(This was supposed to be the third update on Saturday, but this chapter took a bit longer to write. It can't be as fantastical as fantasy, nor as traditionally realistic as martial arts or national arts. It had to fit the urban setting and suit Li Yan's identity, but not make him a superman. So, it took quite a while to ponder over. By the time it was finished, it was already early Sunday morning. Many friends are probably still waiting for the update, so please understand.)

Whether it's the boss or the wife, daring to touch my woman, is seeking death!

This is Li Yan's untouchable bottom line, a line he didn't have before, but has unconsciously added recently. Because in the past, he had no entanglement with women, no troubles with women, so there was no bottom line concerning women. The women in his past life were one-night stands who said goodbye at dawn, with only Queen fixed around him. And Queen, needless to say, was not easily messed with by anyone, so it wasn't a problem back then.

With one hand, he pulled out a cigarette, bit it, kept the pack, and took out a lighter to light it. This seemingly pretentious act, in fact, Li Yan's peripheral vision was always on the taxi; seeing the taxi departing and disappearing from sight, he felt completely at ease—not out of concern for Zhang Yurong's safety. With King and Queen around, if they can't handle ten ordinary thugs, then there's no point in being in this line anymore. He just subconsciously didn't want Zhang Yurong to see his fierce side!

He was well aware that in Zhang Yurong's eyes, he absolutely didn't have a good image. But as he became more and more concerned about her, he unconsciously started to pay attention to certain issues, like her constant emphasis on "moving forward." Besides the connection with Wen Qianyi, it was also somewhat about not wanting to disappoint Zhang Yurong too much. With these reasons, he could show a bit of rudeness or even violence in front of Zhang Yurong, but subconsciously, he didn't want her to see his truly fierce side, let alone his side that kills without blinking.

Women can accept a man being strong, and most even like their men to be a bit strong, domineering, and fierce because it represents a sense of security and protective capability. But there's a limit; if it goes too far, it can cause pressure and even fear. The same applies in reverse. Even strong women can have many admirers, but if their strength reaches the level of Master Extinction, then they would be as untouchable as Hai Fu.

Li Yan took a puff of his cigarette and teased, "Searching for me for a week? So what?"

Seeing him so calm smoking, they were already getting a bit impatient, especially Zhang Jing, but he restrained himself. Since Li Yan showed up now, it was already an early catch, a few more seconds didn't matter. But unexpectedly, the guy opened his mouth and said such words, which made Zhang Jing, who was already furious, explode further!

"Seeking death!"

Upon hearing Zhang Jing's words and seeing the boss so enraged, the other nine people followed with angry curses, creating a spectacular scene for a moment.

As fierce as Zhang Jing was, he always acted directly, beating people half-dead before reasoning with them. To be able to endure with Li Yan until now was because he had been holding it in too long, and didn't mind holding a bit longer to enjoy the release. But at this moment, he couldn't bear it any longer!

"Surround him! Don't let him run! I'll deal with him myself!"

Zhang Jing shouted angrily, brutally reaching out to grab a steel pipe from a punk beside him.

He was used to fighting barehanded, but Li Yonghao's cautious attitude towards Li Yan somewhat influenced him. Adding the two meetings, where Li Yan could converse casually and confidently with him, Cui Ming, and Li Yonghao, he couldn't quite figure him out. This raised his assessment of Li Yan by a few notches.

Now, with Li Yan alone, carrying just a wrench and coming over, seemingly unprepared and just grabbing the tool at random from the taxi, this attitude put some pressure on Zhang Jing. —Being fierce was part of his character and temper, but it didn't mean he lacked reason. So, he didn't want to embarrass himself in front of so many people either, conservatively grabbing a steel pipe.

This section had few passing vehicles, and seeing the situation, no one dared to stop and watch. Without any concern, after Zhang Jing gave the word, they immediately hollered together, boosting his momentum!

Gripping the steel pipe tightly, Zhang Jing slowly walked toward Li Yan.

In terms of material, both men's unofficial weapons were iron products capable of causing serious injuries. Li Yan's wrench might be slightly heavier than the hollow steel pipe, but longer means stronger, and the wrench was just over a foot long while Zhang Jing's pipe was at least two feet, giving him a significant length advantage.

At this moment, Li Yan showed no trace of panic or nervousness, still holding a cigarette with one hand, casually clutching the wrench with the other. Waiting for Zhang Jing to approach!

Calm!

This was the impression Li Yan left for Zhang Jing.

Calm!

This was also the feeling Li Yan gave him now.

And this is exactly what makes Zhang Jing extremely displeased! He likes to see everyone respect him, fear him, dread him, be afraid of him. Even if they dare not look at him or avoid him, that would please him a bit. Or alternatively, those who are very tough directly despise him, ignore him, scorn him, and disdain him, that would also earn his respect and challenge. It's only Li Yan's calm demeanor, neither arrogant nor humble, neither cold nor indifferent, that makes him feel very annoyed.

