Chapter 365: The Hidden Plot

Lei Qianting and his two disciples left the estate and got into a black car.

“To Qingcheng Villa.”

After giving the driver the destination, Lei Qianting closed his eyes.

Sitting beside him, Tang Heng could no longer hold back his frustration. “Master, why didn’t you teach that piece of trash a lesson today?”

Tang Heng didn’t believe for a second that his master feared Lin Xiao. He knew full well how formidable Lei Qianting was. His name carried weight in the martial circles of the capital.

“Trash? Do you even realize that the trash you’re talking about defeated both you and your junior sister without moving a single step? Even in the capital, he would be considered an expert.” Lei Qianting opened his eyes slightly, casting a calm glance at Tang Heng. “And who do you think you are, to call a martial arts master trash? If he’s trash, then what does that make you? Not even worth mentioning.”

Though Lei Qianting and Lin Xiao were enemies, he still held a degree of respect for true martial artists, especially those with great skill.

If anyone other than his disciple had said those words, he would have taught them a harsh lesson on the spot. Even so, his anger was evident.

Sitting beside them, Ji Wei glanced at Tang Heng with a trace of disdain. She might not have been happy about losing to Lin Xiao, but she couldn’t deny his strength.

Tang Heng was too preoccupied with his own panic to notice Ji Wei’s reaction. Lei Qianting’s words shook him to his core.

He knew that everything he had—his status, his reputation—was entirely dependent on his master. Without Lei Qianting, he was nothing.

“M-Master… I was wrong,” he stammered.

“As a martial artist, you should respect your opponents, even if they are your enemies. You cannot insult them so carelessly.” Lei Qianting’s tone was firm but restrained. After all, Tang Heng was still his disciple.

“Yes, yes! I understand, Master.”

Lei Qianting nodded. “As for why I didn’t act today, it’s because I just received a message from the Wan family. I need to meet them immediately.”

“The Wan family?”

Ji Wei and Tang Heng’s expressions changed instantly.

As people from the capital, they were well aware of the power and influence of the Wan family. They were one of the most dominant families in all of Xia Country.

Lei Qianting didn’t react to their shock. When he first received the message, even he was a little surprised. He had no prior dealings with the Wan family and couldn’t fathom why they would suddenly reach out to him.

But as a Dark Force master at the peak level, he wouldn’t let their status intimidate him. The Wan family might be powerful, but he wasn’t someone to be easily manipulated.

The only reason he even considered their request was because the one who contacted him held a high position within the Wan family, and the offer they made was tempting.

Before long, the car arrived at a secluded villa.

“You two wait here.”

“Yes, Master!”

Lei Qianting stepped out and made his way toward the villa. Almost immediately, a man approached and respectfully led him inside.

Inside the villa, a middle-aged man was speaking into a phone, his posture humble and submissive.

“Master, I’m at the villa now. Everything has been arranged. We’re just waiting for the martial artist you requested to arrive.”

This man was the one who had escaped when Lin Xiao captured Wan Shixuan.

After Wan Shixuan was taken, he had spent great effort investigating Lin Xiao’s identity.

And now, he had gathered all the intelligence he needed.

On the other end of the phone, a deep voice responded, “Be respectful to this martial artist. I paid a great price to bring him in. Also, make sure that anyone who knows about this operation doesn’t leave here alive, especially Lin Xiao. He must die.”

“Yes, Master! Don’t worry, I will take care of everything.”

After hanging up, the middle-aged man exhaled in relief.

Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps reached him.

He turned toward the entrance and immediately brightened when he saw the figure walking in.

With a broad smile, he hurried forward. “Master Lei, you’ve arrived!”

“You are the Wan family’s contact in Jinghai?” Lei Qianting asked, his face calm. “What business do you have with me?”

“Yes, Master Lei. I represent the Wan family’s affairs in Jinghai.” The middle-aged man remained respectful, not daring to show any displeasure at Lei Qianting’s bluntness.

After all, this was someone personally contacted by the higher-ups of the Wan family.

“We need your help dealing with someone.”

As he spoke, he handed Lei Qianting a file.

Lei Qianting took it, flipping it open.

