Volume One: Beihai Qinyang Chapter 0005: The Bar

In the depths of night, a young man with pale, delicate skin wandered aimlessly, a cigarette dangling from his lips. Throbbing music thundered in his ears, and a flicker of surprise crossed his face as his gaze swept over the neon-lit, decadent surroundings—his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

He was on Bar Street, a place as renowned as Sanlitun in the capital. Every day, countless patrons flocked here, making it a hub of revelry.

Finding a bench, he sat down, gazing up at the star-studded sky, his face settling into a thoughtful expression. He was about to light another cigarette when, unexpectedly, a girl’s voice carried over from the distance.

"Let go! Get your hands off me!" she shouted indignantly. Incidents like this were commonplace here; nobody bothered to intervene.

Black Three had no intention of letting go. A wide grin stretched across his face. "Don’t judge me by my complexion, little lady. I’m gentle, you know."

Wu Yaoyao, the president of a company, had come here tonight to entertain a client. The negotiations had gone smoothly, but as she was about to leave, she found herself in this predicament. Her driver had already gone to fetch the car, leaving her alone and understandably frightened—especially given the unsavory nature of these men.

"President Wu…" her driver, Little Wang, caught sight of the scene and his face turned ashen, especially seeing that there were four or five of them. He was terrified.

Wu Yaoyao cursed her bad luck. She recalled friends advising her to hire a few retired soldiers as bodyguards, but she’d never taken it seriously. Now, she truly regretted that oversight.

Black Three glared at the young man in front of him and slapped him hard across the face. "Get lost, you little punk!"

He then turned his attention back to Wu Yaoyao, laughing with his companions. "Well, well, a high-class white-collar worker. I’ve had all kinds of women, but never a high-class professional like you."

As Black Three was reveling in his triumph, a cold, cutting voice interrupted, "Let him go. Now get lost."

Black Three’s eyes flashed with malice. In Binhai City, everyone gave him respect. Now someone dared tell him to leave? His gaze brimmed with murderous intent.

A young man beside Black Three glared at Qin Yang, his eyes blazing. "Boss, that’s the kid who ruined my plans earlier today."

Black Three sneered. "You don’t look like you’re from around here. Doesn’t everyone on the street know me, Black Three? You mess with my brothers, you die." He shoved Wu Yaoyao aside and signaled his men, who immediately surged toward Qin Yang.

He merely smiled, stretching and cracking his knuckles. Ever since he began his cultivation, he’d never had a proper fight. Oddly, he felt a spark of excitement rising within him.

As the group lunged at him, he lashed out with a resounding slap, sending the first attacker reeling so badly his own mother wouldn’t recognize him. Then he strode up to Black Three, who instinctively shielded his face.

With a cold snort, Qin Yang delivered a swift, merciless kick. Black Three was sent flying and nearly lost consciousness, his face darkening with humiliation.

"Don’t go anywhere, kid. I’ll be back," Black Three spat before disappearing into the night.

As the thugs scattered, Qin Yang turned to the woman. "Are you alright, miss?"

Wu Yaoyao was stunned, the fear on her face replaced by excitement. "Hello, I’m Wu Yaoyao. Thank you for helping me just now."

"Qin Yang," he replied.

"Oh, Qin Yang, have you served in the military? You seem quite skilled. Would you consider working for my company?"

"Does it include meals and accommodation?"

Wu Yaoyao couldn’t help but smile at his question. She found it odd that a well-dressed young man would be concerned about such things, but talent like his was hard to come by. If she hired him, she wouldn’t have to worry about thugs next time.

"Of course."

"Alright," he agreed, then hesitated slightly. "Um… President Wu, could you lend me some money?"

Wu Yaoyao took a thousand yuan from her purse and pressed it into his hand, along with her business card, which included the company address.

"Remember to report to the company tomorrow."

"Thank you, President Wu. Safe travels."

He looked at the ten crisp red bills in his hand, grinning. At least he’d have a place to stay tonight.

Just as he lit another cigarette on the bench, a group of forty or fifty men approached. It was summer, but they all wore black tank tops and looked fierce.

Qin Yang didn’t bother to rise. He watched the leader approach, a faint smile on his lips. Taking a long drag, he greeted them casually. "Were you in the military?"

The tone was so calm, it was as if he were chatting with an old friend.

Wang Hu, the leader, was surprised. He hadn’t expected this pale-skinned youth to recognize his background at a glance.

"What happened to your leg?" Qin Yang asked.

"Got it busted in a fight," Wang Hu replied gravely. Black Three tried to interject, but Wang Hu silenced him.

"Oh? Tell me about it," Qin Yang pressed.

Wang Hu was puzzled—this young man was clearly not part of the local underworld, so why did he care? Besides, his leg was his one sore spot, something he never discussed, even with his brothers.

"Is there a problem?" Qin Yang seemed indifferent. "I was thinking of treating your injury, but if you’re not interested, forget it."

"What?" Black Three burst out. "Kid, you can really cure Brother Hu’s leg? If you’re lying to us, today will mark your death anniversary next year!"

Qin Yang burst out laughing. "Threatening me? You pathetic little fish—I don’t even notice you."

Wang Hu, nearly forty, had long since given up hope for his leg. Qin Yang’s words left him dazed and breathless with excitement. "Brother, you can really treat it?"

"Of course," Qin Yang replied, his brow arching in annoyance at the doubt. "When I say something, it will be done."

Black Three fell to his knees. "Brother Yang, help treat Brother Hu’s leg! I, Black Three, will forever be in your debt."

Qin Yang was genuinely surprised. He’d thought Black Three was a complete villain, but it seemed he still valued loyalty and friendship.

"In that case, let’s find somewhere quiet."

Black Three immediately fetched a van, and together with Wang Hu and Qin Yang, sped away, leaving a group of bewildered underlings behind. They had come for a fight—what on earth was happening?

They arrived at a dilapidated housing complex, its walls plastered with demolition notices. Clearly, it wouldn’t be standing much longer.

Inside the seventy-square-meter apartment, chaos reigned. Qin Yang couldn’t fathom how two grown men could live like this.

Black Three caught his expression and coughed awkwardly. "Sorry, Brother Yang. The place is a bit rough."

Qin Yang ignored him, turning to Wang Hu. "Sit on the sofa."

He examined the injured leg—comminuted fracture, the sort ordinary methods couldn’t hope to mend. Pouring his thunderous internal energy into the limb, Wang Hu felt a tingling warmth where previously there had been only numbness. His eyes widened in disbelief.

"Brother Yang, you’re a miracle worker! I’ve seen so many doctors, but nothing helped. You just touched it and I can already feel something!"

"Be quiet," Qin Yang said coldly.

Wang Hu, a man of some reputation in the underworld, could only accept the rebuke, feeling no resentment—only gratitude.

Ten minutes later, Qin Yang spoke. "Alright, you can go now. I’ll spend the night here and leave in the morning."

He had used too much energy, leaving him tired. As Wang Hu walked out, his face was a mask of shock.

"Brother Hu, your leg’s better?"

"Yes, it’s healed."

The two men stared at the closed door, realizing they had encountered a true benefactor. They immediately began cleaning the apartment, scrubbing it spotless. Though they didn’t sleep a wink that night, their joy was irrepressible.

When Qin Yang awoke to a tidy home and a steaming hot breakfast, a smile flickered across his face.

"Not bad at all."