Chapter 032: As Swift as Lightning, the Iron Rod, Entangling Many Threads

The woman slowly raised her head and glanced at Brother Wei. Then she opened her palm, revealing a jade Buddha figurine.

Her hand was delicate and slender.

Brother Wei was momentarily stunned when he saw the jade Buddha. "Huh? Why do you have that thing? Didn't I already sell it?"

"The River Dragon—where is he?" The woman put the Buddha away, her gaze fixed on Brother Wei.

Her eyes unsettled him, making his hair stand on end. Impatiently, he waved her off. "How the hell would I know any River Dragon? Lady, you just had bad luck, barging into our business so late at night! Guys, take her—tonight’s treat is on the house!"

"Got it!"

Red Rooster and his two companions closed in on the woman.

A sharp sound, like three flashes of electricity, sliced through the air.

The three men suddenly clutched at their chests, their faces twisted in terror.

Blood spurted from the holes near their hearts, splattering the woman’s coat. It was as if her coat were waterproof; the blood rolled off, dripping to the floor and quickly pooling into a small river.

Now, in the woman’s right hand, there was a long skewer—like the kind used for roasting lamb. Blood ran steadily down the iron rod.

Brother Wei was dumbfounded, frozen in place.

Song Kai was equally stunned.

Brother Wei might not have seen what happened clearly, but Song Kai had watched every detail—the woman’s speed was astonishing. In the blink of an eye, she pierced all three men’s hearts with the skewer. It was over before he could react.

Her speed was leagues beyond his own!

Sweat drenched Song Kai’s forehead. He was at least eighty percent confident he could escape from Brother Wei’s group. But with this woman, he didn’t have the slightest chance.

"The River Dragon—where is he!" The woman slowly raised the bloody skewer, pointing it at Brother Wei’s chest.

His legs buckled. With a thud, he dropped to his knees. "I—I really don’t know the River Dragon! Maybe our Boss B knows him! I can take you to him—how about that?"

"And who is Boss B?"

"He’s our boss—the boss of the casino. Famous in Tengyun City. He knows a lot of people..."

"Trying to fool me?" The woman’s skewer edged closer.

"I swear I don’t know!"

"The River Dragon—the one who gave you this jade Buddha! Where is he?"

"Ah?" Brother Wei was utterly bewildered. He stammered, "Lady, I really don’t know him! I took the Buddha from a gambling addict—he owed us money, so we roughed him up, and I found the Buddha on him. I was short on cash, so I sold it to a jade shop. That’s the truth!"

"Where’s that gambler?" the woman pressed.

"He... he ran. I don’t know where. He used to deliver packages—SF Express—but I really don’t know where he is now," Brother Wei was nearly out of his mind with fear.

A cold flash flickered once more.

Brother Wei fell to the ground in agony, convulsing uncontrollably.

Song Kai was terrified out of his wits, squeezing his eyes shut and trying his best to feign unconsciousness.

The woman in the trench coat glanced at him, but paid him no further attention. Tipping her hat lower, she turned and melted into the darkness.

When he heard the woman’s footsteps fade away, Song Kai nearly wet himself from terror.

Seizing the chance, he frantically worked at the ropes binding him.

Half an hour later, they finally came loose.

He glanced at the four corpses on the floor, thought no more of it, and dashed out at top speed.

Damn! Damn, damn, damn!

How could there be so many experts in this peaceful, orderly age?

The last time, a knife-throwing man with bone-shrinking skills had already shocked Song Kai. And now, an even deadlier female assassin had appeared!

At least with the knife-thrower, there was a chance to dodge. But with this woman, he wouldn’t even get the chance to beg for mercy!

This is insane!

Song Kai sprinted toward the city.

It was past one in the morning; the streets were empty.

He ran home, flung open the door, and gulped down a huge glass of water before he finally felt a little better.

"Where have you been?" Wu Hongying’s bedroom door opened. She had slipped into a sexy short skirt and came out to settle on the sofa. As she sat, the skirt rode up, revealing smooth pale skin and creamy underwear.

