Chapter 106: Phoenix Against Phoenix

“Young master! What are you doing here?”

The moment these words were spoken, the entire hotel corridor fell into a silence so profound that even the faintest sound of a needle dropping could be heard.

The illustrious Jiang Lin magnate, Tang Luocheng, was bowing respectfully to a mere boy?

Heavens above, had madness taken hold?

Everyone from the Xu family, including Lv Chengcai, stared wide-eyed at Ling Xiao as if confronted by a ghost.

After a moment, Lv Chengcai regained his composure and cautiously stepped forward to ask, “Mr. Tang, what did you just say?”

Tang Luocheng straightened his posture and replied solemnly, “Before the young master, I am not worthy of being called Mr. Huang by you all. You may simply address me as President Huang.”

Those words shattered the last thread of hope in everyone’s hearts.

Ling Xiao truly was the revered young master of Jiangzhou, the one who dominated the entire Ghost Valley!

“My God, this is utterly insane!”

Xu Linlin staggered back two steps, hitting the wall. Leaning against it for support, she narrowly avoided falling.

Yet despite this, her delicate frame trembled uncontrollably.

Her aunt and uncle were similarly pale and shaken, though they did not visibly shiver, their faces drained of color.

They kept muttering, “This cannot be! This simply cannot be!”

“We’re doomed... the Xu family is finished!”

Only the elderly Madam Xu, after the initial shock, quickly replaced her expression with one of flattering smiles.

“Oh my, I never imagined Ling Xiao would come this far. Yi Ren, you never told your grandmother, you’re such a mischievous child.”

Yi Ren sighed deeply within, growing increasingly disappointed in her grandmother.

If Ling Xiao were still the poor boy he had been, she probably wouldn’t spare him a glance; but now...

Hearing Madam Xu’s words, Tang Luocheng immediately bowed again to her.

“Greetings, madam.”

That single bow sent Madam Xu’s heart soaring.

This man before her was the wealthiest magnate in all of Jiang Lin. In the past, having him bow to her would have been a dream beyond imagination.

But now, thanks to Ling Xiao’s fortune, it had become reality.

Heaven, even if she were to die immediately, it would be worth it!

Her smile smoothed the wrinkles on her face as she hurried forward to help Tang Luocheng up.

“President Tang, you’re too kind.”

Then she turned to Ling Xiao, smiling warmly.

“Ling Xiao, you and Yi Ren—when are you planning to get married? Have children soon so that I can hold a strong grandson in my lifetime.”

Ling Xiao shot her a cold glance.

“Get lost! Don’t get cocky!”

A fierce command, imbued with thunderous authority, caused everyone present to fall to their knees instantly.

Hearts pounding and ears ringing, no one dared to breathe freely.

“Today, the Xu family’s true colors have been utterly disgraceful!”

“From this day forth, there is no connection between the Xu family and the Mu family.”

“If you dare to entangle even half a step further, I won’t hesitate to erase the Xu family from this world forever!”

With those words, Ling Xiao took Mu Yi Ren’s hand without hesitation and turned to leave.

“The meal just now, President Tang will settle the bill!”

“Yes, sir!”

Watching their departing figures, the Xu family was filled with deep regret.

They had been so close—just a breath away—from seizing the position of the richest in Jiang Lin!

Just that little bit!

Now, it was all over. Completely finished.

Madam Xu burst into tears, unwilling to accept reality, staggering as she tried to follow.

“Yi Ren, Yi Ren, wait for your grandmother! I was wrong. I shouldn’t have underestimated Ling Xiao. Sob... come back! Give your grandmother another chance!”

But as the two walked briskly away, her voice slowly faded into the distance.

Once outside the hotel, Ling Xiao finally exhaled deeply.

Though his life had not been long, he had encountered countless shameless people.

But none quite like the Xu family.

Their earlier despicable treatment of him, and now, seeing his rise, they scrambled to cling to his coattails with such shamelessness—it was utterly repugnant.

Mu Yi Ren’s face showed a trace of guilt.

“Ling Xiao, I’m sorry. I didn’t expect that bringing you with me to Jiang Lin would result in you facing so much humiliation.”

Ling Xiao smiled, gently ruffling her hair.

“It’s not your fault! They are who they are; you are you. I will always believe in you!”

“Thank you, Ling Xiao.”

Mu Yi Ren embraced him tightly, her eyes shimmering with emotion.

At that moment, a round of applause drifted over, followed by a voice dripping with seductive charm.

“What a truly divine couple! So enviable!”

Ling Xiao frowned slightly and glanced back.

There stood Gu Mingyan, her breathtaking beauty captivating all who beheld her.

“I thought you had returned to Ghost Valley? How are you in Jiang Lin?”

“Hee hee... with today’s advanced transportation, a trip to and from Ghost Valley takes less than half a day. Am I really that surprising to the young master?”

Though their words were casual, Gu Mingyan’s soft, coquettish tone unsettled Mu Yi Ren.

She fixed her gaze on Gu Mingyan, scanning her from head to toe.

Today, Gu Mingyan wore a flowing white dress, less solemn but more innocent.

Coupled with her ethereal looks, she truly seemed like a fairy descended from the heavens.

Sensing the threatening yet subtly hostile look from Mu Yi Ren, Gu Mingyan smiled sweetly in return.

As their eyes met, a distinct aura of rivalry spread between them.

Both women were beauty personified, worthy adversaries.

However, Mu Yi Ren was still somewhat inexperienced.

Like two apples—one fully ripe and red, the other just beginning to blush—their appeal to men differed.

Though Mu Yi Ren was confident she might someday reach that level, for now, she was clearly at a slight disadvantage.

This stirred a modest sense of insecurity within her.

Ling Xiao noticed Mu Yi Ren’s mood and gave a slight disgruntled snort, prompting Gu Mingyan to roll her eyes and murmur with a hint of grievance:

“You’re so biased! These past three years, I haven’t treated you any worse than this girl. And the moment we meet, you already favor her so much?”

“If you say another word of nonsense, do you believe I’ll make you face the wall for a year?”

Gu Mingyan stuck out her tongue playfully, adding an extra layer of charm.

This woman was incredibly dangerous to men—flawless from every angle.

“All right, I won’t tease your little lover anymore. Hello, Mu Yi Ren, right? I’m Gu Mingyan—the Shadow Hall leader of Ghost Valley, and a colleague of young master Ling Xiao!”