Chapter 13

"My first layer of guards consists of a full four or five hundred men, all of them ruthless characters. No one can break through!" He spoke with utter disdain. The next moment... Another figure, drenched in blood, charged in and crashed to their knees. The man trembled, "Master Hai, our first layer of nearly five hundred brothers has been completely wiped out! Those people have already killed their way to the second layer..." Cheng Feihai’s face stiffened. "Damn it, what are you afraid of? My second layer of defense is even stronger than the first! The hundred-plus martial artists I keep are all warriors who can take on ten men each... They are dead men walking!" His voice was filled with rage. A full five hundred men... Losing this many troops meant he had suffered a devastating blow to his core strength! Less than a minute later... Another figure burst in, trembling violently, "Master Hai, the second layer of defense has been breached. They’ve killed their way to the third layer..." Cheng Feihai’s entire body shook, and the cigar in his hand dropped to the floor. "Quick! Hurry, hurry, hurry!" "Find some rope, I need to escape..." A surge of intense fear immediately washed over his entire being. "Escape?" "Where do you think you're going?" A playful voice came from outside, accompanied by clear, measured footsteps. A cold, stern man stepped into the room. "Who are you..." Cheng Feihai gasped, his breath catching in his throat. "Xiao Zining." "I am the one who spoke to you on the phone earlier, and the one who killed your brother." Cheng Feihai’s mind exploded. "This! This!" "How could you possibly have broken in here? Impossible, absolutely impossible!" He shrieked in disbelief. "I simply strolled in," Xiao Zining said calmly. "I’ve come to claim your life, just as I promised." Xiao Zining slowly drew the sword at his waist, his murderous intent overflowing.

Chapter 48: Cheng Feihai, Dead!

"Don’t kill me, don’t kill me... I admit defeat, I apologize..." Cheng Feihai’s knees gave way. "I have money and power! Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you..." "Please, don't kill me!" "I only want your life." Money and power were easy for Xiao Zining to obtain, but Cheng Feihai had to die! "I have lots of money!" "I have huge influence in this area, too!" "I can do things for you, I can be your dog..." Cheng Feihai pleaded bitterly. He knew there were still many people outside, but his life was already in Xiao Zining’s hands. "You aren't worthy." Xiao Zining’s tone was frigid. A person like this didn't even have the qualifications to be his dog. Seeing that Xiao Zining was determined to kill him, Cheng Feihai gritted his teeth, his expression turning ferocious. "If that’s the case, then go to hell with me!" He instantly pulled a gun from his coat and aimed it at Xiao Zining. "Even if I die, I'll take someone down with me..." The words had barely left his lips! A cold flash passed before his eyes, and a chill settled into his neck. Xiao Zining sheathed his sword. Cheng Feihai’s head separated from his body, and he collapsed onto the floor, dead with his eyes wide open in disbelief. "Cut off his dog head. Let those people see the consequences of messing with my family." As he removed his black jacket, he added, "Clear this place out within half an hour. I still need to go home to be with my wife and child." With that, he walked out of the room.

Meanwhile. At the Bai family home... Bai Xining was anxious and incredibly nervous. Could something have happened to Xiao Zining? After all, the person he was up against was... the Eastern City King, Master Hai! "Bang!" The door was kicked open. Bai Hao rushed in, his face pale. "Dad, Mom, Sis... It’s over! They say the Eastern City King, Master Hai, has issued a kill order on us..." "It’s over, it’s all over... How did we get mixed up in something like this? We’re dead for sure!" "Let’s run away quickly... otherwise we’re goners! We can't fight him..." Bai Hao was paralyzed with fear. The Bai couple widened their eyes in shock. "This, this!" "What is going on!?" The two were terrified. How could they have offended such a character? A bounty order! "We must run..." Lin Huimei was stunned with fear. "Even if the Bai family steps in, they can’t protect us..." In front of Master Hai, the Bai family was nothing but a subordinate! "Sis, did you offend Master Hai?" Bai Hao asked in horror. "They... they wanted to dig out Doudou’s eyes, so Xiao Zining..." "He killed Cheng Feihai..." Bai Xining hesitated before saying it. "Mom and Dad, you guys should go. Take Haohao and Doudou and leave here..." "I’ll stay here and wait for him!" Upon hearing this, Lin Huimei exploded. "Are you crazy? You can’t fight Master Hai! You want to stay here and wait for death?!" "It really is that jinx, Xiao Zining!" "He’s going to get us killed!" "I’m so furious..." Everyone in the Bai family was filled with rage; this was an unprovoked disaster! "He... he did it to protect Doudou..." Bai Xining defended him. "But him going head-to-head with Master Hai is just overestimating himself, and he dragged us into it..." All three felt a wave of despair. Meanwhile, the entire underground world of Fengcheng was set into a massive upheaval... Master Hai had issued a bounty! One hundred thousand for each member of Bai Xining’s family? If they could really capture them, wouldn't that be hundreds of thousands in their pockets? Plus, they might even earn the favor of Master Hai... This tempted many people. Many began to prepare for action. However... A video leak poured a bucket of ice-cold water on them... In the video, a bloody head appeared, its eyes wide open, staring in death, looking extremely ferocious... "Master... Master Hai is dead?" "My god!" The entire underground world and upper-class circles of Fengcheng exploded instantly! Who could have done this?

