C23 I Just Stood There Without Moving

"That's a relief. Yun Hongbo once saved my life, and in return, I vowed to protect his family for five years. Since Young Master Yun has his eye on this young lady, I'll help make it happen," Yinggui said, his smile shadowed with dark intent.

"Uncle Yinggui, you've always been so good to me. Ms. Loong, just come along quietly," Young Master Yun said, elated, convinced he had everything under control.

"How dare you insult me? Do you not fear the wrath of the Loong family?" Miss Long's expression finally shifted, recognizing the infamous Ghost Nail.

Unperturbed, Yinggui met Miss Long's gaze and replied, "A year ago, I infiltrated the northeast to assassinate King Shen and steal the golden ginseng. I've faced down the entire mafia there; your family doesn't intimidate me."

Miss Long's face darkened with anger, yet she found herself at a loss for words before this brazen and reckless man.

"Yinggui, if you go through with this, the Loong and Bai families of Hong Kong will join forces to hunt you down. Does that not concern you?" Loong Qi and Loong Ba closed in to protect Miss Long, with Loong Qi issuing a stern warning.

"The Bai Family?" Yinggui glanced at Miss Long, a flicker of realization crossing his face. "Ah, so the Loong and Bai families have formed an alliance through marriage. Are you that girl from the Loong family? Even better. The world's second-ranked assassin on the Assassin Leaderboard is a product of the Bai Family. I've been eager to test my skills against his, to see who truly excels in the art of stealth and assassination. Now that I know you're connected to the Bai Family, I'm even more inclined to keep you here."

"Insolent!" Tang Qiu could no longer hold back. They were dealing with ruthless characters, and if he remained too courteous, the Tang Family's reputation would suffer.

"Yinggui, watch your step. You're on Tang Family turf," Tang Qiu said, his eyes smoldering as his hands turned a deep, blood red.

Yinggui merely smirked at Tang Qiu's transformation, unimpressed. "If it were Old Master Tang, I might be wary. But your Blood Palm technique is far too weak to be a threat to me."

"Really?" Tang Qiu's smile took on a wicked edge as he raised his blood-red hands and struck out at Yinggui.

"Humph, biting off more than you can chew," Yinggui scoffed, his figure a blur of motion. Instead of retreating, he advanced, nimbly sidestepping Tang Qiu's crimson hands. A red ghost nail suddenly materialized in his right hand.

With a swift jab, the ghost nail pierced Tang Qiu's waist. Tang Qiu's face twisted in pain, and he fell to the ground, rigid. Rage flickered across his features, but he was rendered speechless and immobile.

"Out of respect for Old Master Tang, I'll spare your life. But you better behave," Yinggui said coolly, a note of arrogance in his voice.

The young man, who had been watching with a flippant air, paled at the sight of Tang Qiu's downfall. He breathed a sigh of relief at Yinggui's words, resisting the urge to rush in recklessly. Those ranked on the Assassin Leaderboard were not only highly skilled in martial arts but also in the art of killing. They could take a life with a mere gesture, unseen and unheard. It was wise not to provoke them without cause.

"Brother, aren't you going to step in? Someone's about to steal your girl," the Elf teased from atop the Crystal Cabinet, swinging her legs with a smug grin.

"No hurry. The real masters always show up last—that's how you make an unforgettable entrance," Niu Li replied, his smile serene and his pace deliberate.

Elf rolled her eyes. "Big brother, you're no master. You're even less skilled than I am."

Niu Li kept silent, thinking to himself, "I can't compare to you, of course. I was referring to being stronger than the rest."

But with Tang Qiu now defeated, and Loong Qi and Loong Ba proving unreliable, Niu Li sensed it was time to make his move. After all, men relish the chance to rescue a damsel in distress.

He cleared his throat to announce his presence.

Rising to his feet, Niu Li offered Miss Loong a warm, inviting smile. "Sister, these folks are far too intense, itching for a brawl. That's no fun at all. How about we leave this mess behind and find a more enjoyable spot to unwind?"

As he spoke, everyone in the hall was left dumbfounded.

The gamblers, already petrified and eager to leave, lamented internally, foreseeing the demise of yet another unfortunate soul.

Young Master Yun turned to Niu Li, his face betraying a flicker of astonishment.

"I nearly forgot you. You're the reason I lost my temper. Today, I'm in a good mood, so I'll let you live. Just chop off the hand you've been using to deal the cards."

"This hand?" Niu Li, feigning ignorance, raised his right hand in query.

"Yes, that one. Do the honors and sever it yourself." With that, Young Master Yun produced a gleaming machete from beneath the gambling table and tossed it at Niu Li's feet.

"I have to say, I'm impressed. Carrying a machete even when you're gambling? You're clearly an old hand in the underworld," Niu Li remarked with admiration.

Young Master Yun's eyebrows twitched, his response noncommittal, yet his smugness was unmistakable.

"However, you're overestimating yourself. I'm giving you one more chance. Take him and leave this place, and I'll spare you both," Niu Li declared, swinging his hand viciously to underscore his point.

"Ha! Now you're threatening me? Alright, today you'll witness firsthand how I deal with my problems," retorted Young Master Yun, advancing towards Niu Li with intent to strike.

Niu Li responded with a thumbs-up, then deftly kicked the machete across the floor. Smiling, he offered, "Here's your chance. I'll stand still and let you take your best shot."

"You're asking for it," Young Master Yun growled, visibly irate.

With a menacing look, Young Master Yun brandished his saber and declared, "Then meet your end."

The saber came down in a swift arc, aimed directly at Niu Li's head.

Yet Niu Li remained smiling, unfazed.

"He's frozen in fear!" the onlookers murmured among themselves.

Even Miss Long, who had been eagerly anticipating the outcome, clutched her mouth, nearly crying out.

But then, the unexpected occurred. Young Master Yun's chop came down effortlessly, his arm swinging unimpeded. Realizing the ease of his strike, he turned to find the crowd staring back at him in horror, as if they had just witnessed the impossible.

Young Master Yun was feeling quite smug.

But suddenly, he sensed something amiss—his hand was in excruciating pain.

It was coming from his wrist.

Lifting his hand once more, Young Master Yun was stunned.

The knife he'd been holding had vanished.

And so had the hand that gripped it.

His palm had disappeared, and from the jagged end of his wrist, blood spurted, splattering the carpet below.

Numbness began to spread up Young Master Yun's entire arm. He looked up in bewilderment, seeking answers in Yinggui's eyes, only to see his staunch ally equally horrified, staring at Niu Li.

Turning his gaze, Young Master Yun's own knife-wielding hand remained suspended above Niu Li's head. The gleaming blade was a mere finger's breadth from Niu Li's hair, seemingly halted by an invisible barrier, eternally fixed in place, unable to descend any further.

Overwhelmed by agony and terror, Young Master Yun clutched his severed wrist, his wails filling the air as he collapsed, curling into a fetal position on the floor.

The hall resounded with nothing but his echoing screams.