Chapter 17: The Demon-Masked King of Hell

News of Qin Guosheng’s return could not be kept under wraps. Very soon, the entire city of Jiangcheng knew about it. However, by the time people realized what was happening, it was already a little too late. Just as Lin Li had said before, the Qin family had tried to keep a low profile all these years, but that didn’t mean they had lost their capabilities.

Thus, Leng Ningxue was about to face her first crisis: being seized by Qin Guosheng. After that, it would be Ye Aotian’s turn to be targeted. Yet, there was an unexpected twist in the process.

Leng Ningxue was indeed captured and now sat in Lin Li’s car. What he hadn’t anticipated was how quickly Ye Aotian reacted.

“What are you people doing?” Leng Ningxue asked, turning to look at Lin Li, as another van—a Wuling Hongguang—trailed behind them, containing none other than Ye Aotian. According to their original plan, they should have been able to avoid Ye Aotian altogether. Somewhat mystifyingly, the man had somehow gotten wind of their actions and was already lying in wait along Lin Li’s route.

If Lin Li hadn’t been quick-witted, Ye Aotian would likely have caught up with them by now.

“I told you before, Ye Aotian is not an ordinary man. My elder brother told me to kidnap you, and look, Ye Aotian found out ahead of time,” Lin Li said irritably.

Qin Guosheng had thought this task would be simple, but under the circumstances, anyone else would have failed already. Even though Leng Ningxue was tightly bound, there wasn’t the slightest trace of fear on her face.

“Is that so?” she replied calmly. “I don’t see what’s so impressive about him. If he were really that capable, you wouldn’t have succeeded.”

Lin Li coughed awkwardly. “That’s because I’m clever. When you see Qin Guosheng later, try to say something nice. It’s better to turn enemies into friends whenever possible. Leave the rest of it to Ye Aotian to deal with.”

Leng Ningxue had considered doing something, but after hearing Lin Li’s words last time, she had decided to let things be. Was Ye Aotian really that formidable? She didn’t believe it. Yet, she was more inclined to trust Lin Li—someone she’d only met a handful of times—because she sensed he wasn’t one to joke about such things.

If he said so, he must have his reasons. And in truth, he did.

That very morning, Ye Aotian had made it clear to her: someone had been observing her every move lately, suspecting a kidnapping attempt.

But Leng Ningxue simply wouldn’t listen. In the end, despite all of Ye Aotian’s precautions, it was hardest to guard against betrayal from within. With her deliberate cooperation, Leng Ningxue allowed herself to be taken by Lin Li. As for Ye Aotian, he could only trail behind in frustration.

…

“Damn it!” Ye Aotian cursed loudly as he drove the van. “Leng Ningxue, is there something wrong with you? I told you the villa was crawling with their men, and you just had to walk right in yourself!”

A square-jawed man sat rigidly in the back seat, his expression stiff as though carved from stone.

“Long, when we see them later, don’t hold back. Take them all out,” Ye Aotian ordered. “The Qin family’s little punks think I’m easy to bully?”

Long nodded solemnly. “Don’t worry, young master. There will be no problem.”

Ye Aotian glanced at Long, his heart sinking a little. The guy was a blockhead. Better remind him again.

“Remember—when you act, be careful not to hurt any innocents.”

Long asked, “Young master, who counts as innocent?”

Ye Aotian had to spend quite some effort explaining it to him.

Meanwhile, Lin Li’s car had already pulled far ahead.

“Damn it, if anyone calls the Wuling Hongguang a ‘miracle car’ again, I’ll break their legs!”

…

Half an hour later, Lin Li successfully delivered Leng Ningxue to an abandoned warehouse. No one had followed them along the way—no surprise, since his car was an off-road vehicle he’d modified himself, and he’d driven along muddy, unpaved roads. Ye Aotian could never have caught up.

Leng Ningxue was led from the car and soon found herself face-to-face with Qin Guosheng.

“Miss Leng, didn’t expect to see me so soon, did you?” Qin Guosheng greeted her.

Leng Ningxue smiled faintly. “Mr. Qin, what happened with your son was indeed excessive on our part, but you know what Qin Lang did to me. Originally, this matter could have been discussed, but now—”

Qin Guosheng snorted. “The issues between our two families, we can settle those later. We’ve both been established in Jiangcheng for so many years; there’s no need to make things too ugly.”

“But as for Ye Aotian—today, I want him dead. Do you have any objections, Miss Leng?”

Leng Ningxue curled her lip. Objections? What could she possibly say? She was already tied up here—what right did she have to object? She nodded. “If you really have the capability, I have no objections. If you truly can do it, I won’t stand in your way.”

Qin Guosheng laughed heartily. “Miss Leng, you’re sensible. It’s just a bodyguard—no need to make such a fuss.”

They had expected Ye Aotian to arrive quickly. Unexpectedly, they waited over half an hour before he finally appeared.

“Qin family lackeys, get out here!” Ye Aotian bellowed as he strode boldly into the warehouse.

Lin Li narrowed his eyes at Ye Aotian, quietly stepping back into the crowd. Qin Guosheng stood on the second floor, looking down at Ye Aotian. “So, you’re Ye Aotian?” he demanded.

Though surrounded, Ye Aotian still exuded utter confidence. “That’s right. I am Ye Aotian.”

“You bastards dare resort to such lowly tactics as kidnapping? Today, I’ll kill you all myself!” He fixed his gaze on Qin Guosheng. “You must be their boss. Listen up—five minutes from now, your head is mine.”

Qin Guosheng had seen much in his life, but being stared down by Ye Aotian made him feel a faint chill.

“Ye Aotian, your lady is still in my hands. I’d advise you not to act rashly, or I won’t hesitate to harm her,” Qin Guosheng warned.

Ye Aotian’s brashness didn’t surprise Qin Guosheng, but with Leng Ningxue as his hostage, he had nothing to fear.

Hearing this, Ye Aotian hesitated for a moment. Where was Long? Why hadn’t he made his move yet? With Leng Ningxue in their hands, how could he unleash his full strength and demonstrate his invincibility?

At that moment, Lin Li, who had retreated into the crowd, suddenly noticed a deadpan face quietly approaching—a face he knew well.

The Grim Reaper, Chen Long?