Chapter 102: Slapped to Death

Zou Yichen forced a smile that never reached his eyes as he said, “This bag truly is a good thing. I’ll take it.” Without further ado, he reached out to seize the Purple Gold Ice Silk Magic Bag.

Halfway there, Qin Jing’s hand intercepted him, his gaze steady as he declared, “All items in this establishment are paid for before delivery. No transfers allowed—payment must be made in old bills or gold.”

“So many rules,” Zou Yichen sneered coldly. “But I wonder, do you have the ability to enforce them?”

As he finished speaking, a sudden black gleam flashed across his body. The light vanished in an instant, but in the next moment, he was already right in front of Qin Jing.

Qin Jing raised his eyebrows. In that split second, he felt his entire body tremble, as though some terrifying force had locked onto him. Despite his power as a third-tier Transcendent, he found himself utterly unable to move.

Matong, standing nearby, cried out in shock, “Boss, are you insane? You actually used that thing!”

Zheng Shoucheng recoiled as if jolted by electricity, his face filled with terror as he stared at Qin Jing—or, more precisely, at the black object hovering before Qin Jing’s face. It was now suspended in midair, revealing its true form.

It was a diamond-shaped object, about the size of a fist, emanating deep, eerie black light. These rays shone continuously onto Qin Jing’s face, making his features appear strangely distorted.

Zou Yichen observed the scene, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. “It doesn’t matter. Good things are meant to be used. Legend has it that obsidian can only be wielded by those of the Mythic rank. Now I use it to control this shopkeeper and take his treasures—so we don’t lose out.”

Zheng Shoucheng gave a bitter laugh. “Boss, even so, you shouldn’t have used obsidian. It’s far too conspicuous. If powerful factions learn of this…”

Zou Yichen cut him off, resolute. “This shopkeeper is mysterious—who knows what his cultivation truly is? Look at Matong, acting as though he’s lost his parents. Clearly, the shopkeeper left a strong impression on him. Even a lion uses full strength to catch a rabbit. Though I’m at Transcendent Tier Three, the benefits of that storage bag are too great; I can’t afford to be lenient!”

A round of applause rang out. Zou Yichen’s whole body trembled as he looked at Qin Jing in shock—the obsidian, glowing with deep light, had vanished. Qin Jing regarded him with admiration. “My mistake. Since you intended to rob me, I shouldn’t have given you the chance.”

In the next instant, Zou Yichen’s vision darkened. Before him stood a man—the Western man who had just carried the tray.

“This man!” Zou Yichen’s pupils contracted tightly; from this Westerner, he sensed an incredibly terrifying aura.

“Retreat!” No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than Zou Yichen’s form turned into a streak of blood, shooting towards the distance. He had determined to flee, risking severe damage to his vitality with a desperate escape technique.

The Western man extended his palm, which seemed to grow larger and larger, and deftly caught Zou Yichen’s blood shadow. In the next moment, Zou Yichen’s figure materialized from within the blood, accompanied by the sounds of “pop,” “crackle,” and “sizzle.” That enormous hand squeezed him gently but relentlessly, crushing him completely.

It was like kneading dough, yet the act of kneading a living Transcendent was utterly horrifying. Zou Yichen screamed in agony, begging for mercy, offering all sorts of tempting treasures. But the Western man remained expressionless throughout, his fingers cracking as he kneaded. Finally, Zou Yichen was reduced to a puddle of blood, which the man burned with intense white flames, leaving not even a trace behind.

Matong stared in terror, his whole body trembling. With a thud, he dropped to his knees, his teeth chattering, his face ashen.

“Qin… Mr. Qin…” His features twisted, terror flooding him. He’d always known Qin Jing was powerful, but had assumed he was a fourth-tier Transcendent at most. When Zou Yichen had used the obsidian, Matong had already regretted it. The obsidian could only paralyze a Transcendent, not kill one; if Qin Jing broke free, Matong would be the first to pay. So he’d kept quiet, even wanting to dissuade Zou Yichen.

Never had Matong expected events to unfold so swiftly. In the blink of an eye, the man he regarded as his elder brother, Zou Yichen, met such a grisly fate!

Qin Jing looked at Matong, his gaze stern and contemplative.

Sweat poured down Matong’s forehead. At that moment, he felt as though some ancient, monstrous beast was staring at him. He quickly lowered his head, forced himself to remain calm, and stammered, “Mr. Qin, please let me explain—I truly didn’t know Zou Yichen would be so brazen, I…”

Qin Jing waved him off. The Western man stepped before Matong and, with a sharp smack, slapped him across the face.

Matong was stunned, but his heart soared: Just a slap, and it’s over? That’s wonderful.

Qin Jing spoke coolly, “I had Number One mark you. This mark will inflict seven days of pain and torment. After seven days, the torment will dissipate—consider it a minor punishment. Do you accept it?”

So it was punishment. Matong felt bitter; crossing paths with Qin Jing today had left him feeling like a dog, thoroughly subdued. Yet he dared not complain, quickly bowing his head. “Yes, I accept!”

Qin Jing continued, “After seven days, this mark may advance your cultivation. Whether you break through to Transcendent Tier One depends on your own fortune.”

Matong was stunned for a moment, then broke into wild joy. What did this mean? Was he truly being accepted as a subordinate? To advance from Tier One to Tier Two—such a method was incredible!

“Thank you, Mr. Qin! I swear to serve you faithfully from now on. If I ever betray you, may lightning strike me dead!”

Matong was indeed a cunning little man, shrewd and ambitious—a fitting subordinate.

Qin Jing nodded inwardly. Zou Yichen’s demise meant little to him, but it helped him win Matong’s complete loyalty. At last, Qin Jing had a capable helper in Earth’s Transcendent world. Previously, whether Susan or Old Song, they were close, but ordinary. Matong was now a ready asset.

Of course, just an “asset.” The mark Alchemy Number One implanted in Matong was spirit energy wielded in its crudest form. As it was the essence of a ninth-tier Transcendent, Matong’s low rank meant he couldn’t absorb it easily. His body would reject it, causing two hours of pain daily for the next seven days. But after that, the energy would gradually fade, and with its high quality, might unlock his meridians and potential—giving him a chance to ascend to the second tier.

A slap followed by a sweet reward—this has always been the surest way to manage subordinates. Qin Jing’s approach was rough, but effective.

Having settled Matong, Qin Jing finally turned to Zheng Shoucheng.

…

Wishing all readers a happy New Year. The book’s performance is poor, so I plan to discontinue it. I’m posting to express my apologies—truly, I’m sorry.