Chapter 12 Robbery, Hand Over All Your "Love-Powered" Products!

Zhang Qiling's words were like a block of ice thrown into a pot of boiling oil, and the room fell into a deathly silence.

Scarface Li's facial muscles twitched, making the hideous scar appear even more terrifying. He stared intently at Zhang Qiling, then slowly turned his gaze to Hei Xiazi, who wore sunglasses and had a sly smile on his lips, his pupils suddenly contracting.

“Sunglasses…Black Bear…” he murmured, his voice filled with disbelief. He then abruptly turned to Zhang Qiling, his gaze falling on the long, cloth-wrapped object behind him. His face turned deathly pale. “…Black Gold Ancient Sword…You…you are Zhang Qiling?!”

"Southern Blind, Northern Mute..." Scarface Li's voice trembled noticeably, his previous arrogance completely gone. He had been a江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the martial arts world) figure for many years, and although he was based in this small town in western Henan, the name "Southern Blind, Northern Mute" was legendary, a true demon god forged in mountains of corpses and seas of blood! He had originally thought they were just some well-known henchmen under Xie Yuchen, never expecting that these two would be the real deal!

His men behind him had obviously heard of this name as well, and there was a commotion. Their hands, which were holding the weapon, trembled slightly, and they subconsciously took a half step back, their eyes filled with fear.

Old Chenpi was so frightened that he turned pale and wished he could shrink into a crack in the wall.

Black Bear chuckled, slowly removing his sunglasses and wiping them with the corner of his shirt. "Oh, looks like our names aren't so overused after all? Mr. Li, since you recognize us, things will be easier." He put his sunglasses back on, his smile unchanged, but his tone turned cold. "The people and the goods, we need them now. Are you going to do us a favor, or do we have to take them ourselves?"

Scarface Li's forehead was drenched in cold sweat. He knew he'd bitten off more than he could chew. A direct confrontation? Looking at Zhang Qiling's icy gaze and Black Bear's seemingly casual yet menacing stance, he had no doubt that his entire group wouldn't even be a match for the other's teeth. But to simply admit defeat would mean the end of his career in this area.

His eyes darted around as he forced a smile and roared, his voice trembling with fear: "Black Bear! Zhang Qiling! No matter how famous you are, this is still my territory! Even a mighty dragon can't suppress a local snake! If you dare to make a move today, I guarantee you won't leave Huitudian alive!"

"A local bully?" Black Glasses seemed to have heard something amusing. He took a step forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with Zhang Qiling. The murderous aura that had accumulated over the years was no longer concealed, making it hard for people to breathe. "I've trampled more local bullies than you've seen zombies."

Before he finished speaking, a young man next to Scarface Li, perhaps terrified or eager to show his loyalty, charged towards Black Bear with a machete in hand and a strange cry!

"You're asking for death!" Black Bear's eyes flashed with malice. He dodged the blade to the side, his movements as swift as lightning. He precisely grabbed the man's wrist, twisting and snatching it away, and the cleaver was in his hands! He then used the back of the blade to slash fiercely at the man's neck!

The man didn't even utter a sound before collapsing to the ground.

Almost at the same time, another thug, seeing his companion fall to the ground, swung his club at Zhang Qiling from the side with bloodshot eyes!

Zhang Qiling didn't even turn around. As if he had eyes in the back of his head, he simply raised his hand and accurately caught the iron rod that was being hurled at him! The thug felt an irresistible force coming at him, his hand cracked, and the iron rod slipped from his grasp! Zhang Qiling flipped his wrist, and the iron rod swept back with a whoosh, slamming heavily into the man's ribs!

"Crack!" A clear sound of bone breaking was accompanied by a scream. The person was thrown backward as if hit by a speeding car, crashing into a table and falling silent.

In the blink of an eye, Zhang Qiling hadn't even gotten his weapon stained with blood, nor had any of his attacks affected the Black Bear beside him.

The remaining thugs were utterly terrified. With a few clatters, they dropped all their weapons to the ground and knelt down, begging for mercy.

Scarface Li's face turned ashen, his legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground. He finally understood that in the face of absolute power, local bullies were nothing but a joke.

Black Bear tapped his palm with the tip of the machete he had stolen, looked at Scarface Li, and said in a tone that left no room for argument: "Boss Li, can we talk properly now? People, goods."

Scarface Li's lips trembled, and he could no longer muster his courage. He stammered, "It's...it's in the back room...the key...the key is with Old Chen Pi..."

Old Chenpi scrambled to his feet, pulled out the key, and presented it with both hands.

Black Bear gestured for the two bound men to retrieve the goods, while he and Zhang Qiling stood guard in the room like two door gods. The invisible pressure made Scarface Li and the rest of the men dare not even breathe.

The goods were quickly carried out. Hei Xiazi inspected them and, finding nothing amiss, nodded to Zhang Qiling.

The two turned and walked away. As they passed Scarface Li, whose face was ashen, Zhang Qiling paused slightly, his cold gaze sweeping over the scar on his face.

Scarface Li was so frightened that he almost wet his pants.

Zhang Qiling said nothing, but the warning in his eyes was more intimidating than any words.

As they stepped out of the inn, the people on the town's streets, seeing them come out, especially seeing the unharmed men behind them carrying goods, and hearing the faint wails coming from inside the inn, looked at the "Southern Blind and Northern Mute" with awe and fear, and automatically made way for them.

Upon reaching the town entrance, the waiting car had been waiting for some time. The man thanked them profusely after getting in.

Hei Xiazi leaned against the car, lit a cigarette, and looked at Zhang Qiling. In the setting sun, Zhang Qiling's cold profile seemed to soften slightly.

"Tsk," Black Bear exhaled a smoke ring and chuckled, "Looks like this title can be quite useful sometimes, saving me a lot of trouble."

Zhang Qiling looked at him, her gaze falling on his wrist, which was probably red from the shock of taking the knife earlier. She reached out and touched it very lightly with her fingertips.

“Next time, I’ll do it,” he said softly.

Black Bear was taken aback for a moment, then grinned and said, "Alright, I'll let you show off next time."

The two got into the car and drove away from this troublesome place. The scenery outside the car window rushed past, and Hei Xiazi looked at Zhang Qiling beside him, who was resting with her eyes closed but still remained vigilant. The sense of satisfaction that had risen in his heart because he had easily solved the problem was gradually replaced by a more reassuring and stable feeling.

So this is what it feels like to stand side by side with someone of such renown and skill.