027 Death

Faced with the sudden appearance of over a hundred men, Chen Yuannan was utterly astonished. Before he could react, a burly, dark-skinned man had already lunged in front of him, wielding a gleaming steel blade.

“Chen Yuannan, today is your last day!” the man bellowed, his voice thundering like a great bell, making Chen Yuannan’s eardrums ring.

“Black Bear!” Chen Yuannan cried out in despair, uttering a name that was nothing short of a nightmare to him—one he least wished to mention or encounter.

How had Black Bear appeared so suddenly?

Chen Yuannan was considered a formidable fighter; if not, he would never have risen to power in the southern city, commanding the fear and devotion of countless followers. Yet in front of Black Bear, he felt utterly powerless, not even daring to struggle. He turned and fled without hesitation.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Black Bear roared, plunging the steel blade viciously toward Chen Yuannan’s back.

In his original plan, Black Bear intended to torment and mock Chen Yuannan during their confrontation, to establish his own authority upon entering the southern city. But now, seeing Lin Qi under siege, Black Bear lost all reason.

That was the young master!

How dare Chen Yuannan attack the young master!

He must die!

With a single strike, Chen Yuannan fell dead on the spot, collapsing face-first into the dirt.

At the same time, the men Black Bear had brought with him launched a frenzied assault on Chen Yuannan’s subordinates. The air was filled with the sounds of slaughter and desperate screams.

Yet with Black Bear’s overwhelming numbers and Chen Yuannan already dead, his followers had no will left to fight. They scattered in panic, only those unable to escape meeting a grisly fate.

“Young master, are you all right?” Black Bear hurried to Lin Qi’s side.

“I’m fine!” Lin Qi didn’t have time to ask how Black Bear had arrived; his first thought was for Sun Xiaoyun.

Sun Xiaoyun lay on the ground, her body battered and bruised, barely clinging to life and already unconscious.

“Hurry, drive me to Song Qingfeng!” Lin Qi scooped her up and rushed toward the road.

Black Bear pulled up in an SUV, carrying Lin Qi and Sun Xiaoyun toward the city.

On the way, Lin Qi kept shouting at Sun Xiaoyun, “Don’t sleep! Stay with me! Wake up!”

Miraculously, Sun Xiaoyun did stir once at his call, but her eyes closed almost immediately, drifting back into unconsciousness. There was no particular reason—she simply felt safe, secure, and warm at Lin Qi’s side. At some point, she had come to trust and rely on him deeply.

Reaching an urban village, Lin Qi carried Sun Xiaoyun in his arms, running at full speed to a modest house.

“Young master…” Song Qingfeng came out to greet them.

“Save her, quickly!” Lin Qi’s anxiety was palpable.

He had no idea how badly Sun Xiaoyun was hurt, placing all his hopes in Song Qingfeng.

On the surgery table inside, the elderly Song Qingfeng, his hair and beard snow-white, carefully examined her. Known as the “Ancestor of the King of Hell,” he had once fled the capital together with Lin Qi. Though he would not claim to be the world’s greatest doctor, his skills were second to none.

On the Apricot Grove Registry, no matter how the rankings shifted, he was always among the top five. Many had crossed mountains and spent fortunes just for a chance to see him, not to mention seek his aid.

“She’ll be all right,” Song Qingfeng said after a while. “Just some superficial wounds, and a slight concussion. With my medicine and some rest, she’ll recover.”

“Good, good, I’ll leave her to you…” Lin Qi finally breathed a sigh of relief, stepping back and collapsing onto the floor.

He still didn’t know why Chen Yuannan had attacked him, but it was clear that Sun Xiaoyun’s ordeal was because of him. He had never wanted anything to happen to her.

Black Bear sat down beside Lin Qi. Towering and powerfully built, he looked like a great black bear himself, making Lin Qi seem almost lamb-like by comparison. Yet his demeanor toward Lin Qi was one of utmost respect.

“Young master, that was close…” Just recalling what had happened made Black Bear’s heart race.

Ever since his release, Black Bear had closely monitored Chen Yuannan’s movements. But since Chen Yuannan remained in the southern city, Black Bear had had little opportunity to act. Today, however, when Chen Yuannan suddenly led dozens of men to the outskirts, Black Bear realized his chance had come and gathered his forces to intercept him.

When he saw Lin Qi being attacked, his shock and disbelief were beyond words.

“I had no idea you were his target!” Black Bear said through gritted teeth, full of confusion. “Young master, why did he go after you?”

Lin Qi pondered for a moment, then replied, “There’s a man called Boss Chai on Construction Street. Go bring him to me.”

He vaguely recalled Chen Yuannan mentioning Boss Chai. This fellow must know something.

“Yes, sir.” Black Bear immediately turned and left.