Chapter 285: Strike!

The bullets fired by Black Fury hit empty space, shattering a few roof tiles but achieving nothing else.

The figure descended at a speed so fast it seemed otherworldly.

Everyone’s vision blurred for a moment, and suddenly the figure was standing on the ground.

Such an astonishingly rapid descent was accompanied by neither sound nor any dust stirred on landing. The surreal contrast made many believe they were seeing an illusion.

“It’s really you!”

Uncle Wang had sharp eyesight. When the figure landed, he immediately recognized the face, and his eyes turned red with rage. His teeth ground audibly as fury coursed through him.

He clenched his fists, his body tensed, and his pupils contracted to pinpoints. His internal energy surged through him. He prepared for action.

This was the man he detested with every fiber of his being.

Upon hearing Uncle Wang’s exclamation, Lin Xiao glanced at him indifferently before shifting his gaze away. He didn’t say a single word.

To Lin Xiao, Uncle Wang was nothing more than a defeated opponent, unworthy of attention.

Seeing that Lin Xiao regarded him as if he didn’t exist, Uncle Wang’s hatred burned even fiercer.

Yet, despite his wrath, he knew he wasn’t Lin Xiao’s match. He forced himself to suppress his boiling anger. He took deep breaths to calm down, though his bloodshot eyes remained fixed on Lin Xiao, brimming with murderous intent.

The mercenaries of Black Fury’s group and the henchmen of the Hundred Seats Society all adjusted their aim. They pointed their weapons at Lin Xiao, who stood in the center of the courtyard. They awaited only the order from Black Fury or Fang Haoyan to turn Lin Xiao into a sieve of bullet holes.

Against such overwhelming firepower, even someone with a body of steel would be hard-pressed to escape unscathed.

Countless pairs of cold, vicious eyes focused on Lin Xiao. The air grew thick with malice. The murderous intent swelled like a tide.

“What arrogance!”

“Who does he think he is? He’s got a death wish coming here alone.”

“This is the guy the boss and Black Fury have been so careful about? Doesn’t look like much.”

“Maybe he’s got some skills, but he’s an idiot to show up empty-handed against us and our guns.”

The mercenaries and thugs murmured among themselves, their tones ranging from derision to disdain, mocking Lin Xiao. But Lin Xiao remained utterly unfazed, as though the men surrounding him were not armed predators but mere livestock awaiting slaughter.

The killing intent simmered deep within Lin Xiao’s heart. None of these people would be spared.

He lifted his gaze and scanned the crowd with a calm, detached look. He paused briefly on each face before finally settling on Fang Haoyan.

Fang Haoyan’s expression grew grim under Lin Xiao’s scrutiny. A heavy pressure weighed on him.

A person’s reputation carries its own weight. Though Fang Haoyan had never seen Lin Xiao before or fought against him, he was fully aware of Lin Xiao’s feats—breaking through Wan Shixuan’s fortified estate and defeating an internal energy master. Even the visible fear in Uncle Wang’s demeanor confirmed Lin Xiao was no ordinary enemy.

To Fang Haoyan, Lin Xiao was like a vast, unfathomable ocean, leaving him unable to discern the true depths of his strength.

Despite his wariness, a thrill of excitement coursed through Fang Haoyan.

Yes, excitement.

Lin Xiao’s name was well known to him, particularly because of Blackie’s death, which was closely linked to Lin Xiao. Fang Haoyan had long wanted to kill him.

He had previously sent men to Jinghai City to make a move, but after their failed attempt to assassinate Su Mengjia, the police were alerted, forcing him to retreat.

Little did Fang Haoyan know that the botched assassination of Su Mengjia was also thwarted by Lin Xiao. If he knew, his hatred would have burned even brighter.

In hindsight, that failed attempt might have been a blessing in disguise. Lin Xiao had proven himself capable of demolishing Wan Shixuan’s heavily fortified estate, including defeating internal energy masters.

Even with the Hundred Seats Society’s influence, taking on Lin Xiao directly could have led to mutual destruction.

But now, with Wan Shixuan’s mercenaries, Uncle Wang, and his own subordinates present, the odds seemed stacked in their favor.

It was the perfect opportunity to eliminate Lin Xiao.

Fang Haoyan was itching to give the order to shoot. He was eager to witness Lin Xiao being torn apart by bullets. Yet, he hesitated at the last moment.

The current arrangement of their forces wasn’t ideal for a firefight.

The hall was not large, and although Lin Xiao stood in the center, the mercenaries and thugs had formed a loose circle around him.

If they opened fire in such close quarters, while they might shred Lin Xiao to pieces, the crossfire could result in heavy casualties among their own men.

Bullet trajectories had no regard for loyalty. Opening fire would be akin to collective suicide.

Raising his pistol, Fang Haoyan aimed it at Lin Xiao’s forehead. With his other hand hanging by his side, he discreetly signaled to Black Fury and the mercenaries.

Experienced in combat, Black Fury immediately understood the gesture and signaled his men. Gradually, the mercenaries and thugs began shifting to flank Lin Xiao from both sides.

Lin Xiao seemed oblivious to their movements.

Suddenly, he broke the silence with an unexpected question.

“Was this Wan Shixuan’s idea?”

Seeing Uncle Wang present in the estate, Lin Xiao had already guessed why the Hundred Seats Society was targeting Yuan Yu.

It also explained why Wan Caixuan’s efforts to locate Wan Shixuan had come up empty. The Hundred Seats Society could easily conceal someone’s whereabouts as the dominant underground force in Jiangnan Province.

Lin Xiao was still unaware of Fang Haoyan’s deeper motives.

“There’s no need for you to know.” Fang Haoyan narrowed his eyes, a flicker of killing intent flashing across them. “I thought capturing you would take some effort, but here you are, stupid enough to walk into a trap. You’ve saved us a lot of trouble. But before we kill you, I want to ask. What did you do to my men?”

“Don’t worry. You’ll soon be joining them,” Lin Xiao said, his tone devoid of emotion. “I never planned to be merciless, but you shouldn’t have targeted the people I care about.”

Hearing Lin Xiao admit to killing Sparrow and his team, the Hundred Seats Society thugs seethed with rage. Their breathing grew heavy, eyes filled with hatred as they glared at him.

Fang Haoyan’s jaw tightened, a twisted, bloodthirsty grin spreading across his face.

“Merciless? That’s my line. Once you’re dead, everyone connected to you will suffer unimaginable torment. I’ll make sure they beg for death!”

Lin Xiao said nothing. His eyes burned with unrelenting killing intent.

Buzz…

Lin Xiao’s clothes suddenly fluttered despite the still air. A deep, resonant hum filled the room, growing louder and more ominous.

“Be careful! He’s about to act!”

Uncle Wang’s pupils constricted as he shouted. His internal energy surged as his body expanded slightly. Crackling sounds echoed from within him as he assumed a fighting stance.

Before Wang Shu could elaborate, Fang Haoyan instinctively stepped back and pulled the trigger, shouting, “Shoot!”

The first bullet tore through the air at lightning speed. It headed straight for Lin Xiao’s forehead. From such close range, it reached him almost instantly.

Fang Haoyan seemed to envision the bullet piercing Lin Xiao’s skull, but reality defied his expectations.