Chapter 5: Strike Without Mercy

The four thugs helped their leader to his feet, exchanged glances, and charged forward with a shout. Yang Changfeng narrowed his eyes, spun around, and grabbed two bottles from the bar behind him. With a flick of his wrist, one bottle flew straight into the face of the thug at the very front.

A blood-curdling scream rang out as the man collapsed on the spot. The men and women watching nearby covered their mouths in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief at Yang Changfeng’s formidable skill.

“If you don’t want to die, get lost!” Yang Changfeng’s voice boomed with the force of a great bell, making the remaining thugs’ hearts tremble. Then, an even more astonishing scene unfolded—Yang Changfeng gripped the bottle in his left hand, squeezed gently, and with a sharp crack, the sturdy glass shattered into fragments.

Everyone in the bar was stunned. To shatter a bottle barehanded—just how much strength did this man possess? If he could crush a bottle, what would happen if he got hold of someone’s skull?

The thugs’ courage evaporated; their advance became a retreat. No matter how furiously Zhang Hao cursed and spat from behind, none dared take another step forward.

Yang Changfeng shook the glass shards from his hand and strode coldly toward Zhang Hao. The three underlings standing before their boss, terror in their eyes, threw down their bottles and bolted, abandoning their leader without a second thought.

“Damn it, you—” Zhang Hao never expected his men to forsake him like this.

Seeing Yang Changfeng approaching, Zhang Hao’s heart leaped into his throat. He instinctively staggered back two steps, his voice quivering. “Listen, kid, you’d better think twice. If you stop now, I’ll pretend none of this happened. But if you keep pushing me, I swear I’ll—”

Before he could finish, Yang Changfeng lunged forward, seized him by the throat, and hoisted him off the ground. Gasps and cries erupted around them as the crowd looked on, awed by Yang Changfeng’s overwhelming strength.

“Swear you’ll what? Planning to take revenge on me?” Yang Changfeng’s lips curled in mockery, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

Zhang Hao struggled desperately, words tumbling out in broken gasps. “You… you… you’ll… regret… this… I swear…”

Yang Changfeng’s eyes narrowed dangerously. Without warning, his left hand shot out, delivering a crisp slap that left Zhang Hao’s cheek instantly swollen and red.

“Why are you making trouble for Xu Jier?” Yang Changfeng demanded coldly.

Zhang Hao, terror-stricken, glanced at the iron grip on his neck. Feeling it loosen ever so slightly, he gulped in air and stammered, “It’s not… not me… It’s… Brother Long—Long Xiaoyun. He’s the one interested in that girl… He sent me to find people…”

A flash of murderous intent crossed Yang Changfeng’s eyes. He clenched his fist and drove it hard into Zhang Hao’s stomach.

“Go back and tell Long Xiaoyun—if he dares trouble Xu Jier again, I’ll make him regret ever being born.” Yang Changfeng’s words were like blades piercing the heart. Zhang Hao quivered with fear, nearly collapsing to the floor.

“Brother, this… this really isn’t my fault. I’ll deliver your message, just please let me go,” Zhang Hao pleaded, thoroughly cowed and desperate to escape.

Yang Changfeng’s lips twisted into a wicked smile as he glanced at the thugs who were just now climbing to their feet. “I’ll let you go, but let me remind you—just now you wanted me to kneel and bark like a dog, and crawl under your legs. Since you want to leave, how about I return the favor?”

“What?!” Zhang Hao gaped, rooted to the spot in disbelief.

Everyone present stared in shock. A few brash young men’s eyes sparkled with excitement, eager to see what would happen next.

“Is there a problem?” Yang Changfeng asked calmly.

Zhang Hao snapped out of his daze and shook his head like a rattle drum. “No, no, no.”

“Then get started,” Yang Changfeng said, a smile at the corner of his lips.

Gritting his teeth, Zhang Hao turned to his men and barked, “Get over here, all of you!” The thugs slunk over, grimacing, and knelt at Zhang Hao’s signal. Zhang Hao’s face was livid, fury simmering beneath the surface, but he forced himself to call out, “Start barking like dogs, all of you!”

Instantly, a chorus of canine howls echoed throughout the bar. Some onlookers couldn’t hold back their laughter.

Yang Changfeng smiled faintly. “Crawl out, and tonight’s business is finished.”

Hearing this, Zhang Hao and his crew felt as if they’d been pardoned from death. They turned and crawled toward the bar’s exit, imitating dogs all the way. But as Zhang Hao turned, Yang Changfeng caught the venomous glare in his eyes.

With the thugs dealt with, the bar erupted in cheers. Many of the women, dressed in seductive outfits, threw flirtatious glances at Yang Changfeng; a few bold ones even came over to strike up a conversation.

To Yang Changfeng, these women were nothing but powder and rouge, unworthy of his time. He had no interest in entertaining their advances; after sending the gaggle of beauties away, he left the bar with Xu Jier.

The night along Riverside Road was especially lively; with the night market nearby, it was a favorite haunt of night owls looking for a drink. Yang Changfeng, who hadn’t eaten since getting off the plane, suddenly felt his stomach grumble.

Xu Jier glanced at him. “Brother Yang, you must be hungry. Come on, I’ll take you for something to eat.”

Yang Changfeng smiled. “I am a bit hungry. Let’s fill up first.”

The two walked along Riverside Road for about ten minutes, and after crossing two streets, the night market came into view. Even from afar, the hawkers’ shouts could be heard. The air was thick with the scent of grilled meat. The crowd was dense and boisterous, filling the market with a lively atmosphere.

“There’s all kinds of food here. Whatever you like, it’s my treat tonight.” Xu Jier was deeply grateful to this upright man beside her—had it not been for Yang Changfeng, she would have fallen into those thugs’ hands.

“Really? If you’re treating, then I won’t hold back.” Yang Changfeng laughed, and the two of them entered the market.

They found seats at a specialty skewer stall. Around them, men and women munched on skewers and sipped beer, the air alive with merriment. Xu Jier ordered dozens of skewers, along with other dishes, and a few bottles of beer for Yang Changfeng.

Soon, the owner brought their food. Xu Jier saw Yang Changfeng eyeing the skewers and smiled, handing him one. “Eat up while it’s hot, Brother Yang.”

Famished, Yang Changfeng grabbed a skewer and devoured it eagerly.

Only now did Xu Jier study the man before her carefully. His features were sharply defined, almost as if chiseled from stone, his bronze complexion exuding a rugged strength. But it was his deep, unfathomable eyes—like bottomless abysses—that made him truly inscrutable.