But the moment his gaze landed on the photo and name inside, his eyes narrowed slightly.

A trace of surprise flashed across his face.

Though it quickly vanished, replaced by his usual calm expression.

“He’s the one you want me to deal with?”

“That’s right.” The middle-aged man didn’t notice the flicker of change in Lei Qianting’s expression and simply nodded. “This man, Lin Xiao, kidnapped our young master before. It made the master furious. However, since he does have some skill, we specifically invited Master Lei to handle him. But Master Lei, don’t worry. We’ve already set up an inescapable trap. Your presence is just for assurance, you might not even need to take action.”

“An inescapable trap?” Lei Qianting’s face darkened. “No need! Don’t send anyone after him. I’ll deal with him personally. A martial artist should fight with honor, not through ambushes or sneak attacks.”

As a dedicated martial artist, Lei Qianting despised cowardly tactics like overwhelming opponents with sheer numbers or attacking from the shadows.

“Master Lei, you shouldn’t underestimate him just because he’s young. This man is not easy to deal with. That’s why we—”

Before the middle-aged man could finish, Lei Qianting cut him off.

“What? You think I can’t defeat him?”

“N-No, Master Lei, you misunderstand! I just want to ensure that nothing goes wrong.”

“There will be no accidents. This matter is settled. Two days from now, I will personally seek him out and fight him one-on-one.”

With that, Lei Qianting turned and strode out of the villa, not giving the middle-aged man any chance to argue.

“Master Lei! Master Lei! At least tell me the time and place of the fight!”

The man hurried after him, but Lei Qianting ignored him completely.

Did they think he was a fool? If he revealed the time and place, wouldn’t that just allow them to set up an ambush?

Lei Qianting wanted a fair fight.

And after reading through Lin Xiao’s file, his battle spirit burned even stronger.

Leaving the villa, he briefly greeted Tang Heng and Ji Wei before getting into the car, preparing to leave.

Outside the villa, the middle-aged man watched Lei Qianting drive off, his face dark with frustration.

Lei Qianting’s actions had completely ruined his plan.

But he didn’t dare go after Lin Xiao directly. The intelligence reports made it clear just how dangerous Lin Xiao was. Without a martial arts expert to contain him, the only way to kill him would be with heavy weaponry, which was not an option.

Then, his gaze shifted to Tang Heng and Ji Wei, and his eyes gleamed as an idea struck him.

***

Meanwhile, Lin Xiao, Old Jin, and his men had left the mountain villa.

As soon as they stepped outside, all of them—Old Jin included—exhaled deeply, relieved.

Inside that villa felt like stepping into a tiger’s maw, surrounded by blades and fire.

Outside? The air felt fresher. The sky seemed wider. Freedom.

Even with Lin Xiao leading them, they were still just ordinary people. Facing hundreds of hostile gang members inside the villa had been terrifying.

None of them had the unshakable composure that Lin Xiao did, who could remain unmoved even if a mountain collapsed before him.

A cool breeze swept by.

Only then did Old Jin realize his entire back was drenched in sweat. His palms were clammy, fingers trembling slightly from lingering tension.

In contrast, Lin Xiao had remained completely calm the entire time, not a single drop of sweat on his face.

“Boss Lin, what’s our next move?” Old Jin asked quietly, his tone respectful to the extreme.

After what happened today, his reverence for Lin Xiao had reached new heights.

Lin Xiao lifted his head slightly, gazing at the sky as if deep in thought.

After a moment, he said, “Take me to Maple Leaf Street. The rest of you can disband.”

“Understood.” Old Jin waved his hand. “You heard Boss Lin. Disband.”

At his command, his subordinates bowed respectfully toward Lin Xiao before getting into their vans and driving off.

Lin Xiao entered Old Jin’s black Mercedes, and Old Jin personally drove him to Maple Leaf Road.

“Boss Lin, I’ll be going now. If you ever need men, just call me. I’ll be there immediately,” Old Jin said, rolling down the window and thumping his chest in a show of loyalty.

Lin Xiao gave a faint smile and nodded.

Old Jin then drove off.

Only after his car disappeared into the distance did Lin Xiao turn toward the building ahead and head upstairs.