Volume Two: Taking on a Task Chapter Sixteen: A Hero Saves a Beauty

After leaving Zhou Youshan, Chen Chen returned to the ancient city of Qingfeng and purchased some necessities for daily life. Years ago, Chen Fan had appeared here and once boosted the local economy, using silver as the currency in circulation. This time, Chen Chen first exchanged his silver for Qingfeng’s local currency at a pawnshop and then used that currency to buy some essential supplies.

Carrying a green-bladed sword and a bundle on his back, along with some dried food and drinking water, Chen Chen headed toward the south gate of Qingfeng, intending to enter the Underworld Mountain.

Not far outside the south gate, he saw a group of black-clad men dragging a young woman of exquisite beauty, attempting to enter Qingfeng. Having witnessed such brazen acts before, Chen Chen noticed there were only four of them. He then drew his three-foot green sword from his back, blocking the kidnappers’ path.

“What do you think you’re doing? In broad daylight, kidnapping a woman—have you no respect for law or justice?” Chen Chen shouted loudly, standing firm to stop the bandits.

The kidnappers, seasoned men of the underworld, frowned at Chen’s interference. “Who are you, stranger? Don’t you know the rules here? I’m the second-in-command of this gang. Ask around the surrounding ten miles—who doesn’t know my name? If you dare cause trouble, you’ll regret it. Look at this beauty! If she comes with me, I’m happy, and you’ll get a share too.”

Chen Chen couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “What kind of world is this? Kidnapping women in broad daylight and shamelessly boasting about it. You must have a death wish.”

“So what if we do? What will you do about it? Bite me if you dare!” The kidnappers, having long claimed dominion over Qingfeng, were used to lawlessness. To them, Chen was just an inexperienced outsider, no match for a local thug.

Chen Chen’s voice grew fierce. “Fine, then. Today I’ll teach you ignorant brats a lesson.”

Back when Chen had roamed the Three Thousand Worlds, he had never encountered such villains. Now, under the clear sky, for someone to flagrantly defy law and wreak havoc—Chen felt it was time to show these bandits the meaning of justice.

“You dare speak to us like that? What clan are you from?” the other kidnappers chimed in to support their second-in-command. The gang operated as one, like grasshoppers on a boat.

“Don’t ask about my clan. If you want to pass, you’ll have to answer to this three-foot green blade in my hand.” With that, Chen drew his sword, the scabbard slicing through the air before embedding itself deeply into the ancient city wall of Qingfeng, leaving a mark as if carved into wood.

Seeing Chen’s skill, the kidnappers grew wary. “Second brother, my house is on fire, I have to get back. Let’s call it quits today. If you’re confident, fight him now. If not, send me word—I’ll burn some extra offerings for you on the Yellow Springs Road; you won’t have to be a poor ghost in the afterlife.”

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