Chapter 30. Yu Kuang
Chen Ren caught the piece of sharp metal striking him through the air. His body reacted faster than his mind, twisting in the air sharply.
The knife whistled past him, slicing so close that he could feel its chill brush against his cheeks. But the knife's momentum downgraded and found its mark on the leg of the bald man who had been holding him as if he was clinging to his dear life.
A strangled cry erupted from the bald thug's throat.
His iron grip fell away as he stumbled back, eyes wide with pain and rage, hands reflexively reaching for the buried blade.
Blood dripped down his leg as he staggered, his breath coming in gasps as he clutched at the knife buried deep in his flesh.
His expression twisted in agony, but his eyes burned with unrelenting fury, hatred spilling from his every movement.
Chen Ren didn't hesitate; his body surged into motion. In one fluid motion, he sprang to his feet, eyes darting to where the knife had come from. There, at the edge of the market, stood the beggar girl who he just gave noodles to.
Her eyes were burning with determination and three more knives shone in her small, weak, calloused hands. If anything, she seemed much more strong now. Where had she even gotten them from? Chen Ren couldn't guess, but there was no time to wonder.
The girl stood firm, her tiny figure seemed taller than before— as though the chaos that surrounded her didn't affect her, but she was focused, ready for action.
Chen Ren quickly shrugged off his attention from her and turned to the bald man who was now howling with rage and pain.
He wrenched the knife from his leg, the blood staining his fingers while his breath came in jagged gasps. His bloodshot eyes shot at Chen Ren which seemed to boil with passionate hatred.
"Argh!" the bald man brayed and prepared to lunge forward.
At the same time, Chen saw how Zhi staggered upright with a grin that was painful to watch— looking like an absolute maniac. He brushed splinters and dust from his shoulders, and by how his smirk expanded, this scene seemed to only fuel his twisted excitement.
He cracked his knuckles.
Chen Ren's senses sharpened; his instincts screamed at him that he couldn't face both at once.
Frantically, his eyes swept through the stalls, searching for an advantage— something, anything. Well, anything except for the woman with knives.
Vegetables, skewers, carts, wares, pineapples, ladles— but then, his gaze landed on a nearby cart bearing a wok of bubbling oil. The liquid was as angry as the bald man. Without hesitation, he lunged towards it.
As if on cue, the bald thug charged.
His arms swung wildly towards Chen Ren, his face twisted in every way possible.
Chen Ren didn't stop his feet either, and the market seemed to slow.
Almost… there!
The thug was too close now, and there was no time to think. Just as the man drew near, Chen seized the wok of oil, his grip firm despite the weight of the vessel and the searing burning pain that came with it.
He waited no second before flinging the boiling oil, his wrist snapping for its speed.
The liquid arced through thin air and splattered across the bald thug and Zhi. The two men screamed, their cries of agony cutting through the air like a knife. The oil immediately burned their skin, splashing across their faces, clothes, and exposed limbs.
The searing liquid scorched their flesh, sending them into spasms, their hands clawing at their bodies in a pathetic attempt to stop the pain. And the smell of burnt flesh and scorched fabric filled the air immediately, making every other smell of the market disappear.
With that, the market fell into absolute havoc. The onlookers shrieked and scrambled to avoid the splattering oil and the fight overall, but all Chen could focus on were the two men who were squirming in pain before him.
He had no time to linger on their suffering, for his fight was far from over.
The warmth left his eyes, replaced with lightning as he summoned his qi.
His fist crackled with lightning-infused energy, and with a savage roar, he launched into a strike.
"[Thundering Punch]!"
His fist crashed into the bald man's chest. The thud's breath left him in a sharp, strangled gasp. He was sent sprawling to the ground. His body went limp, breathless and motionless, a broken heap at his feet.
Turning swiftly, he was ready to send a similar blow to Zhi, but to his surprise, the wiry cultivator was already slumping to his knees.
It was quite the sight to see his malice-filled grin turned to a grimace of agony— just because of the searing hot oil.
No, it was not the oil.
It was then, he saw. Two of the beggar girl's knives were buried deep in the man's shoulders, and blood poured down his arm, slick and crimson. He trembled as life drained from his eyes, his body faltering as his will to fight died.
Silence swept through the market.
The stench of smoke, burnt bodies and spilt blood made bile rise in his throat. Chen Ren's senses clouded with the three. But he forced himself to snap into reality, wanting to deal with the rest of the members, but they seemed to have already scattered, vanished into the maze of alleys, their cowardness outweighing whatever purpose they came for.
Breathing slowly, Chen Ren let the tension in his muscles ease. He stepped toward the fallen bald thug, whose body lay contorted on the ground, twitching with the last remnants of life.
With a swift movement, he retrieved the pouch of coins the man had stolen from the stall owners.
The coins jingled with a cold, metallic sound as he inspected the contents. It wasn't an overly large sum, but it was a day's worth of all the stalls and he wasn't going to let mere thugs have it.
Chen Ren met the bald man's dull, pain-glazed eyes, his expression hardening. The thug's chest heaved with laboured breaths, but he could do little more than look up, unable to move.
With a swift motion, Chen Ren delivered a sharp kick to the man's ribs, the sound of bone cracking ringing around him.
"This is what you get for being a ruffian," he spat the words.
He looked over at the beggar girl, who stood just beyond the carnage, her eyes still burning with determination.
Her breath came in slow, measured puffs. And though she had just played her part in the battle, there was no hint of satisfaction in her expression— only the same quiet look on her face that had been there when he had given her the noodles.
She met his gaze with a small nod before retreating to her familiar spot, curling up as if nothing had happened. Then, picked up the bowl of noodles he had given her, quietly slurping on it
A flicker of gratitude surged within him, urging him to step forward and thank her for her silent support.
Before he could act on it, a familiar voice cut through his mind like a crisp wind.
"Six and a half out of ten."
Chen Ren turned to see Yalan, the cat with the knowing eyes, approaching with an air of detached elegance. The shimmer of her fur caught the moonlight as she assessed him with a critical gleam.
Beside her, a worried Tang Xiulan rushed forward.
Yalan continued not giving Xiulan heed. "Better this time. You faced greater numbers and managed to use your environment effectively. But you could have been more ruthless, and you did have some... assistance. Moreover, you are shouting your technique's name seemingly for foolish reasons. Just because the thugs are doing it don't mean you need to emulate them."
Chen Ren's brow lifted, a half-smirk tugging at his lips. "You're still evaluating me?"
Yalan's eyes narrowed slightly, glistening with an enigmatic glint. "Of course. I'll evaluate every battle you fight. You're not above judgement."
Before he could reply, Xiulan reached him, her soft voice cutting through his thoughts. "Young master, are you okay?"
He let out a breath, rolling his shoulders as the dull ache of bruises reminded him of the struggle. "A few scratches and my back feels like I fought a mountain, but I'll be fine. Nothing to worry about."
His gaze shifted beyond Xiulan, settling on the bald thug still groaning in agony and the stunned stall owners who were beginning to gather around.
"But the real concern isn't my injuries," he muttered, eyes sharpening. "These thugs weren't just here for extortion. They wanted the perfume formula. Otherwise, they wouldn't have brought cultivators with them. The Blood Snakes are eyeing my businesses."
Tang Xiulan's eyes widened. "What are you going to do now?"
Chen Ren thought for a moment before a grimace settled on his face. "We need to check on Heavenly Fragrances. If I'm right, this wasn't the only place they hit."
***
Chen Ren had expected that their stall wouldn't be the only one to be affected by the Blood Snake attacks. As they moved closer to the area, the sight before him confirmed his suspicions.
