Chapter 52: The Tyrant, Ling Xiao

“A mere first-tier Martial Saint dares to act so arrogantly before me? Do you truly believe yourself to be someone of importance?” Ling Xiao’s indifferent words made it seem as though the person in his grasp was not a master of martial arts, but merely an ant.

At that moment, Shen Wantong’s arrogance vanished completely. Ling Xiao’s unfathomable strength made Shen’s heart pound with terror.

“You... let go of me...” Shen Wantong struggled relentlessly, but Ling Xiao’s grip was immovable.

It was a crushing display of power.

Feeling Ling Xiao’s fingers tightening around his wrist, Shen Wantong was seized with dread.

“What... what are you going to do? You can’t kill me! I am a disciple of Kongtong! If you slay me, Kongtong will never let you off!”

He might have been better off keeping silent; as soon as he spoke, Ling Xiao’s gaze grew even colder. With a slight exertion of force, accompanied by a crisp crack, Shen Wantong’s arm hung limp, lifeless.

Ling Xiao tossed him to the ground and took out a wet wipe to clean his hands.

The entire hotel was as silent as death; the sound of a falling pin would have been clearly audible.

Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed upon the corpse at Ling Xiao’s feet.

That was a Martial Saint!

A master so powerful, transcending the limits of ordinary men, yet before Ling Xiao, he could not even withstand a single move.

What was more terrifying, Shen Wantong had struck first!

What kind of overwhelming strength was this?

Xu Long’s trembling body collapsed onto the floor. His former air of confidence had vanished, replaced by despair and unwillingness.

“This can’t be! Impossible! Brother Shen was a Martial Saint! He was the mighty King of the Northwest! How could he be killed by a mere brat like you? I refuse to believe it!”

Ling Xiao discarded the wet wipe and looked at Xu Long, his expression utterly calm, devoid of pity.

“I gave you a chance. Originally, you could have remained as the King of Jiangzhou.”

Xu Long gritted his teeth.

“As your puppet King of Jiangzhou? I want none of it! You are nothing but a wretch! The Hua family failed to kill you years ago, allowing you to rise by sheer luck. Now you return to Jiangzhou to torment my family; even in death, I will never submit to you!”

“Insolence!” Ming Cheng snapped.

“How dare you insult my young master?”

Xu Long sneered coldly, struggling to his feet.

“I insult him, so what? I’ve already offended him—what’s the worst that could happen? Death? Since escape is impossible, I might as well vent my anger with a few curses!”

Ling Xiao nodded.

“At least you have a bit of backbone.”

Then his tone shifted.

“But it’s a pity—you have no idea what you’re up against.”

Xu Long burst into laughter.

“Hahaha... I’ve lived most of my life, seen all there is to see! Brat, you’ll just slaughter my entire Xu clan, severing our bloodline. What’s there to fear?”

Ling Xiao shook his head.

“Arrogance often breeds stupidity.”

“Ming Cheng, bind the entire Xu clan together and feed them Green Spring Dew.”

“Yes!” Ming Cheng chuckled, eyes gleaming, and signaled his men to seize all members of the Xu family.

Xu Long shouted loudly:

“Ling Xiao, I am not afraid of you! Even in death, I, Xu Long, will not forgive you!”

Ming Cheng kicked him squarely.

“Enough nonsense. My young master won’t kill you. Once your whole family has tasted Green Spring Dew, the real show begins. Heh...”

“What is Green Spring Dew?”

“It’s something that’ll drive your entire family mad—men, women, young and old alike! Then we’ll film the spectacle, sell it overseas, and make a fortune!”

Xu Long’s pupils contracted, and everyone present shivered.

“You... Ling Xiao, you despicable beast! Even in death, I’ll never let you go!”

Ling Xiao didn’t even glance at him.

To him, all beings were nothing more than ants.

If you didn’t provoke Ling Xiao, he was a gentle youth.

But if you crossed him, he became a tyrant.

To insult Ling Xiao was a grave offense.

He would play with you until you wished for death, yet could not attain it.

Ling Xiao strode step by step onto the platform, turned, and swept his gaze across the crowd. Everyone who met his eyes immediately lowered their heads, not daring to look him in the eye.

“I hope all of you present today will bear witness to what transpired.”

“I don’t care about your past—whether you were Xu Long’s followers or subordinates.”

“From this day forward, you are my dogs.”

“My first demand: from now on, fifty percent of each of your earnings must be handed over to Ghost Valley.”

His words sent shockwaves through the hall.

“What? You want to take half our profits? Are you out of your mind?”

“Exactly! And now you call us dogs? Aren’t you too domineering? Do you even see us as human?”

Ling Xiao’s face remained expressionless as he glanced at them.

“I have no intention of giving you a choice. If anyone disagrees, step forward and speak.”

The instant he finished, a middle-aged man strode forward, full of bravado.

“Even Old Master Xu was never so tyrannical! He only took a bit of blood, but you won’t even leave us our bones! Are you even human—”

Before he could finish, Ling Xiao raised his hand, and a sword light cleaved him in two.

The hall fell into a deeper silence.

Ling Xiao swept his gaze over the crowd.

“Who else disagrees? Step forward and speak.”

People exchanged glances, swallowed nervously, but not one dared to advance.

Who would dare, when stepping forward meant certain death?

“Since no one objects, I’ll take it as your consent. Tomorrow, send someone to deliver half your assets.”

“My second demand: in six days, my grandfather celebrates his seventieth birthday. Prepare your gifts and attend in person. Any who fail to do so will be held accountable.”

“My third demand: from today, Zhang Daochu will be the spokesman for all affairs in Jiangzhou. Go to him with your business; do not bother me.”

“These are my three demands. Those who agree, kneel. Those who disagree, step forward. I have spoken—who is in favor, and who is opposed?”

After a few seconds of silence, the people in the hall gradually knelt one by one.

Soon, not a single person remained standing; all knelt before him.

Ling Xiao’s demands were brutish and discourteous.

Yet none dared oppose him.

He was not a man with whom reason could be argued.

Try to reason, and he would take your life.

How could one reason with him?

For a moment, some even began to miss Old Master Xu; had they known things would turn out like this, they might have chosen to follow him and join Kongtong.

At least Kongtong was not as tyrannical as Ling Xiao.

He was nothing short of a despot.

If you enjoy “Invincible Urban Myth,” please bookmark it; updates are the fastest.