Volume One, Chapter Seven: The Dragon's Vulnerable Scale

Just then, a jarring sound echoed from a nearby alleyway.

Upon hearing it, Tang Mowan and Tang Qingyi reacted like startled birds, their bodies instantly tensing. From the pitch-black alley, three or forty burly men in suits emerged. They brandished baseball bats and machete-like weapons, closing in to surround them.

A man stepped out from the crowd, a sinister grin plastered on his face as he swung a baseball bat. It was none other than Zhao Hu, the man Qi Wuxie had beaten and chased away earlier that day.

"Zhao Hu, what... what do you want?"

The moment Tang Mowan saw him, fear and tension flooded her eyes. Yet, acting on maternal instinct, she stepped in front of Qi Wuxie and Tang Qingyi. She had learned from her daughter about what happened during the day—that Qi Wuxie had thrashed Zhao Hu and his men. She had been on edge ever since; after all, Zhao Hu was a member of the Green Dragon Gang. How could he possibly let such a beating go unavenged?

Sure enough, Zhao Hu had returned with backup to settle the score.

With a cruel smirk, Zhao Hu replied, "What do I want? I’m just here to have some fun with you all."

His eyes suddenly widened in surprise. "Well, well, well? What’s going on here? How come you’ve suddenly become so young, old lady? And the little girl, the scar on her face is gone too."

He had just noticed that the injuries and illnesses of both women had vanished. Tang Qingyi’s face, in particular, was now flawless, the large scar that once marred it having completely disappeared.

"Who would have thought this young lady was so beautiful? And you—if I didn't know better, I'd think you were sisters. I'm actually starting to find it hard to kill you now." Zhao Hu licked his lips, a look of lecherous intent flashing in his eyes. The other thugs burst into laughter at his words.

Tang Mowan’s face turned pale at his remark, and Tang Qingyi, standing beside Qi Wuxie, bit her lip hard.

"Zhao Hu, did you not get enough of a beating earlier today?"

Qi Wuxie stepped in front of his mother, his gaze cold and indifferent as he addressed the thug.

Seeing Qi Wuxie, Zhao Hu’s expression turned three parts more vicious. "You little brat, I haven't even settled the score for today with you yet! And here you are, bringing it up yourself!"

"I know you can fight, but can you handle forty men?" Zhao Hu glanced at the thugs behind him, a sneer on his face. "If you kneel and beg for mercy right now and call me 'Grandpa' three times, I might let you die a quick death! Otherwise..." He chuckled. "I’ll make sure my brothers treat your sister and mother very well. After all, such succulent women aren't easy to find!"

"Hahaha!" Zhao Hu roared with laughter, his gaze sweeping shamelessly over Tang Mowan and Tang Qingyi. The men behind him let out crude hoots and hollers, some even making vulgar gestures.

They were completely oblivious to the murderous intent surging in Qi Wuxie’s eyes. A dragon’s reverse scale is not to be touched, and death is the price for those who do. His mother and sister were his absolute bottom line; he would never allow anyone to bully them ever again.

"Zhao Hu, I’m warning you, don't you dare try anything. If you take one more step forward, I’m calling the police!"

Tang Mowan pulled out her phone, threatening him with a glare. However, as soon as she spoke, Zhao Hu and his men froze, only to burst into raucous laughter.

"Hahaha! She said she’s going to call the police! I’m so scared, brothers, what should I do?" Zhao Hu feigned terror, looking at his men.

"I’m scared too, Boss Zhao! What ever shall we do?"

"I’m so terrified I’m about to wet my pants!" The other thugs laughed, their faces twisted with mockery.

The Green Dragon Gang was the top syndicate in the East District, and the chief of the local police station was a close friend of their boss. Furthermore, the massive Zhou family stood behind the Green Dragon Gang. Even if the police were called, they wouldn't dare intervene in the gang's affairs.

Tang Mowan’s expression turned to one of fury, her eyes reddening with a deep sense of helplessness. She knew all too well that calling the police would have no deterrent effect on Zhao Hu; otherwise, they wouldn't have spent the last five years suffering under his thumb.

