Chapter 64: Confronting Tyranny, Upholding Justice and Eradicating Evil

All those present wore expressions of hesitation, shaking their heads and sighing quietly, their faces a mixture of resignation and acceptance. Love in this world twists and turns a thousand times, but ultimately cannot withstand the primal instinct to survive. In their hearts, people pondered: however deep the affection, life is of greater value; the dam of reason must, in the end, be built for self-preservation.

In such a crucial moment, retreating, waiting for the right time, and defending dignity with the sword of law was undoubtedly the choice of the wise.

“Hmph, at least you know your place!” Brother Qiang’s words dripped with a sense of triumph. A cold smile curled at his lips, as if victory was already within his grasp.

He put away his money-counting posture and strolled toward Yuxin, his greedy eyes barely able to contain their hunger, eager to engulf her into the endless darkness. In his mind, he was already imagining how he would unleash his full arsenal of skills upon her in this confined space, baring his ferocious side.

But just as desire was about to consume reason, an inexplicable chill settled over the room, like a winter gust arriving without warning, piercing the warmth and reaching deep into the soul.

This coldness did not just freeze the air; it abruptly halted Brother Qiang’s forward step, as if some invisible force had bound him mid-stride.

He turned in shock, his gaze meeting that of Chen Shan, who had just opened his eyes not far away.

In that instant, time seemed to freeze. All the noise and unrest faded into silence within that locked stare.

Li Chao’s eyes were no longer vacant and lifeless as before, but instead glowed with a strange light—blood-red and blazing like a flame, swirling slowly in his deep pupils, gathering into a force poised to erupt, as if it could ignite the sky and illuminate all the world’s dark corners.

“Li Chao, what do you think you’re doing?” Brother Qiang’s voice was tinged with unease and tension. He stared at Li Chao, wide-eyed, searching for answers in his expression.

Li Chao’s face was impassive, his gaze fixed steadily on Brother Qiang as if looking at a stranger.

His eyes shone with determination and resolve, exuding a power impossible to ignore.

“Brother Qiang, I know you’re a reasonable man, and I don’t wish to make things difficult for you. But if you dare lay a hand on Yuxin again, I will not let you off.”

Li Chao’s voice was calm and unwavering, carrying a gravity that demanded respect.

All his life, Li Chao had prized harmony and treated others with kindness—not just by temperament, but out of a deep, gentle regard for the world.

Yet his kindness was not weakness; it contained an inviolable strength—the unwavering will to protect himself and uphold justice.

In Li Chao’s world, there was a clear and unyielding line: “I do not harm others, but if harmed, I will ensure there is a reckoning.”

This was more than a mere declaration; it was his guiding principle, his silent dedication to fairness and justice.

Confronted with Brother Qiang’s provocation and threats, the flame inside Li Chao had been quietly ignited.

Brother Qiang frowned deeply, his eyes full of confusion and suspicion. He tried to find some trace of the young man he thought he knew, but felt only an unprecedented sense of oppression.

It was an authority and power radiating from within, making Brother Qiang involuntarily afraid, even causing him to doubt his own courage and ability.

“Brother Qiang, what are you standing around for? Hurry up and get the girl!” urged one of his lackeys, their shrill voices shattering the silence, providing Brother Qiang a brief moment to regain his composure.

He forced down his panic and unease, trying to reassert his dominance, but the fear inside him was growing wild and uncontrollable.

“Brother Qiang, we were wrong, we didn’t know who we were messing with. Please, let us go!”

“That’s right, Brother Qiang, we realize our mistake, we won’t dare do it again!”

“Brother Qiang, please have mercy, we truly know we were wrong!”

Brother Qiang’s underlings began to plead, their voices thick with terror and despair.

“You useless cowards! What are you waiting for? Get him!” Brother Qiang’s face turned ugly with rage and fear.

He knew if he didn’t deal with Li Chao today, his reputation would be irreparably damaged.

“Brother Qiang, we’re scared!”

“Yeah, Brother Qiang, he’s too strong—we’re no match for him!”

“Brother Qiang, let’s just get out of here. If we don’t leave now, we never will!”

His lackeys urged him to retreat, their voices trembling with fear and hopelessness.

