At Leng Sanniang’s command, the two burly men immediately advanced toward Shen Qingran.
Drooling as they walked.
Ah!
Truly, after searching high and low, the prize comes without any effort!
Such a pure little girl—surely she must taste good!
The two rubbed their hands together, eyes gleaming with lust as they stared at Shen Qingran.
“Come on, I’ll be gentle!”
The tall, dark man said, extending his arm to grab her.
Shen Qingran rose to her feet and delivered a chopping strike toward his arm. With her other hand, she slashed at his chest while kicking his blocking arm away.
The black, tall man was sent sprawling to the ground.
The pale, tall one froze for a moment. Seizing the chance, Shen Qingran delivered a vicious kick to his groin.
“Ah!”
“Ugh!”
The white, tall man hadn’t expected that, clutching himself and bouncing in pain, screaming all the while.
“Ugh!”
“Ugh!”
“Heh ha!”
Leng Sanniang was enraged and slammed her hand on the table.
“Heh ha, you brat!”
“Out of toothpicks, huh?”
With that, she crushed the cigarette in her hand.
“Little girl, I’ll deal with you myself!”
She launched a spinning kick straight at Shen Qingran’s face.
Shen Qingran countered with a backward spinning kick.
The two clashed midair.
Smash!
Somehow, the ceiling light above was knocked down.
The others around couldn’t see clearly—only shadows of two figures fighting in the darkness.
Chop! Chop! Chop!
The sounds of combat rang out.
Finally, someone shouted:
“I give up!”
“Spare me!”
“Turn on the lights!”
Snap!
The lights flicked on, revealing Shen Qingran pressing a dagger against Leng Sanniang’s neck.
The blade barely pierced the skin; a slight push would draw blood immediately.
Sweat streamed down Leng Sanniang’s face.
“Stop! Girl, stop! Spare me!”
“Really?”
Leng Sanniang looked into Shen Qingran’s eyes and was shocked by the murderous aura she saw. That earlier student-like appearance seemed utterly ridiculous now.
Shen Qingran furrowed her brows.
“Really?”
Leng Sanniang yelled:
“Really!”
Shen Qingran relaxed her grip. Leng Sanniang collapsed to the ground.
Shen Qingran returned to her chair, dusted off her pants, and glanced around.
Everyone else had their heads down, pretending not to see.
“I said, I’m here to find someone!”
“The person Lord Du is looking for—I know who it is!”
At this, Leng Sanniang scrambled forward, grabbing the table legs for support as she forced herself to stand.
“Quick! Go call Lord Du!”
Leng Sanniang shouted to the black, tall man who had just regained consciousness.
“Right away!”
“Coming!”
Perhaps recalling the fate of the pale, tall man earlier, the black, tall man dashed out immediately.
Leng Sanniang was one of Lord Du’s top lieutenants—if she couldn’t handle Shen Qingran, then what chance did he have? It would be a joke.
Leng Sanniang propped herself on a chair, looked at Shen Qingran, and signaled with a rope.
“Serve tea to our honored guest!”
Soon, a short figure, like a miniature version of Tu Xing Sun, wearing a black hat, emerged from the corner with a tray and handed Shen Qingran a cup of water.
The little man didn’t even look at her; he handed it over and left.
Leng Sanniang wiped the sweat from her face and apologized awkwardly:
“No manners, no manners. Please forgive the rudeness!”
Shen Qingran didn’t drink, closing her eyes instead to rest.
About ten minutes later:
Creak!
The side door opened, revealing a tall figure, followed by several others.
“Oh! What’s going on here?”
“Looks like even you, Sanniang, can be taken down sometimes!”
Ha ha ha!
Shen Qingran opened her eyes and saw a man nearly 1.8 meters tall, weighing around 200 pounds, stepping in.
Thick eyebrows and strong features gave him an imposing presence.
He turned toward Shen Qingran, cupping his hands:
“My surname is Du. Miss, may I ask why you seek me?”
He sat at the far end of the octagonal table, smiling at her.
Shen Qingran nodded.
“I am Shen Qingran. I know who you are looking for.”
“Oh?” Lord Du raised his brows.
He had been searching for this person for a long time with no news. And now, this seemingly naïve little girl knew?
“But…”
Shen Qingran glanced around.
Lord Du immediately understood and had the others leave. Soon, only the two remained inside.
Lord Du asked:
“Miss, first, know this—if your information is false, then we will have a serious discussion!”
Shen Qingran nodded. Facing this man, who would later become famous across the capital, she certainly wouldn’t risk her life recklessly.
“Of course. I also know you would never suspect who this person truly is!”
“Your foster mother disappeared without reason. I understand your feelings.”
Lord Du smiled. This girl was interesting.
“But rest assured—if your information proves correct, I will not treat you unfairly.”
Shen Qingran wasn’t worried about that.
Lord Du had a reputation in the Jianghu. He was a man whose words were law, followed by many loyal followers.
Shen Qingran:
“I don’t need money. I only want a promise and assurance.”
Lord Du grew intrigued. He had assumed the girl was after a reward. But she wasn’t!
Still, nothing comes for free.
Shen Qingran:
“You don’t need to give me a promise right now. Once this matter is verified, your commitment will suffice.”
Lord Du could tell she wasn’t after immediate gain.
“Alright!”
“No problem!”
“Agreed!”
With Lord Du’s assurance, Shen Qingran’s lips curled slightly as she spoke a name.
It was someone she had read about in the newspapers back in her previous life, while she was a ghost.
Due to technological limitations of that era, the case had remained unresolved until another investigation revealed the mastermind behind the incident years ago.
No one could have guessed this person.
Lord Du froze for a few seconds upon hearing the name.
Impossible!
Even if he guessed a thousand times, he would never have suspected that his own sworn junior had killed his foster mother.
That was his own mother!
It is said that even a tiger doesn’t harm its cubs. Yet in the underworld, rules are rules.
Shen Qingran carefully noted his shock.
She continued:
“I have a grandmother and a servant. Both are my closest family. If anyone in the capital dares to harm them, I ask for your help.”
Lord Du nodded:
“Consider it done. If it’s true, don’t worry!”
“I keep my word.”
Then Lord Du signaled Leng Sanniang with a glance.