"So, Mr. Su, I'd like to treat you to lunch today as a way to make amends!"
Lin Heihu laughed as he rubbed his hands together nervously.
"All right, you pick the time and place."
Su Lin accepted right away.
"Thank you, sir, for your generosity! Today at noon, I will be waiting at the Emperor Club to welcome you!" Lin Heihu said, utterly flattered.
Su Lin nodded and said nothing more.
Having achieved his purpose, Lin Heihu did not dare to linger and turned to leave Fengyue Pavilion.
"Young lady, is there anything else you need?" Su Lin turned to look at Feishuang.
"No."
Feishuang replied coldly with a single word.
Used to her temperament, Su Lin shrugged. "Since that's settled, I'll be on my way. If anything comes up at Fengyue Pavilion, just remember to let me know!"
Feishuang frowned, clearly displeased.
Su Lin's words made it sound as though he were the actual owner of Fengyue Pavilion.
But she knew full well that Fengyue Pavilion consisted entirely of women; even though Su Lin possessed the Fengyue Token, Feishuang certainly did not believe he would ever become its master!
***
Golden Dragon Hotel.
Su Lin arrived once again.
However, compared to last night, there were several new familiar faces lingering at the hotel entrance.
These were the subordinates who had followed Zhou Wanhao the previous evening.
Seeing Su Lin approach, they quickly dialed Zhou Wanhao to inform him.
Inside the hotel, Zhou Wanhao had been standing by at all times, ready to welcome Su Lin.
Upon receiving the call from his men, he didn't dare waste a single second, rushing to the front entrance at top speed.
When he caught sight of Su Lin outside, Zhou Wanhao dropped to his knees right there in front of everyone:
"Zhou Wanhao of the Golden Dragon Chamber of Commerce pays respects to the Supreme President!"
***
Seeing Zhou Wanhao collapse to his knees, the surrounding people kept their heads bowed, not daring to look.
"Get up. No need for all that. Let's go inside and talk."
Su Lin gave Zhou Wanhao a brief instruction, then strode into the Golden Dragon Hotel.
Five minutes later, inside a luxurious suite at the hotel, Su Lin sat casually in the main seat.
Zhou Wanhao stood respectfully before him, completely stripped of his usual authority, not even daring to breathe too loudly.
"Zhou Wanhao, you already know my identity. I'm here today mainly to give you a few instructions."
"First, keep my identity to yourself. Do not reveal it to anyone else!"
"Second, I won't interfere with the daily operations of the Golden Dragon Chamber of Commerce, but whenever I need it, I expect to be able to mobilize all resources of the Jiang City branch."
"Do you have any objections to these two points?"
Su Lin looked down at Zhou Wanhao and asked casually.
"No objections! Of course not!"
Zhou Wanhao shook his head hastily, then hesitated, looking as if he had something more to say. "Except..."
Impatiently, Su Lin cut him off. "Except what? Just say what's on your mind!"
Only then did Zhou Wanhao summon the courage to speak plainly. "It's just that ever since the former president stepped down, the Golden Dragon Chamber of Commerce has been on a gradual decline. Are you certain you don't wish to take full control, sir?"
Su Lin frowned. "What is the current state of the Chamber?"
"Reporting to you, sir, after the former president left, control of the Chamber fell into the hands of the Four Tycoons—all of whom were originally his disciples."
"Unfortunately, the four of them are not of one mind. To secure more power for themselves after taking over, they began infighting and scheming against one another. This has split the Golden Dragon Chamber of Commerce into four distinct factions."
"Add to that the other chambers of commerce joining forces to expand at our expense, and you could say the Golden Dragon Chamber of Commerce is on the verge of collapsing."
Zhou Wanhao laid out everything he knew.
Hearing this, Su Lin let out a disgruntled scoff. "That old bastard really is up to no good. I thought handing the Golden Dragon Chamber of Commerce over to me was meant to give me an easy life, but it turns out he just wanted me to clean up his mess. Truly shameless!"
Sweating profusely, Zhou Wanhao did not dare to interrupt.
He knew that the "old bastard" Su Lin referred to was none other than the former president of the Chamber.
Throughout Longxia, probably only the young man before him would dare speak of him in such terms.
Having vented his annoyance, Su Lin looked back at Zhou Wanhao. "I understand the situation with the Chamber now. Just focus on your own duties and leave the rest alone. When the time comes, I will step in."
"Understood!" Zhou Wanhao acknowledged respectfully.
