Chapter 86: The Scheme Unfolds, The Assassin Returns

Li Chao took a delicate sip of fragrant tea, his mind once again replaying the confrontation with the assassin that night. After a moment’s reflection, he spoke slowly:

“The scheme truly is exquisite in its design.”

“However, I must bring to your attention that the assassin's martial prowess is far from ordinary.”

“And it’s highly likely he was not acting alone.”

Given the force Li Chao had employed at the time, any common man would have been incapacitated, if not collapsed outright. Yet the assailant had managed to escape even after taking a blow and a kick—his ability was clearly extraordinary.

Moreover, according to Liu Lele’s description of the hit-and-run driver, the individual's physique was entirely different from the assassin Li Chao encountered, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.

The enemy’s ruthlessness could not be underestimated.

We must remain vigilant!

Upon hearing this, Liu Lele and Ye Wuji exchanged knowing smiles.

Ye Wuji replied with calm assurance:

“Did you truly think we are unprepared?”

“Last night, I secretly tasked someone to invite Liang Meng, the renowned grandmaster of martial arts in Huaxi City—known as Iron Fist—to join our ranks.”

“With his protection, as well as our team of bodyguards,”

“This endeavor is certain to be foolproof!”

He spoke with a serene air of utter confidence.

A martial arts master?

Li Chao chose to remain silent, allowing the atmosphere to unfold as it would.

The three of them sat together, the fragrance of tea curling gently in the air as time slipped quietly by.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a crisp knock sounded at the door. Shortly thereafter, an employee of Jiangnan Spring escorted a man in a plain grey tunic into the room.

The newcomer stood tall and carried himself with a steady, dignified gait. Though not a giant, there was a commanding presence about him, an indefinable aura of authority. He appeared to be about forty, his square face adorned with short bristles of beard, but what caught the eye most were his abnormally long arms, the knuckles worn and callused from years of relentless training.

Master Liang’s arrival prompted Ye Wuji and Liu Lele to rise almost in unison, faces bright with respect and anticipation.

“Master Liang, you’ve finally arrived! Please, take the seat of honor!”

Ye Wuji’s tone brimmed with enthusiasm and reverence.

Li Chao, witnessing this, also rose politely in a gesture of respect.

“Brother Li, please allow me to introduce Master Liang Meng—revered in the Huaxi martial world, known as ‘Iron Fist Without Equal,’ a man whose name inspires awe.”

Ye Wuji’s pride was barely concealed as he made the introduction.

Liang Meng inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment of the hospitality, then turned his sharp gaze upon Li Chao, his tone edged with skepticism:

“So, this is the famed healer of whom you spoke?”

He shook his head, a hint of disbelief in his eyes.

“So young—hardly fitting of the title ‘divine physician.’ I suspect his reputation is far greater than his actual merit.”

A subtle tension crept into the room, but Li Chao remained composed, unshaken by the slight.

Ye Wuji hurried to smooth things over, earnest in his defense:

“Master Liang, you misjudge him! Appearances can be deceiving. Brother Li may seem unremarkable, but his medical skill is something both Liu and I have experienced firsthand—he saved us in moments of peril. What’s more, his martial ability is not to be underestimated.”

Liang Meng frowned, shaking his head again with a touch of disdain.

“Ye, you exaggerate. This young man’s aura is subdued, showing none of the sharpness of a true martial artist. Clearly, he’s had no formal training. How could he compare with someone like me, who has devoted years to the martial path? Should we cross hands, I am confident I’d best him with ease.”

As a leading figure in the martial world, Liang Meng could not help but reveal his pride and confidence, his words tinged with condescension.

Li Chao’s eyes narrowed slightly, a glimmer of displeasure flickering across his face. Yet he did not retaliate, instead choosing to quietly observe.

Seeing this, Ye Wuji grew anxious and quickly tried to mediate:

“Master Liang, you are a champion of our era, and we hold you in the highest regard. But Brother Li is a guest of honor. Our gathering today is for a common cause, not internal discord. I hope you’ll keep the greater good in mind and not let small grievances undermine our purpose.”

