Hong Yuanfei's mind raced as he quickly concocted a story. "This... this is a nto from my mother. It's very aningful to , so I always keep it with . Senior, could you possibly return it?"
"I'm asking what it's made of. I don't care if it's your nto or not," Lin Tang said, weighing the detoxifying pearl in his hand.
Hong Yuanfei forced a smile. "It's just a large gemstone, probably worth a few hundred thousand at most. Do you like this kind of thing, Senior? If so, how about I give you an even bigger and more beautiful one?"
"To hell with you!" Lin Tang kicked him. "I gave you a chance, and you're still useless. Do you take for a fool?"
"AGH!" Hong Yuanfei fell to the ground, vomiting blood and clutching his abdon as he rolled in agony. Lin Tang hadn't just crippled his martial arts; he had even made him a eunuch. The appendage was still there, but it was dood to never rise again.
"Young Sect Leader!" his followers scread in agony.
Within the dical Immortal Sect, the hierarchy was strict. Superiors held the power of life and death over their subordinates, and Hong Yuanfei, being particularly high and mighty, had always treated them like dogs. Now that he was crippled, their own fate would be grim even if they returned unhard.
Lin Tang, who was no saint, felt no sympathy for them. He walked straight up to Dong Mingfeng. "You had the foulest mouth of all just now. You really enjoyed cursing out, didn't you?"
Trembling violently, Dong Mingfeng nearly wet herself. "Please don't kill ! My daughter is Shen Youling, and her godfather is Grandmaster Xiao... Grandmaster Xiao, save !"
Is this woman sick in the head? Can't she see I'm no match for this guy? I can't even save myself. Save her? Fat chance!
Seeing Lin Tang lift his foot, ready to stomp Dong Mingfeng to death, Shen Youling hastily begged, "Esteed Senior, my mother only spoke so rashly because of . Please, see that she is just an ordinary, weak woman, and spare her life!"
"Are you mocking ? A man who bullies won?"
"I didn't..."
"That's exactly what you're implying!" Lin Tang cut her off, his voice icy. "I was only going to step on her and leave it at that. But since you dare to mock , I have no choice but to kill her!"
"What?" Frantic, Dong Mingfeng scread at Shen Youling, "You good-for-nothing who only makes things worse! Who told you to speak?"
"I..." Shen Youling was speechless.
Lin Tang looked her over with a deliberate, lecherous gaze. "However, there is room for negotiation. I heard you have a matchmaking appointnt today? How about this: agree to marry , and I'll spare your mother's life. In fact, I'll spare everyone who cursed . How does that sound?"
Shen Youling was utterly shocked. "What? Senior, at your age..."
The crowd's expressions grew strange. None of them had expected Long Tianji, who looked to be the sa age as Xiao Xuanye, to be such a lecher.
"What, you think I'm too old? You've got so nerve!" Lin Tang stomped on Dong Mingfeng's hand.
"AAAAHHH—" Dong Mingfeng let out a piercing shriek, tears and snot streaming down her face. "Youling, agree! You have to agree! Are you so unfilial you'd let your own mother die?"
Shen Xin, terrified of suffering the sa fate, chid in, trembling, "Senior Long is so powerful. Youling, marrying him would be a great fortune for you. No one would ever bully you again. You should agree!"
The others who had cursed Lin Tang quickly ca to their senses and raised their hands in approval.
"Agree to him! Agree to him!"
"It's a blessing that Senior Long has taken an interest in you!"
"If I had a daughter, I'd agree in a heartbeat! Why are you being so difficult?"
"Exactly!"
Even Xiao Xuanye remained silent, offering no objection. If it were Xi nghan herself, or Xi nghan's biological daughter, he might have risked his life to defy Long Tianji. But Shen Youling was, after all, just a look-alike. His "rationality" naturally took over. He even began to weigh his options. Sacrificing an adopted daughter to win over such a powerful master as an ally... Isn't that a worthwhile trade?
"You... all of you..." Seeing the crowd ready to lunge forward and force her to agree, a chill crept into Shen Youling's heart. It was one thing for strangers to act this way, but her own parents and the godfather she had just acknowledged were doing the sa. To think her godfather had promised that as his daughter, she would never suffer again. How ironic.
Shen Youling looked around blankly, feeling like a small boat tossed in a raging storm, with no safe harbor in sight.
If Lin Tang were here, would he be like them? No, I'm sure he wouldn't! Even if he couldn't defeat this man, he would never compromise. He would still try to protect , even if he failed. And yet... I'm the one who drove him away...
A bitter smile touched her lips. She then stubbornly raised her head and stared directly at Lin Tang. "Marry you? Absolutely impossible!"
"You dare!"
"How presumptuous!"
"Is that any way to speak to Senior Long?"
"Foolish girl!"
"Youling, how can you be so selfish? I'm your mother!"
A large crowd began to clamor, attempting to drown Shen Youling in their criticism.
"Heh..." Lin Tang was montarily taken aback, then he walked up to her and pinched her chin. "You truly refuse?"
"Let go of , you old pervert! I'd rather die than marry you!" Shen Youling glared at him with hatred.
