Chapter Eighty-Four: A Pledge of Life

In an instant, the entire hall fell silent.

Han Ziyu felt a chill crawl from the soles of his feet up to his forehead. The implications of that statement were enormous. It meant that if Han Ziyu dared to push his luck any further, the next time it wouldn’t be his hands or feet that would be taken—it would be his life.

He had thought his scheme was flawless. With Luoshui acting as an intermediary, he believed Qin Mu had no choice but to accept defeat this time. Yet, to his shock, Qin Mu was far more terrifying than he had imagined. He had returned every single assassin Han Ziyu sent after him, alive. Not only that, but he even threatened that if Han Ziyu didn’t publicly clarify his relationship with Luoshui, it would cost Han Ziyu his life.

Did Qin Mu really believe that, just because he was a nouveau riche, he could ignore the law and hold the city in the palm of his hand?

“Don’t be afraid, Brother Han. If you ask me, that man is nothing special,” Brother Xiong spoke up.

“But didn’t he take down most of the Dark Web’s...”

Han Ziyu’s voice was filled with doubt. Qin Mu’s subordinate had, single-handedly, dealt with thirty assassins, and even stormed the Dark Web, knocking down dozens and leaving the rest so frightened they dared not move.

“Those were just the lowest-level killers on the Dark Web. There are ten top assassins in the network, each with a bounty of over ten million on their heads. Who knows where they’re enjoying themselves right now.” Brother Xiong spoke with steely confidence, utterly sure of his words. “He only managed to break in by sheer luck this time. If any of those ten were present, he’d have been carried out today.”

“If you’re willing to pay, I can hire one of those top assassins to solve your little problem.”

Brother Xiong’s offer was not just a bid for profit, but also to defend the reputation of the Dark Web. After all, the network had been entrenched in Jiang City for decades. If they couldn’t handle an unknown upstart, they’d be a laughingstock.

“Are you sure he can deal with Qin’s subordinate?”

“Absolutely.”

“Very well. I’ll leave it to you, Brother Xiong.” Han Ziyu made up his mind. He would attend the press conference tomorrow as planned. Once he had Luoshui in his hands, he would make her suffer dearly—nothing else could quell the fury in his heart.

...

Qin Mu leaned against the banks of Swallow Lake.

“Why are you here, letting the wind blow on you? Why not go back and keep your wife company?” Wu Mu called out casually as he finished his business and returned.

Qin Mu shot him a glare. “Watch your mouth.”

Wife? They weren’t even married yet.

“You've already shared a bed more than once, and you’re still putting on airs. Don’t tell me, when it comes time for a proposal, you’ll let pride get in the way.” Wu Mu teased him, quickly changing the subject before Qin Mu could lash out.

“I doubt tonight’s commotion will make that guy back off,” Wu Mu said. He’d seen plenty of spoiled, arrogant types like Han Ziyu—people who never gave up until they saw the coffin.

“I know. I want him to struggle a bit longer,” Qin Mu replied calmly, as if everything was unfolding just as he intended. The higher the wave, the harder it crashes.

“Luoshui’s not awake yet, is she?” Qin Mu asked suddenly, taking Wu Mu off guard.

Still claiming she isn’t your wife? Can’t go three sentences without mentioning her!

“No, she isn’t. Judging by how haggard she looked, she must have cried herself sick. It’ll take a while for her to recover,” Wu Mu said, his eyes turning cold. What kind of heartless villain could drive such a gentle, graceful girl to cry herself into exhaustion?

Qin Mu nodded, pulling Luoshui’s phone from his pocket. There was an unopened notification of a half-million transfer. The sender, naturally, was the so-called reporter from Jiang City Daily, whose recording had dragged Luoshui into a bottomless abyss and tied her fate, irrevocably, to Han Ziyu.

“Admit that Luoshui came to you first?”

“Can't you act with a clear conscience?” Qin Mu laughed to himself, glancing at his watch.

“Make the most of the time before the New Year.”

...

Inside the Jiang City Daily building, in an office reserved for reporters.

With the scandalous relationship between Luoshui and Han Ziyu exposed, reporters across the city were in a frenzy. Fang Huahui, eager to please his patron, went even further, publicly declaring that Luoshui had pursued Han Ziyu of her own accord. He even claimed to have photographic evidence of her advances.

This immediately drew the attention of major media outlets. Even in the dead of night, reporters from various newspapers were still streaming in.

“Everyone, let me get a glass of water. I’ll be back to share more juicy details,” Fang Huahui announced with a smile as he stepped out for a break.

He was not only a registered assassin on the Dark Web, but also a reporter for Jiang City Daily, responsible for gathering intelligence and holding leverage over countless wealthy businessmen. He knew all the secrets—who frequented nightclubs, which tycoon had a dozen mistresses.

This Luoshui affair had brought his notoriety to new heights. Even his bounty on the Dark Web had skyrocketed overnight, rising to ten times its previous value.

Returning with his drink, Fang Huahui resumed his seat as a dozen reporters eagerly gathered, firing off questions.

“May I ask, how did Miss Luoshui develop feelings for Han Ziyu?” The reporters wasted no time, starting with a bombshell.