A disdainful, cold voice echoed through the night as he gradually applied more pressure with his foot. The head was slowly being stomped into the ground, inch by inch.
Beside him, He Qinghua’s eyes widened as she watched the domineering figure. Her jet-black, pearl-like eyes flickered with a hint of daze. Her mind was blank at that moment. Even the expected thrill and excitement were delayed, yet to arrive. Unconsciously, her breathing grew heavier.
Under Li Daoqiang’s foot, Bian Bufu’s face flushed crimson with rage, but fear dominated him. Beneath an irresistible force, his head sank into the ground, deeper and deeper. His limbs and body writhed and struggled, but to no avail; he couldn’t even beg for mercy.
Zhu Yuyan clenched her fists, a trace of murderous intent seeping out before she suppressed it. The reason was simple: Li Daoqiang’s strength before her exceeded her expectations. In that brief exchange, he had also captured Bian Bufu in one move. She was certain he was no weaker than her. If they truly fought, the outcome was uncertain. Unless necessary, she naturally didn’t want to engage in such a life-or-death battle.
After a flurry of thoughts, Zhu Yuyan said coldly, “Chief Li, do you truly intend to have an irreconcilable feud with my Yinyang Sect?”
“Your people bullied my woman. I’m settling accounts with you. But for the sake of the Yinhou, I’ll pin this debt all on this cur,” Li Daoqiang said calmly, pressing down harder with his foot. Bian Bufu struggled more desperately, more terrified.
“Enough.” Zhu Yuyan looked at Bian Bufu, who was nearing death, and barked. Gritting her teeth, she forced patience and said, “What exactly does Chief Li want?”
“That depends on your sincerity,” Li Daoqiang said indifferently.
Zhu Yuyan paused, then suddenly understood. Li Daoqiang wanted money! Realizing this, even with her temperament, she felt a surge of impulse to curse him out. Li Daoqiang was blackmailing her! Yes, that had to be it. Recalling the reputation of Li Daoqiang’s love for money as if it were his life, Zhu Yuyan found it absurd. Was he doing this just to extort a sum from her? Was he insane? For a mere sum of silver, he’d willingly offend the Yinyang Sect? She had never encountered such a thing, couldn’t even imagine it. It was sheer arrogance, recklessness, madness.
Cursing inwardly, she realized she had to accept the blackmail. Bian Bufu was still in his hands, and it wasn’t worth stalemating with such a mad, insatiable bandit. Suppressing her anger and slight frustration, she said coldly, “I’ve heard of Chief Li’s rule: as long as there’s money, anything can be resolved. Today, my junior brother offended you. I’m willing to settle this with one million taels of silver. How about it?”
“The Black Dragon Stronghold’s rule is that an ordinary grandmaster’s life is indeed worth one million taels. But this cur dared to set his sights on my woman—that’s a different price. Five times: five million taels,” Li Daoqiang said flatly, his tone firm as a mountain, unshakable.
“You—” Zhu Yuyan’s face shifted, barely holding back. Five million taels was no small sum even for the wealthy Yinyang Sect. More importantly, why should she swallow this insult for no reason? “Chief Li, don’t go too far,” she said, each word icy, her eyes like swords.
“This is my rule, Li Daoqiang’s rule. If you don’t like it, fine—kill me. If you can’t kill me, you’ll have to endure it,” Li Daoqiang said, still calm, but with an overbearing, fearless edge. He pressed harder with his foot, and Bian Bufu slapped the ground with his hands and feet, signaling for mercy and for Zhu Yuyan to save him.
Zhu Yuyan’s hands trembled with rage, tempted to fight him recklessly. But recalling their brief clash, her confidence wavered. And was it worth risking everything against such a greedy, money-loving, unscrupulous bandit? No. Without hesitation, she found her answer. He was just a bandit obsessed with money and perhaps women. If she fought to the death with him over something unrelated to the Saint Sect’s grand cause, Shi Zhixuan and others would mock her. With that, she calmed her fury and said coldly, “Fine, five million taels. This ends today’s matter completely.”
“Mm.” Li Daoqiang’s expression softened slightly as he nodded in acknowledgment.
