Meeting Lin Chen's gaze, Long Mengyu recalled the day he descended like a war god, gunning down the pirates who had kidnapped her. Knowing his strength, she nodded confidently. "Alright. I'll go first." She shot Liang Haoming a cold glare. "You've brought this on yourself! You'll regret today's choice!" Before leaving, she addressed the crowd with regal authority: "The Long Group's partnership is now exclusively with the Lin Corporation. Anyone seeking collaboration with us must negotiate with Young Master Lin!" Her declaration ensured allies would support Lin Chen's interests—or risk losing Long Group opportunities16.
With Long Mengyu gone, Liang Haoming shed his restraint. "Seize him! Drag him here to kneel before my son!" He kept his gun trained on Gu Ruohan while signaling his guards.
Gu Ruohan tensed, ready to shield Lin Chen despite the weapon pointed at her. But Lin Chen moved first.
WHOOSH!
He became a blur—two bodyguards flew backward before anyone blinked. Liang Haoming felt his pistol vanish, replaced by Lin Chen's icy voice at his ear:
"Insulting me was your first mistake. Insulting my wife? That makes you even more deserving of death."
Lin Chen pressed the stolen gun to Liang Zhu's temple. "One last chance: kowtow 100 times until your forehead bleeds. Do it, and I spare your life."
Liang Zhu trembled, defiant through his fear. "You won't shoot! Kill me, and Father will make Murong Qingcheng suffer a thousandfold for—"
BANG!
A gunshot echoed. Liang Zhu screamed, clutching his shattered knee. Liang Haoming roared, "If you harm my son, I'll ensure you die horribly!"
Lin Chen's gaze shifted to the entrance. "Waiting for someone? I'll allow it."
On cue, a white-haired figure appeared. The crowd recoiled—Xie Tu, the "White Demon,"ranked third among foreign assassins17.
"This brat?" Xie Tu's hawk-like eyes scanned Lin Chen dismissively. Without warning, he shot forward like lightning.
Gu Ruohan intercepted him, fists colliding with a BOOM!that shook the hall. Guests near them were blasted off their feet.
Xie Tu stood firm; Gu Ruohan staggered back three steps, blood trickling from her lips.
"The War God of the Northern Frontier… defeated?"
"Xie Tu is a seventh-grade Grandmaster—she's only fifth-grade! No wonder Liang family dared defy her!"1
Xie Tu sneered. "The 'War God' is overrated. Know your place—a Grandmaster's strength gap is an insurmountable chasm!" His oppressive aura forced Gu Ruohan backward.
Then, a warm hand steadied her shoulder. Lin Chen stepped past her. "You're outmatched. I'll handle this."
Before Xie Tu could react—
CRACK!
Lin Chen's slap echoed through the silent hall.
Liang Haoming gaped. The guests froze.
The invincible Xie Tu… struck?
"Impossible!" Liang Haoming whispered. Xie Tu, a seventh-grade Grandmaster, hadn't even flinchedagainst Gu Ruohan's full force. Yet Lin Chen—a disgraced heir fresh from prison—had landed a blow?
The hall held its breath as Xie Tu touched his stinging cheek, disbelief hardening into rage. The real battle was just beginning.