289: Chapter 289 Living in the Mortal World

Zhang Pengxiao froze instantly.

Han Jingyang gripped the flute and tapped the back of Zhang Pengxiao's head. "I might not have as much influence as Zhang Dahai, nor as much money, but don't forget—I'm not an ordinary person. I am Han Jingyang, the metaphysics master who has shaken Quancheng. Even Zhang Dahai would have to greet me with a smile. Who do you think you are, daring to point fingers and talk down to me?"

As he spoke, he swung the flute in a wide arc and brought it crashing down.

—Thud—

With just one strike, Zhang Pengxiao went still.

Shi Xiaoya pressed herself softly against Han Jingyang, wrapping her arms around his waist. She whispered, "Hubby, trash like this isn't worth getting your hands dirty over. Leave him to me."

As she gently pulled Han Jingyang away, she shot a meaningful look at Lin Yuelan.

Lin Yuelan sighed inwardly, but without hesitation, she drew her single-edged blade, walked up to Zhang Pengxiao, and raised it high.

Just then, Han Jingyang's phone rang.

Shi Xiaoya quickly took it out and held it to Han Jingyang's ear. "It's Zhang Zhiyang calling."

Han Jingyang raised an eyebrow and glanced at the unconscious Zhang Pengxiao.

Does this piece of trash actually know Zhang Zhiyang?

But it didn't matter.

Today, even if the King of Heaven himself showed up, he wouldn't stop me from killing this bastard.

I may be young.

But I am damn well not a pushover.

Threatening my whole family at every turn...

If I don't show some backbone now, how am I supposed to survive in the underworld later?

Still, I have to give Zhang Zhiyang some face.

At the very least, I have to take this call.

So, he gave a slight nod.

Shi Xiaoya pressed the answer button.

Zhang Zhiyang's voice came through the phone: "Brother, give me some face and spare Zhang Pengxiao's miserable life."

Han Jingyang glanced at Zhang Pengxiao, who was slowly coming to and beginning to groan and struggle after that flute strike. He smiled and said, "Old Zhang, since when did you start backing people like this?"

"Hey, hey, brother, don't talk nonsense. I'm not backing them. It's just that we're all making a living in Quancheng. Even we have times when we need them, so we've crossed paths quite a bit."

"Just that? No messy dealings or transactions?"

"None, absolutely none!"

"In that case, it shouldn't be a problem if I don't give you this face, right?"

"This... I'm afraid you really do have to give me some face, brother."

"What do you mean?"

"Zhang Dahai is someone you really don't want to mess with."

"Even you can't afford to provoke him?"

"It's not that I can't, but the price would be extremely high."

"I see. Then it's fine. I'll accept whatever price comes my way, and I won't regret it. Old Zhang, that's enough. I'm hanging up. This scumbag is about to wake up, and I wouldn't want his screams to pollute your ears."

"Brother, wait! Let me say one more thing."

"Fine, just one sentence. Go ahead."

"Although I admire you, if you truly provoke Zhang Dahai, even I will have to keep my distance from you. I have to make this clear beforehand so you don't blame me for turning my back on you later."

Han Jingyang let out a laugh.

However, there wasn't a trace of mirth on his face.

His eyes even looked exceptionally cold.

After laughing for a few seconds, he said, "Old Zhang, there's no point in saying that. Given your position, I understand."

Zhang Zhiyang gave a dry laugh. "It's good that you understand. But I suspect I'm just the first. Others will be calling you later. You..."

Han Jingyang hung up directly.

Sure enough, a second call came in; it was Shen Yuhai.

But Shen Yuhai opened with: "Brother, how did you end up clashing with Zhang Dahai?"

Han Jingyang asked back, "What? Are you here to be a peacemaker?"

"No, no, no. I don't do that kind of thankless work. I just wanted to give you a couple of warnings. Zhang Dahai is truly not simple; he's much more formidable than He Dingkun. Years ago, I kept an eye on him for a full decade and couldn't find a single shred of evidence against him. He's a real old fox."

"That formidable?"

"Yes. He hides very deep. Even that Zhang Pengxiao you caught is as slippery as an eel; you can't pin anything on him either."

"Anything else?"

"That's it. Just a reminder. I can't help much with anything else. After all, your strength, brother, has already far exceeded my imagination."

Han Jingyang smiled. "Alright, I got it. You stay safe too."

He hung up on Shen Yuhai.

Then Xu Xin called: "Brother, do you need help?"

Han Jingyang was curious. "Zhang Dahai even contacted you?"

Xu Xin gave an 'mm'. "I had some dealings with Zhang Dahai years ago. Later, when I saw his methods getting wilder and wilder, I cut ties."

"You actually had that much foresight?"

"Brother, I may not be the smartest, but I'm no fool. Although Zhang Dahai didn't leave any clear evidence of his actions, everyone in the underworld knows. No matter how dumb I am, I wouldn't be oblivious. The situation with Liu Qing and his brothers is completely different from Zhang Dahai's."

Han Jingyang smiled. "I'm fine. You and my Eldest Niece stay safe."

At that moment, Xu Jingyun's voice came through the phone: "Big Brother Han, who are you calling your 'Eldest Niece'? Call me that again and I'm not done with you!"

Han Jingyang laughed heartily and hung up again.

Then, Wang Zhiwei also sent a message, saying he knew about the matter but really had no way to intervene.

Even Zhou Yucheng sent a message with a few vague, non-committal words.

Finally, the monk Kongyun called: "Boss Han, you know why I'm calling, right?"

Han Jingyang hummed. "Great Monk, even your Xingguo Zen Temple is getting involved?"

Monk Kongyun sighed. "Living in the mortal world, one cannot always act of their own accord. However, this has nothing to do with Xingguo Zen Temple; it only concerns me personally."

"Then what do you mean?"

"Spare Zhang Pengxiao's life. Just let him live."

"Great Monk, let me tell you my stance then. Do you want to hear it?"

Monk Kongyun sighed. "I don't want to hear it, because it certainly won't be pleasant. But I have no choice; I have some ties with Zhang Dahai. Boss Han, go ahead."

Han Jingyang smiled. "I am definitely killing this Zhang Pengxiao. It doesn't matter who asks for mercy; even the King of Heaven can't save him. Also, if Zhang Dahai calls you again, tell him to call me himself. Does the underground boss of Quancheng not even have the courage to call me?"

After saying that, he hung up directly.

Zhang Pengxiao had woken up while Han Jingyang was taking Zhang Zhiyang's call. He had been listening intently with his ears perked up, praying frantically in his heart that Han Jingyang would give these people some face.

But the more he heard, the more terrified he became.

By the end, he was chilled to the bone.

At the same time, he was deeply confused. Why was this Han Jingyang so stubborn? Why wouldn't he give face even when facing Zhang Dahai and so many big shots pleading for him?

Where did he get such confidence and courage?

Was he really not afraid of death?

Was he really not afraid of involving his whole family?

In the past, as long as he threatened someone's family—whether they were martial arts masters or metaphysics experts—they would basically cave. It worked every single time.

This was the first time it had failed.

Had he really run into someone this tough and ruthless?

At this thought, Zhang Pengxiao's heart was consumed by endless dread.

Hearing Han Jingyang hang up, he immediately struggled to crawl up and began kowtowing frantically. He begged for mercy while kowtowing: "Brother, don't kill me! I... I failed to recognize your greatness just now. It was my fault. I'll accept any beating or punishment, just spare my miserable life! Brother, Brother Han, Lord Han, Lord Han, please don't kill me..."