“You worthless trash, shut up!” Brother Qiang’s face grew even more unsightly, his heart a storm of anger and dread.

He knew that failing to handle Li Chao now would destroy his name.

“Brother Qiang, this punk is too arrogant. We can’t let him get away with it!” one thug said.

“That’s right, Brother Qiang. If we all go at him together, we can take him!” another echoed.

Brother Qiang took a deep breath, fighting to steady himself. He glared at Li Chao, a flash of viciousness in his eyes.

“Kid, do you even know who you’re up against?” Brother Qiang spat.

Li Chao stood there, his gaze cold and resolute, as if all that had just happened was but a trivial episode in his daily life.

He proved through his actions that his principles and boundaries could not be violated, and let everyone present feel, deep in their hearts, the inviolability of justice and dignity.

“I don’t care who you are—today, you’re not leaving,” Li Chao declared.

“Haha, you’re pretty cocky, aren’t you?” Brother Qiang laughed. “You think you can take us all on?”

Li Chao looked at him with a flicker of disdain in his eyes.

“All you do is bully the weak with numbers—what skill is there in that?” he replied.

“Haha, got some backbone, huh?” Brother Qiang sneered. “But you’re unlucky to cross me today!”

With that, Brother Qiang waved his hand, signaling his thugs to attack.

Seeing this, they charged at Li Chao, brandishing their weapons and launching a fierce assault.

Li Chao’s lips curved into a slight smile as the thugs rushed at him. There was a spark of excitement in his eyes, as though he relished the coming fight.

“Come then—show me what you’ve got!” he challenged.

With the words barely spoken, Li Chao’s figure blurred, darting forward in a flash.

His movements were as swift as lightning, dazzling the eye. His fists rained down like a storm, each blow brimming with power, drawing cries of pain from the thugs.

“Ah!”

“It hurts!”

“Ah!”

Their screams rang out one after another, and they stared at Li Chao in terror, fear saturating their eyes.

“How is this guy so strong?” one thug gasped.

Li Chao’s lips curled in disdain. “You think you can bully others with this?”

He lifted his right leg with precision and force, sending the leading thug airborne like a kite with a broken string. He crashed into a distant table with a resounding clatter of crockery, his head now streaming with blood—a shocking sight.

Li Chao strode forward in great strides, each step firm and resolute. His fists flew like lightning, landing with unerring accuracy on the faces of his foes. The power was so great that two of them had their noses broken instantly, blood gushing forth like springs. They clutched their shattered faces, howling in agony, unable to rise again.

Everyone present was left thunderstruck by the spectacle, staring at Li Chao in disbelief, their hearts filled with awe and respect.

Was this an ordinary man? No—he was a warrior of special forces caliber!

Every move Li Chao made was crisp and decisive, without a hint of hesitation, his composure and confidence placing him beyond the reach of ordinary men.

Brother Qiang struggled to his feet, face smeared with blood, his appearance even more fearsome.

With trembling hands, he seized a broken bottle nearby and pointed it at Li Chao, his voice hoarse with rage and fear. “You’re looking for death!”

Li Chao gave a cold laugh, a scornful glint in his eye. “I just can’t stand watching you torment the weak. If you’ve got guts, come at me!”

Brother Qiang’s expression darkened. “Who is this guy? How is he so strong? Is he some kind of special forces soldier?” he wondered.

But faced with Brother Qiang’s threats, Li Chao merely chuckled, the smile on his lips full of contempt.

He advanced calmly toward Brother Qiang as if the latter were no more than air.

In that moment, Li Chao was no longer the nameless youth, but a warrior upholding justice itself, embodying his beliefs and resolve through action.

There was an unearthly calm and composure in Li Chao’s smile, as though he walked another world, utterly unfazed by threats or shouts.

To him, true courage did not spring from reckless bravado, but from absolute confidence in one’s abilities and unwavering faith in justice.

“You little bastard, how dare you ignore me!” Brother Qiang’s fear and rage intertwined, twisting inside him.

He couldn’t believe this seemingly ordinary youth actually dared disregard his existence, nor dared imagine what fate awaited him.

Yet, in this life-and-death moment, he could no longer maintain composure, acting on pure instinct as he roared and charged at Li Chao.

