Chapter 694 - 688: The Two Women’s Punishment

After a round of drinks with Luo Yu, Shen Haoran left the Underground Boxing Market. Luo Yu had ultimately tasked Shen Haoran with eliminating the traitors. This wasn’t some scheme against Shen Haoran; as the supervisor of the Underground Boxing Market, the Martial Artists with Gold Level status were Luo Yu’s personal confidants. He couldn’t make a move against them himself. Doing so would not only expose the plan to the spies but also arouse suspicion among his loyal followers, causing the entire effort to backfire.

Entrusting the task to Shen Haoran, however, made things much simpler. To advance to Gold Level status in the Underground Boxing Market, one had to pass a trial: accepting challenges from other Gold Level Martial Artists. If the challenger won every match, they would prove themselves worthy of the Gold Level title. Luo Yu could use Shen Haoran’s bid for Gold status as a pretext to have him fight the traitors. How Shen Haoran handled them from there would be his own affair.

As soon as Shen Haoran left, the Underground Boxing Market released the news that he would be challenging the Golden Martial Artists. According to the rules, such a challenge had to be public and fair, and every one of them drew the attention of countless Martial Artists.

"The Underground Boxing Market just put out an announcement! Someone’s challenging the Gold Level Martial Artists!"

"I know! The Underground Boxing Market hasn’t held a Gold Level challenge match in over a year, right? Why drop a bombshell like this out of nowhere today!"

"The challenger is named Leng Feng. How come I’ve never heard that name in the City of Sin before? Is he a newcomer?"

"A newcomer challenging Golden Martial Artists? A newborn calf truly fears no tiger. A challenge like this is pointless. How is it any different from watching a one-sided slaughter?"

"No, wait... Leng Feng. That sounds really familiar. I think I remember hearing yesterday that a teenager named Leng Feng killed the Beast King. They said he did it in just three moves!"

"Only three moves? Are you kidding me? The Beast King was the strongest of the Silver Martial Artists. Not even the Golden Martial Artists would dare claim they could finish him in three moves. How could some kid possibly do it?"

"I saw it with my own two eyes! That Leng Feng hit the Beast King with a punch, a kick, and an elbow strike, and the Beast King was knocked out cold. Leng Feng just tossed him off the Martial Arts Arena to be fed to the Spirit Beasts. Then he even jumped down and snatched the Beast King’s Storage Ring! The guy is absolutely savage!"

"For real? If that’s true, then this challenge match is going to be a real show!"

The news from the Underground Boxing Market sent the entire City of Sin into an uproar. Martial Artists from all over dropped whatever they were doing and rushed toward the venue. With news this explosive, they had to go grab a good spot early.

Meanwhile, in a certain corner of the City of Sin, eight Martial Artists dressed in golden attire sat together, their faces grave. They exchanged glances, and the atmosphere was heavy.

"Has Luo Yu discovered our identities? Why would he send all of us to deal with some young punk?" one of the Golden Martial Artists said with a frown.

"He probably hasn’t. If Luo Yu knew who we were, with his temper, he would have likely dealt with us himself by now. He wouldn’t have waited this long," another Golden Martial Artist said in a low voice.

"But this trial is too much of a coincidence, isn’t it? For all eight of us to be chosen... Is there some kind of scheme at play here?" the other Golden Martial Artists said worriedly.

"Why don’t we just pull out? The King is about to make his move on the Underground Boxing Market anyway, and our mission is almost complete!" one of the Golden Martial Artists suggested. But his proposal was immediately shot down by their leader.

"No. If we pull out now, it’s as good as admitting we’re the traitors. The mission the King gave us isn’t finished yet. If we fail, you all know the consequences! This challenge match is probably just a coincidence. After all, it’s being held in front of all the Martial Artists in the City of Sin. I doubt Luo Yu can pull any tricks. Unless he really wants all the Golden Martial Artists to turn against him, he won’t make a move," the leader said gravely. The others heard his words and nodded in agreement.

"Just in case, let’s make it quick tomorrow. Hmph, some young punk who managed to beat the Beast King dares to challenge us? We’ll just kill him!" the other Golden Martial Artists snorted. A tangible killing intent erupted from their bodies, so powerful that the surrounding walls couldn’t bear it and began to crack.

While a plan against Shen Haoran was taking shape, he himself was in the middle of a confrontation with Ji Lingxuan, Lady Ya, and Long Aotian.

"Brother Haoran, you’re being too reckless! How could you just accept some random challenge match? We still haven’t figured out the situation in the City of Sin. What if something happens to you? How are we supposed to save Xue Ling then?!" Ji Lingxuan exclaimed, her face flushed with anger.

"Ling Xuan is right. It was completely inappropriate for you to do this without discussing it with us. We’ve decided that once we’re a family, you’ll have to run everything by us. No objections, no rebuttals. Otherwise, you can just plan on dying old and alone!" Lady Ya threatened with a wicked grin, making Shen Haoran smile wryly.

"I’m telling you, Brother Shen, you’re incredible! You’ve only been here for two days and you’re already a celebrity in the City of Sin. Following you from now on, I’m sure I’ll be living the high life! Haha, I’m getting excited just thinking about it!" Long Aotian said, looking at Shen Haoran with adoration. However, when he felt the two women’s murderous glares on his back, he quickly shut his mouth.

"Ahem... Let me explain. I did this because..." Shen Haoran began, looking at Ji Lingxuan and Lady Ya’s indignant faces. He gave a dry cough and tried to explain, but he was cut off before he could finish.

"Shut up! You’re not getting any lunch today!" the two women said in unison. Shen Haoran couldn’t help but flinch, and he sullenly shut his mouth. He laughed bitterly to himself. ’You really can’t afford to provoke the women of the house.’

Seeing the wry smile on Shen Haoran’s face, Long Aotian gloated inwardly. ’To think that Shen Haoran, a man who dares to confront even a Spirit Emperor Powerhouse, could be so thoroughly tamed by two girls. If word of this got out, people would die laughing.’

"What are you laughing at? You can forget about lunch today, too!" The two women noticed the smile on Long Aotian’s lips and spoke fiercely. Long Aotian, who had just been laughing at Shen Haoran, instantly deflated. He now understood just how formidable these two were. ’Even I, the great young master of the Cyan Dragon Race, can’t afford to provoke them!’

After that, Shen Haoran and Long Aotian could only stare hungrily as the aroma of food wafted from the house. Long Aotian swore an oath in his heart. ’I’m never getting a wife. I’d rather find a man than ever get involved with a woman!’

Fortunately, the two women eventually softened and left some food for them. Seizing the moment while their hearts were soft, Shen Haoran quickly explained his reasoning. After hearing him out, the two women nodded. However, when they learned that he was also planning to brave the dangerous Wanshe Mountain all by himself, their expressions darkened once again. Another round of "punishment" descended upon Shen Haoran’s head, and cries of both pain and pleasure echoed from within the room, lingering for a long, long time...