Chapter 30: Scared Out of Your Wits, You’re Quite Brave, Aren't You?

Everyone’s gaze shifted toward the entrance of the private room as a group of arrogant young men and women swaggered in.

"I don't like being interrupted when I'm speaking," Liang Wenbin snapped coldly.

"Who was the one who touched your butt? Point him out, and I'll kill him!" The lead young man ignored Liang, wrapping his arm around the beautiful woman beside him with a vicious glare.

"Brother Tao, it’s him!" The woman pointed at Fang Zhe, complaining, "It was his filthy hand that groped me!"

"You dog, are you going to break your own paws, or should I do it for you?" Ma Jiantao stared at Fang Zhe, issuing his command.

"Who the hell do you think you are? Barking in Brother Bin's private room! It was her honor that I touched her. If you don't want your dog legs broken, leave your woman here to sleep with me tonight!" Relying on Liang Wenbin’s backing, Fang Zhe looked arrogant.

Ma Jiantao gave a sinister, insincere smile as he stroked his nose and beard, then pointed at Fang Zhe. "Break all four of his limbs!"

Two martial arts experts stepped forward, cracking their knuckles as they approached Fang Zhe.

"Stop!" Liang Wenbin stepped in. "I am Liang Wenbin of the Liang family. You should ask around—in Linzhou, apart from the five great families, who dares to disrespect my family?"

He was certain that Ma Jiantao’s group were not from the five great families and therefore could not afford to offend him.

"What is the Liang family? Do you think you're worthy of my respect?" Ma Jiantao sneered, walking up and slapping Liang Wenbin across the face.

*Smack!*

Liang Wenbin staggered, his gold-rimmed glasses flying off and shattering on the floor.

"Brother Bin!" "Young Master Liang!" Fang Zhe, Shi Yuan, and the others cried out in alarm.

Liang Wenbin clutched his face, his fury boiling over. He had intended to show off in front of Su Jinxi, but instead, he had been humiliated. This was an intolerable disgrace.

"You dare hit me?"

"I dare to kill you, too!" Ma Jiantao grinned and kicked Liang Wenbin to the floor.

"Who... who exactly are you? How can you be so reckless?" Liang Wenbin sat on the floor, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and rage.

"Why? Because my uncle is the leader of the Xiongwu Hall. Do you know who I am now?"

Ma Jiantao leaned down, smiling as he patted Liang Wenbin’s cheek.

Liang Wenbin turned pale. The man was the nephew of the Xiongwu Hall leader, and he had offended him right on their home turf! Unlike the five great families who dominated through business, the city's three major underground powers were known for killing people.

Fang Zhe was drenched in cold sweat. It was over—he had invited disaster.

Liang Wenbin quickly changed his tone. "Brother Tao, I’m sorry. I didn't recognize your status..."

"Are you still going to stand up for that dog?" Ma Jiantao asked, pointing at Fang Zhe.

"No, no, no..." Liang Wenbin shook his head frantically. He could barely save his own skin; he had no time to worry about Fang Zhe.

*Thud!*

Fang Zhe’s knees gave out, and he collapsed, trembling as he begged, "Brother, Brother Tao, I was wrong! Please, don't break my limbs!" His trousers became wet, and a puddle formed on the floor, smelling of urine—he had been scared to the point of wetting himself.

"Damn it! Look at how pathetic you are, yet you dared to touch my woman!" Ma Jiantao spat, waving his hand in front of his nose in disgust. He felt that even beating this coward would dirty his hands.

His gaze fell on Su Jinxi. She was not only more beautiful than his own woman, but her figure was also stunning and alluring. Having his way with her would be incredible.

"Liang Wenbin, let this beauty stay with me for a few days, and we’ll call it even for tonight!"

When Liang Wenbin heard this, he panicked. Su Jinxi was his intended target; he hadn't even won her over yet, so how could he hand her to someone else? He pleaded humbly, "Brother Tao, can we choose another condition?"

*Smack!*

Ma Jiantao backhanded Liang Wenbin, sending him sprawling. "Another condition? You think I’m giving you face? How dare you negotiate with me!"

"If I hear another 'no' from your mouth, I'll break your limbs right now!"

Liang Wenbin lay on the ground, clutching his bleeding mouth, too terrified to speak. He would have no chance with Su Jinxi now, but he figured it was better for her to be ruined by Ma Jiantao than to be with a penniless loser like Jiang Chen.

"Beauty, come with me!" Ma Jiantao smiled, reaching out toward Su Jinxi, confident that his aura of dominance had already conquered her.

"I won't go with you. Please leave!" Su Jinxi frowned, her voice icy.

"Refusing me? I like your spirit!" Ma Jiantao gave a playful smirk. "But nobody refuses me. You're mine tonight!"

He walked toward her, reaching for her body, causing Su Jinxi to retreat in fear.

Liang Wenbin and Fang Zhe looked away, pretending not to see, but Su Jinxi saw them for exactly who they were.

"If you dare touch her, I will break your paws."

A cold voice rang out, startling everyone in the room. No one had expected anyone to dare provoke Ma Jiantao at a time like this; it was a death wish!

Ma Jiantao’s hand froze in mid-air. He turned his head toward the source of the voice: Jiang Chen, who was sitting beside Su Jinxi.

Seeing Jiang Chen stand up for her warmed Su Jinxi’s heart. He hadn't changed; he was still the same person who wouldn't let anyone bully her.

"Liang Wenbin, I didn't expect someone to be bolder than you. This is interesting, ha ha!" Ma Jiantao laughed, though his expression was chilling.

"Brother Tao, this kid is just a penniless loser. He’s got no skills, just likes to act tough," Liang Wenbin hurriedly explained, fearing he would be dragged down by this idiot.

"Oh? A story of a loser and a goddess?" Ma Jiantao chuckled. He said to Jiang Chen, "Kid, you have courage. I wonder if your limbs are as brave as you are?"

"Men, break them for me!"

Hearing the order, the two martial arts experts didn't hesitate, throwing punches toward Jiang Chen’s chest. Liang Wenbin and Fang Zhe watched with schadenfreude, convinced the loser was done for.

*Snap! Crack!*

Crisp sounds of breaking bones filled the room. Ma Jiantao wore a triumphant smile—defying him was a grave offense!

But when he saw that it was the arms of his two experts that had been twisted by Jiang Chen, his smile vanished. He looked as though he had been slapped, his face twisting in rage.

*Bang!*

After disposing of the two men, Jiang Chen tossed them aside, slamming them into Ma Jiantao and knocking him to the floor.

"Brother Tao!" Liang Wenbin scrambled over like a lackey, helping him up and fawning, "Are you alright?"

"Get lost!" Ma Jiantao shoved him aside and roared at Jiang Chen, "You think you’re tough? I’m calling my uncle right now to bring every master from the Xiongwu Hall here!"

"If I don't kill you tonight, I'll take your last name!"

He pulled out his phone and dialed his uncle, Xiong Wuqiang. Liang Wenbin and the others stood frozen in terror; once the leader of the Xiongwu Hall arrived, this fool Jiang Chen would surely die.