Looking at the cars parked around his small shop, with their dazzling lights and pulsating heavy metal music, it seemed as if he was suddenly transported to some event scene.

When the middle-aged shopkeeper recognized someone familiar among them, he immediately put on a bitter face and said, "Shu, Brother Shu, didn't we just pay the fee a couple of days ago?"

The man called Brother Shu leaned against the car seat, looked at him with some pity, and said, "This time it's my big brother who sent me. I don't know what it's about. You... well, just pray for good luck!"

With just a few words, the small shop's owner was on the verge of tears and hurriedly said, "Brother Shu, please, please save me! I never offended you, let alone your big brother!"

"Even if I had ten times the courage, I wouldn't dare to offend you!"

Brother Shu looked at the shop owner whose legs were a bit weak, and couldn't help but slap him: "Damn it, you still have the nerve to cry. I'm here on business, called here by the boss's phone. It's lucky I haven't come looking for you!"

Lin Bingxuan raised her eyebrows and immediately wanted to make a move against him.

However, just at that moment, a calm and magnetic voice sounded: "You came quickly!"

Lin Bingxuan paused her actions, looked towards the voice, and saw a man wearing gold-rimmed glasses entering. The man had a gentle smile, appearing like a philanthropist, with every movement revealing his extraordinary status and personal refinement!

At least from the appearance, no one would associate such a harmless person with the leader of the Dark Forces.

"Young Master Zhai, where's the person you mentioned?" the man with gold-rimmed glasses asked with a smile, cupping his hands in greeting as he placed a cigar in his mouth, and someone immediately lit it for him.

Zhai Mingjie, seeing the newcomer, suddenly felt much more confident and directly pointed to Xiao Tian and the others: "It's those two guys, and make sure you don't hurt the girl later on..."

"Phew... cough cough cough!"

Before he could finish his words, there was a burst of violent coughing from beside him. The man with gold-rimmed glasses lost his composure, and his cigar fell to the ground.

"Long time no see, Golden Rattan!" Xiao Tian greeted with a smile, "I didn't expect you to be doing well now. Since you're here, we should..."

"No no no! Master Xiao, I was wrong, I was wrong!" The man called Golden Rattan by Xiao Tian immediately took off his glasses: "I really didn't know it was you!"

"Master Jin, do you know that guy?!"

Zhai Mingjie asked dumbfounded.

"Slap!"

Golden Rattan backhanded a slap across Zhai Mingjie's face, instantly splitting the corner of his mouth and drawing a trickle of blood.

"Beat him!" Golden Rattan said, kicking Zhai Mingjie in the stomach as he cursed, "Damn you, you're trying to get me killed, beat him hard!"

After he finished, the people present were momentarily shocked, then immediately picked up the beer bottles and brooms beside them, or directly pulled bricks from beneath the backseat of motorcycles, and began beating the three in panic!

"Golden Rattan, I really didn't expect to see you again!" Xiao Tian said with some sentiment, ignoring the plight of the three.

"Yeah!" Golden Rattan laughed awkwardly. "After we parted at the border back then, I decided to wash my hands of it, but I didn't expect to see you again today!"

The two smiled, like old friends meeting after years, but Xiao Tian's smile was genuinely relaxed, while Golden Rattan's was clearly forced and cautious, like a high-end hotel staff member.

After a while, a trusted-looking person came to Golden Rattan's side and whispered, "Boss, isn't it about enough? Even if an ambulance comes, it might be too late!"

Golden Rattan did not respond immediately but looked at Xiao Tian, waiting for his opinion.

Xiao Tian nodded, indicating it could stop, and only then did Golden Rattan sternly say, "Stop!"

...

Seeing Xiao Tian and the others leave, Golden Rattan finally let out a long breath, then pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and shakily wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Relighting a cigar, Golden Rattan took a deep puff and approached the three lying in a pool of blood, speaking casually: "Don't blame me; if you want to blame someone, blame your bad luck!"

"I know you three are either very wealthy, very powerful, or very influential, but I can frankly tell you, if that person really wants to target you, even if your three families join forces, you won't be able to save your lives!"

"Being alive this time is already a blessing. I advise you not to foolishly become his enemy, otherwise..."

Golden Rattan didn't finish, but the meaning was very clear.

The three lying on the ground only felt waves of darkness before their eyes. They, of course, understood that "he" in Golden Rattan's words was Xiao Tian!

After speaking, Golden Rattan left the three, and someone beside him curiously asked, "Boss, is that person really as terrifying as you said?"

"When I came back from the border back then, it was because of him, and the number of people who've encountered him and lived to return, including me, are no more than five!"

Such a calm statement didn't mention Xiao Tian's abilities, but the confidant still picked up on something unusual. In his impression, Golden Rattan had never shown such fear towards anyone.

"Those three reckless lads were lucky; if it had been three years ago, they would already be corpses!" Golden Rattan said, a look of fear crossing his eyes as if he was revisiting those days... the days of encountering the Hunter!

After a long silence, Golden Rattan tiredly pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, "Prepare to relocate."

The confidant beside him was clearly confused: "Relocate?"

Golden Rattan nodded in confirmation, further surprising the person next to him: "Boss, we've worked so hard here, and we're about to see returns..."

"Forget it! Forget it all!" Golden Rattan looked seriously at the man beside him, "Remember, only the money that can be spent is yours, and the prerequisite is having a life to live!"

With that, Golden Rattan ignored the man beside him and walked away alone, understanding that while Xiao Tian might not trouble him, he didn't dare gamble on that slim chance!

...

On the other side, Lin Bingxuan originally intended to take a taxi home when she saw Xiao Tian crouch down slightly: "Get on!"

Lin Bingxuan said worriedly, "No need, I can walk myself!"

Xiao Tian turned his head, looking at Lin Bingxuan with some helplessness: "Even without using True Qi, I can easily carry you on my back!"

"Isn't taking a taxi back better?" Lin Bingxuan insisted.

"It's been a long time since we were alone together, right?" Xiao Tian looked at Lin Bingxuan with some tenderness, understanding she was only worried about him, which was why she strongly insisted on taking a taxi back.

Upon hearing Xiao Tian's words, a complex emotion flashed in Lin Bingxuan's eyes. She then lowered her gaze without answering him.