Chapter 2534 - 2534: Meeting Without Recognition

"Ouch!" The fool cried out in pain, clutching his buttocks with his hand, tears glistening as he looked at the guard with a face full of grievance, as if asking why the guard hit him.

"What are you staring at!" The guard glared at the fool and angrily said, "I'm telling you to get lost, didn't you hear? If you don't leave, I'll beat you up!"

As he spoke, the guard picked up the weapon in his hand and threatened to hurl it at the fool.

"What are you doing?" A voice came from behind; it was another guard approaching. This guard's face was full of anger as he looked at the previous guard: "This is Qiang's brother, how dare you try to touch him!"

The previous guard was evidently a bit guilty but still gritted his teeth and said, "The authority figure has stated that this prison cell must not be approached by anyone. I don't care who he is, being near here is not allowed. If you disagree, go talk to the authority figure!"

The other guard didn't speak, clearly a bit apprehensive about that authority figure. He walked over and pulled the fool away but still shot a fierce glare at the previous guard.

The previous guard watched the guard take the fool away, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes, and muttered under his breath, "Damn it, acting all high and mighty, do you think Li Qiang can protect you for much longer!"

Throughout the ordeal, Ye Qing pretended to be unconscious on the ground. However, he listened clearly to the conversation between the two guards. From their dialogue, he had already gained some understanding of the current situation. It seemed that Li Qiang was indeed here, and there was also some authority figure still suppressing Li Qiang. Some people here were closer to Li Qiang, while others had sided with that authority figure. This meant there were conflicts within this group. And Li Qiang might not even be aware of his capture yet!

Realizing this, Ye Qing's heart was moved. If Li Qiang didn't know about his capture, then it had nothing to do with Li Qiang. If that was the case, then if he could get in touch with Li Qiang, there might still be hope. The question was, how to contact Li Qiang? The fool had been taken away, and no one approached the prison cell area, making it impossible for Ye Qing to find someone to send a message!

After about five minutes, a hurried sound of footsteps suddenly approached. Ye Qing didn't dare raise his head, only quietly opened his eyes to look, seeing a group of people rushing over, led by none other than Li Qiang, his face sinister.

Seeing Li Qiang, Ye Qing felt joy. It's just like the saying, speak of Cao Cao and he appears. Li Qiang had finally arrived, and now things could improve. If they could get Li Qiang's assistance, maybe they could leave here.

Ye Qing quickly stood up, wanting to wave at Li Qiang, but found that Li Qiang didn't come towards the prison cell, instead heading straight towards the distant guard.

The guard was still squatting on the ground smoking, hearing footsteps behind him that didn't sound right, he immediately turned to look, just in time to see Li Qiang rushing over with a fierce air. Seeing Li Qiang's imposing stance, the guard was startled and quickly stood up, awkwardly saying, "Qiang, I..."

Before he could utter the fourth word, Li Qiang had already rushed up to him, raised his foot and kicked his face. The guard was flipped to the ground by Li Qiang's foot, bleeding from his mouth and nose, losing teeth, showing just how vicious Li Qiang's kick was.

The guard was trembling in fear, hadn't even climbed back up yet, Li Qiang rushed again, stomping his foot on the guard's chest. Ye Qing, though far away, could hear a crack, it turned out the guard's ribs were broken. The guard spat out a mouthful of blood with severe injuries, but his heart was even more terrified, pleading in a trembling voice, "Qiang, I was wrong, I was wrong, please spare me..."

"Spare you?" Li Qiang gritted his teeth, bent down looking at the guard, and said in a deep voice, "You dare hit my brother, how can I spare you?"

"Qiang, I was wrong, I... I know I was wrong, please let me go..." The guard begged in a trembling voice.

"Let you go? Do you think that's possible?" Li Qiang coldly stared at the guard and said in a deep voice, "Tell me, which leg did you use to kick my brother earlier!"

The guard seemed to understand what awaited him, further scared almost to the point of wetting himself, pleaded in a trembling voice, "Qiang, spare me, I truly know I was wrong..."

"Not telling, are you?" Li Qiang pulled out a dagger from his body, coldly said, "If you won't tell, then I'll chop off both your legs!"

"Qiang, don't..." the guard urgently said, "I didn't mean it, Qiang stood by the prison cell, he just wouldn't leave. The authority figure instructed, anyone approaching the prison cell is to be executed without mercy. I... I just wanted him to leave, which already violated the authority figure's orders..."

"Are you threatening me with the authority figure?" Li Qiang's voice grew colder, suddenly stabbing the dagger into the guard's right leg.

