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After being so harshly dealt with by Qin Fang, Ba Song was quite shocked. He was only a hair's breadth away from losing his life.

It's the first time in a long while that he's encountered such a difficult expert, someone so strong it made people feel suffocated…

As a Grandmaster Level Fighter, and among the Martial Artists practicing Muay Thai, Ba Song was considered a top fighter. He was astounded by Qin Fang's formidable strength.

Although Qin Fang had been going head-to-head with him from start to finish, seemingly mimicking some of the Muay Thai techniques, he could tell that Qin Fang wasn't a legitimate Muay Thai boxer. He seemed more like someone who relied purely on brute strength…

Of course, that wasn't the case; Ba Song vaguely felt that Qin Fang hadn't used any real skills against him, as if he hadn't planned on using his trump cards at all…

With that being the case, the difference between the two became quite apparent!

Even without using his true strength, Qin Fang was able to defeat him. If he were serious, Ba Song might already be a corpse…

Recalling the perilous moment earlier, even someone as fearless as Ba Song couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat on his back!

Having suffered such a significant loss, Ba Song didn't dare have any bit of laxity or contempt at that moment. On the contrary, he became exceptionally cautious, even afraid to make another move for a while.

Seeing such a scene, Qin Fang knew he had achieved his goal and naturally wasn't interested in continuing the confrontation with Ba Song. Instead, he looked at Ba Song with a disdainful sidelong glance and then walked straight back to the banquet hall.

He was fishing; intimidating Ba Song was enough. Killing wasn't necessary, as Ba Song belonged to Li Yaonan. Before Qin Fang dealt with Li Yaonan, killing Ba Song wouldn't have any considerable effect.

Watching Qin Fang's seemingly defenseless back, Ba Song's body moved slightly, appearing to want to suddenly rise up and sneak attack Qin Fang. However, in the end, he suppressed this impulse.

For a powerhouse, even when facing away, there's no bit of laxity. If he were to rise up for a sneak attack, the success rate would be minuscule.

Moreover, Qin Fang had already shown mercy. If Ba Song didn't appreciate it, he might not be so lucky next time…

Although Ba Song was not the kind to fear death, he knew he needed to give enough respect to such a powerhouse. Failing to appreciate kindness in this case would be vile.

Although there isn't a specific concept of martial ethics in Muay Thai, some values always exist, whether domestically or abroad…

And so, under Ba Song's watchful eyes, Qin Fang dignifiedly returned to the banquet hall, as if no fierce battle had ever occurred.

"Are you alright?"

Seeing Qin Fang return safely, Ruan Yingxiu was quite surprised, with a hint of joy, which she couldn't completely hide in her tone.

Originally, she had intended to go out and take a look herself, but her brother, Ruan Youlin, stopped her along with Li Yaonan, considering her father Ruan Wenzhong's instructions. She had no choice but to abandon the idea.

However, while Qin Fang was away for that short while, her heart was in turmoil, with her eyes occasionally glancing towards the banquet hall entrance.

Only when Qin Fang's figure appeared again in her line of sight, seemingly unscathed, did her stunningly beautiful face show a brilliant smile.

It's rare that when Qin Fang returned to his seat, she asked with an exceptionally close tone.

Qin Fang calmly shook his head, indicating nothing was wrong, then sat at ease drinking, completely unconcerned with anything or anyone else.

Compared to Ruan Yingxiu's happiness, Li Yaonan beside her appeared quite displeased, as if he had suddenly eaten a fly while eating, making him feel sick.

He had already told Ba Song that Qin Fang must not be allowed to return. The best result would be to "accidentally" kill Qin Fang, or at least severely injure him…

But now, Qin Fang didn't look injured at all, except for a few wrinkles on his clothes, without any damage.

As for Ba Song?

However, Li Yaonan quickly thought of another aspect: Qin Fang had returned, but Ba Song seemed not to have returned…

"Could it be..."

Suddenly, Li Yaonan thought of an alarming outcome, one hard for him to accept, and his face turned even more unpleasant.

Fortunately, when he glanced toward the banquet hall entrance, he saw Ba Song returning, which slightly relieved his expression.

"Phew~~ Thank goodness!"

Sighing internally, he was still puzzled about what had happened, hesitated for a moment, and then headed towards Ba Song.