But Song Kai had no interest at all right now.

He set down his glass. "Something happened tonight."

Wu Hongying didn’t seem concerned. She spoke first. "I checked into your parents’ case today. It’s been classified as a disappearance, meaning their bodies haven’t been found. But they’re probably already dead. Before their deaths, your father’s company was doing well until three months ago, when he started acquiring another project. Ding Zhe—do you know him?"

Song Kai shook his head. "Don’t look into it for now, Sister Wu, it’s too dangerous. Let’s wait. I appreciate it, but my safety comes first."

Wu Hongying smiled, crossing her legs without a care for her exposed thighs. "Song Kai, you let that killer scare the wits out of you, didn’t you?"

Song Kai shot her a look. "Hell yes, I’m terrified. Do you know who the River Dragon is?"

Her expression changed instantly as she looked at him. "You know the River Dragon?"

"Wait, you..." Song Kai noticed her reaction and realized there was more to this than he thought.

He quickly shook his head. "No, I don’t. But I got kidnapped tonight—Boss B’s idiot men did it. Then a killer showed up looking for the River Dragon. The four thugs didn’t know, and the killer just killed them all, just like that! What the hell is happening in this world?"

"Where was this?" Wu Hongying stood up.

Song Kai pointed west. "A warehouse in the western suburbs."

"Alright, I’ll notify the police."

"Wait—who is the River Dragon?" he pressed.

Wu Hongying shook her head. "Don’t ask. You’ll find out in due time." And with that, she left him no chance to inquire further, disappearing into her room to make a call.

Song Kai frowned, then decided not to dwell on it. He took a shower and returned to his room to begin his cultivation practice.

Damn it, with one expert after another showing up, how was he supposed to survive without inner energy?

...

The next day, Song Kai sat cross-legged on his bed, breathing deeply.

It was after nine in the morning when he finally opened his eyes.

Money, he needed to earn money for medicinal herbs. And he had to buy a plane ticket to chase the lightning.

He couldn’t wait any longer!

At this rate, it would take at least another year and a half to cultivate Nine Thunder Inner Energy!

He had no patience for that.

Stretching his muscles, he headed for the bathroom.

Just as he reached the door, it swung open; Tang Ying stepped out, drying her hair, naked.

The morning sun bathed her shoulders, chest, and legs in light, her skin snowy white.

Though Tang Ying didn’t fuss over skincare or makeup, at twenty-seven she looked fair and alluring. She didn’t work out, but her figure was refined, elegant, and beautifully curved.

Song Kai was stunned. He hadn’t expected the beautiful doctor to stroll around the house unclothed.

Tang Ying froze too. She glanced at Song Kai, puzzled—shouldn’t he be at school at this hour?

Noticing his gaze, Tang Ying quickly wrapped herself in a towel. "What are you staring at? Turn around."

Song Kai swallowed hard and turned away. "Sister Tang Ying, you have a great figure."

"Great, my ass! Why are you home, slacking off instead of at school in broad daylight?" she scolded, hastily wrapping herself up.

"I, um, well, I’m sick. Why aren’t you at work, Sister Tang Ying?"

"I’m off for a few days. Alright, go do your thing, kid." Being a doctor, she wasn’t too bothered. She stood by the table, towel-clad, drying her hair.

Song Kai sneaked a glance at her back, swallowed again, and hurried into the bathroom.

Tang Ying’s undergarments were still there.

He glanced at them, then quickly bent to wash up. Now was not the time to think about women—he needed to make money for herbs.

Back in his room, Song Kai decided to dress in his most mature-looking outfit.

Since he was going to exorcise ghosts for someone, he had to look the part—couldn’t let them know he was just a high school student.

He also needed to buy some gear. Without inner energy, if he ran into something truly evil, this wouldn’t be about making money—it’d be suicide.

After getting everything ready, he told Tang Ying he was heading out and left the house.

At that moment, Tengyun First High’s basketball gym was buzzing with excitement.

Not only were there crowds of students and spectators, but many renowned coaches from across the country had gathered, all seated at the front, eagerly awaiting...