Chapter 0011 Who Was Destroyed?

When Chen Yue saw Chen Wei, she burst into tears and rushed out of the room. Clutching him from behind, she cried, "Brother! You’re finally back!"

Chen Wei looked at her, guilt weighing heavy in his eyes. He sighed, "It’s all my fault. You’ve suffered so much all these years. But don’t worry, as long as I’m here today, no one will bully you! No one will tear down our family home!"

Burying her face against his back, Chen Yue nodded vigorously. She had been waiting for this moment for years, for her brother to return. Now that he was finally here, she felt a sense of peace settle in her heart.

But Zhao Daniu, upon seeing Chen Wei clearly, sneered with disdain. "Oh? So you’re this girl’s brother? Do you really think you alone can stop all of us?"

Chen Wei gestured for Chen Yue to step back, then took a bold step forward. "If you think you’re tough, why not try me?"

Zhao Daniu snickered. He had received strict orders today—no matter the cost, Chen Yue’s house, the last holdout, must be demolished. Even if it meant someone died, he would not hesitate.

He eyed Chen Wei and spat, "If you want to die so badly, I’ll grant your wish. I’ll send your entire family to a nice reunion in the afterlife! Boys, get them!"

At his command, the thugs behind him surged forward, weapons raised, charging at Chen Wei like a pack of wolves.

Chen Wei turned his head and said to Chen Yue, "Go back inside!"

Knowing her brother had once served as a Special Forces soldier, Chen Yue obeyed without hesitation, hurrying back inside to avoid causing him trouble.

As soon as she entered, Zhang Xiao spoke up, "That’s your brother? Is it really okay to leave him out there alone?"

Chen Yue nodded with pride. "Yes, he’s my brother, Chen Wei. He served in the Special Forces. Don’t worry—with him here, these thugs don’t stand a chance."

Zhang Xiao’s smile was odd. "Don’t blame me for being blunt, but I think you might be a little too optimistic."

Chen Yue’s mood soured at his words. "Why? Don’t you believe in my brother? He’s really strong!"

Zhang Xiao scratched his nose, a bit embarrassed. "Maybe…"

Hearing this, Chen Yue felt he was looking down on her brother, and immediately lost all goodwill toward him. She ignored Zhang Xiao, stepping to the window with anticipation, eager to see how her brother would handle these lawless men.

Outside, Chen Wei faced a dozen or so thugs charging at him. He took a deep breath, which tugged at his internal injuries, sending a wave of pain through him and cold sweat down his brow. He couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.

After leaving the army, Chen Wei had gone overseas, hoping to make a name for himself. But fate had other plans. He failed a crucial mission—an unforgivable event for any mercenary. With no alternative, he returned home in disgrace, hoping to make quick money and provide some security for his sister. Instead, he’d crossed paths with a terrifying figure, been defeated with a single finger, and had his martial foundation destroyed.

Disheartened, he returned home, still thinking of his sister. Even if he had no money or status, this was still his home.

He never expected to return to such chaos. Even if he was now a broken man, he would not allow anyone to bully his sister or tear down their house.

Gritting his teeth, heart steeled, Chen Wei resolved: even if he died today, he would not let these men take another step!

By now, several thugs had closed in on him, their weapons whistling down toward his head.

Relying on years of honed reflexes, Chen Wei dodged several steps back, avoiding the rain of blows. Then, grabbing one thug by the collar, he used his brute strength to land a punch square on the man’s face, sending blood gushing as the thug howled and crumpled to the ground.

The others, undeterred by their numbers, pressed their attack.

But soon, as more of them joined in, the odds turned decidedly against Chen Wei. Experienced as he was, his ruined martial foundation and unhealed internal injuries left him helpless. A chaotic energy churned violently within him, and in moments, he was overwhelmed by the relentless assault.

Crack!

A club struck him on the crown, and darkness threatened to swallow his vision as blood trickled down his face. He nearly collapsed.

No sooner had the blow landed than a kick slammed into his stomach, doubling him over in pain. A club then crashed against his back, snapping in two.

A storm of blows followed. All Chen Wei could do was curl up, arms over his head, utterly unable to fight back.

Moments later, he was beaten to the ground, the thugs still merciless, weapons rising and falling in a frenzy.

Witnessing this, Chen Yue could no longer sit idly by. With her brother’s skills, it shouldn’t have been possible for him to be so powerless against these thugs. Seeing him beaten down, she tried to dash out to help.