With that, he cast Li Chao an apologetic look, seeking to reassure him.

Recognizing Ye Wuji’s sincerity and recalling his role as their protector, Liang Meng reined in his arrogance and said no more.

Though the atmosphere remained somewhat awkward, calm was restored to the room.

Everyone resumed their seats, and Liu Lele began to lay out the current situation and the tasks before them in clear, well-organized terms. She arranged everything with meticulous care.

Then, with a gentle push, she slid a bank card toward Liang Meng, her gaze unwavering and full of trust.

“Master Liang, here is two million as an advance payment. Please accept it.”

Her tone was earnest.

“When the matter is resolved, there’ll be a further two million as promised. The Liu family always keeps its word.”

Li Chao could not help but marvel inwardly at the sight. The Liu family truly was wealthy beyond measure—to so readily offer such a sum.

Thinking back to the three million he’d received for treating Liu Zhenhua, and comparing it to the four million being offered today, Li Chao mused that money seemed to come more easily than he had ever imagined.

His thoughts turned to his own “market value.” Perhaps, with his medical skill and martial ability, providing protection for the wealthy might be a lucrative path.

After all, in this world, there are always those willing to pay dearly for peace and security.

Liang Meng accepted the card with a calm smile. He understood that this was not just an opportunity for profit, but also a chance to forge a strong connection with the Liu family of Wanan City—a valuable alliance for a martial artist like himself.

“Rest assured, Miss Liu. With me here, you will be safe.”

He spoke with unwavering confidence.

“Whatever kind of villain dares to show himself, I’ll capture him alive and make an example of him!”

With that, a chilling aura seemed to emanate from Liang Meng, making it clear to everyone present that he was indeed a formidable master.

Li Chao reflected that while martial artists often stood apart from worldly affairs, they were still flesh and blood, facing the same challenges as others. Building good relations with a family like the Lius would surely ease his own path and save him much unnecessary trouble.

So he remained silent, content to let Liang Meng take center stage, displaying his prowess.

Sitting in the car, Li Chao idly cracked sunflower seeds and sipped his drink, as if the tension and danger had nothing to do with him. To him, these moments became a rare reprieve, and he was happy to watch the “drama” unfold with others at the helm.

As time passed, the meeting at the restaurant came to an end and they prepared for the next phase.

At five in the afternoon, they left the restaurant’s third floor and entered the waiting business vans outside.

Two vans had been readied. The first carried five hand-picked bodyguards, each agile and sharp-eyed, clearly elite professionals.

Liu Lele, Li Chao, and Liang Meng boarded the second van, which was spacious and comfortable.

Initially, Ye Wuji had intended to join them, but Liu Lele, mindful of his age and safety, firmly dissuaded him. She was aware of the risks and would not allow Ye Wuji to endanger himself.

The two vans rolled out of the parking lot, embarking on a new journey.

Outside the window, the cityscape flashed by like scenes from a film, while inside, each person was lost in their own thoughts, preparing for what lay ahead.

In the second van, the atmosphere was both tense and relaxed.

Liang Meng sat in the front passenger seat, eyes closed, resting as if oblivious to the outside world.

In the back, Liu Lele and Li Chao launched into a deep discussion about the future of medicinal cuisine. As a city businesswoman, Liu Lele displayed her acumen and intelligence, from trademark registration and sourcing to marketing and sales, she had a firm grasp of every stage.

Her eyes shone with hope and resolve, moving all who beheld her.

When the conversation shifted to sourcing, Li Chao weighed in with his own insights. He knew how crucial raw materials were for quality and raised questions about the supply chain.

Liu Lele agreed, explaining her initial ideas about establishing a production base for ingredients.

At this, Li Chao’s heart stirred—he thought of his hometown’s fertile, untouched land, ideal for cultivating the best ingredients.