The outside scene of their perfume shop was in disarray. The door seemed to be broken and the board with their stall name was on the ground. Even other shops around them seemed to have taken some damage and a good number of people were out in the open, talking in hushed whispers.
The signs of a violent altercation were unmistakable.
He saw Tang Yuqiu standing outside, flanked by the guards who had been assigned to them by the Tang Clan. They had anticipated something like an attack, though they could never have predicted that a powerful gang would be involved.
The calm resolve on Yuqiu's face quickly turned into a tense line when she saw Chen Ren approaching.
As he got closer, Chen Ren's gaze swept the area, taking in the damage. His heart sank as he observed. There was blood on the ground, some still fresh, some beginning to dry on the paved streets. The air was thick with the lingering smell of burnt wood, herbs, and the faint metallic stench of blood.
A few perfume bottles were spilled out on the streets, evidence of the struggle that had taken place. It was clear the attackers had tried to destroy their stock. Fortunately, only a few of them were scattered.
"Did Blood Snakes attack you?" Chen Ren called out, his voice low, scanning Tang Yuqiu's expression for any signs of distress.
Yuqiu's gaze met his, hard and focused, and she gave a short nod, her lips pressed into a tight line.
"Yes, they did. A group of half a dozen people." She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "But the guards handled it. They just threatened us and told us to give up the formula or they'd do more. Though, they flung a part of our stocks out on the streets and broke our board."
"Were you here when it happened? Did they hurt you?" Chen Ren asked, looking over her body. Thankfully, she didn't seem to be injured.
Yuqiu took a breath before explaining, "Yes, I was here when they came. And no, the guards protected me, so I was mostly unharmed and I believe they were trying to go past me to harm our stocks. Although they were from Blood Snakes, they didn't seem to be trained. The guards handled them easily, but they shouted that they would be back again. They're clearly not finished with us. But how do you know the Blood Snakes attacked us? Did they—"
Chen Ren nodded before she could complete her sentence. "They came after me too," he said, his voice low, eyes flicking to the unconscious forms of the bald thug and Zhi, who were now lying on a cart, being carried by Old Man Tian's grandson. "They sent cultivators. Barely managed to take them down, but I caught these two."
He pointed toward the two thugs, both of whom were still breathing but their injuries would take time to heal. The cart rattled softly as Old Man Tian's grandson moved them to the side of the street.
Yuqiu's frown deepened as she processed the information. "They sent cultivators? They are clearly not undermining us."
Chen Ren sighed. "Yeah, and it's clear they were keeping an eye on us. They only sent cultivators to target me knowing I'm one too. And I don't think they are going to just give up. If we sit around doing nothing, they might escalate things. A bigger attack could be coming."
Yuqiu looked at him, puzzled. "But... why would they want to escalate things? What do they want from us?"
Chen Ren's eyes narrowed, putting the pieces together. He had thought about this before he came here. "It's the Bai Hu Trade association. They can't do anything alone with our supply lines and staff secured, so they got the gang involved. Why they're working together is beyond me, but it's not good for us. Bai Hu's reach is far, but I never thought they would get someone like Blood Snakes involved."
Yuqiu's face flushed with anger as the realisation hit her. She took a step forward, her voice rising with frustration. "I'll go deal with them myself. They can't just bully the Tang Clan like this. I'll—"
Chen Ren stepped in front of her. "If you go now, they'll just deny everything," he said, cutting her off. "They'll say they don't know anything about it. Without proof, it'll just be another set of accusations with no way to back them up. That's why they didn't send their own men to handle this— they don't want to leave a trail. If you storm in there, they'll lie through their teeth and say they were never involved."
Tang Xiulan stepped forward, her expression one of determination mixed with concern. "So what do we do now?" she asked, glancing between Chen Ren and Yuqiu. "Should we inform the city guards?"
Chen Ren shook his head, his eyes scanning the damage once more before returning his gaze to Xiulan.
"We can, but I don't think anything will come out of it. The Blood Snakes attacked our shop without any city guards around, and there weren't any stationed down the market street either." He paused for a moment as if considering the implications of his words. "The truth is, they're already bought. Remember they were easily bribed by the bun shop owner. If such a person can do so, then a gang would have way more power. We can go and complain, but I don't expect them to take any action. It'll just be a formality."
Tang Yuqiu's face tightened at the suggestion. "So, what, we just let them get away with this? We won't even try to get them to listen?"
"I don't doubt that the Tang Clan could force them to give us protection— but it won't stop the Blood Snakes. Gangs like that don't care about any clan. They only respect power, and I was just talking to Xiulan about this. Do you know why the Blood Snakes can operate in the city without anyone stopping them?"
Yuqiu frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. "Why?"
Chen Ren's voice dropped slightly, his expression grim. "Their boss, Yu Kuang. The leader of the Blood Snakes is a foundation realm cultivator. I asked around before coming here."
That statement sent everyone into deep thought. Yuqiu couldn't help but pace back and forth in front of Chen Ren. Finally, she stopped and blinked at him, disbelief in her eyes "A foundation realm cultivator? That's... that's insane. Such a person is powerful enough to become an inner sect disciple in the Soaring Sword Sect."
Chen Ren nodded. "He can defeat someone like me— hundreds of times over— without even breaking a sweat. Not only that, they have dozens of body forging realm cultivators. That's why the Blood Snakes can do whatever they want, without fear of reprisal from anyone. No clan, no guard, no one can stand against him without serious consequences."
Yuqiu looked down, her jaw clenched in thought, and then she looked up, meeting Chen Ren's gaze again.
"Does the Tang Clan have someone like that?" he asked.
Yuqiu shook his head. "No. The Tang Clan doesn't have anyone on that level. I'm pretty sure my father can hire one, but it's rare to find someone at that level among the rogue cultivators."
"Then we're stuck in this situation," he said quietly. "We can't just force them to leave us alone. Not with someone like that pulling the strings. We need to be careful. We can't just rush in head first. We need a plan— a way to deal with the Blood Snakes keeping their boss in mind. Because if we go up against him, we'll be crushed."
A silence fell over them as the gravity of the situation settled in.
It's almost like everyone knew that something had to be done, but no one knew how to go about it without making the situation worse.
For maybe the first time since coming to this world, Chen Ren felt like he was grasping at straws. A foundation realm cultivator was way beyond his current state. They had a difference of one and a half realm between us. Tang Clan might be able to get more security, but against someone like him, even they needed to be careful.
That only left a few options.
Though, it wasn't as if every door was closed. He still had a trump card in Yalan and going by his estimates of her strength, she could deal against someone like Yu Kuang, but was this worth revealing her identity? He wasn't sure.
The more he had seen of his world, the more he realised that having a trump card like her was bigger than any cheat he might have received.
His mind raced, trying to come up with a solution where he could deal with Blood Snakes without anyone finding out about Yalan.
His gaze shifted from Yuqiu to the two unconscious thugs—Baldy and Zhi— who lay slumped in the cart. Then, his eyes flicked over to Yalan, who had been quietly observing the conversation from the sidelines.
A sudden thought struck him.
"I believe I have an idea," he said, getting the attention of both the women.
***
A/N - I got comments in last chapter of people disappointed about Dao of Money having fights. Although this is a more slice of life book, there will be fights. They won't always be brawls as Chen Ren will scheme his way out of them, but there will be fights other than just buisnesses. Also, the shouting out martial techniques part was more for showing he's still green as you can see in this chapter.
PS - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon.
