Cui Chong knew the domestic scene all too well.
Aside from big companies or places like entertainment malls, "security guards" were usually just young guys.
At factories—especially at night—
a "security guard" was basically an old gatekeeper.
If this one had stayed in his booth scrolling on his phone, they wouldn't have touched him.
But since he dared to come over, they would have to act.
"I don't care what you're here for. Ten seconds. Get out of my sight."
Zhang Que took a drag on his cigarette. His beastlike eyes locked onto the three of them.
"You damn guard! You're really asking for it."
Cui Chong sneered and jerked his chin at the green-haired man. "Make him lie down."
Green Hair immediately pulled a dagger. "Lie down for daddy!"
Swish!
He rushed at Zhang Que.
Zhang Que's gaze stayed flat; he drew leisurely on his cigarette.
When Green Hair reached him, Zhang Que suddenly struck.
Smack!
With his left hand he clamped Green Hair's jaw and lifted him clean off the ground.
Green Hair's eyes bulged. He stabbed at Zhang Que's arm to break free—
but the blade wouldn't sink in at all.
"Your ten seconds are up."
Zhang Que's fingers, sharp as blades, punched through Green Hair's cheek, then crushed his entire lower jaw.
Crack!
The pain was so blinding Green Hair didn't even scream before passing out, blood splashing everywhere.
Zhang Que tossed him aside, cigarette in his mouth, and walked on toward the remaining two.
Cui Chong went cold with fear. This man was a master!
He hid his hand behind his back.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…
Four throwing knives flashed out—three aimed at the body, one at the head.
Zhang Que didn't even bother to dodge, didn't release any Gang Qi.
The knives struck true—then clattered to the ground without leaving a mark.
Cui Chong and the last man stared in disbelief. What kind of monster was this?
If he'd been wearing body armor under his clothes, maybe.
But one knife had nailed him right in the center of his brow—
and he hadn't even blinked.
"Senior, we failed to recognize Mount Tai."
Cui Chong bowed on the spot. "We'll leave at once."
As he spoke, he signaled the tall man beside him.
The man hurried over, hoisted the unconscious comrade onto his back—
and nearly gagged at the pulverized ruin of the man's jaw.
"Senior, we're getting out of here!"
Cui Chong drew a breath and turned to go.
"Did I say you could leave?"
The voice behind them was low and demonic.
Cui Chong's legs turned to lead. He didn't dare take another step. Trembling, he looked back. "S-Senior, we know we were wrong…"
"That ten seconds just now was your chance. You missed it."
Zhang Que tilted his head back to the pitch-black sky.
"We're all human—so why do you have two arms?"
At that, terror flooded Cui Chong's eyes; his breathing went ragged.
The tall man shuddered, gooseflesh rising all over.
"S-Senior…"
Both men dropped to their knees, begging.
"Will you do it yourselves, or shall I help you?"
Those eyes pinned them in place.
Cui Chong suddenly bolted with a shout. "Run!"
He had barely turned when a hand clamped down on his shoulder from behind.
Crack!
Fingers bored into bone—then crushed it.
Agony reached his marrow.
Rip!
Zhang Que tore Cui Chong's right arm clean off.
Cui Chong's mouth yawned wide in a monstrous howl. "Aaaah—"
"Shh. Careful of the left arm."
Zhang Que's voice was almost gentle.
At that, ice flooded Cui Chong's spine. He bit his lip hard to stifle any sound.
Fear—
brought tears to the eyes of the killer.
The tall man stood dumbstruck.
Green Hair slid off his shoulder to the ground, and he didn't even notice.
Heart hammering, breath heaving, he still felt faint.
Zhang Que turned to him.
"S-Senior… I'll do it myself! I'll do it myself!"
After seeing Cui Chong's fate, only a fool would let this devil "help."
He gripped his dagger, took a few deep breaths, and hacked down hard at his arm.
Thud!
His left arm hit the ground; blood fountained.
"Better. Now you look much more… balanced."
Zhang Que dropped his cigarette butt and ground it out under his heel. "Who sent you?"
"Chai family! Chai Wang of the Chai family!"
Cui Chong didn't even know why, but once he'd witnessed this man, all his interrogation-hardened resolve crumbled.
He just wanted to get away—out of this monster's sight—as fast as possible.
"Take your arms—and that one—and go."
Zhang Que pulled out his cigarette case, clenched a fresh one in his teeth.
"Thank you, Senior! Thank you, Senior!"
The two scrambled up, snatched the limbs and their comrade, and fled like madmen.
Zhang Que lit up, took a long drag, then glanced toward a stairwell not far away.
"One last question—on your behalf."
With that, he headed for the guard booth, the night breeze lifting the empty right sleeve of his uniform.
Meanwhile, Feng Yue, hiding over there, stared with wide, tear-rimmed eyes.
What kind of "security guard" did I even hire…?
She had never seen anything like it.
At the same time—
By now Xu Mu had set down deep roots.
Even without Ye Tong's nightly "renovations," today's rounds had earned him enough Fate Points.
Either way, his top priority was still getting stronger.
Watching the sleeping Ye Tong, Xu Mu opened the system and began the draw.
As always, he prayed for new techniques—something he could pass to Ye Tong.
The wheel spun. Xu Mu waited quietly.
Ding! Congratulations, Host: +30 Cultivation Points.
Ding! Congratulations, Host: Storage Space obtained.
Not bad. His storage space was now about five refrigerators' worth.
A sedan still wouldn't fit, but a bicycle or e-scooter would.
Ding! Congratulations, Host: Grade-3 Heavenly Treasure Gift Box.
Ding! Congratulations, Host: Grade-2 Heavenly Treasure Gift.
Ding! Congratulations, Host: Earth-Rank Technique — Shadow Bell.
Excellent—finally a technique. He'd check if it suited Ye Tong.
Ding! Congratulations, Host: Advanced Language Certificate.
Uh… what was with today? So many drops, and the pity reward hadn't even shown up.
Ding! Congratulations, Host: +20 Attribute Points.
There it was—the pity.
Ding! Congratulations, Host: Earth-Rank Technique — Shield of Wind.
Whoa.
Even Xu Mu was a little stunned—he'd never hit a run of rewards like this.
Ding! Congratulations, Host: Grade-7 Blood-Coagulating Bone-Mending Pill.
…