The children were suddenly missing, and she instantly lost her mind!
What if something really happened to the kids...
"Haohao, Doudou—don't scare Mommy! Mommy has come to pick you up!"
Tears rolled down her face as she searched around the kindergarten, screaming at the top of her lungs.
She started running, her eyes scanning her surroundings in helpless desperation, trying to catch any trace of Haohao and Doudou, but... there was absolutely nothing!
Just then, a shifty-eyed man appeared before her, blocking her path, and smiled slyly, "Hello, Ms. Bai."
A wave of vigilance rose in Bai Xining's heart, "Who are you?"
The man sneered, "I'm one of Lord Long's men. Your two children are in our hands!"
"Lord Long!?" Bai Xining's heart instantly turned ice-cold...
Chapter 20 Today, You're Dead!
"Give my children back to me!" Bai Xining's delicate body trembled, "I beg you, please don't make things difficult for a widow and her orphans..."
Her voice was full of pleading.
"Hehe." The man let out a lewd chuckle, "Ms. Bai, whether we let the kids go isn't up to me—it's up to Lord Long."
"One million... I'll give you one million right now! I'll scrape together every last cent by selling whatever I have, I beg you, please don't hurt my children!"
Bai Xining pleaded desperately, tears streaming down her face like pear blossoms in the rain, and dropped to her knees on the spot.
"Ms. Bai, Lord Long doesn't want a million. He wants you!"
"Come with us. If you can make Lord Long happy, maybe he'll let your two kids go?"
"Otherwise, rough men like us can't guarantee the safety of these two little ones!"
"Ms. Bai, let's go."
Bai Xining's slender frame trembled. "I... as long as I go, Lord Long will let my children go? Okay, I'll go, I'll go!"
A wave of bleakness washed over her heart.
Though she knew nothing good awaited her once she went over there, but...
Women are naturally weak, but mothers are strong!
As long as her two children could be safe, she was willing to pay any price!
Because her two children were her most precious treasures in this world!
"Let's go." The man chuckled.
——
Xiao Zining arrived at the kindergarten only to find Bai Xining nowhere in sight!
He frantically dialed Bai Xining's phone!
However, once, twice, three times... every call was hung up!
In an instant, he was burning with anxiety!
Meanwhile, Bai Xining was trapped in agonizing conflict, staring at the phone ringing over and over again... Her heart ached terribly!
Yet she didn't dare answer it!
How could Xiao Zining possibly fight a street thug like Lord Long?
If he found out the children and she were with Lord Long... Xiao Zining would rush over regardless of the consequences!
He would be dragged down into this!
She didn't want to see Xiao Zining destroyed...
In the end, she had to bear everything alone!
"Everything is fine, don't look for me."
She sent this message and turned off her phone. From the moment she chose to follow that man, she had vaguely guessed her own fate...
When Xiao Zining received the message, his gaze flickered; he already sensed something was wrong.
With that tone, how could everything possibly be fine?
Phoenix reminded him, "Sir, if you're worried, you should mobilize local influence to check it out."
With eyes burning red, Xiao Zining immediately dialed a number. "Right now, immediately mobilize all surveillance cameras in Fengcheng!"
"Investigate! Find out the whereabouts of Xining and the two children immediately!"
"I give you five minutes!"
He practically roared his command.
"Yes." Hearing the fury and urgency in Xiao Zining's voice, the Mayor of Fengcheng on the other end of the line trembled violently...
He roared orders to his subordinates: "Mobilize all personnel and open up every surveillance feed!"
"Search the city's surveillance thoroughly!"
"If you can't find out where those individuals are within five minutes, you can all pack your bags and get lost!"
Three or four minutes later...
The mayor called Xiao Zining with a trembling voice, "Sir, we've found the news about Madame and the young master and miss. They... "
"They've been kidnapped by Tianlong Manor!"
Kidnapped?!
Hearing this, a bomb seemed to go off inside Xiao Zining's mind...
Haohao and Doudou were still so young, yet these people actually laid hands on them?
How dare these bastards touch his own flesh and blood?!
A terrifying murderous aura erupted from his body.
"Crack—"
The phone in his hand deformed under his immense grip!
"Phoenix, head to Tianlong Manor immediately."
"Deploy the troops right now. Today, this commander is going to raze Tianlong Manor to the ground!"
His tone was cold and domineering.
"How many troops should I mobilize?"
"I'll have Tianlong Manor surrounded by tens of thousands of troops so not even a single ant can escape." Murderous intent filled Xiao Zining's eyes.