"What exactly happened? Why is he still fine?"

Upon meeting with Ba Song, Li Yaonan angrily reprimanded him. Ba Song, who had followed him for many years, knew his temperament well and couldn't have missed his intentions.

"General, he's a master..."

Ba Song's expression was quite troubled. Although he was scolded, he responded with a bitter smile.

He didn't outright say that Qin Fang was stronger than him, but seeing Qin Fang in such good condition, the implication was clear...

"Stronger than you?"

Li Yaonan was taken aback. He knew Ba Song's strength as one of the top-level experts in the Muay Thai world, even a prominent figure in Thailand.

Having been with him all these years, Ba Song had assisted in solving quite a few tough enemies, and yet he had never encountered an opponent who could best him like this...

Unexpectedly, they randomly encountered someone here, coincidentally running into a formidable foe.

"Hard to say; it felt like he wasn't using all his strength..."

Ba Song looked uneasy, his tone somewhat hesitant.

Though he knew Qin Fang was certainly stronger, as a top fighter, the saying goes, "There is no first in literature, and no second in martial arts," he naturally wanted to save some face.

Were it not for his close relationship with Li Yaonan, fearing Li Yaonan might suffer a loss, he could have claimed to be on par with Qin Fang...

"Hmph..."

Li Yaonan's eyes flashed with a sinister light, obviously dissatisfied with such an outcome, but he couldn't act out now, only suppressing his anger.

Someone like him always acted on his impulses, doing what he wished without anyone able to stop him; the greater the difficulty, the more it provoked the ferocity in his heart.

"Mr. Li, might I speak with you for a moment..."

At this point, Ruan Youlin quietly approached and courteously asked.

"Please..."

Li Yaonan was slightly surprised but nodded nonetheless, and the two began a quiet conversation on the side.

"Mr. Li, what are your impressions of my younger sister?"

Ruan Youlin was very polite to Li Yaonan. Though they were roughly the same age, in terms of status and position, Ruan Youlin was far inferior.

Li Yaonan had fought his way to his current position with bare hands, whereas Ruan Youlin, though capable, still relied on the legacy of his forebears.

"Miss Ruan is a rare beauty, and I admire her greatly..."

Li Yaonan expressed himself calmly, though his words seemed pleasant, he kept his guard up, refusing to reveal more without a substantial offer from Ruan Youlin.

"My father's wish is to establish a closer relationship with Mr. Li... With such an alliance between our families, we could achieve greater breakthroughs together!"

Essentially, Ruan Youlin's words conveyed Ruan Wenzhong's intention: to unite the two major forces through marriage, benefiting their mutual support as two warlords.

Li Yaonan could receive troops from Ruan Wenzhong to expand in the Golden Triangle, occupying more territory and planting more opium...

As Li Yaonan's power grew, with masses of drugs produced, Ruan Wenzhong could facilitate their transportation, whether toward Dragon Country in the north or through Hong Kong Island, Lu Song, Little Island, or Japan, making it more convenient...

Ruan Wenzhong's territory was large, with many soldiers, but substantial expenses meant he couldn't occupy more territory or control greater power without a better source of income, leaving his ambitions unrealized!

The Golden Triangle is a very special place; any foreign troops entering would inevitably face united strikes from local warlords, firmly forbidden from involvement.

Thus Ruan Wenzhong needed to find a surrogate if he wished to conduct such business...

Finding such a surrogate wasn't easy, as existing warlords typically had strong backing; someone like Ruan Wenzhong, an Anlang warlord, held considerable military power but lacked the influence, so people didn't consider him.

However, if Ruan Wenzhong and Li Yaonan married, it would be different, as lending troops to Li Yaonan would be legitimate...

The collaboration would bring substantial benefits, so it was no wonder Ruan Wenzhong was keen on Li Yaonan selecting a wife.

"I would be very willing to advance further with General Ruan, but Miss Ruan seems uninterested, and I don't like to force matters; I think it's better to let it go..."

Although beneficial to both parties, Ruan Wenzhong was merely a warlord, and there were many warlords with power like his; Li Yaonan had options and didn't necessarily have to choose Ruan Wenzhong.

Relying solely on a woman to gain such benefits is too good to be true, isn't it? (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendations and monthly tickets; your support is my greatest motivation.)

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