Chapter 412: March Intestine-Breaking Powder

Qian Laoliu nodded in satisfaction. “That’s more like it. Now, get up.” He gave Ma Dabin’s shoulder a hard shove, forcing him to his feet.

Ma Dabin gritted his teeth and struggled to stand steady. He looked at Qian Laoliu, waiting for the next command.

Qian Laoliu stood up, walked to a corner, pulled a small packet out of his pocket, and tossed it to Ma Dabin. “Eat this.”

Ma Dabin dubiously took the packet. Opening it, he found a black pill inside. His brow furrowed. “What is this?”

Qian Laoliu sneered. “Stop asking so many questions. When I tell you to eat, you eat.”

A wave of unease washed over Ma Dabin. ‘This can’t be anything good.’ He hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Qian Laoliu.

Qian Laoliu’s gaze was ice-cold. “What? You don’t want to? You’d better think carefully about the consequences.”

Ma Dabin’s heart trembled. He knew Qian Laoliu was a man of his word. Left with no choice, he had no option but to swallow the pill. It dissolved the moment it entered his mouth, leaving a bitter taste.

Qian Laoliu nodded in satisfaction. “Very good. You’ve done well.” Then, he said to Ma Dabin, “Now, go smash that wall.”

Ma Dabin was stunned. “Smash the wall?” He looked at Qian Laoliu in confusion. “Why smash the wall?”

Qian Laoliu’s eyes flashed. “When I tell you to smash it, you smash it! Enough with the damn questions!” With that, he kicked Ma Dabin in the waist again.

The kick sent Ma Dabin stumbling, and he nearly fell. He was furious, but he knew resisting would only lead to more pain. So, he silently walked to the wall, raised his fists, and smashed them against the stone.

The sound of his fists hitting the wall echoed through the dungeon, each punch filled with Ma Dabin’s rage and despair. His hands were soon raw and bloody, but he didn’t stop. ‘He knew this was his fate, and his punishment.’

Qian Laoliu stood to the side, coldly watching Ma Dabin struggle. A cruel smile touched his lips. “Kid, you’d better enjoy this final bout of pain.”

As time went on, Ma Dabin’s strength began to fail. His fists were a bloody mess, but he persisted in smashing the wall. ‘He knew this was the only way to earn a sliver of a chance to live.’

Finally, after countless punches, he broke a hole through the wall. Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the entire dungeon. Seeing that beam of light, Ma Dabin felt a flicker of warmth. ‘He knew his ordeal was about to end.’

Qian Laoliu watched Ma Dabin with a sinister gaze. “You think it’s over, kid?” He walked over to him. “It’s not that simple.” As he spoke, he pulled a dagger from his pocket.

A flicker of terror crossed Ma Dabin’s eyes. “What are you going to do?” He tried to scramble backward. “You can’t do this to me!”

Qian Laoliu sneered, his eyes fixed on Ma Dabin, his voice sharp. “Do you think you have a choice?”

Ma Dabin’s face was pale. Knowing Qian Laoliu’s methods all too well, he could only bite the bullet and say, “Mr. Qian, I…”

But before he could finish, Qian Laoliu struck. The dagger flashed, and with a spray of blood, he plunged it into Ma Dabin’s abdomen.

Ma Dabin sucked in a sharp, pained breath. Excruciating pain shot through his abdomen, nearly making him faint. But he knew this wasn’t the time to collapse. Enduring the agony, he looked up at Qian Laoliu. “Mr. Qian, please, spare me. I…”

“I’ll do whatever you tell me to do,” Ma Dabin said, his voice pleading. He knew he had no way out; his only choice was to appease Qian Laoliu.

A flicker of satisfaction showed in Qian Laoliu’s eyes. He waved a hand, gesturing for Ma Dabin to stand. “Let’s go. I’m taking you to see someone.”

Clutching his wound, Ma Dabin followed Qian Laoliu to the office of Chairman Chen Qingdi. Chen Qingdi sat behind a large desk, sipping tea and sizing up Ma Dabin with a cold, indifferent gaze.

“In that case, you can explain everything yourself.” Chen Qingdi put down his teacup and stared coldly at Ma Dabin. “Why did you slander me in your own newspaper? If you can’t give me a reason today, I’ll have you castrated.”

Ma Dabin shuddered in fear at his words. He quickly waved his hands, his voice trembling. “Chairman Chen, please let me explain…”

“It was Yao Shufen! She tried to sow discord,” Ma Dabin explained frantically. “She gave me money and told me to write all that garbage in the newspaper. I’ve already dealt with her. I’m begging you, please let me live…”

Chen Qingdi’s gaze sharpened, his brow furrowed. “Yao Shufen?” ‘The name sounded familiar.’

Noticing the change in Chen Qingdi’s expression, Ma Dabin had an idea and quickly added, “Yes, the same Yao Shufen you knew before.”

Chen Qingdi was silent for a moment, a flash of killing intent in his eyes. “I understand.” He slowly stood up and walked in front of Ma Dabin. “Go home and wait for news.”

As if a heavy burden had been lifted, Ma Dabin thanked him profusely and left the office. ‘He knew his life now hung by the thread of Chen Qingdi’s whim.’

Qian Laoliu watched Ma Dabin’s retreating figure, a cold sneer on his lips. “A man like that doesn’t deserve to live.”

Chen Qingdi turned and sat back down at his desk, staring out the window with a profound gaze. ‘He knew Yao Shufen’s appearance would inevitably stir up trouble. But the most important thing now was how to deal with it.’

Qian Laoliu walked to Chen Qingdi’s side and asked in a low voice, “Chairman, how do you plan to handle this?”

Chen Qingdi pondered for a moment. “Have someone look into Yao Shufen’s background. See what her story is.”

“Yes, sir,” Qian Laoliu nodded. ‘He knew Chen Qingdi’s decisions were not to be questioned, only obeyed.’

The two spoke for a while longer before Qian Laoliu took his leave. Chen Qingdi sat alone behind his massive desk, his deep-set eyes lost in thought about what to do next. ‘He knew this problem wouldn’t vanish easily; he had to be fully prepared.’

When Ma Dabin returned to the Jiangcheng Newspaper Office, his employees crowded around him, their faces full of concern.

“Chief Editor, what happened? You look so haggard.”

“Did something happen?”

Ma Dabin forced a smile, pretending to be calm. “It’s nothing. I’m just a little tired. Thank you all for your hard work.”

Back in his own office, he collapsed exhaustedly into his chair.

‘If I told these employees what happened with Chen Qingdi, it would be too humiliating. I’d lose all face.’

‘The most important thing now is to deal with Yao Shufen, and fast.’ When Ma Dabin got back to his apartment, he found Yao Shufen was already there, watching TV in the living room.