Chapter 42: Liu Tongtong's First Battle

[Warning! Warning! The host is about to encounter a Tier 3 Water Deity and several Tier 1 and 2 Water Deities. Please leave this area quickly to avoid disaster.]

As Zeng Shen approached the entrance of the Dock Bar, he heard the system's warning and smiled, knowing the people he sought were inside.

He was about to enter when two thuggish-looking men blocked him at the door.

"We're closed. Get lost."

Zeng Shen frowned and circled around to the back door, noticing an open window on the second floor of a private bar room.

Focusing his consciousness, he used the Flight Technique to leap through the window, entering the private room. He opened the door and headed down the hallway to find Huang Ziliang and his gang to collect survival points before leaving.

However, as soon as he stepped out, he heard a bellow from downstairs.

"Useless!"

Frowning, Zeng Shen turned and headed down the staircase.

In the bar hall on the first floor, Huang Ziliang and his gang stood trembling before a burly man on a sofa, his head adorned with a gold chain, face full of aggression, and a cigar in hand, berating them.

Surrounding the burly man were several muscular henchmen.

"Tell me, I sent you to bring Liu Miao to the City North Quarry. It's been two days, and she hasn't been seen. Are you ignoring me, your boss?" The burly man's voice was harsh.

The yellow-haired thug trembled, saying, "Boss Wu, give us two more days."

"Smack." Boss Wu stood up and slapped him. "Two more days? Do you want to feed the sharks now?"

Terrified, the thug pleaded, "No, Boss Wu, yesterday we went, but there was someone really tough with her. He beat us up. See the marks on our faces? He did that."

"Someone tough? Could it be that woman's grandfather hired a bodyguard?" Boss Wu's eyes gleamed with malice. "The old man must be on guard against me."

"Boss Wu, we promise to bring her tomorrow," the thug said, clutching his swollen face.

"They're on guard now, so what's the point? Get lost." Boss Wu kicked him, turning to leave with his men.

The thug, not daring to dodge, was kicked to the staircase entrance and saw a figure eavesdropping. He immediately shouted, "Who are you?"

"Huh?" The burly man paused, hearing the thug's voice. He turned and shouted, "Who's there eavesdropping? Get out here!"

Seeing he was exposed, Zeng Shen didn't hide. He walked out and sneered at the so-called Boss Wu.

"Bullying a dying man and a defenseless woman? What kind of skill is that?"

Boss Wu, displeased by Zeng Shen's words, ordered his men, "Grab him and shut his mouth!"

Instantly, all his men, including Huang Ziliang and his gang, rushed at Zeng Shen.

Zeng Shen activated his potential empowerment, boosting his attributes, and slapped Huang Ziliang, sending him flying.

[Host overcomes a Tier 3 Water Deity, survival points +100]

Hearing the system notification, Zeng Shen smiled, then slapped each of Huang Ziliang's men, knocking them down.

Turning to Boss Wu's approaching henchmen, he executed shoulder throws, taking each down.

"Damn, these henchmen didn't even live past three years."

Zeng Shen muttered in dissatisfaction, eyeing Boss Wu at the bar entrance.

At this moment, Boss Wu watched in horror as Zeng Shen, in a black suit, moved with unimaginable speed, taking down his men in the dim bar like a phantom, leaving them wailing.

He turned to flee but found Zeng Shen blocking his way, grabbing his collar.

"Whose mouth did you say you were going to shut?"

"Ah." Boss Wu's jaw dropped, his cigar falling to the ground. Stammering, he said, "I...I..."

"Smack."

Zeng Shen slapped him, but there was no system notification, leaving him speechless.

This "big shot" wouldn't live more than three years, even less than his small fry.

How pathetic.

Zeng Shen, dissatisfied, slapped him again and then sat at a booth, poured a glass of liquor, and surveyed them.

"Scram, all of you. Don't interrupt my drink."

Dazed from the beating, Boss Wu snapped back and shouted, "What's your name? Leave it if you dare!"

Zeng Shen thought for a moment, "Yin Hai Ye Family, Ye Li."

"Fine, I'll remember you."

Boss Wu left a threat and departed with his men.

When Huang Ziliang and his gang left, Zeng Shen gained 580 survival points. He didn't linger in the bar, leaving shortly after.

Outside, he circled the area swiftly before removing his disguise and returning to his parked camper, driving back to the Gathering Spirit Building.

"Wonder if they're awake yet."

Zeng Shen muttered, sending a message to Li Yuqing.

"Baby, are you up? Want to go eat?"

Soon, Li Yuqing's voice message came through.

"We're up, but Tongtong and I don't want to go out."

"What do you want to eat? I'll bring it to you."

"Burgers and fried chicken."

"Okay."

About half an hour later, Zeng Shen arrived at the door of the "Hand in Hand" studio and entered, finding only Li Yuqing inside.

"Hubby, you're finally back. Tongtong and I were starving."

Li Yuqing wore a cool, strapless nightgown, her figure clearly outlined.

Seeing her, Zeng Shen felt his mouth go dry, "Where's Tongtong?"

"She went downstairs to get a package. She'll be back soon."

"Oh, let's eat first," Zeng Shen said, placing the takeout on the table. As he opened it, he said, "Honey, I've been learning combat skills at Li Huo Martial Arts Club. I asked the master about women's self-defense techniques and plan to teach you and Tongtong. What do you think?"

"Hubby wants to teach us self-defense?" Li Yuqing said while eating her burger. "I've learned some Sanda, so I don't need it, but Tongtong hasn't. You can teach her."

"Then ask her if she wants to learn when she comes."

"Alright."

After a while, Liu Tongtong entered the living room with her package, grabbed a burger, and started eating. Li Yuqing mentioned Zeng Shen's offer to teach them self-defense, and she was intrigued and wanted to learn.

Immediately, Zeng Shen put down his burger and said, "No time like the present. Let me teach you a simple shoulder press."

"Sure," Liu Tongtong put down her burger.

Grinning, Zeng Shen thought about his first battle and had her stand in front of him. He suddenly grabbed her arm, and with a shoulder press, swiftly pinned her to the ground.

[Host demonstrates unmatched valor, suppressing a Tier 4 Ghost Clan Leader, survival points +1000]