Chapter 354: Annihilation

A deafening explosion resounded as Lin Xiao’s foot stomped down, caving in the roof of the speeding sedan. The entire steel frame twisted and deformed before flipping violently off the road.

This was no plastic shell—it was a full-fledged steel-reinforced vehicle.

Moreover, this was a safety model, with its body constructed from exceptionally sturdy alloy. Yet, under Lin Xiao’s foot, it crumpled like tin foil.

Such was the power of a single stomp.

Protected by his internal energy, Lin Xiao’s feet remained unscathed. Only his pant legs were shredded into countless fluttering fragments from the terrifying force erupting from his body upon impact.

Exhaling a long breath, the light in Lin Xiao’s eyes faded, returning to their usual deep, tranquil state. He took steady steps toward the overturned black sedan several meters away.

Inside the vehicle, Qiao Fei and Da Biao were still in a daze, completely unaware of what had just happened.

All they knew was that a thunderous crash erupted above them, followed by the car suddenly lurching violently before flipping over.

Having had no time to react, the two were thrown around the interior, their heads spinning, their vision filled with bursts of flashing stars. The unexpected catastrophe drained all color from their faces, leaving them paralyzed with fear. They were convinced they had been in a terrible accident.

What they didn’t realize was that luck had favored them. Lin Xiao’s stomp had landed on the rear of the car. Had it been directly above them, they would have been crushed into the underworld in an instant.

Lin Xiao reached the vehicle, gripped the twisted door frame, and yanked hard.

The entire car door was torn off and flung aside, revealing Qiao Fei and Da Biao huddled inside, their faces contorted in terror.

“Gentlemen, please step out.”

Lin Xiao tossed the mangled door away, took two steps back, crossed his arms, and gazed at them impassively.

Qiao Fei and Da Biao, still rattled, exchanged hesitant glances, unsure whether to obey or remain in the vehicle. For a moment, they were caught in limbo.

“Just get out. What’s he gonna do, kill us?” Qiao Fei whispered, shooting Da Biao a look.

The two then scrambled out of the wreckage, battered and disheveled.

The moment he got to his feet, Da Biao instinctively reached for his gun, leveling it at Lin Xiao. His voice trembled, a false bravado masking his fear. “You… What the hell did you just do?”

Facing the monstrous figure of Lin Xiao, even with a gun in hand, Da Biao felt no sense of security.

Lin Xiao merely glanced at him indifferently, utterly ignoring his question.

Seeing Lin Xiao’s continued disregard, Da Biao’s temper flared. His expression twisted between rage and hatred.

Anger breeds recklessness, and recklessness breeds evil.

Da Biao was a ruthless, lawless bandit. No matter how fearsome Lin Xiao had proven himself, it couldn’t completely quench his wicked instincts.

“I refuse to believe you can dodge a bullet at this range.”

Da Biao’s eyes locked onto Lin Xiao, his finger inching toward the trigger.

But before he could pull it, a shadow flashed before his eyes.

Lin Xiao was suddenly right in front of him.

Pain flared through his wrist. His fingers involuntarily loosened, and the gun vanished from his grasp.

“You really thought I’d give you the chance to fire?” Lin Xiao’s voice was calm, yet his icy gaze sent chills down Da Biao’s spine. “Trash like you is better off dead.”

That single sentence sealed Da Biao’s fate.

Terror consumed him. His lips parted to beg for mercy.

But Lin Xiao never gave him the chance.

His left hand clenched into a fist, crashing into Da Biao’s chest with earth-shattering force.

Da Biao’s ribs shattered instantly. His internal organs ruptured into a mangled mess. His burly frame was launched through the air like a human cannonball, a dying shriek tearing from his throat before he disappeared into the darkness of the roadside forest.

A muffled thud followed.

Then, silence.

One punch. One kill.

Lin Xiao remained expressionless, as if he had merely swatted an insect. Slowly, he turned his gaze to the only remaining figure—Qiao Fei.

Unlike Da Biao, Qiao Fei was far more shrewd. He stood frozen in place, hands hanging limply at his sides, making no sudden movements for fear of provoking Lin Xiao.

But when he saw Da Biao’s lifeless body sent flying, his composure crumbled. His eyes filled with unrestrained fear, his heart pounding with a suffocating sense of dread.

No matter what, Da Biao had been his most loyal subordinate. And now, he was gone, obliterated by a single punch.

How could Qiao Fei not be shaken?

“Qiao Fei, how do you plan to settle today’s matter?” Lin Xiao’s tone remained indifferent as he regarded the trembling man.

Qiao Fei forced a bitter smile. “Sir, your skills are unmatched. I failed to recognize your strength and acted foolishly. I sincerely apologize. I promise from this day forward, I will never trouble you again.”

He knew when to submit.

Faced with imminent death, dignity was meaningless.

“If you have any conditions, please state them. As long as it’s within my power, I will comply!”

Lin Xiao said flatly, “Very well. My condition is simple. If you agree, this ends here.”

Hope flickered in Qiao Fei’s eyes. “What is it? Please, tell me.”

“Simple. Disband your group and turn yourself in to the police.”

Qiao Fei’s hopeful expression froze.

His disbelief was evident. “You… want me to disband my crew? And surrender to the authorities?”

Shock coursed through his veins, momentarily overshadowing his fear.

“That’s right.”

“Sir, isn’t that… a bit much?” Qiao Fei’s face darkened. He wanted to lash out but dared not. “You’re asking for something I simply can’t do.”

“Can’t? Or won’t?” Lin Xiao’s gaze sharpened. “Between your freedom and your life, which do you value more?”

His goal in sparing Qiao Fei was straightforward—he wanted the gang permanently dismantled.

If Qiao Fei were killed now, the gang might lie low for a while, but they would eventually regroup under new leadership. The cycle would repeat.

Lin Xiao wasn’t the type to exterminate indiscriminately. The men he had killed tonight had been given a choice. They had simply chosen the wrong path.

But Qiao Fei, as their leader, held the power to end this.

Seeing the subtle threat in Lin Xiao’s eyes, Qiao Fei shuddered. He had no leverage to negotiate.

‘I’ll agree for now,’ Qiao Fei thought. ‘As long as I leave here alive, I can regroup, prepare. And then we’ll see who has the last laugh.’

Feigning submission, he nodded. “Fine. I’ll do as you ask. I’ll dissolve the group and turn myself in.”

Lin Xiao smirked. “I know exactly what you’re thinking.”

Qiao Fei stiffened.

“You believe that once you leave here, I won’t be able to touch you, don’t you?” Lin Xiao’s eyes gleamed coldly. “Listen well. My name is Lin Xiao. Remember it. If you dare betray your word, weigh the consequences carefully.”

Qiao Fei’s heart stopped.

His pupils shrank, his breath caught in his throat.

He stared at Lin Xiao in abject horror, as though he had just seen a ghost.

“You… you’re Lin Xiao?”

His voice trembled uncontrollably, his entire body recoiling as if struck by a bolt of lightning.