Chapter 132: The Assassin, Flames of Vengeance

The scandalous photos of Kong Zetao and Huang Yong had spread like wildfire across every corner of the internet, occupying the front-page headlines of several major news portals.

It was impossible to miss. Anyone with a smartphone had likely seen them.

Some even recognized the handsome man in the photos as the young master of the Kong family in Beijing. This explosive revelation caused the news to ferment further and go viral, soaring to the top of search trends on Baidu and Weibo.

The Kong family was a prestigious conglomerate in the capital, with deep-rooted influence and a foundation so formidable that it could not be easily shaken. Who could be so bold as to mess with the young master of the Kong family? Good heavens, was a war about to break out between the major conglomerates of China?

This was going to be an interesting show.

For a time, all sorts of rumors flooded the internet, turning the web into a frenzy. While the perpetrator remained unknown, the vast army of internet trolls—always fond of a bit of mischief—had firmly slapped a label on the young master:

"Beijing’s Number One Gay Icon."

...

"You ignorant fool, you’ll be begging for mercy on your knees soon enough."

Kong Zetao had never suffered such humiliation. Not only had his attempt at revenge backfired, leaving him disgraced and the laughingstock of the entire internet, but this shame could only be washed away with that brat's blood. Upon returning to Beijing, consumed by a thirst for vengeance, he wasted no time in making preparations. To ensure success, he spent a small fortune to hire a hitman.

The assassin he hired was known as "Blade God" Li Yidao, a man of legendary status in the Chinese underworld.

At this very moment, Li Yidao stood before Kong Zetao. He was an unremarkable-looking man, barely over five-foot-seven, with a sturdy build. Clad in a black robe, his face was cold and rigid, his eyes sharp as a hawk’s. He showed no expression, a chilling sight to behold. A murderous aura emanated from him, like the scent of death rising from the depths of hell.

The first time Kong Zetao saw him, he felt a tremor in his heart, as if he were staring at a devil crawled out of purgatory.

He didn't even seem human.

Kong Zetao had heard the legends of this man and knew of his terrifying reputation, but hearing tales was nothing compared to seeing him in the flesh. Only now did he truly understand what it meant to be a professional killer. When Li Yidao raised his palm and shattered a two-inch-thick marble table, Kong Zetao’s pupils dilated, his heart churning with shock. He no longer doubted the cold-blooded assassin's power.

Yet, that was not all. What Li Yidao was most proud of was not his brute strength, but his miraculous skill with throwing knives.

*Bang!*

A bullet was fired toward him from less than ten meters away. In a flash of lightning, Li Yidao flicked his wrist, and a two-inch throwing knife shot out, striking the bullet down with unerring precision.

"Ah, this, this..."

The sight was too shocking. He had only ever seen such things in movies; he hadn't imagined such a person could exist in reality. He was so stunned that his voice trembled. After a long silence, he finally regained his composure and exclaimed, "Excellent, excellent skill! Truly worthy of the title of assassin. It is my honor to have your assistance."

Li Yidao didn't waste a single word. After looking at the photo of his target, he uttered only one cold syllable:

"Dead."

Kong Zetao didn't delay any further. He immediately set off for Ninghai with Huang Yong and Li Yidao to wash away his shame. With such a terrifying assassin on his side, he was certain that the brat was as good as dead.

After arriving in Ninghai, Kong Zetao and Huang Yong split up. Huang Yong took Li Yidao to deal with Chen Yufeng, while Kong went to find Liu Telin alone.

Liu Telin had been restless lately. She had a bad premonition, a vague, dark feeling that something was about to happen. After work, she returned to her apartment early, lay on the sofa for a while, and once her heart had settled, she went to the bathroom.

Stripped of her clothes, Liu Telin’s body was as perfect as a work of art. Looking at her flawless figure in the mirror, she couldn't help but feel a touch of pride. Remembering that it was Chen Yufeng who had removed that unsightly birthmark, she couldn't help but think of him. She wondered if he would be able to escape this calamity.

*After all, this whole thing started because of me!*

*My hero, oh my hero, I’ve ruined you.*

*But how was I to know you had a limit to your powers? Sigh, you won’t answer my calls. Even though you’re just an ordinary person now, we’re still husband and wife, aren't we? I never minded that you weren't special...*

After leaving the bathroom, she sat on the sofa watching a Korean drama. Around nine o'clock, the doorbell rang.

*Ding-dong.*

Liu Telin instinctively grew alert. She hesitated before walking over to the door, and through the peephole, she was shocked to see Kong Zetao standing there.

"Telin, I know you’re home. I come with no ill intentions. I’m about to leave for the United States, so I just wanted to come and say goodbye, that’s all. We’ve been friends for over twenty years; surely you wouldn't deny me even this?"

Hearing Kong Zetao’s voice through the door, Liu Telin was skeptical. But as he said, they had grown up together; they were childhood sweethearts. Even if they couldn't be husband and wife, they were still friends.

After a moment, she opened the door and let him in. "Are you really going to the United States?"

"Yes. You’ve seen what happened—it’s ruined my reputation. I can't stay in Beijing anymore. It’s made me realize that I was in the wrong to begin with. I was too willful. I intend to go to the U.S. to turn over a new leaf and start a brand-new life."

Kong Zetao spoke with great sincerity. After he finished, he added casually, "Oh, by the way, Telin, where is your husband? I’d like to have a drink with him and have a good chat. They say we don't know each other until we’ve had a fight, right?"

"Oh... he's out of town on business, he's not here. But it’s wonderful that you’ve come to this realization."

As she replied, Liu Telin made a cup of coffee and handed it to Kong Zetao. She felt genuinely happy that he had finally seen reason.

"Thank you. It’s a pity I came at a bad time; that’s a bit of a regret."

Taking a sip of coffee, Kong Zetao looked at Liu Telin and smiled. "Telin, before I leave, I’d really like to eat a meal cooked by your own hands. I miss it so much. You wouldn't want me to leave for the U.S. with that regret, would you?"

"Well, that’s easy enough. Sit for a moment, I’ll go prepare something."

Liu Telin didn't refuse his request. She set down her coffee cup and headed to the kitchen. Once she was gone, Kong Zetao’s expression changed instantly, twisting into a sinister mask. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a small packet, and poured the entire bag of red powder into Liu Telin’s coffee cup.