"I think you're looking to die," Zhou Hong said furiously, never having met such an arrogant person.
"How dare you speak to my grandfather like that?" the woman seemed stunned. Normally, everyone treated her grandfather with utmost respect, yet Zhou Hong had just declared he wanted to die.
Indeed, the old man's face flushed with anger.
"Kid, since you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish," the old man declared. A killing aura flashed from him. He was a top-tier expert, ranked among the top ten in the entire Jiangnan Province, and this brat dared to tell him he wanted to die.
The next second, the old man was instantly before Zhou Hong, seemingly intending to lift him by the neck.
However, Zhou Hong's face showed disdain. Before the old man could even reach him, Zhou Hong moved, faster and more precise, instantly lifting the old man by the neck.
"How can this be?" the old man was stunned. He hadn't even registered what was happening before his feet left the ground, and his neck was gripped by a hand, making it impossible for him to breathe.
"Grandfather!" The woman was also stunned, seemingly unable to believe what she was witnessing. A youth who had competed in a martial arts tournament in the morning was now holding her grandfather by the neck in the afternoon.
"Old man, I think you're the one looking to die," Zhou Hong said coldly.
"Senior, spare me, spare me," the old man pleaded in panic. Although he couldn't understand why, his life was in another's hands, and he didn't have time to ponder. He could only beg for mercy.
"Did you consider sparing my life just now?" Zhou Hong asked angrily.
"Senior, I apologize. I was foolish and didn't recognize your true stature. Please, give me another chance," the old man was on the verge of tears.
Zhou Hong was extremely reluctant to spare him. The old man had emanated pure killing intent earlier. Zhou Hong's principle was that anyone who sought his life would have their own life taken in return. Just like when he had killed Shen Yanran's brother, because he had intended to kill Zhou Hong, Zhou Hong, no matter how generous, could not forgive him.
Today, this old man, who considered himself a chief judge and had some influence in the provincial capital, had tried to kill Zhou Hong for no reason. How could Zhou Hong now let him off?
"Senior, please let my grandfather go," the woman pleaded, also kneeling before Zhou Hong.
Zhou Hong looked at the woman and sneered, "You ignorant little pest, who gave you the confidence to think you were worthy of me? To imagine I had designs on you is utterly laughable."
"Senior, I know I was wrong, I'm truly sorry. Please spare my grandfather," the woman said, crying.
"Your grandfather tried to take my life and harbored killing intent towards me. Now you expect me to spare him? Do you think I'm that easy to talk to?" Zhou Hong's grip on the old man's neck tightened, and the old man twisted like a snake in his hand, struggling but unable to break free.
"Senior, spare my life!" the old man gasped out.
Zhou Hong wanted to crush him instantly, but at that moment, a group of people approached from not far away. Zhou Hong had come to the provincial capital with no desire to cause trouble. If he killed the old man now, it would undoubtedly create a stir.
"I never intended to take a life when I came to the provincial city. However, your disrespect today makes it difficult for me to simply let you go. But, don't think I'm unwilling to give you a chance. Tonight, I will visit your home, and we will discuss proper compensation for my mental distress. If I am satisfied, I will spare you. If not, I will kill you all."
With that, Zhou Hong threw the old man to the ground, almost dislocating his internal organs.
"Thank you, senior, for sparing my life."
"Quickly, tell me your names, your status here, and where you live," Zhou Hong demanded coldly.
"Reporting to senior, my name is Huang Ruohong, and this is my granddaughter, Huang Xiaoshan. I am the ninth strongest expert in Jiangnan Province and hold a high status in the provincial capital. My residence is at Hai Shan Yi Hao."
"Very well. Tonight, I will visit your home, and we will discuss compensation. Don't even think about running; you can flee the monk, but not the monastery." Zhou Hong turned and left.
After Zhou Hong departed, the old man gasped for air, cold sweat pouring from his forehead like rain. It was as if he had just walked back from the gates of hell.
"Grandfather, how are you?" the woman named Huang Xiaoshan asked anxiously.
"Nonsense, I was nearly killed," the old man replied irritably.
"Grandfather, who is that guy?" Huang Xiaoshan asked, tearfully.
"How would I know? But seeing how young he is and yet possessing such power, he must be from the capital, perhaps even a genius on the Capital's Earth Ranking. Even if he's not on it yet, he's close."
"What?" Huang Xiaoshan trembled in fear. The Capital's Earth Ranking was a genius list she had always admired.
The geniuses on the Earth Ranking were truly rare, one in ten thousand martial arts prodigies.
"What do we do now?"
"What else can we do? Hurry home and prepare. Since he let me go, it means he genuinely doesn't want to kill people. He's coming to our house tonight, so we must satisfy him with our compensation, or our family will face great disaster."
Huang Xiaoshan was utterly dejected. She had never expected to encounter such a formidable opponent. She had initially thought he was interested in her, but… it was a humiliating blow to her ego.
Zhou Hong left the park, his mood somewhat soured, regretting, perhaps, not killing the old man.
Zhou Hong felt that since arriving on Earth, his killing intent had waned. Perhaps it was because violence was rare on Earth, and it had subtly influenced him.
"Never mind. Tonight, I'll go to his house and see what he offers as compensation. If I'm not satisfied, I'll destroy his entire clan," Zhou Hong vowed internally.
Zhou Hong wandered the streets for a while longer but found nothing interesting and returned to his hotel.
Around five in the evening, Changsun Ruoyan also returned.
"Zhou Hong, did you spend the entire afternoon in your hotel room?" Changsun Ruoyan asked immediately upon entering.
"I went to the park for a bit this afternoon, but it was boring, so I came back."
"Okay, then how about I treat you to dinner tonight?" Changsun Ruoyan invited. Her sister had already instructed her to flatter Zhou Hong, so she planned to treat him to a private dinner and then perhaps a movie.
"Haha, let me take you somewhere instead," Zhou Hong chuckled.
"Where are we going?"
"Just follow me. We'll definitely have a meal once we get there." Zhou Hong sounded very confident. The place he was going to was Hai Shan Yi Hao, the home of the old man from the park. Sudán Novel Net.
"Alright, then I'll go with you."
Changsun Ruoyan requested leave from the dean before leaving the hotel with Zhou Hong.
They were required to obtain permission from the dean for any private excursions, as they were there for a competition, not for leisure.