Chapter 8: A Poor Orphan Slaps a Gold Young Master
The subway tunnels were no longer safe. Lin Wei and I had barely escaped the Crimson Veil's ambush, retreating deeper into the labyrinth of Neo-Aurion's underground network. But even beneath the city, danger lurked around every corner. The air was thick with tension, and my nerves felt like live wires ready to snap at any moment.
We weren't just running anymore—we were fighting for survival. And as much as I hated to admit it, Lin was right about one thing: allies were few, and enemies were everywhere. Even in places you'd least expect.
By mid-afternoon, we emerged from the tunnels into a bustling marketplace tucked away in the city's lower levels. Vendors hawked everything from counterfeit tech to knockoff designer clothes, their stalls crammed together in chaotic harmony. The smell of street food—grilled skewers, fried dumplings, and steaming bowls of noodles—wafted through the air, momentarily distracting me from the weight of our situation.
Lin scanned the crowd, her sharp eyes missing nothing. "We need supplies," she said tersely. "Food, bandages, anything useful."
"And how exactly are we paying for that?" I asked, patting my empty pockets. "I'm fresh out of credits."
She smirked, pulling a small pouch from her coat. Inside were several gold coins engraved with intricate patterns. "Spoils from last night's fight," she explained. "Never leave home without backup currency."
"Convenient," I muttered.
As we made our way through the market, blending into the throng of shoppers, I couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between this world and the glittering skyscrapers above. Down here, life was gritty and raw—a far cry from the polished facades of the elite. It reminded me of my own roots, of the years I'd spent scraping by in the slums.
But nostalgia wasn't on the menu today.
Our shopping spree was cut short when a commotion erupted near the center of the market. A group of young men swaggered through the crowd, shoving people aside as they went. They were dressed in designer suits and expensive jewelry, their arrogance practically radiating off them in waves. At the head of the pack was a tall, lean figure with slicked-back hair and a sneer that could curdle milk.
"That's Liang's son," Lin whispered under her breath. "Xiao Liang. He's worse than his father—if that's even possible."
"Perfect," I groaned. "Just what we needed."
Xiao Liang stopped in front of a vendor selling handmade trinkets, his gaze falling on a delicate jade pendant displayed prominently on the counter. Without hesitation, he grabbed it, tossing a single credit chip onto the table.
"That's not enough!" the vendor protested, trembling with fear. "Please, sir, that's worth ten times that amount!"
Xiao Liang laughed cruelly, pocketing the pendant. "Consider it a donation to the cause. Or would you rather I call security?"
The vendor hesitated, clearly torn between desperation and self-preservation. Finally, he lowered his head in defeat, muttering something under his breath.
I clenched my fists, anger bubbling inside me. This wasn't just theft—it was humiliation.
"Let it go," Lin cautioned, grabbing my arm. "We can't afford trouble right now."
But I couldn't. Not this time.
Pushing past Lin, I strode toward Xiao Liang and his entourage. The vendor looked up in alarm, shaking his head frantically.
"No, please," he begged. "Don't—"
"It's fine," I interrupted, flashing him a reassuring smile. Then, turning to Xiao Liang, I cleared my throat loudly.
"Excuse me," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "I think you dropped something."
Xiao Liang turned slowly, his expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "Who the hell are you?"
"Oh, just another poor orphan trying to make ends meet," I replied casually. "Unlike some people, though, I actually pay for what I take."
His eyes narrowed. "Are you calling me a thief?"
"No," I said sweetly. "I'm calling you pathetic. Stealing from hardworking people because daddy's money isn't enough? Sad."
For a moment, silence hung heavy in the air. Then Xiao Liang burst out laughing, followed by his cronies.
"You've got guts, kid," he sneered. "Too bad they won't save you."
Before I could blink, one of his lackeys lunged at me, aiming a punch at my face. Using *Ghost Shadow Steps*, I sidestepped effortlessly, letting his momentum carry him forward. With a swift kick, I sent him sprawling into a nearby stall, scattering fruit across the ground.
"Oops," I said mockingly. "Clumsy guy."
Xiao Liang's smile vanished, replaced by a snarl. "You're dead."
He charged at me, his fist glowing faintly with Qi energy. Clearly, he was a cultivator—and not a bad one. But compared to me, he was still an amateur.
Ducking under his strike, I delivered a focused blow to his abdomen, channeling Qi into my palm for maximum impact. He stumbled back, clutching his stomach, his face contorted in pain.
"How dare you—" he gasped.
"Shut up," I snapped, grabbing him by the collar. "Now apologize to the vendor."
"What? No!"
"Wrong answer."
With a flick of my wrist, I slapped him hard across the face, leaving a bright red mark. The crowd erupted into cheers, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
"Apologize," I repeated, my voice cold.
Defeated, Xiao Liang muttered a half-hearted apology to the vendor before storming off, his entourage trailing behind him.
As the crowd dispersed, the vendor approached me, bowing deeply. "Thank you," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "I didn't know what to do…"
"It's fine," I assured him. "Just don't let guys like him push you around."
Lin appeared beside me, raising an eyebrow. "Feel better?"
"Much," I admitted with a grin.
She shook her head, though there was a hint of amusement in her expression. "You're going to get yourself killed one day."
"Maybe," I said lightly. "But at least I'll go out with a bang."
Later that evening, as we regrouped in another temporary hideout, Lin pulled up a holographic map on her wrist device. Red dots blinked ominously across the cityscape, marking locations tied to the Crimson Veil's operations.
"They're mobilizing," she said grimly. "Xiao Liang's little tantrum will have reached his father by now. Which means we're running out of time."
"So what's the plan?" I asked.
"We hit them first," Lin replied. "Before they can bring the full weight of their resources down on us."
"And where do we start?"
She pointed to a glowing cluster of dots near the financial district. "Here. Liang Enterprises HQ. If we can expose their ties to the Crimson Veil, we might be able to turn the public against them."
"It's risky," I noted.
"Everything is," she countered. "But sometimes, risk is the only option left."