Chapter 143: Venturing Alone into the Dragon's Lair and Tiger's Den
“Liu Hongmei, you’d better remember what happened today clearly!” Li Chao’s voice was icy cold, as if squeezed out from the cracks of eternal ice, carrying an endless chill.
“Tell me the address!”
“I’ll come find you!”
Li Chao’s tone was resolute, without the slightest hesitation; that firm voice was like an unshakable mountain.
He knew Liu Hongmei had no bottom line; she was capable of doing anything absurd. He could care less about her fate, but he absolutely would not stand by and watch her drag Yu Xin, Liu Dan, and those familiar faces from the Li family fort into this mess unjustly.
Moreover, at this moment, he vaguely sensed something was wrong. It didn’t feel like just a simple kidnapping. After all, if the hatred was truly directed at Liu Hongmei, she wouldn’t be so fixated on him. The feeling now was more like it was aimed directly at himself.
But no matter what, since the other party had come knocking, he couldn’t hide—he just had to face it head-on.
At this point, he wasn’t in the mood to look for Liu Dan anymore. Instead, he told the taxi driver to change course and head toward the location Liu Hongmei had mentioned.
...
Leaving the city, they reached the outskirts. The taxi drove further before finally slowing to a stop by the roadside.
“Are you sure it’s here, young man? It’s way too remote!” The driver’s face was etched with deep worry as he confirmed again with Li Chao.
The driver nervously glanced around, his expression tense.
Li Chao said nothing. He silently settled the fare, then put his hands in his pockets and walked straight and tall toward the distance.
With fists like boulders, he feared no challenge wherever he roamed.
At this moment, he wanted to see exactly what the other side was up to.
Afternoon.
The sky was gloomy, heavy clouds as dark as ink piled up, as if ready to press down at any moment.
A pothole-riddled narrow path stretched toward a half-finished, abandoned building in the distance.
Wild grass grew thickly on both sides, sprawling wildly, almost covering more than half the road—displaying the desolation of this place.
A fine spot. Probably no one would even know if a shot was fired here.
Li Chao observed the surroundings, his thoughts as deep and inscrutable as a still lake.
A cold sneer adorned his face, mingled with disdain and fearlessness, as he calmly walked down the path.
His figure was solitary yet resolute, like a proud lone wolf fearlessly stepping into unknown danger.
...
Second floor of the abandoned building.
A disciple of the Li Fire Sect hurried over, his footsteps frantic and urgent. He spoke to Shi Wanli, who was meditating in the distance, conserving his strength:
“Sect Leader, he’s here!”
The disciple’s voice was hurried, tinged with barely hidden nervousness, like a tightened bowstring ready to snap.
Shi Wanli opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing instantly as he asked:
“Just him alone?”
A hint of doubt flickered in Shi Wanli’s eyes, like mist swirling around.
The disciple nodded firmly:
“Yes!”
The area was spacious; standing on high ground, one could see clearly for miles around—no place to hide!
Shi Wanli stroked the beard on his chin, which trembled slightly under his touch, a cold sneer curling his lips:
“Good. Just as planned.”
His smile was sinister, like a venomous snake lurking in the dark, ready to strike.
“Proceed with the plan! This time, I’ll make sure he doesn’t come back.”
His tone was filled with confidence and murderous intent, as if everything was under control, the killing intent like frost biting cold winter, chilling to the bone.
The disciple took his orders and left.
Soon, numerous figures hid in various spots.
An invisible sinister aura began to spread, cold and eerie, as if the temperature dropped suddenly from early autumn into deep winter.
The net was cast, waiting for the fish.
Only they didn’t realize this time, the prey was not a carp, but a ferocious man-eating shark.
...
Li Chao soon arrived beneath the abandoned building.
A young man in casual clothes stood ahead, a cigarette dangling from his lips, the smoke swirling before his face, making his expression somewhat blurred.
He asked coldly:
“Did you bring the money?”
The young man’s gaze was indifferent, his tone harsh, tinged with impatience and ferocity.
