Chapter 438 - 315: Heaven and Hell, Separated by a Fine Line

Chapter 438: Chapter 315: Heaven and Hell, Separated by a Fine Line

Let me analyze the text first to understand the context.

[Step 1: Contextual Analysis]

Literary genre: This appears to be a Chinese xianxu/cultivation web novel with action, martial arts elements and some modern technology elements. It’s a revenge/assassination plot scene.

Language style: The style is fairly straightforward narrative prose with action sequences and some internal monologue.

Tone: Dark, serious, violent with elements of revenge and calculated action.

Plot keywords: assassination, martial arts, revenge, stealth kill, cultivators, wealthy family, investigation

Characters:

- 武良辰 (Wu Liangchen) - Male protagonist, assassin with exceptional skills, targeting Xiong Tianzong

- 熊天纵 (Xiong Tianzong) - Male target of the assassination

- 龙哥/陈龙 (Brother Long/Chen Long) - Male manager of the establishment where the assassination occurs

- 姚丽 (Yao Li) - Female character, appears to be incapacitated in the final scene

- 孙凌辰 (Sun Lingchen) - Male young master/young noble who appears at the end

- Unnamed female attendant/server - knocked out by Wu Liangchen

Setting: A high-class entertainment venue called "酒池肉林" (literally "wine pools and meat forests", an idiom for a place of debauchery) that has pools of alcohol where wealthy patrons are entertained.

[Step 2: Integrated Translation and Polishing]

Now I’ll translate the text while applying all the polishing rules:

The passage describes Wu Liangchen assassinating Xiong Tianzong in a luxury entertainment venue that features alcohol pools. He knocks out a female attendant, hides underwater, and kills his target by severing his spine with a blade and then destroying his brain. The venue manager, Chen Long (Brother Long), tries to investigate but can’t find the assassin. The scene ends with Sun Lingchen appearing elsewhere, approaching a paralyzed Yao Li.

Now I’ll begin the full translation:

He didn’t believe anyone would dare cause trouble in this den of luxury and debauchery.

After all, this establishment was guarded by top-tier Martial Cultivators and extraordinary talents, and the owner had an incredibly powerful background—rumored to be a young master from the Tian family.

The Tian family was the premier family in Qing Province, owning the largest artificial Martial Vein Company in the city.

Unless someone had a death wish, who would dare cause trouble here?

"Sir?" Seeing that Wu Liangchen hadn’t responded and was instead staring intently into the distance, the young woman grew confused and moved closer to call out softly.

But in the next second, Wu Liangchen knocked her unconscious with a single blow.

As the young woman collapsed, Wu Liangchen didn’t hesitate at all. He put on the glasses from the table, then quietly slipped off the waterbed and silently submerged himself in the pool of alcohol, swimming toward the distant target.

Wu Liangchen was an excellent swimmer. This wasn’t just because he’d practiced in his previous life, but also because in this life, his body had grown up in the river-dense region of Dinghai City, making him naturally adept in water.

Therefore, even though the pool of alcohol was pungent and acrid, it posed no challenge to Wu Liangchen.

Holding his breath, he swam all the way to beneath Xiong Tianzong’s waterbed.

At that moment, Xiong Tianzong was on the verge of climax, completely unaware of the approaching danger.

This was partly due to his intoxication; otherwise, his reactions and vigilance wouldn’t have fallen to such a low point.

Wu Liangchen flicked his wrist, and a blade he had hidden beforehand appeared in his hand.

Then, silently calculating the timing, he slashed forcefully.

The waterbed was cut open with a large gash, causing the water inside to gush out violently.

Just at that moment, Xiong Tianzong let out a low growl, having just reached release, when the waterbed suddenly tilted sharply, causing him to slide downward involuntarily.

This startled him, but before he could react, it was already too late.

Wu Liangchen had been waiting for precisely this moment. As Xiong Tianzong slid down, the blade in his hand shot out.

Thanks to his almost abnormal talent for marksmanship, the blade precisely penetrated Xiong Tianzong’s spine, instantly severing his nerves.

Lately, Wu Liangchen had become increasingly fond of this killing method.

First, it was clean and efficient, not making a bloody mess everywhere. Second, the effect was excellent.

For example, now that his nerves were severed, Xiong Tianzong, who had been about to struggle, instantly froze, then sank to the bottom of the pool like a stone.

Logically speaking, Wu Liangchen could have left already.

After all, an ordinary person couldn’t survive under these circumstances.

But let’s not forget this was the technologically advanced Alliance world, where even with a destroyed body, one could be saved if there was the slightest spark of life remaining.

Therefore, Wu Liangchen followed closely behind him.

Xiong Tianzong’s eyes were wide open. Although the alcohol stung his eyes painfully, he couldn’t even blink.

