Li Chonglou's eyes blazed with cold fury at the words.
He had promised Li Duoer that he wouldn't kill Li Hanlong, but rather hand him over to the police, using the golden Buddha head as leverage for his conviction.
As for the冤魂 (yuān hún - vengeful spirits) who died by his hand later, whether the police could find evidence was none of his concern.
But he hadn't expected Li Hanlong, this centipede-like creature, to be so tenacious in death.
He actually dared to threaten him with his mother's and Jiang Yuxin's lives.
Seeking death!
In that instant, Li Chonglou's killing intent surged, his fists clenched so tightly that veins bulged and his knuckles turned pale.
Bloodshot veins in his eyes spread with visible speed.
"Whether I live or die is none of your concern. You won't be leaving this private room today!" Li Chonglou's voice was as cold as ancient ice.
In this world, the person he cared about most was his mother.
No one could threaten him with her.
But Li Hanlong had committed this unforgivable sin. Only the dead would not seek revenge after their release.
Rather than live in constant fear, it was better to end it all.
At this moment, Li Chonglou changed his mind.
"Chonglou... the police are downstairs, don't do anything foolish!" Xiao Yun, seeing the situation turn south, quickly whispered a warning.
It was clear that Li Chonglou was losing his composure.
"Brother, as long as you're alive, there's always hope for more firewood..."
Ning Lang also chimed in, "I've used underhanded tactics myself. Once he's in jail, his fate will be out of his hands."
"Acting impulsively now will only land you in trouble."
Both of them, like a sister and brother, were genuinely concerned for Li Chonglou.
"You want to kill me? Come on, show me if you have the guts!" Li Hanlong's sneer grew more arrogant and unbridled, fearlessly provoking Li Chonglou. "Kid, I've seen plenty of worms like you."
"You talk big, but when it comes to action, you're a coward, afraid to even kill someone. What qualifications do you have to oppose me?"
"If it weren't for that fortune-telling charlatan, you would have been a dead soul under my palm long ago."
"Just wait for death!"
He finished speaking, a smug look rising in his eyes.
He was deliberately provoking Li Chonglou.
To kill him under the watchful eyes of the police?
Unless he was a reckless fool with nothing to lose, Li Chonglou, who cared about his mother and wife.
Even if you gave him a hundred and eighty times the courage, he wouldn't dare to touch him.
Having navigated the martial world for so many years, he understood human nature's flaws intimately.
Li Chonglou's eye twitched.
He relaxed his grip.
A look of determination flashed in his eyes.
He strode towards Li Hanlong, his palm forming a blade.
Li Hanlong was right; he did care about his mother, Jiang Yuxin, and these brothers and sisters.
But he had underestimated his own resolve.
Precisely because he cared, for their sake, he was fearless even in the face of death.
Let alone killing!
An eye for an eye, as long as his mother was safe, everything was worth it.
Having already died once, what else could threaten him?
In that instant, Li Chonglou's decision to kill was final.
Today, Li Hanlong would surely fall by his palm.
"You damn scoundrel, you want to kill my master?" Just then, Zhang Dongxu suddenly yelped, his face a mask of terror.
Then, a faint sound of flesh being pierced was heard. Li Hanlong's eyes widened in utter horror.
He turned to look at Zhang Dongxu.
Everyone's attention was drawn by the yelp.
Only then did they see that Zhang Dongxu, at some unknown point, was holding a dagger, its tip deeply embedded in Li Hanlong's spleen.
His expression was a mixture of panic and a hint of triumph, his eyes fixed on Li Chonglou.
His lips moved, but no sound came out.
Yet Li Chonglou's steps faltered, his pupils dilating rapidly.
He understood. Zhang Dongxu was telling him: "Master, this is your disciple's pledge of allegiance!"
At that moment, a jolt of electricity coursed through him.
His heart pounded, filled with immense gratitude.
He muttered softly, "Fool..."
Hearing him cursed, Zhang Dongxu's face broke into a relieved smile.
No one could have imagined that Li Hanlong, so arrogant even when subdued, would be stabbed by an obscure young punk who barely attracted attention.
And this punk had staged a scene of panicked killing.
This...
Xiao Yun and Ning Lang instantly understood.
They were both seasoned individuals; how could they not grasp the meaning behind Zhang Dongxu's yelp?
Premeditated murder was a death sentence.
But killing in a fit of passion carried a life sentence, a vast difference between the two.
Zhang Dongxu was acting as if he thought Li Hanlong was going to harm his master, thus becoming emotionally agitated and fearful, leading to a fatal accident.
Everything was presented as a seamless narrative.
It was meant to fool the surveillance cameras in the room, and also the police.
These were skills he had acquired when working at a loan shark company.
He never expected to use them here today.
Zheng Rui, standing beside him, felt a surge of admiration and subtly released his grip on Li Hanlong.
"I spent my life hunting eagles, and never expected to fall to a fledgling like you..." Li Hanlong looked at Zhang Dongxu, the horror on his face slowly turning into self-mockery.
With no one to support him, he slumped to the ground with a thud before finishing his words.
His body twitched a few times.
Although not yet dead, he knew his life was over.
That stab wound had perfectly hit his spleen.
Even if the police arrived now and rushed him to the nearest hospital, it would be too late to save him.
He was as good as dead.
He didn't fear death; he lived by the sword. But he never imagined he would die at the hands of a small fry like Zhang Dongxu.