Having given his instructions, Su Lin did not linger and left the Golden Dragon Hotel directly.
Checking the time and seeing it was almost noon, Su Lin headed straight for the Emperor Club.
Meanwhile, outside the Emperor Club, Lin Heihu had suspended business for the entire day specifically to welcome Su Lin, and stood waiting at the entrance alongside his son, Lin Tianba.
"Dad, we don't even know when this young master Su is going to show up. Do we really need to be standing out here waiting so early?"
Baking under the harsh sun, Lin Tianba couldn't help complaining.
Lin Heihu slapped him across the forehead. "What the hell do you know?! A figure like Young Master Su is not someone we can afford to treat with even the slightest negligence!"
"And let me warn you beforehand: when Young Master Su arrives, you are to treat him like your grandfather!"
"If you dare show him a single ounce of disrespect, I'll slaughter you with my own hands and flush you down the toilet just like I should have years ago!"
Swallowing hard out of fear, Lin Tianba nodded repeatedly. "Dad, I understand."
Nodding, Lin Heihu said no more and returned to waiting attentively.
After about twenty minutes, Lin Heihu's eyes suddenly lit up. He hurried forward with long strides. "Young Master Su, you've finally arrived! My good-for-nothing son and I have been waiting here for quite some time!"
Lin Tianba hurried over behind him, offering a flattering greeting, "Hello, Grandpa Su."
"What did you call me?"
Su Lin stared at Lin Tianba in utter astonishment.
After all, anyone meeting someone for the first time would be startled to be addressed as a grandfather.
"Grandpa Su!"
"My Dad said I have to treat you like my grandfather when you get here! From now on, you're my biological grandpa, Lin Tianba!"
Lin Tianba smiled like a wagging pug.
"Stop that, I don't have a grandson like you!"
Su Lin shook his head quickly. If he acknowledged someone like Lin Tianba as his grandson, he would never hear the end of it!
"Useless piece of trash, what kind of nonsense are you spouting?! Get lost over there right now!"
Lin Heihu reprimanded him with a dark face.
Though somewhat aggrieved, Lin Tianba didn't dare say another word.
"Young Master Su, I've already prepared a meal in the private room. Shall we head inside?"
Respectfully, Lin Heihu ushered Su Lin into the club.
Before long, the three of them were seated inside a luxurious private room.
"Young Master Su, I offer this cup of wine to you as an apology for my earlier offense!"
Lin Heihu poured a cup himself and drained it in a single gulp.
"Black Dog Lin, you didn't invite me here just for this, I'm sure."
Su Lin didn't believe that a simple apology was all Lin Heihu was after.
"Actually, it's nothing major. I just wanted to say that being a dog under Young Master Su's command actually sounds quite comfortable. If you ever need anything done in the future, just call on me anytime!" Lin Heihu said with a flattering smile.
Su Lin knew Lin Heihu was trying to pledge his loyalty, but instead of accepting immediately, he replied offhandedly, "We'll see about that later."
"Very well."
Seeing that Su Lin hadn't agreed, Lin Heihu was visibly disappointed.
Just as the three of them were about to eat, Su Lin's phone suddenly rang.
Pulling it out, he saw it was a call from Lin Feixuan.
Answering it, Su Lin spoke first, "What is it? Let me make one thing clear beforehand: if you're inviting me to join the Martial Arts Club, save your breath!"
Instead, Lin Feixuan's voice sounded extremely anxious. "Su Lin, where are you?"
"The Emperor Club. What's wrong?"
Su Lin could tell from her tone that something was amiss.
"Yuqing has been abducted! It looks like it was people from the Red Rose Club. Can you please go save her?!"
There was a hint of pleading in Lin Feixuan's voice.
"Why would people from the Red Rose Club grab her?"
Su Lin asked with a hint of confusion.
"I don't know the details! Su Lin, you're the only one who can save her now. I'm begging you—if you can rescue her, I'll owe you a favor, okay?"
Lin Feixuan sounded on the verge of tears.
"All right then, I'm heading over right now."
Realizing this wasn't the time for jokes, Su Lin agreed directly.
He hung up the phone at once and stood up, ready to set off for the Red Rose Club.
At that moment, Lin Heihu stood up as well, asking cautiously, "Young Master Su, are you heading to the Red Rose Club?"
Su Lin nodded. "That's right. Got something to say?"
Lin Heihu's expression turned grave. "Young Master Su, the Red Rose Club is no ordinary place. The owner of the club is notorious for her venomous heart, and she has countless experts under her command. You'd better be careful!"
