Chapter 274: Show of Force

“Hehe, little sister, does no one in your Kong family teach you how treacherous society is? I was able to capture you all and bring you here; do you really think you can walk out of here alive?”

At this moment, Liu Yiyi was a completely different person from before.

Seductive, arrogant, and sinister.

A single sentence caused the air in the entire dungeon to freeze.

Kong Yueqing’s expression froze on her face.

The opponent clearly knew they were members of the Kong family, yet she maintained such an attitude—did she truly intend to wipe them out completely?

“You... if you kill us, the Kong family will not let you off!”

Her palms were drenched in cold sweat as she screamed with what little strength she had left.

Liu Yiyi remained indifferent. “Hehe, do you think the Kong family will even know who it was that killed you?”

Her eerie gaze, like that of the most venomous snake, slowly drifted over everyone, as if she were calculating something.

Although Kong Yueqing could not see it, she felt the terror of death so clearly that her scalp went numb. She couldn't help but take several steps back, feeling that as long as she maintained distance from her, she would be safe.

Liu Yiyi watched her fear with enjoyment, even letting out a few "tsk-tsk" sounds.

“The Kong family only has this much courage, it seems.”

Such humiliation sent Gan Hua and Ruan Tao into a rage. Gan Hua immediately roared, “Kill us or torture us, do as you please! But our Kong family will absolutely not let this rest!”

Liu Yiyi’s gaze settled on his face, scraping over his body inch by inch.

“Not bad. You’re next tonight.”

That light, airy sentence caused Gan Hua’s expression to change drastically.

“What are you planning to do?”

Liu Yiyi chuckled. “Don't be nervous. I know how to treat a delicate beauty.”

A strong sense of discomfort surged in Gan Hua’s heart, making him even more incensed.

“Members of the Kong family can be killed, but never insulted!”

Kong Yueqing and Kong Yueling also realized something and couldn't help but tremble.

Su Yan watched this scene and slightly raised an eyebrow. Although she was now certain that Liu Yiyi was connected to the eight men missing in the city, she felt that something wasn't quite right.

However, since Liu Yiyi was currently targeting the Kong family, she naturally would not act rashly.

“I know who you are.” Ruan Tao, who had remained silent the entire time, suddenly spoke up.

The atmosphere instantly underwent a subtle shift.

The smile on Liu Yiyi’s face noticeably receded.

Ruan Tao tried hard to identify her voice, and finding that she had chosen silence, his suspicions became even more certain.

“Ruan Tao, who is she?” Gan Hua asked impatiently.

“Didn't you hear? Doesn't this woman's voice sound familiar?” Ruan Tao’s words caused both Kong Yueqing and Kong Yueling’s hearts to shudder.

They had been so preoccupied with their terror that they hadn't paid any attention to the opponent's voice.

Kong Nian, however, was certain that she absolutely did not know this woman.

Ruan Tao continued, “When we attended the Zhou family banquet previously, this woman was also there. If I remember correctly, she introduced herself as Liu Yiyi from the Beijing Publishing House.”

The moment Liu Yiyi’s name left his mouth, Liu Yiyi truly developed murderous intent toward him.

Gan Hua, Kong Yueqing, and Kong Yueling all wore expressions of shock as they searched their memories.

What Kong Nian cared about was the Beijing Publishing House; so, was this woman actually by Gu Yang's side?

Su Yan clearly saw the murderous intent surging in Liu Yiyi’s eyes and sighed for Ruan Tao.

She really didn't know whether to call this man too smart or too foolish—insisting on exposing the opponent's identity right in front of her was simply seeking death.

Sure enough, in the next second, Liu Yiyi’s fingers curled, and she reached out toward Ruan Tao in the cell.

Ruan Tao had no idea what was happening; his entire body was yanked forward by a massive suction force. Immediately after, his neck was gripped tightly, and an intense sensation of suffocation instantly struck him.

He didn't even have time to call for help.

Although Gan Hua and the others could not see it, they could sense what was happening. Even Kong Nian stood up quickly, attempting to break free from her bindings.

“Liu Yiyi, let go of Ruan Tao immediately, or I won't be easy on you!”

Kong Nian was bound and even her eyes were covered; currently, she had nothing left but her spirit.

Liu Yiyi let out a cold laugh and continued to exert pressure with her hand.

The veins on Ruan Tao’s face bulged grotesquely, and soon, the last bit of air in his chest was exhausted.

Su Yan’s expression turned grim as she contemplated whether she should expose herself.

Just when everyone thought Ruan Tao was doomed, Liu Yiyi suddenly let go.

“Cough... cough, cough, cough!!”

Ruan Tao collapsed to the ground, coughing violently.

The others felt a sense of relief upon hearing his voice.

Kong Nian’s face was extremely unsightly; for the first time, she felt a deep, violent hostility toward someone.

Liu Yiyi patted the hand she had just used to choke Ruan Tao and curled her lips. “Don't worry, I won't let you die so easily.”

With Ruan Tao serving as a warning, neither Gan Hua nor Kong Nian made a sound.

To provoke this unpredictable woman would only result in their meaningless sacrifice. For now, they only needed to stall for time until Kong Xiang’s rescue arrived, at which point they could bring this woman to justice.

The sound of footsteps rang out again. The Kong family members thought Liu Yiyi was leaving, but a moment later, they all realized she was actually walking further inside.

They had no idea where they were or what the surrounding situation was like; only at this moment did they realize there might be others here.

The expressions of all five people turned grim, because before Liu Yiyi appeared, they had said many things—including the fact that Kong Xiang had a tracking talisman and would soon find them. If these words were heard by someone else and reported to Liu Yiyi, everything would be for naught.

Kong Nian’s face was incredibly dark, but unfortunately, she couldn't see what was happening over there.

Su Yan watched expressionlessly as Liu Yiyi walked toward her.

This time, Liu Yiyi did not stop outside the cell; instead, she went straight to the lock and opened it to walk in.

Clearly, in Liu Yiyi’s eyes, the danger level of Su Yan was far lower than that of the Kong family members.

Su Yan sat there motionless, looking as if she were paralyzed with fear.

“You know who I am now, right?”

After all, Ruan Tao’s voice had not been quiet, and this cell was inherently silent.

When facing Su Yan, Liu Yiyi’s expression was much softer, and even the look in her eyes carried a hint of distracted sympathy.

Su Yan gave an "Mm," treating it as her answer.

The dialogue between the two caused the hearts of Kong Nian and the other four to sink. They strained their ears to listen, terrified that this person would betray them.

Liu Yiyi seemed completely indifferent to Su Yan’s reaction. She leaned down and lightly patted her cheek.

“Don't worry, I won't do anything to you. Once I get what I want, if I'm in a good mood, I might let you leave alive—provided, of course, that you keep your mouth shut.”

Su Yan had a rough idea of what she meant by "what I want," but she couldn't understand why this woman was so obsessed with Gu Yang; it certainly wasn't due to ordinary romantic love.

(End of Chapter)