The moment he died, Xu Ke had seen Ouyang Shuang break through the encirclement. Having such a formidable Martial Artist on the loose left Xu Ke feeling deeply uneasy.

"That's right," Wang Wu nodded. "We couldn't stop her. Her strength is formidable. Even though I wounded her, escaping was simple."

"True," Xu Ke sighed.

"Let's go. We shouldn't waste any more time," Wong Qifu said.

"Get in the cars."

Several cars pulled up outside.

「」

At twelve-twenty, the night was pitch-black, but the street lamps were bright. Xu Ke and his group quickly arrived at the villa where Ye Chen and the other three were being held.

"Stay alert," Wong Qifu instructed.

The men outside all nodded in unison, their expressions guarded. They were a different group from the ones at the factory and had never seen Xu Ke before. They were merely curious about the unfamiliar face beside Wong Qifu.

Wasn't the Family Head's fiancé dead? Who is this man?

Wong Qifu and Xu Ke walked in the lead, while Wang Wu and Lin Qinghua followed close behind, their eyes constantly scanning the surroundings.

The four of them entered.

「」

Inside the villa's main hall, the lights were blazing. Four people were lying in the living room, bound so tightly that red welts marked their skin. Ten guards in black masks stood watch over them. A surveillance camera was mounted in the corner.

After their long ordeal, all four captives were showing signs of fatigue.

Song Zhong stared at the guards, his expression as dark as still water, searching for any chance to escape.

Ye Chen's face was grim, his eyes clouded with gloom. He knew that with Xu Ke dead, the Huang Family could still answer to Wong Ting. For his Ye Family, however, this was truly a losing deal. Moreover, Ye Chen himself was the biggest loser. Not only had he failed to gain anything, but he'd also been caught in the crossfire.

As for Huang Qi, his face was already a mask of venom and resentment. But his hatred wasn't for Wong Qifu. It was for Huang Sheng.

When Ouyang Shuang abandoned him, he finally understood. She had never intended to help him sincerely; she was only monitoring his actions. If he had succeeded, Ouyang Shuang would have emerged to share the spoils. If he failed, he would naturally be the one captured. She had used him as a pawn all along.

Huang Sheng! Huang Qi ground his teeth. It had to be him. It had to be that bastard pulling strings behind the scenes.

In the corner was Siao Jia. With red, swollen slap marks on her face, she was disheveled and in the worst condition of the four. Her mouth had been stuffed full of cloth. The reason was simple: when they were captured, the other two young masters and Song Zhong knew the situation was hopeless and surrendered without a fight. But Siao Jia kept shouting and struggling after being tied up. The Wang Family's men couldn't stand it, so they slapped her twice and gagged her.

Siao Jia was the most terrified of them all. She knew the Ye and Huang Families might be able to negotiate for the release of their young masters, but as for her…

There's no hope!

Just then, the main door was pushed open.

Wong Qifu strode in. "All of you, step outside. Just leave them here."

As she finished speaking, the ten guards promptly withdrew through a side door, closing it tightly behind them. The entire process was silent, their discipline astounding.

When the four captives saw Wong Qifu walk in, their expressions became a priceless sight. This was especially true for Siao Jia. Seeing Wong Qifu enter with such a domineering aura, like an empress descending, her expression was as foul as if she'd just eaten shit.

Why? Why could Xu Ke gain Wong Qifu's favor? She was even willing to offend the great Huang and Ye Families for his sake. What on earth did Xu Ke do to deserve this?! Thinking of her own predicament, Siao Jia's resentment spiraled, and she cursed him frantically in her mind.

"Wong Qifu," Ye Chen said, looking up abruptly. "Let me go, and the Ye Family will give you anything."

"Give me anything?" Wong Qifu's face was impassive. "Ye Yunfeng already called me. He said he couldn't."

Ye Chen's face turned white. Have I been abandoned?

Huang Qi then screamed, "What about the Huang Family?!"

"The Huang Family?" A mocking smile touched Wong Qifu's lips. "The Huang Family hasn't even let out a fart."

Huang Qi's face turned livid, his heart gripped by the fear of death. It's true. I'm doomed! Huang Sheng is using Wong Qifu's hand to eliminate me.

"Family Head Wang, please spare the young master," Song Zhong spoke up. "We'll pay any price."

Wong Qifu remained expressionless. "And why should I?"

Seeing an opening, Song Zhong hurriedly added, "Now that Xu Ke is dead, I know you must be heartbroken. But the dead are gone. There's no need to punish the living for the sake of the dead.

"Yes, the young master was wrong. But blaming him now won't bring Xu Ke back to life. It would be better to get more money from the Ye Family.

"First, this money can be used to compensate Xu Ke's family and alleviate their suffering.

"Second, I believe that if you spare the young master, the Ye Family will be eternally grateful. Our Wang and Ye Families could turn hostility into friendship.

"Third, your mercy will surely make the young master feel guilty. He will spend the rest of his life repenting for this crime. Perhaps when he takes charge of the Ye Family in the future, he can even forge a lasting alliance with the Wang Family."

Song Zhong was usually a man of few words, but at such a critical moment, he proved quite useful.

Ye Chen looked at Wong Qifu. "He's right! Uncle Zhong is right! Sister Wang, oh, Sister Wang, please let me go..."

Wong Qifu laughed, a playful glint in her eyes. "Well said, Song Zhong. I didn't realize you were so eloquent."

"You flatter me, Family Head Wang," Song Zhong said, bowing his head, his expression tense. He was trying to save not only Ye Chen but also himself. If he could sway Wong Qifu, he might live.

"However, I think you may have misunderstood something," Wong Qifu said with a slight smile.

"A misunderstanding?" Song Zhong's expression shifted. "What misunderstanding?"

"Who told you Xu Ke is dead?" Wong Qifu scoffed.

Ye Chen frowned. "I saw him stop breathing with my own eyes. How could he possibly still be alive?"

What's wrong with Wong Qifu? Could it be that after being single for so many years, her fiancé's death has made her start hallucinating? Ye Chen speculated maliciously, hoping she was having a mental breakdown.

"Yes, Family Head Wang, there's no need for this," Song Zhong insisted. "Let the young master go. It's a win-win for us both!"

Song Zhong didn't think Wong Qifu was losing her mind. He believed she was just looking for an excuse, a pretext to refuse their release.

"Win-win?" Wong Qifu sneered, her face suddenly turning grim. "Who wants a 'win-win' with you?"

The moment her expression darkened, the temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.

Song Zhong was horrified. Is this the might of the Wang Family Empress? No True Qi, no cultivation... Just the authority from her high position is enough to make one shiver with fear.

Ye Chen managed to stammer, "But... but Xu Ke is really dead. There's no point in making things difficult for us."

"Who says I'm dead?"

A voice suddenly rang out.

Ye Chen, Huang Qi, and Song Zhong froze.

Meanwhile, Siao Jia, who had been cursing Xu Ke, turned pale with shock upon hearing the voice.

How can that be?!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.