Li Chao took out a bank card from his pocket and flicked it in his hand, the card drawing an arc through the air.
The young man chuckled, a greedy and smug smile spreading across his face—clearly satisfied.
Then he flicked the cigarette butt onto the ground, stamping it out forcefully with his foot, and led Li Chao inside.
As Li Chao stepped into the abandoned building, a frown crept onto his brow.
His expression grew grave, heavy as dark clouds, a flicker of alertness rising in his heart.
Something was wrong!
A faint but distinct power permeated the place, making him uncomfortable, like countless tiny insects crawling on his skin.
The deeper he went, the more obvious the feeling became.
He glanced around, his eyes growing colder, as if capable of freezing the very air.
The dusty ground was covered with strange patterns, like runes, easily overlooked if one’s mind was solely focused on rescuing someone.
There was definitely something sinister here.
Li Chao was now certain this was no ordinary kidnapping.
He couldn’t proceed any further.
With that thought, he suddenly lunged forward.
A punch shot out! Like lightning, his fist sliced through the eerie silence with a sharp whistle.
Boom!
The young man leading the way hadn’t expected Li Chao to strike before even seeing the hostage.
His smug expression instantly froze, as if time stopped, utterly unprepared to resist.
...
He was knocked away without even a chance to react.
The young man’s body flew like a cannonball, tracing an arc through the air before crashing heavily into the wall.
Bones shattered with a chilling series of cracks, blood spewed out like a fountain, staining the wall deep red—death was certain.
After that, Li Chao approached a nearby rune and stomped out the markings with his foot, his voice cold and commanding:
“Stop hiding! Show yourselves!”
His voice echoed through the empty building like a king’s final ultimatum.
From all directions came stirring sounds, like the growls of beasts about to be unleashed.
Dozens of men in black shirts emerged, wielding sharp blades.
Their murderous aura was so dense it seemed to solidify into tangible smoke, enveloping the entire space.
Li Chao had already sensed trouble; since he hadn’t reached the designated spot, hiding no longer made sense.
Seeing their figures, his pupils contracted sharply:
“Li Fire Sect!”
His gaze was filled with vigilance and hostility, burning hot and fierce like flames.
Their attire matched exactly those who had harassed Liu Lele before being killed by Shi Wanli—making their identity clear.
At this moment, from the stairs on the second floor, a gaunt old man in black robes slowly descended.
It was Shi Wanli.
His steps were slow and steady, each step weighed down heavily, exuding a sinister aura like a mist in darkness that pressed down oppressively.
A cold sneer curled his lips as he spoke slowly:
“Chairman Li, we meet again.”
His voice was low and hoarse, like a demon whispering from the depths of hell.
Li Chao’s eyes darkened further:
“So the ransom was fake, but killing me is real, huh?”
His gaze was sharp as a blade, piercing straight into Shi Wanli’s soul.
Shi Wanli smiled, his grin full of deceit and cunning—a mask hiding darker plots.
“This time, I mainly wanted to see the chairman and discuss matters.”
He tried to hide his true intent, but his tone sounded weak and unconvincing.
Li Chao smirked, eyes narrowed:
“You’ve got a unique way of meeting people.”
His smile dripped with sarcasm and disdain, the greatest insult to Shi Wanli.
Shi Wanli didn’t press the point but said:
“The disciple who died under your feet last time was our Li Fire Sect’s prodigy, the successor I personally invested much in. Given the urgency then, I had to reluctantly concede.”
His voice was filled with resentment and unwillingness, burning fiercely like a raging fire that nearly consumed him.
“Now that it’s over, Chairman Li, don’t you owe me an explanation?”
Shi Wanli’s eyes narrowed, piercing Li Chao like needles, his tone oppressive as a towering mountain pressing down.
Li Chao shook his head slightly.
“You killed him yourself. What does that have to do with me? No need for such hypocrisy.”
He scoffed inwardly, his expression one of contempt as if looking at a clown.
But it was pointless to dwell on this now.
