"Bullying people, and bullying my sister at that."
By now, Chu Weilong had finally processed what was happening. He glared at Xionglang, burning with rage. "Xionglang, you bastard! How dare you betray me!"
"Brother Long, it’s not that I want to betray you. I just don't want to die as miserably as Chu Qiang did. I’m doing this to survive. Do whatever you have to do."
"You... fine! You just wait, you son of a bitch!"
His face grim and dark, Chu Weilong glanced at the mangled, pathetic corpse of Chu Qiang on the ground. Without another word, he turned to leave.
The onlookers were stunned by this sight. Fang Hongxin, Xia Yu, and the others were so shocked their eyes nearly popped out of their heads.
Chu Weilong was just... leaving? Wasn't he here to stir up trouble?
"Stop. Did I say you could leave?"
Bahu reached out, blocking Chu Weilong’s path and killing any hope he had of fleeing. Chu Weilong froze. He turned his head and said coldly, "Lin Ce, don't push your luck. If anything happens to me, the Chu Family will never let you go!"
"Is that so?"
Lin Ce walked over slowly. With every step he took, Chu Weilong felt like he was being pierced by needles. When Lin Ce reached him, he said calmly, "What is your sister's phone number?"
Chu Weilong let out a sigh of relief. *Scared the hell out of me. I thought he was going to do something, but it turns out he’s just afraid.*
Assuming Lin Ce wanted to negotiate with his sister, he recited the number without hesitation.
But the moment the call connected, Lin Ce said only one thing:
"Come to the East City shantytown to collect your brother’s body."
He then hung up.
Upon hearing these words, Chu Weilong’s legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground in a heap.
"You... what did you say?"
Cold sweat drenched Chu Weilong. Chu Qiang was already dead; he no longer doubted for a second that Lin Ce was capable of killing him right here.
"Qili, take Wan'er and her mother to a safe place. It might get a little bloody here in a moment."
As soon as Lin Ce finished speaking, Qili appeared beside Lin Wan'er. "Miss, please come with me."
Neither Lin Wan'er nor Xia Yu had seen how Qili arrived, but this was no time to ponder such things. Xia Yu watched Lin Ce with deep concern, but she could see that his mind was made up. He wouldn't listen to anyone. It seemed that today, Lin Ce was determined to tear the sky wide open.
"Wan'er, you get in the car first. I need to make a call," Xia Yu said. She stepped away from Qili, found a corner, and dialed a number in Jiangnan City.
"Hello? Big brother, it's me..."
A cold voice came from the other end. "Xia Yu, it’s been so many years. You’re finally willing to contact the family? Tell me, where are you now? Is that bastard still living with you?"
"Brother, it's been so many years—why must you still hold onto that grudge? I want to ask you for a favor today. Something has happened to the Lin Family, and the people from the Chu Family are currently..."
Xia Yu gave a brief explanation over the phone.
The person on the other end was silent for a moment before replying, "It’s not impossible for me to help you, but you must tell me where you are hiding. After all, it's been years; the family misses you."
Xia Yu hesitated, but as if having made up her mind, she said, "Fine. We are living in the Kaifu District, east of Zhonghai City."
"Good. I know." The person on the other end hung up, a cold, icy smile appearing on his face.
Meanwhile, Lin Ce continued to wait for Chu Xinyi to arrive.
At that moment, in a luxurious villa in Zhonghai, Chu Xinyi’s expression grew stern after receiving the call. She recognized Lin Ce’s voice. He had caused quite a stir in Zhonghai over the past few days, but they had mostly stayed out of each other's way. She had assumed Lin Ce wouldn't dare touch the Chu Family, but now, he was telling her to go to the East City to collect a body?
Wait—at the family meeting yesterday, she had transferred the development rights for the East City to Chu Weilong. Was Lin Ce so greedy that he wanted to seize the East City plots as well?
Not wanting to show her face until she understood the situation, she hesitated for a moment before dialing another number.
"Hello? Is this Manager Cheng of the Black Gold Security Company? It’s me, Chu Xinyi..."
