Due to internal strife and external calamities, the True Martial Association had suffered a great disaster, and their intelligence network was no longer as effective as it once was. As a result, even though many people knew about a major event like Xiao Xuanye's arrival in Jiangbei, the association mbers had yet to hear of it.
Therefore, they were all at a loss.
"Who are these people?"
"Why do they have so many weapons?"
"Don't tell they're Lin Tang's accomplices, here to wipe us out in one fell swoop?"
Now we're really finished...
Just as they were panicking, they breathed a collective sigh of relief when they heard the adjutant ordering Lin Tang to get out here.
"A misunderstanding! This is all a misunderstanding! We're not with that guy Lin Tang! We're on your side! Don't shoot!"
"Shut up! Who's on the sa side as a rabble like you?" the adjutant sneered. His gaze landed on the faces of Huangfu Zhan and Wei Shanhe, and he recognized them at a glance. This was just a small civilian organization. As a mber of the regular army, he naturally looked down on such motley crews.
If not for the fact that the True Martial Association had done so good by voluntarily attacking so worthless pests from other nations, he would have gunned them down long ago.
"Hey, don't think you can act so high and mighty just because you have weapons."
"You think we're really afraid of you?"
"How dare you call us a rabble? Such arrogance! Who the hell do you think you are?"
Although their hearts were filled with apprehension, even fear, the adjutant's extre arrogance still incensed so of them, who couldn't help but protest defiantly.
"Have you all gone blind? Can't you even recognize the flag of the Valiant Battalion under the Dragon Combat Army?" one of the n beside the adjutant shouted, suddenly brandishing a banner.
"What? The Dragon Combat Army!"
"Heavens, could it be... Xiao, Xiao, Xiao Bubai's Dragon Combat Army?"
"Please forgive us! We were blind not to recognize you!"
The color completely drained from the faces of the True Martial Association mbers. They fell to their knees and raised their hands in surrender, lest they be executed on the spot. That would be too unjust.
They then turned to look at Lin Tang in utter astonishnt.
"You bastard, you were audacious enough to kill mbers of our True Martial Association. How dare you also offend the Dragon Combat Army? You're truly courting death!"
"Lin Tang, aren't you going to kneel and beg for rcy?!"
"Master Lin, what on earth is happening?"
Hearing them, the adjutant naturally realized which one was Lin Tang. He strode forward, pressing the muzzle of his gun against Lin Tang's forehead as he sneered, "Say I'm a scamr one more ti. I dare you."
Anyone else threatened like this would likely have turned deathly pale. Even though Lee Encai and Wei Zichu knew Lin Tang was an exceptionally skilled martial artist, they still broke out in a cold sweat for him. After all, the other side had far too many weapons! How could re flesh and blood stand against them?
Lin Tang, however, was unfazed. He said calmly, "So you're not a scamr, fine. Why be so aggressive about it? If this were a shouting contest, I'd concede that you're the champion. How about that?"
"You—" The adjutant didn't expect him to remain so defiant, even at a ti like this. "Do you really think I won't kill you?"
Lin Tang looked at him calmly and said, "You'd kill soone over a few harsh words? Is this the renowned Dragon Combat Army? Timid with outsiders, yet brutal with your own people?"
"Insolence!"
"How dare you slander our Dragon Combat Army!"
"You damn bastard!"
The soldiers were all enraged, their killing intent locking onto him. The sheer pressure made Wei Shanhe and the others standing nearby feel their hair stand on end. Yet Lin Tang, who bore the full brunt of it, remained as serene as if he were feeling a gentle spring breeze, completely unconcerned.
Seeing this, the adjutant mocked him, "Do you think your little reverse psychology will make spare you? That I'll even think highly of you for your backbone? This isn't the first ti I've t a clever opportunist like you. All I can say is this: when you say the wrong thing and do the wrong thing, you must pay the price!"
With that, he was about to open fire. Of course, he wouldn't aim for a vital spot, since he still needed to interrogate Lin Tang about the Mu family remnants.
But just then, his phone rang.
He answered. "What?"
The adjutant was in disbelief. He never would have thought that Xiao Xuanye would actually take Shen Youling as his adopted daughter. He had followed Xiao Xuanye for many years and had never seen the General show a pleasant expression to any beautiful woman, let alone grant one special treatnt. Shen Youling... what makes her so special?!
"I understand!" Taking a deep breath, the adjutant forced himself to calm down. He then looked at Lin Tang. "Consider yourself lucky! n, bring him back to see General Xiao, completely unhard!"
No matter what, since Shen Youling was now General Xiao's adopted daughter, he could no longer deal with her husband, Lin Tang, as he pleased.
Lin Tang's hearing was sharp, and he had also overheard the news. He was just as surprised. What is this Xiao Xuanye up to? Is he trying to take advantage of ?! Damn it! In his dreams!
"Lin Tang, what happened?" Shen Qiushi cried out, unable to squeeze through the surrounding crowd, his voice filled with panic and worry. Seeing Lin Tang being "escorted" out, he asked urgently.
When the adjutant learned that this was Shen Youling's grandfather, he didn't dare to be disrespectful. He amiably invited him to the post station as a guest.
Lee Encai insisted on following Lin Tang. The adjutant glanced at her but didn't stop her. Seeing how intimate the two were, he sneered inwardly.
If General Xiao knew his adopted daughter's husband was an unfaithful scumbag, wouldn't he grind the man's bones to dust? Since Lin Tang wants to court death, I'll grant his wish!
As their group departed, the True Martial Association naturally didn't dare voice any objections. They too left in a hurry, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.
