61: Chapter 61

61

From the other end came an aged, fury-laden voice: "Dong Yingqin, look at what you've done! If I had known it would come to this, I would never have recommended you for this position."

Dong Yingqin pleaded repeatedly, "Mr. Qiao, it was my lack of foresight. Han Shan and his lot are truly dull-witted to have let things reach this stage."

Please give me one more chance. I will definitely dispose of X properly."

"Only this once."

Mr. Qiao's cold response came from the other side of the phone.

"Rest assured, there won't be any more slip-ups this time."

Mr. Qiao's tone remained flat: "No need. There's no need to move against X for the time being."

"Because of your actions, the authorities have already started paying attention to the Black Dragon Society's movements."

The higher-ups want you all to exercise restraint. If a mess is made, no one will protect you."

Dong Yingqin submissively agreed.

"Also, regarding Le Wenbo..."

"Le Wenbo is beyond saving. You should know what to do."

Keep your hands clean. If you mess up again this time, your affairs will have nothing to do with me from now on."

"I understand, please rest assured."

The call ended, and Dong Yingqin slammed his phone violently onto the ground.

You old fossil, once my foundation is stable, you'll be the first one I get rid of.

Han Shan and those useless trash can't accomplish anything; they couldn't even handle such a small matter properly.

And Le Wenbo—he deserves to be abandoned by the Black Dragon Society.

A Rank 5 failing to capture a Rank 2... how pathetic.

A wave of irritation surged in Dong Yingqin's chest. If not for the incompetence of these people, why would he have to endure such a lecture?

After calming his anger, he took out another phone and dialed a number.

...

After talking with Meng Shaojie for a while, Jiang Haojie intended to take his leave but was urged to stay by the other man.

Liu Jinglong also chimed in, saying he had already booked a room.

Unable to decline, Jiang Haojie had to stay for lunch before finally leaving.

Before departing, he exchanged contact information with Meng Shaojie for future communication.

Jiang Haojie went to visit Huang Xingshan's family. Seeing they were safe and sound, his heart eased slightly.

Upon returning home, his parents were still focused on their cultivation.

Seeing the two elders so engrossed, Jiang Haojie didn't disturb them and quietly returned to his room.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he fell into deep thought.

Although his current strength far exceeded that of ordinary people, there was still a gap compared to truly powerful experts.

During yesterday's clash with Le Wenbo, he had been suppressed almost the entire time, powerless to fight back.

How could he take it a step further?

Jiang Haojie lightly stroked his chin.

If others knew what he was thinking right now, they would likely be speechless.

What kind of talk was this? Killing a Rank 4 as a Rank 2 was already beyond the reach of normal people, yet he was still thinking about getting stronger. Did he truly intend to ascend to the heavens?

Ring, ring—

A phone ringtone interrupted his thoughts.

Seeing it was Su Qingxue calling, Jiang Haojie pressed answer.

"Jiang Haojie, can you help me with a favor?"

Hearing the urgency in her voice, Jiang Haojie's brow furrowed slightly: "What happened?"

"My father was taken away, and his whereabouts are currently unknown..."

Su Qingxue's voice was choked with sobs; she had clearly lost her composure.

"Don't panic yet. Tell me the specific situation.

Did you call the police?"

Su Qingxue's voice trembled over the phone: "My mom just called... my dad was taken by a group of people, and the bodyguards were all..."

She choked up for a moment, "The Guard Department has been contacted, but I don't trust them.

Jiang Haojie, I can only turn to you now."

Jiang Haojie rubbed the bridge of his nose.

It wasn't that he didn't want to help, but right now there wasn't a single clue. It was like groping in the dark with nowhere to start. "We need at least a direction," he said softly.

"Oh, right!"

Su Qingxue suddenly remembered, "Both my parents' phones have GPS tracking. Go find my mom and have her turn on the tracking—maybe we can see where they went."

"Fine."

Jiang Haojie responded, "But don't mention me.

Just say... that X is coming over."

After hanging up, he hurried out the door.

Not long after, his phone rang again.

Su Qingxue's panicked voice came from the other end: "Jiang Haojie, I can't get through to my mom's phone anymore. Could she have also—"

"Don't panic,"

Jiang Haojie interrupted her, "I'm already on the way. I'll be at your house soon."

He changed direction and sped toward Chenhui Town.

...

