Not just the middle-aged brute, but the desperate outlaws who had been running from the law for years, some even wanted by the police, could sense it—that killing intent, a malice they knew they could not defy. Consequently, the three men holding handguns grew rigid, and the brute constantly felt the back of his own coat, where his life-saving tool was kept.

Yang Yi, of course, sensed something amiss. His killing intent was directed specifically at the young men brandishing the guns, and he could tell at a glance that these were no underworld figures, nor were they connected to the supposed police background of Ling Bin. He let out a dry laugh: "I can see you aren't guys who run the streets. If you leave now, I'll let this go. Otherwise, you know the consequences very well."

A sudden, cryptic remark instantly silenced Ling Bin, who had been about to speak. He glanced doubtfully at the hired guns he’d spent over a hundred thousand to bring in, seemingly convinced that money was omnipotent, capable of buying a human life. With a cold sneer, he scoffed, "Haha, Yang Yi, who do you think you are?"

"Are you truly forcing me to act?" Yang Yi’s voice was icy, and the chilling aura around him intensified with every word.

Everyone present, except for Ling Bin, stiffened at his tone. Only then did Ling Bin realize these men were not quite right. He quickly barked, "What are you waiting for? Kill them!"

"Hmmph?" Yang Yi let out a strange, drawn-out sound.

As soon as his voice faded, the middle-aged brute turned to Ling Bin and stated, "I'm sorry, we're backing out of this deal. As for the money, we'll return it to you after you manage to leave here alive."

"What—!" Ling Bin froze on the spot. He couldn't believe that at this critical juncture, these hired hands were turning on him!

In truth, when he eventually reached the netherworld, the most infuriating part of that exchange was the brute's parting line: after you manage to leave here alive. Damn it, even if he did somehow make it out alive, would these outlaws really give back money they had already pocketed so easily? Who would do that? If they did, they wouldn't be called desperate outlaws; they’d be called idiots!

"Very good!" A sinister curve played on Yang Yi's lips.

"The four of them are in the loft upstairs. I suggest you hurry and get them down, or that kerosene smell won't withstand even the slightest spark," the middle-aged man concluded before leading his crew away.

Yang Yi’s eyes widened upon hearing this. "You watch him, I'm going to save them," he commanded.

"Yes!" Feng Shi responded.

"Stop right there! If any of you dare take a step, don't blame me if this thing misfires," Ling Bin yelled, shocked by how events had unfolded. He felt utterly betrayed by the men he had paid, quickly leveling his pistol toward the loft. Ling Bin wasn't entirely stupid; at least he knew how to threaten Yang Yi, realizing the true objective was rescuing the four people upstairs.

"Hmph, thrashing about even when death is at your door?" Yang Yi ignored Ling Bin, his mind focused only on swiftly rescuing Xia Shiyun and her family. His figure shot toward the loft with incredible speed.

Ling Bin hadn't expected Yang Yi to disregard his threat. A vicious look flashed across his face as he prepared to pull the trigger, but in the next instant, he went rigid with terror. Yang Yi had suddenly appeared before him, and without any perceptible reaction from Ling Bin, the gun was snatched away and now pointed directly at him.

"My Young Master told me to watch you, so I strongly advise you not to move rashly. If this thing discharges, don't blame me," Feng Shi's ice-cold tone completely subdued Ling Bin. After a pause, she pulled out her phone with one hand and pressed a key. Ling Bin assumed she was calling the police, and a shadow of malice crossed his face, twisting his lips into a faint smile.

But his smile instantly solidified. Feng Shi had just said: "Eliminate the group that just left here, and have a few others clean up. The rest can come inside."

"Buzz!" Ling Bin felt his mind briefly short-circuit. The sliver of relief he had felt moments ago plummeted back into sheer terror. Feng Shi’s words sank him to the bottom.

Upon reaching the loft, Yang Yi kicked the iron door open with one swift motion. He swept a glance inside and saw Xia Shiyun and her family tied up, their hands and feet bound, while the fire oil beside them was slowly trickling toward them.

"Yang Yi!" Xia Shiyun cried out softly when she saw him rush in, tears streaming down her face like rain.

"It's alright, it's alright," Yang Yi murmured, his heart aching at the sight of Xia Shiyun's tears. A cold light flashed sharply in his eyes as he rushed over to untie the silk ribbon binding her wrists.

"Yang Yi, are... are you alright?" Xia Shiyun asked him anxiously after being freed.

"I'm fine. Come on, follow me," Yang Yi said little else; the priority now was getting them out of there.

"Young man, is he..." Xia Tian, seeing that Yang Yi had come to their rescue, finally let the tension ease in his chest.

Before Xia Shiyun could reply, thirteen-year-old Xia Yu, with a charmingly bright smile, piped up to Yang Yi, "Big brother, are you the man that horrible fellow mentioned earlier?"

"Uh!" Yang Yi was momentarily stunned, completely confused by the boy's question.

"Xiaoyu!" Xia Shiyun flushed deeply, hearing her little brother ask Yang Yi such a thing. She quickly interrupted him, "Let's go first!"

"Yes, child, let’s leave this place quickly!" Xia Tian was also clearly anxious. This place was far from safe; the oil had spread throughout the loft. One wrong move, and it could explode.

Yang Yi nodded and led the family down the loft stairs. Once downstairs, Xia Shiyun and her family stared in astonishment. Who were these people? Their physiques were powerful, their faces expressionless, and they exuded an aura so cold it sent shivers down the spine.

"Yang Yi, who are they..." Xia Shiyun had been perplexed since Yang Yi arrived to save them, and now seeing these figures only deepened her confusion.

"Heh, don't worry, they are all my subordinates!" Yang Yi said with a light laugh, then turned to Feng Shi. "You take this family home first, alright?"

"Yes, Young Master!" Feng Shi replied.

[Vote if you like the book, click to collect it, and absolutely don't forget, or the villain will get you, hehe. Brothers and sisters, stand up!]