With enthusiasm, he recommended his village, hoping she might visit in person.

“Sister Liu, the soil in my village is perfect for growing exactly the ingredients you need. There’s plenty of land to use, and if the market takes off, we could set up a base there to supply everything directly.”

His words were full of pride and hope for his home.

Interest sparked in Liu Lele’s eyes. She knew how critical a stable supply was for the business, and what Li Chao described sounded promising.

She smiled and nodded, assuring him she would seriously consider it and agreeing to pay a visit when the chance arose.

In that moment, Li Chao experienced an unprecedented sense of accomplishment and pride. He realized that he could help others not just with his medical skill, but also through his efforts for his hometown’s prosperity.

This unyielding loyalty to his roots gave him a steady footing on his life’s path.

With a strong sense of responsibility and purpose, he knew that while his own finances had improved, his fellow villagers in Lijia Fort still lived in poverty. He had long been searching for an opportunity to bring real change to his home.

The rise of Jiangnan Spring’s medicinal cuisine business was a perfect chance.

Inside the van, Liu Lele’s reminder abruptly dispelled the relaxed mood, injecting a note of tension. Her words revealed her worry for their safety, especially since the remote stretch of road they were on was sparsely traveled—an ideal spot for criminal activity.

No sooner had she spoken than an SUV approached head-on, its headlights suddenly switching from low to an intense high beam.

The sudden change startled everyone, especially Liang Meng in the front seat, whose eyes snapped open as his body tensed, ready for any emergency.

A heavy silence fell inside the van, broken only by their ragged breaths and the sound of vehicles outside.

Li Chao and Liu Lele exchanged glances, each reading the same concern and alertness in the other's eyes.

They knew this calm was merely the prelude to a coming storm—the real trial was about to begin.

Liang Meng, on the other hand, was even more alert. His hands slipped to his hidden weapons, ready for action at a moment’s notice.

At that critical instant, Li Chao’s reaction was lightning fast. He sensed the imminent danger almost immediately. Without hesitation, he pulled Liu Lele into his arms, shielding her with his own body.

In the chaos, he did not notice his hand pressing against a sensitive spot, the unexpected contact startling him for an instant before the crisis overtook all else.

A blush suffused Liu Lele’s cheeks—she’d never imagined being touched so intimately by a man. But she knew Li Chao’s gesture was purely protective, not frivolous.

Though somewhat embarrassed, she forced herself to focus on the immediate danger.

Meanwhile, the driver showed remarkable professionalism and composure. He quickly and skillfully turned the wheel, trying to dodge the oncoming SUV.

Their reaction was swift, but not swift enough to avoid collision entirely.

The van was struck hard on one side, leaving a deep dent, and then careened off the road, rolling over and crashing into a field several meters away.

The moment the vehicle came to rest, Li Chao wasted no time. He threw open the door and pulled Liu Lele out, the two of them rolling to safety and putting distance between themselves and the smoking van.

Dust filled the air, the pungent stench of gasoline and burning rubber hung heavy, but Li Chao and Liu Lele had no time to care—they thought only of escaping the danger as quickly as possible.

As they scrambled away, Liang Meng and the driver followed close behind, emerging into the open.

The four of them stood together, on high alert, watching as three strangers emerged from the SUV.

At their head was a burly, muscular man in camouflage, wielding a sharp military knife, a fierce glint in his eyes.

Behind him stood a voluptuous woman with dyed yellow hair, a black whip coiled in her hand, both alluring and deadly.

The last was a man with a crew cut and a mask, clutching a dagger, his gaze cold and menacing.

When Chen Shan’s eyes fell upon the masked man, his pupils contracted sharply. The man’s appearance instantly brought to mind his previous conversation with Liu Lele and Old Ye.

They had speculated that the assassins might come from the same organization, and now, their suspicions were confirmed.

“It seems our opponents this time won’t be easy,” Liu Lele’s voice sounded in Li Chao’s ear, her tone grave as she too noted the killers’ identities and equipment.