Chapter 31. Taking out a gang (1)
"My boss will hear of it, and once he does, you won't be able to get out of the consequences," the bald thug growled, his spit dripping out of the corner of his mouth. His eyes, small and beady, were filled with hatred. "You dare go against him by beating his subordinate. You will pay with your life. Your life ends here. Your whole family will die—"
A sudden slap cracked through the room like a thunderclap. Chen Ren's hand recoiled from the strike, his dark eyes narrowing as he stared down at his captive.
"You talk too much for a prisoner, you know," he said.
The room was small, shrouded in deep shadow with only a wavering lamp. The air hung thick, heavy with the metallic tang of rust and the sour tang of sweat. The bald thug sat hunched, chained tight. His muscles strained against restraints that clinked with every shallow breath. Next to him, Zhi remained motionless, head lolling, still submerged in unconsciousness, the cold iron sigils along the chains pressing deep against their scorched flesh.
Chen Ren's gaze swept over them. He had made no mistakes. These were cultivators, after all. One lapse would cost him dearly, and so the chains had been tighter.
They had weighed the option of involving the city guards but knew their bureaucratic sluggishness and corruption all too well.
A report had been made of the attack, but they hadn't mentioned the fact that these two were captured by him. True to form, the guards responded with predictable ineptitude, increasing patrols around Market Street and stationing themselves around the perfume shop at the heart of this tangled plot.
But to Chen Ren, it was little more than a sideshow, a pretence to keep up appearances.
His plan was already in motion. And the bald thug before him—sneering, broken-lipped—was an important part that would soon make his plans come true. Or so he hoped.
Chen Ren squinted as he leaned forward. "Can't you just give me the location of your boss? I just want to meet him. I'm sure he'll be happy to see me. And maybe you could tell me which of the Bai Hu Association's dogs decided to meddle with my perfume shop."
The bald thug's mouth twisted into a sneer. "I will never say any—"
A sharp slap cut through the dim silence. The thug's head snapped to the side, his words dissolving into a choked grunt.
"I will slap you every time you say something I don't want to hear," Chen Ren said, his eyes narrowing at him.
The prisoner glared back, eyes brimming with hatred, teeth bared. Chen Ren felt the tension between them growing with every second. Without warning, he slapped the latter again, the suddenness jolting the thug out of his snarl.
"Why did you slap me again?" the thug spat.
"I didn't like your face," Chen Ren replied, deadpan, before his lips twitched in the ghost of a smirk.
And so it went. Each question was met with silence or rebellion, each resistance with another slap. The oil lamp sputtered as Chen Ren's hand met the thug's bruised cheek over and over.
Time crept by, and the minutes turned into half an hour.
The thug's face, once ruddy, became swollen and mottled with angry welts. It was almost funny.
The temptation to shatter the thug's annoying arrogance with a show of true power begged him, but he held back.
If he was about to let his inner demon win, this scumbag wouldn't survive—not in this state.
He needed him alive, for now.
"You're really loyal." Chen Ren's eyes narrowed as he studied the man's face. A small smile crept to his face. "At least your boss knows how to pick up his lackeys."
The bald man spat on the ground, his spit was mixed with blood. His eyes came up to face Chen Ren, the outer corner of his lips curling, "Fuck you."
Chen Ren's smile never wavered.
"I don't fuck with men and seeing your ugly face, I doubt even woman would," he said, turning towards the door. "Either way, enjoy your time here in the darkness. I will come to meet you two later and maybe then you will be in the mood to speak."
Moving past the two thugs, he closed the heavy door with a a loud thud, the sound of a final farewell to the captives.
He gave the building one last look before he turned, taking a few steps away. It was one of the warehouses the Tang Clan owned, one that was used for one of their businesses, but once it had failed, the warehouse had been kept empty.
He walked for a minute away from the warehouse and entered an alley, only stopping when a sudden voice pierced the stillness.
"Did he say anything?" It was Yalan. She spoke aloud since it was just the two of them.
Chen Ren didn't answer right away. His gaze drifted toward the shadows where she stood, her feline eyes glowing faintly in the dark. Her lithe form barely made a sound as she moved closer.
"No, he's pretty tenacious," Chen Ren finally replied.
Yalan's tail flicked in the air, her whiskers twitching. "Maybe it's a qi oath. I wouldn't be surprised if it were."
Chen Ren hummed at that. "Maybe. But we'll get our answers soon enough..." he frowned. Suddenly, his mind started rethinking everything. For what reason? He didn't know. "You're sure it will work, right?" he asked.
"I have no reason to lie to you," she said while licking her paws. "Your plan has a lot of variables, but it should work— if you can lie as well as you do every time."
Chen Ren feigned offence while touching his chest as if he was hurt. "It's called stretching the truth."
But before he could continue, Yalan cut him off with a swipe of her tail, her gaze never leaving the warehouse. "Just keep watching the warehouse," she purred, the words like a command. "If we're lucky, he'll try to get out in the next hour."
With a knowing smirk, Chen Ren followed her gaze, the cold wind tousling his hair as they both waited. The hours stretched out and the evening sun dipped under the horizon.
***
Guo Jiang didn't have an easy life. He hadn't been born into a family of great cultivators, and in his younger years, he had lived an ordinary life. But fate had twisted his path when he had been found to have spirit roots and an emerging sect had taken him in. The sect promised to hone his potential, but all it had truly done was push him toward an existence of hardship.
Rather than rising through the ranks and becoming immortal, Guo Jiang's talent proved to be insufficient.
His cultivation stagnated, and he found himself trapped in a cycle of disappointment. Determined not to be ordinary, he had sought out obscure techniques and forbidden manuals, hoping that they would give him the edge he needed. But those techniques came at a cost. His hair had fallen out in clumps, leaving him bald.
The teasing started soon after. "Baldy," they called him, and the name stuck, a constant reminder of his failure. He despised it with every fibre of his being, but it also stoked the fires of his fury. One fateful day, after years of torment, he had killed the fellow disciple who dared to mock him. It wasn't long before he was cast out of his sect, an outcast among outcasts.
Guo Jiang had wandered for a time, unsure of where to go. His plan had been to join the Soaring Sword Sect, to seek out a place where his talents might finally be nurtured. But that plan fell apart when his path crossed with the Blood Snakes in Cloud Mist City.
It wasn't the righteous path he had once dreamed of. It wasn't the life of a cultivator. But it was something more—a life where strength, ruthlessness, and ambition ruled. A life where he could thrive without the restrictions of sects or laws.
Soon, he had joined the Blood Snakes, a notorious gang, and quickly rose through the ranks, his status as a cultivator was a useful tool in gaining power. But with power came enemies, and Guo Jiang had made his share. Yet every enemy that had crossed him had eventually tasted his wrath. He was a man driven by vengeance and fury, and no one who crossed him ever got away unscathed.
And as he sat caged in the empty warehouse, he swore that Chen Ren would have the same fate.
Of all the people Guo Jiang had clashed with, this one had been the worst. Chen Ren had burned him with scorching oil, chained him like an animal, and slapped him repeatedly to the point his face had swollen. The humiliation had been unbearable. The fury that had grown inside him burned hotter than ever, and it seemed like no amount of time could cool it.
But he knew he couldn't be hasty.
He bided his time long after Chen Ren had left. The young master had made a mistake. He had failed to trap Guo Jiang in qi chains meant for cultivators. And now he had his chance.
He waited in the dim shadows of the warehouse, listening carefully as he counted the minutes that passed. Chen Ren had moved away, likely thinking that he had left him to rot. But Guo Jiang was no fool. His time would come.
He could feel the pulse of his own qi, still steady despite the weariness of his body.
His wrists ached, and his limbs felt like they might give out, but his determination was stronger. With a swift motion, he focused his energy on his wrists and broke the chains that bound him.
