflected punches with just the right amount of force.

For a moment, the two fought evenly in the center of the trashed Bar.

The Youth excelled in exquisite technique, tricky punch paths, and a relentless, fierce spirit; Shen Mingyuan was strong in his overwhelming basic attributes—fast reactions, ample strength, good endurance—though mostly blocking and parrying, he stood firm as a rock, making the Youth's fierce attacks ineffective.

The dull thuds of punches and kicks echoed in the empty Bar. In the gaps between blocks, Shen Mingyuan's voice still tried to penetrate the Youth's fury-filled ears:

"Anger blinds people! Think of those who love and care about you! You came here because they hurt you or someone you care about, right?"

"But if you destroy yourself by killing them, what will happen to those who love you? They'll not only bear the original hurt but also carry the heavier pain for you! Is it worth it?!"

Hearing this, the Youth's body jolted violently, his offensive faltering slightly, the grief and indignation in his eyes almost turning into tangible tears, but then covered by more Raging Fury, his attacks becoming even more frenzied.

"Think of them, what would they think if they saw you like this?!"

Shen Mingyuan dodged a dangerous side kick and continued shouting, "There are many ways to solve problems; violence is the most direct, but also the stupidest! Sacrificing yourself is the least worthwhile!"

"Shut up! You don't know anything!" the Youth snarled, throwing a heavy punch at Shen Mingyuan's chest. Shen Mingyuan crossed his arms to block it steadily, the tremendous force forcing him back half a step, but he immediately sank his waist to Unloading, Backhand slam the Youth's wrist.

In the close combat, Shen Mingyuan always controlled his strength, focusing on defense and subduing, avoiding serious injury. He constantly used words to Stimulate, guide, trying to bring back the Youth's reason.

Whether it was his physical strength starting to decline in the Intense confrontation, or Shen Mingyuan's words finally seeping into his anger-frozen mind, the Youth's offensive gradually became less chaotic and hysterical.

His panting grew heavier, the Mad Blood in his eyes slowly fading, replaced by deep exhaustion and the The grief that has never faded.

Finally, after an Intense exchange of punches and kicks, both leaped back simultaneously, facing off a few steps apart. The Youth didn't charge again; he bent over, hands on his knees, panting heavily, sweat mixed with what might have been tears or something else slide from his temples.

He looked up at Shen Mingyuan, who was also breathing Slightly quick but whose gaze remained clear and firm, then at the groaning thugs on the ground, especially the unconscious bald one.

His clenched fist finally, bit by bit, very slowly, loosened.

"...They..." the Youth's voice was hoarse and dry, filled with powerlessness, "...my Master... in the Hospital... because of them..."

He didn't say more, but the Grief and indignation that had driven him to come here fighting seemed to find a The gap in the flood discharge as his physical strength消耗 and Shen Mingyuan's Continue to persuade, though still not calm, at least no longer had the impulse to destroy everything.

Seeing this, Shen Mingyuan also slowly relaxed his stance but remained vigilant. He took two steps forward but didn't get too close, his voice softening:

"I understand. You're angry, and you have reason to be. But we need to calm down now and solve this in a smarter way. Tell me what happened. Maybe I can help you."

The Youth looked up, his Complex gaze lingering on Shen Mingyuan's face for a long time, as if reassessing this "meddlesome" Lawyer. Finally, he nodded Extremely tired, his voice barely audible: "...Okay."