Chapter 690: Third Time’s the Limit

Nangong Hao saw stars explode before his eyes. A high-pitched ringing echoed in his ears as pain drilled into his skull. He screamed, writhing on the ground in agony.

Across from him, Jiang Shiliu’s face twitched slightly.

Though the slap had landed on Nangong Hao’s face, Jiang Shiliu felt as if it had struck him instead.

Li Chengkun and Wu Donglai didn’t fare any better. Terrified, they shut their eyes tight, afraid to watch any further.

Young masters like them—pampered from birth, never having suffered—weren’t built for this.

“Mr. Lin, I… I know you don’t trust me,” Jiang Shiliu stammered. “But I swear to the heavens if I ever go against you again, may I be struck by lightning and die a miserable death!”

Lin Xiao ignored him. Instead, he grabbed Nangong Hao by the collar and lifted him off the ground.

“Stand up.”

Nangong Hao’s face was pale with terror. Blood ran from his mouth as he trembled uncontrollably. He had wet himself in fear.

Lin Xiao raised his hand to slap him again.

Nangong Hao collapsed to his knees, clutching Lin Xiao’s legs and sobbing.

“Big bro… I’m sorry! I was wrong! I’ll never do it again! Please, it hurts so much…”

“I let you off once before,” Lin Xiao said coldly, kicking him aside. “But you didn’t learn. You treated my warning like wind and came to provoke me again. Do you really think I won’t kill?”

Nangong Hao tumbled away, then scrambled up to cling to Lin Xiao’s leg again.

“Ancestor… Grandpa… I swear, I’ll never do anything like that again! Never! If I do, I’m a damn bastard!”

He threw out three nevers in a row, desperate to prove his sincerity.

Jiang Shiliu bowed deeply, ninety degrees.

At least he hadn’t knelt.

“Mr. Lin, I beg for your forgiveness. We never meant to go this far. It was Wan Shixuan who said you were finished and pushed us to act. We were foolish and believed him.”

“Yes! It’s all Wan Shixuan’s fault!” Nangong Hao cried, still clutching Lin Xiao. “He dragged me into this mess—”

“Shut up.” Lin Xiao frowned. “Your words mean nothing. I’m considering breaking your neck and leaving you paralyzed.”

Nangong Hao clamped his mouth shut.

“The only reason I haven’t is because we’re in front of the Brilliant building and I don’t want to involve Caixuan in this mess,” Lin Xiao continued. “I’ll deal with Wan Shixuan myself. But as for you lot, don’t think you’re walking away free.”

His voice was like steel, each word striking home.

“You’ll pay.”

Lin Xiao’s eyes were like blades. If he softened now, he’d only invite more trouble.

Before Nangong Hao could respond, Lin Xiao’s hand flashed. Bone cracked. He then delivered a brutal kick to the stomach.

Nangong Hao flew back like a rag doll, crashing to the ground and gasping for breath.

“I’ll take responsibility! I swear!” Jiang Shiliu shouted, desperate to avoid the same fate.

But Lin Xiao had already moved. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before Jiang Shiliu and struck with a blindingly fast kick.

Crack.

Jiang Shiliu was launched through the air. He landed hard, curled up like a shrimp, face ashen and veins bulging from his forehead. His breathing grew ragged, sweat pouring from his face. The pain was unimaginable, as if his organs had been smashed to pulp.

His fear of Lin Xiao peaked.

Without slowing, Lin Xiao appeared in front of Li Chengkun and Wu Donglai and slapped them both.

They hit the ground hard. Tears streamed down their faces. Blood-tinged spit dribbled from their mouths as they howled in pain.

“Remember this pain. If I see you again, I’ll show you what true suffering is,” Lin Xiao said coldly. “Three strikes and you’re out. This was your second. And final.”

All four nodded frantically, clutching their wounds.

“I didn’t hear your answer,” Lin Xiao said, gaze icy.

Nangong Hao, half-conscious from the two slaps, could barely hear.

Li Chengkun and Wu Donglai were so frightened they couldn’t speak.

Only Jiang Shiliu managed a hoarse response: “We get it! There won’t be a third time, Mr. Lin!”

“Even if there is, I won’t care. Because in the end, you’re the ones who’ll suffer.”

Lin Xiao swept his gaze over them. Seeing the terror etched on their faces, he casually waved his hand.

“Scram.”

The four scrambled to their feet, clutching their injuries. Like beaten dogs, they fled the scene.

None of them dared look back. In their hearts, they swore: whoever dared return to the East Continent was a fool.

This land was now a graveyard for their pride.