Chapter 20: Who Is the Mastermind Behind the Scenes?

Thanks to Liu Qingxue’s explanation, Ye Binglan finally believed Chu Tian. Especially upon learning that Chu Tian had already slain Wu Xingyan, they no longer needed to fear his control. Overcome with joy, Ye Binglan burst into tears.

Just a moment ago, Chu Tian had threatened to take her innocence, yet now he was willing to respect her wishes. Ye Binglan’s emotions soared and plummeted like a roller coaster. Seeing her state, Liu Qingxue drew Ye Binglan into her embrace, sharing a profound sense of relief that only the two of them could truly understand.

The three of them remained in the room for another two hours, chatting about all manner of things before finally leaving the private suite. After spending those hours together, their bond had grown considerably closer. Liu Qingxue clung to Chu Tian’s left arm, Ye Binglan to his right; the three walked as if hand in hand, their faces bright with carefree smiles.

Witnessing this scene, the patrons of the bar erupted in astonishment. Chu Tian had managed to win over two stunning beauties at once—such good fortune was enough to inspire envy in anyone! What shocked them most was that, before Ye Binglan had taken Chu Tian upstairs, her expression had been cold as frost, even tinged with murderous intent. Yet two hours later, her attitude had completely reversed, and she was noticeably more affectionate toward Chu Tian.

What had transpired in those two hours behind closed doors? The crowd’s imaginations ran wild, images swirling in their minds, especially among the men, whose resentment bubbled over—they could not help but wish that it was themselves who had conquered these two beauties.

An hour later, at the Yunhe Grand Villa.

This was the residence of the seven senior sisters, though the others were busy and rarely stayed here these days. Liu Qingxue arranged a guest room for Chu Tian, letting him stay temporarily.

“I warn you, do not enter my room or the eldest sister’s. Otherwise, I won’t let you off,” Ye Binglan said. Though she had agreed to let Chu Tian stay, she remained guarded.

“Alright,” Chu Tian nodded. His second senior sister had repeated this warning at least ten times—did she truly see him as a lecher?

Having lingered at the bar for several hours, it was now late. Each of the three returned to their rooms for rest.

As midnight deepened and most had drifted into dreams, the villa grew silent. Chu Tian, who had been lying on his bed, suddenly opened his eyes and strode out of his room.

In the backyard of the villa.

Darkness enveloped the surroundings; aside from the faint moonlight, there was hardly a trace of illumination. Yet even in total darkness, Chu Tian’s vision remained unaffected.

“Stop skulking in the shadows—come out!” Chu Tian’s voice was cold, as if speaking to the night itself.

The next moment, four figures in black darted out, some standing by the trees, others in the corners by the wall. If Chu Tian hadn’t exposed their positions, they would never have revealed themselves.

“Well, kid, you’re sharper than I thought. Seems you’re a martial artist too,” the leader sneered, his intent clearly hostile.

At that moment, Liu Qingxue and Ye Binglan also arrived, appearing behind Chu Tian in alluring nightwear. In the pale moonlight, their figures seemed even more mysterious and captivating.

“Who sent you?” Liu Qingxue demanded.

“Beauty, don’t expect us to give up anything about our employer,” the black-clad man replied. “Deal with this brat quickly, and bring the two ladies back with us. Tonight, we’ll enjoy some real pleasure.”

No sooner had he spoken than the others burst into lewd laughter.

“Courting death!” Ye Binglan shouted, a sharp dagger appearing in her right hand.

In an instant, she became a blur, her blade thrusting directly at the leader. His pupils contracted as he hastily retreated, dodging the attack.

Swish! Swish!

Two black-clad men attacked Ye Binglan from both sides. She swung her blade, forcing one back, but the other managed to close in, leaving her no choice but to meet his palm with hers.

Boom!

Both Ye Binglan and her opponent staggered backward.

“Experts at the peak of external force?” Liu Qingxue exclaimed in shock. Though the last black-clad man hadn’t moved yet, the other three had all displayed peak-level external force. The last one was surely even stronger.

Martial artists at the peak of external force were rare; Liu Qingxue knew this well. For four such experts to be deployed tonight against Chu Tian, it was clear the mastermind was not an ordinary person.

Ye Binglan retreated over a dozen steps before finally steadying herself. No sooner had she found her footing than the last black-clad man became a shadow, instantly closing in and swinging a fist at her chest.

She had no time to dodge; the blow was about to land.

The next moment, Chu Tian’s figure appeared before her.

That slender back seemed to transform into an unassailable mountain, shielding Ye Binglan from all danger.

Chu Tian gathered his strength and met the leader’s punch head-on.

Bang!

As their fists collided, the leader’s arm snapped, a fountain of blood gushing from the fracture.

Crack!

With a crisp sound, the leader’s body flew backward like a broken kite, crashing heavily to the ground.

“Watch out! The information was wrong—this kid is an internal force master!” The fallen leader clutched his bleeding arm, his voice wracked with pain.

The other three were equally stunned. They had never imagined an eighteen-year-old boy could be a master of internal force.

In truth, they had underestimated Chu Tian’s strength. If they had known he could project his energy externally and had reached the level of a grandmaster, they would never have accepted this job. To take it was nothing but a death sentence, with no hope of success.

“I’ll cover the retreat with Second Brother. You two, run!” Two of the black-clad men became blurs, blocking Chu Tian’s path.

The last man propped up his injured companion and dashed for the villa’s exit.

Realizing the mission was impossible, their only concern now was survival.

But Chu Tian would not let them escape.

“Unless you name the mastermind, none of you will leave,” Chu Tian declared, his fists launching forward like twin dragons, smashing into the chests of the two who blocked him.

His speed was beyond the eye’s ability to track; even the two breathtaking beauties watching could not see his fists clearly.

The next second, both assailants screamed in agony.

The remaining black-clad man was terrified, abandoning his wounded comrade and fleeing desperately.

Seeing this, Chu Tian gave chase.