Chapter 97: A Dark and Stormy Night

Shen Chen was not surprised when Liu Qi blocked his path. However, the way this guy glanced at Dantai Wannings made him very uncomfortable, and the chill in his heart grew even more intense.

"There's no need. We are strangers and have no interest in getting to know each other!" Dantai Wannings replied with an equally cold tone, not even sparing Liu Qi a glance.

"Hehe, Miss, there's no need to be so cold. I have no ill intentions; I just want to make friends with you!" Liu Qi, with a thick skin, showed no concern and smiled, bowing earnestly.

Standing close to Dantai Wannings, Liu Qi became even more convinced that she was an extraordinary beauty.

Although the young girl's face was covered by a light veil, her beautiful features were still clearly outlined. The slightly exposed white forehead, the snow-white neck, and the graceful figure, all exuded a vague and alluring charm, making every normal man fantasize!

For Liu Qi, who had played with all kinds of women, this was undoubtedly a fatal attraction. On the surface, he appeared gentle and refined, but in his heart, he was already burning with evil desires and had secretly resolved to use any means necessary to get this beauty...

"I don't lack friends, sir, you're overthinking it!" Sensing the man's lecherous gaze, Dantai Wannings' eyes turned cold, and she turned her head away indifferently.

"Hehe, Miss, there's no need to be so distant. I don't think you are from this county, and coincidentally, there is a lantern festival tonight. I would like to invite you to the Full Moon Tower to enjoy the lanterns; it's the best spot to view the Qingyuan River," Liu Qi said with a smile, still appearing gentle and refined. "I think... this request is not too much, right?"

Unexpectedly, Dantai Wannings gave him a cold glance, her expression growing even more indifferent.

"Hmm, it is too much!" The girl's response was simple and direct. "So, I have no such intention. If you want to talk about romance, you've come to the wrong person!"

"Hehe, since Miss is unwilling, I won't force you. Meeting is a form of destiny. May I know your name?" Liu Qi's face stiffened, but he quickly smiled again, appearing very gentlemanly.

In his heart, however, Liu Qi felt a bit uncomfortable. This kind of pick-up line had always worked for him, and many young girls in Qingyuan County were waiting for such an opportunity. But now, this girl showed no interest, and every word she said was like a thorn.

For Liu Qi, who was used to being surrounded and adored, this was undoubtedly very embarrassing...

Unfortunately, he was destined to be disappointed. Dantai Wannings didn't even lift her head to look at him, and she replied indifferently, "Sorry, I don't have time to chat with you!"

With that, the girl took Shen Chen's arm and walked forward, treating Liu Qi, who made countless girls in Qingyuan County swoon, as if he were air.

Following the girl, Shen Chen passed by Liu Qi and his group, and he laughed coldly, teasing, "Mr. Liu, why go through so much trouble? If you want to enjoy the lanterns with a beauty, there are plenty of places like Chunxiang Tower near the Full Moon Tower. With your looks, there should be many mature women willing to approach you. Then, you won't even have to pay for the wine!"

"Hehe, why be so sarcastic, friend? I always act with integrity. How could I go to such a dirty place?" Liu Qi narrowed his eyes and smiled faintly, his disdain obvious. In his eyes, he already harbored a deep jealousy towards Shen Chen.

How could such a beautiful girl be with this plain-looking guy, and even be so intimate? In Liu Qi's view, this was undoubtedly a case of a flower being planted in cow dung.

If it weren't for the crowd, he wouldn't mind giving this guy a taste of his power, making him look miserable in front of the girl. Then, perhaps the girl would realize she had chosen the wrong person...

"Hehe, I didn't expect Mr. Liu to be so upright. It seems... I can only feel sorry for those mature women..."

Shen Chen ignored the disdain in Liu Qi's eyes, his smile unchanged. On the contrary, seeing this arrogant guy humiliated made him feel very satisfied!

As he spoke, Shen Chen had already walked far away with the girl, never once looking back at Liu Qi, just like the girl's attitude!

"You—"

After the two left, the attendant Liu Qi called Jin Biao, with a furious expression, was about to rush forward to attack Shen Chen.

"No rush. Since this girl doesn't appreciate my politeness, don't blame me for being ruthless..." Liu Qi stopped him, his handsome face now frozen, replaced by a cold expression due to the continuous rejections and Shen Chen's sarcasm.

He glanced at his attendants and sneered, "Tonight, Jin Biao, you will go to their inn and capture them. Tomorrow, just give them a charge of 'blaspheming the divine.' I want this girl to know the consequences of offending me tonight. As for that guy, hand him over to the county's criminal department, hehe..."

"Ha ha ha! Master, you are wise. This way, we can deal with that guy legally, and you... can also legally play with that girl." Jin Biao's eyes gleamed, and he flattered.

