Li Daoqiang nodded slightly, the smile on his face fading bit by bit. He reached out, grasping the air, and slowly, unhurriedly pulled.
Ding Chunqiu first snapped his gaze to his own left pinky finger. A sharp, searing pain made his face twist in fear.
He quickly cried out, "Chief, this subordinate is your dog!"
"Accept your punishment obediently." Li Daoqiang's indifferent gaze dropped, his hand still pulling slowly and steadily.
"Ah!"
Ding Chunqiu couldn't hold back, letting out a loud scream, but reason kept him from resisting; he could only endure it.
The crowd was startled, eyes wide as they watched.
Ding Chunqiu had already collapsed to the ground, his body instinctively straining forward, his left pinky stretched taut at the front, slowly lengthening.
As it grew, Ding Chunqiu's screams intensified, laced with trembling terror.
Many drew in sharp breaths; they understood now.
Li Daoqiang was going to rip Ding Chunqiu's left pinky off alive!
Before they could dwell on it, it seemed enough.
Li Daoqiang gave a firm tug.
"Ah~!"
A piercing, agonized cry erupted as Ding Chunqiu writhed on the ground.
A spray of glaring blood followed.
Several women present gasped, and the others' faces changed.
Right before their eyes, one of Ding Chunqiu's fingers was torn off by Li Daoqiang's bare hands.
The jagged, torn stump sent a chill through nearly everyone, as if they could feel that pain themselves.
Duan Yanqing's face twitched; he recalled what Li Daoqiang had once said to him.
Ding Chunqiu was the first to experience it.
He glanced at Duan Yu, then quickly looked away, burying his inner schemes even deeper.
"Ah~!"
Ding Chunqiu clutched his severed hand, writhing in pain on the ground, his face contorted, eyes bulging.
But no one dared underestimate him.
Having a finger slowly pulled off bit by bit was far more agonizing than a clean cut.
Many eyes turned to the indifferent figure, most filled with fear.
Zhaixingzi and the others trembled, kowtowing repeatedly.
"Had enough screaming?"
After a few breaths, Li Daoqiang said coldly.
Sensing the impatience, Ding Chunqiu gritted his teeth against the pain and hatred, driven by greater fear, shut his mouth, and knelt obediently again.
Li Daoqiang looked at Ding Chunqiu with a hint of approval, nodding slightly. "Not bad. He who knows the times is a wise man. You performed well; I appreciate that."
"Th-thank you, Chief. This subordinate will be utterly loyal." Ding Chunqiu's hand still trembled, but his voice was firm.
Li Daoqiang nodded with satisfaction, unhurriedly. "Mm, you attacked me with poison earlier. That's normal; I can understand. But remember, anyone who errs must be punished."
"This subordinate understands. Thank you for the lesson, Chief. I was momentarily blinded and won't repeat it." Ding Chunqiu's face was pale, his tone even more resolute.
"No need to be so tense. Your punishment is over." Li Daoqiang's tone softened slightly.
He said calmly, "Your attack was a natural reaction. I truly understand, but punishment was still necessary. You can try attacking me again in the future."
"This subordinate wouldn't dare." Ding Chunqiu shuddered and kowtowed.
The others felt an ever-growing, oppressive weight from Li Daoqiang.
Even those closest to him, like Murong Fu and Li Qingluo, sensed it.
They felt Li Daoqiang was now more dangerous and terrifying than ever.
Even Wang Yuyan, who had grown up seeing her mother turn people into flower fertilizer and was mentally prepared, felt uneasy.
This was the first time she'd seen her husband like this—somewhat unfamiliar.
"Heh." Li Daoqiang chuckled casually, as if unaware of the stares, and said flatly, "I always keep my word; I never lie. You can try attacking me again next time.
But this first time, I took one of your fingers.
Without it, your strength won't suffer much.
Next time you fail, if the impact is minor, I'll gouge out your facial features.
Without them, you'll be ugly, but your strength won't be greatly affected.
The third time you fail, I'll have to tear off your limbs.
But without limbs, you'll be useless.
Then don't blame me for feeding you to the wolves. Understand?"
The calm, even voice was like a bone-chilling wind.
Silence fell; many felt a suffocating pressure.
Even Yi Jifeng, Ou Jinghao, Kou Zhong, and Xu Ziling felt a flicker of fear toward Li Daoqiang.
It was like facing an unstoppable demon.
Su Xinghe, one of his own, also felt dread.
Ding Chunqiu had stopped breathing, his body tense and trembling, fear overwhelming him.
"This subordinate understands. I will never do it again."
His voice shook uncontrollably.
Logically, he had done far crueler things before.