Beside him, He Qinghua felt a mix of emotions but naturally said nothing. She knew well she had no say here.
“Then release my junior brother,” Zhu Yuyan said sternly.
“Cash on delivery—that’s the rule,” Li Daoqiang said, easing the pressure from his foot but refusing.
“I keep my word. The money will be paid,” Zhu Yuyan said, stifling her frustration. She didn’t have that much on her now.
“I firmly believe one thing: the more beautiful a woman, the more she lies. So I don’t trust you,” Li Daoqiang said, shaking his head with a calm expression.
Zhu Yuyan’s eyes flickered, momentarily speechless. He Qinghua’s gaze shifted as she glanced at Li Daoqiang, a hint of displeasure rising within her.
“Hmph, then when and where will the transaction take place?” Zhu Yuyan relented, seeing Li Daoqiang’s unmoved resolve.
“Tomorrow noon, right here. Use banknotes,” Li Daoqiang said without hesitation.
“Fine, agreed. But you can’t cripple Bian Bufu’s martial arts,” Zhu Yuyan added, as if recalling something, uneasy.
“Don’t worry, I have no interest in crippling his skills,” Li Daoqiang assured her.
Zhu Yuyan snorted again, then, as if weightless, soared away, vanishing in an instant. Li Daoqiang withdrew his gaze, kicked the unconscious Bian Bufu aside, and turned. His expression softened as he looked at He Qinghua.
Upon closer inspection, his interest stirred again. She was stunning—a black-purple gauze dress, a tall figure, a waist as slender as a willow, and a delicate, exquisite face. Paired with her fierce aura, she resembled a blooming datura flower in the night, swaying gracefully, alluring and beautiful. It was worth offending the Yinyang Sect for her. Of course, the benefits from that offense were another matter.
As Li Daoqiang’s gaze fell on her, He Qinghua instinctively averted her eyes, a bit flustered. Then, her proud, stubborn nature flared, and she lifted her chin, meeting his gaze defiantly.
“Heh.” Li Daoqiang chuckled, his tone admiring. “What a fiery temper. Not bad. Worth offending the Yinyang Sect for you.”
He Qinghua’s eyes flickered, a little uneasy, then she seemed to think of something and said, her tone slightly dark, “Chief Li did it for the silver, didn’t he? I’m just an excuse.”
“Haha, do you think I’m crazy enough to offend the Yinyang Sect for a mere five million taels?” Li Daoqiang laughed openly. Inwardly, he mused that it wasn’t just for the silver—besides He Qinghua, he aimed for more wealth and gain. But to her ears, it sounded like the five million was just a bonus; the main reason was her.
At that thought, her heart stirred. Even though she was no naive girl, still... Her breathing grew uneven. She turned her head slightly, saying nothing, unsure what to say. Only a tense, unfamiliar nervousness gripped her.
Li Daoqiang wasn’t an expert on women, but he’d read plenty of novels and watched dramas. More importantly, his strength gave him boundless confidence. So, without a word, he stepped forward.
He Qinghua startled, instinctively stepping back, flustered. “What are you doing?”
Li Daoqiang smiled, moving assertively. He reached out and pulled her slender waist close. A refreshing, intoxicating scent hit him—different from Qi Fang’s but just as pleasant. Lowering his head slightly, he looked at her jade-like fair skin and said firmly, “Alright, remember this. From now on, you’re my woman, Li Daoqiang’s woman.”
He Qinghua panicked, trying to break free, but his strength was immense. She could only press her hands against her chest. At his words, she stubbornly retorted, “You say I’m your woman, just like that? On what grounds?”
“On the grounds that I saved you, and that I’m strong,” Li Daoqiang said with a smile. He rather liked this aspect of the world. Strength was reason. For dealing with women, especially proud, ruthless ones like He Qinghua, he believed it was effective. No need for fancy tricks. Of course, that was because he was the strong one; if he were weak, he wouldn’t like it at all.
He Qinghua fell silent, her thoughts tangled. She didn’t fully understand what she felt—just a mess. Her proud convictions clashed with the memory of his domineering presence, churning in her heart. At a loss. What should she do with this man?
Li Daoqiang didn’t care what she was thinking. He didn’t need to. He was ready to act directly.
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