"Brat! I'll crush you with one punch!"
Lin Chen's calm provocation was the final spark.As the Deputy Pavilion Lord of the Dragon Nation's Zhenwu Pavilion, Zhong Yang had never—never—been spoken to like that.
With a single step back, he planted his heel, waist twisting like a coiled steel spring. Every muscle on his frame bulged like tempered iron. The air itself seemed to shudder—wind howled, dust whirled, and a low thunder rumbled in the air before his fist had even struck.
This… was power far beyond an ordinary Grandmaster—enough to crush most peak Grandmasters outright.
Boom!The ground cracked under his foot as he roared:"Die!"
The punch exploded forward like a cannon blast. The shockwave alone sent nearby onlookers tumbling like leaves in a storm. Even trained martial experts staggered back, coughing blood from the residual force.
Yet…
Amid that terrifying storm, Lin Chen stood unmoving. Untouched. Unshaken. Like an ancient mountain.
From where Liang Wangba stood, it was obvious—Lin Chen was frozen in fear. One hit from Zhong Yang would tear him apart! His heart pounded with excitement.As long as this punch landed, Lin Chen would be reduced to dust. Even if half the Liang family had to be sacrificed—it would all be worth it!
But then—The dust cloud thinned.
The scene that emerged froze the breath in every chest.
Lin Chen was still there. Not a step back. Not even a wrinkle in his shirt.One hand… effortlessly holding Zhong Yang's fist in mid-air.
Zhong Yang's pupils shrank.That punch had been full force—born of anger, every ounce of his cultivation poured into it.
And Lin Chen had… caught it.
Worse, a subtle recoil surged back through his arm, making his muscles tremble. The counterforce was so pure, so sharp—it left even him slightly injured!
"You've… got some skill," Lin Chen said mildly. Then, with almost lazy precision, he drove his foot into Zhong Yang's abdomen.
The older man shot back like a kite with its string cut, smashing through a tree before crumpling to the ground.
"I'm late."
The voice came from the crowd as an older man strode forward, flanked by black-suited men with rifles.
It was He Tianchi—the richest man in Yancheng."Mr. Lin," He reported calmly, "I intercepted Liang family members trying to flee. The company's been seized as well."
Before the Liang side could recover, another group arrived—martial artists this time. Leading them was… Xie Tu.
Liang Wangba's heart leapt. Xie Tu's combat strength was modest, but his men were many, and he had strong foreign ties. With him here, the tide could turn."Xie Tu! Kill him! Kill that brat for me!"
But Xie Tu ignored him, stepping up to Lin Chen and bowing respectfully."Master, I've arrived."
The words were like a blade in Liang Wangba's chest.
"Xie Tu! You dare betray me?! After all I've done for you!"
Xie Tu's smile was ice."Betray? Liang Wangba, don't make me laugh. We were business partners—nothing more. You paid me, I worked. That's all. As for your so-called kindness… you've used me plenty, haven't you? Spare me your hypocrisy."
"You—!" Liang Wangba's vision swam with rage.
But Xie Tu didn't even glance at him."Master, I investigated thoroughly. Those mysterious people who elevated Liang Wangba's strength to the Grandmaster realm… they used him as a pawn. Their goal was the Lin family. With the Liang family's manpower, they could blockade and slaughter without exposing themselves."
At the mention of the "mysterious people," a chill ran up Liang Wangba's spine."Shut up, Xie Tu! You're courting death!"
But he still had hope."I've already summoned Deputy Pavilion Lord Zhong! Lin Chen is doomed! Even if you help him, you'll die with him!"
His confidence was ironclad—because Zhenwu Pavilion was the Dragon Nation's supreme authority in martial law. No one could oppose it.
Or so he thought.
Lin Chen's gaze turned to ice."Liang family… you truly deserve death. Tonight, I will wipe you out—root and branch—and send you to hell… to kneel before my Lin family!"