I damn your ass! Let's see if you can still remain calm!

Unable to stand it any longer, Zhang Jing, on the verge of rage, got near Li Yan within a distance of less than two meters. He immediately started to sprint forward, at the same time raised the steel pipe in his hand!

...

In Li Yan's view, no matter how fierce or menacing Zhang Jing may be, he can only intimidate ordinary people; compared to professional mercenaries, there is still a fundamental difference. Moreover, he has never put much regard for professional mercenaries, having taken down two top-notch retired ones not long ago.

In Zhang Jing's eyes, Li Yan is just a target to vent his anger on, to beat viciously. With every step, his gaze is fixated on Li Yan. Meanwhile, in the eyes of Li Yan, who is leisurely smoking, he sees not only Zhang Jing but also the speed of his steps, the decreasing distance, and the change in his expression, among other comprehensive information!

Just before Zhang Jing made a move, Li Yan had already analyzed and anticipated his steps, eye movements, and gestural changes based on the distance. He didn't strike first but swiftly flicked the cigarette butt by his mouth towards Zhang Jing's eyes!

Although being the only "Flower" level assassin ranked by Queen, Li Yan hasn't unlocked the Ren and Du Meridians, the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, or the Twelve Meridians, nor has he triumphed over Treasures of Heaven and Earth, enhanced his inner power by sixty years, or learned skills like "Finger Snap Divine Power" to really "Pick Leaves and Fly Flowers" and hurt people. In terms of throwing projectiles, he's even inferior to Chen Junwei, the master cleaner who's trained since a young age and has a solid foundation.

However, Zhang Jing is not a master, and his cigarette butt is not intended to injure but merely to obstruct vision!

The slightly glowing red cigarette butt lunged at the face and eyes, causing Zhang Jing, who had just swung the steel pipe, instinctively shake his head while hurriedly reaching to slap it away. At this moment, Li Yan also swung the wrench in his hand!

He didn't aim to smash Zhang Jing's head and didn't dodge either, directly confronting the incoming swinging steel pipe. The wrench's jaw, like a serpent's mouth, clamped down on the airborne steel pipe, stabilizing it! With such a clamp, control over the steel pipe's direction became difficult.

From a physical standpoint, just by the wrench's fork clamping the stress point, twisting the steel pipe until it slipped requires far more power from Li Yan than from Zhang Jing. This isn't a wise move, and of course, he wouldn't do that!

An assassin seldom relies on brute force but leans on wisdom, skill, ambush, assassination, and various methods to achieve the goal, accepting any means that suffice. Li Yan is doing just the same now, merely using the clamp to prevent Zhang Jing's steel pipe from hitting him. Concurrently, he kicks out!

Indeed, the Invincible Groin Kick!

This is an extremely effective, very useful move, and one of Li Yan's common tactics.

However, Zhang Jing himself excels in hand-to-hand and leg combat. This often successful technique against many people, along with the sudden kick from above, surprisingly let him evade it!

Not dodge, more accurately, block it! Zhang Jing moved his thigh and blocked his lower body at the critical moment. Although his thigh took a hit, it meant little to him.

Seeing the steel pipe being clamped not only failed to hit the attack but rather confined his powerful right fist, Zhang Jing promptly withdrew his hand! Yet not to release it directly, instead, he smashed the steel pipe he held towards Li Yan's head. With the upper part clamped, it offered a stable point, turning into an attack from another end.

Simultaneously, he quickly charged forward himself, using fists and kicks in close combat with Li Yan.

Without Zhang Jing holding the other end, the steel pipe posed little pressure to Li Yan, who didn't need to dodge, merely twisted his right hand a bit, already altering the pipe's direction. Zhang Jing abandoning the steel pipe revealed his intention clearly, needing no analysis from Li Yan. Naturally, he promptly reacted without engaging the opponent's strong suit. As Zhang Jing approached, he quickly slid backward, stepped back into two paces, then reached out to grip the airborne steel pipe.

Failing didn't deter Zhang Jing but rather bolstered his confidence! Relying on his superior skills, he kept pressing forward. Unfortunately, too confident in his mighty skills, he forgot that Li Yan never let go of the wrench, and that's not flesh and bone but steel!

And at the moment when the steel pipe was grasped by the left hand, Li Yan had already rapidly swung the wrench, consecutively hammering down to counter Zhang Jing's incoming fists and arms! He needn't have stronger arms to withstand strikes than Zhang Jing, nor fear the wrench's pain. He just needed to quickly hammer away with force!

A series of muffled sounds emitted, even though some punches landed on Li Yan, yet it was Zhang Jing who cried out.

(From noon till midnight, a full 12 hours, only added two monthly passes, tears streaming down my face... desperately asking for votes!) (To be continued, if you wish to know what happens next, please log in at www.qidian.com, more chapters available, support the author, support genuine reading!)

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.