Soon, Lin Tang was brought to the post station. Xiao Xuanye had already returned to the main hall, but he hadn't sent away the wealthy elites like Wang Dengke. He allowed them to enter and leave their gifts. Consequently, Lin Tang's arrival did not go unnoticed, and they couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
"I thought Lin Tang was a dead man for sure, but in a wild turn of events, Shen Youling becos General Xiao's adopted daughter! Doesn't that an Lin Tang gets to ascend to the heavens in a single leap? Damn it, why is he so lucky?" Wang Shouzhen burned with jealousy.
Coincidentally, Hua Fengchen had also rushed over upon hearing the news. Boasting his background from the capital's Hua Family, he considered himself a cut above the rest and swaggered over to greet Xiao Xuanye.
"Is Hua Tianxiong your father? I believe I t him once last year," Xiao Xuanye said, nodding at him.
Hua Fengchen smiled faintly, his gaze shifting to Shen Youling with a sense of wistfulness. Originally, after his father Hua Tianxiong's first wife had passed away from illness, his own star had begun to rise. He had often fantasized about getting Shen Youling, but then he'd have to figure out how to convince his father to accept that piece of "used goods" from a minor family as his daughter-in-law. It seed like a major headache. He imagined his father would fly into a rage and refuse. But now, things were different. Shen Youling had beco Xiao Xuanye's daughter. If he married her now, his father would surely approve with both hands and feet raised in the air! "If I can just have Shen Youling, not only can I make up for past regrets, but I can also use General Xiao's influence to soar to new heights..."
Hua Fengchen couldn't contain his excitent, and his desire for Shen Youling intensified. The mont he saw Lin Tang appear, he regarded him as a mortal enemy, wishing he could gnaw on his bones and devour his flesh.
While others didn't dare speak recklessly in front of Xiao Xuanye, Hua Fengchen had the gall to open fire.
"Lin Tang, you shaless wretch!
"Previously, General Xiao summoned you, but you made excuses and refused to co.
"Even when Youling's parents were punished because of you, you remained as cold as stone, completely indifferent!
"Youling must have personally begged you to co, right? And you ignored her all the sa!
"Now that you've heard General Xiao has accepted Youling as his adopted daughter, you finally deign to show your face and leech off her good fortune?
"Do you have no sha?!"
Hearing this, the crowd murmured in agreent. It was true! He wouldn't co no matter how many tis he was called. But the mont his wife beca General Xiao's daughter, he showed up at lightning speed. The man had no principles whatsoever.
Ever since their daughter had beco a phoenix who'd flown to a high branch, Shen Xin and Dong Mingfeng could barely contain their grins. Shen Jiayue, while happy, was also extrely anxious. She had just slapped Shen Youling, and right after, this happened... If Shen Youling holds a grudge, won't I be in for a world of hurt? And isn't Lin Tang, that bastard, the cause of all this?
Therefore, Shen Jiayue also mustered her courage and joined the tirade. "Lin Tang, you country bumpkin, you hick! You're a jinx, a nace, a worthless piece of trash... What did our Shen Family ever do to deserve you? You're so cold-blooded and ruthless, you wouldn't lift a finger to save us! Most importantly, you've never once helped Youling; you only ever hurt her. Go on, count how many tis you've made her cry!"
Seeing Lee Encai standing close to Lin Tang, Dong Mingfeng's eyes darted, and she too leaped into the fray with renewed vigor. "You damn womanizer! You're married to Youling, yet you're out here fooling around with this little slut! You're not worthy of Youling! If you have any sense, agree to a divorce! I refuse to have a piece of trash like you as my son-in-law!"
Since Xiao Xuanye had acknowledged Hua Fengchen's status, it proved that Hua Fengchen was indeed from a prominent family in the capital and not an imposter. Shen Xin naturally hoped his daughter would marry a more outstanding young man rather than be dragged down by a good-for-nothing like Lin Tang. So, he said, "Lin Tang, divorce my daughter. Young Master Hua... Fengchen here knew Youling long ago. They are a match made by fate. You are rely a third party who ca later. It's not too late to let go."
Hua Fengchen was deeply moved, on the verge of kowtowing and hailing him as Father-in-law.
Wang Shouzhen, along with a large portion of the other n, also desperately wished they could marry Shen Youling and thereby latch onto Xiao Xuanye's powerful coattails. They chid in one after another, agreeing that a nobody like Lin Tang was indeed unworthy of Shen Youling.
Seeing Lin Tang facing the condemnation of the entire crowd, Shen Youling was about to speak when Xiao Xuanye noticed the tear stains on her cheeks and said softly, "As a husband, one should never make his wife cry."
He whipped his head around, and an overwhelmingly powerful aura surged toward Lin Tang. "As a man, you have no right to let my daughter feel wronged! Lin Tang, you deserve to die!"
All the mbers of the Valiant Battalion roared in unison, "DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE!"
The aura they released rged with Xiao Xuanye's, crashing down like a celestial river, vast and mighty. It was like a torrent of thunder, sharp and unstoppable.
"Oh my god!"
"AHH!"
Hua Fengchen, Wang Shouzhen, and the others all collapsed to their knees, feeling as if the sky itself were falling.
Lee Encai felt her scalp prickle as if it might burst, and she nearly crumpled to the ground, spitting blood.
At the critical mont, Lin Tang stepped in front of her. He still stood ramrod straight. All of that imnse pressure didn't even make him frown.
He couldn't help but smile.
Looking at Shen Youling, he asked, "Have I really made you feel wronged?"
Protected by Xiao Xuanye, Shen Youling was naturally unaffected by the imnse aura. Her eyes t Lin Tang's.
There was a mont of silence.
Then... she nodded.
"Yes."
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