Chapter 113: The Red Scorpion's Plan

Chapter 113: The Red Scorpion’s Plan

While some celebrated and others despaired, Xu Yun was drinking and chatting with his brothers, savoring the pleasures of life.

Meanwhile, the Liu family was engulfed in fury and shock.

When Jin Biao delivered Liu Tianyi to Liu Sheng, who was staying at the Hedong International Hotel, Liu Sheng nearly seethed with rage until he felt as if he might vomit blood. After hearing the full account from Jin Biao, his anger boiled over. First, he was furious at his son’s disgrace, having done such a thing for a woman; then, he was enraged that anyone dared to undermine the Liu family’s reputation.

“Big brother, these people aren’t to be trifled with,” Jin Biao embellished. “Right now, both Wu Lei and I have to tread carefully around them. I even suspect Ma Pinghai was killed by their hand.”

Just then, the Red Scorpion, who had been hiding in the inner room, emerged suddenly. “Who dares to be so arrogant?”

Jin Biao was startled; he hadn’t realized anyone else was in the room. When he focused his gaze, he recognized the man before him—the notorious fugitive who had thrown Hedong City into panic—and his heart sank.

So it turned out this ruthless villain was hiding right inside Liu Sheng’s hotel! Jin Biao shivered inwardly. Clearly, Liu Sheng was no ordinary man. Over the years, it was fortunate he had not made an enemy of him; otherwise, he might have lost his life. No wonder Ma Pinghai and Wu Lei had never provoked Liu Sheng before.

Liu Sheng noticed Jin Biao’s unease and said calmly, “Jin, little brother, I won’t bother introducing this gentleman to you. I’m sure you’ve heard of him.”

“More than heard… his name is thunderous!” Jin Biao was so nervous that he forgot how to flatter. Of course, he was terrified. Even though he was one of Hedong’s most notorious villains, this man was no mere mortal—he was a killing demon!

In the face of a demon, a villain was nothing.

The Red Scorpion glared coldly at Jin Biao. “I killed Ma Pinghai. I didn’t want anyone to know my true situation.”

Jin Biao’s heart jumped. “I... I swear I won’t breathe a word!”

The Red Scorpion snorted, laughter dry and chilling.

“Big brother, Liu Sheng, please assure me—my mouth’s as tight as a drum!” Jin Biao was panicked; he suspected that the demon might want him dead, too.

“Red Scorpion, Jin is my friend. He would never divulge your secrets. Besides, tonight he saved my son,” Liu Sheng finally spoke up, standing by Jin Biao out of gratitude for the favor done to his son.

Looking at his son, still half-unconscious, a fresh wave of anger surged in Liu Sheng’s heart.

“If he’s your friend, I certainly won’t do anything to him,” the Red Scorpion said with a faint smile. He knew that even if he lent this fat man some courage, he wouldn’t dare go blabbing to the police.

“Yes, yes, yes! We’re all on the same side!” Jin Biao hurriedly agreed.

The Red Scorpion gave a cold snort and ignored Jin Biao, walking straight to Liu Tianyi. Upon seeing his injuries, he frowned. “Hedong City really is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Brother Sheng, it seems you’re not the only expert settled here.”

Liu Sheng’s patience finally snapped. Grabbing Jin Biao’s collar, he demanded, “Jin, who exactly beat my son to this state?!”

Jin Biao feigned calm to soothe Liu Sheng while saying, “The one who injured Tianyi is Xu Yun. He even once hurt my son... and took over my family’s business.”

Before Liu Sheng could react, the Red Scorpion was stunned. He spun around, seized Jin Biao by the collar, and with a surge of power effortlessly lifted the hefty man’s two hundred-pound frame. “Xu Yun? Are you sure?”

Jin Biao was terrified by the sudden show of strength and the murderous aura emanating from the Red Scorpion, weakening his legs and leaving him utterly defenseless. “Of course it’s true—I swear on my life!”

“Red Scorpion, do you know this man?” Liu Sheng snorted and looked at him sharply. “This grudge—you can’t swallow it!”

He felt that having such a top-tier expert under his command was too valuable not to utilize. Since his son was his disciple, and the disciple had been beaten, as the master, he could not stand idly by.

“I don’t know him,” the Red Scorpion replied uncharacteristically, releasing Jin Biao’s collar. He shot a glare of bitter disappointment at the half-dead Liu Tianyi, cursing inwardly at the fool for provoking the wrong person.

“What? You don’t want to confront him?” Liu Sheng immediately sensed something off about the Red Scorpion.

The Scorpion replied perfunctorily, “If that’s the case, we’ll meet him tomorrow.”

Though he said this, the Red Scorpion did not tell Liu Sheng that Xu Yun was the very man who had almost killed him that night. If Liu Sheng went, it would be a death sentence.

Liu Sheng’s face cleared as if the fog had lifted. “Good.”

Jin Biao was silently delighted. He wanted both sides to hurt each other, but he hadn’t expected Liu Sheng to have such a demon in his possession—a trump card that could be a game-changer.

“Stay here tonight, too. Though I trust you, Brother Sheng, I don’t like trusting strangers,” the Red Scorpion said with a sinister smile.

Jin Biao was taken aback—this fellow feared betrayal.

Liu Sheng nodded; he didn’t want any unexpected complications. Tomorrow, Jin Biao would witness the Red Scorpion’s power and surely wouldn’t dare report to the police. “Jin, little brother, sorry to trouble you.”

