This was the very camera they'd rented by the lakeside before boarding—Tianlong Lake being the small county's sole spot for leisure, essentially a park, complete with camera rentals.

Unfortunately, this wasn't the slick digital camera of later years; it was one of the old film-roll types.

Zhang Yang had specifically rented it so he could take some commemorative photos of Mi Xue out on the lake. He’d bought five rolls of film, which he was now putting to use.

He paddled swiftly, the camera clicking continuously. Soon, one roll was finished, and Zhang Yang quickly swapped in another.

Mi Xue, wide-eyed and stunned, watched the shore as Zhang Yang rowed at such a pace. She hadn't imagined anyone here would dare smash Zhang Yang's car.

She knew exactly what that car was worth; if it had truly been wrecked, not only Zhang Yang but she too would have been heartbroken.

"Mi Xue, wait for me on the boat!" The boat had reached the shore. Zhang Yang jumped off, saying, "Wait for me on the boat!" Without waiting for her reaction, he pushed the boat away again.

There were many people on the bank, and Mi Xue was safer aboard the boat than standing on the shore right now.

"Zhang Yang, that's Yu Yong!"

Mi Xue finally recognized the person smashing the car and cried out sharply. Unfortunately, that was all she managed to shout before the boat pulled away from the bank. Zhang Yang had put immense force into the push, ensuring no one on the shore could reach their small vessel.

Yu Yong?

A cold glint flashed in Zhang Yang's eyes. He was already annoyed that the man had sent his family to propose marriage to Mi Xue; now, daring to smash his car, Zhang Yang absolutely would not let him go.

He was determined to teach this man a severe lesson.

In his past life, Zhang Yang had genuinely loved cars. This current life lacked suitable models, which was why he was driving the one Old Su had gifted him—it was still a fine vehicle, after all.

A man’s car was like a mistress; Zhang Yang hadn't let anyone else drive his since he acquired it, and now it had been vandalized. The fury burning inside him was immense.

Despite his anger, Zhang Yang retained a measure of rationality.

He strode forward, the camera still in hand, and unleashed a rapid series of shots aimed at the group. His car hadn't been parked in the designated lot; he’d just found a random spot near the lake. Documenting it like this was the best possible evidence.

"Brother Yong, that's Zhang Yang!"

Someone suddenly turned around. Having secretly observed Zhang Yang earlier that day, he recognized him instantly.

"Still daring to take photos? Brothers, get him!"

Yu Yong turned and caught sight of Zhang Yang snapping pictures everywhere. He yelled instantly, rushing forward himself with surprising speed.

However, the fastest runner was the fellow called 'Brother Qiang.' This man had followed Yu Yong for years, and now that Yu Yong was back in the city and working at the Public Security Bureau, he desperately wanted to curry favor.

This was his chance to show loyalty to his boss. Running fastest also made him the most tragic. Zhang Yang sneered, slipped the camera into his pocket, and casually raised a hand, intercepting the steel pipe 'Brother Qiang' swung down.

With a subtle surge of inner force, 'Brother Qiang' couldn't maintain his grip, and his hand immediately went slack.

Zhang Yang shoved the steel pipe forward with the hand holding it. 'Brother Qiang' cried out and tumbled backward. The subordinates near him looked down at him, all frozen in place.

Many still had looks of sheer terror on their faces.

That single push from Zhang Yang had driven the pipe through the man's palm. He was now unconscious and moaning—that fellow’s hand was utterly ruined.

Zhang Yang had watched him cheerfully smashing the car while they were on the boat, so he naturally showed no mercy in his response.

His gruesome plight momentarily halted the actions of everyone else; no one dared to move.

But their stillness didn't mean Zhang Yang would stand down. Zhang Yang advanced, taking one man with each hand, showing no further restraint.

Just over thirty street thugs—even armed, as long as they didn't have guns, Zhang Yang wasn't afraid.

Soon, all the thugs were felled. Especially those who had been most vicious in smashing the car—Zhang Yang had dealt heavy blows to them.

The arms of several of these men were broken, some bones even showing through the skin.

In the end, the only one left standing was Yu Yong, still dressed in his police uniform. However, the scene before him had terrified him senseless. He had come expecting to teach a lesson, but instead, he had encountered a true demon, so terrifyingly powerful.

If he had known, he wouldn't have dared to come, even if his life depended on it.

He regretted not bringing his service weapon. A recent case in the city meant all firearms were under exceptionally tight control; they certainly couldn't be taken home after hours.

"No, no, don't hit me!"

Yu Yong trembled violently, and the hammer in his hand fell to the ground naturally.

He had seen clearly: the man with the steel pipe was struck by a pipe; the one with the chain was hit by a chain; and the most miserable were those who had wielded machetes—they had all been struck by their own blades.

Zhang Yang had wielded the knives with careful calibration, avoiding areas where excessive blood loss could occur. They would suffer immense pain but wouldn't bleed to death.

This was Zhang Yang’s bottom line: these men could be disciplined, but no lives should be taken. Taking a life would cause him serious trouble.

"You are Yu Yong?"

Zhang Yang suddenly grinned, but his expression looked no different from a demon's eyes to Yu Yong, who hastily nodded in confirmation.

"You smashed my car?"

