Chapter 40

After seeing off Xu Ming, Li Yi felt a faint unease creeping into his heart.

Because the information Xu Ming revealed carried a strange scent: from Yang Yi’s high-price purchase of the Biao’s corpse yesterday to his sudden approach today about fist techniques, though he pretended to warn Li Yi, he was secretly plotting a business deal.

After a moment of thought, Li Yi understood: “Yang Yi saw the fist imprint on the Biao’s corpse yesterday—he must have taken interest in my fist techniques. Xu Ming’s visit wasn’t his own idea; it was almost certainly ordered by Yang Yi.”

“It seems I can’t stay here anymore. I must leave immediately before trouble finds me.”

Thinking this, he counted his wages, confirmed everything was in order, then grabbed his belongings and left at once.

But just as he was about to depart—

Li Yi suddenly remembered something. He turned and walked back toward Zhang Gao’s room. He had promised Zhang Gao he would deliver his earnings to his family.

The door was locked, and without a key, he couldn’t open it.

After a moment’s hesitation, Li Yi raised his fist and smashed it into the lock.

“Crash!”

The door flew open.

Li Yi stepped inside and gathered Zhang Gao’s personal belongings, including the wages left in the room.

“Li Yi, what are you doing?” A voice sounded behind him—it was Lu Jue, who hadn’t left yet.

“Zhang Gao died in the Danger Zone. Before he died, he asked me to deliver his things to his family. I’m just packing them up.” Li Yi said: “Didn’t you already leave? Why are you still here?”

Lu Jue replied: “It was too late last night, so I stayed an extra day. I’m preparing to leave now. I heard about Zhang Gao’s death last night—not just him, but also Li Tao, the Spirit Medium, is dead. Indeed, I was right not to join this mission. If I had gone, I’d probably be dead too.”

He felt a wave of relief.

But Li Yi said: “Who can say for sure what fate holds? If you never risk it, you’ll never change anything.”

“We ordinary cultivators can’t compare to your extraordinary talent, Li Yi. Just one trip to the Danger Zone and you’ve reached Spirit Medium, slain a ferocious beast, and earned twenty million. It’s enough to make anyone envious—and jealous. I always said you’d never be like us. Your potential is limitless; your future is boundless.”

Lu Jue offered his praise and admiration without restraint.

He was the only one who returned alive from the edge of death—what else could that be but ability?

“I’m leaving. What about you?” Li Yi didn’t elaborate. He picked up his bag and turned to go.

“Li Yi, you probably don’t know Zhang Gao’s family. If you trust me, hand over his things—I’ll deliver them for you.” Lu Jue said.

Li Yi looked at him but said nothing.

Lu Jue smiled: “If you don’t trust me, just add my contact. If anything goes wrong, you can reach me. How’s that?”

“Fine.” Li Yi didn’t refuse. He added Lu Jue’s contact and left Zhang Gao’s belongings with him.

But then he thought again, reached into his own pocket, and slipped fifty thousand into Zhang Gao’s bag.

“We knew each other, and we faced death together. This money is my personal contribution—I hope Zhang Gao’s family can live better. Also, if Tao Ge’s family comes, please give them fifty thousand too. It’s my personal gesture.”

Li Yi then remembered Tao Ge’s death and felt guilty. He pulled out another fifty thousand and handed it to Lu Jue.

Lu Jue froze: “This… this isn’t necessary. You’re giving away a million? Their affairs have nothing to do with you, and Yang Yi will compensate them.”

Li Yi said: “If it weren’t for Tao Ge’s care, I wouldn’t have made it back alive. They just had bad luck… I killed the Biao and earned twenty million. Giving back some is only right. I’m not rich—I can only offer this much. I hope their families won’t find it too little.”

“Alright, I understand. I’ll handle it properly.” Lu Jue nodded.

“Thank you. Stay in touch. I need to return home to care for my parents.” Li Yi said.

“Okay, go ahead. I’ll wait here a bit longer—families of the dead should arrive today.” Lu Jue said.