“What do you want?” Li Chao asked calmly, as if indifferent to everything before him.
Shi Wanli grinned, greed shining in his eyes:
“Simple. Hand over that sword you carry as compensation, and all our past grudges will be wiped clean.”
His eyes gleamed wildly, imagining the sword in his hand, using it to dominate the martial world.
Li Chao laughed.
As expected, greed had taken hold.
He had sensed the greedy glint in Yuan Yang and Shi Wanli’s eyes when he first showed the sword, hoping they could restrain themselves, but their true nature had ultimately been revealed.
Compared to them, the Dragon Group’s members were clearly of much better character.
He looked steadily at Shi Wanli and shook his head:
“I have the sword, but let’s see if you’re capable of taking it.”
His tone was firm and provocative, like war drums sounding the prelude to battle.
Such a divine weapon? Li Chao would never give it away.
Besides, given the treacherous nature of the martial world, even if he did, they would likely try to eliminate him afterward to prevent future trouble.
Shi Wanli sighed:
“Looks like there’s no need to continue talking.”
His face darkened like a stormy sky, a cruel gleam flashing like lightning.
Then he coldly ordered:
“Attack!”
At once, the surrounding Li Fire Sect disciples charged at Li Chao with weapons raised.
They surged like a tide, fierce and overwhelming, threatening to engulf him instantly.
A faint black aura swirled around them, making their figures even more sinister and terrifying; their faces paled as if they had risen from the netherworld.
Truly frightening.
Meanwhile, Shi Wanli on the distant floor clasped his hands in a mystical gesture, chanting under his breath.
His expression was focused and ferocious, as if possessed, the incantation eerie and deep, echoing through the air and sending chills down the spine.
Then, the runes on the ground began to writhe as if alive, coiling like numerous black snakes converging toward Li Chao’s position.
Dense and terrifying.
The whole scene was filled with a strange and horrifying atmosphere, as if the gates of hell were slowly opening before their eyes.
Li Chao narrowed his eyes slightly.
These methods were indeed strange and arcane. Fortunately, he hadn’t advanced further; otherwise, he would have been entangled in this black aura.
He silently thanked his luck, sweat beading on his forehead, and grew even more alert to Shi Wanli’s tricks, his nerves taut without a hint of carelessness.
But these were merely crooked arts—nothing that could become a major threat.
Li Chao’s eyes revealed determination and disdain; he was not frightened by the scene at all. His resolute gaze seemed to pierce through the heavy darkness.
His aura instantly surged as he leapt forward like a leopard charging into the crowd.
...
Li Chao’s figure flashed like lightning, carrying an unstoppable momentum that seemed capable of tearing the void apart.
Majestic and overwhelming, his presence suppressed all around—one man, slaying through thousands.
Boom!
He burst into the crowd.
The front few raised their blades, unprepared, only to be struck by a tremendous force.
Li Chao’s attacks were too fast to react to, like a sudden gale or torrential rain, catching them off guard.
It felt as if hit by a speeding car.
The enemies felt an irresistible power crashing through them, their bodies losing control like leaves caught in a storm, helplessly flying away.
Several men screamed in agony as they were thrown back, blood spraying in a misty cloud—the scene gruesome and terrifying.
One strike was enough.
Li Chao snatched a short blade about to fall to the ground and slashed forward again.
His movements were seamless and fluid, like a stirring battle symphony.
A flash of cold light, and several Li Fire Sect disciples clutching their necks collapsed.
A deadly throat strike.
Li Chao’s face was expressionless as he continued his assault.
In the past, he dared not kill, but after the battle at Howard’s villa, he realized the so-called rules applied only to ordinary civilians.
When your strength exceeds those rules, killing is no different from crushing ants.
Especially now.
The Li Fire Sect’s greed led them to ambush him here. According to martial world rules, this was a sect conflict; even if rivers of blood flowed, it wouldn’t cause much disturbance—at most, the Dragon Group might inquire later.
Cold light danced, killing intent spread.
In moments, over a dozen lay on the ground, blood staining the floor, the air thick with metallic scent.
