Chapter 39: Are You Man or Ghost

A-Fu’s mouth twitched violently.

"Is it time for the paid content now? Is that something I’m allowed to see?"

Li Moxuan let out a cold snort. "Shut your filthy mouth. Nothing good ever comes out of a dog’s mouth."

A-Fu finally snapped back to reality. "You... what are you, man or ghost? How could you possibly survive an explosion like that?"

This was no longer a feat that could be explained by the power of a martial artist. This was nothing short of supernatural.

Li Moxuan sneered. "A weakling like you wouldn't understand. You dared to provoke me, kidnapped my sister, and even harbored intentions to violate her. You’ve checked every single box for a death sentence. Don't worry, I won't let you die so easily."

A-Fu’s face turned pale with terror. He realized he was still alive not because of Li Moxuan’s mercy, but so that he could be subjected to even more brutal torment. As a martial artist, A-Fu’s physical constitution was far beyond that of an ordinary person. Even with every bone in his body shattered, he wouldn't simply pass out; he would remain fully conscious to endure the agonizing pain. A look of despair washed over his face. He could not imagine the torture that awaited him.

Just then, a phone rang. It was A-Fu’s mobile. Li Moxuan picked it up. The caller ID displayed "Lord Donggong." A cold, haughty voice came from the other end.

"A-Fu, have you finished off that Li Moxuan?"

Li Moxuan smiled slightly. "I’m sorry, no. Are you Donggong, the head of the First Hall of the Gale Hall? Sending this bunch of morons to deal with me—are you insulting my intelligence, or is the Gale Hall just filled with trash like this?"

There was a silence on the other end. A-Fu suddenly screamed, "Lord Donggong, help me! He’s a demon! He’s a Xiantian martial artist! We are no match for him! Everyone is dead, the brothers are all dead, and Qi Hong has been crushed into a pulp!"

The voice on the phone said coldly, "Bring A-Fu back to me in one piece, then kneel before me and commit suicide. I will leave your corpse intact."

"Hahaha..." Li Moxuan burst into laughter. "As expected, the Gale Hall is full of idiots. You’re so stupid it’s hilarious. You’d be wasted if you didn't become professional comedians!"

Li Moxuan raised his foot and brought it down on A-Fu’s head. A-Fu let out a terrified shriek: "No... ah..."

*Crack!*

A-Fu’s head was crushed under Li Moxuan’s foot.

"Did you hear that? That was the sound of A-Fu’s skull shattering. If you like, I can even send you a few photos."

Donggong’s voice was filled with uncontrollable rage. "Do you think being a Xiantian martial artist makes you invincible? I will tear you limb from limb. Provoking our Gale Hall will cost you the most painful price imaginable."

Li Moxuan tutted. "Who said I was a Xiantian martial artist? But that’s fine. I was just planning to go play with you people at the Gale Hall anyway. Wash your necks; I’ll be paying you a visit before long!"

Li Moxuan hung up with a cold laugh and crushed the phone to dust.

***

Li Moling leaned against Li Moxuan’s chest like a frightened kitten. "Brother, I’m scared. What just happened? I was almost violated by that animal." She didn't dare look at A-Fu’s gruesome remains, merely pointing at them with a tiny finger.

Li Moxuan explained, "That was a defensive barrier. Even with that explosion, we would have been perfectly safe. I placed an array on you that would erase any surrounding threats if your life were in danger. However, it doesn't trigger unless your life is truly at risk. It seems it doesn't activate if they only intend to violate you. It looks like I need to develop some specific arrays for kidnapping scenarios."

Li Moling tilted her head curiously. "So that’s how it works! That’s amazing! Brother, can you teach me?"

"Of course! Let’s head back first." Li Moxuan carried Li Moling and walked out of the abandoned factory.

***

In Wushi City, at a luxurious villa, Donggong Chang could no longer contain his fury and crushed his phone into powder. He roared with a ferocious expression, "Trash! All of them are trash! They couldn't even finish off a single nobody!"

As a dignified Hall Master of the Gale Hall, he had been humiliated like this. A-Fu and Qi Hong were among his most powerful subordinates. Their complete annihilation was a loss he could not bear. He swore he would not be human if he did not avenge this.

Donggong Chang breathed heavily. "Hmph... I don't care if you're a Xiantian martial artist or whatever else. Since you dared to offend our Gale Hall, I will mince you into a thousand pieces and kill everyone around you right in front of your eyes. I will make you crawl in the dirt, begging for mercy at my feet like the lowliest ant."

