"You said that person beat you up at Fengyue Pavilion, and in the end, the guards there threw you out instead?"
After hearing the whole story, Lin Heihu immediately sensed that something was amiss.
"That's right, Dad, you have to avenge me!" Lin Tianba said through gritted teeth.
"You brat, did you offend some big shot? Normally, Fengyue Pavilion wouldn't do something like that. The person you mentioned is most likely connected to Fengyue Pavilion in some way!" Lin Heihu analyzed with a solemn expression.
"No way, Dad! According to Xia Fei, that punk is just some bumpkin from the mountains. How could he possibly have ties to Fengyue Pavilion?"
"The person in charge of Fengyue Pavilion probably kicked us out because we were the ones who started the fight." Lin Tianba offered his own guess.
Seeing how certain he was, Lin Heihu nodded. "What you're saying makes sense. Once that punk comes out, we'll test the waters first. No matter what, whoever beat my son Lin Heihu is going to pay a price!"
"Dad, that's the guy!"
At that moment, Lin Tianba spotted a figure walking out of Fengyue Pavilion and hurriedly pointed in that direction.
Lin Heihu looked over and saw that it was just a young man. He waved to his subordinates behind him. "Stop him!"
Instantly, a group of subordinates rushed forward and tightly surrounded Su Lin, who had just stepped outside.
"What's going on?" Su Lin frowned as he scanned the people in front of him.
"Punk, you were acting pretty arrogant inside Fengyue Pavilion just now. Let's see if you can still play the tough guy now!"
Just then, Lin Tianba strode over.
"So it's you!" Upon seeing Lin Tianba, Su Lin understood everything.
Lin Tianba let out a cold snort and said arrogantly, "Punk, let me introduce you. The person beside me is my father, and also the leader of the Black Tiger Sect!"
"If you know what's good for you, you'd better kneel down right now, because my father isn't used to people standing while talking to him!"
Su Lin frowned and looked at Lin Heihu standing nearby. "You aren't used to people standing while talking?"
A murderous intent flickered in Lin Heihu's eyes. "That's right. You got a problem with that, brat?"
"That's not a very good habit. You should change it from now on, understand?" Su Lin commanded in a lecturing tone.
"Punk, are you teaching me how to do my job?" Lin Heihu's expression darkened.
"I'm not teaching you; I'm ordering you!" Su Lin corrected him deadpan.
"Brat, you've got guts. Today I'm going to see just how capable you think you are, talking to me, Lin Heihu, like this!"
Lin Heihu's murderous intent flared completely, and he waved at his subordinates nearby. "Cripple him!"
At his command, the lackies surrounding Su Lin moved in unison, iron pipes and machetes raining down toward Su Lin from all directions!
"Get lost!"
Su Lin couldn't be bothered to waste time on this bunch of people. He gave a casual wave of his palm!
Instantly, an invisible wave of Qi erupted, blasting the entire group of subordinates flying backward!
"How is this possible?!" Lin Heihu and Lin Tianba stared with wide eyes, filled with disbelief!
Especially Lin Tianba, who was witnessing such a scene for the first time and felt his entire worldview shattering!
As for Lin Heihu, he was a man who had seen big scenes and quickly recovered, realizing what kind of existence Su Lin truly was!
He turned to a lean, withered elderly man behind him and said in a deep voice, "Elder Hou, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to make a move today!"
"Leave it to me!" Elder Hou replied indifferently, stepping forward toward Su Lin.
Lin Tianba grew excited. This Elder Hou had been by his father's side for many years and rarely ever made a move!
Yet whenever he did act, there had never been a single exception!
According to Lin Heihu, this Elder Hou was a martial artist. Even the most elite special forces fighters among ordinary people were as fragile as children in front of him!
At that moment, Lin Tianba practically envisioned the scene of Su Lin kneeling on the ground, singing submission to him!
Meanwhile, on the top floor of Fengyue Pavilion!
Xiao Qianmei called Feishuang over and instructed, "Feishuang, from now on, keep an eye on Young Master Su, the one I was just talking with. If he runs into any trouble, notify me immediately."
"Understood, Big Sister!"
Feishuang accepted the order, then couldn't help asking, "By the way, Big Sister, what on earth is that young man's background that he actually holds a Fengyue Token?"
"Feishuang, you've been at Fengyue Pavilion for so many years. You should know that around here, just mind your own business and keep your mouth shut about things you shouldn't ask!" Xiao Qianmei shot Feishuang a cold glance!
Feishuang's expression shifted instantly, and she quickly said, "I'm sorry, Big Sister, it was out of line for me to ask."
"Alright, you're dismissed." Xiao Qianmei waved a hand, choosing not to press the matter further.
Feishuang turned around and was just about to leave when her phone suddenly rang.