***
Ten minutes later, in the small courtyard of Xia Yu’s home.
The scent of tea lingered in the air. Lin Ce sipped his crude tea, finding it surprisingly tasteful. Chu Weilong, meanwhile, glared at Lin Ce, looking for any opportunity to escape.
Suddenly, a man with a horse-like face walked into the alley. As soon as he turned the corner and saw Xionglang and his men kneeling on both sides, he let out a scoffing laugh.
"Tsk, tsk. How did the Chu Family end up with a bunch of losers like this? No wonder they had to hire us to clean up their mess. You really can’t compare to professionals like us."
*BANG!*
The man kicked the door open. "Damn it, which one of you is Lin Ce?"
Bahu turned his head, looking curious. "Here to collect the body?"
Chu Weilong felt like a thousand horses were galloping through his mind. *I’m standing right here, and you dare say that? It’s too humiliating!* He looked pained.
The horse-faced man froze as Bahu blocked his path like a mountain. He looked up at Bahu. "You—what are you doing? I’m just here to deliver a message. Don't you dare lay a hand on me!"
Bahu blinked his tiger-like eyes, unsure of how to respond.
"Ahem! Let me tell you, I’m from the Black Gold Security Group of Zhonghai. I’m asking you, which one of you is Lin Ce? Get out here right now!"
Lin Ce slowly set down his teacup. "Black Gold Security Company... So, you’re here to handle my business with the Chu Family?"
The horse-faced man looked Lin Ce up and down, curling his lip. "Oh? So you’re Lin Ce? Damn, I thought you’d have three heads and six arms. You don't have an ounce of meat on you—you were the one who took out Manager Zhao Hongguang?"
"Too much chatter," Lin Ce said with an impatient wave.
Bahu understood. He glared, his eyes wide. "Speak your piece or get lost."
The horse-faced man flinched from the shout. Even if he didn't think much of Lin Ce, Bahu was truly terrifying.
"The rest of you, come with me. Manager Cheng wants to see you."
"If he wants to see me, he can crawl in here," Lin Ce frowned. He was certain now that this Black Gold Security Group was the help Chu Xinyi had hired. This woman really was a cowardly turtle; even with her brother captured, she wouldn't show her face. Perhaps he had been too high-profile and scared her off? But he had been trying to keep a low profile since returning to Zhonghai these past two days. Lin Ce rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
The horse-faced man gave a mocking laugh. "Sorry, the courtyard is too small. Heh, he can’t fit."
*Can't fit?*
Bahu turned his head. "What’s that mean? You want to fight?"
The man’s expression soured. He had expected these two to tremble in fear at his words, but they didn't show a hint of emotion. "Fight? Just the two of you? We could drown you in spit alone!"
Lin Ce slowly stood up and stretched. "You mean you brought a lot of people?"
"Heh, not much, not much. Take a guess—two hundred, three hundred?" The man wore a smug, punchable look.
The courtyard wasn't huge, but it could easily fit a hundred or so people. By the sound of it, they had brought quite a crowd.
"It seems your sister is much more reliable than you are," Lin Ce remarked to Chu Weilong, never missing a chance to strike.
Chu Weilong glared at him. "Kid, your life is almost over. My sister sent people to save me, so just wait for your death!"
"Let’s go. Let’s take a look," Lin Ce said, sounding intrigued.
Security companies like this were often just covers for underground gangs, only with a more "official" name.
Bahu and Lin Ce walked out. They saw the alley packed tightly with men on both sides, and even the area outside the alley was swarming with them. They were all wearing suits and holding baseball bats, looking like thugs trying to play dress-up.
The horse-faced man’s chin was practically pointing at the sky. He rolled up his sleeves and shouted, "Kid, you about to pee your pants yet? Our Manager Cheng brought five hundred men! Five hundred against two! Hahaha! You’re finished!"
Chu Weilong clenched his fists, a fire of hatred burning within him. *Lin Ce, this time, I’m going to make sure you die right here!* To think an adopted son would return to Zhonghai to fight them—it was pure suicide. He didn't need anyone else to step in; he could handle Lin Ce himself!
