Jiang Tianhu gave a dry, awkward laugh. "May I ask your esteemed name, sir?"
"Chen Tianyang."
Jiang Tianhu frowned inwardly. He had never heard of any martial arts family with the surname Chen in Guanghua City. Could he belong to some secluded, hidden family? Or perhaps a powerful dragon crossing the river?
Taking a deep breath, Jiang Tianhu said, "Pardon my boldness, Mr. Chen, but are you a Nether Penetration Mid-stage expert?"
"By the way, what on earth is a Nether Penetration Mid-stage? I've heard you people say that several times already," Chen Tianyang asked with genuine curiosity.
"You've never heard of the Nether Penetration Mid-stage?" Jiang Tianhu's jaw dropped in disbelief. He explained, "It's the classification of martial artist ranks, divided into Foundation Establishment, Body Tempering, Qi Combination, Nether Penetration, Grandmaster, Legend, and Xiantian realms. Leng Dao is a Qi Combination Late-stage expert. Of course, he couldn't even survive a single move against you, which is why I guessed you must be a Nether Penetration Mid-stage expert. It is said that there are even more profound realms above the Xiantian realm, but those are completely beyond the reach of mortals like us."
A sudden wave of understanding washed over Chen Tianyang. No wonder he had never heard of the martial artist rankings—he was a cultivator, and having grown up in the mountains, he had hardly ever interacted with martial artists. Naturally, this was his core secret and something he would never explain to Jiang Tianhu.
Nodding slightly, Chen Tianyang said, "Go on."
Jiang Tianhu continued, "According to reliable information, Young Master Zhao from the Provincial Capital is coming over next month. His first purpose is to arrange a marriage alliance with the Xie Family, and his second is to seize the opportunity to take over the underground world of Guanghua City."
"A marriage alliance with the Xie Family?" An amused glint appeared in Chen Tianyang's eyes as he suddenly recalled the breathtaking and peerless Xie Xingxuan. He chuckled, "What does this have to do with the secret you mentioned?"
Cold sweat instantly broke out on Jiang Tianhu's forehead. "As far as I know, that's just the Zhao Family's public facade. Their true purpose is a priceless treasure located right here in Guanghua City. It is said that whoever obtains this treasure can forcefully elevate their martial arts cultivation by an entire realm. The Zhao Family is determined to have it at all costs.
"Damn it all! Even a mighty dragon shouldn't try to crush a local serpent. No matter how powerful the Provincial Capital's Zhao Family is, what right do they have to stick their noses into a treasure belonging to our Guanghua City? Isn't that a blatant slap in the face?"
Carried away by his anger, Jiang Tianhu completely forgot his current predicament. He sat straight down and took a huge gulp of alcohol.
Chen Tianyang amusedly remarked, "I wouldn't have thought you had such civic consciousness."
Jiang Tianhu froze mid-motion, offered an embarrassed chuckle, and said, "Well, even though I walk the dark side of the streets, a man has to have some style and stand out from the crowd, wouldn't you agree, sir?"
Chen Tianyang smiled without answering, though the mention of a "treasure" capable of raising one's cultivation realm had certainly piqued his interest.
Just as Chen Tianyang was about to ask for specific details, the private room's door was violently kicked open as a squad of police officers swarmed in.
Chapter 31: Liu Shuangshuang Again
Among them was a tall woman with fair skin, red lips, and an air of heroic spirit between her brows. Her well-fitted police uniform made her look all the more valiant and spirited.
Chen Tianyang blinked in surprise. "Little wife, what brings you here?"
Indeed, this police beauty was none other than Liu Shuangshuang.
She had received an upper-level order about a brawl and immediately led her team over, never expecting to run into Chen Tianyang here.
"Little hooligan, it's actually you! Hmph, talk about searching high and low only to find it effortlessly!" Liu Shuangshuang said, her expression a mix of shock and delight as she hummed smugly.
Then, her gaze shifted. Seeing the others and taking in the devastated state of the private room—complete with bloodstains on the wall—her expression shifted dramatically. She blurted out, "Jiang Tianhu?"
Chen Tianyang, Jiang Tianhu, plus the absolute wreckage of the private room, right down to the blood on the walls.
Combining all these factors, Liu Shuangshuang instantly jumped to a conclusion: Could the little hooligan have gotten into a conflict with Jiang Tianhu? Jiang Tianhu was known as the First Tiger of Guanghua, backed by connections reaching the heavens. If the little hooligan crossed him, he was bound to suffer.