***
Su Lin grew a bit more interested. "You know a lot about the Red Rose Club?"
"Not particularly, but Red Rose, the owner of the club, runs in the underworld just like I do, and our paths have crossed a few times."
"From what I know, even though Red Rose is a woman, her methods are far more ruthless than most men's. Anyone who dares provoke her is bound to bleed."
"Not only that, she keeps a large group of experts in her employ. Her overall strength is far greater than mine, though I couldn't say precisely to what extent."
Lin Heihu spilled everything he knew.
"I get it."
Su Lin nodded, dismissing the warning.
No matter how formidable this Red Rose was, she was ultimately just a woman.
And since she was a woman, he would simply conquer her with pure strength!
"Young Master Su, why don't I accompany you? Since the two of us are acquainted, perhaps she'll show me some face."
Emboldened, Lin Heihu offered his services.
"Fine then."
After a moment's thought, Su Lin nodded in agreement.
The two of them then set off together for the Red Rose Club.
***
Upon arriving at the Red Rose Club and stepping out of the car, Su Lin spotted Lin Feixuan pacing anxiously near the entrance.
Seeing Su Lin approach, Lin Feixuan hurried over. "Su Lin, you're finally here! Go save Yuqing right now!"
Su Lin nodded and walked toward the entrance of the Red Rose Club.
"Hold it! This is the Red Rose Club. Show your membership card, or entry is forbidden!"
Two security guards at the door blocked his path.
Unwilling to waste words, Su Lin prepared to take them down directly.
At that moment, Lin Heihu stepped forward and cupped his fists. "Gentlemen, I am Lin Heihu of the Black Tiger Gate. I'd like to see your boss, so please do us a favor."
Lin Heihu!
Hearing that name, the two guards exchanged glances, and one of them softened his tone slightly. "Ah, it's Mr. Lin. Please wait a moment while I go report this!"
With that, Lin Heihu looked to Su Lin for direction.
Su Lin nodded. If Lin Heihu's reputation could resolve this smoothly, that would be even better.
***
Meanwhile, inside a private room within the Red Rose Club, Jiang Yuqing was bound hand and foot. Standing before her was a woman clad in a red *qipao*.
She was around thirty years of age, radiating mature, intoxicating allure. The slit of her *qipao* reached all the way up to her thigh, leaving plenty to the imagination.
Glaring at the woman, Jiang Yuqing burned with rage. "Who the hell are you people, and why did you drag me here?!"
"Our Red Rose Club is merely acting upon someone else's commission. As for what we want, you'll find out soon enough."
Swirling a glass of red wine, Red Rose smiled lightly.
"I don't recall ever offending anyone from the Red Rose Club!"
Jiang Yuqing's face turned slightly pale; she had certainly heard of Red Rose's reputation in Jiang City.
Before Red Rose could answer her question, however, the door to the private room was pushed open from the outside.
A familiar figure walked in.
"Chen Chao, it's you!"
Seeing Chen Chao, Jiang Yuqing cried out in shock.
"Jiang Yuqing, you rejected my advances over and over again. Who would've thought you'd end up in my hands after all?"
Chen Chao walked toward Jiang Yuqing with a burning, predatory gaze.
Gritting her teeth, Jiang Yuqing snapped, "Chen Chao, if you dare lay a hand on me, I will never let you go!"
With a chuckle, Chen Chao ignored her and turned to Red Rose. "Sister Rose, thanks a million for this!"
Red Rose stood up and smiled faintly. "Young Master Chen, we've brought you the person you wanted. Just don't forget the terms we agreed upon!"
"Relax, ten million, transferred to your account within half an hour!" Chen Chao patted his chest.
"Very well. I won't disturb Young Master Chen's good time."
With a meaningful smile, Red Rose swayed her hips and left the room.
Yet just as she stepped outside, her phone rang.
Answering the call, Red Rose replied indifferently, "I know. Let them in; I'll wait for them in the lobby."
***
At the club entrance:
"Su Lin, it's been so long. If we drag this out any longer, what if something happens to Yuqing?!"
Lin Feixuan was growing frantic with worry.
Growing impatient as well, Su Lin decided to just storm inside.
At that moment, the security guard who had been on the phone put his device away. "Mr. Lin, you may go in."
"Thank you!"
Lin Heihu cupped his fists, then walked inside alongside Su Lin.