After answering the call, she slowly turned back around and looked at Xiao Qianmei. "Big Sister, the guards at the entrance report that a conflict has broken out at the door of Fengyue Pavilion. The Black Tiger Sect people have surrounded Young Master Su. Do you need me to step in and chase the Black Tiger Sect people away?"
Xiao Qianmei shook her head indifferently. "No need. Young Master Su can handle it himself."
"Big Sister, there is a Houtian Martial Artist among the Black Tiger Sect crew. Can he really..." Feishuang looked unconvinced.
Xiao Qianmei coldly cut her off. "Rest assured, that Young Master Su is far more formidable than you think. Forget about a mere Black Tiger Sect; even if all the experts of Fengyue Pavilion were dispatched, they might not be a match for him. Go attend to your duties!"
"Yes!"
Feishuang said nothing more and turned to leave.
Upon leaving the top floor, Feishuang went to a window from which she could clearly see the situation outside the front of Fengyue Pavilion.
Having been at Fengyue Pavilion for so many years, this was the first time Feishuang had ever heard her Big Sister give such high praise to a young man.
Therefore, she wanted to see for herself if this Su Lin was truly as terrifying as Xiao Qianmei claimed.
At the entrance of Fengyue Pavilion.
Elder Hou had already reached Su Lin.
He looked to be in his seventies, with a hunchbacked figure and graying hair.
Yet his gaze was exceptionally sharp, giving off a chilling sensation that felt nothing like an ordinary old man.
His entire person resembled a sword hidden within its scabbard; once unsheathed, it would be utterly fatal!
"It's normal for young people to be ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth. Today, I can give you a chance: surrender obediently, and perhaps you might still have a way to live, which also saves this old man the trouble of making a move." Elder Hou looked at Su Lin and spoke indifferently.
"You old immortal, do you think you're really hot stuff?" Su Lin asked irritably.
"What did you call me?!" Elder Hou's eyes widened wide; clearly, he hadn't expected Su Lin to dare address him like that!
"Looks like you really are an old immortal. Getting up there in age and even your ears are going bad." Su Lin couldn't help shaking his head.
"You're courting death!"
A powerful aura instantly erupted from Elder Hou's body. His clothing billowed without any wind, and his palm struck directly toward Su Lin's chest, carrying a rushing whistle of wind!
"This punk sure runs his mouth!"
"He might have had a chance at life if he'd only offended me, but offending Elder Hou means he's truly dead meat!" Lin Heihu couldn't help letting out a cold laugh!
As a Second Layer of Houtian martial artist, Elder Hou's palm strike could shatter ten-centimeters of steel plate; there was no way this punk could withstand it!
And right as Lin Heihu was thinking this, Elder Hou's palm landed solidly against Su Lin's chest!
However, the scene of Su Lin being blasted flying away—as anticipated—did not happen.
Su Lin stood there securely, completely unphased, as if nothing had happened at all!
"Th-This is impossible! How are you completely fine?!" Elder Hou wore a look of utter shock, wondering if he was hallucinating!
"Old immortal, with just this pitiful bit of strength, it's not even enough to give me an itch. That's not how you hit people." Su Lin shook his head, then delivered a palm strike of his own.
This slap looked entirely casual and effortless, yet Elder Hou's face turned pale with terror, a crushing sense of imminent death washing over him as he hurriedly threw up his defenses!
Crack!
The moment they made contact, Elder Hou's defensive right arm shattered instantly, the broken bone even piercing through skin and flesh into the open air!
Meanwhile, Su Lin's hand landed with zero obstruction straight across the old man's face!
Thwack!
Elder Hou's body was sent flying sideways through the air, crashing to the ground a full dozen meters away!
By the time he landed, half of his face had been reduced to a bloody pulp, and he lay entirely motionless, resembling a dead dog!
Seeing this, Lin Heihu and Lin Tianba felt their eyeballs practically pop out of their sockets in sheer terror!
Elder Hou, a seasoned martial artist, had been swatted away with a single slap?
Just what kind of monster had they offended?!
Tap, tap, tap!
At that moment, Su Lin started walking toward the two of them.
Lin Heihu snapped back to reality with a jolt. Seeing Su Lin standing right before him, the joints of his knees buckled, and he dropped straight down onto them!
"What are you doing?" Su Lin asked with an amused look at Lin Heihu.
Lin Heihu squeezed out a smile that was uglier than crying. "Young Master, I suddenly realized I'm not used to standing anymore. Kneeling like this feels much more comfortable."
"Your dad says kneeling is comfortable. What about you?" Su Lin turned his gaze toward Lin Tianba.
Thud!
Lin Tianba dropped to his knees as well, fighting back the urge to cry. "Reporting to Young Master, I also think kneeling is comfortable. Standing always makes my whole body feel out of sorts!"
