Chapter 41: The Confrontation with Xie Dong

A formidable and mysterious adversary, several powerful factions surging in the shadows—truly, danger lurked on every side.

Ye Fei and his companions decided that, from this moment on, everyone would move into Shu Manyun’s villa. Only by uniting their strength could they look after one another and ensure each other's safety.

...

Ye Fei’s mind kept returning to the question: who was that woman? He glanced at the necklace in his hand, unable to deduce anything. Suddenly, his body reacted—a cold, piercing sensation, as though he were being watched. He lifted his head swiftly, scanning his surroundings. He caught sight of a figure vanishing into the distance, slipping into the crowd. Pursuit was impossible; the person had already disappeared.

“That thief Zhao Dan caught—was it he who drugged me last night?” Ye Fei doubted it. “Impossible. That man hates me to the bone, his gaze is violent and fierce. If it were him, he’d never miss such a perfect chance for revenge.” Ye Fei’s gaze withdrew. He had recognized the silhouette just now as that very thief.

Though the man had escaped, Ye Fei still called Zhao Dan to inform her.

“Ye Fei, thank you for the information. From what you’ve described, the culprit has their sights set on you. You must be careful. Should I apply for a police assignment to protect you? That way, I could keep you safe,” Zhao Dan said.

“No need. Do you really think I need your protection? If anything, I should be protecting you!” Ye Fei replied with a laugh.

Zhao Dan huffed a few times in annoyance, and then the call ended.

Next, Su Xue called. They had already arrived at Shu Manyun’s villa and wanted to know if Ye Fei had returned home and collected his things.

Ye Fei replied with a smile that he would be there soon and reassured them. Then, he took out his key and opened the door.

Something was wrong—

The moment the door opened, a heavy, stifling air enveloped Ye Fei. Two gusts of wind whooshed from either side, aiming for his head.

Before his mind could react, Ye Fei’s body moved instinctively—a reflex honed by years of training, now ingrained in his very bones. When danger struck, his body would move to protect itself, independent of conscious thought.

The two punches missed their mark, and Ye Fei seized the moment. Twisting, he countered with his own strike, landing blows in the darkness on two assailants, sending them staggering back, clutching their chests.

“Not bad,” Ye Fei thought, observing that these men weren’t ordinary—someone else would have been incapacitated by his punch.

In the narrow space of the doorway, Ye Fei couldn’t use his kicks, relying instead on close-quarters combat—fists, elbows, shoulders, knees, even his back and chest could be weapons.

The dull thuds of fists meeting flesh, the muffled grunts of pain, echoed at the entrance.

Within a minute, Ye Fei had floored both attackers.

A slow, deliberate applause sounded from the darkness.

“Impressive skills.” A man sat on the sofa, his voice low as he clapped. “Ye Fei—an orphan, adopted at eleven by an overseas Chinese, taken to Country M. Returned alone to Deepsea sixteen years later. Currently resides here, works as a security guard at Tianxiang Company, highly skilled.”

The man recited Ye Fei’s history as he sat on the sofa.

Ye Fei seated himself opposite, eyeing the shadowy figure and said in a low voice, “Ming Gang—”

“We bear you no ill will. We’d like to make your acquaintance. If you’re sincere, we can overlook the incident with Cannon. Should you need help in Deepsea City, we can provide assistance,” Xie Dong said. He had come on orders from Ming Gang’s boss, Lu Weiming, to test Ye Fei’s abilities. He and his men had waited here all night, but Ye Fei had attended a gala with Shu Manyun and spent the night at Splendid Star Court, leaving them waiting in vain.

Ye Fei had no interest in their so-called good intentions. He declined outright, “I only wish for a peaceful life. I want nothing to do with the struggles between your underworld and the authorities. As for Cannon, he brought trouble on himself—I have nothing to add. Please, leave.”

“Ye Fei, won’t you reconsider?” Xie Dong pressed.

“No. Tell your boss I wish only for peace,” Ye Fei replied.

At his blunt refusal, Xie Dong’s two men shifted as if to act, but Xie Dong held them back with a gesture.

Rising from the sofa, Xie Dong said in a grave tone, “Ye Fei, word is you’re formidable. Mad Tiger, Cannon—neither could best you. You even rescued someone from Qiu Jinshan’s Haoshan Villa in Xiangdao.”

“Would you like to try for yourself?” Ye Fei raised an eyebrow.

Xie Dong laughed heartily. “I’ve been waiting for you since last night. Since you’ve finally returned, my hands are itching. Besides, I need something to report back to Brother Ming.”

“Let’s go to the rooftop. I’d rather not see my belongings destroyed,” Ye Fei said, standing and heading for the door.

Xie Dong and his men followed him up to the roof.

The night breeze swept across the rooftop. Ye Fei stretched, breathing in the fresh air, then turned to face Xie Dong and his men. The mingled glow of moonlight and electric lamps illuminated their features.

Xie Dong appeared scholarly, even gentle—one would never guess he was Ming Gang’s top enforcer. Indeed, appearances could be deceiving.

“No one interferes. I’ll fight Ye Fei alone,” Xie Dong ordered, removing his shirt to reveal a body packed with muscle.

Ye Fei smiled, shifting slightly into a stance and beckoned, “Come.”

Though Ye Fei made no overt display, Xie Dong didn’t dare underestimate him—every investigation indicated Ye Fei was a terrifying opponent. The lack of any formal stance only proved his prowess; his body could react instantly, adapting to any attack.

Despite his refined appearance, when Xie Dong attacked, he was relentless—a raging storm of blows, giving his opponent not a moment to breathe, the sheer onslaught capable of overwhelming almost anyone.

But Ye Fei was no ordinary man. His stamina was not lacking.

Ye Fei could tell from the wind of Xie Dong’s punches that his strength was considerable—perhaps not equal to Ye Fei’s, but impressive nonetheless. Xie Dong’s speed and physical resilience were evident as well.

“This Xie Dong was definitely a professional boxer—a powerful one,” Ye Fei thought as he deftly defended and counterattacked.

Dozens of exchanges followed—fists clashing, attacks met blow for blow. Ye Fei took a few hits, but Xie Dong absorbed at least ten of his.

“His power, his resilience, his reflexes... This Ye Fei is at the level of a world-class professional fighter,” Xie Dong thought, retreating under Ye Fei’s furious assault. Though Xie Dong was an elite underground boxer, among the best in Deepsea City, today he faced an opponent of truly world-class skill.

They fought across the rooftop, Xie Dong steadily retreating until his heel struck the solid barrier at the edge.

He cursed inwardly—too late. His vision swam.

Ye Fei seized the chance, breaking through Xie Dong’s defenses. One hand gripped his collar, the other pressed to his chest. With a swift sweep, Xie Dong’s balance was lost. He felt the grip tighten at his chest, then a surge of force flipped him bodily over the edge—he dangled, suspended above the void.

A chill of death crept over Xie Dong as the cold night wind bit into him.

Ye Fei held him by one hand, shouting back at the others who were about to lunge forward, “Stay back!”

None dared move.

“Tell your boss—I want nothing but a quiet life.” With that, Ye Fei placed Xie Dong’s hand on the cement ledge, letting him grasp the edge himself, then released his grip.

Without another word, Ye Fei strode past the crowd, went downstairs, packed his things, and hailed a cab to Shu Manyun’s villa.

“Brother Dong! Brother Dong!”

His men hurried to haul Xie Dong back up, voices taut with concern.

“I’m fine. Let’s go. This Ye Fei is not to be underestimated,” Xie Dong said, his heart heavy. Leading his men, he returned to report to Lu Weiming.