"Tao Fan, you don't actually think you've already won, do you?"
On the desolate roadside, surrounded by several people, Song Qiao showed no fear, instead letting out a mocking smile.
Tao Fan didn't get angry.
"So, you mean to die for this Miss Deng?"
"What an ignorant brat. Just because you know a bit of ancient martial arts, you think you're invincible?"
He had a deep understanding of ancient martial arts and was very confident in his own strength.
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Deng Yihan was stunned, but a flicker of joy bloomed in her heart. This President Song was actually staying for her…
She didn't know what to say, only feeling that the figure before her was incredibly tall, giving her a sense of immense security.
At the same time, she felt incredibly guilty. The opposing side was numerous and possibly armed. She was genuinely worried that Song Qiao might not be able to win and would be hurt, or worse…
"How do you know if you don't try?"
Facing the contempt, Song Qiao remained unconcerned and actively assumed a stance.
Seeing this, Tao Fan couldn't help but laugh.
"Heh, I thought you were something. Your stance clearly shows you only know superficial techniques."
"Song Qiao, do you know I'm already at the third stage of Inner Strength?"
Inner Strength?
Song Qiao's heart skipped a beat. This was the first time he had heard this term. Ordinary ancient martial artists usually referred to them as Innate Masters.
Clearly, this leader of the Tongmen knew more about ancient martial arts.
So, what exactly was the third stage of Inner Strength?
What was his own realm?
Song Qiao decided to thoroughly understand ancient martial arts after this incident.
After a brief moment of thought, although he had only just learned about these specific realms, he could clearly sense through the vital energy within him that Tao Fan's vital energy was far inferior to his.
And the other party seemed unable to see through him, merely treating him as an ordinary martial artist.
"My son only lost to you last time because he was careless. You don't actually think you're qualified to fight me, do you?"
Tao Fan scoffed and also assumed a stance. Instantly, his vital energy surged, and his clothes billowed wildly!
The next moment, without any further words, they both flashed forward.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Several consecutive punches, the air whistling like roaring tigers and thunder, exploded. After a few exchanges, a strange smile suddenly appeared on Song Qiao's face.
"I'm going to use my full strength."
What?
Tao Fan's heart leaped in surprise. The fact that the other party could contend with him had already shocked him. Was this guy still holding back?
As Song Qiao spoke, having gauged Tao Fan's full strength, the vital energy within him transformed into ferocious power, and with a single punch, he sent Tao Fan flying backward!
Still in mid-air, he spat out a mouthful of blood, his face as pale as paper.
Upon landing, Tao Fan's eyes widened in disbelief, looking as if he had seen a ghost.
"This… how is this possible?"
He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. At this moment, the vital energy within him was in complete disarray, and he had lost the strength to fight.
What realm was this brat at?
How could he be so terrifying!
Amidst his shock and panic, Tao Fan clutched his chest and struggled to stand. Seeing Song Qiao preparing to attack again, he quickly shouted to his subordinates.
"What are you guys waiting for? All of you, come at me together!"
His angry shouts prompted his subordinates to charge forward. These men were all experts from the Tongmen, and losing even one of them normally would have pained him for a long time. However, now, he had no choice but to sacrifice his pawns to save himself.
After his subordinates rushed forward, Tao Fan did not advance further. After all, in his current condition, another punch from Song Qiao would surely kill him.
Tao Fan seized the opportunity while his subordinates were engaging, turned, and fled. He didn't even have time to get into his car, breaking into a run and disappearing into the wilderness beside the road.
A moment later, Song Qiao easily dealt with the charging attackers.
These ordinary ancient martial arts experts, who hadn't even reached the Innate realm, were no match for him.
"President Song, you're too amazing!"
Seeing that Song Qiao had resolved the crisis in a flash, Deng Yihan's mood turned from sorrow to joy. She rushed forward excitedly.
"What was that move you just used? It was so cool! You just sent that guy flying with one move. Really…"
Beside the road, Deng Yihan, having recovered from her fear, had become quite talkative…
It somewhat marred her unique, exotic aura.
"I just practiced some things casually before."
Song Qiao gave a perfunctory reply. In truth, he still didn't quite understand the vital energy within him, nor did he grasp the true realms of ancient martial arts.
"Anyway, let's not talk about this for now. It's not safe here. I suspect the person who wants to assassinate you won't give up easily."
"How about this, I'll call for a car first. You can come back with me. If not tonight, you can stay at my place for the night."
"Ah?"
Deng Yihan was slightly taken aback.
"Stay… stay at your place?"
"Oh, don't misunderstand. It's a villa I have, with plenty of rooms."
Seeing Deng Yihan's face flush slightly, Song Qiao realized she had misunderstood and quickly explained.
"Oh, okay. I'll call home later."
Deng Yihan's face turned even redder, like a ripe red apple.
So, Song Qiao made a call to the Xin Kai Group, asking them to send a car over quickly.
Meanwhile, on the other side, after Tao Fan had fled to a safe distance, he got into a car with the help of his waiting subordinates.
The black sedan drove them to a more remote suburban area.
By now, the sky had almost completely darkened. The car stopped by a private dock near a river in the suburbs.
"Mr. Hei Hao, I apologize. I failed to achieve the objective you set."
Standing by the dock was a mysterious middle-aged man dressed entirely in black. Upon hearing Tao Fan's words, his gaze sharpened.
"So, Deng Yihan is still alive?"
"Yes… I sincerely apologize. This mission encountered an unexpected variable. I had investigated that Song Qiao before, but I truly didn't expect him to be so well-hidden."
"He's strong?"
"Yes, this Song Qiao is definitely a master of Inner Strength, at least at the fifth stage or above."
Tao Fan stated with certainty. In fact, he had an even more terrifying thought: this Song Qiao might have already broken through Inner Strength and was a master of Dan Jin.
Because that would be too incredible.
"Hmph, useless."
Hei Hao, the man in black, listened to all the answers and then coldly uttered, directly pulling a handgun from his embrace. Without a word, he shot Tao Fan in the chest!
The gunshot pierced the night at the dock, followed by a muffled groan and a scream.
"Mr. Hei Hao… you… you…"
"Hmph, Tao Fan, don't blame me for being heartless. You can only blame yourself for being incompetent. The subordinates of 'that person' never keep the useless."