The guard had indeed hoped to intimidate Li Qiang by invoking the name of the authority figure, but he didn't expect Li Qiang to ignore it altogether. This left him with no options; the methods of Li Qiang were well known to him. Not to mention chopping off his leg, even killing him was a very real possibility.

"Qiang, that's not what I meant, I... I truly know I was wrong, please spare me..." the guard pleaded in a trembling voice.

Li Qiang didn't say a word, pressed down on the dagger with his hand, spun it in a circle, directly slicing off the guard's leg.

"Ah!" The guard cried out in pain, hugging his leg on the ground, while Li Qiang paid no attention. He slowly stood up, spat at the guard, and said in a deep voice, "This time I'm sparing your life, but if something similar happens again, I won't be so lenient!"

The guard did not respond at all, still holding his leg and wailing on the ground. Li Qiang turned around and saw Ye Qing standing at the prison entrance, with a flash of surprise clearly across his face.

Seeing that Li Qiang finally noticed him, Ye Qing was overjoyed and wanted to wave at Li Qiang. At this moment, a cold voice suddenly came from the mountain: "Li Qiang, what do you think you're doing?"

This voice belonged to the short man from earlier. Ye Qing was startled and dared not greet Li Qiang, hurriedly dropping to the ground and pretending to be fainted again. Ye Qing couldn't let the short man know he had awakened, otherwise, it would be troublesome.

Li Qiang's expression also turned stern, he turned to look at the short man, slightly furrowing his brows, and said in a deep voice, "Sir, he hit my brother, I'm seeking revenge, isn't that right?"

"Of course it's right to avenge your grievances!" The short man said as he slowly walked down the mountain and approached Li Qiang. His presence was powerful, clearly exerting a strong oppressive force on Li Qiang.

Li Qiang's strength was evidently inferior to that of the short man, but Li Qiang didn't show any weakness, continuously locking eyes with the short man.

"Hahaha..." The short man suddenly laughed, no longer looking at Li Qiang, he turned away and walked to the side of the guard with the broken leg.

The guard with the broken leg saw the short man approaching and immediately struggled to hug the short man's leg, gritting his teeth and saying, "Sir, I... I was following your orders to guard this place, no one was... allowed to approach the prison. But, Li Qiang's brother insisted on going in, I... I tried to make him leave but he refused, I really had no choice but to push him a bit, and then... Li Qiang came and beat me like this. Sir, Li Qiang... he's clearly defying your orders!"

Li Qiang's expression turned cold, just now this guard was begging for mercy, but now he immediately started complaining. Had he known this, he wouldn't have let him off so easily!

The short man turned to look at Li Qiang, as if assessing him.

Li Qiang responded proudly, though his presence and strength were inferior to the short man, he showed no fear. He was just such a person, not strong enough but never yielding to anyone.

"Li Qiang, what should I say about you?" The short man sighed, slowly shaking his head, as if frustrated with Li Qiang's failure to meet expectations.

The injured guard on the ground was full of excitement, in his view, the short man was about to deal with Li Qiang, which would vent his anger.

However, the short man's next words stunned him completely.

"I've said it before, don't hold back when you strike. When you can kill, try not to injure. Leaving someone alive might not win you gratitude; instead, they might turn back to bite you." The short man spoke, turning to look at the guard on the ground, and said, "Therefore, when you decide to act, try not to leave any witnesses!"

The guard froze, looking at the short man in bewilderment, not understanding the meaning of his words. Was he advising Li Qiang to kill him? But why? He had joined the short man's side, wasn't he supposed to help him seek revenge, not kill him?

"Alright, let me help you once!" The short man picked up the dagger from the ground and slowly placed it on the guard's neck.

"Why... why..." The guard asked tremblingly, no longer pleading, just wanting to know why he was being killed by the short man despite switching to his side.

"Because you have no value for use!" Li Qiang replied coldly, "Do you think by betraying me you can win his favor? The greatest sorrow for humans is having no value to be used, living like that bears no meaning!"

Listening to Li Qiang's words, the guard turned again towards the short man, seeking confirmation in his words.

"He's right!" The short man nodded with a slight smile, saying, "People like you, no matter how many die, I wouldn't care!"

With these words, the short man thrust the dagger into the guard's neck. Until his death, the guard couldn't close his eyes. Had he known this would happen, he certainly wouldn't have touched Li Qiang's brother today. But, all was already impossible!

After dealing with the guard, the short man turned to look at Li Qiang, smiling faintly, "Li Qiang, you have great value for use, that's why I can tolerate you. But you must remember, if you do something beyond your value, I will also kill you!"