At the same time, he discovered he couldn’t control his breathing, meaning he couldn’t hold his breath. He could only let the alcohol pour violently into his mouth and nose.

His esophagus and trachea were consequently stimulated with excruciating pain.

It could be said that as much pleasure as Xiong Tianzong had just experienced, he was now in equal agony.

This instant transition from heaven to hell filled him with terror, as he still didn’t know what had happened.

Until Wu Liangchen appeared before him.

When he saw Wu Liangchen, Xiong Tianzong’s pupils contracted instantly, his eyes filled with terror.

What was happening?!

How could this guy be here?

Shouldn’t he have been captured by the Sun family by now, with his Martial Vein extracted while he was still alive?

These past few days, Xiong Tianzong had been frequenting various bars and nightclubs, living a decadent life of debauchery, completely unaware of what was happening outside.

But then he suddenly understood.

This was all Wu Liangchen’s doing. He had come specifically for him.

Realizing this, he felt utter despair and regret.

But he didn’t regret provoking Wu Liangchen; rather, he regretted coming out to play without bringing even a single bodyguard.

But now it was too late for regrets.

Because at that moment, Wu Liangchen had already swum up to him.

At this point, there was naturally nothing left to say. Wu Liangchen grabbed Xiong Tianzong by the throat, completely ignoring his pleading eyes, and with a raised fist, smashed his head to pieces.

Blood and brain matter instantly dispersed, staining the entire alcohol pool red.

Even with the Alliance’s advanced medical technology, nothing could be done for someone whose brain had been pulverized into paste.

It was only at this moment that the entire establishment finally realized what had happened.

Because the screams of the women who had fallen into the water echoed throughout the entire hall.

In an instant, the lights came on, and everyone couldn’t help but gasp in shock.

The previously clear alcohol pool was now a mess, with a large patch of blood in the middle, and a corpse faintly visible.

Brother Long was the first to arrive. When he saw the scene, his face turned ashen, and he immediately ordered his subordinates:

"Seal all exits. No one is allowed to enter or leave."

Then he announced loudly to the customers: "I sincerely apologize to everyone. A small accident has occurred, and I understand you must be shocked. On behalf of the establishment, I offer my most sincere apologies."

"All consumption will be half-price this time, but please don’t leave yet. Someone will come to verify everyone’s identity shortly. This is to prevent the killer from hiding among you and causing further danger."

It must be said that this Brother Long was indeed capable. With just a few sentences, he stabilized the situation.

Despite someone having died, for those wealthy enough to patronize this place, a corpse was hardly worth mentioning.

However, Brother Long’s suggestion that the killer might be mingling among them did cause some fear.

So even for their own safety, these customers obediently submitted to the inspection.

But the result was fruitless; no abnormalities were discovered.

In fact, by this time, Brother Long had already briefly examined the scene and learned what had happened from the still-terrified women.

Combined with the blade found embedded in Xiong Tianzong’s spine, Chen Long deduced that the killer must have silently entered the alcohol pool before attacking.

So if the person was still in the bar, they would definitely have a strong smell of alcohol on them that couldn’t be hidden.

Although nothing was found among the customers, Chen Long still had some leads.

"You’re saying you went to the waterbed with this person, and then you were suddenly knocked unconscious?" Chen Long questioned the trembling young woman coldly.

"Yes!"

Chen Long immediately asked: "Did you see what this person looked like?"

"I... I saw roughly. He was very young, and quite handsome..."

Chen Long pondered for a moment, then a scene flashed through his mind like lightning.

That swaying man who claimed to be from out of town, wanting to experience the local bar scene.

There was no doubt—it must have been him!

Realizing this, Chen Long felt both shocked and furious.

He was shocked because he couldn’t understand how the man had hidden his aura so well that even he had been deceived.

He was furious because the man dared to act in his establishment, clearly not taking him seriously.

Just then, the people responsible for searching every corner of the bar returned.

"Brother Long, nothing!"

"Yes, Brother Long, we’ve searched everywhere and found no suspicious individuals."

How could this be?

From the incident until his arrival, only a minute or two had passed. That man couldn’t possibly have escaped in such a short time.

But the problem was that they had searched everywhere and still hadn’t found him.

So where was he?

Chen Long frowned, sinking into deep thought.

Meanwhile, at a secluded corner far from the dock, several rarely-seen luxury cars were gathered.

A young man with a noble bearing and cold expression stepped out of the middle car.

"Young... Young Master!" The driver, sweating profusely, bowed respectfully.

The seventeen or eighteen-year-old young man didn’t even glance at this person. He walked straight to the SUV and looked down condescendingly at Yao Li, who was slumped in the seat, unable to move even a finger.

"How long has he been gone?" Sun Lingchen asked coldly.