It wasn't worth it, and he was unwilling to accept it!
At this moment, Li Hanlong's hatred ran deeper than when Li Duoer and Yan Bin betrayed him.
Yet, as a self-proclaimed formidable figure, he refused to show his current weakness.
He then turned to Li Chonglou and said, "You've trained a good disciple..."
"I didn't lose to you; I just lost because I misjudged people!"
"Li Chonglou, I'll be waiting for you in the underworld..."
Before he could finish speaking, the door was opened by the police.
Seeing the scene, they all changed color. The leader looked towards Xiao Yun.
While ordinary people might not recognize the head of the Xiao family, the police system certainly would.
And Ning Lang; these were all individuals of particular interest. And today, they were all gathered here.
And someone had been injured.
This matter was likely to be complicated.
"He was emotionally agitated and accidentally injured someone... handle it as you see fit," Xiao Yun sighed. Although she didn't say much, her intent was clear.
The perpetrator was her subordinate.
Regardless, out of respect for her, they should be lenient.
The leading police officer, being perceptive and experienced, said no more useless words. He waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to take away Li Hanlong and Zhang Dongxu.
The others were to provide their statements on the spot.
"I'll wait for you to get out!" Li Chonglou shouted at Zhang Dongxu, who was being escorted out.
For some reason, his nose felt a long-lost sting.
Ning Lang gently patted Li Chonglou's shoulder, offering the most appropriate comfort between friends.
Li Chonglou smiled.
He sat back down in his chair, unseen by anyone was the sadness hidden behind his smile.
Li Hanlong was bound to die, but he felt no pleasure from it.
If he had killed him himself, perhaps he would have felt better. But no one had expected Zhang Dongxu to step forward on his behalf.
At this moment, his master's words upon their first meeting echoed in his mind.
His destiny had changed, and he would face no more imprisonment.
But his future would be fraught with difficulties, facing at least eighty-one tribulations.
Having lived two lives, his mind was only filled with the desire to protect others. This was the first time he experienced being protected.
If he had known this earlier, he would have kicked Zhang Dongxu back to Qin Province from the start.
But even the divine, how many could foresee the future?
At this moment, a deep sense of powerlessness washed over Li Chonglou.
The world shouldn't be like this.
To change the world, his strength was too weak.
So weak as to be almost negligible.
No, he couldn't continue like this, otherwise, more people would die or lose their freedom because of him.
To confront the unknown power, he had to climb higher.
Climb to an unreachable peak, facing solitude and cold directly. Only then could he truly protect those he cared about.
Suddenly, a determined light ignited in Li Chonglou's slightly dimming eyes.
His entire demeanor transformed.
If before he was like a drawn sword, its cold gleam fully exposed, sharp and evident.
Then, at this moment, he was like a sheathed sword, its sharpness completely concealed, plain and unadorned, but even more deadly.
A true gentleman conceals his talents, waiting for the opportune moment!
"Chonglou, go back with Ning Lang... Xiao Ying is very worried about you." After giving his statement and cooperating with the police in retrieving surveillance footage, Xiao Yun returned to the private room to express her concern.
Li Chonglou smiled, "No need. I'm waiting for Duoer."
"If the Sanlian Zhang doesn't arrive, I fear there might be complications."
The matter of the golden Buddha head was not his responsibility; the police would handle it.
But the Sanlian Zhang was something Xiao Yun must obtain. If Li Duoer couldn't deliver it, he would have to retrieve it himself, before the police did.
Fortunately, Li Duoer did not disappoint him.
About ten minutes later, she returned to the private room, panting.
She handed the Sanlian Zhang, contained within a Hainan huanghuali wooden box, to Li Chonglou, and asked, wiping the sweat from her brow, "Big Brother, where is my uncle?"
"He's dead." Li Chonglou handed the Zhang to Xiao Yun and said sternly.
Li Duoer's beautiful eyes widened, her face a picture of disbelief. She took two steps back, "You... you promised me you wouldn't kill him?"
"If I didn't kill him, he would have killed my entire family. I can betray you, but I cannot betray everyone else!" Li Chonglou's voice was cold and ruthless.
Hearing this, Li Duoer trembled all over, her teeth clenched tightly.
Her eyes darted back and forth.
She cursed, "You scoundrel, you lied to me..."
"You used me, you scumbag!"
"We're even." Li Chonglou's heart ached, but he forced himself to maintain a calm voice, "When you brought me to Yongan, weren't you also deceiving me?"
"Li Hanlong is dead. If you want revenge, feel free to seek it."
"If not, find a place and live your life well."
Hearing these words, Li Duoer's emotions completely collapsed, and she could no longer hold back the tears in her eyes.
She wailed, "I will never forgive you!"
With that, she turned, covering her face, and ran out of the private room.
Seeing this, Xiao Yun couldn't help but sigh, "Why do this? To protect her, you pretend to be so heartless. Isn't that more of a hurt to her?"
She could see through Li Chonglou's intentions, but from a woman's perspective, it seemed excessively cruel.
Li Chonglou had personally shattered this little girl's last shred of illusion about the world.
Although it was done to protect her.
After all, if the powerful figure behind it became displeased, everyone involved would face retaliation.
Especially Li Duoer, a traitor.
Whether using such a method to distance her from danger was right or wrong, no one knew.