But Zhang Xiao caught her arm from behind. Furious, she turned on him. "Let go of me! I have to save my brother!"

Zhang Xiao sighed. "Do you really think you can take on all those men by yourself?"

Chen Yue, now frantic, pounded her fists against his arm. "I don’t need your help! Let me go! I have to get out there!"

But Zhang Xiao pulled her behind him. "Better let me handle this."

With that, Zhang Xiao strode out alone.

Meanwhile, Zhao Daniu had stepped up to Chen Wei, who could do nothing but curl into a ball. Zhao Daniu sneered, "What’s wrong? Not so cocky now, are you? Weren’t you tough a moment ago?"

Chen Wei could barely muster the strength to speak, each blow landing with unbearable pain.

He hated himself for being so useless, for letting a gang of thugs trample him underfoot. Yet there was nothing he could do to change it.

Just then, Zhang Xiao’s voice drifted over, calm and clear: "If you keep beating him like that, you’re going to kill him."

Hearing that voice, Chen Wei, on the verge of losing consciousness, shuddered violently. He would never forget that voice—it was him!

Zhao Daniu and his men turned toward Zhang Xiao, pausing their assault.

Zhao Daniu looked at the young man before him, annoyance bubbling up. He pointed at Zhang Xiao. "You little punk, you really piss me off. What, you want to play hero too? Fine! Today, if I say I’ll kill you, I won’t leave you a single breath!"

Zhang Xiao smiled. "Oh? Then I think you’ll probably have to eat your words today."

With great effort, Chen Wei lifted his head. Sure enough—it was him! The very man who had destroyed his martial foundation, who had left him in this sorry state!

"My…my affairs are none of your business!" Chen Wei all but shouted, his voice thick with resentment.

Zhang Xiao rolled his eyes. "You think I want to help you? If not for the friendship between your grandfather and mine, I wouldn’t bother. Honestly, how did your grandfather end up with such a disappointing grandson?"

Chen Wei froze, confused by Zhang Xiao’s words. What was this about their grandfathers? Did that mean their grandfathers knew each other?

Yet pride kept him stubborn. "I still don’t need your help!"

Zhang Xiao just laughed. "Why should I listen to you? Just lie there and stay put. You’ve already been beaten to a pulp and you’re still so stubborn."

Just then, Chen Yue ran out of the house, intending to rush to her brother’s side. But Zhang Xiao pulled her back—there were still over a dozen of Zhao Daniu’s men standing there. Even though threatening Chen Yue wouldn’t affect him, it was better to avoid unnecessary complications.

Chen Yue struggled to break free, her heart bleeding at the sight of her brother’s suffering. "Let go of me!"

Zhang Xiao sighed helplessly. "Are either of you capable of thinking straight?"

Having been ignored for so long, Zhao Daniu couldn’t contain himself any longer. "Enough! Shut up, all of you! Do you think I’m invisible?!"

To his surprise, Zhang Xiao actually looked apologetic. "Oh, sorry, I did kind of forget about you."

Zhao Daniu was furious. This kid was too damn infuriating! If he didn’t teach him a lesson today, would anyone take him seriously?

"Get him! All of you, take him down!" Zhao Daniu roared, and his men once again charged at Zhang Xiao like wolves.

Watching them come, Zhang Xiao said with a hint of pity, "I’m not the same as the one you just beat down."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Xiao vanished from where he stood.

His movements were ghostly, weaving through the crowd. The thugs only saw a blur flash past, unable to follow him at all.

Seeing this, Zhao Daniu sucked in a sharp breath. This guy was fast!

In the blink of an eye, Zhang Xiao had passed through the mob and appeared right in front of Zhao Daniu, so close their faces were only centimeters apart.

Zhao Daniu stared, wide-eyed, as if he’d seen a ghost, utterly speechless.

Even Chen Yue, who had been angry with Zhang Xiao, now stood gaping, her mouth forming a perfect O.

Chen Wei, however, was unsurprised. After all, this was the man who had destroyed his martial path with a single finger—dealing with these thugs was child’s play for him.

Zhang Xiao smiled cheerfully at Zhao Daniu. "So, remind me—who did you say you were going to take out?"

To everyone else, Zhang Xiao looked harmless and amiable, but in Zhao Daniu’s eyes, he was now a living demon.