Li Yi nodded and turned to leave at once.

Watching Li Yi depart, Lu Jue looked at the money in his hand and sighed: “Li Yi really is a man of principle—revenge for grudges, repayment for kindness. Knowing someone like him is a good thing. Zhao Xiaoxiao would regret it for life if she knew.”

He had volunteered for this task precisely to build a connection with Li Yi.

Even knowing him would be worthwhile.

Lu Jue knew clearly: if he missed this chance today, he’d likely never get another.

At this moment, Li Yi stepped into the elevator, preparing to take a taxi out of Anding District and return to the Old City Zone.

But as the elevator descended—

Strangely, Li Yi had pressed for the first floor, yet the elevator didn’t stop. It kept going down. He pressed the button repeatedly, but the elevator showed no response—as if it had lost control.

“Hmm?” This strange sight made him uneasy.

Then Li Yi realized something—his face tightened instantly.

The elevator wasn’t broken. It was being controlled.

Ding!

The elevator doors opened.

The elevator had taken Li Yi to the basement level.

The area was brightly lit, spacious, surrounded by running tracks, wooden posts, and weightlifting equipment—clearly a training ground.

But in the center stood a tall, upright figure, waiting patiently—as if he had been waiting for Li Yi all along.

Yang Yi!

Li Yi's gaze flickered. Indeed, his earlier unease had been justified.

Yang Yi had targeted him.

“Li Yi, hello. I apologize for summoning you this way,” Yang Yi said calmly.

Li Yi stepped out of the elevator and smiled: “I knew it—twenty million doesn’t come easy. Yang Zong, there’s no one else here, so let’s be direct. Are you interested in my fist techniques? After all, this poor boy has nothing else worth your attention.”

“Correct.”

Yang Yi nodded: “Your fist techniques appear simple, yet they conceal the secrets of human strength. Li Yi, name your price. I’ll pay you fairly—no cheating.”

He cut straight to the point.

“Yang Zong, if I refuse to sell, will you slice me in half like He Jun yesterday?” Li Yi shook the money box in his hand: “And reclaim this cash too?”

Yang Yi frowned: “Li Yi, you’re underestimating me. Do you think I summoned you today to force a sale or steal from you? If you don’t want to talk, walk away now—I won’t stop you.”

“Sorry, Yang Zong. I grew up in the Old City Zone, poor all my life, seen too many dirty dealings. I can’t help thinking this way. I don’t doubt your character—just in this atmosphere, I can’t help imagining the worst.” Li Yi apologized.

Yang Yi’s expression softened slightly: “I understand. This meeting was poorly planned—I should’ve warned you ahead of time. I apologize for the misunderstanding.”

“Yang Zong, you’re too kind.”

Li Yi waved his hand: “To be honest, I’m grateful to you. You gave me a high-paying job and bought my kill at a premium, letting me improve my life. Since you’re interested in my fist techniques, talking about buying and selling would be too formal. I’ll demonstrate them for you—for free.”

Saying this, Li Yi set down the money box and glanced around: “There must be cameras here.”

“After I demonstrate, you can record my movements through the cameras, analyze them repeatedly, learn them. How much you learn depends on your talent.”

“Li Yi, I said I won’t let you lose. Name your price. Let’s trade fairly—I pay you for your techniques, and we’re even.” Yang Yi said seriously.

But Li Yi laughed: “Enough, Yang Zong. I’ve already earned far too much from you. Fist techniques are hard to price. If I name a low price, you’ll look like you’re forcing me. If I name a high one, I’ll seem ungrateful.”

“So I think a free demonstration is best—it avoids misunderstandings.”

Yang Yi fell silent.

But inside, Li Yi had already planned his move: teach Yang Yi fake techniques.

His master, Zhao Ge, had said: even a slight misalignment in stance leaves hidden injuries—eventually leading to paralysis.

The harder you strike, the worse the injury. Practicing wrong techniques is suicide.

You want my fist techniques. I want you paralyzed. It’s fair.

I really am naturally evil.