“No trouble at all! Not in the slightest!” Jin Biao hurriedly reassured. He decided it was best not to provoke such a murderous demon. Even if he had the chance to go to the police, he wouldn’t risk his life over some money.

Liu Sheng prepared a room for Jin Biao, then summoned doctors to tend to his son’s wounds, cursing the person who had caused such grievous harm.

The Red Scorpion returned to his room early. He had already decided that no matter what, he would leave Hedong City tonight. He had hoped Liu Sheng’s place was safe enough to recover and heal before returning, especially since he had lost control recently and feared punishment from the Azure Ghost. With his current condition, the Azure Ghost’s slightest strike could kill him.

Yet, he never expected that Liu Tianyi would provoke Xu Yun.

Liu Sheng, ignorant of everything, still raged about not being able to accept this grievance. Hmph. If the Red Scorpion told him that the man who injured his son was the very one who had nearly killed him at the herbal medicine shop, he wouldn’t know what expression he'd wear.

The Red Scorpion feigned cooperation with Liu Sheng simply to ensure a smooth departure tonight. If Liu Sheng knew he was powerless against Xu Yun and wanted to leave, he might well hand him over to the police for the bounty.

Though the Red Scorpion wouldn’t fall into police hands, his current condition would make things difficult.

Liu Sheng had initially intended to use him, and the Red Scorpion was well aware of this. Staying was only for his own benefit now.

He needed to return to face the Azure Ghost, explain himself, and maybe keep his life.

Facing Xu Yun again in Hedong meant only one path—death.

With matters at this stage, the Red Scorpion could only tuck his tail and play the part of a beaten dog. As long as he lived, there would be time to reclaim his lost honor.

When that time came, even if Xu Yun had broken through the mental realm to become a super expert, he would still kneel before the Azure Ghost’s wrath.

Liu Sheng, completely in the dark, had no idea the Red Scorpion planned to leave tonight and was still scheming how to exact revenge for his son tomorrow.

Jin Biao went to bed chuckling quietly. Tomorrow’s battle—no matter who won or lost—he would come out unscathed. Perhaps in the end, as the two fought, he could reap the benefits of their conflict.

...

Early the next morning, Fan Shuang’er drove the hungover Qian Feng straight back to Yanjing without hesitation.

Xu Yun, exhausted, trudged back to the herbal medicine shop. Upon entering, he bumped straight into Guo Guo.

“Daddy, Sister Wan’er hasn’t come back, and you’re back too?” Guo Guo looked surprised.

Her outburst drew Ruan Qingshuang out of her room, her eyes filled with suspicion as she glanced at Xu Yun. She seriously doubted that Xu Yun had also stayed overnight at Teacher Su’s place with Qin Wan’er.

Although Chou Yan knew Xu Yun had returned last night but ran into some trouble at the herbal medicine shop’s door, she certainly wasn’t inclined to help Xu Yun explain himself.

“Did Sister Wan’er ask you to teach her how to shoot a pistol again?” Guo Guo tilted her head, puzzled. “Uh, could it be that Teacher Su wants to learn too?”

Damn!

Xu Yun truly wished he could just bang his head against the wall.

Though Ruan Qingshuang knew the truth was nothing like Guo Guo’s suggestion, the thought of Xu Yun spending the night with two girls made her cheeks flush slightly. “Does Teacher Su’s house have extra beds?”

Xu Yun smiled wryly. “Sister Qingshuang, I met two friends at a bar last night. The owner can vouch for me.”

“I’m not questioning you, so you don’t need to explain,” Ruan Qingshuang said awkwardly. She wasn’t close to him, so she had no right to interrogate.

Guo Guo, however, was skeptical. “Daddy, is it really true that home flowers aren’t as fragrant as wild ones? What do Mom and Sister Chou Yan lack compared to those silly girls who hang out in bars every day and let men take liberties?”

Chou Yan dragged Guo Guo into the bathroom. “Wash your face, brush your teeth, and go to school.”

Guo Guo obediently complied.

“I’ll make breakfast,” Xu Yun offered.

“You haven’t slept all night, right? Go rest a bit. I’ll just fry some eggs,” Ruan Qingshuang said with concern. “Drinking at night doesn’t feel good. I’ll make you some honey water later.”

Hearing this, Xu Yun was filled with endless gratitude.

What is happiness?

It’s not a cat eating fish, nor a dog eating meat, nor Ultraman fighting monsters.

Happiness is that even if I don’t come home at night, I still return to such gentle care from Sister Qingshuang. With that, life is fulfilled, and death bears no regrets.

It had indeed been a long time since Xu Yun had seen his brothers, so he drank a little too much last night. Together with Qinglong, they’d consumed about eight bottles of whiskey and five bottles of vodka. Fortunately, he remained clear-headed, whereas that bastard Qinglong was carried off by a young girl.

[PS: Sorry everyone, I’ve hit a writing block these days and my mood isn’t right. I want to release five or eight chapters quickly, but I can’t just throw words together carelessly. I’m doing my best. Don’t laugh at me. My father gets angry at home when he drinks too much, and that keeps me blocked for at least three days. Under such emotions, most of what I write ends up deleted. No choice—every family has its troubles, and as a son, there’s little I can do. I’ve endured over twenty years, and it seems it will continue this way.]