NOVEL SIMPLE CHAPTER 48
Chapter 48: Crossing the Line
“Do you have a problem or something!?” Zhang Chengcheng's voice lashed out, sharp as a whip. Despite her usual admiration for Lu Ming, her position as second-in-command had forged a fiery spirit within her.
Zhang Chengcheng was known for her beauty and style, but beneath the polished exterior was a woman of action, efficient and unafraid to speak her mind.
Wang Xiong, Lu Ming’s loyal companion, stepped forward, his imposing figure shielding Zhang Chengcheng from the group of men before them. “What do you mean?” he rumbled, his voice deep and laced with warning.
Cheng Shen sneered, his arrogance evident. “Deaf, are you? Or just brainless? This place, these supplies—everything is mine! Food, vehicles, even the woman,” he gestured crudely toward Zhang Chengcheng, “all of it. You understand?”
Wang Xiong’s hand tightened on the hilt of his machete, the threat of violence hanging heavy in the air. But before the situation could escalate, Lu Ming calmly stepped forward, his voice a steady counterpoint to the rising tension. “Sir, I believe there might be a misunderstanding.”
He explained the democratic nature of the Zhang family gathering place, emphasizing that the supplies were meant for everyone, not one man. Now, with the gathering place destroyed, the supplies were essentially unclaimed.
“We both have the right to take what we need,” Lu Ming proposed. “But let’s consider another scenario. Your Mr. Li Zitong arguably had a stake in these supplies, just as Chengcheng here does. So, wouldn’t it be fair for both of us to take what we need?”
Lu Ming’s unexpected proposal left everyone momentarily speechless. Wang Xiong stared, unsure how to react, while Zhang Chengcheng, after a moment of consideration, gave a curt nod. “Brother Lu makes sense,” she declared, her voice regaining its usual fire. “Claiming something as your own when it isn’t… is no different than robbery.”
Cheng Shen seemed taken aback by Zhang Chengcheng’s defiance. Lu Ming, shooting her an appreciative glance, continued, “Indeed, Chengcheng. And let me assure you, my reasoning is based on a sound foundation. Unlike some,” he added, his gaze flicking back to Cheng Shen, “whose logic is as flimsy as a rotten rope.”
Lu Ming abhorred violence, believing in the power of reason, even in this ravaged world. But whether Cheng Shen would see things the same way remained to be seen.
A booming laugh erupted from Cheng Shen, shattering the tense atmosphere. He doubled over, clutching his sides as if Lu Ming’s words were the funniest joke he’d ever heard.
“Reason?!” he roared, tears of mirth welling in his eyes. “Why should I reason with you?! My fists are REASON!”
Before Lu Ming could retort, Cheng Shen launched himself forward like a cannonball, his aggression a stark contrast to Lu Ming’s calm demeanor. Li Zitong, witnessing this, winced and closed his eyes, bracing for the inevitable carnage. In his mind, Cheng Shen, a Level 2 Awakened, held absolute power, easily crushing anyone in his path.
But Wang Xiong and Zhang Chengcheng reacted differently. A knowing glint flickered in their eyes, a silent acknowledgment of Lu Ming’s hidden strength. They knew, that regardless of Cheng Shen’s perceived power, he stood no chance against Lu Ming.
Cheng Shen, blinded by his arrogance, charged ahead without noticing the subtle interactions between his opponents. He relied on the information from Li Zitong, underestimating Wang Xiong and Zhang Chengcheng as weak, only being Level 1 Awakened. The fact that Zhang Ye, the supposed stronger Level 2, wasn’t present made Cheng Shen even more confident in his assumptions.
To Cheng Shen, a Level 1 Awakened was insignificant, no more threatening than children pretending to have power. He considered Lu Ming, based on rumors from Yu Fei and Bai Lu, to be nothing more than a street rat from Guangping. Even Wang Xiong had underestimated Lu Ming.
In Cheng Shen’s mind, the odds were entirely in his favor. He had a Level 2 Awakened on his side, supported by four Level 1s, going up against only three Level 1 opponents. Li Zitong, being an unknown factor, didn’t even cross his mind as a threat.
The thought of facing another Level 2 Awakened never occurred to him. Cheng Shen was fully convinced of his own superiority.
But he was about to face a rude awakening. Reaching Level 2 came with great risks, and true power wasn’t something that could be easily achieved.
Cheng Shen’s superpower, a deadly bone-spike ability, shot forward as his fist flew toward Lu Ming’s face. He envisioned Lu Ming’s head exploding like a ripe melon, a display of power that would secure him the spoils of war: the military vehicle, the supplies, and the alluring woman. He would have a new plaything for the night…
But his fantasy was abruptly shattered by an unyielding force. Cheng Shen’s advance came to a screeching halt, his fist inches from its target. He stared in disbelief as Lu Ming calmly held his wrist, the bone spikes mere centimeters from Lu Ming’s eyes.
“Die!” Cheng Shen roared, desperation fueling his power as the spikes shot forward like deadly projectiles. With a practiced tilt of his head, Lu Ming evaded them, his eyes narrowing as a dangerous light kindled within them.
“Wait—” Cheng Shen began, a tremor of unease creeping into his voice. But Lu Ming cut him off, his tone cold and resolute.
“You’re trying to kill me.”
The pressure on Cheng Shen’s wrist intensified, his bones creaking ominously under the strain. Lu Ming’s voice, however, remained eerily calm, each word a measured accusation.
"If your fists were punches in a fight, then those spikes were like daggers aimed at my head. And as for those projectiles? They were as deadly as gunfire."
The implication hung heavy in the air. Cheng Shen had crossed a line, and now, his survival instincts took over. Lu Ming, channeling every ounce of his combat training, unleashed a brutal counterattack. A sickening crack resonated as his fist connected with Cheng Shen’s temple, sending him flying. Blood erupted from the gaping wound, the severed vertebrae a gruesome testament to the force of the blow.
The sudden violence stunned everyone into silence. But Lu Ming, driven by the primal need to protect himself, didn’t hesitate. He followed through with a merciless kick to Cheng Shen’s chest, aiming straight for the heart. In the face of such brutality, there was no room for mercy. This was a fight for survival.
End of Chapter 48