C90 Sun Qing'er Became the Queen of the Underworld!
In our X Country, the common folk often speak of the land being divided into the southeast, northwest, north, and south. A City holds a unique position, situated right in the heart of the country.
Each region is home to innumerable powerful families and influential forces.
The Southern Territory, nestled in the affluent Jiangnan area, boasts a staggering number of formidable warriors due to the region's wealth.
The fact that the Barbarian King has emerged as a leader among these numerous powers is a testament to his chilling strength.
Sun Qing'er was worried that Lin Chen might act rashly and execute Old Dog Wang in a fit of impulse.
So, she took the time to carefully lay things out for him.
Take Sun Xiangguo, for example; even as a deputy commander on the frontier, he wouldn't dare defy the Southern Barbarian King!
"Young Master, it would be wiser to spare Old Dog Wang's life than to kill him," she advised.
"By doing so, you could effectively take control of A City's entire underground network and even outmaneuver Sun Xiangguo."
She paused briefly before continuing her counsel to Lin Chen.
"Lin Chen, she's not wrong," Old Dog Wang chimed in from the ground, where he lay expecting his demise.
"If you kill me, you'll gain nothing and only play right into Sun Xiangguo's hands."
Hearing Sun Qing'er's strategic breakdown, a glimmer of hope sparked in Old Dog Wang's eyes.
If he could just survive, he'd have all the time he needed to turn the tables on Lin Chen and everyone close to him—and that includes that scoundrel Sun Xiangguo!
"No benefits to be had?" Lin Chen mused aloud.
"Well then, you might as well die for my cause!"
With a cold laugh, Lin Chen delivered a fierce kick to Old Dog Wang's chest.
A crisp "Crack!" echoed as Old Dog Wang's chest collapsed inward.
As his life force ebbed away, Old Dog Wang's eyes widened in horror, unable to fathom why Lin Chen would dare to kill him, knowing full well the terror of his master.
In that moment, not only Old Dog Wang but also Sun Qing'er and the security guard were utterly taken aback by Lin Chen's actions.
"Qing'er, if I entrust the underground forces of A City to you, I'll consider letting you go."
"Do you believe you have what it takes to be the queen of the A City underworld?"
After dispatching Old Dog Wang, Lin Chen's expression remained utterly unfazed. Turning to Sun Qing'er, he posed the question in a calm, quiet voice.
The Southern Barbarian King might have been formidable, but to Lin Chen, anyone who dared to target his people had only one fate: death.
What did it matter if it was a trap laid by Sun Xiangguo?
If the Southern Barbarian King had the audacity to step foot in A City, Lin Chen would simply eliminate him. Overthinking was unnecessary.
"The queen of the A City underworld?"
Sun Qing'er's face registered a flicker of disbelief.
She had never imagined that after Lin Chen eliminated Old Dog Wang, he would suggest she take over the ensuing chaos.
"With your extraordinary spirit, your cultivation methods, and your sharp intellect," Lin Chen continued evenly, "rising to the role of underground queen shouldn't be a challenge."
"Thank you for the opportunity, Young Master Lin."
"Once I take the reins of A City's underworld, I'll use all my power to ensure the safety of Lanlan and her child," Sun Qing'er declared with resolve.
Lin Chen's words had cleared any doubts. She understood that missing this chance would relegate her to being nothing more than an ornament by Lin Chen's side for the foreseeable future—a prospect she resolutely rejected.
"This security guard here has potential. He's yours to command," Lin Chen remarked with a nod, leaving the final word as he and Zhang Xiaoyu turned to leave.
Watching Lin Chen's retreating figure, Sun Qing'er's eyes shone with an unusual determination.
"What's your name?" she asked the security guard, taking a deep breath.
"Boss... my name is Cui Hong. You can call me Little Cui," he replied with due reverence.
He wouldn't dare to take Sun Qing'er lightly. After all, she had the fearsome Lin Chen at her back.
"A servant owes loyalty to one master alone. Given your recent conduct with Old Dog Wang and knowing my own nature, I would normally be inclined to eliminate you first," Sun Qing'er said, her presence exuding a chilling aura that befit her new title.
Cui Hong's knees buckled, and he knelt, shaking in fear.
He had mistaken Sun Qing'er for a mere decorative figure, never expecting her to be even more merciless than Lin Chen himself.
"However, since the young master has given the order, I'll let you live... for now."