At this thought, an unbidden wave of worry washed over her.
Jiang Tianhu was dumbfounded as well. He had already found Lin Yaoyao and Qin Xinran stunningly beautiful, but he never imagined that even Liu Shuangshuang, the flower of the police force, had such a deep relationship with Chen Tianyang. He had even heard Chen Tianyang call her "little wife," and remarkably, Liu Shuangshuang hadn't even refuted it.
It seemed Mr. Chen was quite the romantic playboy.
Jiang Tianhu immediately stood up and offered a respectful, slightly ingratiating smile. "Chief Liu, long time no see! I had no idea you and Mr. Chen were acquainted. You should have said something sooner. Please forgive me for any past offenses; I truly am sorry."
Liu Shuangshuang was utterly dumbfounded, and so were the police officers standing behind her.
Jiang Tianhu—hailed as Tiger Jiang, the First Tiger of Guanghua, a man even their precinct director had to treat with cautious respect as a brother—was actually being this deferential and polite?
Had the sun risen from the west today?
Liu Shuangshuang felt a little dizzy.
Chen Tianyang walked over with a cheeky grin. Breathing in the faint, delicate fragrance coming off her, he put on an intoxicated expression and said, "Little wife, it's been many days. Did you miss me?"
Liu Shuangshuang snapped back to her senses. She first took two steps back, glared fiercely at him, and then said coldly, "I received a report about a violent brawl and disturbance of the peace here. It seems it was you. Someone, slap the cuffs on him and take him away!"
Jiang Tianhu was startled. Chen Tianyang was a Nether Penetration Mid-stage expert, yet Liu Shuangshuang dared to cuff him? She had some serious guts!
No, wait. This was probably just how the young couple flirted with each other. Didn't everyone just hear Chen Tianyang call her "little wife" right to her face?
At this thought, Jiang Tianhu mentally gave a thumbs-up. As expected of an extraordinary expert—even his methods of cultivating a relationship were unique. Mortals like them really had their horizons broadened.
The surrounding police officers wore strange expressions, hesitating whether to step forward. After all, Jiang Tianhu was standing right there, and Chen Tianyang seemed to have a very close relationship with Captain Liu. What if they actually cuffed Chen Tianyang and Captain Liu came looking to settle scores later?
Liu Shuangshuang glared at them and snapped coldly, "What are you waiting for? Move!"
Only then did they grit their teeth and step forward to handcuff Chen Tianyang. Chen Tianyang just smiled cheekily without offering any resistance.
As for Jiang Tianhu, he casually had one of his underlings step forward to take the blame—and strictly speaking, Jiang Tianhu himself hadn't actually thrown any punches.
Only after Chen Tianyang left with Liu Shuangshuang did Jiang Tianhu's expression turn dark and gloomy.
His underling was severely injured and nearly crippled, while he himself had been forced to kneel in public, apologize, and beg for mercy.
As the overlord of Guanghua City's underground world, when had Jiang Tianhu ever suffered such humiliation?
While Chen Tianyang was present, fear had kept him in check, forcing him to keep a careful, smiling face. But the moment Chen Tianyang left, the anger burning in his heart finally broke free.
Jiang Tianhu poured himself a large glass of white liquor and slammed the cup fiercely onto the ground.
Shards of glass shattered everywhere in a messy spray.
Suddenly, the door to the private room was pushed open. A handsome man in a light blue suit walked in, clapping his hands in mock admiration. "Tiger Jiang truly lives up to his name as an overlord of his domain—able to bend and stretch. This little brother is in awe."
Jiang Tianhu whipped his head around, his gaze as sharp as the flash of a blade, and sneered, "If it isn't the young master of the Li Family. Are you here to mock me?"
Chapter 32: Watch Me Scream Sexual Assault
Li Yuanze said solemnly, "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. The two of us share a common enemy. I feel this is the perfect opportunity for us to cooperate."
"Are you talking about Chen Tianyang?" Jiang Tianhu glanced Li Yuanze up and down, then let out a derisive scoff. "So you have a grudge against him too. But he's a Nether Penetration Mid-stage expert; you probably don't understand how terrifying a Nether Penetration Mid-stage expert really is. Let me put it this way: all my underlings combined might not even be able to beat him. This loss is something I just have to swallow."
