Chapter 259: Same Place

Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy

"We'll talk after we eat," Ye Mo said, noting Tang Beiwei's distress. He knew she was deeply troubled.

Tang Beiwei nodded, feeling relieved after confiding in him about her mother. The restaurant's excellent food had also whetted her appetite.

"Those who watch me call their boss Qian He. No one in Tan Du dares cross him. I only realized I was on his list a long time ago, when I returned. They moved me up the list," Tang Beiwei said, regaining some energy after eating.

Ye Mo was confused. "What list?"

Tang Beiwei explained, "Qian He is a monster. I don't know why he's still free, but he's harmed countless girls—from high school to university. He keeps a list of girls' names. It's not just schoolgirls; any girl he wants, he adds to the list."

She edged closer to Ye Mo. "I was on his list in my third year. The list is meticulous—date, location, girl. It's an order. He was supposed to take me a few months later, but after I returned from Wuliang Mountain and took the Face Preserving Pill, my turn was moved up. They say he'll take me by the end of the month."

"The end of the month? That's only a few days away!" Ye Mo exclaimed, shocked. A few days' delay could have devastating consequences.

Tang Beiwei nodded. "I didn't know at first. We had a school queen, Xixi, who was close to me. A month ago, she was taken. When she returned, her face was ashen. She found me, recognizing herself on the list and seeing me on it, too. She'd overheard them discussing me. She urged me to run, and then she ran away that night."

"Why didn't you leave?" Ye Mo asked.

Tang Beiwei shook her head. "She was captured the night she ran. The next day, I heard she'd jumped off a building. I know she didn't do it; someone forced her. I tried to leave school, but the guards wouldn't let me. I realized I was constantly watched and had to wait until they came for me."

Ye Mo's face darkened at this blatant disregard for the law.

Tang Beiwei continued, "A few days ago, I borrowed a friend's phone to call the police. The next day, my friend was badly beaten and hospitalized. Luckily, you gave me that necklace. That night, someone tried to attack me—probably a warning—but the necklace repelled him. I kept several Fireball Charms on me. If they'd come for me, I planned to use them, but I only had a few. If you hadn't returned, I would have fallen into their hands."

Ye Mo fell silent. He couldn't understand why this man needed so many girls. Was he practicing some dark ritual, like in the cultivation world, requiring virgins? That seemed improbable, even in the cultivation world, let alone here.

"Brother, today is the first day I've felt relief. I don't want to go back to Shi Fan University. I've graduated. I'd planned to continue my studies, but now I'm too afraid," Tang Beiwei said, the worry in her eyes still lingering.

Just as Ye Mo was about to speak, the door burst open and three men entered.

Tang Beiwei instinctively huddled closer to Ye Mo. "Brother, I recognize the tallest one. He's from our school; Xixi was taken by him."

Before she finished, the tallest man lunged at her. "Trying to run, huh? Let's see how far you get. Those girls from your school are all troublemakers; it's not just you."

Ye Mo's eyes turned cold. He kicked the tall man across the room, sending him crashing through the wall into the adjoining room, where several shocked diners were eating.

The wall collapsed with a resounding smash.

Before the other two could react, Ye Mo stomped on the fallen man, who bled profusely and then vomited up internal organs.

The diners fled. The two remaining men froze, witnessing Ye Mo's brutal efficiency.

Ye Mo turned to them, cold fury in his eyes. "Did you two come to die, too?"

"You… you killed Black Panther!" one stammered, unable to attack.

"I did. So?" Ye Mo sneered.

"We're no match for you," the long-faced man said, fear evident. They knew Black Panther could take them both, yet he was no match for Ye Mo. They wouldn't stand a chance.

Ye Mo wiped his hands with a napkin. "You think you can come and go as you please? I'm not that easily dismissed."

"What do you want?" the long-faced man asked nervously. All they could think about was escape.

"Nothing. You two carry him away," Ye Mo said, gesturing to the dead man.

The long-faced man readily agreed. "Yes, yes! Er Tie, let's go."

Though Tang Beiwei had seen Ye Mo kill and had used a Fireball Charm herself, she was still revolted by the bloody scene.

Ye Mo took her hand, sending her a calming flow of chi. "Beiwei, I'll go with them. You…"

Tang Beiwei immediately replied, "Brother, I'll come with you. I'm too scared to stay alone."

"Okay. I was just worried you couldn't handle this," Ye Mo said, nodding.

"It's alright. As long as you're with me, I won't be afraid," Tang Beiwei said, realizing this newly met brother was extraordinary. He knew Dao magic—like something from a fairy tale.

The long-faced man looked surprised. "Y-You're coming with us?"

Ye Mo sneered. "What? Didn't you invite me? I'll accept your invitation. Is that a problem?"

"Fine, fine… Er Tie, let's go!" The long-faced man hurried them along.

Ye Mo went to the counter and paid with his card. The terrified manager didn't dare to protest; he'd likely received a warning from the three men.

Ye Mo and Tang Beiwei left with the two remaining men in their Land Rover.

The car sped out of the city, arriving at a secluded mansion in the countryside within an hour—a private ranch, actually. Extensive woods surrounded an artificial lake. Ye Mo recognized the place; he'd been there with Wen Dong. He hadn't expected to return, especially since the mansion had been destroyed a year prior. It was rebuilt, even more opulent than before. This place seemed to attract misfortune.

The car stopped at the ranch entrance. The guards checked their ID and allowed entry.

"Take them in," a man with a prominent facial scar emerged as they exited the vehicle, accompanied by two burly henchmen. Killing intent radiated from him, yet he didn't attack, knowing others would deal with Ye Mo. News of Black Panther's death had spread quickly.

Ye Mo and Tang Beiwei followed the long-faced man into the main hall. Tang Beiwei was uneasy; the men were menacing, all armed, like a clandestine government organization.

Before entering, Ye Mo scanned the hall—more than ten men were inside.

A series of slow claps echoed. "Impressive. You have guts, killing my men and then showing up here. But even with your courage, you'll die for offending me, Nie Wubian."

Nie Wubian? Ye Mo remembered Nie Shuangshuag's provocative words: "I'm still a virgin."