Chapter 113: Lin Tuotian (Bonus chapter for 200 monthly tickets)

“How about it? Are you willing to join the plan?” Su Jingxing spoke. “As you’ve all said, most people in your alliance are currently facing death threats. The sooner we get approval for the duel, the smaller the risk becomes. I can wait, but your time is running out.”

“I’m willing!” Shen Qian was the first to step forward, raising her hand in agreement.

“I’m willing too.” Xiao Chengyue followed suit.

“Count me in.”

“Me as well!”

One after another, without hesitation, they stood up.

Su Jingxing had already secured the majority. What was there to fear?

Family duels were one-on-one affairs. If you died in the arena, at least it bought Su Jingxing some rest. But if you fought desperately and survived, that would be a huge gain.

In the duel arena, any method was allowed—hidden weapons, poison gas, self-destruction... anything to kill the opponent was permitted.

Under such circumstances, they had no reason to give up this hard-earned, legitimate chance for revenge.

Su Jingxing watched this with satisfaction.

“Choose the members from the Lin family who will join first. Wait for my notice.”

“Understood, senior. Here’s my contact number.” Shen Qian stepped forward slightly and handed over a slip of paper.

Su Jingxing exhaled his energy, drawing the paper to him from a distance.

He glanced at it, then tossed it back to Shen Qian.

Without another word, he turned, swayed once, and vanished from the spot.

...

Dawn was just breaking.

In the western district of Qinghe City, on a long street adjacent to a main road.

“Creak, creak~”

The subtle friction of tires against the ground stirred the few early risers on the street.

In the chilly, damp morning breeze, a garbage truck loaded with trash stopped before a trash bin. From the driver’s seat, an elderly man with stooped posture, graying hair, and a face full of wrinkles stepped down.

Wearing a mask, he expertly opened the bin and used tongs and a shovel to transfer the garbage into the truck bed.

The distinctive sour stench of garbage briefly blended with the morning air.

“Lin Tuotian.”

Suddenly, a low, slightly hoarse voice spoke.

Still cloaked and masked, Su Jingxing stood against the wind, staring at the old man dumping trash, his tone calm.

“Lin Tuotian, do you want revenge?”

The old man showed no reaction, as if deaf, continuing his work silently.

Su Jingxing did not mind and seemed to speak to himself as he went on.

“A few days ago, I destroyed a secret base of the Shi family outside the city and rescued over a hundred girls they had captured.”

“After returning, I exposed the matter online, drawing the city’s attention.”

“Though there’s no concrete evidence, the city and the internet have been abuzz, debating whether the Shi family was behind it.”

“And it worked well; it attracted the ‘Destroy Shi Alliance,’ secretly formed by those oppressed by the Shi family over the years. They all want to destroy the Shi family but have never found the chance.”

“For some reason, I also want the Shi family dead. So I’ve reached a cooperation agreement with them and am preparing to apply for a duel.”

The mention of “duel” made the old man’s hands suddenly pause, and his stooped frame trembled slightly.

Though he quickly recovered, Su Jingxing, ever watchful, did not miss it.

Lin Tuotian was the last survivor of the Lin family, once dominant in the western district thirty years ago but wiped out overnight after a duel with the Shi family.

When the Lin family still thrived, Lin Tuotian was the youngest son of the family head.

Though his real age was forty-five this year, seeing him now dumping trash, one might think he was seventy-five.

The reason was the years of relentless persecution by the Shi family.

Of course, Lin Tuotian had never encountered someone at Shi Jinnian’s level. The tormentors were the Shi family’s subordinates.

Shi Yankang was the chief overseer, with various executors cycling through.

One of Su Jingxing’s old enemies, Wan Rong, had been fortunate enough to serve once!

Indeed.

Su Jingxing’s knowledge of duels, the Lin family, and Lin Tuotian all came from viewing Wan Rong’s memories.

Though the foe was dead, he still aided Su Jingxing.

A family duel required a hundred participants.

A legitimate motive was indispensable.

Bringing Lin Tuotian on board under the banner of Lin family revenge was the perfect excuse.

If everything went smoothly,

Lin Tuotian and the “Destroy Shi Alliance” would fulfill their wish for vengeance.

Su Jingxing would gain a treasure trove of “Three Yin Blood Candles” to feed “Thunderbolt.”

Those oppressed by the Shi family would regain their freedom.

The countless girls born on ominous dates who had been exploited by the Shi family for years could finally rest in peace.

Even the Li family, silently monitoring the “Destroy Shi Alliance,” could seize the opportunity to absorb the Shi family’s assets.

Though the Li family was Qinghe City’s top martial arts clan,

the Shi family had been strengthening their power in recent years, openly competing with the Li family for dominance and secretly cultivating numerous loyal death squads.

At this rate, within ten years, the Shi family would completely surpass the Li family.

Therefore, the Li family was eager to see the Shi family destroyed.

With Su Jingxing’s plan underway, the Li family would not only refrain from interference but secretly assist.

In short, the Shi family’s downfall would be a multi-sided victory.

Thus,

After securing the “Destroy Shi Alliance,” Su Jingxing quickly sought out Lin Tuotian.

“Family duels are conducted by family units.”

“We have people, money, and martial strength; we only lack the righteous cause.”

“Lin Tuotian, if you’re willing to cooperate, you can ride this train.”

“Having your identity helps us avoid many troubles.”

“If not, we won’t force it. Many small families have been wiped out by the Shi family over the years.”

Su Jingxing spoke calmly, “We’re on a tight schedule. If you haven’t decided in five minutes...”

“I want Shi Yankang dead!”

A hoarse, sharp voice, like a crow’s caw, suddenly sounded.

The old man dumping trash, Lin Tuotian, abruptly lifted his head, straightened his back, clenched his fists tightly, eyes flashing with hatred.

“Kill Shi Yankang, and I’ll cooperate with you!”

“Shi Yankang?” Su Jingxing narrowed his eyes, replying indifferently, “He died just after midnight today.”

“Heh~”

Lin Tuotian snorted lightly, lowered his head, bent over, and resumed transferring the trash.

“Don’t believe me?”

Su Jingxing took out his phone and called Shen Qian.

Once connected, he wasted no time and asked her to send the video of Shi Yankang’s midnight ambush.

This was the “pledge of loyalty” to the “Destroy Shi Alliance,” especially the killing of Shi Yankang.

The entire ambush was recorded from the very start by a camera at a three-way intersection.

Su Jingxing had foreseen this and knew Shen Qian would do it, so obtaining the footage was easy.

Once the video arrived, Su Jingxing played it for Lin Tuotian.

A few minutes later,

“Ha ha ha!”

Lin Tuotian suddenly burst into laughter, wild and unrestrained.

“Good, good, well done, well done!”

“I agree to cooperate with you!”