Xiao Hongtian's gaze was dark and ominous as he coldly said, "Qingyun, he's already dead. Don't waste your energy. Come with me."
Lin Qingyun ignored Xiao Hongtian. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched Zhao Dong, her heart filled with overwhelming guilt.
Her tears dripped onto Zhao Dong's face. Slowly, he opened his eyes and looked at Xiao Hongtian. With the last of his strength, he rasped, "I'm... not dead yet..."
In an instant, Xiao Hongtian's aura turned bone-chillingly cold, like a ten-thousand-year-old glacier. His gaze was like a frozen blade, his fury soaring to the heavens. "Not dead yet, you say? Well, I'll make sure you're thoroughly dead now!"
Roaring, Xiao Hongtian charged forward. He swatted Lin Qingyun aside with a single palm strike, then his fists became a blur, raining down on Zhao Dong's chest like a tempest! A mad, ferocious howl erupted from Xiao Hongtian, his face a mask of pure savagery. He smashed dozens of punches into Zhao Dong's chest, each one crackling with his raging murderous intent.
Zhao Dong coughed up blood, his chest visibly caving in as over a dozen of his ribs shattered. He was mangled beyond recognition.
The final punch sent him flying backward, his body doubling over from the impact.
The moment Zhao Dong was airborne, Xiao Hongtian was on him. A murderous glint flashed in his eyes as he leaped, soaring above the helpless Zhao Dong. Then he viciously brought down an elbow on Zhao Dong's heart.
The mid-air elbow strike slammed Zhao Dong into the ground. BOOM! Dust billowed from the impact, and as it settled, Zhao Dong lay motionless on the ground.
The entire banquet hall fell deathly silent. Looking down at Zhao Dong, Xiao Hongtian smiled sinisterly. "Heroics are admirable, but they come at a price. In your case, your life."
Looking at the unmoving Zhao Dong, the fallen Lin Qingyun let out a heart-wrenching sob. "Zhao Dong!!!"
Tears streamed down her face as she lay powerless on the ground, sobbing, "Zhao Dong... I'm so sorry... It's all my fault... I've failed you..."
Xu Yafei closed her eyes, forcing back warm tears. No matter what, she and Zhao Dong had been husband and wife for one night. Seeing him die before her eyes was agonizing.
In a corner, Jiang Nianyu's face turned deathly pale as a single tear slipped from her eye. You idiot... Are you really dead...?
The entire banquet hall was plunged into a dead silence. No one uttered a word. Everyone stared at the body on the floor. In some eyes, there was a flicker of pity and sympathy. For such a young man to be beaten to death so brutally... it was truly a tragedy.
Xiao Hongtian shot one last sinister look at Zhao Dong's body before turning to Lin Qingyun. A horrifying, predatory grin spread across his face as he walked toward her, step by step.
"Darling, it's your turn. Don't worry, after I've had my fun, I'll send you down to reunite with him."
Xiao Hongtian reached Lin Qingyun, clamped a hand around her neck, and lifted her off her feet. He inhaled her intoxicating scent, then his tongue snaked out and licked her fair, delicate neck.
A wave of nausea washed over Lin Qingyun. She pounded on his chest with her fists, tears streaming down her face. "You beast! Son of a bitch! I'll kill you!"
But in the next moment, her vision began to blacken as an indescribable sensation washed over her. Xiao Hongtian sneered, "Darling, is the drug kicking in? Soon, you'll be on all fours beneath me like a bitch in heat, begging to take me in your mouth. What do you think would happen if I recorded it and posted it online? Hahaha..."
Lin Qingyun closed her eyes, fresh tears tracing paths down her cheeks as her body trembled uncontrollably. She desperately tried to suppress the strange reaction, but it was useless. Her body refused to obey her mind.
"Hot... so hot... I want... I need..."
A crazed, seductive red flushed her cheeks, and her eyes glazed over with lust. Her entire body felt as if it were on fire. The next second, Lin Qingyun actually began to tear at her own clothes in front of everyone.
Xiao Hongtian roared with laughter. "Excellent! This drug truly lives up to its Southeast Asian origins! Come, darling, let's enjoy ourselves!"
With that, he scooped up Lin Qingyun and headed for the stairs. But just as his foot touched the first step, a hoarse voice sounded from behind him.
"Xiao Hongtian. I'm not dead yet. But you... you can die now."
Xiao Hongtian froze. He set Lin Qingyun down and turned around slowly, his pupils shrinking in shock. "You... you're still alive?!"
Behind him, Zhao Dong was slowly getting to his feet. His clothes were in tatters and he was covered in dust, but a brilliant light exploded in his eyes. Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, he gave a raspy laugh. "I told you. You're not all that. You can't kill me."
Xiao Hongtian was stunned. He knew the power behind his punches; a single one could kill a bull. Yet, after dozens of blows, Zhao Dong wasn't dead? This guy... is he really just some ordinary special forces soldier?
Steeling himself, Xiao Hongtian roared, "You may have survived that, but you will most certainly die now!"
This time, Xiao Hongtian channeled every last bit of his strength into his right fist, condensing his killing intent to its absolute peak. With a low growl, his eyes wild with madness, he unleashed his ultimate killing blow.
"DIE!!!"
The punch flew forward with terrifying, barbaric pressure. Zhao Dong moved as well, clenching his own fist to meet Xiao Hongtian's head-on.
BOOM!
A deep, muffled sound exploded outwards. A horrifying shockwave erupted, instantly shattering a dozen glasses. Cracks spread out from their fists like a spiderweb, fracturing the floor. The onlookers were stunned.
The next second, Xiao Hongtian violently spewed a mouthful of blood and was sent flying backward like a kite with a snapped string, crashing into a table laden with drinks.
Zhao Dong, however, stood his ground, a mask of indescribable calm on his face. He looked at Xiao Hongtian sprawled in the distance and said coolly, "So, this is your so-called ultimate power? Pathetic."
Everyone stared, dumbfounded. Xu Yafei and Jiang Nianyu's pupils constricted in shock. Zhao Dong... defeated Xiao Hongtian?
Three seconds later, the color drained from Zhao Dong's face. Something's wrong, my body feels strange! The next moment, he too violently coughed up a mouthful of blood. His face turned deathly pale, and he swayed, on the verge of collapsing.
Xu Yafei instinctively started to rise to help him, but she froze, feeling Hong Wu's sharp gaze from beside her. A cold sweat broke out on her back as she sank back into her seat. Hong Wu is pathologically suspicious. He investigates anyone who gets close to me, and if he finds anything amiss, he has them eliminated. If I go to help Zhao Dong now, Hong Wu will undoubtedly become suspicious. If he finds out what happened between us... we'll both be sent to hell!
Fortunately, Zhao Dong didn't collapse. He managed to stagger but stayed on his feet.
Step by step, he approached Xiao Hongtian, who lay unconscious on the ground, battered and bruised.
Killing intent flashed in Zhao Dong's eyes. Xiao Hongtian is a vicious man who must die! Leaving him alive will only bring endless trouble! I have to kill him!
Zhao Dong raised his foot to bring it down on Xiao Hongtian's throat.