Su Lin said with a half-smile, "You two might be comfortable, but the fact that you came looking for trouble with me has made me very uncomfortable!"
"Young Master, it was our fault. As long as you spare us, we'll do whatever you want!" Lin Heihu fawned obsequiously.
"What can two grown men like you do for me? I might as well just kill you both and be done with it!" Su Lin raised his hand, gesturing as if to strike Lin Heihu!
Lin Heihu was scared shitless. This was a ruthless killer capable of finishing off Elder Hou; if that palm landed on him, he'd definitely be dead!
"Young Master, I beg you to spare this dog's life! From now on, I'll be your loyal hound—you tell me to do anything, and I'll do it. Please, don't kill me!" Lin Heihu collapsed into a heap on the ground, weeping and begging for mercy.
"Alright, stop crying, you act like a chick!" Seeing Lin Heihu's pathetic display, Su Lin pulled back his hand and gave him a kick. "Today I'll spare your life. Remember what you just said!"
Lin Heihu felt as though he had instantly transitioned from hell to heaven. He scrambled up and quickly resumed his kneeling posture. "Thank you, Young Master, for your mercy! From now on, I am no longer Lin Heihu—in front of you, I am Lin Heigou, and I guarantee I'll come whenever you call!"
"Alright, take your people and get lost!" Su Lin waved a hand impatiently.
Granted a reprieve, Lin Heihu left behind his name card and hurriedly ordered his subordinates to carry away Elder Hou's corpse, scrambling away from the scene as fast as they could.
Su Lin tossed Lin Heihu's business card around in his hand, a playful smirk curving the corner of his lips.
While this Lin Heihu wasn't exactly a grand overlord, he seemed to hold some clout in Jiang City; he might prove useful down the road.
Stowing the card away, Su Lin didn't leave immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze upward toward a window of Fengyue Pavilion!
"Pretty lady, I may be extremely handsome, but next time you want to gaze at me, you can do it out in the open—no need to be so sneaky about it!"
Su Lin called out toward the figure behind the window, then turned on his heel and strode away!
Behind the glass, Feishuang watched Su Lin's departing figure, her beautiful eyes filled with astonishment. "He noticed me from the start, and he easily dispatched a Second Layer of Houtian martial artist. This guy's strength is definitely extraordinary. I just wonder what kind of relationship he actually has with the head of Fengyue Pavilion?"
The Xia Family Villa!
"Dad, why did you call me back in such a rush? What's going on?" Returning to the villa, Xia Fei looked confusedly at Xia Guodong as he asked.
"Young Master Zhang is coming to our house to propose marriage!" A trace of a smile hung on Xia Guodong's face.
"That's fantastic!" Xia Fei's expression instantly lit up with joy. "Young Master Zhang's strength is nothing Xia Bingyu can handle. Once she marries Young Master Zhang, the Xia Group will belong entirely to the two of us father and son!"
Xia Guodong chuckled with malicious glee. "Heh, matters aren't just that simple. Xia Bingyu offended Sheng Lei, the president of Bailihua Bank, last night. Word has it Sheng Lei has already put out word to blacklist her, and the news has already spread through the circles."
"The Zhang family chose this exact moment to propose marriage, which means they must have caught wind of it and want to use this leverage against Xia Bingyu."
"This time, no matter how unwilling Xia Bingyu is, she'll have no choice but to obediently marry Young Master Zhang! The only thing I'm worried about now is whether that bumpkin from the countryside will mess things up for us!"
Hearing this, Xia Fei laughed as well. "Dad, don't you worry at all. That punk offended the Black Tiger Sect leader's son over at Fengyue Pavilion; by now, he's probably been beaten into a pulp!"
"There's such a thing? That's brilliant! We father and son have endured for so long, and we've finally made it!" Xia Guodong couldn't help laughing out loud!
"Second Uncle, are you having a good time?"
Just then, an icy voice rang out.
Following that, Xia Bingyu slowly walked into the main hall.
She had returned in response to Xia Guodong's phone call and was already aware that Zhang Shiquan was coming to propose marriage.
Initially, Xia Bingyu had intended to reject the matter outright, but Xia Guodong claimed that if she didn't return, Zhang Shiquan would go straight to the Xia Group offices.
To avoid disrupting company operations, Xia Bingyu had no choice but to make the trip back.
"Bingyu, you're finally back."
"I've already talked things over with Young Master Zhang's side. Once they arrive to propose later, just say yes on the spot."
"As for the wedding date, we need to strike while the iron is hot and get it done in the next couple of days!" Seeing Xia Bingyu, Xia Guodong immediately assumed an authoritative elder's tone to issue commands!
