Chapter 10: The Ashura Powder

When Qin Lang looked at Chen Yu and Leng Ningxue, he could hardly restrain himself. Still, he forced himself to remain calm.

“Miss Leng, please be assured. As long as we’re in agreement here, our cooperation can begin very soon,” he said. “With the resources of the Qin family combined with your new energy technology, we’re bound to make a substantial profit.”

Chen Yu breathed a sigh of relief at this. The Qin family might keep a low profile, but their business assets were quite considerable. Most impressive of all was their enormous liquidity—an astonishing sum by any measure. If the Qin family truly signed the upcoming partnership agreement, it would help Leng Ningxue weather her current crisis, and even resolve many subsequent problems with ease.

Yet, as things stood, it was still no easier than they had previously imagined.

Qin Lang spoke on, growing increasingly pleased with himself. Leng Ningxue, on the other hand, managed to hold up at first, but as time wore on and the effects of the drug intensified, she grew drowsy and disoriented.

Qin Lang noticed and said, “Miss Leng, are you feeling unwell?”

Leng Ningxue shook her head. “It’s nothing. I—I just have a bit of a headache. I’ll be fine after a short rest.”

Qin Lang immediately offered, “As it happens, I’ve booked a room nearby. Why don’t you rest there for a while, Miss Leng? Once you’re feeling better, we can continue our discussion.”

Leng Ningxue glanced at Chen Yu beside her. Even Chen Yu was starting to look unwell, and so Leng Ningxue began to consider resting for a moment. However, Ye Aotian had not yet arrived, which made her anxious.

“Miss, perhaps you should rest for a bit,” Chen Yu whispered.

Just then, the door was flung open with a bang, and Ye Aotian burst in, his face flushed with anger.

“Qin Lang, you brazen scoundrel! I can’t believe you’d dare pull a stunt like this at a time like this!” Ye Aotian only needed a single glance at Leng Ningxue to sense that something was amiss. Without wasting words, he set his sights directly on Qin Lang.

Qin Lang hadn’t expected Ye Aotian to show up, and his expression changed at once. Meanwhile, Lin Li, who had been sitting quietly to the side, slowly got to his feet.

It was about time to bring things to a close. Judging by the situation, Qin Lang was bound to receive a thorough beating from Ye Aotian today. The thought amused Lin Li.

Just as Ye Aotian was about to lash out at Qin Lang, Lin Li suddenly stepped forward at the critical moment.

“Ye Aotian, what do you think you’re doing?” he said. “The Qin and Leng families are conducting business here. Do you think the Qin family is defenseless, that you can barge in as you please?”

Standing in front of Qin Lang, Lin Li whispered, “Run. I’ll keep him occupied.”

The moment Qin Lang saw Ye Aotian, he nearly lost control of his bladder. There was no way he’d dare linger a second longer. Without a second thought, he turned and fled.

On the other side, Ye Aotian wanted to pursue, but Lin Li blocked his way. Even though Lin Li had worn a mask during their last encounter, Ye Aotian recognized him instantly.

“It’s you?” Ye Aotian growled through gritted teeth.

Lin Li grinned smugly. “Ha, so you haven’t forgotten. That’s right, it’s me. Ye Aotian, isn’t it? I’ve heard you’re quite formidable, but judging by our last match, you’re not all that impressive.”

Ye Aotian would not tolerate such provocation. He cut off the banter. “Kid, today I’ll show you just how fierce I can be.”

Ye Aotian had come prepared. He knew Lin Li would be by Qin Lang’s side, so he’d made arrangements in advance. The moment their fight began, the atmosphere was immediately tense.

Chen Yu helped Leng Ningxue to hide in a corner. The bodyguards outside the door hadn’t even managed to react before being knocked to the ground.

“Miss, what should we do now?” Chen Yu asked quietly, alarmed by the turn of events. Worse still, their physical condition seemed to be deteriorating by the minute.

Leng Ningxue shook her head, staring at Lin Li’s back, her thoughts muddled and her eyes beginning to lose focus.

Before arriving, Ye Aotian had taken a dose of Great Strength Powder, one of his own secret formulas, capable of greatly enhancing his strength for a short time—especially effective for someone with his level of internal energy. With its effects, he completely overwhelmed Lin Li.

“I only lost to you last time because I was careless. But today… today will be your end,” Ye Aotian sneered coldly. Now that he had seized the advantage, eliminating Lin Li would be a simple matter.

Lin Li couldn’t be bothered to argue.

Lose to him? What a joke. Even with the Great Strength Powder, Ye Aotian still wasn’t Lin Li’s match. But Lin Li hadn’t come here to settle scores with Ye Aotian today.

“Ye Aotian, even if you defeat me, what then? I’ll tell you the truth: Miss Leng and her assistant have been poisoned by Qin Lang. Without the antidote… heh, not even the gods could save them.”

“Asura Powder—you know what that is, don’t you?”

Ye Aotian, who had been feeling triumphant, froze at the mention of those words.

Asura Powder?

Qin Lang, you beast! Didn’t you use to be infatuated with Leng Ningxue?

“That’s impossible. There’s no way an idiot like Qin Lang could get his hands on Asura Powder.”

Asura Powder was one of the deadliest poisons known, extremely rare, and even Ye Aotian’s medical skills would be useless against it. The more he thought about it, the more panicked he became, especially seeing Lin Li still holding out. Enraged, Ye Aotian attacked without restraint.

After more than ten minutes of fierce fighting, Ye Aotian finally landed a powerful punch squarely on Lin Li’s chest. Lin Li spat a mouthful of blood and collapsed, unconscious.

Ye Aotian glanced at Leng Ningxue. Remembering how he’d lost face in front of her before, he finally felt he could redeem himself.

“Miss Leng, tie this man up. Have the investigators lock him away. As for Qin Lang, leave him to me.”

With that, he strode off without a backward glance, his only thought being to reclaim his dignity. He didn’t notice that Leng Ningxue was in no condition to respond.

Qin Lang, even if you flee to the ends of the earth, you won’t escape my grasp this time.

Leng Ningxue wanted to say something, but Ye Aotian was already gone.

Idiot! she cursed silently.