With that thought, he stood next to the horse-faced man and snatched a baseball bat, as if holding it made him invincible. "Kid, scared now? If you are, get on your knees, kowtow, and beg for mercy. Then we’ll drag you to the Chu Family to face judgment!"
Lin Ce couldn't even be bothered to look at him. "So we're comparing numbers, are we? Fine. Let’s compare."
Everyone present was stunned. *Compare numbers?*
*Are you sure you haven't lost your mind? Who do you think you are to be able to call up so many people just like that? Besides, these are all trained security professionals. Even if you call someone, who could you possibly bring?*
That was indeed a problem. The Huben Army had been sent a hundred kilometers away for drills, so they wouldn't arrive anytime soon. However, there should be a Southern Theater Command garrison near Zhonghai.
Lin Ce dialed a number.
It connected quickly. "You busy man, why are you calling me?" A bewitching woman’s voice came through. If anyone from the Southern Theater Command heard the Black Phoenix, their acting Dragon Head, speaking to a man like this, their jaws would hit the floor. "Don't tell me you're here to stir up trouble? I already disciplined Su Mingwu for you. I did that purely for your sake."
Lin Ce smiled, shaking his head. "Black Phoenix, don't start with that. Back when the four regional Dragon Heads met in the capital, you still owed me an apology."
That time, the four of them had met at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse and drank until they were satisfied. Black Phoenix had, whether intentionally or not, stumbled into Lin Ce’s room. If word of the North's Yinglong and the South's Black Dragon’s fiancée spending the night together had leaked, it wouldn't have been a simple piece of news; it would have caused an international sensation and been exploited by people with bad intentions. Fortunately, Lin Ce had stayed sober enough to avoid making a mistake—though Black Phoenix had been somewhat resentful about it ever since.
"Alright, what do you want? I'm busy. The Southern Theater Command has exercises coming up soon." Black Phoenix didn't want to bring up that embarrassing incident, so she changed the subject, her face turning crimson.
"Nothing much. Some people from a Black Gold Security Company in Zhonghai have me blocked in, and they brought about five hundred men. They want to compare numbers. Since this is your territory, why don't you send some people to compare with them?"
***
Black Phoenix’s eyes flashed. "Oh? In Zhonghai, someone actually dares to touch a god-tier character like you? That’s interesting. Wait there, I’m mobilizing a combat unit now."
The call ended.
Bahu’s expression had turned somewhat somber. "Lord, for such a trivial matter to require you to call the Southern Dragon Head yourself... it is my dereliction of duty."
"It’s fine. You have the courage of ten thousand, but I just can't stand the way these people behave."
*Clap! Clap!*
Just then, the security personnel at the entrance of the alley split into two lines, and a man emerged from the crowd. It was Cheng Xiong, the general manager of the Black Gold Security Company.
The brothers Cheng Ying and Cheng Xiong had started the company together. The younger brother, Cheng Xiong, managed operations, while the older brother, Cheng Ying, handled the training of the security personnel in the suburbs.
Cheng Xiong wore a black suit with no tie and his top shirt button undone, looking uninhibited. A trace of killing intent flickered in his eyes—a look only those who had actually killed could possess. Once someone’s hands were stained with blood, they lost all fear, their eyes filled with contempt for human life.
Cheng Xiong was that kind of man. However, when he saw Lin Ce, he felt like a withered leaf in the autumn wind—rootless and helpless. It was a strange feeling. Even when facing much stronger opponents, he had never felt this way. If he had ten lives on his conscience, then Lin Ce felt as though he had crawled out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.
Chu Weilong was at best a spoiled playboy and didn't understand such things, but Cheng Xiong did.
"Ah, Manager Cheng. I didn't expect you to come personally. Wait, what’s wrong?" Chu Weilong asked, confused by Cheng Xiong’s furrowed brow.
Cheng Xiong shook his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Nothing. Maybe I’m overthinking it."
"Manager Cheng, my sister was being too cautious having you bring the whole company. It wasn't necessary! A hundred of these guys would have been enough to kill this kid!"
