Chapter 323: Aftermath

Being embraced by Huang Xinyu stirred something unfamiliar in Lin Xiao’s heart.

Though he was clueless about romance, he wasn’t a fool. The concern in Huang Xinyu’s words was unmistakable, even for someone as emotionally dense as him.

It was the first time anyone had spoken to him like that. Even a heart as hard as iron would soften under such warmth.

The tension gradually left Lin Xiao’s body. He exhaled deeply, the killing intent in his heart slowly dissipating, replaced by tranquility.

A woman’s embrace was indeed the safest harbor for a man.

***

The next day.

“Sister Xin, are you really not coming back to Jinghai with me?” Lin Xiao asked, hands tucked into his pockets to conceal the bandages wrapped around them.

They were standing at the Linjin bus station. People bustled around them, and countless eyes, filled with admiration and envy, were drawn to Huang Xinyu. Naturally, standing beside her, Lin Xiao attracted no small amount of attention himself.

Dressed in a sleek black business suit, Huang Xinyu’s elegant curves were perfectly accentuated. Every movement exuded an effortless allure.

Carefully adjusting Lin Xiao’s collar, she patted his shoulder lightly.

“I’d love to go with you, but the Aerospace Group situation isn’t resolved yet. The new chairman hasn’t been appointed. I can’t just abandon this mess and run off to Jinghai with you, can I?”

“Alright then, I’ll head out first.” Lin Xiao, always decisive in action, turned to leave without hesitation.

“Hey! Are you really just going to leave like that?” Huang Xinyu grabbed his sleeve.

“Sister Xin, is there something else?” Lin Xiao asked, genuinely puzzled.

Huang Xinyu was speechless at his obliviousness. She flicked his forehead with a playful snap.

The intimate gesture instantly drew heated gazes from nearby men, who stared daggers at Lin Xiao, brimming with envy and jealousy.

“Aren’t you supposed to properly say goodbye before leaving?” Huang Xinyu pouted.

“Oh. Goodbye, Sister Xin. I’m off.” Lin Xiao waved casually.

Huang Xinyu rolled her eyes. He was hopeless.

Realizing he’d never take the hint, she stepped forward, spread her arms, and hugged him.

Instinctively, Lin Xiao wrapped his arms around her waist. At that moment, the gazes surrounding him felt like countless sharp blades, as though everyone wanted to pierce him through.

Rising onto her tiptoes, Huang Xinyu whispered into his ear, “Don’t you dare tell that brat Huang Caixing about what happened yesterday. Got it?”

Lin Xiao nodded.

Satisfied, Huang Xinyu released him and waved. “Go on. I’ll head back in a couple of days and find you then.”

“Are you sure I’m good to leave now?” Lin Xiao asked, half-expecting her to grab him again.

Huang Xinyu smiled, dimples deepening. “Unless you’d rather stay and keep me company?”

Lin Xiao chuckled, knowing she was teasing. He gave her a nod and turned, striding toward the distant bus.

Huang Xinyu stood in place, watching his figure grow smaller and smaller until it vanished completely into the bustling crowd. Only then did she sigh softly, her delicate face tinged with loneliness.

“What’s there to mope about? We’ll see each other soon enough. Stop being so sentimental.”

Murmuring to herself, she suddenly smiled—a radiant, blossoming smile. Glancing one last time in the direction Lin Xiao had disappeared, she turned and climbed into the Bentley parked nearby, driving off.

While Lin Xiao and Huang Xinyu were bidding farewell, news of Lin Xiao’s challenge against the Golden Claw Sect spread like wildfire across Jiangdong and Jiangnan provinces.

In an age of instant communication, secrecy was nearly impossible.

Although no outsiders had witnessed what transpired inside the Golden Claw Sect’s headquarters, many had seen Lin Xiao storming into the building. It didn’t take long for curious minds to dig into the matter, and the story of the battle gradually came to light.

As rumors spread and the story gained traction, the ancient martial arts circles of both provinces erupted in shock. Everyone was buzzing about the audacious feat and trying to uncover the identity of the young man who single-handedly defeated the entire Golden Claw Sect.

***

In a martial arts hall deep within Jiangdong Province, two middle-aged men sat facing each other. One had a plain appearance, but his eyes were sharp—cutting, even. The other, known as Brother Qin, carried himself with refined elegance. He wore a neatly trimmed short beard, his fair skin almost at odds with the deadly aura he exuded.

Brother Qin lazily fanned himself with a white folding fan. But on closer inspection, the fan wasn’t made of paper—it was forged from gleaming steel.

Despite weighing at least ten pounds, the steel fan glided smoothly in his hand, emitting a soft, rhythmic swish. Each motion revealed the extraordinary strength and control hidden behind his polished demeanor.

“Brother Qin, have you heard? Someone challenged the Golden Claw Sect,” the sharp-eyed man spoke excitedly.

Brother Qin, still fanning himself, picked up a teacup with his free hand and took a sip.

“I’ve heard rumors. They say the one who defeated the Golden Claw Sect is a young man in his twenties.” He chuckled dismissively. “But it sounds utterly absurd. Never mind how strong Wang Changuang is, just Duan Changhan and Zhao Changle alone aren’t opponents an ordinary Dark Force expert could handle. Unless someone had reached the absolute peak of Dark Force, just a step away from Flowing Force, I might entertain the possibility. Otherwise…”

Brother Qin shook his head skeptically.

“Haha! I knew you’d say that!” The sharp-eyed man, addressed as Brother Wu, laughed heartily.

“I thought the same thing at first. I didn’t believe a word of it. But the truth is, it’s real! The Golden Claw Sect wasn’t just defeated, they were crushed.”

Brother Qin’s smile faded into a skeptical frown. He stared intently at Brother Wu.

“You’re not joking, are you? The Golden Claw Sect has stood tall in Jiangdong for decades. They might not dominate the province, but their reputation and legacy run deep.

“Didn’t Jiang Linfeng recently summon several martial arts hall masters for business in Jinghai? None dared refuse. And now you’re telling me the Golden Claw Sect fell to a single young man? Who is this kid?”

“Exactly! That incident you just mentioned was the root of everything. Listen closely, and I’ll explain it all…”

Lowering his voice, Brother Wu recounted the full story. From Jiang Linfeng leading others to challenge the Chen Martial Arts Hall in Jinghai to Lin Xiao’s arrival in Linjin City, culminating in his challenge against the Golden Claw Sect and his victory over all their top masters.

Initially, Brother Qin listened with detached curiosity. But as the story unfolded, his eyes widened in disbelief. He even forgot to sip his tea.

“Brother Wu, are you sure this is true?” Brother Qin finally asked, snapping his fan shut. A sharp glint flickered in his gaze.

“Absolutely. I’ve barely slept, cross-referencing the details with my contacts in Jinghai.”

Brother Wu, parched from talking, grabbed his tea mug and gulped down several mouthfuls.

“They say the young man’s surname is Lin. He’s the honorary master of the Chen Martial Arts Hall in Jiangnan Province. His background is a complete mystery, no one knows who his master is or where he comes from.”