Hearing her curse, the crowd drew a collective breath.
Has she gone mad? She had a chance to attach herself to such a powerful figure. It's one thing to be unwilling, but to speak so brazenly? She's finished! It doesn't matter if she's finished, but she's going to drag us down with her! That damn bitch!
Many looked panicked, their expressions filled with loathing for the ungrateful Shen Youling.
"Good! You've got spirit! I admire that," Lin Tang said, surprising everyone by letting her go. "A lon forced from the vine is never sweet. If you don't agree, then forget it. Seeing as you're so defiant, I'll show rcy just this once and let them go. But there won't be a next ti."
"Huh?"
"This..."
The crowd's expressions beca even more priceless. Shen Youling was just as stunned, completely unable to fathom the man's personality. He's so unpredictable.
Xiao Xuanye took a deep look at Lin Tang and was about to cup his fist and speak when Lin Tang glanced up at the moon. "It's getting late, and I need to get so sleep. Soone, pack up these gifts. I'm taking them with ."
"Uh—" Xiao Xuanye's words caught in his throat.
"What, you can't bear to part with them?" Lin Tang asked with a look of surprise. "Surely you didn't think I ca all this way just to teach you a lesson? Don't tell you still haven't realized my true purpose was to rob you?"
"My apologies. I'll have soone pack them for you right away," Xiao Xuanye said with a bitter smile. He didn't care for these gifts, despite their high monetary value. For a man of his status and power, a Grandmaster, material wealth was rely decoration. He never imagined that Long Tianji, soone far more powerful, would be so greedy.
This is so... down-to-earth. But greed is also a weakness. If I keep offering him great wealth, could I convince him to beco an ally? Xiao Xuanye's eyes flickered with thought.
When his subordinates had packed the gifts and placed them at Lin Tang's feet, he tried to cozy up to him, looking as though he were ready to swear brotherhood on the spot.
"Haha, if you want to be my godson, I might consider it," Lin Tang laughed with contempt.
"You—" Xiao Xuanye clenched his fists, feeling humiliated once more but daring not to erupt.
Lin Tang casually patted his shoulder. "Rember, when you get back, change your title to 'Battle Worm.' You are not worthy of using the 'Dragon' from my na, Long Tianji."
With that, he picked up all the gifts and strode toward the exit. Everyone in his path scrambled to get out of the way. Many even dropped to their knees, calling out their farewells in a display of extre sycophancy.
Shen Youling silently watched his retreating back, an increasing sense of familiarity washing over her. She recalled his tone of voice, so of his subconscious gestures...
"Lin Tang?" she muttered to herself, then shook her head vigorously. "I must be out of my mind. How could that be possible..."
Her voice was so soft that no one else heard it, but Xiao Xuanye's sharp ears caught every word. He looked up abruptly, his expression one of utter shock, though he imdiately denied the possibility. Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
But the seed of doubt had been planted. It's absurd, but Long Tianji appeared right after Lin Tang left. Furthermore, there was his inexplicable hostility toward , his insistence on teaching a lesson, and his deliberate tornt of Dong Mingfeng and the others, all of which contrasted sharply with how gently he treated Shen Youling. It's clearly abnormal. If Long Tianji is Lin Tang in disguise, everything would make sense. There's just one problem—Lin Tang is too young. How could a man in his twenties be so terrifyingly powerful? Unless... unless Long Tianji is his true identity, and the youthful face of Lin Tang is the disguise! The thought flashed through Xiao Xuanye's mind.
After such a disturbance, the matchmaking ceremony naturally couldn't continue. The event concluded abruptly, and the crowd dispersed.
Feeling disheartened, Shen Youling walked out of the stadium under the protection of an adjutant. By sheer chance, she saw the figure of Lin Tang—actually Lee Encai in disguise—still in the parking lot. She froze for a mont, pursed her lips, and then walked quickly toward him, wanting to test the waters.
Not far away, Xiao Xuanye was also watching Lee Encai's direction. He, too, planned to approach and inspect her face for any traces of a disguise.
Suddenly, he stopped dead in his tracks, frozen to the spot.
Like a ghost, Lin Tang had appeared at his side once more.
HISS— Xiao Xuanye's heart leaped in terror. It was one thing to be defeated head-on, but for this man to approach within a few ters without him noticing... this level of strength was even more horrifying.
Could he have broken past the Grandmaster realm and beco a Heavenly King?!
"Brother... Brother Long, what other instructions do you have?" Xiao Xuanye asked, cupping his fists as cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
Lin Tang looked at him mockingly. "I just forgot to ask you for sothing."
"What... what is it?" Xiao Xuanye swallowed nervously, terrified the man would say, "Your head."
Thankfully, Lin Tang said, "I want the secret martial arts manual you practice."
"This..."
"Unwilling?"
"No, no, of course not! It's just... I don't have it on ."
"Tomorrow, at this ti, have soone leave the manual at..." Lin Tang gave him an address and added a threat. "If you're late, I'll take your life."
As his voice faded, he vanished on the spot.
anwhile, in the parking lot, Shen Youling yanked open the car door and started to speak, "You..."
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