Qian Chen sat back down, his expression fluctuating between gloom and uncertainty, remaining silent.
Chu Wanning whispered to Lin Dong, "Go wait for me next door for now."
Lin Dong had come today specifically to provide cover for Chu Wanning and put an end to Qian Chen’s delusions. Now that his goal was met, he naturally prepared to leave.
"Alright," Lin Dong replied indifferently, turning to go.
Before he could even turn around, the door to the private room was suddenly thrust open. A group of middle-aged men in black suits stormed in, all armed with sharp weapons, swiftly surrounding everyone in the room.
A moment later, a bald man strode through the door, scanning the people in the room with a menacing gaze.
Lin Dong did not recognize this bald man, but sensing ill intent and concerned for Chu Wanning’s safety, he did not leave. Instead, he silently moved to shield her behind him.
Upon seeing the bald man, Qian Chen’s expression suddenly turned fawning. Casting aside his earlier awkwardness, he trotted over to the man and said with a smile, "Grandmaster! Why did you arrive so early? You didn't give us any notice, or we would have come out to greet you."
Confused, Lin Dong glanced at Chu Wanning.
Chu Wanning whispered an explanation: "This is Zhou Yu, known as Grandmaster Yuding. He is the greatest genius to emerge in Muye in recent years. He broke through to the rank of Grandmaster before turning thirty and has taken over the Tianli Sect. The business we were meant to discuss today concerns him."
Lin Dong nodded nonchalantly, thinking to himself, *He looks more like a mobster than anyone who could be called 'Grandmaster Yuding.' Where is the aura of a cultivator in that?*
However, since this was Chu Wanning's business, Lin Dong decided not to interfere and merely watched from the sidelines.
Qian Chen’s fawning received no positive response; Zhou Yu didn't even spare him a glance. Puzzled, Qian Chen wondered why Zhou Yu, with whom he had maintained a good relationship during their previous business dealings, had suddenly turned so cold.
Qian Chen tentatively asked, "Grandmaster, what is this? Have we done something wrong?"
Ignoring Qian Chen entirely, Zhou Yu coldly tapped the table and asked in a chilling voice, "Which one of you is Lin Dong?"
The members of the various families present were stunned. Why would Zhou Yu arrive and immediately ask for Lin Dong? Was there some grudge between them? If not, why would he be exuding such killing intent? No one dared to interject, and they all quietly backed away from Lin Dong.
Lin Dong was equally puzzled; he didn't know Qian Chen and this was their first meeting. Despite his confusion, he felt no fear and calmly acknowledged his identity. He stepped forward and said, "I am Lin Dong."
Zhou Yu took a look at Lin Dong but didn't speak. Instead, he snapped his fingers, and several middle-aged men immediately carried Cui Wenyi inside.
"Is this him?" Zhou Yu asked coldly.
"It’s him! Brother, you must avenge me!" Cui Wenyi spat, pointing at Lin Dong through gritted teeth.
Seeing Cui Wenyi, Lin Dong finally understood that Zhou Yu had come with such aggression for his sake. Lin Dong regarded Zhou Yu with indifference, showing him no respect at all.
Cui Wenyi saw this and shouted, "Brother! Look at him—he has no respect for you at all!"
Zhou Yu waved a hand, and Cui Wenyi quickly shut his mouth. Zhou Yu looked Lin Dong up and down and said blandly, "You dared to beat my underling? It seems you have already prepared yourself to die."
Hearing this, Chu Wanning’s expression turned serious. She quickly stepped forward, hoping to de-escalate the situation. "Grandmaster, I believe there must be some misunderstanding. Lin Dong did not know that Mr. Cui was your man. As the saying goes, one cannot be blamed for what one does not know. Please, show some leniency!"
She continued, "How about this? We will pay for Mr. Cui’s medical treatment, whatever the cost. Just name your price; we can afford anything!"
Zhou Yu stared at Chu Wanning for a long moment, then burst into laughter. "Money? Do you think I lack money?"
Chu Wanning remained silent for a moment before saying, "I am Lin Dong’s fiancée, Chu Wanning. What is it that you want? If the Chu Family can provide it, we will not be stingy."
Zhou Yu smiled, nodding with appreciation. He circled Chu Wanning and said with a lecherous glint in his eyes, "And what if I want you?"
Chu Wanning turned pale with shock and dared not speak.
Zhou Yu laughed loudly. "How about this: if you come with me, I will spare Lin Dong’s life. How does that sound?"
Hearing this, Qian Chen panicked. He rushed over, looking both terrified and desperate. "Grandmaster, Wanning is innocent! If Lin Dong offended you, just kill him, but please don't drag Wanning into this!"
Zhou Yu’s gaze turned cold, and he slapped Qian Chen, sending him flying across the room.
"Argh!" The sickly and weak Qian Chen didn't even have the strength to stand up.
"Pah! Since when do I need you to tell me what to do?!"
After knocking Qian Chen aside, Zhou Yu looked at Chu Wanning with interest and smiled. "I’ll give you some time to think about it. Three minutes. I’ll cripple Lin Dong first, then based on your attitude, I’ll decide whether to let him live as a dog."
With that, Zhou Yu gave a slight wave of his hand. His men immediately swarmed forward and surrounded Lin Dong.
"Take him out and cut his tendons!"
"Yes!" The group shoved Lin Dong toward the door.
Chu Wanning was frantic and about to speak, but Lin Dong suddenly turned back and smiled. "Wait for me. I’ll be right back."
Without waiting for Zhou Yu’s men to urge him further, Lin Dong pushed the door open and stepped out.
Zhou Yu sat directly across from Chu Wanning, watching her anxiety with appreciation. "Miss Chu, you only have three minutes. After three minutes..."
Before Zhou Yu could finish, the door was pushed open again. Lin Dong walked back in, his expression perfectly normal, while Zhou Yu’s underlings were nowhere to be seen.
"Lin Dong!"
Seeing Lin Dong return completely unharmed, Zhou Yu’s expression turned heavy. He tore his gaze away from Chu Wanning, looked at Lin Dong, and then peered through the gap in the door toward the hallway.
The men he had brought weren't ordinary thugs; they were his juniors and disciples from the Tianli Sect—proper martial artists, including a Rank 9 Martial Artist among them. Yet, Lin Dong had wiped them out without a sound.
That meant Lin Dong’s strength was at least that of a Grandmaster.
As Zhou Yu carefully observed Lin Dong, his thoughts raced. To his shock, he noticed a faint trace of spiritual energy lingering around Lin Dong’s right hand.
That was a trait characteristic of the Qi Condensation Stage. This meant Lin Dong was no longer just a mere martial artist—he was a full-fledged cultivator.