I was born a rogue, unboundedly wild; I was born a romantic, setting the very tide. This young master is inherently a scoundrel, but my brand of roguishness is leagues apart from those... well, those lowlife thugs. I am a sophisticated rogue, and for that, I intend to usher in a new era, a new current for all scoundrels. Are you willing to join my ranks? You are? Then what are you waiting for? Move now. — Random Musings of Yang Yi

Barely two minutes after Yang Yi hung up the phone, a black sedan and six vans descended upon the derelict warehouse district of City A.

“Young Master, we’ve arrived,” Feng Shi announced, stopping the vehicles just short of the ruins.

“Good. Have the Black God Guard surround this area,” Yang Yi commanded, stepping out of the car with a stern expression.

Feng Shi spoke only a few clipped sentences into his phone before ending the call. In that instant, the doors of the six vans flew open with a sharp swish-swish! Men clad in black suits surged out, moving with practiced rhythm, hands brushing their waistbands, heads bowed low, swiftly encircling the entire wasteland.

“Young Master, perhaps I should accompany you inside,” Feng Shi offered.

Yang Yi simply nodded without speaking and walked toward the deserted complex.

“Tell the Boss, we have movement,” a heavily bearded brute suddenly stated.

“Understood!” a younger man replied quietly before darting into the warehouse.

Their so-called Boss was the imposing middle-aged man, currently dangling a cigarette from his lips, blowing perfect smoke rings while squinting up at the youth perched on the warehouse loft. He watched with satisfaction as the figure smirked down at the four bound hostages.

“Ling Bin, this whole mess started because of me. I beg you, spare my family,” Xia Shiyun pleaded, tears brimming in her eyes as she stared fixedly at Ling Bin. Clearly, Xia Shiyun maintained a core of strength, prioritizing her family above all else.

“Hmph. You only realize regret now? A bit late, wouldn’t you say?” Ling Bin sneered with utter disdain.

“What exactly do you want? Do you have any regard for the law?” Xia Tian, Xia Shiyun’s father, roared, his eyes wide with shock.

“Heh heh, the law?” Ling Bin sauntered up to Xia Tian and delivered a brutal kick squarely to his stomach, his voice dripping with mockery. “Old man, let me tell you: I am the law.”

“Ling Bin!” Seeing him strike her father, Xia Shiyun’s desperation spiked, and she shrieked hysterically. What she hadn't anticipated was that immediately following her cry, Ling Bin drew back his hand to slap her across the face—but at that moment, a small boy threw himself forward, interposing his own body to take the blow meant for his sister.

“Don’t hit my sister!” After being struck, the little boy, who should have been wailing given his age, did not cry. He possessed a resilience and fortitude uncommon for his years, glaring defiantly at Ling Bin and roaring his anger.

“Xiao Yu!” Seeing her younger brother absorb the slap meant for her, Xia Shiyun’s tears finally streamed down her face.

“Hmph, you dare curse me? I’ll show you cursing! Drink it in!” Ling Bin seemed utterly deranged; the target was Xia Yu, a mere thirteen-year-old boy, yet he had the audacity to strike him, delivering two vicious kicks.

But just as he prepared to deliver the second kick...

“Mom—!” both Xia Shiyun and Xia Yu cried out in unison.

“Good, very good. Such unity in the family. I’ll make you unified! I’ll unify you all—!” Ling Bin taunted coldly while brutally kicking Xia Shiyun’s mother.

“Ling Bin—!” Xia Shiyun felt a wound open deep in her soul, screaming out with every last ounce of strength she possessed.

“Hmph!” Ling Bin snorted, halting the assault. He bent down, gripping Xia Shiyun’s jaw firmly. “Don’t worry. Once I’ve dealt with your man, I’ll let you savor the consequences of betraying me.”

“You... what are you planning to do?” Hearing his words, Xia Shiyun’s heart plummeted. Ignoring the sharp pain in her jaw, she managed to ask.

“What am I planning? Hahahaha, excellent question, an excellent qu—"

“Young Master Ling, he has arrived,” the middle-aged man interrupted before Ling Bin could finish, stepping in to announce.

“Fine!” Ling Bin exclaimed upon hearing the news. He spared one last look at Xia Shiyun. “I’ll send your precious man straight to hell now. Heh heh, rest assured, I will entertain him thoroughly.” Ling Bin stressed the word ‘thoroughly’ with heavy emphasis, letting out a cold laugh before following the middle-aged man out.

Xia Shiyun was rendered speechless, tears flowing ceaselessly. Beside her, the woman—Xia Shiyun’s mother—pushed herself up with great effort and asked hoarsely, “Children, are you alright? Dear, are you hurt?”

“Cough, cough! I’m fine!” Xia Tian replied, his voice sounding strained as he coughed.

Down on the warehouse floor, Yang Yi and Feng Shi had advanced inside. Three men immediately had them covered with handguns. Yang Yi and Feng Shi paid them little mind; their only concern was the safety of the hostages.

“Well, well, if it isn't Young Master Yang?” Ling Bin’s voice drifted over to where they stood.

“Hmph. It is indeed your Young Master,” Yang Yi retorted coldly, immediately adding, “Enough talk. Where are Xia Shiyun and her family?”

“Hehe, you really are sentimental, aren’t you? How about we have a cup of tea before we discuss things?” Ling Bin said with a sinister, drawn-out grin.

A sharp glint flashed in Feng Shi’s eyes as she spat out a few icy words: “If you don’t want to die, release them now.”

Her voice was chilling, piercing straight to the heart. Only then did Ling Bin seem to notice the beauty standing beside Yang Yi, and he chuckled, “Oh my, Young Master Yang certainly has the touch. To have such a stunning woman accompanying you!”

“Whether I have the touch is not for you to judge. What is your objective? Spit it out quickly, because I haven't got time to waste on you. My time is so precious that even your life isn't worth as much!” Yang Yi stated icily.

“Haha, alright, let’s get down to business,” Ling Bin laughed, his tone shifting. If he had noticed the beads of cold sweat gathering on the forehead of the middle-aged brute standing near him, he might have had different thoughts.

[Go hard, my brothers and sisters, roar fiercely, stand tall!]