Chapter 36: Is Courage All I Have?

Lin Yang could see the men approaching with hostile intent and was just about to make a move when Murong Yun shot him a look and gave a slight shake of her head, signaling him to hold back.

“Fine, I was just thinking I’d like to meet your boss,” she said.

“In that case, please come with us and get in the car,” one of the burly men replied.

Lin Yang kept his hands to himself, and Murong Yun, together with the three burly men, got into a nearby car. Lin Yang noticed that inside the car was also a middle-aged man with a scarred face, exuding a calm yet formidable presence—a true expert.

The car sped away, and Lin Yang followed at a distance in his own vehicle.

The car did not leave the city but drove from the western district to the eastern district, eventually pulling into a nightclub.

Murong Yun was taken to the sixth floor of the nightclub, where she met the boss behind the scenes.

“Murong Yun, it’s been a long time,” the boss greeted.

“Chen Egg, you had people kidnap me here especially—what do you want?” Murong Yun’s expression remained calm; there wasn’t even a hint of fear.

Chen Ziling said, “These days, you’re the only one who dares call me ‘Egg’ to my face, Murong Yun.”

“That’s what I’ve always called you, ever since we were kids. Old habits die hard.” Murong Yun settled onto the sofa, as composed as ever.

“Fine! Call me whatever you like. The reason I’ve brought you here is simple: marry me. If our two families unite again, working together, we can dominate all of Luocheng.”

Chen Ziling’s father was Chen Tianhao, who had originally co-founded the Wan Hao Chamber of Commerce with Murong Zhang, but the two eventually went their separate ways. Chen Ziling and Murong Yun had known each other since childhood.

“I’ve made my position on this clear long ago. There’s no need to discuss it further,” Murong Yun refused directly, then immediately asked, “Was it you who sent people to ambush my father yesterday?”

“He’s old. Keeping him around will only hinder the Murong family’s future. I was doing you a favor, clearing the way for your rise,” Chen Ziling replied, lighting a cigar and crossing his legs.

“How did you know my whereabouts tonight?” Murong Yun pressed.

“You’re sharp as ever—why not take a guess?”

“Wei Dazhong,” Murong Yun said.

Chen Ziling clapped his hands together, applauding. “As expected, you’re clever. Right on the first try.”

Wei Dazhong had been with the Murong family for years and now served as their steward.

“So he also told you my father would be going to Tianma Mountain yesterday,” Murong Yun said.

Chen Ziling nodded. “Wei Dazhong is loyal to your family. If I hadn’t taken his grandson hostage, he would never have betrayed you.”

“I came here to confirm that. Now that I have, I’ll be leaving.”

Murong Yun stood up, but Chen Ziling burst out laughing. “Murong Yun, now that you’re on my turf, do you really think you can just walk away?”

“What, are you going to kill me?” Murong Yun’s face didn’t even flicker.

“Of course not! I’m quite fond of you. How could I bear to kill you? Tonight, you’ll be my woman, and then the alliance between our families will follow as a matter of course.”

Chen Ziling’s smile turned sinister.

“Foolish dreams. Didn’t Wei Dazhong tell you that yesterday our family received help from a powerful ally?”

Murong Yun knew Lin Yang was close by, and that confidence steadied her heart.

“I heard about him—a young man named Lin, right? He disrupted my plans yesterday and saved your father. I’m told he killed my seventh-rank expert in a single move?” Chen Ziling asked.

“He didn’t kill him outright, only gravely wounded him. He died under torture,” Murong Yun replied.

“Then he must be an eighth-rank expert. And now he’s here too. Do you really think he can save you?”

Their exchange was crisp and direct, but beneath each word was a subtle contest of wits, each utterly confident in themselves.

“I believe in him,” Murong Yun replied.

“Then let’s have this Mr. Lin show himself. I want to see just what kind of man dares foil my plans.”

Chen Ziling stubbed out his cigar, suddenly rose to his feet, and raised his voice.

Bang!

Before his words had even faded, the door was smashed open. A burly man in black was flung through the doorway, crashing to the floor. Lin Yang strode in from outside.

“Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Lin,” Murong Yun said with a smile.

“You’re awfully brave—what if I hadn’t followed you?” Lin Yang walked to her side.

“Is bravery all I have? Don’t you think I’m big in other ways, too?”

Murong Yun deliberately thrust out her proud chest.

“Indeed,” Lin Yang answered, glancing at the snowy cleft with perfect candor.

Seeing Lin Yang and Murong Yun flirting right in front of him, Chen Ziling’s face darkened.

“Good, you’ve come. Just what I needed—a chance to kill two birds with one stone.”

With a gesture, Chen Ziling ordered, “Kill him.”

The scar-faced man who had been standing at Chen Ziling’s side stepped forward.

This man was an eighth-rank expert, renowned for his Eagle Claw technique.

“Was it you who defeated my junior?” the scar-faced man asked.

“Who’s your junior? Never heard of him.”

“Today, I’ll crush your bones one by one and offer them as a sacrifice to my junior’s spirit.”

The scar-faced man’s hands formed claws as he lunged, swift as lightning.

Though both were eighth-rank, this man was even more formidable than Deng Jinkui, his attacks faster still.

In the world of martial arts, speed is everything.

But speed was useless against Lin Yang.

His heterochromatic eyes allowed him to slow his opponent’s attacks and break down their movements, perfectly compensating for his lack of battle experience.

The scar-faced man’s claws were razor sharp, gouging deep marks into the wall with every swipe.

After exchanging more than a dozen blows, Lin Yang suddenly grabbed his opponent’s fingers and, with a crisp crack, broke two fingers on the man’s right hand.

“Aaaagh!”

Howling in pain, the scar-faced man swept his left claw at Lin Yang’s face—a strike that, if it landed, would rip away half his cheek.

Lin Yang moved even faster, catching the left hand and snapping both the ring and middle finger.

With four fingers broken, the scar-faced man was effectively crippled.

Lin Yang then used the grappling techniques he’d learned by observing Qi Tianming, crushing every joint from wrist and elbow to shoulder.

The man’s screams filled the room.

Finally, Lin Yang delivered a single punch to the man’s chest. His internal energy surged through, instantly shattering the man’s heart.

The scar-faced man’s chest caved in as he crashed at Chen Ziling’s feet, spit up a mouthful of blood, and died on the spot.

Chen Ziling’s face grew even darker.

He had estimated Lin Yang’s strength at eighth rank—the scar-faced man was a top-tier eighth-rank expert himself and should have secured victory.

He never imagined his man would be killed so swiftly.

“To be able to kill an eighth-rank expert… I underestimated you. You’re a ninth-rank master,” Chen Ziling said in a low voice.

“A ninth-rank master at your age—remarkable indeed. I sincerely invite you to join the Hongxing Chamber of Commerce. Whatever the Murong family offers you, I can double, even triple it,” Chen Ziling said, hoping to win him over with wealth now that force had failed.

Lin Yang shook his head. “Not interested.”

“Don’t know what’s good for you! In that case, you’ll die here today. I have ninth-rank masters too!”

A sinister smile spread across Chen Ziling’s face.