Chapter 113: Don’t Stop Him

Chapter 113: Don’t Stop Him

Shen An approached the entrance of Zhicheng Pharmaceuticals, only to be immediately blocked by a burly security guard. The guard gripped an electric baton tightly, warning that if Shen An took a single step forward, he would use it to incapacitate him.

“Stop right there! If you don’t, I’ll teach you a lesson with this baton!” the guard barked.

Shen An merely smiled coldly and pressed on, indifferent to the guard’s threats.

“You dare ignore my warning? Kid, you’re finished,” the guard snarled. As an underling of Xu Tianming, he had long adopted his boss’s arrogant and domineering demeanor. This temperament was inseparable from Xu Tianming’s influence as the young master of Zhicheng Pharmaceuticals.

With a swift strike, the guard swung his baton at Shen An. In response, Shen An drew his black iron sword and with a gentle slash, snapped the baton clean in two.

The guard was struck with terror, never expecting Shen An to be an Awakened One. “Y-you’re an Awakened One?” Despite being Xu Tianming’s watchdog, the guard knew all too well how formidable Awakened Ones were. Offending one was tantamount to courting death.

He trembled in place, so frightened that he lost control of himself. Awakened Ones, even by a single move, could cripple him. He had seen Awakened Ones within Zhicheng Pharmaceuticals before—beings of great power.

“Big brother, I was wrong. If you want to go in, I’ll open the door for you,” the guard stammered, stepping aside.

Shen An’s expression remained icy. A mere guard was beneath his notice; it would be beneath his dignity to use his Awakened status to deal with such a trivial obstacle. “Where is Xu Tianming?” Shen An demanded, eager to locate the young master.

“He’s in the office waiting for someone,” the guard replied.

“That’s none of your concern. Step back,” Shen An ordered and strode toward the office.

Inside, Xu Tianming was savoring a cup of coffee. The warm, fragrant brew and the quiet, comfortable surroundings soothed his anger slightly.

Just then, a hurried figure burst into the office. The man was also an Awakened One, marked by a fierce beast tattoo on his left arm, signaling he was not to be trifled with.

Xu Tianming’s mood, already sour, worsened at the interruption. “Can’t you see I’m drinking coffee? Get out! Don’t you know how to knock before entering?” he snapped. To him, his subordinates lacked discipline and deserved a reprimand.

“Master… I didn’t mean to offend, but someone broke in. It seems to be that Shen An…” the tattooed Awakened One stammered anxiously.

Xu Tianming slammed his coffee cup onto the desk, spilling the dark liquid and filling the office with the rich scent of coffee.

“What? Shen An has found his way to my territory? Stop that kid! I’ll deal with him personally. How dare he ruin my plans? I’ll make sure he regrets it,” Xu Tianming said, clenching his fists, virtually itching to crush Shen An alive.

“Master, Shen An is almost at the office now. Our people can’t stop him. He’s probably close to a rank three Awakened One,” the tattooed man reported.

It was well known that while Shen An had Awakened Ones among his followers, most were early rank twos. An expert nearing rank three was a rarity within Zhicheng Pharmaceuticals. Against such a formidable opponent, Xu Tianming’s men had no choice but to retreat.

“What a bunch of useless fools. How many did Shen An bring to cause trouble here? He’s got some nerve,” Xu Tianming muttered darkly.

“Master, it appears Shen An came alone,” the tattooed man added.

Xu Tianming slammed his palm on the desk in fury. If Shen An had come with a crowd, it might be tolerable, but to scare his entire team so badly with just one man was humiliating.

He struck the tattooed man’s face with a slap, leaving a red handprint. “Useless! A bunch of trash who can’t even hold one man back. Don’t block him; let him come. I’ll handle him myself.”

Xu Tianming was confident. With the two pills gifted by that mysterious benefactor, he believed that no matter how powerful Shen An was, this visit to Zhicheng Pharmaceuticals would be a one-way trip.

“Master, but… what if you’re in danger?” the tattooed man hesitated.

“Danger? I don’t have time for your cowardice. If I have to kick you twice to get you moving, I will. Remember, if Shen An doesn’t make it to my office tonight, you’re going for a swim in the river,” Xu Tianming said coldly.

The tattooed man shuddered at these words. He had heard of many comrades who had been quietly “handled” by Xu Tianming—never to be found again, like erased from the world.

Fearful, he dared not defy his master.

“Yes, sir!”

Soon, the tattooed Awakened One withdrew. Xu Tianming settled into his leather sofa, quietly awaiting Shen An’s arrival.

“Shen An, our grudge will soon be settled. Hurry up. I’ll make sure you regret crossing me,” he murmured.

Meanwhile, within the Zhicheng Pharmaceuticals building, Shen An was stopped by a few Awakened Ones. They were only early rank twos, unable to block him.

“Do you want to be crippled?” Shen An walked forward, commanding like a king among warriors.

The Awakened Ones were visibly frightened, unwilling to provoke him.

“Be cautious. He’s close to a rank three. Don’t engage recklessly.”

“Someone downstairs fought him and was crippled in one attack. Now he’s a useless shell.”

“He’s ruthless. Just hold your ground and don’t rush.”

At that moment, the tattooed man appeared in the corridor. As their leader, his word was law.

His gaze fixed on Shen An, revealing deep shock. Luckily, Xu Tianming hadn’t assigned him to deal with Shen An. The dangerous aura about Shen An was unlike anything he had encountered—more fearsome than any beast in the forest.

“Mr. Shen An, our young master is waiting for you in the office,” the tattooed man said.

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

“He broke into Zhicheng Pharmaceuticals and still got invited by the young master? Who is he, really?”

“Maybe the young master knows him. If so, we should not stop him.”

Feeling the gaze around him, Shen An smiled faintly, unconcerned.

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