Chapter 87: The Red Scorpion Rescued

Chapter Eighty-Seven: The Red Scorpion Rescued

Qin Wan’er had no idea what the two were doing. Suddenly, she realized that the person who had injured both Xu Yun and Qiu Yan so badly had yet to be accounted for. A cold sweat broke out along her spine. Just two hours ago, she had been shouting in the police station, vowing to personally apprehend that ruthless murderer. Now, fear gripped her; she finally understood that her world was far from ordinary, especially with people like Xu Yun and Qiu Yan around.

Clearly, the one they called Red Scorpion—the S-Class fugitive Hao Kai—was also a formidable expert like them.

Today, Qin Wan’er came to a thorough realization: when an ordinary person faces such experts, there isn’t even a chance to fight back. A thought suddenly surfaced in her mind—she wanted Xu Yun to train her to become an expert too. Only then would she have the credentials to apprehend high-level criminals.

“Whew…” Xu Yun quickly realigned his meridians. He let out a long breath and opened his eyes to find Qin Wan’er gazing at him intently.

He glanced at Qiu Yan, whose clothes he had torn to administer medicine, then hurriedly said to Qin Wan’er, “Stay here and take care of her. If she asks, say you applied medicine to her wounds and helped her change. Whatever you do, don’t sell me out—I’d like to live a few more years.”

Qin Wan’er nodded, then shook her head. She wasn’t a doctor and knew nothing about medicine, and the bottles and jars clearly weren’t hers.

Xu Yun had no time to explain. He rushed to the window and leaped out once more; he had to deal with the Red Scorpion.

Yet, after Xu Yun went outside, the Red Scorpion was nowhere to be seen.

A chill swept through Xu Yun’s heart. He was certain Red Scorpion couldn’t have stood up and escaped on his own in such a short time. That meant he must have had accomplices!

The possibility was terrifying. Xu Yun’s sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, but nothing seemed amiss.

No, if Red Scorpion had accomplices, they would have intervened when Red Scorpion attacked. Xu Yun remembered that during his fight with Red Scorpion, his back was exposed; if someone had struck from behind, he wouldn’t have had the strength to defend himself. He would have been the one lying on the ground, not Red Scorpion, and he wouldn’t have had the chance to break through his own limits.

But throughout the battle, no one else had acted! Could Red Scorpion really have recovered enough to escape on his own, or had he faked his collapse to deceive Xu Yun?

Impossible. It couldn’t be that simple. Xu Yun dismissed each of his doubts, convinced that Red Scorpion was rescued, not self-reliant.

But who would do such a thing?

At that moment, Qin Wan’er rushed out as well. She was just as concerned about the fugitive’s fate, but the scene left her bewildered. “Where is he?”

“I don’t know.” Xu Yun became alert again, scanning the area in case Red Scorpion was lying in wait for a surprise attack.

Qin Wan’er was frustrated. “How can you say you don’t know? Didn’t you defeat him?”

Wait—her mind flashed with an idea. “Could it be Ma Pinghai who rescued him?”

“Didn’t you take Ma Pinghai to the police station?” Xu Yun frowned.

“There was no evidence, and Ma Pinghai is an official. The station didn’t want to risk unnecessary public backlash, so they had to release him.” Qin Wan’er was helpless; after all, the police couldn’t just arrest people without cause.

Xu Yun’s expression grew serious. “It can’t be Ma Pinghai.”

“Why not?” Qin Wan’er asked. “He’s definitely connected to Ma Pinghai.”

“Ma Pinghai doesn’t have the skill to quietly spirit someone away.” Xu Yun’s eyes narrowed as he changed the topic. “Hao Kai is called the Red Scorpion because he’s ruthless and venomous. If he knew Ma Pinghai had entered the police station, regardless of what Ma Pinghai said or didn’t say, he wouldn’t let Ma Pinghai live.”

Qin Wan’er was startled. “What do you mean?”

“Ma Pinghai might already be dead.” Xu Yun’s speculation was not without reason.

Qin Wan’er shook her head in disbelief. “Impossible. The police just released him; there wasn’t time for a crime.”

Xu Yun replied coldly, “Red Scorpion could kill Ma Pinghai in seconds. If I’m right, Ma Pinghai has already died somewhere near the station.”

A chill rose in Qin Wan’er’s heart. “You’re just guessing…”

“Yes, just a guess.” Xu Yun nodded, resigned. “I don’t have time to worry about Ma Pinghai’s fate. I only want to know who rescued Red Scorpion. Clearly, the danger hasn’t passed.”

Qin Wan’er tried to calm herself. “Xu Yun, can you tell me who Qiu Yan really is? Why did she attract such dangerous people?”

Xu Yun smiled faintly. “Qiu Yan is a dangerous person herself. But the trouble isn’t hers; it’s Guo Guo’s. Qiu Yan is just Guo Guo’s protector.”

“Guo Guo?” Qin Wan’er nearly choked. “She’s just a child—how could she get involved with these people?”

