Huohuo Leirei felt unsettled under Luo Ren's gaze. Gritting his teeth, he let out a fierce roar and moved with lightning speed.
Taking a step forward in a flash, he launched his signature Half-Step Decimating Punch!
Huohuo's Half-Step Decimating Punch was executed with sublime skill and mastery.
A burst of powerful qi energy exploded forth!
His body flickered as his fist, like a taut bow unleashed, shot out a spiraling electric current straight at Luo Ren's chest and abdomen.
However, Luo Ren remained standing motionless.
Just as Huohuo's fist was about to land, Luo Ren's abdomen suddenly drew inward, perfectly accommodating the punch. To Huohuo's horror, he felt his power dissipating into a void. Before he could withdraw, Luo Ren's abdomen seemed to suck in his fist with an irresistible force.
Simultaneously, Luo Ren struck out, his hand flashing as he seized Huohuo's throat in a vise-like grip.
Luo Ren lifted Huohuo off the ground, his face turning purple as he gasped for air, struggling in vain as he neared suffocation.
It all happened so fast.
Lin Qingxue and Tang Qingqing only saw Huohuo charge at Luo Ren before being seized by the throat.
Luo Ren's prowess was terrifyingly formidable.
Even the King of Security Guards, Duyan, was no match for him, let alone Huohuo who crumpled instantly in Luo Ren's grip.
Aghast at the scene, Tang's face drained of color as she cried out, "Stop! Let him go!" uncaring of anything else as she rushed forward to save her brother.
The calmer Lin hurriedly called for Chen Yang.
As Tang neared, Luo Ren's sleeve whipped out, unleashing a powerful gust that swept her off her feet.
Despairing, Tang could scarcely believe Luo Ren would openly murder her brother in broad daylight.
Lin shouted sternly, "This is China - murder is punishable by death! Release him now!"
Luo Ren remained coldly aloof and silent as Huohuo's life force waned.
Hearing the commotion, the security staff including Lao Xia charged out. "Save him!" Lin ordered.
Batons raised, the guards attacked without hesitation.
Yet Luo Ren merely stood his ground, his billowing sleeves lashing out like terrifying whips.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
In an instant, the guards were sent flying and howling in pain, powerless against him.
Just then, a blur of motion flashed by - Chen Yang had arrived like a whirlwind!
Bang!
Their fists collided, and Luo Ren was forced back three staggering steps before regaining his stance, while Chen retreated three steps back, clutching the rescued Huohuo.
Placing Huohuo down, Chen allowed him to gulp down air frantically.
Tang and Lin rushed over, distraught. "Brother Lei, are you okay?" Tang wept.
Waving them off, Huohuo's reddened face nodded, "I'm fine."
Immensely relieved, the women's gazes turned to Chen Yang, whose timely arrival felt divine, bestowing them a profound sense of security.
Chen, however, ignored them all, eyes boring into Luo Ren before shifting to the struggling Duyan. Sneering, he said, "Duyan, it seems you've forgotten my words. You probably thought having this guy would guarantee your safety."
Flinching under Chen's piercing gaze, Duyan instinctively retreated two steps, heart pounding.
Disregarding Duyan, Chen faced Luo Ren. "So you're here to back up Duyan? Fine, let's settle this today." Without further ado, the hot-blooded Chen prepared to attack.
Yet Luo Ren held up a hand. "Indeed, you are formidable enough for me to face. However, we shall not fight today. I came to resolve grievances."
Chen scoffed derisively, "By nearly killing my brother Huo? Some way to resolve grievances!"
"This master struck first," Luo Ren calmly replied.
Not pursuing that line, Chen said, "Very well, speak your terms for resolving our grievances then."
"As martial artists, we should settle matters in the martial way," Luo Ren declared. "Three days from now, meet me at the Jiayue Fencing Club. We shall sign a life-or-death agreement. Whoever dies or loses has no grievances thereafter. If you lose, the Yadi Company will be sold to my brother-disciple as initially agreed. What say you?"
Chen coolly remarked, "You've planned it out well. But if you lose, shouldn't there be additional conditions?"
"State your terms," Luo Ren replied.
"Duyan must leave Binhai City forever and never set foot here again," Chen declared.
Luo Ren nodded. "Agreed." A pause, then, "And can you guarantee control over the Yadi Company?"
"Naturally," Chen affirmed.
"Good, I shall have my brother-disciple draft an agreement witnessed by senior martial experts," said Luo Ren before departing, Duyan trailing behind.
"How could you make that decision without consulting us?" Tang angrily admonished Chen, upset that he had staked the Yadi Company despite saving Huohuo.
For a fleeting moment, Tang and Lin harbored a terrible thought - what if Chen was Duyan's spy, deliberately plotting to seize their company?
Perceiving Tang's fury and Lin's faint misgivings, Chen fell silent before heavily saying, "I apologize for not discussing it with you. But rest assured, if I lose, I'll forfeit my life to you."
His words lent an air of dejection as Chen strode off alone.
Tang and Lin stared after him, hearts softening despite themselves.
Still shaken, Huohuo curiously asked, "Who is this Chen Yang?"
Confused by Chen's formidable skills and sudden appearance, Tang explained, "We don't know much about his background. He used to be a security guard at our company. When Duyan came after us, Chen intervened, so we hired him as our driver and bodyguard."
"There must be something off about this guy," Huohuo remarked at once.