The chains fell with a sharp clang to the floor, their hollow echo ringing through the silence.
Pain shot through him as he slowly stood, but he didn't falter.
He gritted his teeth and moved forward, the world spinning slightly around him. The rage coursed through his veins, and his mind was set. He would have his revenge on Chen Ren. And when he escaped this place, he would make sure that the young master would regret ever crossing him.
In the depths of the darkness, he made up his mind.
The game was far from over.
And Chen Ren made a dangerous enemy. I will make sure to show him that.
He spat the blood in his mouth on the floor. Guo Jiang's eyes then went to Zhi, still unconscious and sprawled on the cold, stone floor.
He had nothing against the man, but he had no use of him right now. Perhaps later, he would come back to rescue him.
Guo Jiang's focus shifted quickly as he leaned against a stack of crates, peering cautiously through a crack in the window.
The street outside was empty for the moment. No one in sight. His breath caught in his chest for a brief moment before he used crates to propel himself up before opening the window whole. He took another look outside and then slipped out, moving swiftly but carefully, his steps silent against the ground.
He kept his senses sharp as he moved through the alleyways, keeping to the shadows, his body still aching from the earlier treatment.
The faint twitch of his muscles throbbed within him, keeping him on his feet, though every movement felt like a weight he was pushing against. But there was no time for weakness.
He had a plan, and his goal was clear—revenge.
As he neared the crowded street, Guo Jiang blended into the chaos.
The noise of vendors hawking their wares, the raucous laughter of drunks, and the chatter of people moving about all enveloped him. He was no longer just a bald man on the run; he was part of the pulse of the city, a shadow among many.
His presence melted into the crowd, though his pace was the same. His eyes flicked left and right, knowing he should always be on alert.
After weaving through several winding streets, he reached the slums of the city, a place no one dared tread unless they had business there. Its alleys were mostly empty and the few passerby only gave him a glance before continuing on their way.
After a few minutes, he reached the middle of the slums and approached a restaurant, its sign barely hanging above the entrance.
Two guards stood in front of it, their bored expressions turning to suspicion as they eyed him.
"Beggars aren't allowed here," one of the guards said dismissively.
Guo Jiang's lips curled into a dark smile, his eyes glinting with malice. "Stupid bastards," he spat. "I'm Guo Jiang. Now let me in." He paused and spat on the floor. "If you don't want to die quickly, you'd better let me meet the boss."
The guards froze at the mention of his name, their eyes widening with recognition. They both paled, realising just who they were dealing with.
"S-Sorry, we didn't recognize you," one of them stammered, stepping aside.
Guo Jiang gave them no more attention than they deserved, striding past them without a second glance. He muttered under his breath, the rage bubbling up inside him again. Chen Ren… once I get better, I'm going to kill you for this humiliation.
He walked through the door, the calm interior of the restaurant offering little warmth.
But he didn't care. He was already planning his next move.
What Guo Jiang didn't realise, though, was that a pair of eyes had never stopped watching him. He'd been so focused on his escape, so consumed by his thirst for revenge, that he hadn't noticed the shadow slipping in behind him, trailing his every move.
The door closed behind him.
***
Tang Yuqiu glanced at Chen Ren, her brow furrowed in concern. "Do you really think it would work? Just you going and having a talk with him?" she asked.
Chen Ren met her gaze, knowing she was worried about what was about to happen. "Well, we would also be creating a scene, making sure they take me seriously," he replied as a matter of fact. "But from what I know, there are very few cultivators in there— other than Yu Kuang. The others, I can handle."
He turned his attention briefly toward the restaurant building where Yalan had trailed Guo Jiang, the faint glint of the cat's form vanishing into the shadows outside.
His eyes flicked back to the concerned faces of Yuqiu and Xiulan, the former's brows knit in worry. Chen Ren hadn't shared the full scope of his plan with them. Yalan was hidden from their sight for a reason—some trump cards were best kept close to the chest, even among allies.
It wasn't that he didn't trust them, but certain moves required discretion. They were obviously concerned about him due to thinking that he would be risking his life against a foundation establishment realm cultivator, but he kept his mouth shut.
Around them, a half-dozen guards from the Tang Clan stood straight. They were mortal men, but their purpose was clear: to ensure Chen Ren had room to move toward the inner sanctum of the restaurant, where the boss—Yu Kuang waited. If anything went wrong, these men would keep the path clear long enough for Chen Ren to act.
But for now, he needed to deal with the guards at the front of the restaurant.
Chen Ren nodded at the men, then turned to his female companions. "Just stay here. I'll be out of the place in an hour. Don't worry too much—I'll handle it all. Not like I'm going and don't forget I'm from the Chen Clan. A mere gang can't stand against them, so if Yu Kuang tries to do anything, I will throw my clan name around."
The guards nodded in unison, while Yuqiu and Xiulan exchanged a brief glance. Despite their concern, they trusted him. They had no choice but to. And so, Chen Ren stepped forward, moving toward the restaurant entrance with light steps.
The moment he approached, the guards at the door stepped in his way, their faces tense. "The restaurant is closed," one of them said curtly, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade.
Chen Ren didn't break his stride. His eyes narrowed as he stared them down. "I saw people entering here a while back," he said, his voice cold.
"They are authorised to enter. You aren't."
Chen Ren's lips curled into a faint smirk as he spoke again, this time more forcefully. "I believe I need to change that, then."
Before the guards could react, a surge of lightning crackled to life around him, arcing through the air in a flash of bright energy. The guards flinched back instinctively, their eyes wide with fear. But Chen Ren didn't give them time to recover.
The final part of his plan began like that.
Chapter 32. Taking out a gang (2)
Yu Kuang's dark eyes narrowed as he glared at the man before him. The tension crackled between them, the air thick with unsaid threats. "What did you just say?"
The man who was on the opposite end flinched visibly. Baldy's lips trembled as he swallowed hard.
"We got beaten up and captured while trying to take down Chen Ren," he repeated, eyes darting between Yu Kuang's piercing stare and the ground beneath him. "The plan failed. He tried to interrogate me, but I refused to talk. I only managed to sneak out after he left." He shifted uneasily, revealing bruises and cuts that spoke of a recent struggle. "My current condition—it's all because of that bastard."
Yu Kuang's neutral mask fractured, his gaze turning icy. Baldy shivered involuntarily. "You were given one simple job: beat him up and make sure he remembers the warning," Yu Kuang said. "Chen Ren is a no-name rogue cultivator who lost miserably to Li Xuan. You have a more advanced cultivation than his, and you had numbers on your side. How did you fail?"
Baldy's eyes flared with desperation as he stammered, "Boss, he's tricky—a real slippery bastard. He threw hot oil at us, so we couldn't keep our footing. Some of the guys ran as soon as they saw the tide turn."
"Of course they did!" Yu Kuang snapped. "Of course, they fucking did!" he repeated. "You brought the low-level trash from our ranks. Do you even know why we keep them around? For numbers, Baldy, only for numbers!" He huffed, anger rolling off him in waves. "Now, because of your incompetence, the whole plan is in tatters. Chen Ren and that Tang Clan girl should have been terrified of us, ready to bend to our will so we could take their precious perfume formula."
Baldy lowered his head, his face going pale.
Yu Kuang's fists clenched, veins straining against his skin. "But now? Because of your stupid ass, it's all down the drain. What exactly do you expect me to do now?"
Baldy's mouth opened, but no sound came out. The only answer was the suffocating silence that filled the room. He opened his mouth twice more before his voice finally cracked as he stammered, eyes darting nervously to the floor.
