Chapter 142: Let's Be Friends!

With Lin Yang’s identity officially revealed, everyone naturally came over to greet him and curry favor as a sign of respect.

At this moment, Wei Xiaodie and Cheng Wanqing approached one after the other.

“Greetings, Master Lin,” Cheng Wanqing bowed. “I never expected Master Lin to have such a close relationship with the Murong family.”

“Does that concern you?” Lin Yang replied coolly.

“I spoke out of turn. I’ll take my leave,” Cheng Wanqing said, departing with a sense of accomplishment. After all, she had won a piece of land from Wei Xiaodie, so this trip was far from fruitless, and her mood was quite good.

“Miss Lin, I pay my respects,” Wei Xiaodie also took the initiative to greet Lin Yang.

Lin Yang nodded slightly but did not engage in conversation.

Murong Yun whispered beside him, “Her name is Wei Xiaodie, the youngest daughter of Wei Zhong.”

“Oh,” Lin Yang showed little interest.

Wei Xiaodie took the initiative to pull out a business card and handed it to Lin Yang.

“Today has truly been an eye-opener. I never imagined our Luocheng would have a young master of such caliber. I wonder if the Wei family might have the honor of befriending Master Lin?”

Lin Yang did not take the card at first; at this moment, a master should still maintain a certain aura.

“In today’s world, it’s easy to make enemies but hard to make friends,” he said.

Hearing this, Wei Xiaodie smiled brightly. “Master Lin speaks truly. However, the Wei family has always preferred making friends over enemies. Especially with someone as extraordinarily talented as you, Master Lin, we offer our utmost sincerity.”

“Then please convey this to your father: I will pay a visit someday to seek Master Wei’s guidance,” she said.

Among the four great masters of Luocheng, Lin Yang had now faced two. The third-ranked, Cheng Kuo, was already defeated by him, while the fourth, Luo Hongyu, remained an enigma.

Next was the second-ranked Jiang Haisheng, whom Lin Yang was confident he could also defeat. That left only the top-ranked Wei Zhong.

“Very well! My father would be delighted to spar with a rising star like you. Please accept my card. When you wish to visit, just give me a call, and the Wei family will roll out the red carpet,” Wei Xiaodie said, offering her card again. This time, Lin Yang took it smoothly.

“Miss Murong, I truly envy you. To be friends with Master Lin means the Murong family’s position in Luocheng is unshakable,” Wei Xiaodie said after exchanging a few pleasantries with Murong Yun, then took her leave.

The members of the Wanhao Chamber of Commerce also gradually left, and the once lively banquet hall was left with only Lin Yang and Murong Yun.

Murong Yun toyed with Lin Yang’s arm and asked softly, “Are these flowers for me?”

“Who else would they be for?” Lin Yang replied.

“Give them to Wei Xiaodie. I think she admires you quite a bit,” Murong Yun pouted.

Lin Yang pinched her neck playfully. “Jealous already?”

“I’m not,” Murong Yun said, feigning pride, then snatched the flowers from Lin Yang’s hand. “I like these flowers.”

“Shall we head upstairs for dinner?” Lin Yang asked.

“Of course! I’m still hungry!” Murong Yun pulled him along as they left the banquet hall. Though the event had turned into a farce, Liang Jian still had to foot the bill, and his assets needed to be disposed of swiftly—he had to leave Luocheng.

At the restaurant, Murong Yun first made a call to arrange for the handling of Liang Jian.

“Take over all of Liang Jian’s assets. Tomorrow, I don’t want to see him anywhere in Luocheng. Also, before he leaves, follow the usual procedure—teach him a lesson so he never dares to set foot here again,” she said, her eyes filled with murderous intent.

When the Wang family was forced out of Luocheng, they had paid a heavy price—one lost a leg, arranged personally by Murong Yun.

Now, the same fate awaited Liang Jian and his family.

After the call, Murong Yun ordered champagne, and the two began a romantic dinner.

Liang Jian left the hotel in a daze, filled with resentment.

At the hospital, Liang Kuan asked, “Father, what’s wrong? The celebration ended so soon?”

Liang Jian first overturned a table and smashed glasses in the ward, venting his frustration, leaving Liang Kuan on the bed utterly confused.

Still unsatisfied, Liang Jian approached and slapped Liang Kuan several times.

“You unfilial son! You’ve ruined me, you good-for-nothing!” Liang Jian raged.

“Dad, why are you hitting me? What did I do wrong?” Liang Kuan’s arms were immobilized, his face burning with pain, tears streaming down, feeling deeply wronged.

“Hit you? I want to kill you right now! Do you know who Lin Yang is? And the woman by his side?” Liang Jian’s anger intensified as he slapped Liang Kuan again.

“He is Mr. Lin! The woman beside him is Murong Yun! You blind fool, you don’t even know Madam Yun?” In this moment, Liang Jian fully grasped the true meaning of being betrayed—it was a devastating betrayal.

He and Lin Yang had no grudges; all this trouble was caused by his son, Liang Kuan.

“That… that can’t be! Dad, you must be mistaken. He’s a gambler and a drug addict!” Liang Kuan’s face was swollen like a pig’s head, but he could barely believe it.

“Don’t talk nonsense! I saw it with my own eyes—how could it be fake? He’s not only a benefactor of the Murong family but also a martial arts master capable of challenging Jiang Haisheng. Offending him means our family is finished!” Liang Jian collapsed to the floor, exhausted.

Hearing this, Liang Kuan was similarly devastated and filled with regret.

Meanwhile, Ren Huaxiong did not go to the hospital. Bearing grave injuries, he returned to the Haitan Gang to meet Jiang Haisheng.

Jiang Haisheng rarely appeared these days; apart from a few direct disciples, no one could see him. He lived in a separate courtyard behind the Haitan Gang’s main hall.

With the help of his disciple, Ren Huaxiong staggered to the courtyard and knocked on the door.

“Master, I have urgent news to report,” he said.

“Come in,” came Jiang Haisheng’s voice from inside.

Ren Huaxiong pushed open the door unsteadily. Jiang Haisheng was dressed in a white training suit, meditating.

Suddenly, Ren Huaxiong knelt but couldn’t hold back a mouthful of blood.

Jiang Haisheng opened his eyes, and Ren Huaxiong quickly apologized, “Master, sorry for disturbing your meditation.”

“How did you get injured?” Jiang Haisheng asked calmly, without reproach.

“Master, a new master has emerged in Luocheng. He killed the third disciple, Ding Tai, and injured me,” Ren Huaxiong reported without hiding anything.

“Oh? Who was promoted to master? Wei Zhong’s disciple or Cheng Kuo’s?”

“Neither. It’s a young man just over twenty named Lin Yang.”

Upon hearing this, a trace of emotion finally flickered across Jiang Haisheng’s otherwise inscrutable face.