"You're courting death!"The Yakuza Witch's voice turned icy. "I don't care what rank you hold on the Sanjiang Combat Power Rankings—dare to act so presumptuous before me, and I'll kill you here and now!"
As soon as the words left her lips, her figure vanished once again—like a phantom slicing through the night.
But the moment she moved, Chen Xiao's [Dragon's Breath] flared to life.Every ripple of aura in the air was instantly mapped in his mind.Almost simultaneously, he locked onto her movement trajectory.
In the blink of an eye, his own form blurred—shadow overlapping shadow—and the mighty [All Things Water] surged through his veins.
Streams of invisible force converged in his palm, forming an overwhelming pressure.Then—Boom!A massive hand of condensed water essence broke through the air, pinning the Yakuza Witch firmly against the wall.
It happened so fast that onlookers could barely register what they saw—one instant she was gone, the next, her slender form was pressed against the cold stone, unable to move.
"Holy crap—what's happening?!" Fatty's jaw dropped.He just witnessed an earth-shattering move beyond reason.
Chen Xiao's hand was locked around the Witch's delicate neck, his grip unyielding yet controlled.Her flawless face was pressed against the wall; the subtle friction made her features stand out even more—cold, proud, and breathtakingly vivid.
Her body was… well, perfection.
Fatty immediately turned his head away. "I'm not looking! Chen Xiao, uh—five minutes, enough time?"
With a wave of his hand, Chen Xiao shaped [All Things Water] into a shovel and swatted Fatty's backside.
"Ow! Fine, fine—I'll keep watch outside!" Fatty yelped, then scurried out of the villa, vanishing to the opposite street.
Inside the room, the Witch's eyes flashed cold light."Chen Xiao! What are you trying to do!""With your strength, how many women would gladly serve you?!""Don't tell me you came here for that!"
She didn't struggle further—she knew now that she couldn't beat this man.
Chen Xiao shook his head. "Sorry. You guessed wrong."
The Witch still didn't believe him. She tried to rise, but Chen Xiao reached out and—swish!—pulled away her veil.
In the next moment, a stunningly beautiful face was revealed.A sharp jawline, proud nose, and the faintest trace of defiance in her expression—a kind of beauty both regal and lethal.
Her lips curled into a fierce sneer. "Have you seen enough?!"
Chen Xiao's gaze didn't waver."No."
A brief silence followed. Then, after Fatty left, Chen Xiao led her upstairs.He didn't touch her—only looked.
The Yakuza Witch grew restless under his gaze, arms wrapping around herself unconsciously.Her voice dropped to a low murmur. "Are you… serious?"
Chen Xiao leaned lazily against the window, flicking open a candy from the bedside."I heard there's a third-order new human in Cangzhou."
Liu Ruyan nodded. "Three days ago, he wiped out the Yakuza Madman's entire faction."
"Yakuza Madman?"
"The other leader of the Yakuza Base," she explained softly.
Chen Xiao nodded. "If I kill that new human, what do you gain?"
Liu Ruyan blinked in surprise. "You mean… you'll let me take the credit?"
He nodded.
She hesitated, eyes narrowing. "Then… I might actually become Yakuza Lord in next month's election."
"Good," Chen Xiao said, standing up. "Then you can be the Yakuza Lord."
She frowned suspiciously. "You'd help me… just like that? We don't owe each other anything."
Chen Xiao smiled faintly.He did need her—her unique talent was crucial to his long-term plans.But forcibly taking it would be useless. He needed her trust, her favor.
A bit of goodwill first, then the rest would come naturally.
Who would've thought—he'd have to "dual cultivate" with one woman just to save another?What a miserable life.
"Can't help it," he said, his tone light but his eyes sincere. "I just happen to like you."
He didn't press closer or flirt further. Instead, he turned and walked out.
Behind him, Liu Ruyan followed in silence, her mind spinning.Was he insane?Even if he ranked on the Sanjiang list, he couldn't possibly match a third-order new human!The Yakuza Madman was killed instantly by that monster!
"Yakuza… uh…" Chen Xiao paused.
"Liu Ruyan," she said coldly. "My name is Liu Ruyan."
"Alright then, Ruyan. Just wait for me. Once I—"
Before he could finish, a commotion broke out outside the villa.
"I said it's not for sale! Can't you understand plain language?!""Our newspaper prices are open and transparent—no core resources, no deal!"
Liu Ruyan sighed, rubbing her temples, then walked out with an irritated expression.
"Sir, our Yakuza Base has cooperated with your newspaper over a dozen times," she said patiently."This month's election drained our funds—we really can't spare extra resources.""Can't you make an exception? We'll pay next month."
The man in uniform folded his arms. "Sorry, rules are rules. Our boss said no credit under any circumstance."
Liu Ruyan's tone hardened. "Your boss and I have worked together before. You don't give me face?"
The messenger shook his head. "Ah, Miss Witch, it's not about face. Orders are orders."
Her expression darkened. She couldn't kill him—no one dared touch a member of the Eagle Eye News Agency—but her patience was wearing thin.
Just then, Chen Xiao stepped out.
The newspaper member's eyes widened instantly. "Chen Xiao?!"
Chen Xiao squinted. "…Lao Liu?"
"Holy crap—it is you!" The man nearly dropped his documents."Our boss confirmed you were dead!"
"…"
The man realized how wrong that sounded and quickly corrected himself."I mean—Chen Xiao, I never expected you to still be alive!"
Chen Xiao smiled faintly, but his eyes had turned cold.