Chapter Twenty-Six: Personal Grudges

Liu Mang! Liu Mang again!

A flash of chilling anger shot through Ma Wu’s eyes. This Liu Mang had provoked him time and again—not only coveting his woman, Li Mida, but now even making a move on Lin Erke.

He’d previously been held up by the matter with Wu Ting and hadn’t found the time to teach Liu Mang a lesson. He hadn’t expected Liu Mang to deliver himself right to his door again!

Another message popped up from one of the hired internet trolls: “Boss, hehe, what you mentioned in the livestream—is it really true? Liu Mang paid us five hundred thousand. Here’s my bank card information…”

Ma Wu saw no point in fussing with a bunch of hired trolls; the real problem was Liu Mang. The trolls were just tools at someone’s command.

Without hesitation, Ma Wu transferred five million over and prepared to go “have a little chat” with Liu Mang.

Ma Wu had no idea where Liu Mang was specifically, but with the system at his disposal, that was hardly an obstacle. He purchased a locator from the system, spending a hundred success points—no big deal, as he now had eight hundred in total.

Using the locator, Ma Wu quickly discovered that Liu Mang was actually in a high-end villa district in H City.

“Could this be where Lin Erke lives? If Lin Erke is with Liu Mang, I can’t just charge in recklessly.” Ma Wu hesitated.

Lin Erke was currently livestreaming, so calling her wasn’t an option. He sent her a private message instead: “Lin Erke, where’s Liu Mang right now? Is he with you?”

Lin Erke, now particularly attentive to anything related to Ma Wu, replied quickly: “No, we had a bit of a disagreement. He left without saying a word.”

That’s more like it.

A cold smile crept across Ma Wu’s lips. Since Liu Mang wasn’t by Lin Erke’s side, there was nothing holding him back from dealing with this troublesome pest.

Immediately, Ma Wu climbed into his newly purchased Phantom supercar and drove out from the Jing Mountain apartments.

He’d bought the supercar not long after acquiring the system. It was entirely silver, with a low chassis and sharp lines—a real head-turner, attracting envious glances wherever it went. But Ma Wu had no interest in showing off now. Rage smoldered inside him, and the only thought in his mind was to find Liu Mang immediately and make him pay for repeatedly meddling with his women.

Before long, Ma Wu reached the entrance to the villa district, as indicated by the locator. Just as he was about to enter, he noticed that Liu Mang’s position had changed—he’d left the district and was now right at the entrance.

At the same time, Ma Wu glanced through his windshield and saw a black luxury sedan pulling out from the villa district gate.

There was no need to guess—Liu Mang had to be inside that car.

Right now, at the villa district gate and in broad daylight, Ma Wu knew it wasn’t the place for action. He decided to tail the car and wait for a more secluded spot.

The black sedan headed toward the old city, and Ma Wu followed at a steady distance. The car eventually stopped near a demolition area in the old district, then turned into the maze of abandoned buildings to take a shortcut.

Ma Wu knew the moment had come. Within the demolition zone, with hardly anyone around and plenty of half-demolished buildings, it was the perfect place to do what had to be done.

He floored the accelerator, the speedometer of the Phantom supercar climbing rapidly. He shot forward like a silver arrow, slamming into the sedan from the side.

The sedan’s side—its weakest point—shuddered under the impact. The black car spun sideways, crashed into the curb, and came to a smoking halt.

Ma Wu’s own car wasn’t unscathed. The hood was torn off, the airbags deployed, and the violent jolt sent his head slamming against the upper frame, blood streaming from his forehead.

But Ma Wu ignored his injuries. He grabbed a steel pipe from beside him and stepped out of the car.

He approached the black sedan. The people inside seemed badly shaken, unable to react.

He yanked open the driver’s door. At the wheel sat an unfamiliar middle-aged man, while in the passenger seat was none other than Liu Mang!

The middle-aged man, shielded by the airbag and apparently lucky, seemed unharmed—just dazed. He stared blankly at Ma Wu and the steel pipe in his hand.

Ma Wu pointed the pipe at the man and smiled. “Brother, just a private grudge here. Nothing to do with you—step aside.”

Seeing the steel pipe, the man immediately raised his hands in surrender. Realizing he wasn’t the target, he quickly got out of the car and stood to the side.

Ma Wu dragged the half-dead Liu Mang from the passenger seat and slammed him down on the hood. The engine, damaged in the crash, radiated intense heat, burning Liu Mang’s back and drawing anguished screams.

Ma Wu acted as if he heard nothing. He slapped Liu Mang’s face and barked, “Well? Liu Mang. You never explained yourself for going after Li Mida, and now you’ve targeted Lin Erke? You’re her manager—what the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Liu Mang opened his eyes to see Ma Wu holding him up with one hand, a fearsome silver steel pipe in the other, blood streaming down his face—an image of death incarnate.

Liu Mang was only ever bold when facing the weak. Seeing this, his legs trembled so hard he wet himself. With snot and tears pouring down his face, he clutched Ma Wu’s hand and pleaded, “Ma… Brother Ma, no—Master Ma! Spare me, please, spare my life! I just lost my head for a moment.”

Ma Wu smiled coldly. “Sure, I’m reasonable. Two things—do them, and I’ll only take one of your hands.”

“One hand?” Liu Mang’s face turned ashen with terror as he stared at Ma Wu.

Ma Wu curled his lip, the icy steel pipe brushing Liu Mang’s head. “You still don’t see the situation? I stopped you with a supercar—do you think one hand is enough to settle this?”

“Here are the terms. First, go to the police station yourself and admit that the street punks weren’t killed by me—they were killed by their own. Second, reveal your true nature to Lin Erke and stay far away from her. Got it?”

Liu Mang lowered his head, resentment flickering in his eyes, but still replied, “I can do it, Master.”

Ma Wu grinned, a cruel edge to his smile. “Good. Let’s keep this simple. Just one hand.”

He dragged Liu Mang to the ground, laid his right hand flat on the hood, and brought the steel pipe down with a sickening smash.

Liu Mang’s screams tore through the alley, gut-wrenching and raw.

The middle-aged man, unable to bear the sight, turned his head away.

Business done, Ma Wu offered the man a card, clasping his hands apologetically. “Sorry for the trouble. Let me know your repair and medical costs—I’ll compensate you.” Then he brushed himself off, climbed into his battered supercar, and drove away.

Ding! You have uncovered the mastermind and intimidated Liu Mang. Face-slapping value +500.

Ding! Your actions have left Liu Mang in terror. Swagger value +200.

Ding! Your actions have caught Ye Qing’s attention. You have triggered a new hidden side quest.

Ye Qing? How is Ye Qing involved in all this? Ma Wu frowned in confusion and peered through the window.

From the smoking black sedan, a woman stepped out of the back seat. Ma Wu’s gaze met Ye Qing’s emotionless, beautiful face.

Why was Ye Qing here?

Ye Qing didn’t spare Liu Mang a glance. She simply made a call for an ambulance, then went to help the middle-aged man to his feet.

Ma Wu thought for a moment. Ye Qing had seen him, but they were barely acquaintances; there was no need to say more. He started his car and reversed out of the alley.

Driving his battered supercar toward Jing Mountain Apartments, Ma Wu mulled things over. The middle-aged man was likely Ye Qing’s father, but he hadn’t expected Ye Qing to get mixed up with Liu Mang.

He shook his head. There was no point overthinking it. Liu Mang was no more than a locust, now firmly under his thumb—no matter how hard he tried, he wouldn’t be able to stir up trouble again.

Pulling into the parking lot at Jing Mountain Apartments, Ma Wu saw Li Mida standing at his door, arms full of shopping bags.