Li Yuanze frowned. He hadn't expected Chen Tianyang to be that formidable, but he still didn't take him too seriously. "You're mistaken," Li Yuanze said. "No matter how strong he is, can he withstand a bullet or a bomb? Does he dare openly defy state organs?
"To be honest with you, I've already spoken with Deputy Director Zhou of the Ping'an Precinct. Chen Tianyang being taken away by the police this time is entirely due to Deputy Director Zhou's influence. I can guarantee you that once Chen Tianyang goes inside, he'll be stripped of a layer of skin even if he survives.
"When he finally gets released from the police station, you can contact your friends in the underworld and deploy assassins to ambush him. While he's severely injured, no matter how skilled he is, he won't escape death!"
By the end, a bone-deep hatred surfaced in Li Yuanze's eyes.
Ever since Chen Tianyang had given him a vicious beating in Su Muyu's office, he had harbored a fierce, burning grudge against him. Now that he had finally found a chance for revenge, he was not going to let it go!
Jiang Tianhu was also a man who sought an eye for an eye. After pondering for a brief moment, a sharp light suddenly flashed in his eyes, and a ruthless expression surfaced on his pale face. "Damn it all! Offend me, Jiang Tianhu, and you have to pay the price!" With that, he took out his phone and started calling his underground contacts, mobilizing martial arts experts and snipers to prepare an ambush and assassination!
At that moment, Chen Tianyang was completely oblivious to the approaching crisis. Thinking about how he'd soon get to flirt with his little wife, his heart felt a little flutter of excitement.
Upon arriving at the police station, Chen Tianyang was led straight into the interrogation room. Liu Shuangshuang shooed away all the other officers, leaving herself alone to conduct the interrogation.
"Name?" Liu Shuangshuang asked indifferently, not even raising her head.
Chen Tianyang grinned. "My surname is Ni, and my given name is Hubby."
"Chen Tianyang, don't play word games with me!" Liu Shuangshuang slammed her hand hard onto the table.
Chen Tianyang rolled his eyes and said, "Little wife, you already know my name, so why ask?"
Fuming, Liu Shuangshuang stood up, her knuckles cracking as she clenched her fists. She sneered, "You flirted with me over and over earlier, and I haven't settled that score with yet. Now that you've fallen right into my hands, hmph!"
Putting on a look of utter terror, Chen Tianyang cried out, "What are you doing? You aren't going to sexually assault me, are you? Don't come any closer! This is a police station—watch me scream sexual assault!"
Liu Shuangshuang nearly fainted from anger. *My foot! I was naturally blessed with beauty, and I have suitors lined up by the dozen. Do I need to go around flirting with you?!*
"Of course, if you're really determined to sexually assault me, then go ahead. Who says you aren't my little wife?" Chen Tianyang closed his eyes, lifted his chin, and put on a look of heroic martyrdom.
Furious, Liu Shuangshuang snapped, "Bastard! You think getting sexually assaulted by me is a loss for you? Even if the precinct director comes today, I'm going to teach you a lesson and show you why the flowers are so red!"
She stomped over in a flurry of steps, raising her fist to punch Chen Tianyang right in the face.
Of course, she held back and didn't use her full strength; she just wanted to teach Chen Tianyang a lesson and vent some of her burning anger.
Suddenly, moving with the agility of a monkey and executing a subtle footwork shift, Chen Tianyang dodged her fist while swiftly planting a kiss on her rosy cheek. He then slipped past her sideways and sighed with intoxicated pleasure, "You smell so good."
Infuriated and embarrassed, Liu Shuangshuang's face flushed even redder, looking as if it could drip water—whether from anger or shyness, it was impossible to tell. With a swift high kick, she lashed out toward Chen Tianyang's waist.
Chapter 33: So Comfortable, So Soft
Chen Tianyang chuckled softly. Suddenly slipping out of his handcuffs, he sidestepped her attack, took a direct step forward to invade her personal space, and instantly appeared right in front of Liu Shuangshuang. Face to face with her, he could even smell the fragrance radiating from her body.
Caught completely off guard, Liu Shuangshuang was startled, nearly losing her balance as panic flashed in her eyes.
Seeing this, a flash of amusement crossed Chen Tianyang's eyes. He swiftly reached out, scooped up her raised leg with one hand, wrapped his other arm around her slender waist, and pulled her hard into his embrace.
