Chapter 96: Despair! Collapse!

Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Despair! Collapse!

The four of them shook like sieves, nearly fainting from fear. Urine stains spread from their crotches, and a foul odor wafted through the air. At this moment, their hearts were filled with immense regret.

Why did we ever provoke this man?!

The only sounds in the room were their rapid, gasping breaths.

Unable to withstand the pressure, Jiang Tianyi was the first to shout, "I’ll pay! I’ll pay for my life! I’ll give you a hundred million! No, a billion! How about that?!"

The others quickly followed suit.

"I’ll pay for my life too!"

"Please, spare me... let me live!"

"I’ll sell everything I own to pay you!"

Chen Xiao’s thunderous methods had completely terrified them. Only now did they realize how horrifying he was—three Martial Arts Grandmasters were like ants in his hands. What were they in comparison? Just a few pathetic wastes of space, their bodies hollowed out by wine and women.

Chen Xiao smiled coldly. "Today, not even money can save your pathetic lives."

He didn’t need money. This time, these guys had crossed his bottom line. Now, all he wanted were their lives.

"Let’s start with you." Chen Xiao’s cold gaze fell on Zhang Yaoyang.

He conspired with Jiang Tianyi and the others to trick Luo Qingli out. He deserved to die first.

Zhang Yaoyang screamed in terror and turned to run, trying to escape through the window.

SWOOSH!

A sword flew through theair, piercing his shoulder and nailing him to the wall.

"AHHH!" He struggled frantically like a worm pinned in place, his face contorting in agony.

Chen Xiao’s voice was devoid of warmth. "Letting you die like this would be too kind. I’ll let you taste true fear before the end."

These bastards like to play thrilling games, don’t they? Fine. I’ll play with them until they’ve had their fill.

Jiang Tianyi and the others were scared witless. Their original plan had been to video call Chen Xiao while they toyed with Luo Qingli, forcing him to witness everything and suffer the agony of despair. They never imagined that they would be the ones to feel that hopelessness instead.

"Don’t kill me! Please, don’t kill me!" They scrambled like madmen, trying to flee the room.

"Think you can get away?" Chen Xiao asked, his face an emotionless mask as he dragged them back one by one.

CRACK!

CRACK!

Four men. Eight legs. Chen Xiao ruthlessly snapped every single one.

Agonized screams filled every corner of the room, a bone-chilling sound of pure misery. Blood soaked the floor...

Chen Xiao lit a cigarette, staring at them with an indifferent expression. He then retrieved a can of gasoline from another room and began to slowly pour it onto the ground.

Is he... Is he going to burn us alive?

The thought terrified Jiang Tianyi and the others so much their hearts nearly stopped beating.

After splashing gasoline on the door, floor, and windows, Chen Xiao walked toward the four men. Finally, he poured the rest of the gasoline over them, bit by bit...

Seeing their fearful, trembling expressions, he nodded in satisfaction.

"That’s right. That’s the look," he said. "Isn’t this the very expression you wanted to see on my face? Today, you can demonstrate it for me."

The pungent smell of gasoline filled the air, and they trembled uncontrollably as the fear of death consumed them. They continued to slam their foreheads on the ground, apologizing and begging for mercy, but it was utterly futile.

Chen Xiao leisurely tossed the gasoline can aside and lifted Luo Qingli into his arms.

Like madmen, the four crawled toward the doorway, their bloody hands smearing the floor, looking as wretched as pathetic insects. Chen Xiao simply strode past them, carrying Luo Qingli.

Then, the door slammed shut. The moment it closed, their eyes filled with absolute, bleak despair.

FWOOSH!

The flames erupted, and scorching waves of fire instantly swept through every corner of the room. The fire wouldn’t kill them instantly. Instead, the despair and pain of being slowly devoured by the flames would surely make them taste true devastation before they died.

Chen Xiao strode out of the villa.

The entire estate was dead silent. The thugs hidden in the shadows didn’t dare to breathe as they watched him leave.

Upstairs, the fire had already spread, and ghastly, inhuman screams echoed from within.

Only after they were certain Chen Xiao was completely gone did the thugs rush forward in a panic.

"Hurry, put out the fire! Put it out!"

"We have to save the Second Young Master, or we’re all dead!"

「In the car.」

Chen Xiao inserted the Silver Needles into Luo Qingli’s acupoints, neutralizing the poison in her system.

Luo Qingli woke with a start, immediately curling up. "Zhang Yaoyang, what are you doing to me?! Get away from me! Get out!" she shrieked, kicking her feet wildly.

"Could you at least see who you’re kicking first?" came Chen Xiao’s exasperated voice.

"Chen... Chen Xiao?" Luo Qingli’s body shuddered. Seeing who was in front of her, she immediately threw herself into his arms, sobbing.

Chen Xiao expressionlessly pushed her away and brushed the footprints off his clothes. "It’s over now. Stop crying. You’re being annoying."

"Chen Xiao, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know it would turn out like..."

"You don’t need to explain anything to me," Chen Xiao said flatly. "I’ll take you home."

His cold attitude made Luo Qingli’s heart sink. She quickly tried to explain, "Zhang Yaoyang promised he wouldn’t pester me anymore! I only agreed to a farewell meal because I didn’t want him bothering me again."

"Is there any point in talking about this now?" Chen Xiao asked impassively.

Luo Qingli’s expression turned serious. "The way you’re acting, you’re obviously jealous. So, to prevent any damage to our relationship, I have to make things clear."

Chen Xiao’s tone softened slightly. "Jealous? Of him? Is he even worthy? But you of all people should know what kind of trash Zhang Yaoyang is. If you hadn’t been lucky this time, your entire life would have been ruined by those animals. A wise person doesn’t stand beneath a collapsing wall. There are some risks you should do everything in your power to avoid."

He stared straight at Luo Qingli and said seriously, "I’m not afraid of you causing trouble for me, but I hope... I hope you’ll stop putting yourself in such dangerous situations. After all, luck won’t be on your side forever."

Suddenly, Luo Qingli broke into a laugh through her tears. "Are you worried about me?"

"I’m being completely serious," Chen Xiao said coldly. "You need to protect yourself."

Seeing how serious he was, Luo Qingli immediately suppressed her smile and nodded. "Don’t worry, I’m not going to feel wronged or throw a tantrum just because you scolded me a little. I’ll take what you said to heart and avoid unnecessary risks in the future." She paused, then added, "But... I still have you, don’t I? With you around, what do I have to fear? I feel completely safe when you’re by my side."

Chen Xiao was silent for a moment before replying coldly, "I can’t be with you all the time."

Luo Qingli suddenly spoke up. "Chen Xiao, do you remember you still owe me one last favor? I’d like to officially ask for it now."