The Su Family estate was located in a secluded part of the town.

At this moment, in a second-floor bedroom, Zhao Yawen was huddled in a corner, her clothes disheveled and her face pale.

Standing before her was a man wearing only his underwear, grinning as he approached step by step.

"Still trying to hide?"

The man licked his lips, a sickening light gleaming in his eyes.

Zhao Yawen glared at him intensely, her voice trembling with rage: "Ximen Qing, you are worse than a beast... I won't let you go even if I die!"

She never imagined this man would be so insane—first kidnapping her husband, and now breaking into her home to have his way with her.

"Die? That would be such a pity."

Ximen Qing chuckled, spreading his arms as he lunged forward, "I'll make sure you 'live' quite well—"

Before he could finish, a hand suddenly reached out from behind, gripping the back of his neck like an iron pincer.

Ximen Qing was lifted bodily into the air, his limbs kicking futilely in the void.

"Who... who the hell is ruining my fun!"

His face flushed red as he roared, "Do you know who I am?!"

Jiang Haojie ignored him, his gaze turning to Zhao Yawen by the wall.

Her tightly closed eyes now opened in a daze, and the moment she recognized him, she blurted out: "X... it's you?"

Jiang Haojie looked away, his Adam's apple bobbing.

He cleared his throat and pulled his attention back to the struggling man in his hand.

Ximen Qing was still swearing, so Jiang Haojie frowned and casually slammed him onto the floor.

The man hit the ground with a muffled grunt, and before he could crawl up, a foot had already pinned his back down.

"Don't be in such a hurry,"

Jiang Haojie leaned down, his voice calmly cold, "Let's have a chat first—you'd better start from the beginning."

Jiang Haojie slowly shifted his gaze from Zhao Yawen, his fingertips tapping lightly on his knee: "Su Qingxue sent me.

Tidy yourself up first, then we'll talk."

Zhao Yawen's heart was slightly shaken.

When did her daughter gain such connections to be able to ask for his help? She didn't show it on her face, only nodding slightly before turning to walk toward the bedroom—her current attire was indeed unsuitable for receiving a guest.

Watching her departing back, Jiang Haojie's brow twitched imperceptibly.

This seemingly elegant lady possessed a few unexpected charms.

He withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the slumped Ximen Qing, casually tossing the man onto the carpet while he leaned back into the sofa.

"You f—"

Ximen Qing propped himself up to curse, but his voice came to an abrupt halt.

A Crimson Longsword had appeared against the side of his neck at some unknown point.

The blade was slightly hot, sending a shiver through his skin.

"Those people of yours guarding the outside,"

Jiang Haojie's voice was devoid of emotion, "won't be responding to you anymore."

Ximen Qing's Adam's apple rolled, and cold sweat seeped from his forehead.

"If you want to live, answer properly."

Jiang Haojie tapped the man's cheek with the flat of the sword, "You had quite a big mouth just now.

Tell me, what's your background?"

"Ximen Qing... the Ximen Family of Jiang Province."

He squeezed out his family's name, but seeing that the other party's expression didn't change and the blade remained steady against his vein,

he could only continue through hidden resentment, "I took a liking to that woman and wanted to use force."

"Quite honest."

Jiang Haojie gave a short laugh.

Just then, the bedroom door opened.

Zhao Yawen emerged having changed into a simple dress, her hair still damp.

A dark light flashed across Ximen Qing's eyes before being forcibly suppressed.

Jiang Haojie didn't miss that momentary shift and simply turned to Zhao Yawen: "Tell me about your husband.

Su Qingxue mentioned your phones have tracking—can you determine his current location?"

Zhao Yawen's gaze was like poison-tipped silver needles, pinned firmly on Ximen Qing, her voice thick with trembling hatred: "Mr. X, it's him... he's the one who sent people to kidnap my husband."

Jiang Haojie's gaze slowly shifted to Ximen Qing, his brow arching slightly.

The matter was laid out so bluntly before him, saving him a lot of trouble.

This man, in order to get a woman, had dared to abduct her husband and was even arrogant enough to come to the house to commit assault—how rampant, and how incredibly stupid.

Did he truly think no one in this world could restrain him?

"Where is Su Baili?"

Jiang Haojie asked, his tone as calm as if he were asking about the weather.

Ximen Qing squeezed the words through his teeth, each word soaked in the venom of jealousy: "He's dead."

