Chapter 16: I Don’t Understand What You’re Saying

New information had come in—Ye Bufan had reappeared, and had already eliminated Ye Zhien’s wife, who was also Ye Xingmei’s mother.

This middle-aged woman had died a terrible death. She was originally on her way to a beauty salon, but ended up suffering cruel torment. A steel pipe had been driven through her body, its tip emerging from her mouth—her fate too gruesome to witness.

Ye Bufan had long ago discovered that his own mother had been killed by her out of jealousy. Though some might say the mistress was scheming for power and the legitimate wife had no choice but to intervene, he cared nothing for these justifications. If not for Cao Mang disrupting his original plan, he would never have resorted to such brutal measures so openly.

His jailbreak this time was out of necessity. He’d assumed it was nothing serious, that he’d be released after a short stint in prison. Unexpectedly, his once close brother, now in high office, had abandoned him. If convicted, he’d be executed by firing squad.

The prison doctor was even more despicable—taking the opportunity to poison him during treatment, as if unaware of his expertise in medicine. Fortunately, a few old comrades still owed him favors and came to his aid with a helicopter to facilitate his escape.

Cao Mang, exempt from patrol duty, returned to his room satisfied after a hearty meal. He had just lain down when a call from Ye Xingmei came through. He answered with, “My condolences.”

Ye Xingmei was silent for a moment before replying, “I didn’t have much affection for her, so I’m not especially sad. I called for something else.”

“What is it?” he asked.

“The men you sent to assassinate Ye Zhiqiang fell into an ambush and have been captured alive. They’re being interrogated in the dungeon.”

Cao Mang frowned slightly, but quickly replied, “That has nothing to do with me.” He knew perfectly well it was Old Yang who’d sent other death warriors, a gesture to repay a favor, but ultimately a futile one.

“I mean, could you act personally next time? Don’t let the Qiu family keep sending useless men to die.”

“I can’t interfere with the family head’s decisions. In the future, call me less. Even after you marry in, don’t show anything unusual.”

“You really are heartless. Don’t you want to relive our little tryst?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Cao Mang hung up. When Ye Xingmei called again, he ignored her.

The next morning, a servant informed him that Old Yang wanted to see him.

With Ye Xingmei’s mother dead, the wedding had to be postponed, and the mansion had returned to its previous cold and quiet state. Entering the villa, he found Qiu Yurou arranging flowers and humming, clearly in a good mood. Upon seeing Cao Mang, her expression twisted with disgust and hatred. She snorted coldly and turned upstairs.

Cao Mang returned her disdain with a soft sneer. This woman wouldn’t be so pleased for long.

Last night, he had erased Ye Xingyu’s useless memories as well, freeing himself from any lingering resentment.

Yet the Qiu family were also his enemies. It would be easy to kill them all, but Cao Mang had no intention of doing so. He preferred to make them wish for death yet be unable to die. Even if he did kill, he needed to ensure no suspicion fell on him, to be completely in the clear, otherwise he’d have acted already.

He entered Old Yang’s room and bowed respectfully. “What are your orders?”

Old Yang sighed, “Among this batch of death warriors, only you are truly useful!”

He tossed him a cigar and continued, “I have a new task for you—deal with the death warriors around Gao Yanhong.”

Cao Mang nodded without hesitation and walked out, unsurprised.

The new death warriors were assigned to watch Gao Yanhong, to prevent her from straying. In truth, it was also a test—not just for her, but for the warriors as well.

Old Yang, who had arranged this, was hoping Gao Yanhong would seduce one of the warriors, giving him an excuse to eliminate her, thus avoiding any scandal that might affect the Qiu family’s reputation.

What he didn’t expect was that Cao Mang had already joined forces with Gao Yanhong.

This time, it was Cao Mang who had instructed Gao Yanhong to seduce the new warrior, then take the initiative and report his improper behavior to Old Yang.

There were seventy-two new death warriors, and Cao Mang had no idea where they had all been assigned. He knew they were fiercely loyal to Qiu Zhenhu, so all he could do was find and eliminate them one by one.

He drove straight to the barbecue restaurant, entering through the back door.

The new death warrior was young, with a sturdy build, working busily in the kitchen. Upon seeing Cao Mang enter, he started in alarm, his face instantly wary.

Cao Mang’s expression was cold. “Will you take your own life, or shall I do it for you?”

Cold sweat broke out on the man’s forehead as his body trembled; he understood all too well why he was being eliminated.

“She… she seduced me… I didn’t succeed in anything…”

“That’s no excuse.”

As they spoke, Gao Yanhong appeared at the kitchen door. The death warrior, knowing he couldn’t defeat Cao Mang, hesitated, contemplating whether to hold Gao Yanhong hostage and escape. In the end, he hung his head and knelt. “Please, make it quick.”

Seeing his utter lack of resistance, Gao Yanhong was taken aback, casting a new and searching look at Cao Mang.

After their escape in the woods, she had regretted it, realizing she could never avenge her father on her own and would have to rely on him. The scene before her only strengthened her resolve.

A chilling crack echoed through the kitchen—Cao Mang had snapped the death warrior’s neck, and the corpse collapsed to the floor.

Though Gao Yanhong had seen death before, she was still terrified; warm liquid trickled down her pale, long legs. Realizing Cao Mang was watching her, she forced a seductive smile and said sweetly, “I’ll go wash up first…”

The corner of Cao Mang’s mouth quirked up. “This is just right—absolutely authentic!”

“Please… just get rid of the body first…”

“Crawl over here!”

At his harsh command, Gao Yanhong’s face twisted with grievance. “What do you take me for?”

Seeing him turn to leave, unwilling to waste words, she hastily relented. “Don’t go, I’ll crawl.”

As she bent down, hands and knees on the floor, her dignity was ruthlessly discarded. All she wanted was to please Cao Mang, to have him help her take her revenge.

Cao Mang, influenced by new memories, hadn’t expected the death warrior, who seemed so unremarkable, to harbor such depravity within—a revelation that opened a new world to him.

Near noon, Old Yang sent new surveillance personnel—this time, not a death warrior, but a maid who had committed some infraction.

Cao Mang had already left, preparing to send the corpse to the dog farm, when his phone rang—Qiu Yumeng was calling.

“Second Miss, is there something you need?”

“You useless man! Why did you go out without me? Don’t forget you need to get your tattoo today—get back here immediately!”

Cao Mang had nearly forgotten about the tattoo. He planned to pick up Qiu Yumeng but wasn’t in a hurry to go to the tattoo shop.

It was Qiu Yumeng’s second time at the dog farm, so she was already familiar with the routine, helping him carry the body into the workshop. She took the raincoat and mask offered by the new manager, not forgetting to throw a few compliments his way, leaving him flattered.

Upon discovering the body was that of a former comrade, the manager’s face was a picture of sorrow.

From the yard came the savage barking of attack dogs, along with the sound of vehicles entering. Looking out the window, they saw three vans had stormed in, and over a dozen masked men got out—most likely Ye Zhiqiang’s subordinates.

Cao Mang was about to step out when the manager stopped him, a confident smile on his face.

“Brother Mang, you don’t need to handle this yourself. Leave it to me.”