Huangfu Zhan and his party left Jiangbei, a fact that was quickly discovered by Zhou Rushan and other interested parties.
"They're finally gone!"
"Good that they're gone, very good!"
"That little bastard Lin Tang has completely lost his backing!"
"I heard the Li Family is also in trouble; their villa is empty! Could it be that they also offended Lin Tang, just like the Xie Family? I thought they were on good terms with him."
"Latest intel! The Li Family had to flee because they were implicated by Lin Tang. So mysterious force sent people demanding the divine sword. When Lin Tang refused, a conflict broke out at the Li family's ho!"
"I bet those mysterious forces will retaliate soon, and then Lin Tang will be finished for good!"
Zhou Rushan and the others also coveted the divine sword, but they didn't dare make a move. They could only lurk in the shadows like sewer rats, waiting for Lin Tang's downfall. Of course, they were still willing to engage in a little mischief, like spreading the news of Huangfu Zhan's departure far and wide for everyone to know.
Shen Xin and Dong Mingfeng, who had been quietly contacting pharmaceutical factories to develop the Chaoyuan Qi-Replenishing Soup, felt relieved upon hearing the news. They began to act brazenly, moving forward on a grand scale.
"See? The True Martial Association has completely abandoned him. He can barely protect himself now, so he won't have ti to co looking for trouble with us."
"Exactly! Without the True Martial Association's support, he wouldn't dare touch us. I wonder if his divine sword was taken by the Zheng Family of Hong Kong Island."
"Of course it was. Would he dare disrespect the Zheng Family?"
"That's true..."
Other insiders who learned that the True Martial Association had "abandoned" Lin Tang were also buzzing with discussion. Lin Tang, so young and skilled in both martial arts and dicine, was dood to an early death. What a pity.
Lin Tang, naturally, paid no heed to the rumors swirling outside. After helping Zhang Xinyu, Liu Changping, and their roommates recover and ensuring they were fine, he returned to his villa. He spent his ti brewing concoctions, cultivating, brewing more concoctions, and cultivating again. It took him two days to use up all the Centennial Elixirs he had on hand.
Then, Lu Liangfei delivered the dicinal herbs recovered from Mo Zhongyuan's ho and brought a piece of news—Huangfu Zhan had fully recovered from his injuries and was about to attack ng Dongshan's Heroic Valor Alliance.
Perhaps out of guilt, Huangfu Zhan promised that if he found any more Centennial Elixirs, he would send them to Lin Tang.
Lin Tang's eyes lit up. His impression of ng Dongshan, the man who had tried to assassinate him, was exceptionally poor.
"Do you need my help?" he asked, eager to join in.
"Don't even think about it—" Lu Liangfei hurriedly refused. Are you kidding ? Without your interference, our President can easily take down an injured, late-stage Innate expert. But if you go, you might attract a Martial Arts Master who wants your divine sword. Wouldn't our President get caught in the crossfire?
"Alright then. Please thank your President for ," Lin Tang nodded.
Lu Liangfei took another deep look at the divine sword, a sour feeling welling up in his nose, and quickly departed. He was terrified that if he stayed any longer, he might run into a master showing up to cause trouble and get dragged into it.
「Two days later.」
Lin Tang's supply of dicinal herbs was once again exhausted.
BURP.
The breath he exhaled was visibly steaming. He felt his entire body swelling with a sense of fullness and power. This was the sign of an imminent breakthrough!
Just a little more, and I can break through to the middle stage of Foundation Establishnt! Lin Tang's face was ecstatic, and he was itching with anticipation. If he were still far from his goal, it would be one thing, but being just a hair's breadth away was torturous.
Huangfu Zhan is really taking his sweet ti. What happened to that 'easy capture'? Why haven't I heard anything? It seems I have to rely on myself for everything... Perhaps I should go shake down Zhu Yingning!
That venomous woman had threatened to whittle him into a human stick. It was only right for him to go settle the score.
Lin Tang grabbed the divine sword and was about to head out when Lee Encai, who had been lounging around like a salted fish, shot up to her feet. "Are you finally taking out? I've been going crazy with boredom!"
She never would have imagined Lin Tang to be such a hobody addicted to dicinal concoctions. He stayed cooped up at ho all day taking tonics. Was he really that frail? She didn't dare go out alone, so she could only stay ho and grow moldy with him. Lin Tang had actually told her he had already killed the old crone, Qian Popo, but she refused to believe him. Besides, even without Qian Popo, there was still Yan Luoyang to worry about. She was terrified of being caught alone and fed to insects, so much so that she wanted Lin Tang to accompany her even to the bathroom.
"Get out of my way. I have important business," Lin Tang said, pushing her face aside.
"What business?"
"I'm going to see Zhu Yingning."
"Going to hit on a girl all by yourself? And you're not taking with you? That's so unfair."
"You're a girl. Do you want to hit on her too?"
"So you really are planning to hit on her?!"
"None of your damn business."
"You—"
As the two of them bickered their way past the gate, they saw Mo Pinglan standing in the breeze, clad in a thin dress. Her hair, perd into large waves, fluttered gracefully. With her skirt dancing and her hair flying in the wind, she radiated an alluring, feminine charm.
"Good day, Mr. Lin," she said with a gentle smile. An unknowing observer would have thought they were the best of friends. One could only say that this woman was a natural-born actress. When she hid her hostility, her portrayal of a proper lady was flawless.
