341: Chapter 341 Decisive Action

Robbers?

Han Jingyang raised an eyebrow. "How many?"

Zou Shuying answered crisply, "Five people."

"Gender and age?"

"All men. Three young ones and two old ones. The three young ones are pure martial artists, while the two old ones look like sorcerers. Master, should we fight back?"

"Wait for them all to enter. Try to catch them all in one fell swoop."

"Okay."

"The four of you stay safe. If necessary, you can give up those worldly possessions. At worst, I'll just have to work a bit harder to snatch them back. Don't even think about mutual destruction or going down in a blaze of glory!"

"Yes, Master. With so many powerful dharma instruments, we will keep them all here."

"Alright then, we're heading back now."

"Master, be safe on the road."

Han Jingyang hung up and looked Zhang Chaoyue up and down. "Old Zhang, Zhang Sihai's people just raided my Jiguang Zhai."

"Ah?" Zhang Chaoyue was stunned for a moment and hurriedly denied it. "Boss, I really didn't know about this, and I definitely didn't collude with Zhang Dahai to use some 'luring the tiger from the mountain' tactic. I... I couldn't possibly do such a thing. I suspect Zhang Dahai calculated that I would ask you for help. No, that's not right. Zhang Dahai must have been eyeing Jiguang Zhai for a long time. He only used the news of A Qi being captured to strike according to his plan. Yes, that must be it."

Just then, Han Jingyang's phone rang. It was Zhang Dahai calling.

Zhang Dahai said in a heavy voice over the phone, "Boss Han, I've thought it over. I'll trade antiques for my subordinate. Name a location. A full hundred pieces of exquisite antiques can be delivered to your designated spot at any time."

Han Jingyang laughed. "Boss Zhang, you're really something. One little trick after another, you're playing quite the game. However, you should be clear about one thing: in the face of absolute strength, all these fancy tricks are useless. And, because of these little tricks of yours..."

At this point, he spoke one word at a time: "I. Am. Angry!"

Zhang Dahai was stunned. "What do you mean?"

Han Jingyang said calmly, "It's simple. This deal ends here. Keep your hundred exquisite antiques as funerary objects; you'll be needing them soon."

As he spoke, he said to Zhang Chaoyue, "Kill her!"

Zhang Chaoyue's eyes widened in shock. "Boss?"

Zhang Dahai laughed over the phone. "Brother, don't joke around. I'm serious."

Han Jingyang remained calm. "I'm very serious too. I've always been serious, which is why I'm infuriated by you. I was negotiating a deal with you in good faith, yet you were secretly stabbing me in the back. Zhang Dahai, I am very angry, so the deal is off!"

While speaking, his gaze remained fixed on Zhang Chaoyue's face, his eyes devoid of any emotion.

Zhang Chaoyue instantly felt immense pressure.

Although he had already decided to part ways with Zhang Dahai and switch allegiances to Han Jingyang...

However, the act of executing Zhang Dahai's most trusted subordinate still filled him with panic. Killing was easy, but one strike of the sword would completely offend Zhang Dahai. He would become Zhang Dahai's true enemy and one of his primary targets for assassination.

In Quancheng, no one wanted to completely offend Zhang Dahai.

A top-tier expert like Zhang Chaoyue was no exception.

Yet, facing Han Jingyang's emotionless gaze, Zhang Chaoyue couldn't muster the slightest thought of resistance.

The consequences of offending Zhang Dahai were dire.

The consequences of offending Han Jingyang were even worse.

Offend Zhang Dahai, and he would be hunted by Zhang Dahai's men, with a high probability of death.

Offend Han Jingyang, and he would be killed directly by Han Jingyang; he would certainly die.

How to choose?

There seemed to be no choice, only one answer.

Zhang Chaoyue sighed inwardly and abruptly drew his thick, heavy shortsword.

*Shing—*

The loud sound of a shortsword being unsheathed rang out.

Gritting his teeth, Zhang Chaoyue rushed toward the fallen A Qi with his sword.

Hearing the sound, Zhang Dahai shouted sternly, "Zhang Chaoyue, you dare! If you dare touch a single hair on A Qi's head, I'll kill your whole family."

Zhang Chaoyue shouted back, "Screw you, you hypocritical bastard Zhang Dahai! Sooner or later, I'll cut off your dog head and show you that I'm not someone to be trifled with—"

As soon as he finished speaking, he swung his sword down.

*Slash—*

A Qi's severed body slowly slumped down.

Zhang Dahai's breathing on the phone instantly became heavy. After a long while, he spat out three words: "We'll see!"

Han Jingyang hung up and patted Zhang Chaoyue on the shoulder. "Old Zhang, nice work. Let's go."

"Go?"

"What? You want to stay here?"

"This villa..."

"What do you still want this thing for? It's become a murder house. Besides, Zhang Dahai will definitely retaliate against you frantically, so move somewhere near my place or Jiguang Zhai."

Zhang Chaoyue blinked. "How about... Boss, I work for you as a bodyguard or a doorman?"

He was asking for Han Jingyang's protection, wanting the most direct form of it.

By being Han Jingyang's bodyguard or doorman, he could immediately receive Han Jingyang's protection if Zhang Dahai retaliated.

Han Jingyang shook his head. "No need, and it's unnecessary. With your current strength, you can't help much. After tonight, find a place to hide and focus on your cultivation. I'll call you when I need you."

"Ah?"

"Any objections?"

"This..."

"If you have objections, then stay in Quancheng and help me fight Zhang Dahai."

"No objections, none at all," Zhang Chaoyue hurriedly shook his head. "I'll leave right away. Yes, I must leave immediately, otherwise I'm afraid my family will be harassed by Zhang Dahai."

"Come back to Jiguang Zhai with me first to handle a small matter. There might be some acquaintances of yours there."

"Huh?"

Jiguang Zhai.

An elite combat squad under Zhang Dahai quietly pried open the shutter door, which hadn't been repaired yet, and slipped into the shop.

Three strong young men were paired with two middle-aged men in their fifties.

The first three were fully armed, with long and short weapons hanging all over them.

The latter two were dressed as standard metaphysical masters, holding dharma instruments like compasses, Luban rulers, horsetail whisks, and peach wood swords. They wore long robes and cloth shoes, with long hair and beards, looking somewhat like transcendent immortals.

The five men entered.

The three young ones formed a fan shape in front, protecting the two middle-aged men.

They turned on the lights.

The shop was instantly illuminated as bright as day.

Looking at the empty shop, the five men looked at each other and nodded.

The young leader with a scar on his face said in a low voice, "We have ten minutes. Try to empty Jiguang Zhai within this time. Especially the safe in the inner room. Move the safe first, then the things that look like decorations, and finally take the items in the display cases. Understand?"

"Understood."

"Old Liu, Old Wang, you two keep a close watch. Any abnormality in the shop must be alerted and dealt with promptly to ensure we can successfully empty Jiguang Zhai. Understand?"

The two middle-aged men, Old Liu and Old Wang, didn't answer. Instead, they closed their eyes with intoxicated expressions.

Old Liu even muttered while taking deep breaths, "This is a true blessed land, comparable to the legendary abodes of the immortals. My primordial spirit has become much sharper. I really want to stay here permanently..."

Old Wang also responded unconsciously, "If I could cultivate here for a few years, I could die without regrets. Die without regrets!"

Scarface frowned and was about to scold them when a crisp voice rang out: "It is quite impolite for you gentlemen to arrive uninvited and break in. This lady is going to fight back now. Be careful."