Chapter Twenty-Nine: Venturing Alone into the Safe Zone (Part 1)

“Brother Zhang, thank you for your help today. We'll meet again another time!”

Long Yu sincerely thanked Zhang Huaren for his assistance. Then, before the astonished gazes of Zhang Huaren and everyone else, a portal opened, and Long Yu disappeared from sight with his parents.

His parents were clearly astonished by Long Yu’s ability, staring wide-eyed at each other.

“Oh, this is a power I acquired earlier. It’s very handy, so you don’t need to worry about my safety,” Long Yu explained with a smile.

He gestured around them.

“Mom, Dad, you two stay here for now. I’ll go bring my little sister over.”

They were in an apartment building on the outskirts of Liangzhou City, deserted and now a haven for mutant beasts. Long Yu had passed through here on his way to the safe zone earlier and found it suitable, so he brought his parents here first.

“I’ll leave the tiger with you for now. I’m going to rescue my sister,” Long Yu instructed his parents.

“You should take the tiger with you! It can help you, not us. Leaving it here is useless,” his parents protested, unwilling to burden him.

“My ability can only carry a limited number of people. If I bring the tiger, I won’t be able to bring my sister. Leaving it here will help me rescue her more easily,” Long Yu replied, telling a small lie to prevent them from feeling they were a burden. He wanted to protect them.

Hearing this, his parents finally relented.

“All right, Mom, Dad, clean up the house a bit. When I get back, we’ll have dinner together. It’s been so long since our family ate together.”

“Okay, okay! Hurry back. We’ll be waiting for both of you,” his parents responded eagerly.

The apartment had been vacant for a long time. Though belongings remained, dust had settled everywhere—it was time for a thorough cleaning.

“Dad, Mom, I’m going now.”

After bidding farewell, Long Yu opened another portal and left the house.

But he didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he first cleared out all threatening mutant beasts in the vicinity, only then feeling comfortable enough to depart.

In the residential district occupied by Boss Wang, the houses appeared quite ordinary. Yet, a closer look would reveal their uniqueness. Every street corner seemed natural, but observant eyes would notice that the people lingering there were systematically placed in every possible blind spot. Even a fly entering would be noticed.

The defenses were decent—but what use was that against him? Long Yu smiled as he looked at the heavily guarded apartments ahead.

With a casual wave, he opened a portal and teleported a hidden guard directly to his side.

The man was bewildered, unable to comprehend what had happened. Just as he was about to speak, Long Yu used his beast mastery to control him.

Terror and fear on the man's face gradually gave way to obedience and reverence—Long Yu had complete control.

“What are you doing here? Why are you capturing children?”

“To nurture crystal cores for the bosses. We capture talented children, break their limbs, feed them low-level crystal cores, and train them until they’re strong enough for the bosses to use…”

“Damn it,” Long Yu could no longer restrain himself. “Go to hell!”

He smashed the man into a pulp with a single punch.

“Damn you—this is how you treat people? My sister…”

Thinking of this, Long Yu lost all composure. The calm and poise he had maintained vanished.

If you dare treat my sister like this, then none of you will survive.

If anything happens to her, I’ll ensure your lineage ends here.

“Who are you?” asked the guard at the entrance, watching Long Yu approach with growing alertness.

“The one who’ll kill you all,” Long Yu replied coldly.

The man instantly flew into a rage—kill us?

“Are you looking for death?” As he raised his hand to attack, he and the dozen guards nearby were instantly controlled by Long Yu.

They rushed inside, heedless of their lives.

“Brothers, you…” One started to speak, but was shot in the head by a controlled comrade, collapsing without ever understanding what had happened.

Meanwhile, Long Yu used a portal to enter Boss Wang’s quarters.

From the mind of the controlled man, Long Yu learned that Boss Wang was indeed present today, right in his residence, which he now knew well.

Boss Wang was in the midst of pleasure, surrounded by several women.

Long Yu’s sudden appearance, and the blood on him from his earlier killings, sent the women screaming.

Boss Wang, accustomed to such scenes, realized Long Yu wouldn’t have dared show up without preparation. He didn’t call his men outside, merely asked calmly, “Who are you? What do you want?”

Boss Wang’s men assumed he was engaged in another wild escapade, envy written plainly on their faces, unaware their boss was in mortal danger.

“Who am I? That’s not important. You only need to answer my questions.”

“And if I refuse?”

Boss Wang wasn’t particularly intimidated. In his eyes, Long Yu possessed only some trivial tricks. With nearly two hundred in physical stats, he felt confident.

“I’ll make you answer,” Long Yu said, placing a hand on Boss Wang. Instantly, Boss Wang was paralyzed, as though pinned by the Five Finger Mountain, unable to move.

Only then did he realize he was utterly outmatched. Fear blossomed within him.

“Do you know who I am? I work for Commander Li. If you kill me, he won’t let you go…”

“Oh? Don’t worry about whether he’ll spare me. You’ll be dead long before that,” Long Yu sneered.

Boss Wang realized then he had no bargaining power, no leverage.

This was Long Yu’s intention—he wanted to intimidate Boss Wang, so he wouldn’t dare try negotiating.

Long Yu genuinely disliked using beast mastery to control Boss Wang. If he did, even after releasing him, the man would carry a deep imprint of submission, forever serving Long Yu in spirit. But once released, Long Yu could no longer force him, nor share his vision or read his thoughts.

But killing someone who already obeyed him brought no satisfaction. What Long Yu craved was vengeance—a death filled with terror.

“Take me to where you’re holding the children.”

Seeing Boss Wang thoroughly cowed, Long Yu began his interrogation.

“If I take you, will you let me go?” Boss Wang asked.

“You have no right to bargain. If you refuse, I’m sure your men outside will be more than willing.”

Long Yu turned as if to leave.

“Wait, I’ll take you,” Boss Wang finally capitulated, utterly intimidated, and dared not make any more demands.