Chapter 0037: Who Gave You the Nerve?

The bottle shattered, but Bai Qi seemed oblivious. All he cared about was killing Liu Qiang; the consequences never crossed his mind. This was how a man reacted when pushed to his limits—utterly out of control, with only a singular purpose dominating his thoughts.

At that moment, a flash of steel sliced through the air—a gleaming fruit knife shot straight toward Bai Qi’s abdomen.

In that instant, Zhang Xiaofan darted forward, catching the attacker’s wrist just in time. With a sudden twist, a sickening crack signaled a dislocated joint, sending the assailant screaming in agony.

Without pause, Zhang Xiaofan reached for Bai Qi, pressing a point on his forehead. Bai Qi’s dazed eyes gradually cleared as lucidity returned.

“Big brother…” Bai Qi murmured softly, gazing at Zhang Xiaofan.

“If you killed him now, your whole life would be ruined. Leave this to me,” Zhang Xiaofan said, patting Bai Qi on the shoulder before turning his cold gaze to the terrified Liu Qiang.

Coward, bold only with the weak…

“So, you’re at it again? You knew Bai Qi was my brother, yet you dared seek revenge?” Zhang Xiaofan’s voice was icy. “Who gave you the nerve?”

The cold sneer curling at Zhang Xiaofan’s lips sent chills down Liu Qiang’s spine. This demon was not someone he could afford to anger… The memory of that brutal beating at school still haunted him.

A sudden scream split the air—Zhang Xiaofan had already stepped forward and snapped Liu Qiang’s arm.

“Where’s all that arrogance from before?” Zhang Xiaofan snorted.

“If you touch me again, the Liu family will never let you go…” Liu Qiang threatened, though he knew his words were useless. Still, as a pampered heir, the instinct to threaten remained.

“Oh? I’m so scared… Not only will I touch you, I’ll kill you,” Zhang Xiaofan replied, casually smashing a wine bottle and pressing its jagged edge to Liu Qiang’s throat.

Glass pierced flesh, blood welled up, and Liu Qiang felt a jolt of pain. He had no doubt Zhang Xiaofan would kill him here and now—this man was a lunatic.

“If you kill me, my grandfather will find someone even more powerful to kill you!” Liu Qiang howled.

“Oh? So you’re saying the Liu family has already sent someone after me? Was it Hu Yitian?” Zhang Xiaofan’s voice was frigid. “I can spare your life. Tell me, did your family hire Hu Yitian to kill me?”

Zhang Xiaofan had long suspected the Liu family was behind it, but he needed confirmation—vengeance required irrefutable proof.

“So what if we did? Are you scared now? Let me tell you, there’s nothing money can’t solve in this world.” Liu Qiang sneered, defiant now that things had come to this.

He had no idea that if Liu Xiao were present, he would have torn his mouth apart. Zhang Xiaofan had single-handedly braved an empty street, slain Hu Yitian, cut down several men, and walked away unscathed. Liu Xiao hadn’t slept a night in peace since, haunted by nightmares of a blade at his throat. He was still hoping Zhang Xiaofan didn’t know he was the mastermind, but Liu Qiang had blurted everything out.

“Heh… very good…” Zhang Xiaofan’s eyes grew cold, an icy aura spreading from him.

“Go back and tell Liu Xiao to wash his neck and wait for me.”

Zhang Xiaofan kicked Liu Qiang aside and glanced at Bai Qi. “For a woman like that, it’s not worth it. Let’s go.”

“I don’t want her anymore. I just didn’t want to see her suffer,” Bai Qi replied.

“Everyone makes their own choices, and with choice comes destiny. No one can change that except themselves. Cause and effect, always,” Zhang Xiaofan said as he walked. “Do you want to attend a military academy?”

“I do! But I don’t have the money…” Bai Qi’s eyes burned with longing, but quickly dimmed with resignation.

University entrance exams were coming, and military school had always been his dream. But even ordinary university tuition cost tens of thousands—a sum far beyond Bai Qi’s family.

“I’ll arrange it for you, but it won’t be an ordinary military academy. It’ll be a special forces academy—everything is classified, and your life will always be at risk. Are you willing?” Zhang Xiaofan asked seriously.

“I’m willing!”

“Good. Wait for news.” Zhang Xiaofan nodded. Bai Qi was indeed suited for special forces training, but whether he could join Dragon Soul would depend on himself.

For example, if the special forces had ten thousand men, Dragon Soul would select only the top ten elite among them.

Dragon Soul—the nation’s sharpest blade, its holy shield.

…

After parting with Bai Qi, Zhang Xiaofan found a hotel and checked in.

After showering and preparing to rest, his phone rang with a strange number. But Zhang Xiaofan knew what those digits meant. He picked up.

“Brat, what are you doing in Jinghai?” An old man’s voice came through the line.

“Chief, I was bored up in the mountains, so I came down to see what the world’s like,” Zhang Xiaofan replied with a smile. The old man was none other than Du Yuefeng, commander of Dragon Soul.

