The revenge plan devised by Lin Yu and Young Master Xiao was finally set in motion. Knowing that Ling Xiao was not to be underestimated and that ordinary means would not suffice against him, Young Master Xiao leveraged his connections in both the underworld and high society to hire a retired special forces soldier.
This retired soldier had served in elite units for many years, surviving countless trials between life and death, and possessed formidable combat skills alongside a wealth of practical experience. Hired by Young Master Xiao at an exorbitant salary to act as his personal bodyguard, he was fiercely loyal.
On a seemingly ordinary day, Ling Xiao was walking home as usual when a black van suddenly screeched to a halt beside him. A group of burly men in black suits and grim expressions stepped out. At their head was the retired special forces soldier, whose imposing stature and sharp gaze seemed capable of piercing through anything.
The soldier walked up to Ling Xiao and said expressionlessly, "Mr. Ling, my young master wishes to see you. Come with us."
Ling Xiao frowned slightly, keenly sensing an unusual aura. He thought to himself, wanting to deal with these men right away, "Could it be that foolish idiot Lin Yu again? I let him off last time, yet he still doesn't know when to quit and dares to provoke me once more. Oh well, once I see the person behind this, I'll take care of them all at once." Having made up his mind, Ling Xiao agreed to go with them.
Before long, the van pulled up in front of the Xiao Family's luxurious villa. Ling Xiao was led into the living room, where Young Master Xiao was lounging lazily on a sofa, with Lin Yu standing right beside him.
Upon seeing Lin Yu and Young Master Xiao, Ling Xiao couldn't help mocking them, "Well, if it isn't the three-second wonder. I spared you when you brought Brother Bao last time, and yet you've come back to court death? Those cheap tricks from before couldn't touch me, so what kind of stray dogs have you dug up this time?"
Seeing Ling Xiao, Lin Yu wore a look of embarrassment and resentment. However, he quickly plastered on a flattering smile and said to Young Master Xiao, "Young Master Xiao, look how arrogant this brat is. He clearly doesn't respect you at all."
Without haste, Young Master Xiao set down his wine glass and slowly stood up. He looked Ling Xiao up and down with a gaze dripping in disdain and contempt. Giving a cold snort, he said, "Hmph, a little punk like you dares to talk to me this way? You're nothing more than a poor kid with some petty cleverness. Do you really think you're something special?"
As he spoke, Young Master Xiao paced around Ling Xiao as if inspecting an insignificant object, every movement radiating nobility and arrogance.
"Look at yourself—just some nobody with zero background who stumbled into a bit of fame purely by luck. In the eyes of the Xiao Family, you are nothing more than an ant," Young Master Xiao continued tauntingly. "Do you think that saving Elder Su allows you to run amok in Jiangnan City? That was merely Elder Su acting foolishly, duped by a petty con artist like you."
Stopping in his tracks, Young Master Xiao stood right in front of Ling Xiao and looked down at him from on high. "Do you know the power of the Xiao Family? Throughout Jiangnan City, and indeed the entire Jiangnan region, a word from the Xiao Family is law. The resources I command are something you could never imagine in a lifetime. To pit your meager abilities against me is sheer foolishness."
Utter contempt spread across Young Master Xiao's face as he went on, "Hiring this elite special forces operative to deal with you is already doing you a favor. But I hear your martial skills are decent. If you still want to survive in Jiangnan City, you'd better obey me, surrender, and be my loyal dog—otherwise, bear the consequences."
Hearing this, Ling Xiao shook his head and said, "Just because of a spoiled brat like you? You aren't worthy."
Standing beside Young Master Xiao, Lin Yu chimed in, "Ling Xiao, don't toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Young Master Xiao is an overlord of Jiangnan City—how dare you disregard his prestige? It's not too late to kneel before Young Master Xiao and beg for mercy right now; once you regret it later, it will be too late."
Far from being intimidated, Ling Xiao looked calmly at Young Master Xiao and said, "Hmph, so-called righteousness is just a tool used to bind ordinary people. People like you, who rely entirely on power and money, simply cannot stand others refusing to submit to your control. Do you really think you can handle me with just these tricks? It is utterly laughable."
A flash of anger crossed Young Master Xiao's face upon hearing this, and he shouted, "Hmph, still running your mouth? I'd like to see what skills you actually have to dare cross me, Young Master Xiao."
With that, Young Master Xiao gave a subtle nod to the retired soldier. Catching the cue, the soldier immediately stepped forward and assumed a ready stance.
Yet Ling Xiao remained completely unfazed and composed. He knew that formidable though these men might appear, with his cultivation experience and the immortal Cultivation Method from the Longyuan Secret Classic, he wouldn't take them seriously even if they were world-class boxing champions.
Seeing Ling Xiao's composure, Young Master Xiao felt a twinge of doubt, but his pride prevented him from easily abandoning the contest. He decided to apply more pressure and break Ling Xiao's spirit completely.
"Listen well, Ling Xiao. Kneel before me right now, and I might spare you this once. Otherwise, once my men make their move, they won't show any mercy," Young Master Xiao threatened viciously.
Ling Xiao tilted his head slightly, a mocking smile playing on his lips as he said, "Go ahead. I've been waiting."