"Mom, Xiaoyi, go inside the clinic first. I’ll handle things here." Qi Wuxie held his mother’s hand and comforted her.

"Son, what are you doing? You’re no match for them!" Tang Mowan’s expression shifted, and she gripped his hand tightly.

Tang Qingyi looked on with deep concern. "Brother, there are too many of them, you can't beat them!" Even though she had seen her brother's strength earlier, there were simply too many of them now, and they were armed. How could he possibly stand against them?

Qi Wuxie smiled. "Mom, don't worry, I’ll be fine. These pieces of trash aren't enough to hurt me."

He then had Tang Qingyi open the door to the clinic and instructed them to go inside and lock it. Zhao Hu didn't stop them, instead laughing, "Well, well! Do you really think you can defeat all of us with your bare hands?"

Qi Wuxie turned, his gaze cold. "Dealing with scum like you is effortless. You’d better start thinking about your final words!"

"Hmph! Arrogant!" Zhao Hu sneered. "Get him! Break his limbs! I want to torture him to death, and then I’ll take my time with his sister and mother right in front of him!"

Boom!

As he gave the order, the forty-plus thugs lunged forward, swinging baseball bats and fruit knives at Qi Wuxie.

Qi Wuxie’s eyes were cold as he darted forward like a bolt of lightning.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

In an instant, cries of agony erupted. The forty-plus men rushing toward him were sent flying, vomiting blood as they were struck. Within seconds, they were all lying on the ground, wailing in pain.

The sinister grin on Zhao Hu’s face froze. He had never imagined that Qi Wuxie’s strength could be so monstrous. Over forty men defeated in mere seconds—was he even human?

Fear began to creep onto Zhao Hu’s face, and he took two involuntary steps back. "Who... who are you exactly?" He was terrified. Even Wang Nan, the Green Dragon Gang’s top enforcer, wouldn't be this difficult to handle!

"Who am I? I am Qi Wuxie, the man you cannot afford to provoke!" Qi Wuxie said coldly, stepping toward Zhao Hu. A biting, murderous aura erupted from his body, making Zhao Hu feel as if he had been plunged into an icy abyss.

As Qi Wuxie closed in, Zhao Hu’s face was filled with dread, but even more so with rage. "You little beast, take one more step and see what happens!"

Suddenly, Zhao Hu let out a roar, whipped out a delicate handgun from his waist, and aimed it straight at Qi Wuxie’s forehead.

Qi Wuxie paused in his tracks.

Zhao Hu’s face twisted into a savage grin. "You little beast, weren't you being arrogant just now? Go on, keep being arrogant!"

"Get on your knees right now, or I’ll blow your brains out!"

Qi Wuxie let out a mocking laugh. "Kneel? Just because of the gun in your hand?"

Zhao Hu snarled, "What else! No matter how well you fight, can you move faster than a bullet? Kneel now! I have no patience for your nonsense. Otherwise, I’ll blast your limbs off and make you watch as I take your sister right in front of you!"

Boom!

At those words, Qi Wuxie’s eyes narrowed. "Then go ahead and pull the trigger. Let’s see if you can hit me."

Qi Wuxie lunged forward.

A ruthless look flashed across Zhao Hu’s face. "You little beast, if you want to die, I’ll grant your wish!"

Zhao Hu roared and squeezed the trigger.

Bang!

A bullet tore through the air, but Zhao Hu’s expression suddenly changed—Qi Wuxie’s figure had vanished from where he stood!

The next moment, Qi Wuxie appeared directly in front of him. With one swift motion, he snatched the gun away and grabbed Zhao Hu by the throat, hoisting him into the air!

Zhao Hu’s face turned purple, his expression one of pure agony.

"Let... let me go!" Zhao Hu struggled, but Qi Wuxie’s hand was like an iron vice, clamped tight around his windpipe.

"You... you can't kill me! If you kill me, my big brother won't let you off! The Zhou family... they won't let you off either!"