——
Tianlong Manor.
Bai Xining followed them inside, extremely anxious, "Where are my children? Let me see them first."
"Just follow me." The shifty-eyed man led her directly to the grand hall of Tianlong Manor.
Lord Long sat there, his gaze locking onto Bai Xining the very first second.
A burning heat flared in his eyes.
Bai Xining was only twenty-three or four. Although she had already given birth, she was still an absolute beauty capable of toppling cities.
She even possessed a touch of mature charm.
That accidental, fleeting glimpse from before had sparked his covetous desire for Bai Xining.
That was what led to everything that followed.
"Ms. Bai, sit, sit, sit—" Lord Long forced himself to speak like a gentleman.
"No need."
"Today I'm here for my two children. Lord Long, I know your influence. We will return the money to you, but the children are innocent. I beg you not to make things difficult for them."
Haohao and Doudou were pieces torn from her own flesh!
How could she bear to watch Doudou and Haohao suffer?
Lord Long ignored her words, instead scanning her up and down. "Ms. Bai, truly Fengcheng's most renowned beauty. This figure, this temperament, tsk tsk..."
"What do you want?" Bai Xining demanded in a cold, sharp voice. "Return my children to me immediately."
"Hahaha—" Lord Long burst into wild laughter and stood up. "Don't worry, Ms. Bai. As long as you obey me, the children will be fine."
"However..."
A flash of cold light crossed his eyes. "If Ms. Bai is unwilling to cooperate, I can't guarantee the safety of your two children."
"You... animal!"
Bai Xining trembled all over with rage, yet her heart was filled with absolute despair!
Facing a figure like Lord Long, what else could she possibly do?
"Bai Xining, as long as you agree to accompany me for a month, I'll let them go." Lord Long wore a lecherous smile. "Otherwise, you can start preparing to collect the bodies of your two little ones!"
Clap, clap, clap!
He clapped his hands a few times, and someone opened a side door. Two children could be seen huddled in a corner, their bodies covered in numerous whip marks...
Haohao was shielding his younger sister with his own body, which was why he had the most injuries.
A sharp pain gripped Bai Xining's heart!
"Mommy—"
Seeing Bai Xining, both children broke down in tears and tried to run toward her, but... *crack!* A whip cracked through the air!
The two children shrank back in tears, trembling all over...
"Haohao! Doudou!"
Seeing this, Bai Xining broke down completely and rushed forward, only to be blocked by Lord Long.
He grabbed Bai Xining by the chin!
His gaze was wicked and full of lust!
"If you don't agree to my terms, the next time you see them, it might just be two corpses..."
Bai Xining clenched her fists tightly, knowing full well that a man like Lord Long meant what he said...
Finally, she closed her eyes powerlessly, tears streaming down like a flood, "I—I agree..."
"Take off your clothes yourself and serve me well." Lord Long's face was flushed with heat. "Everyone else, get the hell out."
Bai Xining hesitated once more. If she did this, how could she face Xiao Zining? How could she face her children?
Yet, she didn't want this either!
If she hadn't been driven to this extreme, if not for her children, how would she ever compromise...
"Damn it! Still hesitating like an old woman? I'll tear you apart myself!"
Cursing angrily, Lord Long lunged forward, pinning Bai Xining onto the sofa!
"No, don't—" Bai Xining instinctively resisted, struggling frantically.
"Slap!"
Lord Long struck her across the face, savagely ripping open her white shirt to reveal a vast expanse of bare skin!
"Bitch, you're already used goods played out by others, what pretenses of purity are you putting on..."
"Get away...!!" The moment Lord Long pounced on her, Bai Xining instantly regretted it, letting out a cry of desperate despair...
"Scream! Go on, scream! Even if you scream your throat out, nobody is coming to save you. The louder you scream, the more excited I get, Hahahaha—"
Lord Long gripped her hair tightly.
A ferocious grin plastered across his face.
Tears flowed from Bai Xining's eyes like rain, her heart filled with endless despair... At this moment, how she longed for someone to come and rescue her from this sea of suffering!
Yet, this was Lord Long's territory; who would ever come running? In the end, it was nothing more than an extravagant delusion!
However, at that very critical juncture, a deafening explosion echoed as the main gates were smashed open! A towering figure, carrying monstrous fury, descended like a heavenly deity...
"Daring to touch my woman and children—today, all of you bastards... are going to die!"
