Chapter 17: A Declaration of War
---
A Night of Blood and Shadows
The scent of blood lingered in the air as Ye Tian stood among the fallen mercenaries. His cold gaze swept over the unconscious and groaning bodies scattered across the warehouse floor.
Lin Xue clung to his arm, her breath uneven. Her fear from earlier had been replaced with awe. The man she had once looked down on—the man she had mocked—was nothing like the weakling she remembered.
This Ye Tian was terrifying.
"Ye Tian… what are you going to do next?" she asked hesitantly.
Ye Tian smirked. "What do you think? The Qin Family thinks they can move against me. It's time to show them their place."
He turned to Chen Wei, who was already on the phone. "Clean this up. Leave one survivor to send a message."
Chen Wei nodded. "Understood, boss."
One of the mercenaries groaned, trying to crawl away. Ye Tian stepped on his back, pressing him against the floor.
"Tell the Qin Family… I'm coming for them."
The man shivered, nodding frantically.
Ye Tian smirked and turned away.
Tonight was only the beginning.
---
The Qin Family's Rage
The Qin Family's private estate, located in one of the wealthiest districts of the city, was brightly lit even in the late hours.
Inside, Qin Jian, the current head of the family, sat in his study with a glass of wine in hand. Opposite him, Qin Feng, his younger brother, was pacing angrily.
"That bastard! He destroyed our men like they were nothing! How is this possible? Wasn't he just a useless joke?" Qin Feng growled.
A trembling mercenary kneeled before them, his face covered in sweat. He was the only survivor from the warehouse attack.
"M-Master Qin, please! We didn't know he was this strong! He—he wasn't human! He moved too fast, broke bones with his bare hands—"
CRACK!
A wine glass shattered in Qin Jian's grip. His usually calm expression turned cold.
"Ye Tian… I underestimated you."
His gaze sharpened as he turned to Qin Feng. "Double the bounty on his head. I don't care how strong he's become—kill him."
Qin Feng smirked. "Don't worry. I know just the people for the job."
---
The Beauty in His Bed
Back at Ye Tian's penthouse, Lin Xue sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers gripping the bedsheets. The dim lighting cast a warm glow on her delicate features.
She had taken a shower, the scent of blood now washed away. Wrapped in a silk robe, she looked both fragile and alluring.
Ye Tian stood near the window, staring at the city lights. His mind was already focused on his next steps.
Lin Xue hesitated before speaking. "Ye Tian… why did you save me?"
He turned to her, his gaze unreadable. "Would you prefer I hadn't?"
She bit her lip. "No… I just… I thought you hated me."
Ye Tian smirked. "Hate? No. But don't think this changes anything. We're not the same people we were before."
Lin Xue lowered her gaze. She knew what he meant. The past couldn't be erased.
Still, as she looked at him, something deep inside her stirred.
The regret of losing something she never valued.
That night, she didn't leave.
---
The City Trembles
The next morning, news spread like wildfire.
A major Qin Family operation had been wiped out overnight.
Everyone knew who was responsible.
In just one night, Ye Tian's name had shaken the city's underworld.
But the storm was just beginning.
Because Ye Tian wasn't done.
He was just getting started.