"Boss, just one more chance. I'll heal up and handle it myself—smash his stall, wreck that perfume shop—"
Yu Kuang's expression hardened, the room seeming to chill under his glare. The silence stretched, suffocating, before he spoke, emphasizing every word as if even the idea was a joke. "Trust you? They'll be watching now. You think they'd fall for the same trick twice? Their morale will be high, and the guards won't look away as easily. Even that old, sickly bastard Tang Jihao will be aware now and he's far worse to deal with due to his connections with the City Lord." He exhaled sharply, muscles taut as he flexed his fists. "No. If anyone's going to crush that upstart, it'll be me."
Before the threat could linger, a sharp knock shattered the tense silence.
The door creaked open, and a Blood Snake member burst in, his face pale and eyes wild. His hair was all over the place as if he had raked through it over and over.
Signs of distress— Before Yu Kuang could conclude, the man spoke.
"Boss, we've got trouble. There's a group storming the building—took out the men on the ground floor and are coming up fast."
Yu Kuang's eyes widened, his jaw tightening. "Who?" His voice was a dangerous growl. "Is it those Earthen Toad bastards again?"
The man shook his head, sweat glistening on his brow. "No, boss. It's not a gang. The man calls himself Chen Ren. He's here, demanding to talk, and he's taken down everyone in his way. He's a cultivator."
Yu Kuang glared at Baldy, whose face had turned ashen, the blood draining away as if he'd seen a ghost.
***
Since arriving in this world, Chen Ren had seen many changes in himself—his muscles stronger, his reflexes quicker, and an energy inside him that made him feel alive in a way he never had before. But out of all these changes, what he liked most was how powerful he felt compared to an ordinary man.
A fist whistled past his ear, the rush of air sharp and close enough to stir the loose strands of his hair, but Chen Ren was already moving.
He ducked low, muscles coiling like springs ready to snap, and drove his foot into the attacker's chest with a force that made bones creak. The Blood Snakes thug was thrown back, gasping as he crashed into the wall and slumped. Before the man even hit the ground, Chen Ren twisted sharply, pivoting off his back foot and slamming his elbow into another opponent's jaw with a crack.
Sparks of lightning crackled between his clenched fists, the sharp, unpleasant bloody scent of ozone filling the narrow stairwell. The men around him halted, their eyes wide and darting, a flicker of doubt in their expressions as they took in the electric energy that now danced across his knuckles.
"Now!" The single word ripped through the clamour, sharp and commanding. Chen Ren's voice sliced through the chaos like a blade, snapping the Tang Clan guards into motion. Their eyes, wide with tension moments before, now hardened.
Staves whipped through the air, striking with thuds that resonated against flesh and bone. Short blades flashed, catching the dim light as they struck precisely, forcing the Blood Snakes men to retreat or double over with stunned grunts.
The thugs, who moments ago wore smirks of confidence, now stumbled back, eyes darting between Chen Ren and the advancing line of Tang Clan guards. Panic rippled through them, their once-brazen attacks now faltering as they hesitated at the sight of the cultivator's aura, crackling with restrained power.
Chen Ren's body was a blur as he wove through the fray. A pivot here, a sidestep there—each shift put him in the perfect position to disrupt an enemy's balance or open a path for the advancing guards. He gripped an attacker by the wrist, twisting until a sharp yelp escaped the man's lips, and shoved him into another oncoming foe. The two stumbled back, colliding against the rough stone wall with a thud that jarred their weapons loose.
A gap widened in the chaotic press of bodies, and Chen Ren seized it.
He hadn't anticipated so many of them packed into one place. The stairwell was narrow, cramped, and filled with shouts and the thud of bodies hitting stone. But with his lightning arts crackling around him, the Blood Snake men were hesitant, their attacks sloppy and unfocused.
Chen Ren took full advantage, gripping the rail and swinging himself upward, kicking one thug into the wall where he slumped, dazed.
More men barreled down the steps, their momentum used against them as Chen Ren sidestepped again, letting them crash into one another. Hah! A sweep of his leg tripped another, who tumbled down with a yelp. The clang of weapons dropping echoed through the stairwell, but Chen Ren didn't pause.
The climb was relentless. Every step was filled with flashes of lightning and gasps of shock. Chen Ren's heart pounded in his chest, not from exhaustion but exhilaration, the rush of battle reminding him of just how different—how superior—his body had become. One more kick, one more punch, and the path upward was finally clear.
He pressed onward, muscles tensed as he climbed the narrow staircase toward the first floor. He found it mostly empty, only the occasional groan of the fallen echoing behind him. The sounds of skirmishes below reassured him that the Tang Clan guards were holding their own. Without pausing, he set his sights on the second floor.
The air shifted as he reached the landing, heavier with tension. Three men stood waiting, eyes narrowed, bodies coiled like springs. Their auras thrummed with energy, and the fierce glint in their eyes revealed their status as cultivators.
Before Chen Ren could make a move, Yalan's voice hummed in his mind.
"They're in the body forging realm," she warned. "Two are at the first star, the other one at the second. You can handle them."
Chen Ren's lips tightened into a thin smile. "Understood."
A moment later, the three cultivators burst into motion.
Their feet barely touched the ground as they glided forward, bodies shifting with grace as their movement techniques left afterimages in their wake.
The strongest of them held a sword that gleamed ominously under the dim lantern light, its edge whispering promises of lethal intent. The other two, with their heavy clubs, approached like storm clouds rolling in, threatening blunt devastation.
Chen Ren didn't give them a chance to close in. With a swift stomp, he drove his foot into the wooden floor, the boards cracking apart beneath him. Splinters shot up in jagged arcs, like tiny daggers catching the light. The advancing men faltered, eyes darting as the sharp fragments pelted them.
He seized the moment. His body moved like a coiled spring, launching forward with explosive energy. His foot lashed out, catching the nearest club-wielder in the chest and sending him staggering backward, breath leaving him in a rush.
The second man grinned, showing all of his teeth at once, swung his club in a brutal arc, the force behind it enough to break bones. Chen Ren shifted just enough to let the blow glance off his shoulder, a flash of pain registering before it was pushed aside by adrenaline. The impact brought him close, close enough to grasp the man's arm and pivot sharply, twisting the limb with a crack that sent the club-wielder reeling. In a fluid motion, Chen Ren hurled him into the path of the sword-wielder.
The sharp clash of bodies echoed in the confined space, the sword-man's eyes widening as he struggled to avoid impaling his comrade. The momentary distraction was all Chen Ren needed. His fingers crackled with energy, the air around him heavy with the scent of blood. A thin grin tugged at his lips as he whispered, "[Lightning Frenzy]."
Arcs of blue-white electricity burst from his fingertips, leaping towards the three men. He moved forward and his fist moved forward in a blur and threw punches continuously.
The sword-wielder's eyes rolled back as the current coursed through him, muscles twitching before he collapsed. The others crumpled beside him, twitching once before falling still.
Silence descended, broken only by the creak of damaged floorboards and the muffled shouts from battles below. Chen Ren took a steadying breath, the electric buzz in his veins slowly fading.
He stepped over the fallen, boots whispering against the wood as he moved to the staircase leading up.
Yalan's voice murmured in his mind, this time lower, edged with unease. "I feel a stronger aura from the next floor. Yu Kuang is there."
Chen Ren nodded, briefly halting and taking out a pendant from his pocket.
Its surface glowed faintly as he put it on. He took a moment to catch Yalan's spirit energy swirling with intent as she walked past him with a lazy flicker of her tale. "Are you ready?" he whispered.
A soft chuckle resonated within him as she replied nonchalantly, "I'm always ready," Yalan replied. "Just make sure you can hold up the act."
Chen Ren's lips twitched into a smirk. "I'll be damned if I can't."
