Thinking of this, Zhou Yu couldn’t help but swallow hard.
He had only one foot in the Qi Condensation Stage, placing him at least half a level below Lin Dong.
For a Martial Artist and a cultivator, this gap was as wide as that between heaven and earth.
Lin Dong had already reached Zhou Yu and said, his voice calm and cold:
"Your turn."
As he spoke, the index finger of his right hand pressed against Zhou Yu's forehead.
The compressed spiritual energy was searingly hot, yet Zhou Yu felt an icy chill, his cold sweat breaking out uncontrollably. He dared not make any rash moves; he was desperately scrambling for words, intending to beg for mercy.
"I—"
Before Zhou Yu could speak, Cui Wenyi began to clamor:
"Big Brother, this piece of trash—"
Zhou Yu’s cold sweat poured down like rain. Without waiting for Lin Dong to react, he suddenly turned and slapped Cui Wenyi across the face.
"Smack!"
Cui Wenyi was already severely injured, and this blow nearly shattered his brain. He stuttered, "B-b-big..."
Zhou Yu roared, "Big what? Get lost!"
Zhou Yu’s men were bewildered, unsure what had come over him, but seeing his fury, they could only rush to carry Cui Wenyi out.
Once his men had left, Zhou Yu’s expression turned instantly obsequious. He bowed low and approached Lin Dong, speaking in a submissive tone.
"My apologies, sir. I had eyes but failed to recognize a master. I have offended you—please, let me make amends!"
With that, Zhou Yu began to bow to Lin Dong. Each time he bent his waist, he sincerely called out an apology.
Lin Dong said indifferently: "You said earlier that you wanted my fiancée to keep you company?"
Zhou Yu was shaken to his core. He immediately began slapping his own face, left and right, with frantic intensity.
"Smack!"
"Smack!"
Qian Chen and the others stared, stunned. The greatest genius of Muye, the Jade Tripod Master—whom even the four great families dared not offend—was now bowing and apologizing to Lin Dong? And slapping his own face? It felt like a dream.
"Am I dreaming?"
Qian Chen pinched his own thigh hard. A sharp pain shot through him, confirming that this was real.
"Ah!"
Qian Chen’s yelp broke the heavy silence of the room. Lin Dong glanced at Qian Chen, then said to Zhou Yu: "Enough."
To Zhou Yu, Lin Dong’s nonchalant voice was an imperial decree that could not be defied. He stopped immediately, ceasing his bows and slaps, and stood obediently by Lin Dong’s side, his face already swollen.
Lin Dong said calmly: "Now, I speak, you answer."
Zhou Yu nodded repeatedly.
"Understood. Please, go ahead."
Lin Dong asked, "You have business cooperation planned with the four great families?"
Zhou Yu quickly retrieved the pre-arranged cooperation agreement and presented it to Lin Dong respectfully.
"Yes, here is the agreement, sir. Please take a look."
Lin Dong had no interest in the details. Instead, he pointed at Chu Wanning.
"I want this business to be led by the Chu Family."
Zhou Yu paused, then nodded instantly.
"No problem!"
Lin Dong stared at Zhou Yu. His tone remained unchanged, but his expression grew sharp.
"I hope this cooperation will be a pleasant one. Do you understand what I mean?"
Zhou Yu immediately gave his word, guaranteeing:
"Rest assured, sir. Other than providing support, I will not interfere in this project at all!"
Having secured Zhou Yu’s guarantee, Lin Dong did not make things difficult for him any further. He waved his hand dismissively.
"Go."
Zhou Yu felt as if a great weight had been lifted. He turned slowly and retreated toward the door, saying as he walked, "I shall take my leave now. Please, call upon me if you need anything else!"
Only after retreating far from the room did Zhou Yu mutter to himself:
"He’s in his early twenties and at the Qi Condensation Stage?"
"What kind of monster is this?!"
After Zhou Yu left, Chu Wanning looked at Lin Dong with astonishment. Everything that had just happened exceeded her expectations. Zhou Yu was a figure they couldn't afford to provoke, yet Lin Dong had reduced him to such a state through sheer pressure. He was clearly much more than just a miracle doctor.
After a moment of silence, Chu Wanning whispered:
"These four years, you..."
Before she could finish, Lin Dong cut her off firmly. He did not want to speak to outsiders about what had happened in those years.
"It’s settled. This project is now in the hands of the Chu Family; you should focus on the details!"
Chu Wanning was smart and understood his meaning, so she said no more.
The young people from the other families quickly swarmed over. Previously, they had been mocking Lin Dong; now, they were practically ready to worship him as an ancestor.
"Uh, Lin Dong... wait, should I call you Brother-in-law?"
Lin Dong smiled, neither confirming nor denying.
The other continued: "Our Shen Family contributed to this project too. We are all family now, so, what do you think?"
Although he didn't state it outright, Lin Dong knew they still wanted to be involved. He didn't answer, merely looking quietly at Chu Wanning.
The group understood immediately and quickly circled Chu Wanning, chattering away.
"Wanning, we should definitely do this project together!"
"Brother-in-law has already cleared the way; as long as we cooperate, we're sure to make a fortune!"
Chu Wanning felt a sense of helplessness. They had been questioning her engagement to Lin Dong just a moment ago, and now they were already calling him Brother-in-law—the shift in attitude was incredibly swift.
Chu Wanning smiled and said: "Don't worry, I won't hog the benefits."
The crowd cheered, circling her and offering sycophantic praise. Only Qian Chen stood to the side, embarrassed and at a loss.
With matters resolved, Lin Dong had no intention of staying. He bid farewell to Chu Wanning, preparing to leave.
"Wanning, you all continue discussing the project. I have other things to attend to."
Seeing him leave, Chu Wanning followed him out.
"Lin Dong, where are you going now?"
Lin Dong was silent for a moment before replying: "To plan my revenge, of course."
Chu Wanning hesitated, then said: "I might still need your assistance with this project later."
Lin Dong took a small jade slip from his pocket and handed it to her.
"Keep this. If you can’t reach me by phone, use this to contact me."
"Mobile signals might be blocked, but this jade slip is linked to my spirit. Just drip a drop of your blood on it, and I will sense it immediately."
Chu Wanning took the jade slip and said: "Alright, thank you!"
Lin Dong smiled slightly. "Even though we aren't married yet, there’s no need to be so polite. I have business to attend to; I’m off."
Lin Dong greeted his sister, left her some medicinal herbs, and then quickly exited the building.