Chapter 39: Unyielding Power—Who Can Stand Against Me

"It seems you have understood now!"

Ling Xiao sat in the chair, his posture unchanged, but his mood visibly improved.

Ming Cheng cupped his hands and said, "I was slow-witted, but thanks to your guidance and favor, young master, I have awakened! From this day forward, I will devote myself to improving my strength and charge into battle for you!"

His voice rang out firm and strong. Though humble before Ling Xiao, Ming Cheng no longer appeared servile.

He was no longer that lazy middle-aged man. In this moment, he was the reincarnation of a Martial Emperor.

Ling Xiao stretched lazily, his tone still utterly indifferent. "All right, go do what you’re supposed to do."

"Yes!"

Ming Cheng stood, his aura surging.

"Anyone who dares show disrespect to my young master shall be killed without mercy!"

Ye Cheng, who had just crawled out from beneath the platform, turned white with terror at these words. Swallowing hard, he forced himself to speak, "What do you want? I’ll have you know, I’m the last disciple of Su Yannian, the Martial Sage of Jiangnan! If you dare lay a finger on me, my teacher will never let you go!"

Ming Cheng sneered coldly. "Even if your master were the Jade Emperor himself, it would make no difference after offending my young master!"

With that, he stepped forward and threw a punch.

His fist roared like a dragon, sending a violent gale through the hall; every chair in its path exploded into splinters.

"No! You’ll regret this! You’ll regret it for the rest of your life!"

Ye Cheng’s scream echoed as he was sent flying by Ming Cheng’s fist. This time, his chest caved in instantly. Blood spurted from his mouth before he even hit the ground, and his life was already extinguished.

With a single move, Ye Cheng was dead.

The hall descended into utter silence.

Chen Lishi, in particular, completely lost his composure. When he first arrived, he had thought Ling Xiao nothing more than a worthless nobody—so insignificant, he hadn’t even spared him a proper glance. Yet this person he dismissed most had become his greatest threat.

Not only did Ling Xiao have more money than him, but also such a formidable subordinate!

Even Ye Cheng, Chen Lishi had always treated with utmost courtesy. Yet Ming Cheng was deferential to Ling Xiao as if to a sovereign.

The gulf between them was vast beyond measure.

He could not help but feel the irony.

At that moment, Ming Cheng fixed his gaze coldly on him. Chen Lishi shuddered uncontrollably.

"What... what do you want? I’m the young master of the Chen family! If you hurt me, the Chen family will never let you go!"

Ming Cheng rolled his eyes. "Idiot."

He then bowed slightly to Ling Xiao. "Young master, how do you wish me to deal with this fool?"

Ling Xiao looked off into the distance, not even bothering to glance at Chen Lishi. "I’ll give the Chen family some face."

With these words, Chen Lishi breathed a sigh of relief, the corners of his mouth lifting. Ling Xiao, no matter how capable you are, so what? This is Jiangzhou. You still don’t dare provoke the Chen family!

But just as this thought came to him, Ling Xiao spoke again. "Just break his limbs and throw him out."

A cold shudder passed through the crowd. Ling Xiao was far too audacious! First, he’d dealt with Su Yannian’s disciple—already shocking enough. Now, he dared offend even the Chen family. His boldness was boundless.

The smile vanished from Chen Lishi’s face, his eyes bulging with rage. "Ling Xiao, don’t go too far! You’ve already killed Su Yannian’s disciple and now want to make trouble for the Chen family. Watch your back if you want to stay alive!"

Ling Xiao said nothing. Ming Cheng gave a cold laugh and strode forward, slapping Chen Lishi hard enough to send him flying.

"Foolish thing! You think you can threaten my young master? Courting death!"

When Chen Lishi hit the ground, he had already fainted. But Ming Cheng wasn’t finished. He strode over and stomped down on Chen Lishi’s arm.

With a crisp crack, Chen Lishi woke in agony, eyes nearly bursting from their sockets, on the verge of collapse.

Ming Cheng showed not a trace of mercy.

The law of the jungle! Had Ling Xiao and his companions been powerless nobodies today, it would have been them dying here.

He proceeded to break Chen Lishi’s other three limbs in the same brutal fashion. Each time, Chen Lishi would scream in pain and then faint again, only to be revived by the next wave of agony. His wails sent shivers through the hearts of all present, leaving them trembling.

Some with weaker nerves even lost control of their bladders in fear.

Afterward, Ming Cheng grabbed Chen Lishi by the wrist and dragged his unconscious body out of the park.

The crowd was silent as death. Even Mu Yiren was so frightened she dared not utter a word. Though she had seen Ming Cheng in action before, witnessing it again left her utterly speechless.

After all, she was just an ordinary person.

Ling Xiao glanced at Yu Ji. "You may resume the auction."

"Ah?" Yu Ji started, but met Ling Xiao’s gaze and shivered, quickly replying, "Yes, of course!"

He scrambled back onto the stage in a panic.

What followed was a strange scene. No one dared to flee, but neither did anyone dare to bid. Each time Yu Ji announced a starting price, the room would remain silent for a long time—only after confirming Ling Xiao had no intention to bid would others dare to raise their hands.

The painting “Flood Dragon Rises from the Sea,” valued at fifty million, was purchased by Mu Yiren for just twenty million, right at the starting price.

All things considered, Ling Xiao ended up making quite a profit.

More than that, after today, Ling Xiao’s name was bound to spread far and wide.

The auction concluded, and the organizers began distributing certificates to the successful bidders. The charity auction was officially declared over.

To express her gratitude, Mu Yiren invited Ling Xiao to a renowned Western restaurant in Jiangzhou for a meal. Ming Cheng and Xiu’er tagged along and enjoyed the occasion as well.

...

Elsewhere, Ling Xue returned home in a daze.

Third Uncle Ling was sitting on the sofa reading the paper. Seeing Ling Xue return so soon, he frowned. "Xue, didn’t you go to the charity auction? Why are you back so soon?"

Ling Xue sighed softly. "I... I ran into Ling Xiao."

"Oh?" Third Uncle Ling set down his newspaper, displeased. "Did that brat give you trouble?"

"No," Ling Xue shook her head.

"That makes sense. Ling Xiao has no right to attend such an event these days; how could he have caused you trouble? Then what’s the matter? You seem awfully downcast."

Ling Xue answered with a trace of disappointment, "Ling Xiao was at the auction too."

"What did you say?" Third Uncle Ling was shocked. "That’s impossible! With his current situation, he can barely support himself. How could he have gotten into a place like that?"