***
Chen Ren didn't encounter any more men on the third floor, allowing him a swift entry. He guessed most of them had run downstairs to confront the commotion, leaving it unguarded. Without hesitation, he moved past several doors and halted in front of a massive double door.
Although he didn't have Yalan's senses, even he could feel the prickle of insurmountable energy coming from behind the door.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself before he stepped into Yu Kuang's office.
The room spoke of power and luxury.
Velvet drapes in deep crimson framed large windows that overlooked the dark alleys of the city. A mahogany desk sat in the center, polished to a mirror sheen, adorned with a small white tiger statue that seemed to glare at any who approached. Gold-accented furniture added to the opulence. The scent of rare incense lingered in the air.
The man Chen Ren assumed to be Yu Kuang stood behind the desk. He appeared to be in his mid-thirties, with short, jet-black hair and a sharp, angular face that exuded a mix of cunning and malice. It was his eyes—his eyes that were sharper, holding so much more than met the eye.
Along with depth of experiences, there was a sense of youthfulness to them. Yet, Chen Ren knew better; this man was much older—much, much older than thirties.
His eyes didn't linger on him for long as he scanned the room, noting the Baldy standing near another unfamiliar man. His face had gone deathly pale, eyes wide with recognition and dread.
Chen Ren's lips curled into a mocking smile as he spoke, "Thank you for showing me your boss's location. I couldn't have found it without your help."
"You bastard!" Baldy spat, fists clenched at his sides.
"You should shut up. I'm not here to talk to you," Chen Ren replied smoothly, turning his attention back to Yu Kuang. "But your boss? Now that's a different story."
Yu Kuang's dark eyes narrowed slightly. Chen Ren strolled over to a chair in front of the desk and sat without waiting for permission.
"I guessed you won't ask me to sit. So, I'm just making myself comfortable," he said.
An oppressive force suddenly began to weigh down on him, rolling off Yu Kuang like a tide. Chen Ren's muscles tensed, a faint twitch in his jaw the only sign of discomfort. He forced himself to maintain a calm expression, meeting the gang leader's gaze without a trace of fear.
"If I were in your place, I wouldn't do that," Chen Ren said, voice steady despite the pressure threatening to crush him.
Yu Kuang's eyes gleamed with amusement as the aura intensified, pressing harder against Chen Ren's body. The air grew thick, almost suffocating, but Chen Ren willed himself not to flinch.
Finally, Yu Kuang broke the silence. "Good to finally meet you, Chen Ren. I was thinking about how to deal with you. But I wouldn't have guessed you were foolish enough to come here on your own. Now, let me propose a deal I often extend to those in your position."
His lips curled into a cold smile. "Five thousand silver wen, your perfume formula, and crippling your cultivation. In exchange, I'll let you live. Isn't that generous?"
Chen Ren's smile widened as Baldy's lips twitched into a forced grin, but he ignored him, eyes fixed on Yu Kuang.
"Sounds like a terrible deal to me," Chen Ren said calmly. "Let me propose one to you instead. I will spare your life if you write down who exactly asked you to destroy my businesses and steal my formula. I won't even go as far as to cripple your cultivation. Just give me the name."
As soon as he completed his sentence, the air in the room thickened and the oppressive aura bore down on Chen Ren once again. His muscles tensed, and he gritted his teeth, feeling every ounce of pressure pushing him down. He did his best to not show it.
Yu Kuang's smirk grew into a cold smile.
"So much boldness, yet so little strength," Yu Kuang mocked. "What gives you the confidence to stand against me when you know I could crush you with a single blow?"
Chen Ren managed a strained smile, defiance flickering in his eyes. "Good question," he said, taking a deep breath. "Why do you think I have the confidence to barge in here and face you when we have realms between us? I believe you know the answer—why don't you say it?"
Yu Kuang's brow furrowed as suspicion clouded his features. "I've heard of your clan, but they haven't paid your debts. They won't come to your rescue."
"It's not that," Chen Ren replied while reaching into his robes. With a deliberate motion, he pulled out a small coin, its surface gleaming with a dragon emblem intricately engraved on the top. He placed it on the table, and the sharp clink of the metal echoed in the stillness, cutting through the tension in the room.
Yu Kuang's eyes widened, recognition flashing across his features. "A sect crest," he muttered, as if unable to believe what he was seeing "You're under a sect."
Chen Ren gave a simple nod. "Yes. And right now, you're threatening the core disciple of my master."
At his words, the air in the room seemed to shift. A subtle glow began to emanate from the pendant hidden beneath his robes, giving off a soft, eerie light. The pressure in the room grew.
Without warning, the pressure intensified—an invisible force far stronger than Yu Kuang's aura began to bear down on every person in the room. Baldy's eyes bulged in fear as his knees buckled. His body crumpled to the floor with a heavy thud, his face drained of colour, his breath coming in shallow gasps.
Yu Kuang wasn't much better off. His own form swayed, his skin growing pale as his strength faltered under the pressure. His legs gave out from beneath him, and he too collapsed to the ground, hands scrambling to hold onto the table for support. His sharp features twisted in horror, the fear now unmistakable in his wide eyes.
Chen Ren's smile remained, cool and unshaken as Yu Kuang's aura disappeared.
With just one move of his, the balance of power shifted and the tides turned.
"So, how do you like my deal now?" Chen Ren asked, liking the panicked gaze in front of him.
Chapter 33. Scheming
Yu Kuang's expression was a sight to behold, something Chen Ren could appreciate and wouldn't forget for as long as he lived. The suffocating aura that had once been so thick in the air, almost crushing him under its weight, had dissipated. It wasn't just gone; it was replaced by something far colder, far more menacing—an aura that seemed to bleed directly from the necklace around Chen Ren's neck.
The pendant looked small but it glowed as if there was a power that was trapped in it; pulsing with an energy that seemed to rise and fall like the heartbeat of some ancient beast.
The temperature in the air dropped by several degrees, and for a moment, it all felt too still. Yu Kuang's eyes instinctively flicked toward the source of that chilling presence, the glimmer of the necklace catching his gaze.
His lips parted, but no words emerged.
His mouth opened and closed again as if he were trying to force out some coherent thought, but it was as though the very air had stolen his voice.
The confidence that had once been so prominent in his eyes shifted to a stunned bewilderment. Behind him, the baldy—who had been so brash moments before—was now kneeling, his face drained of colour, eyes wide with terror. His hands trembled on the ground as though he was too afraid to rise.
The third man was now sprawled unconscious on the ground, his body unable to withstand the pressure of the presence that surged through the air.
Chen Ren let the silence linger for a moment longer, allowing them to feel the full weight of the aura that radiated from him. With just one move, he had made a silent declaration that he was in control and he revelled in the feeling of it.
After a long moment, Chen Ren broke the silence.
"Now, I believe you understand why I was so confident coming here."
Yu Kuang's voice was shaky when he spoke, still struggling to compose himself, his words barely a whisper of their usual certainty. "You... you're a disciple of a Meridian Expansion realm master… one who gave you a spirit artifact with their aura locked inside it…"
Chen Ren's smile widened slightly, but he made no effort to confirm or deny the claim. "She gave me more than that," he said lightly, a playful tone dancing in his words. "But I'm not here to reveal all my secrets, and frankly, I'd prefer not to use this artifact on you either. You just left me no choice. Now, let's move on to the matter at hand—our deal."
He paused, letting his gaze shift to the kneeling baldy for a second before turning to Yu Kuang, who seemed to be still struggling with the shock. "You know what? I have to say, I respect you a bit. We both are businessmen," he continued, "Though your business methods are something I would never replicate—honestly, I can't bring myself to do it—I can't deny that you've got skill to make such a gang. But even the best make mistakes, and this one? This was a wrong deal. And like any good businessman, I'm sure you'll understand the need to take responsibility for it."
