Chapter Eighteen: The Arrival of Su Lie

Seeing his father speak like this, Zhao Yuan was utterly perplexed. Now that he had already rescued his father, how could he possibly leave without taking him along?

“Father, I’m not leaving. The chain binding you is broken now—I’ll carry you back!” Zhao Yuan stepped forward, determined to lift his father onto his back and take him away.

“Hurry and go! If you don’t leave now, it’ll be too late! They’ll sense the forced break, and when they come, you won’t be able to escape!” Old Master Zhao pushed Zhao Yuan away, desperate for his son to flee and avoid danger.

Yuer, watching from the side, grew anxious as well. If they really arrived, she would be implicated for bringing Zhao Yuan in, and who knew what punishment awaited her?

“Zhao Yuan, let’s go! If we don’t, they really will come!” Yuer seemed to hear footsteps approaching, her urgency mounting.

But Zhao Yuan had no intention of leaving. Even if they came, he was prepared to deal with any obstacles.

“Hurry up and go!” The footsteps drew nearer, Yuer growing frantic, eager to escape.

Yet it was too late. Su Lie appeared before them, letting out a cold laugh and speaking fiercely, “Go? You want to leave? Why didn’t you run off earlier? Now it’s too late—you’ll have to deal with me, and that won’t be pleasant!”

Hearing the familiar voice, Yuer turned and saw Su Lie, her nerves tightening—she feared what he might do to her.

But inspiration struck, and Yuer immediately adopted a pitiful expression, stepping forward to face Su Lie.

“You’re finally here. Zhao Yuan threatened me just now, forced me to lead the way. I couldn’t resist him. He said if things got dangerous, he wouldn’t spare me. I was so anxious.”

She rattled off her story in one breath, hoping to fool Su Lie.

“I understand. Step aside,” Su Lie replied, not thinking much of it.

Yuer’s heart leapt with relief, but she maintained her aggrieved look as she moved behind Su Lie, catching sight of Zhao Ling’er there as well. After a slight pout, she obediently took her place.

“So? Zhao Yuan, why don’t you try to leave? Now you’re on your own, and I have so many people. Tell me, what will you do?” Su Lie looked smugly at Zhao Yuan, advancing a few steps.

Yet Zhao Yuan showed not a hint of fear. He stood firmly before his father, determined not to let him suffer the slightest harm.

“Is that so? Numbers aren’t everything. No matter how many you have, you might not be able to handle me!”

Su Lie hadn’t expected Zhao Yuan to be so fearless, but he pressed forward, moving ever closer.

Seeing Su Lie advance, Zhao Yuan grew wary, concerned about Su Lie’s intentions.

And then the battle began. Su Lie lunged toward Zhao Yuan, attempting to force him back with a single move, but Zhao Yuan, quick as lightning, dodged and countered with a palm strike, pushing Su Lie away.

Su Lie was stunned by Zhao Yuan’s swift reaction—he had underestimated his opponent’s strength and hadn’t expected to be repelled.

Though pushed back, Su Lie did not give up. He pressed forward once more, and chaos broke out.

This time, Zhao Yuan managed to evade again. Their strength was evenly matched, and if the struggle dragged on, neither could hold out for long. Yet in the face of the current situation, Su Lie dared not act recklessly.