Chapter 49: I Feel Like You’re Lying!

"Holy..." Everyone was shocked. Master Hai, who had been full of swagger and issuing commands with such a strong posture just a moment ago. Now, he was just a corpse... This was far too terrifying! How formidable was Master Hai’s influence? With hundreds of experts protecting him, how could he be killed so easily? But, he was dead. "Who exactly had the ability to kill Master Hai?" "It's too terrifying!" "Could it have to do with the bounty order?" Everyone speculated wildly. But! Not a single person dared to lay a finger on Bai Xining’s family!

— At the Bai house. The Bai couple was already packing their things to flee. Bai Hao, sweating profusely, felt his phone buzz. He pulled it out and took a look. His expression shifted from dullness to sheer shock! "Master Hai... is dead!?" "We don't need to run anymore!" "Cheng Feihai and his many thugs have been wiped out by a mysterious force..." Hearing this news, the others’ bodies stiffened. "Really?" "Really! Don't believe me? Look!" After seeing the video, the Bai couple and Bai Xining’s hearts pounded fiercely! What was going on? Just a moment ago, Master Hai had been proudly issuing bounty orders, and now someone had severed his head and posted it online... "It really is... phew... scared me to death. I thought we were done for..." Lin Huimei patted her chest, lingering fear still apparent, and slumped into a chair. They had survived a close call! A narrow escape! Bai Xining clenched her fists. Could this matter have something to do with Xiao Zining? It couldn't be such a coincidence. Ten minutes later, Xiao Zining arrived, looking dusty and worn. Seeing they were safe, he felt a secret sense of relief. "You still have the nerve to come here!?" Lin Huimei was furious and threw a cup directly at him! "You almost killed us!" Bai Hao gnashed his teeth in anger. "Who gave you the face to show up at our house?" Xiao Zining dodged the cup and walked inside. "Mom, brother-in-law, Cheng Feihai has been dealt with. You don't need to be afraid." "You..." Lin Huimei was trembling with rage. "It's lucky we have good fate!" "Get lost! Don't come near us ever again, or we’ll be killed by you sooner or later." Xiao Zining offered a bitter smile. "Actually, I..." "Did you eliminate Cheng Feihai?" Bai Xining suddenly asked. Xiao Zining let out a long sigh; he couldn't keep it hidden forever after all. "Yes, I did." Hearing Xiao Zining’s words, Lin Huimei, Bai Hao, and Bai Shan were silent for a few seconds before sneering... "Brag, keep bragging!" "All you can do is brag! What other skills do you have?" "How shameless... taking credit for this? Pfft!" "Who do you think you are, to have killed Master Hai? Master Hai was the local tyrant of Fengcheng! He could have crushed you with one finger..." Bai Shan snorted. "How truly shameless. I had hoped you had turned over a new leaf, but here you are, still making such boastful claims..." His face was filled with disappointment. As for Bai Hao, he was even less likely to believe Xiao Zining. "Daddy is a great hero!" Doudou looked up. "He is the great hero who protects us!" "It must have been Daddy!" "I also believe it was Daddy!" The two children worshipped Xiao Zining with eyes full of light. Xiao Zining smiled. As long as the two children acknowledged him, it didn't matter what anyone else thought! Seeing Xiao Zining admit it so readily, Bai Xining instead became skeptical... "Was it really you?" Actually, Lin Huimei’s analysis was quite sound. Given Xiao Zining’s current situation, how could he possibly have fought Master Hai? It was completely impossible! She questioned him, "This time, why do I feel like you’re lying?"

