Chapter 136: Kill!
Hearing Jiang Hua's question, Zhao Dong gave a bitter smile. "Uncle, we really are just friends. Please don't overthink it."
Jiang Hua glanced at Zhao Dong and said sincerely, "I don't mean anything by it. It's just that seeing you still concerned for my Nianyu at a time like this... it truly moves me. Nianyu is fortunate to have a friend like you."
Zhao Dong waved his hand. "Nianyu has helped me when I was in trouble, too. It's only right that we help each other. In my eyes, she's a very good girl."
Jiang Hua smiled reassuringly. "With you saying that, I can rest easy. By the way, young man, what's your name?"
"My name is Zhao Dong," Zhao Dong replied with a slight smile. "Why do you ask, Uncle?"
Jiang Hua was taken aback, his expression shifting rapidly. "Zhao Dong? You're the Zhao Dong who's opposing Xiao Hongtian?"
At this moment, Jiang Hua's gaze changed again, his expression becoming incredibly grave.
Zhao Dong looked at Jiang Hua and, without denying it, said calmly, "Uncle, it's not that I want to oppose Xiao Hongtian. My woman is Lin Qingyun, and he has designs on her. He's even tried to have me killed. Shouldn't I fight back?"
Jiang Hua looked deeply at Zhao Dong. "Zhao Dong, you're a good lad. I think highly of you."
Zhao Dong looked at Jiang Hua in surprise. He had assumed that Jiang Hua would immediately distance himself after finding out who he was, but he never expected him to say this.
He glanced around, raising his eyebrows slightly. He clearly remembered that the Jiang Family's patriarch was still alive, yet in his two or three visits, he had never seen this so-called patriarch. Each time, he only met Jiang Nianyu's uncle, Jiang Haibo. Furthermore, Jiang Nianyu's cousin Jiang Xue hadn't been present during his last visit either.
Something about this feels wrong. Is it possible that his uncle's family is truly at odds with Jiang Nianyu's family? And the person behind her kidnapping... couldn't actually be Jiang Haibo, could it?
Before he could sort out his thoughts, his phone began to ring. Zhao Dong walked to the side to answer it, and Han Qingtian's voice came through the line.
"Little Dong, I've found some clues. I had my men search every security camera in the city, with a special focus on the surveillance around the Jiang Corporation's building today. We found a suspicious black vehicle heading toward the underground fighting ring in East Sea."
Zhao Dong frowned. "Underground fighting ring? What kind of place is that?"
Han Qingtian's voice was grave. "The underground fighting ring in East Sea is a den of iniquity where people fight in illegal matches every day. The place is run by a man named Black Dragon, whose boss is a figure called Lord Hu. While Lord Hu isn't as powerful as Hong Wu, he's the most formidable underworld figure in East Sea aside from him. He even has enough confidence to stand up to Hong Wu. I'm afraid..."
Han Qingtian paused before continuing, "Little Dong, that place is a veritable dragon's den and tiger's lair; you can't just barge in. Besides, we aren't even sure if your friend is there."
Zhao Dong said in a deep voice, "Thanks, Elder Han. Whether she's there or not, I have to go see for myself."
Han Qingtian clenched his teeth. "In that case, I'll bring some men and go with you."
A warmth spread through Zhao Dong's chest. "There's no need, Elder. I can go by myself. I appreciate the thought!"
After hanging up, Zhao Dong didn't delay. He said a quick goodbye to Jiang Hua and left the Jiang Family's villa alone, heading for the underground fighting ring in East Sea.
Meanwhile, after Han Qingtian hung up the phone, he saw that Han Chuxue was standing nearby. Having overheard the conversation, she crossed her arms, her face filled with indignation.
"Grandfather, don't help him! That guy is so reckless, always stirring up trouble! Does he even know whose territory the East Sea underground fighting ring is? He's just running off to get himself killed!"
Han Qingtian immediately rebuked her, "What nonsense are you spouting, girl! Isn't he your man? Do you really want him to die?"
Han Chuxue was startled, her pretty face flushing crimson. "Grandfather, who said he's my man? Don't you know he's Lin Qingyun's husband?"
Han Qingtian snorted. "Your grandfather isn't a fool. How is he not your man? Do you think I don't know how far your relationship has progressed?"
Han Chuxue was so embarrassed she wished she could dig a hole and crawl into it. "Grandfather, you... how do you know?"
Han Qingtian chuckled. "You're my granddaughter; there's a lot I know. Zhao Dong is a fine young man. I have a gut feeling that he's no ordinary person. He may need protection now, but give him time, and he'll be able to stand at the pinnacle of this nation, reigning under its heavens!"
Han Chuxue took two steps back, stunned. "Grandfather... how could you possibly think that? What makes you think Zhao Dong is capable of such an achievement?"
Han Qingtian squinted. "It's an intuition I've developed from judging people for many years. Chuxue, it's true that Zhao Dong is Lin Qingyun's husband, but there are rumors that their marriage is just a contractual agreement. There aren't many feelings between them. And taking a step back, so what if Zhao Dong has other women? Throughout history, what accomplished man hasn't had several wives and concubines?"
