Chapter 291: Wan Shixuan’s Delusions

Wan Shixuan looked at Lin Xiao, whose expression was icy cold. His heart was filled with utter panic. Understanding Lin Xiao’s strength, he knew his life now hung entirely in Lin Xiao’s hands.

“Haha, isn’t it delightful when friends come from afar? By family hierarchy, Wan Caixuan is my younger cousin, and you’re her friend. That makes us family.”

Caught between life and death, Wan Shixuan’s mind raced as he desperately tried to preserve his life.

A stiff smile appeared on his pale face. 

“It was all just a misunderstanding, I—”

Before he could finish, Lin Xiao, tired of his nonsense, took a step forward, closing the distance. Wan Shixuan scrambled to his feet from the sofa and stumbled backward in a panic.

“You… you… What are you doing? If you spare me, I’ll give you ten times whatever Wan Caixuan has given you!”

The two beautiful women beside him screamed in terror and scattered, trying to flee the room.

Though Lin Xiao’s target was Wan Shixuan, he incapacitated the two women with a single move to avoid unnecessary trouble.

“You can keep them for your own enjoyment.”

“What do you want? I can give you anything! Do you like Wan Caixuan? Let’s join forces. If you let me live, I’ll make sure she’s yours. I’ll personally deliver her, pure and clean, straight to your bed.”

Seeing no reaction from Lin Xiao, Wan Shixuan persisted. He was convinced Lin Xiao had feelings for Wan Caixuan, otherwise, he couldn’t believe anyone would resist such an offer.

He continued his persuasion, saying, “Oh, and she has a younger sister. Her beauty is no less than Wan Caixuan’s. You could have both sisters, your very own pair of heavenly flowers, yours to enjoy. You’d have both women and wealth. Isn’t that far better than foolishly staying by her side as a mere bodyguard?”

As he spoke, he became increasingly confident, even imagining the scenario in his mind.

Even he found himself tempted by the idea. Judging others by his own standards, he was certain Lin Xiao would agree.

Unfortunately, Wan Shixuan failed to notice Lin Xiao’s expression growing colder by the second.

“With your strength, if we work together, I could crush all the other Wan family heirs. Once I control the Wan family, you’d be the greatest contributor. You’d become one of the most powerful men in the country!”

He spoke with fervor, completely immersed in his fantasy.

The fear on his face had vanished, replaced by boundless confidence and ambition. He even began to see Lin Xiao’s arrival as an opportunity.

Having witnessed Lin Xiao’s inhuman strength, Wan Shixuan believed that with Lin Xiao’s help, he could overpower the other heirs and become the Wan family’s sole successor.

As for Lin Xiao refusing? Ridiculous! Serving as a mere bodyguard for Wan Caixuan was nothing compared to the power and beauty Wan Shixuan promised. He believed that any rational person would choose the latter.

But what he didn’t realize was that power and beauty meant nothing to Lin Xiao.

Not only was Lin Xiao the captain of the Dragon Sword Squad, but his martial prowess as a Huajin master placed him in a realm far beyond Wan Shixuan’s comprehension.

If Lin Xiao revealed his cultivation status, even the Wan family’s current patriarch would have to treat him with utmost respect.

Such was the power and prestige of a Flowing Energy grandmaster. No force dared to offend someone of such caliber.

As for Lin Xiao’s role as Wan Caixuan’s bodyguard, that was simply because he had needed the money for Yuan Yu’s mother’s medical treatment at the time. Later, it became a matter of professional ethics, and over time, he and Wan Caixuan became friends.

This was why he stayed.

But Wan Shixuan knew none of this. He was trapped in his delusions, speaking to Lin Xiao as if the latter were already his ally.

“Once I take over the Wan family, I’ll have access to endless wealth and power. You’ll—”

Before he could finish, pain shot through the back of his neck. His vision went black, and he collapsed face-first to the ground.

“You’re annoying.”

Lin Xiao looked at Wan Shixuan’s unconscious body, a flicker of coldness in his eyes. Normally, he would have killed him without hesitation. But Wan Shixuan’s connection to Wan Caixuan gave him pause.

After some thought, Lin Xiao took out his phone and turned it on.

He had switched it off earlier when infiltrating Fang Haoyan’s manor to avoid any distractions from incoming calls.

The moment his phone powered up, several missed call notifications popped up—all from Wan Caixuan.

This realization made Lin Xiao feel a headache coming on. He had completely forgotten that he hadn’t requested leave.

Including the previous day’s Sunday off, he had effectively been absent for two consecutive days without notice.

Nonetheless, he dialed Wan Caixuan’s number, knowing he had to face the consequences.

“Hello? Where are you? Are you okay? Did Wan Shixuan come after you?”

Wan Caixuan’s voice came through, filled with urgency and worry.

Hearing her concern, Lin Xiao felt a warmth in his heart. He had never seen Wan Caixuan so flustered before. Even during an assassination attempt, she had remained outwardly calm. Her usual demeanor was one of unapproachable coldness.

Yet now, she was so visibly shaken.

“I’m fine,” Lin Xiao said calmly.

“Fine? If you’re fine, why did you turn off your phone? Do you know I’ve mobilized all my forces in Jiangnan Province to look for you because of that?!”

Wan Caixuan’s voice, initially worried, turned exasperated, her temper flaring.

When Lin Xiao hadn’t shown up for work or answered his phone, she had been beside herself with anxiety. She had even set aside her responsibilities to search for him.

And yet Lin Xiao acted as if nothing had happened.

“Do you even realize—” she started, ready to unleash her frustration, but Lin Xiao’s next words stopped her cold.

“I’ve captured Wan Shixuan.”

“…What? What did you say?”

“I said, I’ve captured Wan Shixuan. He’s right here beside me.”

“…”

Wan Caixuan was momentarily stunned, unable to process what she had just heard.

What did he mean?

How had Wan Shixuan suddenly been captured?

She had mobilized nearly all her resources in Jiangnan Province to find even a trace of Wan Shixuan, yet Lin Xiao had managed to capture him single-handedly.

Even knowing Lin Xiao’s abilities, she couldn’t help but feel astonished.

It took her a long moment to regain her composure. “What happened?”

Lin Xiao recounted the events of the day, though he left out details regarding the mysterious international organization and Uncle Feng.

After hearing his account, Wan Caixuan fell silent.

Though Lin Xiao had described everything lightly, she could easily imagine the dangers he had faced.

She knew Wan Shixuan’s character all too well—cowardly, cunning, and calculating. He wouldn’t have acted without a meticulously crafted plan.

Though Lin Xiao had thwarted that plan, it must have been fraught with peril.

“I’m sorry for dragging you into this,” Wan Caixuan said quietly, guilt evident in her voice.

“It’s fine. Send someone to Jiangbei City to take Wan Shixuan away,” Lin Xiao replied, dismissing her concerns. He understood that her earlier anger had stemmed from worry.

“I’ll come with them.”

“No need. Just send your people. This place is very remote.”

“Alright then.”