Rebirth Immortal-Chapter 68: The Price of Failure

Scarface staggered into the underground casino, his body covered in blood and dirt. His men, or what was left of them, limped behind him. The place was dimly lit, the air thick with smoke and the scent of alcohol. Gamblers laughed and shouted at the tables, unaware of the storm brewing beneath the surface.

At the far end of the room, behind a thick curtain, Brother Kun sat in his private lounge. A cigar rested between his fingers, and a glass of expensive whiskey sat untouched on the table. His eyes were cold as he watched Scarface stumble in.

Scarface fell to his knees, his breathing heavy. "Brother Kun... we failed."

Silence filled the room.

Brother Kun slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he picked up the glass of whiskey and threw it against the wall, the sound of shattering glass echoing through the lounge.

"You think I don't know that?" Brother Kun's voice was calm, but the rage beneath it was clear. "Tell me... how did a dozen of my best men get slaughtered like street rats?"

Scarface clenched his fists. "We were ambushed. Qin Hao knew we were coming. He was waiting for us."

Brother Kun's expression darkened. "Are you telling me Qin Hao outsmarted you?"

Scarface lowered his head. "He played us. It wasn't just an ambush. He wanted us to attack so he could send a message."

Brother Kun's fingers tapped against the table. "And what message was that?"

Scarface swallowed hard. "That if you want him dead, you'll have to do it yourself."

Brother Kun laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Arrogant bastard." He leaned forward, his eyes sharp. "Then I'll give him what he wants."

Scarface hesitated. "Brother Kun, Qin Hao is more dangerous than we thought. He's not just a businessman—he's a strategist. If we attack again without a solid plan, we'll lose more than just men."

Brother Kun narrowed his eyes. "Are you suggesting I do nothing?"

Scarface shook his head. "No. I'm saying we need to hit him where it hurts."

Brother Kun leaned back, considering. "Go on."

Scarface wiped the blood from his mouth. "Qin Hao is powerful, but no one is untouchable. He has people he cares about—his woman, his close allies. If we can't kill him directly, we destroy everything around him."

Brother Kun smirked. "Now that's more like it."

Qin Hao sat in his office, deep in thought. The battle last night had gone exactly as he planned, but he knew this was just the beginning. Brother Kun was not a man who accepted failure.

Bao Lei entered, his face grim. "We intercepted some chatter. Brother Kun isn't backing down."

Qin Hao nodded. "Expected."

Bao Lei hesitated. "But this time, they're not coming after you directly. They're going after your people."

Qin Hao's expression darkened. "Who?"

"We don't know yet, but Brother Kun has ordered his men to find your weaknesses."

Qin Hao's jaw tightened. He rarely allowed people to get close to him, but he wasn't completely alone. There were a few people he trusted—Bao Lei, Uncle Fu, and... Lin Yue.

His mind immediately went to her. Was she in danger?

He grabbed his phone and dialed her number.

It rang once. Twice.

Then, finally, she answered.

"Hao?" Lin Yue's voice was soft, but something in her tone made his chest tighten.

"Where are you?" he asked, his voice firm.

"At the café," she said. "Why?"

Qin Hao's grip on the phone tightened. "Stay there. Don't go anywhere."

Lin Yue hesitated. "What's wrong?"

"I'll explain later," he said. "Just trust me."

He ended the call and turned to Bao Lei. "Send men to guard the café. If anyone suspicious gets close, take them out."

Bao Lei nodded. "I'm on it."

Qin Hao took a deep breath. If Brother Kun wanted to play dirty, then so be it.

He would make sure Brother Kun regretted ever touching the people he cared about.

Lin Yue sat in the corner of the café, stirring her coffee absentmindedly. Something about Qin Hao's voice had unsettled her. He was rarely the type to show worry, yet his tone just now had been firm—urgent.

She glanced around the café. It was a cozy place, a spot she often visited after work to clear her mind. The soft hum of conversations, the clinking of cups, the warm scent of freshly brewed coffee—everything felt normal. But after Qin Hao's warning, a sense of unease crept over her.

She tried to brush it off. Maybe she was just overthinking.

