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Ye Chen and Su Lingxue left the forest and headed back to the city. The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the streets. Su Lingxue was quiet, her mind clearly preoccupied with the danger her family was in. Ye Chen, on the other hand, was calm and focused. He had faced worse in his past life, and he knew how to handle situations like this.
"Tell me more about this man," Ye Chen said as they walked. "What's his name, and what clan does he belong to?"
Su Lingxue hesitated for a moment before answering. "His name is Zhao Tianlong. He's from the Zhao Clan, one of the ancient clans that have been around for centuries. They're powerful, with connections in both the martial and business worlds. Zhao Tianlong is their young master, and he's… ruthless."
Ye Chen nodded. Ancient clans were no joke. They had deep roots and vast resources, making them formidable enemies. But Ye Chen wasn't worried. He had dealt with ancient clans before, and he knew their weaknesses.
"Do you know where Zhao Tianlong is right now?" Ye Chen asked.
"He's in the city," Su Lingxue replied. "He's staying at the Golden Dragon Hotel. That's where he's been conducting his business meetings."
Ye Chen smiled. "Good. We'll pay him a visit."
The Golden Dragon Hotel was one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. It was a towering building with a golden facade, and it was known for hosting wealthy and powerful guests. Ye Chen and Su Lingxue arrived just as the sun was setting, the hotel's lights casting a warm glow over the streets.
"Are you sure about this?" Su Lingxue asked, her voice tinged with worry. "Zhao Tianlong isn't someone to mess with. He has bodyguards, and they're all skilled fighters."
Ye Chen patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry. I've got this."
They entered the hotel and made their way to the elevator. Ye Chen pressed the button for the top floor, where Zhao Tianlong's suite was located. As the elevator ascended, Su Lingxue's anxiety grew.
"What's the plan?" she asked.
"Simple," Ye Chen replied. "I'll talk to him. If he listens, great. If not… well, let's just say he'll regret it."
The elevator doors opened, and they stepped out into a lavish hallway. At the end of the hall was a set of double doors, guarded by two burly men in black suits.
"This is as far as you go," one of the guards said, stepping forward. "State your business."
Ye Chen smiled. "I'm here to see Zhao Tianlong. Tell him Ye Chen is here to discuss a… mutual interest."
The guard frowned but nodded. He spoke into his earpiece, then stepped aside. "He'll see you. But no funny business."
Ye Chen and Su Lingxue entered the suite, which was even more luxurious than the hallway. The room was filled with expensive furniture, and a large window offered a stunning view of the city. Sitting on a plush couch was a young man in a tailored suit. He had sharp features and an air of arrogance that was almost palpable.
"So, you're Ye Chen," Zhao Tianlong said, his voice smooth but cold. "I've heard about you. The boy who defeated a few thugs and thinks he's a hero. What brings you here?"
Ye Chen stepped forward, his expression calm. "I'm here to talk about Su Lingxue. She's under my protection now, so I suggest you leave her and her family alone."
Zhao Tianlong laughed, a mocking sound that echoed through the room. "You? Protect her? Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?"
"I do," Ye Chen replied. "You're Zhao Tianlong, young master of the Zhao Clan. But let me make one thing clear—I don't care who you are. If you threaten Su Lingxue or her family again, you'll regret it."
Zhao Tianlong's smile faded, replaced by a look of anger. "You're brave, I'll give you that. But bravery won't save you."
He snapped his fingers, and four more bodyguards entered the room, each one larger and more intimidating than the last. They surrounded Ye Chen, their fists clenched and ready for a fight.
Su Lingxue gasped, her fear evident. "Ye Chen, be careful!"
Ye Chen didn't respond. Instead, he smiled. "Four against one? That's hardly fair… for them."
The first bodyguard lunged at Ye Chen, his fist aimed at Ye Chen's face. Ye Chen sidestepped the attack with ease, then countered with a swift punch to the man's ribs. The bodyguard crumpled to the floor, gasping for air.
The second bodyguard came at him from behind, but Ye Chen spun around and delivered a powerful kick to the man's chest, sending him flying into a wall.
The third and fourth bodyguards attacked simultaneously, but Ye Chen was too fast. He dodged their strikes and countered with a series of precise blows, each one hitting a vital point. Within seconds, all four bodyguards were on the ground, unconscious.
Zhao Tianlong's eyes widened in shock. "Impossible! Who are you?"
Ye Chen stepped closer, his expression cold. "I told you. I'm Ye Chen. And if you ever threaten Su Lingxue or her family again, you'll end up like your men."
Zhao Tianlong's arrogance was gone, replaced by fear. He nodded quickly. "I-I understand. I'll leave her alone."
Ye Chen turned to Su Lingxue. "Let's go."
As they left the hotel, Su Lingxue was silent for a long time. Finally, she spoke. "Thank you, Ye Chen. I don't know how to repay you."
Ye Chen smiled. "You don't have to. Just stay safe, okay?"
Su Lingxue nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. For the first time in a long while, she felt safe.
Meanwhile, in a dark room somewhere in the city, a man sat at a desk, his face hidden in shadow. In front of him was a report about Ye Chen's actions at the Golden Dragon Hotel.
"Interesting," the man muttered. "A boy with such power… I'll have to keep an eye on him."
He picked up a phone and dialed a number. "Send someone to investigate Ye Chen. I want to know everything about him."