Just as Liu Shuangshuang let out a breath of relief, the next moment, Chen Tianyang lowered his head and captured her rosy, cherry lips.
Smooth, soft, and sweet.
Chen Tianyang felt slightly intoxicated.
*Oh no, my first kiss is gone.*
With a loud "boom," Liu Shuangshuang's mind went completely blank.
"So comfortable, so soft." Chen Tianyang lifted his head and said triumphantly, "Little wife, that was my first kiss. You're going to have to take responsibility for me from now on."
"You bastard! You stole my first kiss and you still dare make me take responsibility? I'm going to beat you to death!" Driven by anger, Liu Shuangshuang swung her fist toward the corner of Chen Tianyang's eye.
How formidable was Chen Tianyang? He effortlessly dodged the attack, triumphantly planted another quick kiss on Liu Shuangshuang's lips, and smiled, "My little wife isn't being a good girl. Do that again and I'll have to punish you."
"You... you... you're bullying me!" Liu Shuangshuang suddenly felt her eyes prick with tears as she let out a sob.
Captain Liu was actually being bullied to the point of tears by a man. If word of this got out, not a single person in the police precinct would believe it.
Yet, this very scene was happening in reality.
As the instigator of it all, Chen Tianyang instantly panicked, fluttering his hands helplessly. "Y-you... stop crying! I'll let you go right now, okay?"
Gently shaking herself free from his grip, Liu Shuangshuang turned away, presenting her slender back to him as her shoulders trembled slightly.
Suddenly, Chen Tianyang's gaze sharpened. "Little wife, stop crying for a second. Someone's coming outside."
Startled, Liu Shuangshuang heard footsteps approaching. If her colleagues saw her looking like this, she'd never have the face to show herself in the police force again.
Forgetting her resentment toward Chen Tianyang for the moment, she reached out to wipe her tears, only to realize she didn't have any tissues on her.
Suddenly, a hand reached over holding two sheets of facial tissue, gently wiping away Liu Shuangshuang's tears as a voice chuckled, "I grabbed these casually at the restaurant. Who would've thought they'd come in handy?"
Liu Shuangshuang gave him a deep, lingering look, then let out a heavy huff. "Don't think I'm someone you can easily push around. I'm keeping a tally of this debt, and I'll settle it with you later. Also, if I find out you breathe a word about what happened here to anyone, I'll... I'll..."
She wanted to threaten him to salvage a shred of dignity, but she couldn't find the right words.
Chen Tianyang suddenly leaned in close to her ear and teased, "You'll work me to death in bed, won't you?"
Liu Shuangshuang's pretty face flushed bright red all over. She glared at him and cursed, "Hooligan!"
She put on a fierce expression, but with her flushed cheeks and tear-rimmed eyes, it didn't look like a threat at all; rather, it looked like flirtatious eye-contact, making her look breathtakingly gorgeous.
Chen Tianyang had never felt more at ease.
Suddenly, the door to the interrogation room swung open. Three men walked in, and upon seeing Liu Shuangshuang standing so close to Chen Tianyang, they all frowned.
Chen Tianyang looked at the three of them. Whether it was his imagination or not, he could faintly sense hidden hostility directed at him, leaving him slightly puzzled.
Liu Shuangshuang quickly reined in her emotions and asked in surprise, "Deputy Director Zhou, what brings you here?"
Chapter 34: Framed
The man in the lead was nearly fifty and rather plump. He was none other than Zhou Guotai, the deputy director of the Ping'an Precinct.
As for the two men behind him, they were his trusted subordinates, named Zhou Haonan and Wang Taili respectively.
Zhou Guotai first cast an assessing glance at Chen Tianyang. With his hands clasped behind his back, he chuckled warmly, "Little Liu, you performed a great merit just a few days ago; you should be resting properly. As for this case, just leave it to Zhou Hao and the others to handle."
Zhou Hao immediately stepped forward and smiled, "That's right, Shuangshuang. Make sure you don't wear yourself out."
His tone was overly intimate, causing Chen Tianyang to frown in mild displeasure.
Liu Shuangshuang cast a nervous glance at Chen Tianyang, feeling a spike of panic in her heart. She immediately piped up, "Zhou Hao, please address me as Captain Liu. Besides, Deputy Director Zhou, I was just about to report to you—this case has already been investigated and cleared up. It's just an ordinary fight, nothing major. A simple fine and he can be released."