The words hung in the air, as if to allow them to sink in fully. The temperature around them felt like it had dropped another degree, though it wasn't from the necklace now, but from the expectation that Chen Ren threw at Yu Kuang. There was no hostility, no more attempts at intimidation. Just the quiet tension of two businessmen, each aware that a line had been crossed.
Yu Kuang's expression shifted, his arrogance fractured, but his pride remained. His eyes flickered to the baldy and then to the collapsed figure of his other companion, before narrowing on Chen Ren. He opened his mouth again, but this time, he seemed to realise that whatever he said next would matter more than it ever had before. The game had shifted—no longer was it about threats, but about understanding. Chen Ren knew what would come next—a deal.
He gritted his teeth and with narrowed eyes, he visibly clenched and unclenched his wrist. His pride had been shredded, but there was no escaping the reality now. Yu Kuang finally spoke. "I'll tell you everything."
Chen Ren's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing the shift in Yu Kuang. "It's Bai Hu Trade Association's doing, right?" he asked.
Yu Kuang gave a reluctant nod, his voice tight as he spoke the name that now bound him in this web of deceit. "It's the chairman's son, Bai Shen. He agreed to give us a thirty percent cut if we managed to get the formula from you and destroy your business."
Chen Ren raised an eyebrow, the surprise flickering across his face, but he quickly masked it with a knowing smile. "That's a lot."
Yu Kuang's expression darkened, his voice barely above a whisper. "I got caught in greed. I did everything because of that. Like you said, I made a bad business deal, and now I'm paying for it."
Chen Ren nodded slowly, his gaze calculating as he processed the information. Bai Shen's desperation was more than obvious. Offering such a significant cut to an organisation like the Blood Snakes showed just how much was at stake for him. But something about this struck a deeper chord. His thoughts flickered, but he kept his focus sharp, unwilling to let his mind wander too far.
What did catch his attention more than anything was the complete shift in Yu Kuang's demeanour. The arrogance had crumbled, replaced by something far more grounded—a man faced with the consequences of his actions. But it wasn't just the sudden shift that intrigued Chen Ren. It was the power behind it, the very same power that was now asserting itself in this space. It wasn't him that Yu Kuang feared, but the aura of influence that hung over him. That has always been the key in this world—power. Cultivation realms weren't just a pursuit; they were the bedrock of everything.
Still, Chen Ren didn't let his musings take hold of him. Instead, he kept his focus steady as he looked directly into Yu Kuang's eyes. "I need your word. After this, you won't go after my business, or the Tang Clan's business."
Yu Kuang's mouth opened slightly with hesitation before he nodded, his voice almost hollow. "With your master behind you, I'd be a fool to go after you."
Chen Ren's lips twitched in satisfaction, but he didn't let the matter rest. "Okay, I'll take your word on it." Then his expression shifted to something more amused, the corners of his mouth curling in a smirk. "But I'd like it in writing."
Yu Kuang blinked in confusion. "What?"
Chen Ren's smirk deepened. "Not just your word that you won't harm me or my businesses anymore. I want you to put down on paper that Bai Shen was behind all this. That he made this deal with you."
Yu Kuang's face contorted in discomfort, his eyes darting around the room, as though seeking an escape from the situation. "My reputation will be ruined," he protested, his voice tight.
Chen Ren shrugged nonchalantly, as if the matter wasn't worth arguing. "A gang shouldn't care about that. And you're getting off easy here, trust me. I'm not using it to go after you or your people. I just need it to take down Bai Shen. Nothing more, nothing less. So just do it."
He watched Yu Kuang hesitate, his pride clearly battling against the harsh reality of his situation. After a long pause, it seemed like the truth finally sank in. He exhaled sharply, his shoulders slumping as if the weight of his choice pressed down on him. "Fine," he muttered, and Chen Ren could see the bitterness in his expression as the words left his mouth.
Chen Ren gave a single, approving nod, his expression turning satisfied.
The light from the pendant flickered, its power undisturbed by the exchange, yet it had served its purpose—letting Yu Kuang know that any further resistance would be futile. The balance of power had irrevocably changed, and Yu Kuang understood this now more than ever.
He gave a final glance at Chen Ren before moving to a nearby table, where a piece of parchment and a quill were neatly placed.
He sat down, the motions slow, almost looking painful, and began to write. The scratch of the quill against the paper was the only sound in the room, and Chen Ren watched with a quiet sense of satisfaction.
"Sign it, too," Chen Ren said, his voice calm, but there was an edge to it that left no room for argument. Yu Kuang paused, looking up at him with a slight narrow in his eyes before nodding and continuing. He scrawled his signature at the bottom of the paper, his hand shaking ever so slightly as he pushed it toward Chen Ren.
Chen Ren took the paper, his fingers brushing over it as he read the content. The words were exactly what he had asked for—Yu Kuang's admission that Bai Shen had orchestrated the entire plot, using the Blood Snakes to destroy his business. There was no mistaking it now. Chen Ren nodded once, satisfied with the document.
He stood up, intending to leave, but as he moved toward the door, he paused. Something caught his eye. To the side, in a chest, he saw a sack filled with silver wen—heavy and full. It gleamed under the dim light, and Chen Ren could sense the amount of wealth it contained.
"What's that?" he asked, his voice casual, though his eyes were sharp.
Yu Kuang, though clearly unwilling to part with it, didn't hesitate this time. "One thousand silver wen," he muttered, almost apologetically.
Chen Ren's lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. "I'll take it as compensation for the injuries your men caused on Market Street," he said, his tone indifferent but firm. "Also, consider it for the mental strain I've gone through." He paused, watching Yu Kuang's face for any sign of objection. "Oh, and one more thing—try not to send your men into Market Street again. I wouldn't want to see more of this happening."
Yu Kuang said nothing, his gaze falling to the ground as though ashamed. He knew better than to argue now. With a reluctant nod, he pushed the pouch over toward Chen Ren.
Without another word, Chen Ren grabbed the sack of silver and moved toward the door. He slid it open and stepped out, heading downstairs.
As he descended to the ground floor, the sounds of the chaos from earlier became clearer. There, in the dim light of the lower hall, the Blood Snakes were scattered across the floor. Bodies were sprawled in every direction, some groaning, others unconscious, their blood staining the wooden floor in pools. The air was thick with the scent of it. Yet, what struck Chen Ren most was the absence of Tang Clan members.
He had instructed them to leave, to retreat after the battle had reached its peak and avoid unnecessary casualties. It seemed they had followed his orders well, as none of them were seen among the fallen.
The Blood Snakes, however, had not fared nearly as well. Their members were bruised, battered, and broken. Though the fight had been brief, the result was decisive.
Chen Ren gave a brief glance over his shoulder as he exited the building, his eyes scanning the area one last time to ensure no one was following. The last thing he needed now was a loose end to tie up. The heavy tension from earlier seemed to dissipate, replaced by a calmness he liked. He felt the weight of the situation easing as the cool night air brushed against his face.
It was then that he felt a sudden movement from his back, a light squirming sensation. Before he could react, a small form popped out, emerging from his clothing. A tiny kitten the size of his palm landed gracefully on his shoulder, its soft fur brushing against his skin. It was Yalan, but in a form far more fragile and small than he had ever seen before— a kitten.
Yalan's expression was one of clear discomfort, her brow furrowed in frustration. "This form takes too much of my energy," she muttered, her voice sounding almost strained. It was a squeaky, small sound that came from her. "Especially with trying to oppress that unsightly man."
