"I'm offering you respect, but who do you think you are?"
Chen Zilei glared at Cheng Yan with hostility in his eyes. "Go back and ask your father if you dare to address me like that. Even you, the son of a mere businessman, have the audacity to ask for respect from me?"
Cheng Yan was slapped, leaving a crimson handprint on his face.
"Then... What does Brother Lei wish to do?"
He lowered his head submissively.
The other party's overbearing aura left him utterly crushed.
Cheng Yan didn't dare to speak above a whisper.
"Simple, let these two women stay with me, then you can leave."
Chen Zilei's gaze lingered on Liu Jiaojiao, his satisfaction growing with each glance.
How long had it been since he had tasted such beauty?
Cheng Yan's heart sank.
Zhang Ning didn't matter. She was just a plaything he had kept around.
The real issue was Liu Jiaojiao. He couldn't let her go!
Liu Jiaojiao was equally alarmed. "You... Don't even think about it. My father is Liu Wei, the City Guard of Lingyu City. If you dare to lay a hand on me, he will never forgive you!"
She had no idea that the man before her was the second young master of the Chen family.
What should she do now?
"Tsk, just a city guard. Our Chen family isn't even afraid of the Chu family, let alone a petty guard from a city under their control."
Pride flashed in Chen Zilei's eyes. "I advise you to obey me and avoid any unnecessary pain. Look at your delicate skin. You wouldn't be able to endure the torture, would you?"
"Brother Lei, this..."
Cheng Yan desperately tried to negotiate, but Chen Zilei shot him a piercing gaze, stopping him in his tracks.
Cheng Yan collapsed to the ground, his face pale and unable to utter a word.
"I, let me go."
Cheng Yan hurriedly lowered his head and scurried out in shame.
As for Li Zheng, Zhang Ning, Liu Jiaojiao, and Lin Chen...
He could no longer concern himself with them.
Given the other party's status, he was fortunate to have escaped with his life. How could he spare any thought for others?
"Master Cheng, Master Cheng!"
Li Zheng cried out in despair.
But Cheng Yan ignored him, striding away without a backward glance.
Other followers hung their heads and followed him out.
In an instant, only Li Zheng, Zhang Ning, Liu Jiaojiao, and Lin Chen remained in the corridor.
Li Zheng's heart sank.
He never imagined that Cheng Yan would be so cowardly, abandoning them without hesitation.
Liu Jiaojiao's face was as white as a sheet. She suddenly realized the gravity of her situation.
Chen Zilei, the second young master of the Chen family, had a notorious reputation for preying on young women. He shared the same vile nature as his younger brother, Chen Lingfeng.
Now that she was in his clutches, she could only imagine the horrors that awaited her.
"Mister Chen, please don't touch me. Compared to her, I'm just a plain and ordinary girl. She's still so young, please spare her."
Zhang Ning's face was a mask of terror as she pushed Liu Jiaojiao forward.
Liu Jiaojiao couldn't help but stumble and nearly fall.
"Zhang Ning, you..."
Her beautiful face was pale, her eyes filled with confusion.
She had always considered Zhang Ning to be her friend, but now, at this critical moment, Zhang Ning had cast her aside to save herself.
"Aren't you supposed to be close sisters? Why does it seem like you're distancing yourselves now that trouble has struck?"
Chen Zilei laughed out loud, his voice dripping with mockery.
"Mister Chen, our relationship was very ordinary. She's just a pretentious and aloof person. If Cheng Yan hadn't always been infatuated with her and promised me various benefits, I would never have associated with her."
Fear was evident in Zhang Ning's eyes.
She knew that if she fell into Chen Zilei's hands, her fate would be worse than death.
Chen Zilei narrowed his eyes, reveling in the feeling of control.
He waved a dismissive hand. "Upon closer examination, there is indeed a vast difference between the two of you. Compared to her, you are utterly inferior. Begone."
"Thank you, Mister Chen!"
Zhang Ning rushed forward, retrieving the sword energy embedded in Li Zheng's palm and helping him out.
Now, only Liu Jiaojiao and Lin Chen were left.
Liu Jiaojiao's hope dwindled, her mind racing frantically.
"What, are you not leaving?"
Chen Zilei turned his gaze to Lin Chen, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Lin Chen smiled calmly. "Uncle Liu warned you to stay away from lowlifes, but you refused to listen. Today, you've witnessed firsthand the ruthlessness of the world, haven't you?"
Liu Jiaojiao remained silent, her mind in turmoil.
How could she escape this nightmare?
Lin Chen's eyes shifted back to Chen Zilei. "Second Young Master Chen, it seems we have a connection of sorts."
"A connection with me?"
Chen Zilei chuckled disdainfully. "Who do you think you are? If you don't want to die, get lost!"
With that, Chen Zilei spat on the ground.
Lin Chen flicked his fingers, his energy condensing into a handprint that slapped Chen Zilei's spit back into his face.
"What the hell!"
Chen Zilei, his face covered in his own saliva, stumbled backward in embarrassment.
"You little bastard, I don't care who you are, but you're dead today!!!"
Chen Zilei roared with fury.
Uncontrollable rage burned in his eyes, threatening to consume everything.
In his eyes, this boy was no more than an insignificant ant.
How dare this mere worm fight back against him?
"My reputation may not be well-known."
Lin Chen sighed. "But it was I who killed your useless brother. Fate has brought us together again. Don't you think that's a strange coincidence?"
"Are you Lin Chen?"
Surprise flashed across Chen Zilei's eyes.
He quickly suppressed his anger, scrutinizing Lin Chen intently.
"Disciple of the Blazing Fire Sect, Lin Chen."
Lin Chen smiled faintly. "If that's not enough proof, I can offer more."
Chen Zilei's demeanor calmed.
He frowned, his mind racing.
This boy had actually come to Lingyu City.
Could it be that he had also come to participate in the tournament?
It was possible.
He had heard rumors that Lin Chen had a close relationship with the Chu family, and that Chu Hao would not hesitate to wage war against the Chen family for his sake.
If this boy was truly Lin Chen, then he could not afford to be reckless.
The fact that Lin Chen had openly killed Chen Lingfeng was a testament to his abilities.
If he were to confront him directly, the outcome was far from certain.
To kill this boy, he needed to be fully prepared.
"So you're Lin Chen. You dare to come to Lingyu City to swagger around. Good, very good."
A murderous glint flickered in Chen Zilei's eyes, and he said with a sinister smile, "I've heard you're close to the Chu family, so tomorrow, I will kill you in the arena for all to see. I want everyone to know the price of defying the Chen family."
After uttering these words, Chen Zilei turned and left.
He was astonishingly composed.
Taking action now did not guarantee Lin Chen's death.
However, tomorrow's arena battle would be a different story.
By then, he would be ready to strike.