C18 The Terrifying Xu Lin

He was actually slapped across the face? And by the neck, no less?

To them, Chu Tianhao was a heavyweight. It wouldn't have been a shock if he were the one doling out such treatment.

But for this young man to strike Chu Tianhao in such a manner?

They were momentarily dumbfounded. Yet, one astute individual sensed that there was more to the story than Chu Tianhao let on. Slipping away covertly, he set out to inform Chu Tianhao's superior, Yang Heng.

Xu Lin certainly noticed the one sneaking off, but he was unfazed. Even if they summoned the Almighty himself, it would be to no avail.

With a steely gaze, Xu Lin confronted Chu Tianhao, "Was it you who threatened Chu Lan?"

Chu Tianhao was utterly bewildered. Who was he? One of Crismond's elite, no less. Though not fully entrenched in that inner circle, Chu Tianhao had already pegged himself as a Crismond kingpin.

He believed himself to be stronger and more youthful than the other big shots, a self-assuredness that justified anything he did in Crismond, including taking any woman he fancied.

Yet, in this instant, Chu Tianhao was completely flabbergasted. He couldn't fathom why this young man before him dared to lay a hand on him.

"Alright, you son of a—"

"Smack!"

Chu Tianhao was cut off mid-insult by another slap to his face. Xu Lin was livid, or rather, Xu Lin was known for his short fuse, treating everyone with the same iron fist.

"If you utter one more useless word, I'll end you," Xu Lin warned icily.

"Young man, don't you think you're being overly presumptuous? Whom do you intend to kill?"

A calm voice floated over, belonging to none other than the boss, Mr. Yang. Yet, his brows were knitted, and his icy stare bore into Xu Lin.

Chu Tianhao was, after all, one of his own. There's a protocol to such matters; you consider the master before striking the hound. Xu Lin's actions were a direct affront to his dignity, and he was none too pleased.

As he entered the room, his face instantly seized up in shock. He was well aware of who this person was; indeed, every major player in Crismond knew him.

He hadn't anticipated that Chu Tianhao had managed to anger Xu Lin, the notorious King Yama himself.

Forget Chu Tianhao, was there anyone in all of Crismond bold enough to cross Xu Lin?

What about Yim Jiuge? Hadn't he been ruthlessly eliminated by Xu Lin?

That night's image of Xu Lin, an imposing figure akin to a deity, was etched in his memory, never to be forgotten.

"Mr. Yang, help me, Mr. Yang! Take him down!"

"Smack!"

A vicious slap echoed, but this time it wasn't Xu Lin's handiwork; it was the middle-aged man's.

Chu Tianhao's heart was filled with indignation.

I'm one of your own, how could you side with an outsider to strike me?

Yet, the middle-aged man paid no heed to Chu Tianhao, instead addressing Xu Lin with deference, "Mr. Xu, I am..."

He was cut off mid-sentence by Xu Lin, who interjected sharply, "I don't need to know who you are! Is he one of your men?"

Sweat beaded on the middle-aged man's forehead. To deny it would be a lie, but to admit it might seal the Chu family's doom.

Frozen with fear, the middle-aged man was now filled with loathing for Chu Tianhao. Of all the people to provoke, why did it have to be King Yama, someone utterly untouchable?

"Smack!"

The sound of a crisp slap resounded again, leaving a vivid red imprint on the middle-aged man's cheek, yet he remained silent.

He was in the presence of Xu Lin, a man whose very name struck fear into the hearts of Crismond's elite.

"Chu Tianhao, he's mine... my subordinate," the middle-aged man finally confessed, mopping the sweat from his brow.

The onlookers were stunned. Wasn't this man supposed to be the mediator?

Now he too had been struck, and what's more, he seemed powerless to retaliate.

Whispers began to circulate among the crowd, speculating whether Xu Lin's influence had surpassed even that of Lord Yang.

"Since he's your responsibility, don't you think you owe me an explanation?" Xu Lin's voice was icy, his piercing gaze instilling fear.

The middle-aged man, gripped by terror, could not muster any anger towards Xu Lin—he was someone he dared not provoke. With a voice quivering, he pleaded, "Mr. Xu, I... I'll make sure he learns his lesson once I'm back. I'll handle it..."

"Handle it?" A glint of menace flashed in Xu Lin's eyes. Did he truly believe Xu Lin was naive enough to be fooled? That he'd simply let him 'handle it'?

Xu Lin set Chu Tianhao on the ground, found a chair, and sat down with a chilling stare at the middle-aged man before him. It was clear to the man that Xu Lin was furious, yet he sensed no murderous intent—Xu Lin was not inclined to kill, at least not in front of witnesses.

"Cripple his five limbs!" Xu Lin commanded from behind the man, who flinched and grabbed a baseball bat from one of his associates.

In the face of Chu Tianhao's horror-stricken eyes, the bat was raised high.

"No, Mr. Yang! Please, no!" Chu Tianhao begged in fear.

