Chapter 6: Because Damn It!

“Of course, but the waters here run deep. You’re just a greenhorn—you won’t grasp it!”
“I suggest you mind your own business!”
Lu Beilie snarled fiercely.
“Reveal the mastermind behind this, and I’ll grant you a swift end!”
Duan Lingxiao’s eyes chilled with icy resolve.
“You want to know? Hmph, you lack the qualifications! Back then, Xiao Longhu fought alongside the Champion Marquis in countless battles, offending many powerful and noble families. Do you think knowing a bit of martial arts gives you the right to act recklessly? Naive!”
Lu Beilie shook his head indifferently.
Mentioning the Champion Marquis, a flicker of fear and caution flashed deep in Lu Beilie’s eyes.
Years ago, the Champion Marquis led troops in a decisive battle on the southwestern border, laying a solid foundation for peace in the Dragon Kingdom and elevating its international influence day by day, reaching the zenith of its power.
If not for that scandal five years ago, the Champion Marquis today would be a terrifying figure that countless powerful families could hardly rival!
But the world has no shortage of those who kick a man when he’s down.
The Champion Marquis was sentenced to lifelong imprisonment and rumored to have died in a dark, deep prison.
Xiao Longhu also perished.
Supporters close to them were ruthlessly purged.
Those powerful families they once offended bared their savage fangs.
This is why Xiao Mengxue was subjected to cruel torment without anyone daring to intervene!
Yet...
Lu Beilie could never have guessed that the man standing before him was the very Champion Marquis, whose name struck fear five years ago!
Not only was he alive, but he had returned with even greater power!
“Hmph!”
Duan Lingxiao snorted coldly.
In the next instant,
with a flick of his right hand, several silver needles shot into the bodies of Lu Beilie and his son, Lu Junxian.
“The Nine Yin Demon Needles!”
This was one of the needle techniques passed down to Duan Lingxiao by the Fifth Villain Master.
Some needle arts heal and save lives.
Others make life worse than death.
The Nine Yin Demon Needles, as the name suggests, unleash countless demons from the Nine Yin realm that tear, consume, and relentlessly erode the host’s vitality.
Until the pain kills them alive!
“Ahhh!!”
Lu Beilie and Lu Junxian convulsed as if torn apart by dozens of burly men, their muscles spasming violently, screaming in agony.
The guests watched in horror, their eyes wide with disbelief.
How excruciating must the pain be to scream so miserably?
“Speak!”
Duan Lingxiao’s voice thundered, shattering the air.
“I... I don’t know!”
A flash of panic flickered deep in Lu Beilie’s eyes.
He knew!
But dared not speak!
Indeed, if the Lu family simply wanted to break off the engagement with Xiao Mengxue, they had countless ways to do so.
But they chose the cruelest, most savage method.
Could it be that the powerful families offended by him and Xiao Longhu five years ago were targeting Xiao Mengxue?
Deliberately humiliating and torturing her?
Duan Lingxiao’s gaze darkened sharply.
The Lu family was a top-tier clan in Jiangnan City, yet they remained tight-lipped, showing that whoever was behind this had considerable influence.
“Since you won’t speak, then die!”
Duan Lingxiao’s eyes darkened as he prepared to unleash the Nine Yin Demon Needles and send the father and son to a miserable death.
“Stop!”
Suddenly, a booming shout echoed from outside the wedding hall.
“Who just killed my disciple?”
Bang!
The red cedar doors of the hall shattered violently.
In the next moment, a robust figure stormed in.
The man stood about 1.8 meters tall, his hair gray and white, but his gaze was stern, his aura surging powerfully and fiercely.
“It’s Vice President Jiang!”
The crowd gasped, quickly bowing respectfully.
Master Jiang, known as Jiang Bujing, was Hong Tao’s mentor.
He currently served as Vice President of the Jiangnan City Martial Arts Association.
“Tao’er!”
“You bastard! Who the hell dared to kill my disciple?”
Jiang Bujing roared furiously.
“Vice President Jiang, it was him! I just sent a secret text to your assistant.”
At that moment, a middle-aged man in a black suit pointed at Duan Lingxiao.
