Chapter 90: We Are Members of the Black Wolf Gang

“Hiss—” Qin Xuan sucked in a sharp breath as pain shot through him, utterly surprised that the always poised and self-assured Su Muqing would do something like this. Wasn’t this the kind of gesture only girls madly in love made, at least in stories?

“Li Zhengde, don’t go around talking nonsense when you don’t know the facts. Did you take something strange today?” Su Muqing pinched him and then glared fiercely at Li Zhengde.

“Seeing is believing, and the evidence is irrefutable. You two know very well if I’m making things up! I never thought, Teacher Su, that you’d do something so underhanded—you always seemed so upright.” Li Zhengde’s voice was full of anguish and reproach.

“For crying out loud, why waste words on them?” The green-haired thug by the car door grew impatient, flicking his cigarette butt aside and banging his fist twice against the car window. It was obvious they wanted to teach Qin Xuan a lesson.

With Qin Xuan there, Su Muqing wasn’t worried in the slightest. She simply reminded him softly, “Let’s settle this quickly. After Golden Light Temple, we still need to stop by the hospital…”

Qin Xuan realized she was right; he had to check on Instructor Liu later, and time shouldn’t be wasted here. Suddenly, he shoved the car door open.

Bang!

The green-haired thug didn’t react in time and was struck squarely in the head by the door, eyes wide as he toppled backward and passed out cold.

He seemed to be the leader of this group, having stood by the door the whole time, knocking on the window. Qin Xuan’s calculated move caught the dozen or so thugs off guard.

Li Zhengde was startled as well. “Brother Shunzi, are you alright?”

“No need to check—he’s out cold. Now it’s your turn.” Qin Xuan stepped out of the car.

“Let’s get him together!” One of the smaller thugs shouted, charging first. The others followed suit, shouting as they surrounded him, all eager for a fight.

Only Li Zhengde, thinking himself above such crude violence, hung back, considering himself a civilized man and content to watch the scene unfold.

Unfortunately, though what followed was indeed a spectacle, it wasn’t the kind he’d hoped for…

Bang! Whoosh! Thud!

Qin Xuan barely moved, and yet, in less than ten seconds, the dozen thugs were all either sprawled on the ground or sent flying, knocked unconscious. If anything, their attacks had simply been too slow.

Such people stood no chance of taking him on, no matter how many came at once.

Li Zhengde watched in stunned silence, utterly dumbfounded.

“Is he even human?” He shivered, recalling Yang Guang’s earlier warning over the phone: “Mr. Li, that kid isn’t someone to be trifled with. Best be prepared.”

Only now did he understand why Yang Guang had cautioned him. He must have known Qin Xuan was trouble and reported it up the chain.

Only one thug remained, a young man with a dark face, eyes wide as he backed away in terror. “Damn you! How dare you attack us!”

“Why wouldn’t I? It’s just self-defense.”

Qin Xuan stepped forward.

The dark-faced thug panicked, but quickly gathered his courage. “Don’t get cocky, kid! We’re all members of the Black Wolf Gang. Mess with us and you’ll regret it!”

“The Black Wolf Gang?” Qin Xuan laughed.

“What, scared now? If you beg for mercy, maybe it’s not too late.” The thug grinned, confidence returning.

Qin Xuan couldn’t be bothered to waste words. In a flash, he sent the thug flying with a kick.

Watching all his thugs “fall in battle,” Li Zhengde felt a cold dread seize his heart. He spun and ran without a second thought.

“Where do you think you’re going?” In a blink, Qin Xuan blocked his path.

“Ah! Qin Xuan, I’m a teacher at your school—you can’t hit me!” Li Zhengde dropped to his knees at once.

“I’m just giving you a warning.” Qin Xuan hadn’t expected him to collapse so quickly, cowering without a fight. Little did he know, the sight of him dispatching the thugs had already left an indelible mark on Li Zhengde’s mind.

“Say whatever you want!” Li Zhengde stammered, trembling.

He was terrified of being beaten—truly terrified. His own brother had been in the underworld, and after crossing the wrong people, had both legs broken, left paralyzed for life. Li Zhengde had no intention of meeting the same fate. He’d rather swallow his pride and survive. As long as the proverbial green hills remained, he told himself, there’d always be wood to burn. Bearing humiliation was a price worth paying.

“Su and I have important matters to attend to and no time to waste on you. You’d better keep your mouth shut about all this. If you cause me trouble, you’ll regret it.”

Qin Xuan’s voice was icy with warning.

“Yes, yes, I understand!” Li Zhengde nodded frantically.

Still, he became even more convinced: Su Muqing and Qin Xuan must have something going on. Just who was this Qin Xuan, to be so formidable? He’d only just joined the school and already won over Su Muqing.

Qin Xuan had no interest in his thoughts, nor did he care to find out more. He clapped Li Zhengde hard on the shoulder and walked away.

The force of the claps left Li Zhengde’s shoulder aching, but at least he wasn’t knocked out or sent flying. He breathed a sigh of relief.

Watching the Chevrolet speed up the mountain, Li Zhengde swallowed hard. The thought of a beauty like Su Muqing “handling important matters” with someone else on the mountain left him deeply unsettled.

“I’d better tell Li Shihao. He’ll know what to do,” he thought, taking out his phone.

…

General’s Mountain, Golden Light Temple.

Qin Xuan and Su Muqing once again stood before the young monk.

“My name is Qin Xuan; I was here yesterday. May I ask if Master Golden Light is present today?” Qin Xuan inquired politely.

“Master isn’t here. But I’ll remember your name. Come back another time,” the young monk replied calmly after a glance.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Su Muqing’s eyes. So, as expected, Master Golden Light wasn’t in. Another wasted trip.

“Alright, thank you. We’ll come another day,” Qin Xuan said with a smile, turning to go.

He could sense the presence of a powerful Buddhist master deep within the temple, but the master clearly did not wish to meet him. Why insist?

“We’re just leaving?” Su Muqing sounded reluctant.

“What else can we do?” Qin Xuan chuckled.

She had to agree. With the master absent, there was no reason to stay. Still, she couldn’t help thinking it was foolish to come here every day like this…

The two had just turned to leave when suddenly, a resonant laugh echoed from all directions.

“Hahaha! Please wait, my friends.”

The voice was loud and commanding. Qin Xuan stopped in his tracks at once: He’s here!

Now he was certain that the other’s cultivation was profound. The shout had been directed solely at him; Su Muqing beside him hadn’t sensed a thing. Only someone at a high level could manage such a feat.

“Wait.” Qin Xuan took Su Muqing’s arm, speaking softly.

“What is it?” she asked, puzzled.

“Master Golden Light is coming,” Qin Xuan replied, smiling as he turned.

Sure enough, a kindly old monk with white brows approached, his face serene and gentle, a warm smile playing on his lips. He walked with unhurried grace, not at all like someone who had just shouted so vigorously.

With a single glance, Qin Xuan felt a powerful aura, one befitting a king.

“Master, you…” The young monk exclaimed in surprise, hurrying forward to pay his respects.