Kang Chengren had been all fawning smiles, but at Xiao Yanxi's words his eyes went as cold and venomous as a snake's.

Suddenly he wrenched free of the two Ning'an Army soldiers holding him, and his hand shot out like an eagle's talons, straight for Xiao Yanxi's throat.

Ning Chen's face darkened, and he gave a cold snort!

He flicked his wrist, and the porridge bowl in his hand went whistling through the air.

Kang Chengren had moved first, but the bowl got there first. Crack!

The bowl hit Kang Chengren in the face.

It shattered, and Kang Chengren screamed and went over backward. He rolled across the floor clutching his face, bright red blood seeping between his fingers.

The shards had cut his face open, and the hot porridge only made it worse. The pain was unbearable.

Two Ning'an Army soldiers rushed over and pinned him down hard.

Ning Chen looked at Xiao Yanxi. "Are you all right?"

Xiao Yanxi smiled and shook her head gently.

In truth, even if Ning Chen hadn't stepped in, she could have dodged it herself.

Ning Chen raised a hand. "Get him up for me."

The two Ning'an Army soldiers hauled Kang Chengren upright.

Ning Chen walked over.

Thud, thud, thud!!!

He drove several heavy punches into Kang Chengren's stomach.

Then a straight kick.

Kang Chengren went flying, and nearly took the two soldiers with him.

He hit the floor hard and coughed up a mouthful of blood, then kept retching up more.

Ning Chen beckoned, and they dragged Kang Chengren back over.

Shing!!!

His sword cleared its sheath with a flash of cold light.

Ning Chen drove the blade straight through Kang Chengren's palm, then gave it a vicious twist and gouged out a chunk of flesh.

That was the hand he'd reached for Xiao Yanxi with.

"Aaah..."

Kang Chengren screamed like a pig on the block.

Ning Chen laughed coldly. "What were you trying to do just now? Hurt my woman?"

As he spoke, he drew the sword back and sliced Kang Chengren's hand clean in two.

The pain nearly killed…