Chapter 142: Who Dares to Make a Move?

"You are being far too presumptuous!"

Qi Xue slammed her hand onto the table and rose, her fair, pretty face flushed with rage. The two peaks on her chest heaved with the intensity of her anger. Throughout the Jiangnan region, who dared to be so insolent toward her? Yet today, Ling Xiao had dared to cross that line.

It wasn't just her; the onlookers outside wore expressions of utter bewilderment. The president of the illustrious Fenghua Xueyue Pavilion and the daughter of the Qi family had actually been teased? This young man must have a death wish.

As for Ma Lian, she was ecstatic. If not for the crowd, she would have looked up to the heavens and laughed out loud. Originally, she had only intended to use Qi Xue to discipline Ling Xiao, but she never imagined this fool would court death by provoking Qi Xue himself. Now, she didn't need to lift a finger—Ling Xiao was doomed, and he would die a miserable death.

She almost wanted to pull up a chair, crack some sunflower seeds, and sip beer while watching Ling Xiao meet his end.

While everyone else wore expressions of pity, Ling Xiao remained calm and unperturbed.

"Whether I'm being presumptuous or not, why don't you find out?" Ling Xiao replied.

Qi Xue sneered, "Since you are courting death, don't blame me! Someone, take him down!"

Zhang Wenhe shot them a cold glance. "Let's see who dares to move."

Qi Xue was unrelenting. "Take him!"

At her command, the security guards of the Fenghua Xueyue Pavilion rushed forward. But Zhang Wenhe was no pushover; in a few swift moves, he subdued Qi Xue's men. He offered a disdainful smile. "President Qi, you should stop embarrassing yourself with these small-time thugs. You’re only wasting everyone’s time."

Qi Xue’s gaze remained steady, as if she had anticipated this. She showed no shock or anger, only a cold smile. "Arrogant until your dying breath! How laughable!"

No sooner had the words left her lips than a sudden pressure descended upon the room. As a top-tier soldier, Zhang Wenhe’s hard-earned sixth sense warned him: the opponent was dangerous. Without hesitation, he threw a punch. The moment his fist connected with the incoming force, he was sent flying.

Bang!

He crashed into a sofa, his face turning waxy white as beads of sweat rolled down his forehead. His arm hung limply at his side—it was clearly broken.

Standing where he had been was a new figure: a man in his fifties wearing a traditional Tang suit. With his hands behind his back, he looked on with eyes as cold as ice, as if he had seen through the vanity of the world and stood above all others.

In the crowd at the entrance, someone gasped, "It’s Elder Tie! Elder Tie has made his move!"

"I heard that a great master was hidden within the Fenghua Xueyue Pavilion, hired by President Qi Xue for one billion yuan. Is that him?"

"That's the one! He is a martial arts practitioner whose skills have reached a god-like level. He has achieved a body of iron and copper, impervious to blades and bullets!"

"Hiss! So powerful! Is this for real?"

"Of course! Do you think that billion was spent for nothing?"

Elder Tie, the center of everyone's attention, looked at Ling Xiao with indifference, as if he were merely an ant. Qi Xue’s eyes were filled with pride; Elder Tie was the source of her confidence. A martial arts practitioner—and a master at that—was not someone just anyone could hire. Even those with hundreds of millions in assets couldn't manage it. Only someone of the Qi family's stature had the opportunity and qualification to hire such a bodyguard.

Looking at Ling Xiao again, she couldn't help but offer a contemptuous smile. She had seen too many brainless rich heirs like him. They thought that because they had a little money, they could act recklessly. They failed to realize that there is always someone better, and a mountain higher than the one they stand on. To offend the Qi family and act so insolently in the Fenghua Xueyue Pavilion was a surefire way to die.

"Elder Tie, thank you for stepping in!"

Elder Tie chuckled, "Miss, you are too kind. I am employed by the Qi family, so naturally, I must protect your interests. Now, how would you like to deal with this boy?"

Qi Xue glanced coldly at Ling Xiao. "Teach him a lesson he won't forget."

Elder Tie frowned slightly, then nodded. "Very well."

He looked at Ling Xiao with a detached expression. "I won't waste my breath. Kneel, apologize to Miss Qi, and hand over two billion. I will spare your life."

The demand was incredibly arrogant, offering Ling Xiao no choice at all. But he had the stature to back it up; his identity as a martial arts master was his leverage. Everyone present was convinced this was Ling Xiao’s final fate. No matter how wealthy his family was, they couldn't afford to offend a martial arts practitioner—especially one hired by the Qi family.

Ling Xiao swirled his red wine and took a sip, looking entirely unbothered. "Around noon today, a man surnamed Su spoke to me with that same tone. It's a shame; he’s currently feeding the fish."

The simple statement caused the arrogant Elder Tie to shudder, his expression turning grave. Thinking back, Ling Xiao had displayed a composed, grand demeanor from the start; he was clearly no ordinary rich kid. And now, the mention of "Su" made Elder Tie uneasy. In Jiangnan, the name "Su" was impossible to ignore, especially today.

He stared intensely at Ling Xiao’s face. "May I ask... your name?"

"My surname is Ling."

Ling Xiao did not reveal his full name, but the mere mention of his surname caused Elder Tie to tremble violently, cold sweat breaking out across his skin. A man named Ling, who had fed a man named Su to the fish... Could he be...?

Elder Tie didn't dare to finish the thought. If not for the last shred of his pride and a sliver of uncertainty, he would have already knelt.

Just then, Ma Lian, standing at the door, shouted hatefully, "President Qi, Elder Tie, his name is Ling Xiao!"

"Ling Xiao!"

Upon hearing that name, Elder Tie completely collapsed. Unable to maintain his dignity any longer, his knees buckled, and he dropped to the floor.

"Damn it! I'm finished!"

Elder Tie was on the verge of tears, while everyone else stood in stunned silence. Even Qi Xue was at a total loss.

"Elder Tie, what are you doing? Why are you kneeling to him?"

With a hint of a sob in his voice, Elder Tie replied, "President Qi, say no more—you had better kneel down, too!"