Yet he felt a fear that seemed to come from his very bones.
A shadow silently crept into his heart.
Li Daoqiang swept his gaze across the room, taking in everyone's expressions.
He was somewhat satisfied.
The effect of words depended on the speaker's status and power.
Just like the threats of a wealthy, powerful man versus a commoner—they weren't the same.
When he spoke those words, no outsider present wasn't afraid.
"All of you, rise."
He said casually, then turned and walked to Wang Yuyan's side.
Seeing her pout, her face a little displeased, he smiled gently, ignoring the onlookers, and asked softly, "What's wrong?"
Wang Yuyan shook her head, hesitated, then lowered her head. "Husband, can you not do it yourself next time?"
Li Daoqiang raised an eyebrow, glanced at the severed finger, unsure of the girl's true meaning.
But he smiled anyway. "Alright, I'll have someone else do it next time."
"Mm-hmm." Wang Yuyan felt his affection again, the unfamiliarity fading, and she broke into a smile.
Beside them, Li Qingluo's mind was unsettled.
Watching Li Daoqiang's domineering display, then his doting on her daughter, she felt a strange sensation.
Part envy, part jealousy.
Not far away, the two young girls, also shaken, pursed their lips.
Their eyes held a hint of complexity.
After soothing his little lamb, Li Daoqiang turned his attention back to the outsiders.
They all kept their eyes fixed on him, unusually quiet and tense.
"Heh."
With a warm smile, Li Daoqiang said, "Everyone, you've witnessed a family matter, which delayed things a bit. Now, let's get to business."
The crowd exchanged glances, instinctively uniting.
No one spoke; the lingering pressure made them reluctant to face Li Daoqiang.
Even Murong Fu hesitated.
Seeing this, Li Daoqiang didn't mind. He slowly scanned the group.
Each person he looked at felt an overwhelming pressure, as if they'd lost all freedom and control.
"As you all know, I, Li Daoqiang, am a bandit. And as a bandit, I must do what bandits do. So, please cooperate. Rest assured, I'll be fair and just."
Li Daoqiang said bluntly.
Instantly, Jiumozhi and the others' faces changed; they could no longer stay calm.
If Li Daoqiang weren't so strong, they'd have cursed aloud.
Then, some looked at Su Xinghe.
Su Xinghe's face showed difficulty. Most of these people were his invitees.
If they were robbed, the reputation of the Carefree Sect...
He looked at Li Daoqiang, steeled himself, and said, "Chief, most of them were invited by me."
Then he looked at Wang Yuyan, who blinked in confusion at first.
When she understood, she hesitated, about to speak, but Li Qingluo pulled her back, stopping her.
Li Daoqiang blinked, frowned slightly, as if recalling something.
After a moment of hesitation, under the heavy gazes, he said calmly, "Fine. My wife is, after all, the leader of the Carefree Sect. This time, there's a reason. I can make an exception."
Jiumozhi and the others breathed a sigh of relief.
"Amitabha. Then this humble monk will take his leave." Jiumozhi spoke first.
The others showed the same intent, ready to leave.
"Hold on." Li Daoqiang's gaze fell on them.
Jiumozhi froze, their faces turning heavy again.
Li Daoqiang swept his eyes over them and smiled. "Brother Murong, you're a friend; no need to say more. You may leave first."
Murong Fu relaxed slightly, then felt a surge of pride. He cupped his hands and smiled, "Brother Li, until we meet again."
With that, he glanced at Li Qingluo and Wang Yuyan, then led his retainers out.
But he didn't hurry, clearly wanting to listen a bit longer.
Li Daoqiang continued, "Quanzhen Taoists, Shaolin monks, the Duan family, and Young Master Yi, considering you were invited by the Carefree Sect and your righteous backgrounds, you may leave. I'll make an exception this time. But remember, you owe me a favor."
The blatantly brazen words left Yi Jifeng, Zhen Zhibing, Xuan Nan, Duan Yu, and the others stifled.
But they dared not argue, silently relieved, and cupped their hands in farewell.
Xuan Nan's poison was also cured by Ding Chunqiu under Li Daoqiang's gaze.
The two women behind Duan Yu seemed reluctant to leave.
But Duan Yu pulled them away.
They, too, lingered, wanting to hear more.
Li Daoqiang didn't mind. He turned to the remaining four, whose faces had turned grim, and smiled lightly. "The four of you, let's talk."
"Chief, I was also invited by the Carefree Sect." Ou Jinghao cupped his hands, his voice heavy.
"I know." Li Daoqiang nodded slightly, then smiled. "But so what? The Three Absolute Palace isn't enough to earn my respect."
(Chapter 3, thanks for the support. Please subscribe.)