“Good, thanks for the heads-up. I owe you one,” Jiang Bujing nodded.
The suited man beamed with joy.
Establishing ties with Jiang Bujing, Vice President of the Martial Arts Association, was a dream many sought but rarely attained.
“Vice President Jiang, please intervene. The Lu family will be eternally grateful and will surely reward you handsomely!”
Lu Beilie gritted his teeth through the convulsions and snarled.
“Family head Lu, rest assured!”
“With my intervention, you have nothing to fear!”
Jiang Bujing said confidently, then cast a murderous glance at Duan Lingxiao without concealment.
“Boy, why did you kill my disciple?”
“He deserved it!”
Duan Lingxiao replied coldly.
“Do you know he is my only disciple?!”
Killing intent blazed in Jiang Bujing’s eyes.
“And so what?”
Duan Lingxiao remained calm.
“I, Jiang Bujing, have dominated Jiangnan City for over twenty years. Both the underworld and the authorities give me some respect. And you, a little punk, actually dare to kill my disciple?”
“Boy, who sent you? I won’t kill a nameless rat!”
Jiang Bujing said grimly.
“Who do you think you are to ask about my background?”
“Jiang Bujing, you’re just a whining old man. Got prostate problems or something?”
Duan Lingxiao sneered.
“Hiss—”
A collective gasp of shock swept through the crowd, their scalps tingling.
This was the Vice President of the Martial Arts Association, a man of high rank and profound skill. Even the city’s mayor would show him deference. This was no joke.
Is this guy crazy?
How dare he insult Jiang Bujing like that!
“Brother Lingxiao!”
Xiao Mengxue’s eyes shone with boundless admiration.
Lingxiao brother was still as handsome, gallant, and righteous as five years ago, unmatched in spirit.
“You little scum, how dare you insult me!”
Jiang Bujing flew into a rage and struck out with a palm at Duan Lingxiao.
Instantly, a vast surge of energy rushed forth, his palm strike freezing cold and sharp as a knife.
Everyone scrambled back, fearing collateral damage.
“Master Jiang, this guy can catch bullets with his hands. Please be careful!”
From the crowd, the man in the black suit who had warned Jiang Bujing spoke up.
“What?!”
“Damn!”
Jiang Bujing’s expression changed drastically, shocked and pale.
“Damn, being able to catch bullets with one’s hands means his energy can be projected outward. That’s the mark of at least a Ge Realm martial artist!”
“How can this be? He looks barely twenty. How could he be this strong?”
Jiang Bujing could hardly believe it.
As his eyes flickered wildly, Duan Lingxiao suddenly appeared in front of him, gripping his throat.
Jiang Bujing’s energy was instantly shattered.
“Y-you... how is this possible...”
Jiang Bujing trembled violently, his spirit shaken.
He was a profound martial artist, unrivaled in Jiangnan City, reigning supreme and surrounded by admirers.
Yet now, he had no strength to resist and was easily subdued by Duan Lingxiao.
“You cannot kill me! I am Vice President of the Jiangnan City Martial Arts Association! Killing me is defying the Association! If you dare lay a finger on me, the Association will crush you to dust, leaving no grave! Are you sure you can withstand the Association’s wrath?”
Though stunned, Jiang Bujing’s cunning surfaced as he brandished the Martial Arts Association’s name like a shield.
“Whether I can withstand it or not is irrelevant to a dead man.”
Snap!
A crisp sound rang out.
Jiang Bujing’s throat was crushed instantly, and his body collapsed like a dead fish.
“Vice President Jiang!!”
The crowd was horrified.
Lu Beilie was so terrified his soul nearly fled, his body shaking uncontrollably.
The man in the black suit who had warned Jiang Bujing shrank back and turned to flee.
Thwip!
Duan Lingxiao casually tossed a glass.
It shot like a bullet, piercing the man’s back, leaving a bloody hole.
The guests fell silent, shrinking into corners, fearing for their lives.
The rest of the Lu family cowered, their heads pulled in like withered old turtles.
“Lu Beilie, now tell me—under whose orders did you torment Mengxue?”
Duan Lingxiao’s gaze was deathly cold as he stared down Lu Beilie.