Just then, a black shadow on the ground surged toward Li Chao, summoned by the runes carved earlier.
Shi Wanli had used similar secret arts atop the Lone Mountain Peak before.
But this was clearly stronger; the shadow seemed alive, clawing and snarling as it leapt at Li Chao.
Facing these black snake-like mists, Li Chao remained cautious.
He dodged swiftly while swinging his short blade, slashing at the dark aura.
But the black mist did not disperse when cut; it merely paused briefly before reforming, endlessly resilient.
Somewhat sinister.
Using the distraction of the dark mists, the Li Fire Sect disciples charged again, their eyes wild with madness and killing intent.
Li Chao narrowed his eyes, sharp and piercing.
He glanced around, then fixed his gaze on Shi Wanli in the distance.
Li Chao was skilled in medicine but unfamiliar with the Li Fire Sect’s arcane arts. This place was clearly a carefully laid death trap.
If he kept dodging like this, he’d be entangled with the black aura indefinitely.
Indeed, Li Chao didn’t understand secret arts.
But he could destroy them.
The method was simple.
Kill Shi Wanli.
With this thought, Li Chao changed tactics, no longer evading but advancing step by step toward Shi Wanli’s position.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Li Chao’s figure moved like a ghost weaving through enemies, blade flashing, every strike filled with resolute killing intent.
Wherever he passed, foes fell one after another.
With a wave of his hand, beams of light howled out, weaving a dazzling net of blades around him.
The light was solid and sharp, brilliant and fierce.
Li Chao’s moves were swift and powerful, each swing thunderous, the radiance so intense it seemed to ignite the air itself.
The black mists dissolved into countless fragments the moment they neared, vanishing without trace.
Nearby Li Fire Sect disciples were ruthlessly cut down by the cold light, blood gushing like fountains.
Some died instantly, collapsing heavily.
Others were severely wounded, groaning in pain.
Chaos reigned.
At this moment, Li Chao was like an invincible god of war on the battlefield, steadily advancing with unwavering resolve—unstoppable.
The power of the Profound Realm was fully displayed.
That immense strength made everything around seem small and fragile.
In no time, most of the Li Fire Sect disciples were dead or wounded.
The survivors stared at Li Chao, their faces as pale as paper, bloodless, legs trembling uncontrollably.
Sweat beaded on Shi Wanli’s forehead, rolling down his deeply furrowed cheeks.
When they had been teammates fighting Lin Pojun, he hadn’t felt this intense fear.
But now as an opponent, he realized just how terrifying Li Chao was—his dreadful power filled him with dread.
Having prepared the magic circle in advance and gathered all disciples, taking full advantage of time, place, and manpower, Shi Wanli had expected an easy victory over Li Chao.
Yet, he was being pushed back repeatedly, utterly defeated.
One man overpowering an entire sect!
“What’s there to fear?!”
“Everyone, attack!”
Shi Wanli shouted hoarsely, trying to rally morale.
His bloodshot eyes glared fiercely as he chanted his spells, his face twisted and terrifying.
Despite their fear, the Li Fire Sect disciples steeled themselves and charged again, blades raised for a final desperate strike.
But before they could swing, cold lights struck them down one by one.
They collapsed helplessly, weapons falling from their grasp.
Outnumbering him was a joke now.
In absolute power’s presence, numbers counted for nothing.
Blood splattered everywhere like blooming crimson flowers.
The wounded screamed in agony, their cries sharp and mournful.
This long-abandoned ground seemed transformed into a living hell, the flowing blood staining the earth bright red, forming shocking rivers of gore.
Li Chao pressed on.
His momentum was like a rainbow streaking across the sun, unstoppable.
The stolen short blade left scars; he grabbed another and charged forward, steadfast and fearless.
The Li Fire Sect disciples were like waves crashing against rocks—shattered instantly at contact, powerless to fight back.
Step by step, kill by kill, blood flowed like a river.
Li Chao moved through the crimson flood like a demon descended to earth, terrifying and relentless.