“Xiao Chao, be careful!” Yuxin’s voice pierced the crowd, anxious and worried, her gaze locked on Li Chao, terrified he might be hurt.

The onlookers, too, watched with bated breath—some tense, some curious, but all deeply impressed by Li Chao’s bravery and poise.

But Li Chao’s movements were swifter and more precise than any could have imagined. He calmly raised his hand, as if performing a trivial task, yet expertly sidestepped Brother Qiang’s clumsy assault.

Then, his fingers clamped down on Brother Qiang’s wrist like an iron vice, unleashing a force that could not be resisted.

A crisp crack resounded as Brother Qiang’s wrist twisted grotesquely under Li Chao’s grip. The broken bottle fell to the ground, forgotten in the agony.

Brother Qiang howled in anguish, collapsing to his knees, clutching his shattered wrist, his face contorted with pain and despair.

“Brother Qiang, what happened?”

“Who hurt you like this?”

“Who is that guy?”

The crowd buzzed with speculation, all wondering about Li Chao’s identity and background.

Li Chao looked down at the suffering Brother Qiang without a trace of pity.

He knew men like this were the dregs of society, and only by ensuring they suffered the consequences could justice and fairness be maintained.

“You little bastard, how dare you hurt me!” Brother Qiang glared up at Li Chao, eyes brimming with hatred and wrath.

He knew his former swagger was lost, all because of this brash youth before him.

Li Chao gazed coolly at Brother Qiang, his eyes unshakable and resolute.

He understood he could no longer evade this confrontation; only by facing it head-on could he protect himself and Chunlian.

“Brother Qiang, I’ll give you one last chance. If you dare lay a hand on Yuxin again, the price you’ll pay will be far greater.”

There was a commanding authority in Li Chao’s voice, his eyes glittering with unwavering resolve.

Brother Qiang’s face darkened further, his heart a storm of fear and rage.

He knew he could not win against Li Chao, and his reputation was ruined.

He could only accept the truth in silence, vowing inwardly to make Chen Shan pay in the future.

In that moment, everyone was stunned by Li Chao’s strength and composure.

They realized that this seemingly ordinary youth concealed a power and wisdom beyond imagination.

In the struggle between right and wrong, Li Chao had shown through his actions that the strength of truth and courage is boundless.

Brother Qiang’s cries echoed through the night, mingling with the shattering of bottles and the splatter of blood—a scene at once harrowing and unforgettable.

Yet Li Chao’s gaze remained cool and steady, his movements swift and assured, each strike precise, displaying both his strength and his refusal to tolerate evil.

Having taught Brother Qiang a sufficient lesson, Li Chao did not pursue further, but with an undeniable authority, barked, “Get out!” This was not only a warning to Brother Qiang and his cronies, but a declaration to all present: justice cannot be mocked, and evil will always be repaid.

The thugs, seeing this, dared not utter another word. Knowing they’d met their match, they hurriedly helped Brother Qiang to his feet and fled in panic.

Their retreating figures, stumbling through the night, were the very picture of defeat—a stark contrast to their earlier arrogance.

With their departure, the noise of the night market stall slowly ebbed.

For a brief moment, silence reigned, and then the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers.

This was not just praise for Li Chao’s valor, but a release from years of oppression under Brother Qiang and his ilk.

“Li Chao, are you alright?” Yuxin asked anxiously, her eyes filled with concern and worry.

“I’m fine, there’s no need to worry,” Li Chao reassured her.

“That was really dangerous—I was so afraid for you,” Yuxin said, her voice trembling.

“With me here, you have nothing to fear,” Li Chao replied gently and firmly.

A warm current surged in Yuxin’s heart. She gazed deeply at Li Chao, her eyes shining with gratitude and affection.

“Thank you, Li Chao,” she whispered.

“It’s what I should do,” Li Chao replied softly, a hint of tenderness in his eyes.

Yuxin rinsed her hands in clear water, as if washing away the dust and blood.

He picked up his belongings and turned to Yuxin with a gentle, resolute smile.

Together, they left the scene in silence, leaving behind a chaos of broken tables and a chorus of admiration.

The night market gradually returned to its usual bustle and noise, yet this time, the liveliness was tinged with a new sense of safety and anticipation.