Du Yuefeng and Old Man Qingyun were close. Three years ago, at Du Yuefeng’s invitation, Old Man Qingyun had brought Zhang Xiaofan down the mountain for a secret mission.

That was when Zhang Xiaofan joined Dragon Soul, codename “Dust.”

Master and disciple—both possessed astonishing medical skills; they saved many soldiers that year.

“Where’s Old Man Qingyun?” Du Yuefeng asked.

“He’s passed on,” Zhang Xiaofan replied.

There was a moment of silence on the line, tinged with sorrow.

“Alright, let’s get to business. This is your next mission,” Du Yuefeng said solemnly.

“I’m still in school, and you’re giving me a mission?” Zhang Xiaofan protested.

“Nonsense. School? More like you’re there to wreak havoc among the nation’s flowers!” Du Yuefeng retorted. “You probably know the Venom King is in Jinghai. According to intelligence, he plans to target Lin Haonan’s granddaughter, Lin Siyu, to threaten Lin Haonan. Your mission is to join Lin Group and protect Lin Siyu.”

“Lin Siyu?” Zhang Xiaofan was taken aback. Wasn’t she the stunning beauty in the cheongsam at Treasure Pavilion? This mission sounded promising…

“No one in Jinghai is better suited than you,” Du Yuefeng said.

“Agreed. I’ll take it!” Zhang Xiaofan replied crisply.

“Suddenly so eager? Let me guess—it’s because you heard Lin Siyu’s name and your lecherous heart’s stirring?”

“Nonsense, you’re overthinking… Also, Chief, I want to recommend two men for the special forces. They’re true warriors.”

“You don’t need me for that—just find Feng Qingyang. He’s at Jinghai University precisely to recruit for the special forces.”

“Alright… So when do I start?”

“Why ask? Immediately, of course. Now go!” Du Yuefeng snapped.

“Always so rude,” Zhang Xiaofan muttered under his breath. With this call, his school days were over.

A pity—so many beautiful girls, all out of reach now…

He packed his things, left the hotel, caught a taxi, and called Lin Siyu.

“Sister Lin, it’s me—Zhang Xiaofan.” Zhang Xiaofan sounded cheerful, though there was always a hint of mischief in his tone.

“What is it?” Lin Siyu sounded surprised—why was this little scoundrel calling her?

“Send me your address. I’m here to protect you. Didn’t your grandfather tell you?” Zhang Xiaofan explained.

Lin Siyu understood at once. Her grandfather had mentioned a top expert would be assigned to protect her. Could this “expert” really be this little scoundrel?

The idea of him as her personal bodyguard gave her a headache.

But she was still puzzled. This little rascal was an exceptional doctor, but so young—was he really an expert?

“Sister Lin, hurry up—the taxi driver’s impatient.”

“Shanshui Renjian, Villa 8,” Lin Siyu said at last. Despite her doubts, she knew it was true—this scoundrel really was her bodyguard.

“Driver, Shanshui Renjian—let’s go!”

…

Half an hour later, Zhang Xiaofan stepped out of the taxi at the gates of the Shanshui Renjian villa complex.

“Hey, what are you doing here? Move along, this isn’t your place,” a burly security guard blocked his way. Each guard looked tough and composed—clearly ex-military.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m here to see Lin Siyu.”

He was telling the truth, but none of the guards believed him.

“Get lost—like Lin Siyu would know a country bumpkin like you?” one guard sneered, putting a hand on Zhang Xiaofan’s shoulder and trying to shove him aside. But Zhang Xiaofan didn’t budge an inch.

The guard’s eyes flashed with surprise. Refusing to give in, he pushed harder—still, Zhang Xiaofan stood firm.

“Looking for a fight?” Zhang Xiaofan’s expression didn’t change. Then he grabbed the guard’s arm and with a swift move, locked it tight.

The guard cried out in pain.

Seeing Zhang Xiaofan make a move, the other guards tensed and surrounded him.

“You want a fight? Alright, come on, all of you.” Zhang Xiaofan was angry now. These guards, blinded by arrogance, had actually tried to provoke him. If he didn’t teach them a lesson, they’d never learn.

“Looks like he’s here to cause trouble. Brothers, let’s go!” the head guard called, pulling out a stun baton. The others drew their weapons and closed in.

Zhang Xiaofan kicked the guard he’d caught, sending him flying into the baton’s path.

“Damn it, don’t tase me—tase him!” the guard yelled, convulsing from the shock.

Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaofan’s fists flashed, knocking the rest to the ground in just a couple of breaths.

The guards wore pained expressions—who was this devil, and why take it out on them?

“Look, I don’t want trouble, and I’m not going to barge in. Just call and confirm—I’m here at Lin Siyu’s invitation. If you delay things, you’ll lose your jobs,” Zhang Xiaofan said coolly, straightening his clothes.

The guard he fixed with his gaze nodded quickly and hurried to the guardhouse to make a call and confirm.

Zhang Xiaofan thought to himself, If only you’d done this from the start. Now you’ve forced me to get physical—I’m a civilized man, after all.