Chapter 121: A Slap to Bring You to Your Senses

After Chen Yang called over the other three staff members of the martial arts academy, they worked together to clean the entrance until it was spotless. By ten in the morning, the task was finished. Chen Yang gave the order, and the academy opened its doors to the public as if nothing had ever happened.

Meanwhile, Chen Yang retreated to the head director’s office. No sooner had he sat down in the brand-new executive chair than he dialed Wang Xu. "Are you busy?"

"Not at all, Mr. Chen," Wang Xu replied with a chuckle over the phone. "What are your orders?"

Chen Yang’s eyes narrowed, and a chilling expression settled on his face. "Help me get rid of someone."

On the other end of the line, sitting at his computer desk, the refined-looking Wang Xu displayed a look of astonishment. "Mr. Chen, you’re joking, right?"

"Why would I be joking?" Chen Yang said with a faint smile. "I’m willing to put up ten million to hire a hitman on an overseas website to take the life of a man in Dongjiang City named Xu Tianmeng."

"You mean you want to spend ten million on the dark web to hire a killer to end Xu Tianmeng's life, is that right?" Wang Xu asked, his tone turning serious.

"Correct." Chen Yang nodded slightly, smiling.

After a moment of thought, Wang Xu wore a complicated expression. "Alright, Mr. Chen. That can be done, no problem. But may I ask, who exactly is this Xu Tianmeng? Why are you willing to spend so much to have him killed?"

"A man who is courting his own death," Chen Yang replied with unconcealed disdain.

"Uh... has he crossed you?" Wang Xu asked, frowning.

"Isn't your computer expertise top-notch? You are more than capable of investigating Xu Tianmeng's background yourself," Chen Yang said with a light smile.

Wang Xu’s mouth twitched. He felt conflicted, but then he reasoned that he was only working for Chen Yang. Why ask so many questions? He should just do what his boss asked and complete the task. With that in mind, he nodded earnestly. "Understood, Mr. Chen. It’s no problem; leave it to me."

"Get it done quickly," Chen Yang said, eyes narrowing.

"I know, Mr. Chen. Don’t you worry," Wang Xu replied promptly.

"Good." Chen Yang smiled with satisfaction and hung up.

With that matter settled, Chen Yang returned to his recruitment efforts. He was determined to select only the toughest, most promising, and most loyal individuals for his academy, so he insisted on personally vetting every applicant.

Meanwhile, in Linhai, Qin Muxue hadn't seen Chen Yang for two days. Although they spoke every night, she missed him dearly. Realizing that the time for her mother’s second acupuncture treatment was approaching, she sent Chen Yang a thoughtful text message as a reminder.

Seeing the message, Chen Yang smiled. He knew she was missing him, and, of course, he could never forget about his mother-in-law's treatment. He replied briefly: "Rest assured, I will be back tomorrow." He shook his head and chuckled softly.

By five in the evening, Wang Xu called to confirm that the bounty had been posted on the dark web and that it shouldn’t be long before a hitman made contact. Chen Yang was satisfied with Wang Xu’s efficiency. After hanging up, he muttered to himself, "Xu Tianmeng, let’s see how you die this time."

At seven that evening, one of Xu Tianmeng’s subordinates, while browsing the dark web, stumbled upon a post offering ten million to hunt down his boss. The slim subordinate rushed into Xu Tianmeng’s office in a panic. "Brother Meng, this is bad! We’re in trouble."

Xu Tianmeng, who was smoking, looked up. "Speak slowly, don't be so rattled."

"Brother Meng," the subordinate said, brow furrowed, "I was just on the dark web and saw someone offering ten million to have you taken out."

"Is that so?" Xu Tianmeng’s brow tightened, and his expression turned grave. The subordinate handed over his phone, showing a screenshot of the dark web post. After verifying it, Xu Tianmeng’s heart sank. If there was a screenshot, it was real.

He took a deep drag of his cigarette and exhaled slowly. One name immediately came to mind: Chen Yang. Only Chen Yang would have the capital and the motive to put a ten-million-dollar bounty on his head. He clenched his fist and slammed it against the desk. "Damn it, playing hardball right from the start, are we?"

"What should we do, Brother Meng?" the subordinate asked nervously.

Xu Tianmeng thought cunningly. He knew that with a ten-million-dollar bounty, it wouldn't be long before a killer took the bait. Dongjiang City—and indeed all of China—was no longer safe. He had to hide somewhere until he could figure out a solution. He remembered a small property he had purchased in an overseas country, intended for his eventual retirement. He decided to take some bodyguards and lie low there until he could turn the tide. He dismissed his subordinate and immediately began preparations to flee the country that night.

The next morning, as Chen Yang stepped out of his hotel room, he found Lin Qianyao waiting at the door. "Mr. Lin?" Chen Yang asked, raising an eyebrow.

Lin Qianyao beamed. "Mr. Chen, Xu Tianmeng fled overseas last night."

"Really?" Chen Yang’s eyes lit up. He stepped aside and said, "Come in."

Lin Qianyao followed him inside, and they sat on the leather sofa. "I think Xu Tianmeng was terrified," Lin Qianyao remarked. "He bolted the moment he saw the bounty."

"Heh, how amusing. I didn't think ten million would scare him that badly," Chen Yang said with contempt.

"Indeed, he's a coward," Lin Qianyao agreed. "He’s been living in luxury for too long. He looks strong, but he’s just a tiger in a zoo; he lost his predatory instincts years ago."

"Which is why he’s only capable of petty, dirty tricks like dumping animal carcasses at my door," Chen Yang mocked.

"It seems the power of money is still quite potent," Lin Qianyao laughed.

"Of course. Let’s go, we’re going to find Gao Song," Chen Yang said suddenly.

"Find Gao Song?" Lin Qianyao looked puzzled for a moment, but then realized Chen Yang's intent and smiled. "Right. Let’s go."

At ten in the morning, the two arrived at Gao Song’s so-called "investment company." In reality, the firm was just a front for his loan-sharking business. When they burst into the office, the security guards tried to intervene, but Chen Yang easily brushed them aside. They were no match for him.

They strode into Gao Song’s office, startling him so badly that he jumped up from his chair. "What are you doing here? You aren't welcome!"

Chen Yang walked toward him in silence, a smile fixed on his face. Gao Song, trembling with rage, shouted, "Get out! Get out!"

Chen Yang stopped right in front of him, raised his hand, and delivered a heavy slap across Gao Song’s face, causing his nose to bleed. Both Lin Qianyao and Gao Song were stunned into silence. Chen Yang pulled his hand back and looked down at him coldly. "Did that slap help clear your head a little?"

Gao Song wiped the blood from his nose, looking at Chen Yang with a mix of fear and defiance. "You clearly have no respect for Brother Meng."

Chen Yang burst into laughter, and Lin Qianyao joined in with a look of pure disdain. After laughing for a moment, Chen Yang sneered, "Xu Tianmeng? It seems your head still isn't clear enough. I think you need a little more help."