After completing his cultivation, Su Chen noticed the late hour and swiftly drove toward the Imperial Garden. The night was dark and still; lacking moonlight, the sky was nonetheless strewn with glittering stars, their light enveloping the city. It was nearly early winter, and though fewer than usual, vehicles and pedestrians still traversed the roads. Driving, Su Chen found a rare tranquility in the neon-lit streets, savoring this brief respite. In these moments, he didn't need to fight, struggle, deceive, or scheme; he simply felt the world with an open heart.
However, this peace was frequently shattered. Annoyed by the sudden appearance of two Mercedes blocking his path, Su Chen knew he needed to address the disruption. He remained in his car, unable to reverse due to a large truck rapidly approaching from behind, nearly filling the narrow road. A cold smile touched his lips as he floored the gas pedal. The Buick's engine roared as it surged between the two Mercedes.
Startled by the Buick's sudden acceleration, the occupants of the Mercedes shouted, "Block him! Block him!" One young man, desperate to prevent Su Chen's escape – crucial to his operation – urged his companions to close the gap between their vehicles.
"Bang!" The Buick collided with the Mercedes, the impact pushing them back several meters and creating an opening. All three cars were damaged. Su Chen quickly reversed, then accelerated again.
"Stop him! Quick!" the young man yelled. The Mercedes drivers attempted to re-block his path, but before they could close the gap, the Buick charged again.
"Bang!" The force of the collision pushed the Mercedes aside, allowing the Buick to escape. "Turn around! Chase him!" the young man cried, but to their astonishment, the Buick had already turned and was charging back at them.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!" The Buick rammed repeatedly into the Mercedes, leaving all three vehicles wrecked.
Su Chen exhaled deeply, then slowly exited his car. Five men emerged from the Mercedes, mostly unharmed save for one pale-faced young man. Su Chen knew the impact hadn't seriously injured them; the act was purely for his own satisfaction. Their interruption of his peaceful moment had been deeply infuriating.
The men stared at the young man as if he were a madman. "Su Chen, you had a chance to escape, but you chose death by returning!" the young man sneered, convinced Su Chen's escape was impossible.
"Cui Yuanmin, you never learn," Su Chen replied, gazing at the young man. "Do you think these few can stop me?"
"Su Chen, don't be cocky! These are genuine experts!" Cui Yuanmin blazed. "Kneel and kowtow ten times, and I might spare your life!" His hatred stemmed from past defeats at Su Chen's hands, and he was determined to eliminate him with the help of Zheng Yan's four martial arts masters – experts capable of subduing several elite soldiers.
"Many have wanted me on my knees, but they're all in Hell. Cui the superstar, do you wish to join them?" Su Chen lit a cigarette, speaking casually.
"Su Chen! Arrogant even in death!" Cui Yuanmin roared. "Get him! I want him begging for mercy!"
The four men charged. Su Chen moved with astonishing speed, appearing before one, seizing his shoulders before the man could even throw a punch. Another launched a kick, but Su Chen dodged, countering with a powerful punch to the man's abdomen. "Bang!" The man doubled over in agony.