"Xia Guodong, you can stop daydreaming. There is no way in hell I am marrying Zhang Shiquan!" Xia Bingyu let out a heavy, cold snort!
"Miss Xia, isn't that a bit too absolute of a statement?"
An amused voice suddenly chimed in.
Looking over, they saw several figures walking in. Leading the way were a middle-aged man and a young man.
At that moment, the young man was staring at Xia Bingyu with a playful, teasing expression, as if looking at a plaything of his own!
"Young Master Zhang, you're finally here!" Xia Guodong hurried forward to greet them with a bow.
Xia Bingyu glared coldly at the man. "Zhang Shiquan, I'll repeat myself: no matter what, I will never marry you. You can save yourself the wasted effort and head right back out!"
Zhang Shiquan chuckled mockingly. "Miss Xia, as far as I understand, Bailihua Bank is currently preparing to blacklist you, aren't they?"
"If you're willing to marry me, my father's connections with Bailihua Bank can easily smooth this matter over for you. Are you sure you won't reconsider?"
Xia Bingyu's expression shifted slightly; she was already aware of this development and hadn't yet figured out a solution.
However, she refused to capitulate so easily. "Zhang Shiquan, you can drop that pipe dream. I'm already married, and no matter what conditions the Xia family puts forward, I will never agree!"
Zhang Shiquan snickered. "Xia Bingyu, stop trying to delude yourself. I've already heard from your second uncle that your so-called husband, Su Lin, is nothing more than a bumpkin—a mere shield you pulled off the mountain!"
"He has zero qualifications to compete with me for a woman!"
Xia Bingyu frowned, but right as she was about to speak, a displeased voice interrupted:
"I seem to hear someone talking trash behind my back. Don't they know that's terribly immoral?!"
Trailing the voice, Su Lin walked into the room!
Seeing Su Lin appear, Xia Bingyu felt an unexplained sense of relief wash over her.
It was as if as long as he was around, no problem required any worry!
"Punk, how are you back?" Xia Fei asked in astonishment upon seeing Su Lin.
Given that this brat had offended Lin Tianba, normally speaking, there was no way he could have returned safely!
"This is my home, why wouldn't I be back?" Su Lin retorted irritably, striding over to Xia Bingyu's side and wrapping an arm around her waist. "Wife, are you alright? I thought I heard someone trying to bully you out there."
"I'm fine." Xia Bingyu leaned into Su Lin's embrace and shook her head.
The intimate sight of the two of them instantly sent Zhang Shiquan's blood boiling, making him feel as though his head was glowing a bright shade of green!
"Punk, you'd better let go of Bingyu right now, or don't blame me for being rough!" Zhang Shiquan stepped forward and shouted coldly.
"What business is it of yours that I'm hugging my wife? What reason do I have to let go?"
"Not only am I not letting go, I'm going to kiss her too!"
Su Lin looked at Zhang Shiquan as if he were an idiot. With that, he turned his head and planted a heavy kiss straight onto Xia Bingyu's cheek, letting out a loud *pop*!
Xia Bingyu couldn't help rolling her eyes at Su Lin. This guy really only knew how to take advantage of her whenever he got the chance!
Zhang Shiquan was driven nearly insane with rage, itching to rush over and murder Su Lin on the spot.
Yet he quickly reined it in, collecting himself as a playful, mocking smirk crept onto his lips. "Punk, I have to admit, you've got some decent luck being picked by Xia Bingyu to play the shield."
"But do you honestly think this is a good thing? Use your brain for a second—right now, Xia Bingyu is only keeping you around because you still have utility value!"
"Once your value is squeezed dry, Xia Bingyu will kick you straight to the curb without a second thought. When that day comes, you'll still be an absolute nobody!"
Su Lin frowned. "What on earth are you trying to say?"
Zhang Shiquan smiled, pulled out a bank card, and tossed it right at Su Lin's feet. "Simple. There's a million in this card. The moment you walk away from Bingyu, this money is yours."
Hearing this, Su Lin looked as though he had suffered a grave insult, shouting indignantly, "What kind of person do you take me for? Bingyu and I may not be childhood sweethearts, but our love is genuine and our bond is unbreakable! You think you can make me leave her with just a bit of cash? Absolute nonsense!"
Zhang Shiquan frowned in displeasure. "Punk, by the sound of it, you're rejecting my terms?"
Yet Su Lin shook his head. "Who said I was rejecting?"
At those words, Xia Bingyu, Xia Guodong, and the others all froze in sheer bewilderment, unable to decipher what Su Lin was getting at.
Especially Xia Bingyu; her beautiful eyes grew slightly tense, worrying that Su Lin might actually choose to leave her over Zhang Shiquan's money.
"Punk, what are you trying to get at?" Zhang Shiquan asked with mounting impatience.