Chapter 16: The Assassin

What on earth is going on here? The two police officers stared blankly at Liu Hui, who stood before them with a bruised and swollen face. They had assumed Liu Hui was inside employing harsh interrogation methods, but never expected him to emerge in such a sorry state. The sight of Liu Hui, his face smeared with blood, sent a chill down their spines.

They looked over at Yang Fan, whose hands remained cuffed, entirely unscathed. It was obvious now—the person whose anguished cries had rung out earlier was none other than Liu Hui. But how could this be? Yang Fan’s hands were bound; how had he managed to beat Liu Hui into such a state?

“Captain Liu, are you alright?” One of the officers hurried to Liu Hui’s side and helped him up.

“He refused to cooperate with the investigation and attacked a police officer. Lock him up and make sure he’s well taken care of!” Liu Hui shouted, his face twisted with hatred. Inwardly, he cursed his luck; he’d never imagined Yang Fan could still be so formidable even with his hands cuffed. This time, he really had drawn the short straw.

Yang Fan let out a cold laugh. “Surely the police need evidence to handle a case. Do you think you can convict me on your word alone?” Earlier, Liu Hui had ordered the surveillance in the interrogation room turned off, so there was no way to see what had transpired inside. With only Liu Hui’s testimony, the accusation seemed far from convincing.

The two officers exchanged a helpless glance. Yang Fan was right, after all. Without evidence, they would have to release him eventually. What’s more, even if Yang Fan had laid out more than fifty people, it was self-defense at most—a few days in custody, nothing more.

“Now that you’re at the police station, don’t think you’ll walk out so easily. Enjoy your time in the cell,” Liu Hui said bitterly.

A cold glint flashed in Yang Fan’s eyes. If he wanted to leave, this police station alone wouldn’t be able to stop him.

“Yang Fan, your lawyer is here to post your bail. You’re free to go,” a police officer announced, approaching with a lawyer in tow.

Yang Fan frowned. He was new to Yuancheng, hardly knew anyone—let alone a lawyer. So who could have sent someone to bail him out?

“Mr. Yang, I am the lawyer retained by the Liu family to post your bail. You are free to leave now,” the lawyer said as he approached.

Hearing it was the Liu family who had sent the lawyer, Yang Fan was even more puzzled. He didn’t know anyone from the Liu family. Nevertheless, he didn’t ask further and left with the lawyer.

Once they exited the police station, Yang Fan asked, “Excuse me, which Liu family sent you to bail me out?”

He was certain that, having just arrived in Yuancheng, he knew no one from any Liu family.

Nor could he recall having any friends with the surname Liu in this city.

“You’ll know when you get there,” the lawyer replied with a smile. “Please, Mr. Yang, get in the car.”

Yang Fan didn’t press further and got into the car. He was curious to see who had come to his aid.

“Xiao Li, what’s going on?” Liu Hui looked resentfully at a young officer. He’d just been pummeled by Yang Fan, hadn’t even had a chance to take his revenge, and now the man had been bailed out. How could he not feel aggrieved?

“Captain Liu, the order came from the chief. As for the reason, I don’t know,” the officer called Xiao Li explained.

Since it was the police chief’s direct order, there was nothing more Liu Hui could do—he simply had to swallow his grievances in silence. He’d taken that beating for nothing.

After a short drive, the lawyer had Yang Fan get out on a busy street, pointing out that the Liu family’s people were just ahead. Yang Fan looked in the indicated direction and saw a convoy of luxury cars. Nearby stood a group of bodyguards.

“Yang Fan, over here!”

A girl of seventeen or eighteen stepped down from one of the cars and called to him. Yang Fan recognized her at once—she was the same girl who’d been bullied by the nougat vendor last time, Liu Yuehan.

He was surprised; he hadn’t expected Liu Yuehan to be the one who’d sent a lawyer to bail him out. Standing beside Liu Yuehan was a middle-aged man—her father, Liu Xuanhe.

Suddenly, Yang Fan sensed four murderous auras. Yes, killing intent. In his previous life, as the God of Death, Yang Fan was extremely sensitive to such things. The moment the killing intent appeared, he knew trouble was coming.

Four men emerged, weapons in hand, charging at Liu Yuehan and Liu Xuanhe with astonishing speed.

“Assassins! Protect Miss Liu!”

The bodyguards, sensing the threat, immediately shouted and rushed to defend their charges. Over thirty bodyguards formed a protective circle. Yet the four assassins showed no hint of fear, but instead charged forward with reckless abandon.

Chaos erupted in an instant. The assassins tore into the bodyguards, unleashing carnage.

“All four assassins aren’t cultivators; there’s no sign of spiritual energy about them. Their strength comes from physical prowess alone,” Yang Fan observed, eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Clearly, the assassins were not practitioners of any mystical arts, but their physical abilities far exceeded those of ordinary men.

Pedestrians on the street fled in terror at the unfolding scene, screaming as they ran. Many quickly pulled out their phones and called the police.

Liu Yuehan and Liu Xuanhe were surrounded, bodyguards clashing desperately with the assassins. The killers struck with ruthless precision—each blow took a life. To them, the bodyguards were nothing more than insects, falling one after another. It wouldn’t be long before all were dead.

“Dad, I’m so scared,” Liu Yuehan whispered, her face pale as death, terror gripping her heart. Seeing the bodyguards being slain one after another, she was overwhelmed by fear.

Liu Xuanhe’s expression was grave, regret gnawing at him. He should have brought more men today—but it was too late for that now.

“You only want the crystal. If you kill us, you’ll never get it!” Liu Xuanhe shouted at the assassins. He knew exactly why they were here: it was for the crystal he had recently acquired. A mysterious organization had threatened the Liu family, promising no peace unless they handed it over.

But that crystal, he intended for his father’s use. If he gave it up, the old man would surely die.

At that moment, Yang Fan sprang into action.

His aura surged forth, and he shot toward the assassins with a force that brooked no resistance. His speed was so great that the assassins didn’t even have time to react. In a flash, he appeared before one of them and unleashed a punch.

The blow was fierce, the air shrieking as his fist cut through it. The assassin’s eyes widened with shock and he tried to counterattack, thrusting his own fist forward.

A dull thud rang out, followed by the sickening crack of bone. The assassin’s entire arm was shattered, his body flung more than ten meters away, where he collapsed to the ground, howling in agony. That one punch had left him utterly powerless.

Seeing Yang Fan’s ferocity, Liu Xuanhe drew in a sharp breath.

Having dealt with one, Yang Fan turned to the remaining three assassins, his techniques flowing seamlessly. He moved like the wind, his figure impossible to track.

The three assassins, realizing his prowess, joined forces and lunged at him, their daggers gleaming with cold, deadly light.