Han Chuxue bit her lip helplessly. "But Grandfather... I really don't like Zhao Dong. Me being with him... it was a complete accident!"
Han Qingtian chuckled. "Was what happened at home the other day also an accident?"
Han Chuxue gasped, her face turning beet red. "Grandfather, you..."
Han Qingtian laughed heartily, then stroked his beard. "Alright, Chuxue, listen to me. Whether you like Zhao Dong or not, I'm giving you my sincere advice. Zhao Dong is a true dragon. You must hold on to him!"
Han Chuxue fell silent, but she couldn't help but grumble inwardly. Zhao Dong, oh, Zhao Dong... just what is it about you that makes Grandfather value you so highly?
"Alright, I'm taking some men to the underground fighting ring now. I'm a little worried about Zhao Dong going alone. Are you coming?"
Han Chuxue gritted her teeth. Her first instinct was to say no, but on second thought, it might be a good opportunity to see Zhao Dong get beaten to a pulp. With that in mind, she declared through clenched teeth, "I'm going too!"
Thus, Han Qingtian immediately gathered some experts from the Han Family and, together with Han Chuxue, headed straight for the underground fighting ring in East Sea.
Meanwhile, Zhao Dong had already driven to the East Sea underground fighting ring. It was located far from the city center, in a secluded stadium beyond the sixth ring road.
Arriving at the arena, Zhao Dong noticed the parking area was filled with luxury cars—Porsches, Maybachs, Bentleys, and countless Mercedes-Benzes, BMWs, and Audis—an incredibly eye-catching display. He parked his car, stepped out, and narrowed his eyes. A cold light flashed within them as he walked directly toward the entrance.
At the door, two burly security guards in black, their muscles bulging like small hills, blocked his path. One of them grunted, "Ticket!"
"Don't have one. Get out of my way, I'm looking for someone."
The guards' eyes turned cold. "You motherfucker! You came here looking for trouble? You've got a death wish!"
As they spoke, they swung their iron clubs toward Zhao Dong's head. Zhao Dong's eyes grew even colder as he lashed out with a palm!
BANG! BANG!
The lightning-fast slap cracked across both their faces, sending their bodies flying backward. They smashed into two cars and collapsed to the ground, their condition unknown.
Zhao Dong dusted off his hands, his face an icy mask as he walked inside.
Inside the stadium was a curved corridor leading to another, smaller door. More than a dozen security guards stood watch, each looking fierce and menacing. When they saw Zhao Dong approach, all eyes turned to him. The leader, a man with a red scar by the corner of his eye, said in a low voice, "Show your ticket!"
Zhao Dong's gaze was frigid. "Don't have one. Get out of my way. I'm looking for someone."
The words had barely left his mouth when the dozen or so guards charged, throwing punches without another word!
Zhao Dong let out a cold laugh, sidestepped, and threw a high, sweeping kick at the men rushing him!
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Several men coughed up blood as their bodies were sent flying like cannonballs!
More fists flew at him from behind. Zhao Dong tilted his head slightly and jabbed backward with his elbow, sending one man flying into the crowd and knocking over several others. Without looking back, he grabbed the shoulders of two more men and squeezed brutally!
CRACK! CRACK!
Their shoulder blades shattered instantly. He threw another palm strike, and several more bodies went flying. He followed up with a series of continuous kicks!
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Soon, no one was left standing. All of them lay on the ground with broken limbs, wailing in agony. Zhao Dong brushed off his clothes and strode into the fighting arena.
The moment he stepped inside, Zhao Dong narrowed his eyes. The area was paved with marble, giving it an ancient, primal feel. In the center was a massive fighting platform chiseled from a single block of stone, stained with dark red blood. The surrounding stands consisted of simple stone seats, and the ground had no flooring, resembling an ancient Roman colosseum.
There were many people scattered around the arena, all of them powerfully built and covered in scars, their eyes fierce and bloodthirsty. The fighters here were almost all top combatants from East Sea's fighting scene. The atmosphere was extremely oppressive and charged with a savage energy that made one's blood race.
Zhao Dong scanned the area, then pushed off with both legs, leaping high into the air and landing in the center of the platform in the next second.
A collective gasp swept through the arena.
Every single person turned to look at the platform, hundreds of sharp, sinister gazes instantly flaring with murderous intent.
Zhao Dong stood with his hands in his pockets, his gaze sweeping coolly over the crowd. "Who here is called Black Dragon?" he asked indifferently. "Get the hell out here!"
The arena fell deathly silent, the air so thick it felt solid.
Here, Black Dragon was God. He had at least a hundred lives on his hands, having built his empire on murder and arson. Here, no one dared to defy him. In the entire East Sea underworld, who didn't know the name Black Dragon?
And yet, someone had the gall to tell Black Dragon to get the hell out here?
The next second, a figure slowly rose to its feet in the center of the stands.
Zhao Dong's eyes locked onto the figure. As their gazes met, the air instantly filled with killing intent.