A hoarse voice rang out, and a terrifying murderous aura, accompanied by a thick stench of blood, swept through the entire grand hall...
Bai Xining's slender body trembled.
This voice... was it Xiao Zining?
Chapter 21 Kicked Flying with a Single Kick!
"Xiao Zining?"
Bai Xining's heart trembled violently.
She never expected that in her moment of utter despair, this man would descend like a god!
"Damn it, who dares ruin my fun?" Interrupted and extremely displeased, Lord Long turned his head around.
"Who the fuck are you? Believe I'll finish you off?" he roared.
"I'll be the one finishing you." Without a word of nonsense, killing intent blazing in his eyes, Xiao Zining strode toward Lord Long, an overwhelming pressure bearing down on him!
"You! You!" Lord Long panicked. "Men, come here immediately! Block them for me!"
"Get lost." With a single kick, Xiao Zining sent Lord Long flying, slamming him hard into the back wall, fracturing his ribs and causing him to vomit a mouthful of blood.
Seeing Bai Xining in disarray and still shivering slightly, Xiao Zining felt a pang of heartache; he immediately took off his coat and scooped her up into his arms.
Suddenly swept up in his embrace, Bai Xining blushed fiercely, "You, let me go!"
"Silly woman, don't move!" Xiao Zining's tone was domineering yet laced with reproach. "You hid something like this from me? You really drive me crazy."
"I said, from now on, even if the sky falls, I will hold it up for the three of you!"
For some reason, a warm current flowed through Bai Xining's heart. Held in Xiao Zining's arms, she felt an unprecedented sense of security...
"Haohao and Doudou are still inside..." Bai Xining urged hastily.
Xiao Zining's heart tightened. He kicked the door open and rushed in, and the sight of the two children instantly fueled a raging fire within him!
"Scum, a bunch of people asking to die!"
"Daddy!"
"Mommy!"
The moment they saw Xiao Zining, the light returned to the children's eyes.
In their hearts, Daddy was an invincible supreme hero...
Daddy was here, so they were definitely saved!
"Where did this punk come from, daring to barge in? Finish him off." The several thugs inside the room exchanged glances and lunged forward.
"Die." Murderous intent surged in Xiao Zining's heart. With lightning speed, he kicked them in the chest one by one, sending them flying backward with shattered hearts, killing them instantly!
He would never show mercy to anyone who laid hands on his children.
As soon as Xiao Zining put Bai Xining down, the two children rushed over.
"Sob, sob, sob—"
"Don't cry, don't cry. It's Mommy's fault, Mommy doesn't have the ability to protect you..." Looking at the two bruised and battered children, Bai Xining's heart ached terribly.
If not for Xiao Zining, the three of them would have...
Xiao Zining squatted down and hugged the two little ones tightly.
"With Daddy here, no one will ever bully you again."
His voice was firm and full of strength.
"Clack! Clack! Clack!"
A chaotic and hurried sound of footsteps suddenly rang out, dense and heavy, exuding an intensely oppressive feeling.
"Lord Long!"
"Lord Long, are you alright?"
Outside the door, a massive wave of people rushed in immediately, hoisting Lord Long up to his feet.
"Damn it!"
"Immediately, call everyone here!"
"I'm going to finish them off today!"
Climbing back to his feet, Lord Long roared in rage.
As the esteemed Lord Long of Fengcheng, when had he ever suffered such humiliation?
Sensing the commotion outside, Bai Xining's delicate body trembled! Lord Long had hundreds of subordinates gathered right here in Tianlong Manor!
A single spit from each of them could drown them!
She bit her lips hard.
"Let's go." Unfazed, Xiao Zining picked up the two little ones and strode forward.
In the outer hall, Lord Long was supported by two men, looking utterly disheveled while his eyes burned with ferocity.
Behind him, fierce-looking thugs stood ready, glaring malevolently at Xiao Zining and the others.
Clack, clack, clack!
Dense footsteps echoed endlessly as more and more people poured into the hall, intensifying the murderous atmosphere...
What should they do?
Bai Xining's heart was suspended in her throat, and she panicked completely.
Chapter 22 Three Thousand Armored Troops Arrive Together!
Seeming to notice her anxiety, Xiao Zining smiled gently. "Don't worry, with me here, this handful of people can't hurt you."
Lord Long sneered, "I've dominated Fengcheng for over a decade with hundreds of fierce fighters under my command. Finishing you off is child's play!"
"And you still dare to talk big?"