Zhou Hao frowned slightly. Knowing Liu Shuangshuang's intolerance for evil, he knew she would never normally suggest releasing someone just for paying a fine. Besides, he had heard colleagues outside whispering that this fellow named Chen Tianyang had a very close relationship with Liu Shuangshuang...
At this thought, Zhou Hao looked at Chen Tianyang with a flash of jealousy in his eyes.
Zhou Guotai looked displeased, his expression sinking as he said, "Just an ordinary fight? Then why did the victim just call the police to report that Chen Tianyang used a knife to pierce his shoulder, leaving him severely injured?
"This has escalated into a criminal case; we can't just let him go so easily. Alright, Little Liu, you can step outside. Leave this case to Zhou Hao to handle."
Liu Shuangshuang opened her mouth to speak, but suddenly, Chen Tianyang gently bumped the back of her shoulder, slowly shaking his head at her.
He could already tell that Zhou Guotai and his two companions were deliberately targeting him. Even if Liu Shuangshuang kept pressing the issue, it would be useless.
Still, who was pulling the strings behind the scenes? Jiang Tianhu was the most likely suspect, and even if it wasn't him, he was almost certainly tied to it.
Liu Shuangshuang gave Chen Tianyang a worried look and muttered a soft instruction before finally leaving the room.
Zhou Hao took in that entire interaction, and his jealousy and hatred toward Chen Tianyang grew even deeper.
He then sneered inwardly. Now that the man had fallen into his hands, he'd make sure to slowly torture him!
"Chen Tianyang, someone has accused you of intentional assault. You'd better honestly confess to your crimes. Otherwise, we'll throw you in a prison cell where you won't ever see the light of day," Zhou Hao threatened.
Chen Tianyang frowned as his phone suddenly rang. It was a call from Han Muqing.
An amused smile crept into Chen Tianyang's eyes. He picked up the call unhurriedly and spoke first, "Sister Qing, I got hauled into the police station. The guy here even threatened me, saying I'd never get out for the rest of my life. As for Elder Xie, you might as well go ahead and order a coffin for him in advance."
"What?" Han Muqing was startled. She had called Chen Tianyang originally to discuss tomorrow's acupuncture treatment for Elder Xie, never expecting him to get arrested! She hurriedly asked with urgency, "Tianyang, what on earth did you do? Which police station are you at?"
"The Ping'an Precinct, I think," Chen Tianyang replied before abruptly hanging up.
"Sister Qing, did something happen?" Xie Xingxuan happened to be sitting right in her office. Seeing Han Muqing's expression change, she asked.
Han Muqing smiled bitterly. "Chen Tianyang has been locked up in the Ping'an Precinct. I don't know what kind of cop is threatening that he'll never be able to get out."
"What?" Xie Xingxuan immediately stood up, her pretty eyebrows arching in anger. "Chen Tianyang is an honored guest of the Xie Family! I want to see just who has eyes that blind, daring to arrest an honored guest of the Xie Family!"
With that, she whipped out her phone and called the Director of the Guanghua City Public Security Bureau directly to demand an explanation.
Chapter 35: Who Wants to Wish They Were Dead?
At the exact same moment, inside the Starry Sky Group building, Su Muyu hung up a phone call, shook her head, and let out a dry laugh. "Chen Tianyang got locked up in the Ping'an Precinct? Hmph, when he left earlier he acted all righteous and lofty. I thought how capable you really were, but in the end, don't you still need me to bail you out?"
Right after, Su Muyu dialed the director of the Ping_an Precinct and said coolly, "Uncle Li? It's me, Su Muyu..."
Meanwhile, after hanging up his phone, Chen Tianyang laced his fingers behind his head and casually leaned back in the interrogation chair, looking completely confident and composed.
Zhou Hao was furious. This was the first time he had ever seen such an arrogant suspect. He slammed his hand onto the table, stood up angrily, and shouted, "Chen Tianyang, don't think you can act all fearless just because you made a phone call. This is the Ping'an Precinct—my territory! Calling the Jade Emperor himself won't save you here."
Chen Tianyang chuckled softly. "I hope you can maintain that kind of confidence a little later."
He had absolute faith in the Xie Family's influence. If they couldn't even handle a tiny police precinct, Xie Anxiang might as well stop seeking treatment and just smash his head against a block of tofu and die!