Chapter 50: The Charity Gala!

Xiao Zining gave a bitter smile. She had believed the lies he made up on the spot. Yet, when he told the truth, it was taken as a lie... Words failed him. He made up a random reason. "I have a friend in the War Department. I asked him to step in and settle the matter. After all, Cheng Feihai has committed many evil deeds for years, and the War Department has had its eye on him for a long time..." "We just happened to catch a good opportunity this time." "See? I told you he was bragging!" Lin Huimei and the others became even more disdainful. Xiao Zining smiled and didn't bother to argue. Bai Xining nodded; this reason was somewhat acceptable. "In the future, don't do such dangerous things." "Okay." Being cared for by Bai Xining made Xiao Zining feel warm inside. "Since everything is fine, you should go back now." Bai Xining quickly returned to her cold demeanor. Xiao Zining nodded slightly. Downstairs, Xiao Feng was already sitting in the car, waiting for him. As soon as Xiao Zining sat in the backseat, she started the car and reported, "Sir, the charity gala hosted by Lin Hui and her group is about to begin." "Also, I heard they intend to auction off the heirlooms of the Xiao family—the Dragon and Phoenix Jade Bracelets—as part of the 'charity' fund." Hearing Xiao Feng’s words, Xiao Zining’s eyes grew cold. "She deserves to? She has no right to touch anything belonging to the Xiao family!" The Dragon and Phoenix Jade Bracelets were a token of love from Xiao Zining’s parents and had been given by his mother to her future daughter-in-law, Lin Hui, years ago. To think his parents had treated her like kin, like their own daughter, only for this heartless, ungrateful woman to be the one who ruined them! He had never liked Lin Hui back then, but she had won over his parents with every trick in the book to become his fiancée. It seemed the conspiracy from five years ago had been orchestrated by both of them. That meant he couldn't let them off the hook... "Tonight, many celebrities in Fengcheng will attend in person." "It’s a grand feast." "It’s also Lin Hui’s first public appearance in front of the elite after taking over the Tianyu Group. It’s her first step into the upper-class circles." "I will make her spit out everything she owes my Xiao family, without a single thing missing." Xiao Zining said calmly. "Also, Sir, your appointment papers have been issued. Some figures in the three provinces have already caught wind of it." "Was my identity leaked?" "No, sir. We followed your instructions and did not reveal your identity. However, certain individuals within the system should have picked up on some clues..." "No matter!" "I doubt they would dare to leak it casually," Xiao Zining said coldly. "Tonight, I will turn this charity gala into a joke." "Spread the word: say that I—the Governor of the Three Provinces—have arrived in Fengcheng." A trace of a smile appeared on the corner of Xiao Zining’s mouth. Solving them directly would be letting them off too easily; he wanted these people to feel despair little by little...

— Eight o'clock in the evening. Tianhui Hotel. The entrance was bustling with chariots and horses; high-ranking figures of the city were coming and going. Lin Hui, in a purple evening gown, looked incredibly noble and cold. Beside her, Wang Hao, also in a high-end designer suit, was beaming with joy. They looked every bit the golden couple. Below, three thousand guests mingled and chatted away. Today's hostess was Lin Hui, the woman who had inherited the Tianyu Group and, together with the Four Major Clans, had schemed to swallow the Xiao family. She had become a new rising star in Fengcheng; who would dare not give her some respect? "Everyone, I am honored that you could come to participate in the charity gala I am hosting. Now, please, could everyone quiet down for a moment?" Under the gaze of the crowd, Lin Hui walked onto the high stage with great flair.

Chapter 51: Young People Who Are Too Arrogant Will Die!

