Chapter 5: Get Out of My Sight

When Liu Ba heard Ye Chen’s brazen words, he snapped out of his shock. In truth, he wasn’t very familiar with Ye Chen; it was his master, Wang Hai, who bore a deep and bitter hatred for him.

Five years ago, on that fateful night, Wang Hai, drunk and out of control, tried to molest the passing young lady from the Qin family. Ye Chen, just returning from his evening classes, intervened and stopped Wang Hai’s despicable act.

After the incident, Ye Chen was, of course, beaten within an inch of his life. However, the Qin family still wielded some influence in Yun City. When they learned of what had happened, they called the police and sued Wang Hai.

If the Wang family hadn’t been so powerful in Yun City, forcibly suppressing the matter, Wang Hai would likely have ended up in prison. Even so, the Wang family was forced to expend vast sums of money and numerous connections to bury the scandal. Although Wang Hai ultimately escaped legal punishment, the cost was enormous.

Wang Hai directed all of his hatred and losses toward Ye Chen. But when he sought revenge, Ye Chen had inexplicably vanished. Thus, the Wang family turned their malice toward Ye Xue and Liu Xiufang instead.

Liu Ba narrowed his eyes, sizing Ye Chen up. “So you’re Ye Chen? I didn’t expect you’d still be alive.”

Ye Chen answered coldly, “When a scoundrel like Wang Hai is still breathing, how could I possibly be dead?”

“Brat, do you think you have the right to insult Young Master Wang?” Liu Ba glared at Ye Chen, instantly recalling how much Wang Hai loathed this man.

If he could deliver Ye Chen to Wang Hai today, the young master would surely be delighted. There might even be a handsome reward—tens of thousands, perhaps. That would be quite a windfall.

As for Ye Chen’s fighting ability, that was no real concern. There were more than a dozen of them. No matter how skilled Ye Chen was, could he take them all on by himself? Impossible.

With that thought, Liu Ba barked an order to his men. “Brothers, this is Wang Hai’s sworn enemy. Grab him! There’s a hefty reward waiting for us from the young master!”

At the mention of money, the men’s eyes gleamed. Each of them, weapon in hand, began banging excitedly on the ground.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Ye Chen looked at the raucous crowd with utter indifference.

With his current strength, dealing with this rabble was hardly a challenge. But beside him, Ye Xue’s heart leapt into her throat. She hurried to Ye Chen’s side, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Brother, what should we do? There are so many of them! You should run!”

Ye Chen patted Ye Xue’s shoulder, comforting her. “Xiao Xue, running away isn’t the answer. The reason we’ve been bullied all this time is because we’ve been too weak.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle this.”

Liu Ba burst into laughter, sounding like a pig’s squeal. “Ye Chen, what can you possibly do? Are you thinking of fighting back?”

“Look at how many of us there are—over a dozen! You think you can take us all on? Who do you think you are, some kind of kung fu hero? I’d advise you to get on your knees and surrender quietly, unless you want to suffer!”

Ye Chen sneered coldly. “Dealing with you trash is nothing. If you don’t want to die, get lost now.”

Liu Ba flew into a rage. He couldn’t fathom where Ye Chen got his confidence. To challenge more than a dozen men single-handedly!

“Get him! Remember, don’t kill him—we need him alive to collect the reward from Young Master Wang!”

“Yes, boss!”

More than a dozen thugs surged forward, wielding machetes and steel pipes, charging at Ye Chen like a swarm of locusts.

Ye Chen showed no fear. He rushed straight toward them.

Alone, Ye Chen moved among the thugs, dodging and countering every attack with effortless skill. It was a one-sided massacre.

The courtyard echoed with shouts and the clash of metal.

Three minutes later—

The once-boisterous thugs now lay sprawled across the ground, writhing like earthworms unearthed after rain.

“How…how is this possible?” Liu Ba stared in disbelief at his fallen men.

It was one thing for Ye Chen to have taken down two men before. But now, over a dozen had been dispatched in mere minutes!

Never in his life had Liu Ba witnessed someone this formidable.

Even Ye Xue was wide-eyed, staring at Ye Chen in astonishment. She couldn’t help but blurt out, “Brother, how did you become so powerful? Where have you been these past five years?”

“We’ll talk about that later,” Ye Chen said, knowing that such a complicated tale could never be explained in a sentence or two.

For now, he had to deal with Liu Ba.

“Now it’s your turn.” Ye Chen’s eyes flashed as he strode toward Liu Ba.

“D-don’t come any closer…” All of Liu Ba’s earlier bravado vanished, replaced by terror as he backed away.

“The Wang family sent you to collect debts. You should have been prepared for the consequences.”

With those words, Ye Chen closed the distance in a few strides.

Slap! The crisp sound echoed as Ye Chen’s palm struck Liu Ba’s cheek.

“My sister and mother gave up the house to you, yet you still pressed them to the brink. You’re no better than beasts!”

“Yes, yes! We’re worse than beasts!” Liu Ba, clutching his swollen face, nodded repeatedly. He dared not show the slightest defiance.

Slap! Ye Chen struck him on the other cheek.

“For all the suffering my sister and mother have endured these five years, I’ll repay you in full today! You heartless animals!”

Liu Ba’s face burned with pain, rage boiling inside him, but he dared not let it show. He could only grit his teeth and endure, pleading desperately, “Brother Ye, I didn’t know who I was dealing with! If I’d known how formidable you are, I wouldn’t have dared touch your family even if I had a hundred lives!”

Ye Chen’s expression was cold and unyielding. He wasted no more words.

He raised his foot and kicked Liu Ba square in the chest.

“I’ll spare your life today. Go back and tell Wang Hai that I’ve returned. The score between us will be settled, one way or another!”

With a heavy thud, Liu Ba was sent flying, crashing to the ground. He felt as if his chest might split open; several ribs were likely broken.

The pain and humiliation ignited a furious hatred in Liu Ba. Lying on the ground, clutching his chest, he shouted at Ye Chen, “Just you wait! This isn’t over!”

With that, he struggled to his feet, roused his battered men from the ground, and fled the Ye family home in disgrace.