"When you're tired of her, remember to let us have some fun. Such a proud and cold girl is not easy to find, ha ha ha!"

"Only our master has the discerning eye to see through that little demoness even through a veil, hehehe..."

The attendants all laughed wildly, their eyes filled with mockery as they looked at the two figures in the distance.

...

On a nearby street, Shen Chen's steps paused slightly.

"What's wrong, Brother Shen Chen?" Dantai Wannings lifted her pretty face curiously, her previous coldness gone.

"Nothing, I just kicked a stone." Shen Chen waved his hand carelessly, a playful smile on his face.

Shen Chen indeed didn't expect that this small Qingyuan County would have a 'criminal department'...

...

The noise on the streets of Qingyuan County gradually subsided as midnight approached.

A cold wind began to blow, and the full moon in the sky was soon obscured by a cloud!

"Creak!"

In the dead of night, a window in a room on the third floor of the Qingyuan Inn quietly opened.

Then, a black figure holding a long sword stood at the window and leaped out, disappearing into the night in an instant.

...

Following the familiar streets, Shen Chen moved through the night like a ghost, not alarming anyone. In half an hour, he arrived at the wall outside the county government's backyard.

Pressing his ear to the wall, he could faintly hear a few screams and muffled shouts, mostly a series of painful moans.

"It seems this is the place..." Shen Chen's heart leaped with joy. Then, he lightly tapped his toes and, like an owl, silently flipped over the wall.

After landing, he didn't hesitate, following a worn stone path straight to a place that looked like a cave, where a dim light was still visible at the entrance.

"Ha!"

Just as he was about to enter the cave, Shen Chen whispered, and in the next moment, he used the Shadow Fox Step to the utmost, quietly slipping into the cave while no one was around.

Not long after, Shen Chen arrived inside the cave, which looked like a prison. He didn't alarm the dozen or so guards below but quietly crawled onto the crossbeam on the ceiling.

"Needle board, bamboo clamps, iron stamps, tiger stools... tsk tsk, it seems they have all the tools here..."

On the crossbeam, Shen Chen's face was filled with a cold smile. He had just taken a quick look below and saw many torture tools he had heard of in his previous life.

After inspecting the scene, Shen Chen was very satisfied. He then quietly slipped out again. The "facilities" here were complete, and next, it was time to "invite" that ungrateful wolf to have a cup of tea here.

Following the corridors of the county government, Shen Chen continued to move quietly. Not long after, he saw a room in the distance with a paper window still lit. Without hesitation, he quickly approached...

...

In the bedroom of Liu Qi, the son of the county magistrate and the head of the law enforcement team, the room was filled with people. Upon closer inspection, they were all Liu Qi's close attendants, about eight or nine of them.

Surprisingly, Liu Qi's younger brother, Liu Yong, was also there, sitting at a tea table with his legs crossed, leisurely eating snacks.

Behind a screen, two pretty maids were continuously adding hot water and petals to a large wooden tub. A man, naked from the waist up, was lying in the tub, enjoying himself, with a maid massaging his back.

The man was, of course, Liu Qi.

"Hehe, Yan'er, your chest is really getting bigger. I can't help but love it. These two years haven't been in vain, ha ha ha..." After a while, Liu Qi slowly opened his eyes and grabbed the maid's chest.

After the lecherous laugh, a hint of impatience appeared on Liu Qi's face, and he frowned at the screen, "Jin Biao, has Song Mai not come yet?"

"Reporting to Master, that guy left on some pretext earlier and is probably enjoying himself with some prostitute now!" Jin Biao walked behind the screen and replied respectfully, also showing a hint of impatience.

"Forget it, brother, don't wait for Song Mai. Let me take the lead. I want to see which blind fool dares to cross you!"

Liu Yong suddenly slapped the table, stood up, and volunteered, "Whether they live or die is up to you, brother!"

"This..."

Liu Qi frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment, and then his eyes narrowed, nodding, "Alright, don't mess up my business!"

With that, Liu Qi turned to Jin Biao and instructed, "Jin Biao, you and the others go with him. Also, pick two experienced men from the law enforcement team to follow my younger brother!"

"This... Master, is it really necessary to go to such lengths for two inexperienced kids?" Jin Biao asked hesitantly.

"Hmph! You've been with me for so long, and you still don't understand? Don't underestimate that girl's companion. I estimate he might be a Sixth Rank Blood Fusion Realm expert. Just the four of you might not be enough to ensure success!" Liu Qi sneered, scolding.

"Yes!" Jin Biao was somewhat moved. He never thought that the boy, who looked only fifteen or sixteen, could be as strong as him. Immediately, a shadow of resentment appeared in Jin Biao's eyes.

For cultivators like him, who had limited talent and could only remain in the Blood Fusion Realm for life,