"Today, I'm going to take your woman right in front of your eyes to show you what kind of useless trash you really are."
Hearing this, Xiao Zining narrowed his eyes slightly as murderous intent erupted within them.
"Lord Long? Just a local tyrant dares to be this arrogant. Unfortunately, today you provoked my wife and child. Tianlong Manor will be leveled."
"Hahahaha..." Lord Long burst into wild laughter. "For all these years, this is the first time I've ever heard such a ridiculous joke."
"Lord Long, let them go, and I'll stay at your disposal." Bai Xining gritted her teeth and stepped forward. "After all, your target is me."
"I've changed my mind now. I want your woman, and I want his life too," Lord Long snarled viciously.
Xiao Zining gave a subtle glance. "Just leave him breathing."
Phoenix leaped out from his side, charging forward like a panther!
"Bang!"
A muffled thud rang out. Before anyone could react, Lord Long let out a miserable scream as Xiao Feng stomped him straight down onto the ground!
No one had anticipated this!
"Crack!"
Xiao Feng proceeded to snap all four of his limbs in quick succession. "Those who disrespect the matriarch and the young masters must pay the price."
Lord Long let out a roar of agony.
"It's over." Bai Xining clenched her fists tightly and stamped her foot. "Xiao Zining, you—you're too reckless. How are we supposed to clean this up now?"
"These are literally hundreds of people!"
"Are you trying to get Haohao and Doudou killed?"
She was on the verge of tears.
It wouldn't matter if she suffered a little grievance alone, but if anything happened to the children, she would live the rest of her life in guilt...
Xiao Zining's expression remained calm. "Don't worry, nothing will happen."
"Kill them all!" Lord Long roared from the ground. This time, he was truly furious. "Kill them, and I'll handsomely reward whoever does it!"
Hearing Lord Long's roar, the dazed crowd instantly snapped back to reality. Several men directly drew their blades and tightened their grips on iron pipes...
The air inside the hall suddenly grew several degrees more murderous.
Bai Xining turned as pale as a sheet.
"Mommy, I'm scared..." Fear flickered across Doudou's little face.
"Charge!"
Someone yelled, and everyone roared as they rushed forward!
Hundreds of people charging all at once—how terrifying was that momentum and scene?
Xiao Zining expressionless, since it had come to this, he had no choice but to handle it himself.
A trace of battle intent flashed through Phoenix's eyes.
They truly didn't take these small-time thugs seriously at all.
Suddenly...!!
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
A thunderous roar of engines echoed from afar, crashing into their ears as rolling sound waves enveloped the entire Tianlong Manor!
"Bang!!" The hall doors were flung open, and several figures stumbled inward.
Their faces painted with utter pallor!
"Lo... Lord Long!"
"This is bad!"
"Outside... outside there are so many soldiers, so many armored vehicles..."
"What!?" Hearing this report, Lord Long froze on the spot.
His men were dumbfounded as well.
Soldiers?
Armored vehicles?
Before they could even react, the deafening, thunderous roar of armored vehicles had already reached their doorstep!
"Bang!"
"Bang!!"
Two pitch-black armored vehicles smashed through the walls with unstoppable momentum, charging straight into the grand hall!
"Yue He, garrison commander of Fengcheng, leading three thousand armored troops, has arrived on orders to annihilate Tianlong Manor—!"
A thunderous roar echoed through the hall. A middle-aged man in military uniform leaped down from an armored vehicle, his chilling murderous aura freezing everyone's blood!
Lord Long's heart pounded violently, his courage completely shattered.
Yue He!
This was a heavyweight figure in Fengcheng...
Such—such an existence had actually come personally to annihilate their Tianlong Manor?
And he brought three thousand men!
The thug-musclemen also looked at each other in dismay, their bodies trembling...
When had they ever witnessed such a massive spectacle?
Following closely behind...
"Clack, clack, clack!" The dense, rhythmic sound of heavy boots hitting the floor resounded as a fully armed, murderous phalanx of soldiers poured in through the main entrance!
Instantly, the entire space was suffused with an oppressive, killing atmosphere...
Chapter 23 Tianlong Manor, Obliterated!
"Commander Yue!"
"The three thousand armored troops are fully prepared, awaiting only your command to raze Tianlong Manor to the ground!"
A soldier stepped forward and reported in a clear, ringing voice.
Lord Long's head buzzed uncontrollably. Three thousand soldiers, hundreds of armored vehicles...
They could easily flatten his entire Tianlong Manor!