Xu Yun didn’t answer. It wasn’t something that could be explained in a few words. “You ask me, but I don’t know either. Forget it, let’s go back to sleep. I doubt anything will happen tonight.”

“Sleep? That guy was rescued—aren’t you worried there’s more danger?” Qin Wan’er was ready to mobilize the special forces and sweep Hedong City from top to bottom.

“If he wanted to attack, he wouldn’t wait for us to notice. The best time for a sneak attack was when Qiu Yan and I were healing. Since he didn’t strike then, he doesn’t intend to.” Xu Yun smiled calmly.

Qin Wan’er found Xu Yun’s logic reasonable, if risky.

Xu Yun saw her concern. “I’m not a police officer, so I don’t think like you do. Don’t worry, I don’t rely on blind intuition—I have my own reasoning. Besides, I understand those people better than you do.”

“What kind of monsters are you?” Qin Wan’er forced a bitter smile.

“Have you ever seen a monster this handsome?” Xu Yun stroked his chin.

Qin Wan’er rolled her eyes, speechless. “Stop showing off. Go check on Qiu Yan.”

They returned to the second floor of the medicinal restaurant. Just as Xu Yun was about to open the door, Qin Wan’er stopped him, her lips curling. “Let me dress her first before you go in. Otherwise, you’d be getting off too easy.”

Damn, Xu Yun was annoyed. He’d hoped for another glimpse.

“Looking disappointed, are you? Hmph, pervert.” Qin Wan’er grumbled. “Didn’t you get enough just now? I’m starting to suspect your intentions. I could have applied the medicine myself, but you insisted on doing it, even taking off her clothes…”

“Why does your tone sound jealous?” Xu Yun shrugged. “Qin Wan’er, are you jealous? If you think it’s unfair, I can make it up to you with special treatment.”

Qin Wan’er kicked at him, but Xu Yun dodged. “Keep joking and you’ll regret it!”

Xu Yun stopped teasing. “Tonight, I’m counting on you to take care of Qiu Yan. Guo Guo and I thank you.”

Qin Wan’er snorted, “No need to thank me—I’m not cold-blooded.”

“One more thing—will you report tonight’s events to your superiors?” Xu Yun suddenly remembered an unresolved matter.

Qin Wan’er met his gaze for half a minute before she spoke slowly. “What do you think?”

Xu Yun was direct. “I hope you won’t report it. If you do, Qiu Yan and I won’t be able to hide—we’ll be dragged into the police’s plans.”

“What’s wrong with cooperating with the police?” Qin Wan’er didn’t understand Xu Yun’s aversion.

Xu Yun nodded. “I don’t like trouble.”

Qin Wan’er stared at him for a long time, then finally relented. “Fine. I promise not to report today’s events to the city investigation team.”

Xu Yun smiled. “So, what’s your condition?”

He didn’t believe that someone as responsible as Qin Wan’er would do this without reason. She must have her own terms.

“You’re so straightforward, so I won’t beat around the bush.” Qin Wan’er shrugged. “I want to take a gamble.”

“A gamble?” Xu Yun smiled. “You’re betting on me?”

Qin Wan’er’s smile was uneasy. She hoped she’d made the right choice, believing Xu Yun wouldn’t disappoint her—even if it meant abandoning the principles she’d held since entering the police academy.

Xu Yun sighed bitterly. It seemed he had to resolve this matter himself, for Guo Guo’s safety and for Qin Wan’er’s trust. He had to eliminate the Red Scorpion’s threat personally.

“All right, you’ve chosen well. Trusting me is more reliable than trusting the police.” Xu Yun grinned. “Qiu Yan is in your hands.”

“Don’t worry.” With that, Qin Wan’er went to Qiu Yan’s room.

Xu Yun returned to his own room, his face finally showing pain. He’d been so focused on purging Qiu Yan’s poison that he hadn’t considered the toxicity of his own wound. The poison on his left arm couldn’t be eliminated with just the universal antidote.

He calmed himself, sat cross-legged, and used his internal energy to force out the poison invading his heart and lungs. Damn that poisonous scorpion—he was a tough opponent. But who had saved him? That was the real headache now.

Although Xu Yun had broken through and joined the ranks of super experts, if Green Ghost launched a full-scale counterattack, Xu Yun’s chances were still slim. After all, two fists can’t beat four. The man who had cleared out Suhang’s Feng Qiansui in one night was no ordinary foe.

[End of Season One of “Soldier King of Demons.” Season Two promises even more thrilling confrontations.

Who rescued the escaped Red Scorpion? Who is the true underground overlord of Hedong City? What is the protagonist’s real identity? Watch as he seizes vast assets and ascends to the pinnacle of Hedong. How will Green Ghost’s mad revenge unfold? How will Xu Yun lead his array of beauties to victory?

Register at 17K Novel Network to support “Soldier King of Demons,” support Xiao Xian’s writing, support official releases—imagination without guilt!]