Chapter 209: Settling Accounts

Ma John sobered up a bit and found himself in an unfamiliar room where several beautiful young women were giving him strange looks.

He was thrilled, thinking he’d hit the jackpot, but he failed to notice the practiced ease of these White Tiger Gang girls, who were clearly comfortable in such suggestive situations.

"What’s all this?" Ma John asked, his voice a mixture of confusion and desire.

"Mr. Ma, we’re just getting a show ready for you," one of the girls cooed. "Why don’t you go take a bath? We’ll start the performance when you’re done."

The word "show" filled Ma John with delight. He had been looking for a chance to take advantage of them, so he eagerly stepped into the bathroom. It never occurred to him that he was walking right into a trap.

Chen Qingdi was waiting by the side of the bath. The moment Ma John walked in, he swung a heavy fist and viciously struck him. Before Ma John could even react, he was beaten so badly his face was a bloody, swollen mess.

"What... what do you want?" Ma John stammered in terror.

Chen Qingdi didn’t answer. Instead, he picked up a sharp knife from nearby and slashed at Ma John’s groin. Ma John let out a bloodcurdling scream, but no matter how much he pleaded, Chen Qingdi remained unmoved.

"Tell me, who was responsible for the massacre of the Jinghai Chen Family?" Chen Qingdi demanded.

Clutching his wound in unbearable pain, Ma John could only beg for mercy. "Don’t... please, don’t. It was me."

Chen Qingdi’s heart jolted, and rage flared within him. He pressed on, "Why did you massacre them?"

Ma John gave a bitter laugh. "The Chen Family was rich and powerful. To get my hands on their fortune, I had to resort to such a drastic measure."

Hearing this, Chen Qingdi grew even more furious. "Didn’t you know the Chen Family were our friends? You’re digging your own grave!"

Ma John panicked at his words. "I... I didn’t know! I was wrong! Please, I’m begging you, spare my life!"

Chen Qingdi gave him a cold look. "Fine. Since you’re so quick to admit your mistake, I’ll give you a chance." With that, he shot a look at the White Tiger Gang members nearby.

The girls immediately understood. They dragged Ma John into a corner and tied him up with a rope.

Chen Qingdi ruthlessly dragged Ma John into the hotel’s basement. The entire way, Ma John did nothing but scream in pain, unable to utter a single word. Chen Qingdi’s men threw him into a cold cell. Ma John fumbled in the darkness, waiting for the interrogation that was sure to come.

Suddenly, he felt a cold draft from behind, followed by a burst of searing pain. The torture had begun. Ma John screamed in agony, but his voice soon grew hoarse.

"Do you know who I am?" Chen Qingdi’s voice was cold and authoritative.

"Yes, yes... a descendant of the Jinghai Chen Family," Ma John’s voice trembled.

"Do you remember what happened all those years ago?" Chen Qingdi asked.

"I remember, I remember," Ma John answered hastily. "I was in the wrong, but I swear, I hadn’t been made a Guardian yet. It was all the work of the previous Guardians, they did it together."

"And those Guardians have all been promoted to the Elder Hall. Not a single one of them is still in the Dragon Country," Chen Qingdi’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Yes, yes, yes, they’re not in the Dragon Country anymore... but I really had no idea you were a descendant of the Jinghai Chen Family. You have to cut me some slack," Ma John pleaded.

"Slack?" Chen Qingdi’s voice seethed with rage. "When you were throwing your weight around, did you show my family any mercy?"

"I was wrong, I was really wrong," Ma John’s voice was filled with remorse. "I’ll do anything you ask, just let me go."

"Let you go? Not a chance," Chen Qingdi’s voice was resolute. "You must pay the price for what you did."

"What will it take for you to let me go?" Ma John’s voice was filled with despair.

"It’s simple," Chen Qingdi said, his voice surprisingly light. "Tell me every secret you know, and I might consider letting you go."

"Okay, okay," Ma John replied hastily. "I know so much. I can tell you everything."

For the next several hours, Ma John told Chen Qingdi every secret he knew. He spoke of the dealings of the high-and-mighty Guardians, describing how they had joined forces to eliminate the Jinghai Chen Family, and how they manipulated the Dragon Country’s politics and economy from the shadows.

As Chen Qingdi listened to these secrets, his heart filled with anger and sorrow.

He knew these secrets would give him a deeper understanding of the world’s dark underbelly, but they also solidified his resolve to walk his own path.

By the time Ma John finished revealing the last secret, he was sobbing uncontrollably. He knew he would never have a chance to return to his once lofty position.

Chen Qingdi’s brow was furrowed. He looked at Ma John, a tide of fury churning in his chest. He hated these Elders of the Evil God Sect. They not only monopolized the gambling industry but also engaged in shady dealings behind the scenes. Suppressing his rage, he questioned Ma John again, "What are their names?"

Ma John shuddered. He could feel Chen Qingdi’s fury. He swallowed hard and said hesitantly, "One of them is nicknamed Yama, another is called the War God, and the third is a woman known as Blood Rose."

Hearing these names confirmed Chen Qingdi’s suspicions. He said in a low voice, "Is there anything else you’re holding back?"

Ma John quickly shook his head. "Nothing, that’s everything."

Chen Qingdi pondered for a moment, then called out, "Ma Dahua, come in here."

Ma Dahua was one of Chen Qingdi’s men. Although he had his own grievances with Ma John, he still walked in respectfully at the summons.

Chen Qingdi looked at him. "This man has committed countless evils. I don’t want to see him again. I’m leaving him to you."

Ma Dahua replied respectfully, "Understood."

Chen Qingdi waved a dismissive hand, signaling for Ma Dahua to take over.

Ma Dahua walked over to Ma John and, seeing the look of terror on his face, sneered. "Did you really think I wouldn’t touch you?"

Ma John immediately begged for mercy. "Ma, I really didn’t think you’d do this to me."

Ma Dahua snorted in contempt. "Did you think I’m some kind of fool? I saw right through your little schemes from the start."

Ma John’s expression changed. "Ma, what do you know?"

Ma Dahua wasted no more time on words and smashed his fist into Ma John’s face. Ma John cried out as his body went flying. His face was covered in blood, a truly pathetic sight.

Ma Dahua looked at him coldly. "You’d better start behaving, or I’ll show you what I’m capable of."