"Our charity gala today has many items for sale. All proceeds from the auction will be donated as a charity fund..." She spoke some standard, polite words. Everyone present knew what these so-called charity galas were really about. To put it bluntly, everyone here today had come to curry favor with this future rising star of Fengcheng and the Wang Family’s young master, Wang Hao. As for the money from the auction, it was basically just a gift to the two of them. "Lin Can, you're so lucky to have such an impressive sister. You're destined to soar to the heavens. The Lin family is definitely going to become the new top clan in Fengcheng!" Beside a young man, someone said with envy. "Heh—" Lin Can let out a pretentious laugh, his vanity greatly satisfied. "After years of laying low, today, the Lin family has finally risen." "I really should thank those idiots in the Xiao family. Hahahaha—" He laughed loudly. The people around him joined in the laughter, too. Indeed! The Lin family had grown by sucking the blood of the Xiao family, and now they had swallowed them up in one fell swoop, sharing the spoils with the other four major clans! This... was enough for them to rank among the top-tier families in Fengcheng! "Especially that idiot Xiao Zining. Back then, I had to hold back my disgust while calling him brother-in-law for years. Now, I’ve finally flipped the script..." "If I ever see him, I’ll be sure to humiliate him!" Lin Can snorted coldly. "Young Master Lin, with your current status, why bother lowering yourself to compete with a stray dog?" Lin Can smiled without answering. He viewed those days of "laying low" as the greatest humiliation of his life! Now his family was soaring. If he didn't trample Xiao Zining under his feet, how could he swallow this resentment? "Hey! Have you guys heard?" "What?" "A major figure from the capital has arrived in our Fengcheng on an unannounced visit!" "What major figure?" "Two days ago, the higher-ups issued an order designating the provinces of Jiangnan, Jiangbei, and Suzhou-Hangzhou as the jurisdiction of a certain high-ranking official, appointing them as the Governor of the Three Provinces." "Right now, this person is here in our Fengcheng." The pupils of everyone present trembled, and they gasped in unison. "I heard that too. It was news that spread this afternoon..." "And did you hear about the Eastern City King, Cheng Feihai, and his hundreds of thugs? Being wiped out in one go? Lately, Fengcheng has been giving me the feeling that a storm is coming..." In the banquet hall. Many were whispering in discussion. "Next, we are auctioning an antique... The Dragon and Phoenix Jade Bracelets. Rumor has it these were once worn by a Tang Dynasty imperial consort; they are extremely precious." "Starting bid is fifty million." "Fifty-five million." "Sixty million." The price climbed steadily, soon reaching a staggering amount. Many could only watch; this price wasn't something they could afford. "One billion!" An indifferent voice suddenly cut in from outside the main entrance. It rang out like a thunderclap, echoing through the entire hall! What!? One billion? Who shouted that? Are they insane? Following the sound, they saw a man wearing a Shura mask walking in with a dragon’s stride, his gaze sharp and his presence intimidating. The woman behind him was also wearing a mask, yet her figure was exceptionally graceful. "Who is that?" "Putting on a show with a mask!" "Must be here to crash the party, right?" The crowd was filled with anger and indignation. Lin Hui’s eyes darkened. Wang Hao’s face turned gloomy. Lin Can was unable to contain his rage; he immediately slammed his table, walked over to the two, and pointed at Xiao Zining, cursing. "You guy playing mystery! Are you here to crash the party? I think you’re tired of living. Do you know who we are?" "Who are you? Looking at you like that, must be someone impressive?" Xiao Zining smiled playfully. "Damn it, you’re looking to die!" Feeling the mockery in Xiao Zining’s eyes, Lin Can flew into a rage on the spot and threw a punch at Xiao Zining’s mask! Xiao Zining easily sidestepped, lifted his foot slightly, and tapped the back of Lin Can’s knees in quick succession... *Crack! Crack!* Two crisp sounds rang out. Lin Can let out a pig-like scream and crashed to his knees in front of Xiao Zining! The massive banquet hall fell into absolute silence! "Young people who are too arrogant will die. I'll spare your life for now." Xiao Zining kicked Lin Can over, stepped over him with his hands behind his back, and walked forward.

Chapter 52: Governor?

This arrogant posture left everyone stunned. Lin Can was Lin Hui’s own younger brother. After doing this, would Lin Hui let him off? Sure enough, a cold look flashed in Lin Hui’s beautiful eyes. "Who are you, hiding your face and not daring to show yourself?" "And you dare to hit someone at my charity gala? Who gave you the guts to do this!"