Thinking about how that woman had been in another man's arms for years, his internal organs felt like they were being scorched by poisonous fire; he wished he could grind that man into dust.

"It seems you don't intend to tell the truth."

Jiang Haojie's expression darkened.

Ximen Qing, finding some unknown source of confidence, suddenly straightened his back and raised his voice: "I am a direct descendant of the Ximen Family of Jiang Province! If you dare touch me, the Ximen Family will make sure you suffer a fate worse than death!"

Beside him, Zhao Yawen lightly tugged at Jiang Haojie's sleeve and whispered urgently: "Mr. X, the Ximen Family is the wealthiest in Jiang Province and has immense power..."

She wished she could kill this beast with her own hands, yet she feared even more that she would drag the man before her into immense trouble.

"Did you hear that?"

The cowardice on Ximen Qing's face vanished, replaced by a layer of blustering arrogance, "Kneel down now and kowtow three times, and I might show some mercy and spare your life."

Unfortunately, with that face of his, no matter what posture he assumed, he couldn't hide the wretchedness and baseness in his bones.

Jiang Haojie smiled softly and shook his head.

This young master of a noble family had a brain that was clearly defective.

"Ah—!"

Sword light flashed like cold lightning.

Ximen Qing's words were cut short, replaced by a shrill, agonizing scream.

He looked down to see that the five fingers of his right hand had been severed at the root, and blood was gushing out.

Intense pain flooded his consciousness like a tide, and he collapsed to the floor, letting out a subhuman wail.

Zhao Yawen recoiled half a step in shock, but then steadied herself. A glimmer of satisfaction flashed in her eyes, though it was immediately covered by heavy worry—this strike had severed not just fingers, but the last bit of room for maneuver with the Ximen Family.

"Shut up."

Jiang Haojie's voice wasn't loud, but it was wrapped in a piercing chill honed through months of slaughter. The temperature in the room seemed to plummet. "If you want to keep your other hand, answer honestly: where exactly is Su Baili?"

"I... I had my men... throw him into the Fallen Zone..."

Ximen Qing's face was covered in tears and snot as he pleaded intermittently, "I beg you, take me to the hospital... I'm not going to make it, I'm really not going to make it..."

His face was as pale as paper from blood loss, and his eyes were unfocused, with only his survival instinct supporting his broken pleas.

Jiang Haojie looked at him indifferently, as if looking at a puddle of filthy mud.

"Lead the way."

He uttered two words, brookng no argument, "Now.

Otherwise, the next strike will be for your neck."

Given Ximen Qing's despicable actions, sparing his life was already an act of mercy. For him to still dream of going to the hospital was simply a fool's fantasy.

Ximen Qing's heart was filled with regret now; had he known, he would have just moved against Zhao Yawen directly. Why play those underhanded games? Landing in this situation was entirely his own doing.

What frustrated him even more was that in order to secretly obtain Zhao Yawen, he had snuck out, only bringing Rank 3 and Rank 4 guards with him instead of that Rank 5 Awakened.

He had thought that with these subordinates and his status, it would be enough to run rampant in Dragon City. Who would have thought he'd crash into such a hard iron plate?

Even now, he hadn't managed to figure out exactly who the other party was.

Zhao Yawen's car pulled up, and Jiang Haojie shoved Ximen Qing into the back seat.

The vehicle immediately started and sped toward the Fallen Zone.

When passing a sentry post, Ximen Qing suddenly howled at the top of his lungs, attempting to attract the guards' attention.

But instead of summoning the guards, he drew Jiang Haojie's icy gaze.

Jiang Haojie swung his fist, and after two heavy blows, Ximen Qing's mouth was emptied of teeth, which fell out along with bloody foam.

Ximen Qing could only emit muffled whimpers, huddling in the corner of the car like a frightened quail, trembling.

Though Zhao Yawen appeared quiet and dignified, she drove like the wind, speeding all the way.

A journey that should have taken two hours was compressed by her to less than one, and the desolate scenery of the outskirts soon came into view.

"Call your people and ask where they are."

Jiang Haojie's voice had no warmth.

"Mmm... mmm..."

Ximen Qing gestured frantically. It wasn't that he didn't want to speak, but without teeth, his speech was airy and his words were all blurred together.

However, Jiang Haojie still understood his meaning—his phone wasn't on him.