Unfortunately for her, she had already revealed her true colors at the Green Leaf Society's manor. How could Lin Tang be fooled by her again?
"You dare to co here all alone, seeking death?" he asked, his eyes scanning the surroundings to confirm there was no ambush. He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
Just as Mo Pinglan was about to speak again—
CLANG!
Lin Tang drew his sword and slashed at her.
"Ah, you lunatic!"
I can't dodge it! There's no way to dodge! Mo Pinglan could only stare, wide-eyed, as she awaited her death.
Fortunately, Lin Tang stopped his blade just in ti, rely slicing off a lock of her hair. He sniffed the air and asked abruptly, "Did you bring another Centennial Elixir?"
Having just escaped death, Mo Pinglan gasped for breath. She quickly took out a dicine box and presented it with both hands. "I've co to make peace!"
WHOOSH!
Lin Tang snatched the box in a flash. Opening it, he found another potent elixir, over three hundred years old—a Luodi Fruit.
A rich woman! An undisputed rich woman! This is great! With this, I should be able to break through today! Lin Tang was grinning from ear to ear. He suddenly found Mo Pinglan quite pleasant to look at and warmly invited her inside. "Next ti you co, rember to have the gift out in your hands first. It'll prevent any... unfortunate accidents."
Mo Pinglan was speechless. What a hypocrite! How could his attitude change so drastically?
She suppressed her indignation and sat down in the living room. In a soft, delicate voice, she said, "At the banquet, my master misspoke and offended you. She has regretted it ever since and hopes to make ands with you, Mr. Lin. As a sign of her sincerity, she is willing to gift you the 'Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom' brand. As soon as you sign this agreent, you will be the owner of the company."
She produced a contract from a folder. Lin Tang showed no interest, instead carefully inspecting the Luodi Fruit for any signs of tampering.
Lee Encai, who had been secretly admiring Mo Pinglan's pretty face, gasped when she heard the na "Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom."
"You an the famous national brand with its headquarters on Hong Kong Island? It's worth tens of billions! And that's its pre-market value. If it went public, it would be worth even more! You're actually giving it to Big Brother Lin?!"
She had heard a few days ago that Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom had opened a branch in Jiangbei and was planning to roll out a series of flagship stores. She had even been planning on getting a mbership. In the blink of an eye, she had beco good friends with its new owner. Did this an she wouldn't have to pay anymore?
"Tens of billions?" Even Lin Tang, who cared little for money, turned his head at that. "Why don't you just sell it and give the ten billion in cash?"
Speaking of money, he had almost forgotten that Zhou Rushan still owed him 4.9 billion.
Mo Pinglan was dumbfounded. What the hell? He doesn't want the company, only cash? Give him an inch and he takes a mile!
She was already against her master making such a generous offer to Lin Tang. But Zhu Yingning had felt she had no other choice and had co up with this as a last resort. She had sent a secret ssage to Tang Dingbo of the Tang Sect, hoping he would co and deal with Lin Tang. To her dismay, Tang Dingbo was at a crucial juncture in cultivating his poison arts and had to enter secluded cultivation with absolute focus. When he would erge was anyone's guess.
This had sent Zhu Yingning into a cursing fit. What's the point of practicing that damn poison art that killed my husband? What if Tang Dingbo dies practicing it too? Who will get my revenge for then?
After observing in secret for a few more days and seeing no other Martial Arts Masters co to eliminate Lin Tang, she grew restless. She figured Lin Tang would likely co to settle accounts with her soon, and she refused to be humiliated again. So, she decisively swallowed her pride and sent a peace offering. If the tedious affairs of the company could distract Lin Tang and make him too preoccupied to bother with her, her goal would be achieved.
Besides, if Lin Tang were to die, she had contingency plans to get the company back in her na. Even if she couldn't, it didn't matter. It was just one company, and she owned others.
Upon learning that selling such a massive corporation would be a hassle and not particularly profitable, Lin Tang shook his head. "I'm not interested in managing a company, nor do I have the ability." He wasn't a jack-of-all-trades, after all.
"That's no problem. I will assist you with all my strength," Mo Pinglan said with a forced smile, though she felt a deep sense of sorrow. "My master is also giving you another gift: . From now on, you are also my master. I will do whatever you ask. And I know a thing or two about managing a company."
"Huh?" Lee Encai was shocked once more. Giving such a stunningly curvaceous beauty to Lin Tang was like throwing a at bun at a dog—a complete waste!
Even Lin Tang was surprised. Three gifts? A three-hundred-year-old elixir, a massive company, and... Mo Pinglan?
"You'll really do whatever I say?" He flashed a wicked smile, his gaze roaming over her body. He even placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze.
"...Yes," Mo Pinglan replied, secretly clenching her fists in humiliation. I just knew this guy who liked to slap won's behinds was a lecher. He couldn't wait to get his hands on her.
Lee Encai also frowned. On one hand, she found Lin Tang's haste to be a bit shallow. On the other, she was confused. When she had first moved in, Lin Tang had teased her once, but it felt like he was joking and didn't an it. Otherwise, he wouldn't have left her alone all this ti. Yet now he was being so direct with Mo Pinglan...
Doesn't this indirectly prove that he finds her far more attractive than ?
Just as they both thought Lin Tang was about to turn into a beast, he leaned in close to Mo Pinglan's ear.
With a soft chuckle, he whispered, "I want you to help ..."
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