But his pleas did nothing to halt the middle-aged man's relentless assault. The bat came crashing down with a sickening "Crack!" followed by Chu Tianhao's agonized screams.

"Brother, this is on you. You crossed a line with the wrong person," the middle-aged man said emotionlessly, his actions quickening with each successive "Crack!"

He was keenly aware of Xu Lin's order—five limbs—and he was not about to forget it.

Chu Tianhao lost consciousness, and the middle-aged man approached Xu Lin, asking with deference, "Mr. Xu, does this meet your expectations?"

But did it? Some might be in the dark, but the up-and-coming streamer knew exactly who Mr. Yang was, and the significance of Chu Tianhao. Chu Tianhao might be a small fry, but Mr. Yang was a true power player in Crismond.

In Crismond, even the most influential figures bowed humbly before Xu Lin.

Moreover, Xu Lin bore the surname Xu. It wasn't common in Crismond, yet not many with that name could instill such fear in the city's elite.

Only the enigmatic Mr. Xu from Vleegas had that kind of clout.

But the intricacies of high society were not common knowledge.

Aside from a certain popular influencer, everyone was left gaping at the unfolding spectacle.

Chu Lan, standing by Xu Lin's side, shared in the collective shock.

The sight before them was almost too much to believe.

Chu Tianhao, Director Chu, had been attacked upon entry, and the man he summoned for help ended up disabled.

Was the world turning upside down?

Xu Lin offered a wry smile, regarding Chu Tianhao with a cool detachment. "So, you're threatening Chu Lan now?"

In that moment, clarity struck Chu Tianhao, and he grasped the gravity of Xu Lin's standing. To evoke such fear in Master Yang, what level of influence did he wield?

Chu Tianhao's lips parted, but no words came; he was too afraid to speak.

For every word seemed to invite another beating.

"What? He dared to threaten Director Chu?"

Master Yang exclaimed, astonished.

Rumors had circulated that Director Chu was Xu Lin's woman.

Hadn't Chu Yarou also been close to Xu Lin? Who in Vleegas would now dare cross these formidable ladies?

Chu Tianhao was truly playing with fire.

"Leave! If there's anything in the future, come directly to me, Xu Lin!"

Master Yang, feeling like a man reprieved, bowed deeply to Xu Lin and scurried away, followed by a retinue of men in black.

Yet, unbeknownst to Xu Lin, recent events had drawn the attention of certain covert groups.

Days later, Yue Chen reached out with a phone call.

"Mr. Xu?"

He greeted with due reverence.

"Oh! What is it?"

Xu Lin inquired.

Yue Chen spoke deliberately, "Mr. Xu, are you familiar with Taoism?"

"No! What about it?"

"The Taoists here wish to meet with you."

"Oh," Xu Lin responded nonchalantly, not bothering to inquire about the nature of the Taoist sect or why they sought an audience with him.

Yet, his response left Yue Chen in a bit of a bind.

"Mr. Xu, if you're available, could you please come over?"

Yue Chen couldn't help but smile wryly to himself, anticipating Xu Lin's aloof demeanor.

"No, if they have business with me, they can come to me," Xu Lin declared, not interested in meeting with those he deemed unimportant. With that, he promptly ended the call.

...

Yue Chen observed the two individuals garbed in priest frocks before him—a man and a woman who were clearly not ordinary figures. They were young but belonged to the Shu Sect.

The Yue Family was in no position to provoke such characters. Naturally, if Sword Immortal Yue Haoyang were still present, there would be no need to fear the Portside Tops, but times had changed, and the Yue Family's influence had waned.

Yue Chen found himself having to offer a gentle explanation to the pair.

"Heh! A mere rogue cultivator, and you expect us to meet with him? Does he really think he's someone of significance?" The man exuded an intense sword qi, giving off the impression he could slice through the very air.

"Senior Brother, he may be a rogue cultivator, but it seems he's achieved the Great Circle of Qi Refinement! You..."

The woman's words were cut short as the man interjected, "Heh! What does it matter if he's reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refinement? He's still just a rogue cultivator!"

To the orthodox disciples of the Taoist sect, rogue cultivators were looked down upon for their lack of a solid foundation within the Mysterious Sect.

What profound techniques did the Taoist sect practice? And the rogue cultivators? It was commendable enough if they managed to discover a method to cultivate!

However, the woman silently disagreed. Rogue cultivators might not match up to the Taoist sects, but Xu Lin's achievement of the Great Perfection of Qi Refinement at his age was notable, something not even the Portside Tops could claim among their ranks.

If Xu Lin had only basic cultivation techniques, it would only underscore his prodigious talent.

But these thoughts were kept to herself; voicing them would only serve to irritate her senior brother once more.

So, with a wry smile and a shake of her head, she turned to Yue Chen and said, "I appreciate it, Old Yue, truly."

With those words, she rose slowly and departed alongside the man.

Once they were gone, a chill flickered in Yue Yuqing's eyes as she spoke icily, "Grandfather, their arrogance knows no bounds! Forget Mr. Xu, I could dispatch them in less than a minute."