Cheng Xiong felt a lingering sense of unease, but he couldn't see anything extraordinary about the young man before him.
"You’re Lin Ce, right? I’ll give you a chance. Come with me quietly now, and I’ll spare you the physical pain. As for whether the Chu Family kills you or lets you live later, that’s not for me to decide."
Lin Ce spoke calmly. "Do you and the Chu Family have a grudge?"
Cheng Xiong was stunned, not understanding what he meant. "What are you talking about?"
"Since you don't have a grudge, why bother sending your men to their deaths?"
*To their deaths?* Was he crazy? They had five hundred men surrounding Lin Ce and Bahu. Not only were they not afraid, but they were also spouting nonsense?
Cheng Xiong suppressed his anger and let out a cold laugh. "Kid, I admire your courage. Just for the fact that you’re still this calm, I can tell you’re no ordinary man. How about this? I have a soft spot for talent. Why not come work for me? I’ll protect you. No matter what grievances you have with the Chu Family, they’ll still give my brother and me some face."
Chu Weilong looked at Cheng Xiong, dumbfounded. *Is he serious? He wants to recruit Lin Ce?* If Lin Ce really joined Black Gold Security, it would be difficult for the Chu Family to touch him. After all, these people’s hands weren't clean; the Chu Family wouldn't want to completely burn bridges with Black Gold Security.
But Bahu couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Pfft!"
"My apologies, Lord. I couldn't help it."
A small-time security company in Zhonghai wanted to recruit the Dragon Head as a subordinate? If this spread back to the Northern Territory, it would become the laughingstock of every soldier.
"What are you laughing at?" Cheng Xiong frowned.
"I’m laughing because you don't have the sense to look at your own reflection. You aren't even fit to carry the Lord’s shoes, and yet you dare to boast!"
The atmosphere turned tense.
"Good! Good! Good!" Cheng Xiong said the word three times, his teeth grinding in anger as he pointed at Lin Ce and Bahu. "You asked for this. Don't say I didn't warn you! Kid, nobody can save you now! Brothers, someone dares to look down on us—what do we do?"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
Five hundred voices shouted in unison, shaking the heavens, and the shantytown trembled.
Seeing this, Fang Hongxin and the other residents retreated, too terrified to make a sound.
"It's over. This has really blown up. Even these people are here now. I knew anyone who crossed the Chu Family wouldn't have a good ending!"
"Sigh, he’s just too young."
"Director Fang, you should go out and say something. That gentleman was only trying to stand up for us," Auntie Liu said worriedly.
Fang Hongxin was terrified. Go out there? Was she joking? He didn't want to die.
"So, can you stand still for a moment?" Bahu suddenly asked Cheng Xiong.
Cheng Xiong was puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing special. Just going to beat you up."
"Haha! Did you hear that? The kid said he was going to beat me up!" Cheng Xiong laughed so hard he had tears in his eyes.
"Hahaha!" The laughter of five hundred men echoed through the alley.
Lin Ce looked at them with pity. Pitiful people always had hateful qualities, and by the same token, hateful people had their own pitiful sides—because they didn't know what kind of entity they were provoking.
Cheng Xiong licked his lips and drew a short blade from behind his back, shouting, "Kid, nobody can save you now. Just die!"
*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!*
Just then, faint vibrations began to travel from the distance, growing louder and closer.
Lin Ce’s lips curled upward. They weren't slow. Black Phoenix’s combat units were well-trained and disciplined; it wasn't just an empty boast.
Cheng Xiong, just about to lead his men in, also felt the rumbling. Then, everyone watched in shock as camouflaged heavy trucks came barreling down the road one after another. They blocked the intersection brutally, sealing off all exits.
*DA-DA-DA!*
The synchronized sound of combat boots hitting the ground echoed. Fully armed soldiers leaped from the trucks and formed ranks. They stood tall as steel, weapons in hand, surrounding the men of Black Gold Security within the alley.
The scene fell into a bizarre, suffocating silence.
"Fight! Fight! Fight!"
*Click! Clack!*