Volume 1, Chapter 31: Beautiful Yan, I’ve Brought You a Grand Gift!!

The other party felt a wave of surprise. Nevertheless, he drove Su Ming toward Longqi Bay.

Inside the car, Su Ming sat in the back, yet the "Blade Demon" showed no sign of caution whatsoever. Apparently, he either didn't take Su Ming seriously at all or was filled with absolute confidence in his own strength.

"You’re the number one wanted murderer in Longzhou, aren't you?" Su Ming asked with interest. "The one who once wiped out a wealthy merchant's entire family of thirty-two?"

"That’s right!" The Blade Demon finally looked up. His eyes, cold and sinister like a hawk's, betrayed a bloodthirsty glint. He stared at Su Ming through the rearview mirror, his lips curling into a cruel arc. "Don't be afraid. Those were just ordinary people. Killing you, however, would still be a bit of a waste of my effort."

"I'm not afraid. I'm just curious whether you're a hitman or just a common criminal," Su Ming said, leaning back against the seat, casually observing the scenery outside.

This time, the Blade Demon did not respond.

Su Ming pulled out his phone and made a call. At that moment, in her bedroom at home, Yan Rou was in the middle of applying a face mask when she saw the phone ring and hurriedly picked it up. She frowned, looking at the familiar number, and fell into a brief moment of contemplation.

She pressed the answer button, and Su Ming's voice came through.

"Beautiful Yan, the night is long—still awake?"

Yan Rou took a deep breath. "Say what you have to say, or get lost. If you're just bored, I'll have you arrested right now for harassment!"

Yan Rou was extremely curious about Su Ming because he was far too mysterious. So many cases seemed to involve this jerk, yet she could never find a shred of evidence. The massacre of thirty-six people, the silhouette caught on the car's surveillance footage, and the fact that Su Ming's unexplained disappearance last night perfectly matched the timeline at the crematorium—all of it, combined with his grudge against Wang Hu, wrapped Su Ming in an aura that was both mysterious and dangerous.

"I have a special meritorious service award for you. Want it?" Su Ming’s voice sounded inexplicably on the other end.

"Jerk, stop calling me, or I’ll get up right now and arrest you!" Feeling teased, Yan Rou slammed the hang-up button and tossed the phone onto the bed.

However, a few seconds later, a voice message came through. She suppressed her annoyance and pressed play.

"You're the Blade Demon, the one who killed those thirty-some people?"

"That is not something you should know."

The brief exchange made Yan Rou jump off the bed. She could distinguish that the person asking was Su Ming. But the person responding...

The next second, a text message arrived. Yan Rou, taking it seriously this time, picked up her phone to look.

"Qingshui Bay, Songhua Road intersection. Come and collect the high-priority wanted criminal, the Blade Demon!"

After reading the message, Yan Rou stood stunned for a long while. Once it registered, she ripped off her face mask. She threw on leather pants and a jacket, didn't even bother with undergarments, and rushed out the door like a whirlwind, her boots clacking against the floor.

Meanwhile, inside the car, Su Ming looked at the empty street. He opened his mouth to speak, but—

"Shut up!" the Blade Demon snapped.

"I just wanted to ask, are we almost there?" Su Ming asked innocently.

*This guy is really short-tempered,* Su Ming thought. *Even less patient than me. I'm starting to like his personality. I'm almost reluctant to hand him over to that poor sucker, Yan.*

"One turn ahead and we're there," the Blade Demon said coldly, stingy with his words.

"Since we're almost there, you’ve lost your value."

As Su Ming’s words fell, the Blade Demon slammed on the brakes. He turned around, his face ferocious. "I promised the young master I’d bring you in alive, but it didn't say I couldn't cripple you before bringing you in!"

With that, the Blade Demon pushed the door open and stepped out, clutching his large machete as he walked toward the back door. The blade was already raised high.

The next second—"BOOM!"

The car door exploded outward, slamming into the Blade Demon. The force knocked the machete from his grip, sending it clattering to the ground. As the Blade Demon lay pinned under the door, he tried to push himself up with one hand.

"CRACK!"

Su Ming stepped out of the car and brought his foot down, crushing the car door further into the ground. The violent force sent a tremor through the Blade Demon’s body, and a mouthful of blood sprayed from his lips. He instantly lost all ability to resist.

"Don't struggle. It's futile."

Su Ming cast a indifferent glance at the man, walked over, and crouched down. A few silver needles appeared in his hand. With a flick of his wrist, they plunged into the Blade Demon's crown.

In an instant, the Blade Demon felt as if he had been struck by lightning. His strength evaporated, his brain spun, and the world began to tilt. His breathing turned shallow and weak.

"Small fry. You don't take a hit very well. I almost killed you," Su Ming sighed with disappointment. He lit a cigarette and walked away with a carefree air.

About half an hour later, Yan Rou sped to the scene on her motorcycle. Seeing the car parked on the side of the road, she braked hard, jumped off, and hurried over. When she rounded the vehicle and saw the figure lying on the ground, she froze. She covered her mouth, eyes wide, thinking she was hallucinating.

She had expected Su Ming to just provide a tip-off. She never imagined he would have the Blade Demon packed up and waiting for her to collect.

"This... is this for real?! That guy is so ruthless? The Blade Demon, wanted for five years, was taken down just like this?"

Once the shock faded, Yan Rou checked the photos to confirm it was indeed the Blade Demon. Her heart was in such a state of disbelief she couldn't process it. After a long moment, she took a deep breath and dialed a number.

"Director An... I think... I think I've captured... the Blade Demon."

***

Elsewhere, Su Ming arrived at the gate of a villa. Seeing the lights blazing inside, he gave a cold smile. He took the bag off his back, lit the spirit money inside, and scattered it into the air.

"Dad, Mom, your son is here to avenge you. Both of you, open your eyes and watch!"

His voice choked up, and he wiped the tears from his eyes. When he looked up again, his usual bold and overbearing aura returned. He reached for the iron gate and pulled with all his might.

*SCREECH!*

The iron bars were torn apart. As he stepped inside, a German Shepherd the size of a calf lunged at him, teeth bared, drool flying. But in that instant, Su Ming’s gaze locked onto the beast. A cold light flashed in his eyes.

The ferocious dog let out a whimper, tucked its tail, and collapsed to the ground, shivering. Su Ming smiled and walked straight toward the villa.

Before he could reach the entrance, two figures appeared before him, raising their guns to aim at his head.

"Who are you! Hands up! Don't move, or we'll blow your head off!" the two burly men shouted, their faces twisted with malice.