Chen Ren glanced at her, his lips twitching as he resisted the urge to reach out and pet her. It wasn't that he didn't want to; he could feel the urge rising within him. The sight of her, so small and cute, was enough to melt anyone's hard front. But he knew better. This entire plan had succeeded because of Yalan's techniques and the energy she had poured into their success. The last thing he could afford was angering her by treating her like a mere pet.
He kept his gaze steady as he continued walking, allowing her to rest on his shoulder. Yalan, for her part, didn't seem to mind the perch, though her feline eyes glinted with annoyance at the situation.
Chen Ren spoke softly in his mind, his tone reflective. "That worked pretty well, I think. Yu Kuang totally bought my story."
Yalan's voice, calm yet laced with a tinge of weariness, echoed in his thoughts. "It's the truth, either way. Although not a formal disciple, I do teach you."
Chen Ren couldn't help but smile slightly at her words, but there was no time to linger on that. His attention returned to the task at hand, and he slowed his pace for a moment, speaking aloud this time. "The only lie we told was about the trinket. I wonder how many people would believe that thing is more than just a dim light source."
Yalan's voice responded with a faint, exasperated sigh. "The trinket... It's useless. Nothing more than a faint glow. But it served its purpose today."
Chen Ren nodded, his lips curling into a small smirk.
"Yeah, it's funny how that trinket turned out to be one of the few things the previous Chen Ren actually got right. He bought it from a random merchant, thinking it was some sort of treasure. It was too late before he realised he had been scammed." A chuckle escaped his lips, though it was quiet. "I suppose it's coming to our rescue now, in a way. Who would have thought?"
Yalan didn't respond immediately, perhaps contemplating the odd series of events. After a moment, she purred softly, as though giving him silent approval. "It may be useless, but in the right hands... even the most invaluable trinket can have its value."
Chen Ren considered that for a moment, letting her words sink in. It was true, after all. Sometimes, even the most insignificant things could be useful when used correctly.
His thoughts were interrupted as he finally reached the main street, stepping lightly through the dim light cast by lanterns. His mind sharpened as he glanced around, aware that his actions earlier might have left traces. But everything was in place. The plan had gone off without a hitch, and now, it was time to take the next step.
"Alright, let's keep moving," he muttered, pushing forward into the night. The game was far from over, but it helped that he let himself enjoy the quiet after a hell lot of chaos and blood.
***
Chen Ren walked through the streets, the cool night air brushing against his face, Yalan still perched on his shoulder. The sound of his footsteps echoed softly in the narrow alley, and his mind was already preparing for the next phase. The plan had gone off without a hitch, but there was more to do, more to achieve. The feeling of victory was fleeting—there was always something else to move towards.
As they reached the familiar alley where Tang Xiulan and Yuqiu waited, the two of them immediately relaxed when seeing Chen Ren's face. Their tense postures softened, the worry they had carried on their shoulders melting away in an instant.
Yuqiu was the first to speak. "How did it go?"
Chen Ren gave a small, satisfied smile. "As good as I could have hoped for." He reached into his cloak, pulling out the signed document. He handed it over to them, watching their expressions as they unfolded it.
Their eyes widened, brows furrowing in disbelief. Yuqiu, in particular, seemed ready to burst into flames. Her eyes narrowed, a deep frustration flashing across her face as she muttered, "Bai Shen, that bastard…"
Chen Ren chuckled softly, but his voice carried a hint of amusement. "That sort of language doesn't suit you." Yuqiu shot him a glare, still bristling with anger. "You seem to know him. Tell me more."
She took a deep breath, her voice steadying, though it was clear she still had unresolved tension. "Bai Shen... he's the son of the chairman of the Bai Hu Trade Association. Spoiled. Arrogant. Far too confident for someone who's barely a cultivator. He only has seven spirit roots, but he's as stubborn as a genius blessed by heavens. Even after taking pills for his cultivation, he's only at second star body forging realm. Last winter, I rejected his marriage proposal, and ever since then, he's been sending me a letter every week asking me to reconsider. He's convinced that I'm making a mistake."
Chen Ren smirked, letting out a quiet chuckle. "A love-sick young master. Sounds easy enough to deal with." His thoughts drifted for a moment, considering how he could use this to his advantage. Those obsessed with their pride, were often the most vulnerable to manipulation.
Xiulan, who had been listening closely, looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "But how did you manage to deal with Yu Kuang, young master? A Foundation Realm cultivator would never have written something like that."
Chen Ren's grin widened as he turned his eyes toward her. "I told you I have my ways, but I like to keep my secrets," he said and almost threw her a wink, but stopped himself from doing so. "You'll find them out one day, if I feel like it." His gaze softened slightly. "For now, we should focus on Bai Shen. I'm itching for a nice face-slapping."
Tang Xiulan blinked at him, clearly taken aback. "Face-slapping?"
Chen Ren's grin grew wider, the anticipation clear in his eyes.
"You'll find out. Soon enough."
***
Bai Shen sat across from his father, Bai Hu, in the lavishly decorated office of the Bai Hu Trade Association.
His father's piercing gaze was fixed on him, scrutinising every detail of his posture. Bai Shen clenched his fists under the table, but he knew better than to show any weakness in front of his father.
"Father," Bai Shen began, his voice brimming with self-assurance, "I've tried everything to get their formula and ruin their business. My methods haven't worked, but don't worry—soon enough, their formula will be ours. I've already made the arrangements. By any day now, I will present it to you. I've ensured that the deal is all but done."
Bai Hu remained silent for a moment, his sharp eyes never leaving his son. The older man's hands were folded neatly in front of him, his face unreadable as he processed the words. Finally, he spoke, his voice low but carrying an undeniable weight. "Are you sure?"
Bai Shen's chest puffed out as he stood a little straighter, meeting his father's gaze with a defiant grin. "Obviously, Father. You don't have to worry. You'll see it for yourself. As your son, I can never lose face." The words left his mouth with a smug assurance, as if he was already victorious.
But before he could continue, a loud voice suddenly boomed from outside the office, cutting through the tension in the room like a blade.
"Bai Hu! Bai Shen! Come out! I, Chen Ren, have come to deal with your unsightly tactics and put an end to them!"
Both father and son froze, their faces turning towards the door at the same time. Bai Shen's smirk faltered, replaced by confusion. He shot a quick glance at his father, who was already rising from his seat, his expression darkening.
He immediately took a step back due to instincts as he felt the anger coursing through him.
"Let's go and see what this is about," Bai Hu muttered, his voice barely audible, though the command was clear. Without another word, both of them moved swiftly toward the door.
As they stepped outside, the sight that greeted them made Bai Shen's blood run cold. Standing before them were Tang Yuqiu, a maid named Tang Xiulan who he had looked into, and Chen Ren—his eyes narrowed.
They radiated an unsettling aura, their expressions calm yet determined.
Bai Shen's mind raced, trying to piece together what had happened. What was this boldness? Who did Chen Ren think he was to speak to them like this? His gaze flicked over to his father, only to find Bai Hu's face a mask of unreadable calm.
"What's going on?" Bai Shen asked, his voice tinged with annoyance as he looked down at Chen Ren with a glare.
Chen Ren, standing in the front, did not flinch at the question.
His eyes were locked onto Bai Shen with a dead stare that held something deeper—something cold, calculating.
"Bai Shen," he said, his voice sharp and clear, "pleasure to make your acquaintance. But perhaps in a different situation, I would have treated you better. Today, I have come to teach you a lesson. For your unsightly tactics, for hiring the Blood Snakes to harm my businesses, I challenge you to a trial by might."