"Should I discover any treachery in your heart in the future, I will not hesitate to exterminate your entire clan!"
Despite the palpable fear emanating from Cui Hong, Sun Qing'er's expression remained icy and detached.
To her, the threat of annihilating Cui Hong's family seemed like a trivial matter.
"Yes, boss. From this day forward, I, Cui Hong, pledge my undying loyalty to you and Young Master Lin."
Cui Hong responded to Sun Qing'er, his voice tinged with fear.
Old Dog Wang had a reputation for being merciless, and betrayal meant neither he nor his family would find peace.
Yet, compared to Sun Qing'er's ruthless promise of wiping out an entire lineage, Old Dog Wang's brutality paled in significance.
"Who remains among Old Dog Wang's forces as his close confidant?"
Sun Qing'er's gaze bore into Cui Hong as she posed the question with grave seriousness.
She knew that to swiftly seize control of Old Dog Wang's territories, she needed to act decisively and with the force of a thunderbolt.
Delay would only breed dissent and multiply her troubles.
"Wang Gang, also known as Iron Man!"
"He oversees Old Dog Wang's financial empire and controls the southern district."
"He didn't come to Old Dog Wang's aid today because he's been nursing an injury recently."
"Subdue or eliminate him, and the rest will pose no threat!"
Cui Hong promptly relayed the information to Sun Qing'er.
After a moment's contemplation, Sun Qing'er decided, "In that case, you'll accompany me."
"Once Wang Gang is out of the picture, you'll take over his financial duties."
With those words, she handed Cui Hong a pill, a deadly poison of her own creation.
Now, it would serve its purpose well.
Controlling the lives of key members would ensure loyalty and reduce the risk of future betrayals.
Outside the Emperor Bath City.
"Xiaoyu, if you ever find yourself in trouble, seek out Sister Qing'er."
"She will be there for you."
"Don't worry about your father's situation; I'll handle it with care."
Lin Chen observed Zhang Xiaoyu's blank expression and sighed involuntarily.
He understood that she was frightened, but even the most advanced medical knowledge was powerless in this situation.
"No, Lin, I need to handle my father's situation on my own!"
Suddenly, Zhang Xiaoyu's face twisted into a grimace as she raised her voice to Lin Chen.
Lin Chen's brow creased slightly.
In medical terms, Zhang Xiaoyu was experiencing post-traumatic stress.
In layman's terms, a person's personality can drastically change after facing significant events or life-and-death situations.
He could sense the depth of Zhang Xiaoyu's resentment toward her father, yet the thought of her confronting this alone left Lin Chen worried.
"Xiaoyu, you..."
Lin Chen began, ready to offer words of comfort, but she cut him off with a shake of her head.
With a grave look, she told Lin, "You can help me temporarily, but you can't be there for me forever."
"I need to handle this on my own."
"Once it's settled, I want to be with Qing'er."
As Zhang Xiaoyu spoke, her face tensed, betraying her inner turmoil.
She feared her decision might upset Lin Chen.
Yet, having gone through this ordeal, Zhang Xiaoyu had come to a realization: in this world, if she didn't become stronger,
she would ultimately be defenseless against those who would harm her.
"Stay with Qing'er?"
"Xiaoyu, are you aware of what you're saying?"
"The risks Qing'er faces now and in the future are several to dozens of times greater than what you've encountered!"
"A single misstep could be fatal."
Lin Chen understood Zhang Xiaoyu's emotions, but this was no trivial matter.
Sun Qing'er possessed the Ice Heart Spell, and if she remained sheltered like a decorative vase, she would never grow.
Besides, this woman was intelligent and not one to settle for solitude.
It was for this reason that Lin Chen had let her spread her wings.
But Zhang Xiaoyu was different; she was an ordinary person. If she got involved, the dangers she'd face would only multiply.
He watched as Zhang Xiaoyu pursed her lips, her face a portrait of defiance.
Lin Chen let out a wry laugh.
With Zhang Xiaoyu's mind set, what more could he add?
"Alright, later you'll accompany me to the antique market."
"Once I've concocted a few pills for you, then you can go back to spending time with Qing'er."
Upon getting Lin Chen's affirmative response, a knowing smile spread across Zhang Xiaoyu's graceful face.
And in that moment, she resolved in her heart that she would belong to Lin, her 'Big Brother Lin', for the rest of her life.