Entering the main lobby, the group immediately spotted Red Rose sitting on the sofa.
After all, Red Rose was impossible to miss.
Her red *qipao*, paired with that mature and alluring face, was enough to stir the deepest fires within any man's heart!
Even Su Lin couldn't help taking a few extra glances.
Of course, Su Lin harbored no ulterior motives.
While this Red Rose was indeed a stunner, the demonic aura she carried fell far short of Xiao Qianmei's!
"Little one, am I good-looking?"
Noticing Su Lin staring at her, a faint smile curved the corner of Red Rose's lips.
"Not bad, I suppose!"
Su Lin gave his assessment.
Red Rose kept smiling, but her eyes flashed with cold intent.
Roses always came with thorns, and Red Rose was no exception.
Over the years, countless men had harbored designs on her, and without exception, every single one had been tortured to death by her cruel methods.
Yet not only was this young man unafraid of her, but his attitude remained so flippant.
If this wasn't provocation, what was?
"Red Rose, long time no see. Let me introduce you—this is a very good friend of mine. We're here today because we have something to discuss with you."
Sensing that the atmosphere was turning sour, Lin Heihu hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over.
"Oh? And what do you want to discuss with me?"
Red Rose looked Su Lin up and down.
"Someone named Jiang Yuqing was taken by your people. You'd better release her right now!"
Su Lin demanded with a rigid attitude.
"Are you threatening me?"
Red Rose couldn't help letting out a laugh.
"You misunderstand. This isn't a threat—it's an order!"
Su Lin corrected her with a deadpan expression.
"You're giving *me* orders?"
Red Rose froze.
She couldn't even remember the last time anyone had dared speak to her like that.
Knowing Su Lin's temperament, Lin Heihu managed a wry smile and spoke up once more. "Red Rose, this friend of mine isn't an ordinary person. Do me a favor and let his friend go, otherwise things are going to get difficult for everyone."
Red Rose took a sip of her red wine. "Face is never something others give you; it's something you earn yourself."
"Lin Heihu, you're a man of the streets too. If you want this favor from me, it all depends on whether your strength is up to the task!"
With that, Red Rose smashed her wine glass straight onto the floor!
*Crack!*
The glass shattered!
A flurry of footsteps abruptly echoed through the space!
In less than ten seconds, a large crowd emerged in the lobby, surrounding Su Lin and his companions completely!
"Ah!"
At that moment, a scream pierced the air from the second-floor private room.
"Yuqing!"
Hearing the scream, Lin Feixuan's face drained of color as she dashed toward the second-floor stairs.
With a single glance from Red Rose, several subordinates immediately intercepted her, lunging forward to grab her!
"Get lost!"
At the critical moment, Su Lin surged forward and blasted them away with a single palm strike!
Then, sweeping his cold gaze across the crowd, he declared frostily, "From this moment on, anyone who dares block my path dies!"
***
Su Lin's domineering words echoed through the club lobby.
Red Rose's subordinates froze in place, utterly cowed by his overwhelming aura!
"Heh, what an arrogant little punk. Let's see just how capable you really are."
Though somewhat surprised by Su Lin's audacity, Red Rose quickly recovered and barked coldly, "What are you all standing around for? Kill them!!"
Regaining their wits, the gang of thugs rushed toward Su Lin, brandishing machetes and other weapons.
"Su Lin, can you handle this?"
Witnessing such a massive scale of violence, Lin Feixuan couldn't help feeling a surge of anxiety.
"How can a man ever say he can't? Just watch from the sidelines!"
Dropping those words, Su Lin charged headfirst into the fray!
*Crash!*
Throwing a punch, he sent two men blocking his front flying backward.
When they hit the floor, foaming blood poured from their mouths!
Their chests were completely caved in!
Dead beyond a doubt!
*Whoosh! Whoosh!*
A faint ripple stirred the air as two cold, flashing machetes cleaved straight toward Su Lin from behind!
Without even turning his head, Su Lin reached back with both hands and effortlessly caught the blades mid-swing!
A massive wave of force erupted outward!
*Bang! Bang!*
The machetes snapped in half, and the two thugs wielding them were blasted backward by the sheer kinetic shock, slamming into the ground, their fates unknown.
Seeing how ferocious Su Lin was, the rest of the thugs who were about to attack froze in their tracks, not daring to act rashly.
Without pressing the attack further, Su Lin turned around to face Red Rose. "Red Rose, is it? I'll give you one last warning: if anyone else dares block me, you're the next one who dies."