Chapter 86: You're Overthinking It

"Are you finished? If you're done, stop blocking the way!" Ling Xiao pushed past Lin Yixuan and strode off into the distance.

Lin Yixuan was deeply shaken by this. Who was she? A rising pop star! Wherever she went, she was surrounded by adoring crowds. Yet today, when she encountered Ling Xiao, not only did she fail to garner any praise, she was outright ignored. This was... uncanny.

"Hey, you... wait for me!" Recovering from her shock, Lin Yixuan hurried after him, donning her sunglasses and mask as she caught up.

She had barely walked a few steps when Ling Xiao suddenly halted. Unprepared, she crashed into his solid back, stumbled, and fell to the ground.

"Ouch!" Lin Yixuan held her aching backside, grimacing in pain. That really hurt.

Squinting, she was about to ask Ling Xiao why he'd stopped so abruptly when her gaze caught several burly men, who had already split into two groups to block her and Ling Xiao's path.

"Kidnappers?" Lin Yixuan's expression instantly grew grave.

"Damn it! Did my exposed face just now attract these men? If that's the case, I've really let the doctor down." She stood, her face solemn. "Sir, I'm sorry. These men may be here to kidnap me. You should run, don't worry about me! After you escape, call the police immediately. They'll use me for ransom and won't harm me carelessly."

Though Lin Yixuan spoke with urgency, her expression remained composed. Clearly, this wasn't her first time facing such a situation.

Ling Xiao merely glanced at her, saying nothing.

Lin Yixuan gritted her teeth, muttering inwardly, "If you're going to act cold, at least pick your moment. There are bad guys here, what's the point in pretending to be aloof now?"

Of course, she couldn't say this aloud. Still biting her lip, she stepped in front of Ling Xiao.

She had made up her mind—no matter what happened, she couldn't let Ling Xiao get caught up in her troubles. Otherwise, she'd never have peace.

With that thought, she drew a deep breath and faced the men. "You guys are here for me, right? I'll go with you, just don't hurt this gentleman. He has nothing to do with me!"

The burly men exchanged bewildered looks, their eyes full of confusion.

After a moment, one of them spoke up. "Hey! Where did you pop out from? Get out of the way! Don't be a nuisance!"

"Huh?" Lin Yixuan was stunned, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You're not here to kidnap me?"

The men rolled their eyes with disdain. "Kidnap you? Who do you think you are? Ridiculous!"

"Are all women nowadays so self-important? Get lost!" Lin Yixuan was nearly beside herself.

What was wrong with her today? Had she encountered a curse? First, Ling Xiao ignored her, and now even these thugs were disregarding her?

Maybe, because she was wearing a mask, they didn't recognize her?

But on this street, besides her, only Ling Xiao was present.

Which meant...

She turned to Ling Xiao, who wore an indifferent expression.

"Who sent you?" she asked.

The men chuckled darkly. "You've offended someone you shouldn't have. Who do you think sent us?"

Ling Xiao quickly sifted through his memories. The Iron Fist Sect and Tiger Gate certainly wouldn't send such fools. The wealthy of Jiangzhou wouldn't dare, either.

It seemed he'd have to subdue these men and ask them directly.

He took a sip of tea, closed his cup, and, hands clasped behind his back, walked toward them.

Lin Yixuan called out anxiously, "Hey! Why aren't you running? Are you planning to fight them?"

"What else?" Ling Xiao replied.

"There are so many of them! You can't take them all! And you're still holding your teacup. Let me hold it for you!"

"No need."

As Ling Xiao finished speaking, he was already in front of the men.

They sneered. "You’ve got guts, kid. Not only did you not run, you even came up to us!"

"But even if you tried to run, you wouldn't get far, heh heh heh..."

"You really should have listened to that girl!"

Their grins turned savage. Ling Xiao said nothing, stepping forward and kicking out fiercely.

Bang—

Instantly, one man was sent flying dozens of meters, landing with uncertain fate.

"Damn!" The remaining men stared, dumbfounded, at their fallen companion.

Behind them, Lin Yixuan's eyes brightened. "I never expected him to be a martial expert!"

After sending one flying, Ling Xiao glanced coldly at the others.

"Now, will you tell me who sent you?"

"To hell with you! Brothers, grab your weapons!"

Enraged, the men drew sharp knives and lunged at Ling Xiao.

He remained unhurried, unmoved, his gaze so calm it was as if the knives were nothing but feathers.

And indeed, the blades stopped two centimeters from his body, unable to penetrate any further.

Ling Xiao's protective energy was not something these petty thugs could breach.

"What?" The men trembled, pupils shrinking, unable to believe their eyes.

Ling Xiao's expression was icy as he seized one man's wrist, snapped it, twisted the knife sideways, and swiftly dispatched three of them.

Clutching their necks, the three collapsed in disbelief. The last man, face pale, screamed.

"Ghost!"

He yelled, then turned and bolted.

Ling Xiao, playing with the knife in his hand, waited until the man had run a hundred meters before flicking his wrist. The knife shot out like an arrow, piercing the man's thigh bone.

"Ah!" The man screamed, clutching his leg, terror etched across his face.

"Are you... human or ghost?" he stammered.

Ling Xiao did not answer, his expression cold. "Will you talk now?"

The man, terrified, said, "I... I don't know! Someone paid us to beat you up and take you away. They said they'd pay us more if we succeeded!"

"Who was it?"

"I... I don't know! He said he'd contact us directly!"

A trace of disappointment flickered in Ling Xiao's eyes.

"In that case, your journey ends here."

With those words, he stepped down, crushing the man's chest.

After everything was done, Lin Yixuan rushed to Ling Xiao, grabbing his hand and running.

"What are you doing?"

"You've killed people! Aren't you going to run? Stay here and wait for the police?"

Ling Xiao's face twitched.

"You’re overthinking it. Killing people isn’t illegal for me."