Just then, the bell above the entrance chimed. A man walked in. He was tall, wearing a leather jacket, his face partially covered by a cap. He moved with a casual air, but something about him made Lin Yue tense up.

Her fingers gripped the edge of her cup. Was she imagining things? Or was he watching her?

Before she could react, another man entered. This one was bulkier, his arms covered in tattoos. He didn't look around. He walked straight to the counter, but Lin Yue noticed something—his gaze flickered in her direction for a brief second.

A chill ran down her spine.

She reached for her phone, her fingers trembling slightly. Just as she was about to text Qin Hao, someone slid into the seat across from her.

Her breath caught.

"Miss Lin Yue, right?" The man in the leather jacket smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "It's nice to meet you."

Lin Yue forced herself to stay calm. "Who are you?"

The man tilted his head. "Just someone interested in making new friends." He glanced at her phone. "No need to call anyone. Let's just have a chat."

Lin Yue clenched her jaw. She wasn't stupid. These men weren't here for small talk.

She took a deep breath and leaned back in her seat. "If you know who I am, then you should also know who I'm close to."

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The man chuckled. "Of course. That's exactly why we're here." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small piece of paper. "Our boss wants to meet you. He has... a business proposal for Qin Hao."

Lin Yue didn't move. She kept her expression neutral, but inside, her mind was racing.

The tattooed man finally turned from the counter and approached their table. "If you come with us quietly, no one has to get hurt."

Lin Yue's heartbeat quickened. She was in danger.

But before she could respond, the café door swung open again.

Bao Lei stepped in. His eyes scanned the room, landing on Lin Yue instantly. He didn't hesitate. In a flash, he crossed the space between them and grabbed the man in the leather jacket by the collar.

"I hope you weren't thinking of leaving," Bao Lei said coldly.

The tattooed man reached for something under his jacket, but before he could react, two more of Qin Hao's men stepped in from outside, guns discreetly hidden beneath their coats.

The café fell silent. Customers turned, confused by the sudden tension. The air grew thick.

The man in the leather jacket raised his hands slowly. "Easy, now. No need to make a scene."

Bao Lei leaned in. "You think you can walk into a public place and take someone close to Qin Hao without consequences?"

The man smirked. "I think you should be more worried about what happens next."

Bao Lei's eyes darkened. He shoved the man back into his seat and pulled out his phone. "Tell Qin Hao we caught them."

Qin Hao arrived within minutes. He stepped into the café, his face unreadable.

The moment he walked in, the atmosphere shifted.

The two men stiffened. They weren't fools. They knew who they were dealing with.

Qin Hao walked up to Lin Yue first. "Are you okay?" His voice was calm, but Lin Yue could hear the anger beneath it.

She nodded. "I'm fine."

Qin Hao turned to the two men. He studied them for a long moment before speaking. "Brother Kun sent you?"

The man in the leather jacket shrugged. "Not exactly. Let's just say we're delivering a message."

Qin Hao smirked. "Then deliver one back for me."

Without warning, he grabbed the man's wrist and twisted. A sickening crack echoed through the café. The man cried out in pain, his face twisting in agony.

The tattooed man reached for his weapon, but before he could pull it out, Bao Lei slammed his fist into his stomach, knocking the wind out of him.

Qin Hao crouched beside the man in the leather jacket. "Go back to Brother Kun and tell him this—if he dares to touch the people around me, I will burn everything he owns to the ground."

The man gasped in pain but nodded frantically.

Qin Hao stood up. "Now get out."

Bao Lei and the others dragged the two men outside and threw them onto the street. The café staff and customers were still frozen, watching in shock.

Qin Hao turned to Lin Yue. "Let's go."

She hesitated. "What about—"

"I'll take care of everything," he assured her.

Without another word, he took her hand and led her out.

Back at his private residence, Qin Hao poured himself a drink, his mind sharp.

Brother Kun had made his move, and it was clear—this wasn't going to stop.

Bao Lei stood by the window. "What's the next step?"

Qin Hao took a sip of his drink. "We stop playing defense. It's time to go on the attack."

Bao Lei smirked. "I was hoping you'd say that."

Qin Hao's eyes turned cold. Brother Kun wanted a war.

Then a war he would get.