Under such harsh conditions, let alone people, even some near-shore creatures had long since retreated into their nests.
A white light ghosted through the sky and across the sea surface, thunder rumbling closer, threatening to tear at Ren Yuanhao's eardrums.
After he righted himself, he first circulated the Bì Hǎi Cháo Shēng, stabilized his inner breath, and then, bracing against the gale and lightning, climbed out of the overturned car.
The scene outside the car was even more heart-stopping.
The dark clouds in the sky surged like wild horses, sweeping in from the other side of the sea. White lightning crackled and leaped within them, while sand and dust billowed, obscuring the sky. If Ren Yuanhao hadn't possessed some martial skill, he would surely have been swept away by the wind by now!
"Southeast, it should be that way."
Ren Yuanhao glanced at the compass on his phone. He strained his eyes, but saw only swirling sand and smoke, which only deepened his anxiety. In this environment of extremely low visibility, he could only see less than a hundred meters ahead. Finding the abandoned manor that Ye Lan had spoken of would likely take more than ten times the usual effort.
He leaned against the car door, gathering all his strength to try and flip the vehicle over. However, the wind was fierce, and attempting to overturn a one-and-a-half-ton car against it was like a fool's errand.
Of course, this was only for ordinary people.
Ren Yuanhao was certainly not ordinary. His feet sank directly into the loose sand. His inner energy flowed clockwise from his dantian, through his arm meridians and acupoints, and then, raising his hands, he pushed forcefully against the car's window pillar. The car body, under this seemingly unimposing force, began to flip over, bit by bit!
He gritted his teeth, channeling his inner energy. The car's surface area exposed to the wind grew larger, and the resistance intensified. Unfortunately, there was a reef behind him. Otherwise, pushing the car with the wind would have been much simpler and easier.
Ren Yuanhao grumbled. The storm continuously whipped sand into the air, creating a formidable spectacle. Yet, the car was already halfway overturned. If he gave up now, Ren Yuanhao likely wouldn't have the strength to flip it again. He let out a martial artist's shout, glaring fiercely, his eyes seeming on the verge of bleeding, veins bulging on his arms. The car, astonishingly, was pushed over, inch by inch!
Still, with no one around to witness this bizarre scene, the car body crashed back into its original driving orientation. Although all three windows were shattered, it was still much faster than walking.
Without a moment's hesitation, Ren Yuanhao slipped into the car, placed his phone on the center console, and used the electronic compass to head southeast.
Meanwhile, inside the abandoned manor, the wind and thunder raged. Shen Lan Ni spread her arms, shielding Shen Yun Shu and her own father.
On that day, she had failed to protect her sister. In the days that followed, she hadn't fulfilled her duty as a daughter. Whenever she saw her father, she was inevitably drawn back into the nightmare of that day. Now that her sister had finally returned, if anyone dared to disrupt this scene, which should have been beautiful and heartwarming, she would not hesitate to pay with her life!
"Miss Shen, are you deaf, or are you deceiving yourself?" Zhang Liang's eyes glinted menacingly as he strode towards Shen Lan Ni. "Miss Shen, there's no need to panic. The wind is strong today, and I dare not take this imitation away. However, I am curious about this counterfeit's body. If you insist on blocking me, I will have no choice but to offend you!"
Zhang Liang raised his hand, about to strike, but his arm was caught by Zhou Long.
"What do you think you're doing, Zhou Long!"
"When I cooperated with you, I made my position clear. Shen Lan Ni is mine, and you can take that woman. But if you want to lay a hand on my woman, that's unacceptable."
Zhou Long showed no signs of releasing Zhang Liang's arm. Then, Zhang Liang coldly chuckled, "Yes, yes, yes. You, Young Master Zhou, would agree to such a scheme just to win a woman's heart. Truly a cunning villain. If you want me not to trouble your woman, it's easy. Move that imitation to another room, let me have my pleasure first. And whatever Young Master Zhou wants to do to your woman, I'll pretend to be blind and deaf."
"Zhou Long, I... I never expected you to be like this!"
A flicker of pain flashed in Shen Lan Ni's eyes. Yet, her internal energy was in disarray, and she couldn't muster any internal force. Otherwise, given her temperament, Zhou Long and Zhang Liang would have been beaten to a pulp by now.
"No, you misunderstand. I, I didn't mean that."
Zhou Long's heart wavered under Shen Lan Ni's gaze, and as he was about to explain, Zhang Liang cut in with a cold laugh, "Young Master Zhou, are you also a man who can't own up to his actions? Last night, didn't you swear that as long as you got Shen Lan Ni, you could carry out any vicious and treacherous plan? What are you afraid of? After all, with one pill, both their memories will be erased. By then, how could they remember what you did?"
As he spoke the last sentence, Zhang Liang took out two dark golden pills from his pocket, smiling chillingly. "Once the pills are swallowed, all grudges will vanish. These two will only feel grateful that you saved them from this dangerous storm. From then on, you'll be firmly established as Shen Wan Jun's son-in-law, living a happy life with Miss Shen!"
Zhang Liang deliberately dangled the two pills in front of Zhou Long. When he reached out to grab them, Zhang Liang suddenly closed his fist. "Young Master Zhou, why are you in such a hurry? Since I, Zhang Liang, have promised you, I will never go back on my word. However, the wind came too suddenly, and I must stay here for a while. Once I successfully take her away, I will hand over the pills with both hands. For now, please move your woman aside and don't disturb me."
"Zhou... Zhou Long, is what he's saying true?"
Although Shen Lan Ni had lost her strength, her words still carried an impetuous tone.
"Oh, acting like a fierce dragon. I really don't know why Young Master Zhou and that Jiang Cheng like you so much," Zhang Liang broke free from Zhou Long's grasp and put the two pills back into his pocket.
Zhou Long lowered his head, not daring to answer, because every word Zhang Liang spoke was the truth.
"It seems what he said is true. Zhou Long, after all these years of our connection..."
Before Shen Lan Ni could finish speaking, Zhou Long interrupted her, "A fine 'years of connection.' We were childhood sweethearts. You should know that I've loved you for years. When your family faced difficulties, wasn't it my family that helped and looked after you? I know that mentioning these things will only make you more disgusted, and these actions will only make you hate me more."
Zhou Long waved his hand and immediately gripped Shen Lan Ni's slender hand tightly, rendering her struggles useless.
"But, whenever I see you exchanging glances with that boy, it feels like my heart is being gnawed by thousands of insects and ants. How could the lofty you understand such pain?"