Just then, a subordinate stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Hall Master, Young Master Lin is here to see you."

Donggong Chang straightened his clothes and composed himself. "Invite him in."

"Yes!"

Donggong Chang frowned, puzzled. Why would Lin Mofei come to see him? The Lin family was connected to the Gale Hall, but as a prestigious martial arts organization in Wushi, the Gale Hall’s strength was in no way inferior to the Lin family of the Three Sects and Six Clans. Was Lin Mofei here because he needed something?

Footsteps approached. Lin Mofei, dressed in white, walked up to Donggong Chang with an extraordinary air. He gave a slight nod in greeting. "Lin Mofei of the Lin family greets the Hall Master."

Donggong Chang nodded slowly. "Young Master Lin, please, no need for formalities."

Lin Mofei caught sight of the mangled remains of the phone on the floor and smiled slightly. "What has upset the Hall Master so much?"

Donggong Chang sighed helplessly. "Just some issues with my subordinates." He couldn't speak openly about Li Moxuan; it would be a disgrace to the Gale Hall. "But tell me, Young Master Lin, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

Donggong Chang invited Lin Mofei to sit, and a subordinate brought tea.

Lin Mofei didn't beat around the bush and stated his purpose. "The old man of the Wu family hasn't made any moves lately, and the Wu family members are tight-lipped and airtight. I’d like to entrust the Gale Hall to investigate for us. The payment is negotiable."

Since it was business, the Gale Hall had no reason to turn down money. "I see. Understood! But does the Great Hall Master know about this? After all, it concerns both the Lin and Wu families."

Lin Mofei looked at Donggong Chang with raised brows. "Heh, the three halls of the Gale Hall all have their own agendas. I’m entrusting this matter solely to you. Surely you understand my intentions?"

Donggong Chang was not a timid man. "Very well, I will investigate for you, Young Master Lin."

Lin Mofei set his conditions. "Good. The Hall Master is indeed a straightforward person. When the Wu family falls, I will naturally give my full support to help you ascend to the position of Great Hall Master. That day is just around the corner! Well then, I shall take my leave!"

Lin Mofei had just stood up to leave when he suddenly stopped. "Oh, there is one more thing I’d like to ask of you, Hall Master."

"Please, Young Master Lin, speak."

"A person named Li Moxuan has appeared in Wushi recently. He’s likely a Xiantian-level expert. If possible, I’d like you to..." Lin Mofei made a throat-slitting gesture with his fan, his face wearing a bright, sunny, and seemingly innocent smile.

Upon hearing the name Li Moxuan, Donggong Chang’s expression became strange, but he said nothing.

"Is there someone who dares to offend you, Young Master Lin?"

Lin Mofei smiled indifferently. "It’s nothing major, just that he is a childhood friend of my fiancée and they have some ambiguous history that is causing me quite some trouble. I would feel much more at ease if he were to disappear from this world entirely. Of course, the payment will be settled together!"

Donggong Chang nodded slightly. "Good, I understand."

Lin Mofei gave a cultured smile and patted Donggong Chang on the shoulder. "I leave it to you, brother! Farewell!"

Lin Mofei walked away with a leisurely, measured gait. Donggong Chang frowned, his expression complex. Killing one person and getting paid twice was fine, but he hadn't expected Li Moxuan to have offended so many people. Offending Yu Hong was one thing, but offending the Lin family was trouble. The entire city knew about the impending marriage between the Lin family and the Gu family of Yuncheng. It turned out Li Moxuan had an affair with Lin Mofei’s fiancée. Rumor had it that Gu Yaqing had given birth to a child out of wedlock. Could that child be Li Moxuan’s daughter?

Donggong Chang held his forehead in shock. "My god, what have I gotten myself into?"

He knew that while Li Moxuan had killed his men, if he were to actually eliminate this "threat" for Lin Mofei, Lin Mofei would not be so compliant in helping him later. Donggong Chang knew Lin Mofei was a man of deep schemes; Li Moxuan was not to be killed yet—he was a trump card to keep the Lin family in check. Donggong Chang was not foolish enough to believe Lin Mofei’s empty promises. In this world of martial arts, naive people were long since dead.

Donggong Chang had made his decision. He instructed his subordinate, "Go and summon Ning Xiao to me!"

"Yes, Hall Master!"