Chapter 40: Arrogance Backed by Strength

“It was Mu Yiren who took him there!” With a single sentence, Ling Xue dispelled all of Third Uncle Ling’s doubts.

Third Uncle Ling pulled out a pack of Furong cigarettes from his pocket, lit one, and took a deep drag, his brows tightly furrowed. “I miscalculated! I thought he’d spend his life as a worthless pauper, never to rise again. But all my calculations overlooked Mu Yiren!”

He took another fierce drag, as if making a decision, his expression solemn. “From now on, whenever you see Ling Xiao, treat him with respect. Who knows, we might need him someday.”

Ling Xue sighed deeply. She truly disliked the way her parents spoke. When Ling Xiao had no money, everyone treated him like something filthy, disgusting. Now that Ling Xiao had wealth, suddenly they wanted to curry favor, to pretend they were friendly. How laughable was this? Even more so, she had grown up in such an environment and become just like them.

...

Elsewhere, after finishing their meal, Ling Xiao and Mu Yiren parted ways.

“Thank you for today! If not for you, I might never have recovered my beloved’s family relics. Nor would I have had the chance to obtain that ancient embroidery technique.”

“You’re too polite. Didn’t you treat me to dinner? We’re even.”

“No, that won’t do. When there’s a chance, I’ll properly thank you.”

“Well then, study the embroidery carefully. If it sells well, maybe I’ll have to rely on you to make a fortune!” Mu Yiren smiled.

“Don’t worry. As long as we make money, I’ll never shortchange you!” Ling Xiao nodded, turned, and got into the car, leaving with Ming Cheng and the others.

Xiu’er couldn’t help but ask, “Young Master, why don’t you acknowledge Miss Mu?”

Ming Cheng chuckled, “Young Master said he’d wait until he conquers Jiangzhou before proposing to Miss Mu. He wants to make up for everything he owes her!”

Xiu’er shook her head and sighed. “Young Master, sometimes what a woman wants isn’t worldly splendor. Perhaps, it’s simply companionship.”

Ling Xiao gazed at the streetlights flashing past the window and smiled serenely. “Maybe so. Women and men, after all, are different.”

A woman gives everything to her man, for a man is her world. But a man will seize the whole world, and give it to his woman—gathering all glory, conquering all under heaven.

Between man and woman, love cannot be spoken.

...

Nearly back at Jiangzhou Grand Hotel, passing through a newly built, deserted road, the atmosphere grew strange, and the car slowed to a stop.

The driver called out, “Young Master, the road ahead is closed!”

Xiu’er frowned prettily. “Strange, it wasn’t closed when we came.”

Ling Xiao and Ming Cheng both narrowed their eyes. “Young Master, I’ll go take a look.” As he spoke, Ming Cheng had already gotten out.

He glanced around, his eyes sharpening with a hint of murderous intent. “If you’ve come, stop hiding! A bunch of petty crooks, playing tricks!”

As he finished, several shadows darted from the corners, swiftly surrounding Ling Xiao’s car.

“Young Master!” Xiu’er’s expression turned grim. Ling Xiao’s eyes narrowed, gleaming coldly. “It seems the Tiger Gate has chosen the wrong path after all.”

He opened the car door and spoke calmly, “You two stay in the car. No need to get out.”

The driver and Xiu’er stayed silent. Ming Cheng circled to the front, standing beside Ling Xiao. “Young Master, they’re from Tiger Gate!”

Ling Xiao’s face remained indifferent. “Tiger Gate alone hasn’t the nerve.”

With his hands clasped behind his back, he strode forward. “Iron Fist Gate?”

The opposing party laughed. “You’ve got some brains, guessing right away we’re from Iron Fist Gate!”

“Boy, you killed our Tiger Gate men, broke our mountain gate! And you want us to kill the Grand Elder and bring you his head? You’re pushing your luck!”

“Tonight, we’ve brought Iron Fist Gate experts to meet you!”

“If we don’t skin you alive, we’ll never ease the hatred in our hearts!”

Ling Xiao glanced at them coolly. “Too much nonsense. Ming Cheng, not a single Tiger Gate member escapes!”

“Yes!” Ming Cheng answered, stomping the ground, leaping straight at the Tiger Gate disciples.

The Iron Fist Gate members did not intervene. Masters have their own dignity. Tiger Gate’s men were mere lackeys—let them die. In the end, as long as they killed Ling Xiao and Ming Cheng, Iron Fist Gate’s honor would be preserved. That was enough.

Iron Fist Gate had sent five people, both men and women, all roughly at the seventh level of martial mastery. The five stood proudly, facing Ling Xiao with an air of arrogance, as if they were his judges, arbiters of his fate.

“Are you ready to die?” The Iron Fist Gate members spoke directly, deciding Ling Xiao’s outcome without wasting words. Between experts, there was no need for pleasantries.

Ling Xiao stood firm, expression unruffled. “Many have wanted me dead. I wonder if you have the skill.”

“Hmph! Such arrogance! Since you’re so eager for death, let’s not waste time. The five of us, you may choose anyone to send you on your way!”

Ling Xiao shook his head. “One by one is too troublesome. Come all at once.”

They sneered. “You really think you’re someone just because of your title? Don’t imagine you can swagger before us. We’ve seen plenty of arrogant young masters like you—none survived!”

Ling Xiao sighed. “Enough, talking with you is tiresome. I’ll throw out a few moves, do as you please.”

With that, he stepped forward and threw a punch. It looked utterly ordinary, soft and effortless, as if he hadn’t used any strength at all.

Yet, the moment his fist struck, wind and clouds surged, an overwhelming force of destruction swept forth, merciless and all-encompassing.

“So strong!” The five Iron Fist Gate disciples who’d been arrogant seconds before broke out in cold sweat.

“Hurry! Defend together or we’ll be doomed!”

All five launched their attacks, five pairs of iron fists, powerful and imposing, ten streams of force tearing through the air, kicking up dust, roaring straight for Ling Xiao’s punch.

The two sides collided, pausing for a second. The five Iron Fist Gate disciples breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Ling Xiao’s strength was not enough to match the combined power of all five.

After all, Ling Xiao was so young. No matter how strong, he couldn’t be that formidable.

“Brothers and sisters, keep up your strength and break his punch!”