Zhang Yang asked again softly. Yu Yong first nodded, then immediately shook his head violently: No, it wasn't me! I’ll pay! I’ll compensate you for everything!

"If you didn't smash it, why would you compensate me?"

Zhang Yang glared fiercely. Yu Yong couldn't hold back any longer; his entire body went limp, and he collapsed onto the ground, weeping loudly.

The scene was too bloody; a pool of blood had already gathered on the ground. Zhang Yang knew no one would die, but he didn't realize Yu Yong was absolutely terrified right now.

Even though he was a police officer, he had never witnessed such a sight, let alone being an officer who got his position through connections.

At this moment, he thought many people were dead, and Zhang Yang was about to kill him next.

Zhang Yang wrinkled his nose suddenly. A puddle of liquid was seeping from beneath Yu Yong, carrying a foul odor.

The man had been so scared he’d soiled himself. This instantly dampened Zhang Yang’s desire to frighten him further.

"Since you admit it, that’s fine. The total cost to fix my car completely is nearly two million. Just make sure you compensate me when the time comes!"

Zhang Yang reached out and patted his shoulder, then shook his head and walked away.

No one noticed the thin needle attached to the hand that touched Yu Yong’s shoulder. This wasn't an ordinary pin; it carried the venom of the fox-tailed sable.

Zhang Yang had fashioned this needle out of boredom; it was coated with a highly diluted poison, incapable of killing.

Though it wouldn't kill, it was still a poison; recovery would be impossible without the antidote Zhang Yang had created using fox-tailed sable saliva. Without it, the man would suffer symptoms of poisoning for the rest of his life.

As for what those specific symptoms would be, Zhang Yang wasn't entirely sure; the needle was merely an experimental item.

Yu Yong was the mastermind behind the car vandalism, and Zhang Yang had no intention of letting him off the hook. Not only would he not let him go, but he would utterly ruin him, ensuring his complete downfall.

"Zhang Yang, is—is this okay?"

Mi Xue had navigated the boat back to the shore. By the time she returned, Zhang Yang had already settled the matter. Seeing the gore covering the ground startled her.

"It's fine. Let's leave first," Zhang Yang said, shaking his head. Such a major incident here meant the police would arrive soon, and he didn't want to wait for them.

Moreover, he knew Yu Yong's father was about to become the County Magistrate, and Yu Yong himself was a police officer; showing up at the station now would be decidedly unfavorable for him.

However, he felt no fear. Regardless of who the opponent was, having provoked him this time meant they would learn what it meant to cross him and would live to regret it.

"The car—what about the car?" Mi Xue asked softly. The vehicle was overturned and smashed beyond recognition. Zhang Yang wouldn't want it back even if it could be repaired.

"Just leave the car here. We'll walk back!"

Zhang Yang shook his head, took Mi Xue's hand, and left, ignoring the men howling in pain on the ground behind them.

As soon as the police arrived, ambulances would follow. Except for Yu Yong, these men would need at least a month in the hospital. Letting them lie in the hospital would suffice.

"Old Su, I have a situation. Get over here immediately, the sooner the better!"

After walking a distance, Zhang Yang finally took out his phone and called Su Zhantao.

He cut straight to the point on the call, telling him he was in Lieyang County, without even explaining the specifics.

This incident had truly infuriated him. He wasn't going to let this Yu Yong off lightly. Merely poisoning him wasn't enough; Zhang Yang intended to deal with the man completely.

Achieving this alone would be difficult. Zhang Yang would certainly use any available resources. Su Zhantao was his closest friend, and he wouldn't hesitate to ask for his help.

"I'm coming. I'll be there soon!"

Su Zhantao was loyal enough; he hung up after that single sentence without asking questions. Changjing to Lieshan was over 170 kilometers; driving fast, it would take about two hours.

"Mi Xue, I'll take you home first," Zhang Yang sighed, standing by the road. Without a car, they'd have to take a taxi, but the small Lieyang County didn't even have proper taxis—only human-powered rickshaws.

Mi Xue nodded, glancing back nervously.

She had seen the miserable state of those men earlier. She was well aware of Yu Yong's family background and knew these people wouldn't let the matter rest easily.

No matter why Zhang Yang fought them, their current condition meant the police would initially side with them. If Zhang Yang fell into the police's hands, she knew the outcome all too well.

"Why don't you go back to Changjing first, or perhaps go to Grandpa Xie’s place?"

Mi Xue said quietly. Her instinctive desire was for Zhang Yang to leave; only if he left first could his safety be secured.

She no longer felt safe even at her home in Changjing; only Xie's residence felt somewhat secure. She knew the Xie family was wealthy and possessed considerable influence.

"No need. I'm not going anywhere. I’m staying right here to wait for their people to come and apologize and compensate me for my losses," Zhang Yang said softly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes while maintaining a smile.

This time, they had genuinely crossed the line with Zhang Yang. He usually disliked confronting people, but once he decided to deal with someone, ordinary people couldn't handle it—not even if Yu Yong’s father was the County Magistrate.

Zhang Yang’s consistent principle was: If others do not offend me, I will not offend them; if they do offend me, I will repay them a hundredfold.

Sixth update, the next chapter around 7 o'clock...... (To be continued)