In an instant, the news spread to everyone's ears. Countless gazes immediately turned. On a tavern rooftop, a figure had appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. Clad in black robes with a black cape draped over his shoulders. An overbearing aura radiated, making it hard for anyone to look directly at him. That was— "Li Daoqiang!" "Black Dragon Stronghold's Li Daoqiang!" "It's Li Daoqiang—I've seen him before, that's him." "Why is he here? He must be after the Demon Zither too." "So that's Li Daoqiang! So young—Song's youngest top-tier powerhouse!" ... ...
Around the Han residence. From every corner, gazes turned solemn, locking onto him intently. Zhu Yuyan raised an eyebrow and let out a light snort. A figure in fiery red robes frowned deeply, wariness flickering in their eyes. Another figure, clad in black with a faint aura of yin energy, narrowed their eyes. Even Zhui Ming couldn't help but look over, curiosity mingling with caution. In the distance, a stunningly ethereal figure slowly furrowed her brow. ...
A torrent of murmurs erupted; no one remained calm. One reason was his strength and status, the other was the significance of his arrival. Ordinary martial artists were merely curious and awed, but those with status and influence were gripped by deep apprehension. Li Daoqiang's presence here forced them to take him seriously. Lü Tengkong, snapping out of his despair and numbness, looked over. After a moment of shock, the man's strength reignited a flicker of hope in him. Without hesitation, he shouted loudly, "I agree—I'll do anything. Please, Chief, save my wife."
On the tavern, Li Daoqiang's eyes showed a hint of approval. He liked people like this. The next moment, his figure vanished, as if shifting shadows, flickering through several afterimages before appearing before Lü Tengkong. Without answering the hopeful look in Lü Tengkong's eyes, he reached out and placed a hand on Ximen Yiniang. In an instant, he understood—she could still be saved. Lü Tengkong's expression grew even more tense, as if teetering between heaven and hell, awaiting judgment. Everyone else grew curious, realizing what Li Daoqiang was doing. Even more so, they wondered—could Li Daoqiang actually save her?
"Your wife can still be saved," Li Daoqiang said calmly. Lü Tengkong wept with joy, his whole body trembling, and immediately said, "Please, Chief, save my wife. Lü Tengkong will repay you as your servant for life." "No need for servitude. Time is of the essence, so I won't waste words. Fair trade is Black Dragon Stronghold's eternal principle. I save your wife, and I'll also handle the trouble you've stirred up. The price is this: the entire Flying Tiger Escort Agency joins Black Dragon Stronghold and swears loyalty to me. How about it?" Li Daoqiang said flatly.
Before he finished speaking, many faces changed color. Even Zhui Ming wanted to speak, but thinking of Ximen Yiniang, he held his tongue. In this situation, he had no right to say anything. Han Xun was furious and wanted to speak, but the person beside him held him back. Lü Tengkong hesitated for a moment—not for himself, but for his son and the others in the agency. But it was only a fleeting pause before he said firmly, "Chief, Lü Tengkong begs you to give the others in the agency a free choice."
Li Daoqiang wasn't angered; instead, he grew more appreciative. A man of such character, once won over, would never betray him as long as he didn't commit heinous acts. He agreed readily: "Fine, I accept." After all, his target was Lü Tengkong and his son, not the others. "Thank you, Chief," Lü Tengkong said, relieved. His expression turned solemn as he vowed, "Lü Tengkong swears here: if the Chief saves my wife, I will bring my family to join Black Dragon Stronghold and pledge lifelong loyalty to the Chief. If I break this oath, may I die a miserable death."
Li Daoqiang smiled faintly. Good—this man knew what mattered, swearing openly before so many. Without delay, he reached out and tapped Ximen Yiniang's pressure points. After signaling Zhui Ming and the others to stop, he channeled his true essence with exquisite precision into Ximen Yiniang's body, preserving her last breath. "Time is critical. I'll take you both back to Black Dragon Stronghold for treatment," Li Daoqiang announced. Lü Tengkong nodded frantically, hope surging within him.
But at these words, someone couldn't hold back. "Chief Li, this matter isn't settled yet. Lü Tengkong can't just leave like that, can he?" "Yeah, how can he just walk away?" "Right, explain things before you go." ...
Voices rose one after another, somehow stirred up, the fear of Li Daoqiang fading as the clamor grew. Lü Tengkong was furious, itching to draw his blade and kill. Li Daoqiang glanced at him, signaling him to stay calm. Then, his gaze sharpened as he slowly swept it across the surroundings.
The next moment, he struck. A palm shot out—"Boom!"—the very air seemed to warp. Endless spiritual energy of heaven and earth erupted in violent chaos. A golden palm, several zhang wide and over ten zhang long, tore through the air at blinding speed. In an instant, it smashed toward a house over a hundred zhang away. Before the palm even landed, the house shattered under the mountain-like pressure. A figure leaped out, fiery red light exploding. "Boom!" The two forces collided, the temperature within hundreds of zhang skyrocketing, but the golden palm swiftly suppressed it. With a "Pfft," blood sprayed, and the fiery figure hurtled away like a red meteor, vanishing in an instant.
Silence fell for a moment, then gasps erupted. "That's the Blazing Flame Elder!" "Li Daoqiang defeated the Blazing Flame Elder with one palm!" "So strong—unbelievably strong. No wonder he captured Murong Fu alive!" "This is Li Daoqiang!" ...
Exclamations rose, and from every direction, gazes grew even more wary. Some even showed a hint of fear. Li Daoqiang didn't pursue the fleeing figure, as if it were a trivial matter. He parted his lips. A cold voice carried far and wide: "Listen up, all of you. Everyone from Flying Tiger Escort Agency is now under my protection. Anyone who dares touch them dies. If you're unhappy, swallow it. Anyone who speaks another word dies."
A domineering, ruthless, and unbridled aura, like a demon king, instantly crushed all dissent. The scene fell dead silent. Few dared to show anger in their eyes. A single palm strike had sent a grandmaster bleeding and fleeing. More importantly, this man was a lawless bandit—when he said kill, he meant it. Those who dared to be angry didn't dare to speak. Even Han Xun clenched his fists and lowered his head.
Li Daoqiang paid it no mind. With a surge of power, he lifted Ximen Yiniang and Lü Tengkong, soaring into the air toward Black Dragon Stronghold.
(Thanks for your support. And one more thing—Happy Mid-Autumn Festival. I had guests today, so I was delayed.) ...