The Longcheng Han family might be truly powerful, but that was no reason to be slaughtered like a lamb.
Even a clay figurine has a temper, let alone Qin Chuan, who was never one to suffer an insult without striking back.
Since his rebirth, Qin Chuan had adhered to his principle: a foot of respect earned a yard of return. But if someone dared to bully his family, the retaliation would be overwhelmingly fierce.
No matter who the opponent was, it would be a fight to the death!
Mercy towards an enemy was cruelty to oneself; this was the most profound lesson Qin Chuan had learned across two lifetimes. The machinations of business, the struggles for profit, the grievances and affections ā these were no less intense than the lawless martial world.
Since starting his ventures, Qin Chuan's team had endured considerable hardship.
First, his elder brother Qin Yang was stabbed in the back and hospitalized for over a month. Then, his second brother Qin Gang suffered a blow to the head, requiring twenty days in the hospital. Later, it was himself and Li Ya, and now Bai Xiaoguang had been stabbed.
Each incident was more severe than the last, a testament to the turbulent journey.
Liu An, that old scoundrel, had sent people twice, growing more audacious and arrogant, completely crossing Qin Chuan's deepest red line. He no longer intended to turn swords into ploughshares, for it was impossible.
On the way back, Qin Chuan meticulously plotted his revenge against Liu An, that old bastard. The previous act of crippling the old man's hands had clearly not made him realize the power of a desperate man's rage. Since that was the case, he would deliver an even more severe blow.
By the time they returned to the city, day had broken. The jolting journey had revived the three captives, Xue Lang and his companions, from their unconsciousness.
They were bound tightly, their mouths stuffed with foul-smelling socks. Their eyes, filled with terror, let out muffled cries, unsure of their impending fate.
The van first made a stop at a property development. Qin Chuan got out and returned a short while later with a backpack. The van then continued its journey.
After a series of twists and turns, the van arrived at a familiar old place. The three were unceremoniously dumped from the vehicle. Yao Dong, as if discarding trash, threw them into a corner, his face etched with coldness.
This scene only amplified their terror, and they cowered in the corner, trembling.
Xue Lang, in particular, was covered in blood and the most severely injured. He had been on the verge of death, and the arrogance he displayed the previous night had completely vanished.
However, what happened next was unexpected. They didn't face further torture or revenge. Instead, before their terrified eyes, Qin Chuan opened the backpack and retrieved a video recorder. He set it up on a stand.
"Take the socks out of their mouths!" Qin Chuan commanded. Yao Dong stepped forward and removed the foul-smelling rags from their mouths.
"Qin, what are you going to do? Kill us or torture us, just get it over with!" Xue Lang blustered, his voice laced with feigned bravado.
*Slap!*
His posturing was met by a powerful slap from Yao Dong, sending two of his teeth flying and his mouth gushing blood. His face began to swell visibly.
"If you keep yapping, I'll cut you up with a knife, piece by piece, and then sprinkle salt on it. I'm sure that punishment will be even more enjoyable than last night!" Yao Dong toyed with a sharp dagger, Xue Lang's own weapon.
This threat immediately silenced Xue Lang. He understood that discretion was the better part of valor.
"From now on, whatever I ask, you will answer truthfully!" Qin Chuan said, sitting in a chair with his legs crossed, lighting a cigarette. "If you cooperate, you might reduce your physical suffering."
"You probably don't know this yet, but this place is where your four companions were held last time. They stayed here for a full week, and in the end, they were all begging on their knees, crying and pleading for me to send them to the police. Because the police station is a paradise compared to this place!"
The three men kneeling on the ground remained silent, but a closer look revealed their eyes widening imperceptibly, for they believed Qin Chuan's words to be true.
"Come, introduce yourselves first, and tell me your positions under that old scoundrel Liu An." Qin Chuan asked his first question, then pointed at Xue Lang. "You first!"
Xue Lang hesitated, seeing that the video recorder had begun to work.
In that instant of hesitation, a gust of wind hit the back of his head, followed by a loud slap to his face.
"Our boss is asking you a question, why are you hesitating, you bastard? If you hesitate again, I won't be using my hand anymore. I'll use this knife!" Yao Dong was like a terrifying deity, exuding an aura of menace. This was his true nature, fueled by the sight of his brothers lying in a deep coma in the hospital, his heart filled with unparalleled ferocity.
Zheng Chengdao, standing not far away, also looked ready to spring into action.
Hearing that a knife would be used next, Xue Lang, terrified, immediately spoke up:
"My name is Xue Lang. I am An Ye'sā¦ no, I am a hired thug under Liu An, helping him deal with business disputes."
"My name is Meng Qi, and I am also one of Liu An's hired thugs!"
"My name is Gou San, and I am also one of Liu An's hired thugs!"
The other two, seeing this, quickly introduced themselves, appearing obedient and compliant.
Qin Chuan was satisfied with their answers and continued, "Did Liu An send you here this time to kill me directly?"
"Yes, Liu An said he's been in a terrible mood lately and doesn't want some ant-like person hopping around over his head. So he sent us to cripple you completely!" Xue Lang seemed to have resigned himself to his fate, answering truthfully and without reservation. Meng Qi and Gou San offered similar accounts.
Qin Chuan's gaze darkened, but inwardly he breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Liu An was unaware that his hands had been crippled by his own side. He knew exactly why Liu An was in such a foul mood, but he hadn't expected to become the target of his wrath.
Was this the consequence of being weak? Qin Chuan gave a wry smile. Great figures, merely wanting to vent their frustrations, could casually dispatch a few people to destroy others and completely alter their life trajectories.
This society was truly brutal. Those with power and influence could, with a single sentence, determine many people's destinies.
Therefore, to avoid being bullied or feared, one could only grit their teeth, strive upwards, elevate their social status, and expand their reputation, ensuring that others would not dare to casually provoke them.
"How much did Liu An pay you to come and kill me?" Qin Chuan asked again.
"One million! Liu An gave me one million!" Xue Lang replied.
"He gave me a hundred thousand!"
"Me too, a hundred thousand!"
Qin Chuan sneered, "Heh, I didn't expect I was quite valuable in that old scoundrel's eyes!"
"Now, tell me in detail, what heinous deeds have you committed under Liu An all these years..."