Chapter 376: Clearing Out the Small Fry

‘Am I going to die?’

This thought suddenly surfaced in the man’s mind, and his face twisted in sheer terror. His eyes bulged wide open, bloodshot veins spreading across them as if they were about to pop out of their sockets. His legs kicked wildly in desperation.

At the same time, he opened his mouth, wanting to scream for help, but Lin Xiao’s five fingers clamped tightly around his throat, preventing even the slightest sound from escaping.

Like a fish thrown onto dry land, the man gaped desperately for air, his face turning bright red.

All of this happened within mere seconds.

To the onlookers, Lin Xiao had merely shifted slightly to avoid the man’s attack and then grabbed him by the throat.

They had originally thought the man would quickly counterattack or break free, but the next moment left them gasping in shock, their eyes filled with disbelief.

With just one arm, Lin Xiao hoisted the man, taller and bulkier than himself, high above his head.

To these ordinary people, the scene was beyond shocking.

The man, dangling in midair, caught sight of Lin Xiao’s expression from the corner of his eye. His gaze filled with terror and silent pleading. A dark stain spread across his pants—he had wet himself.

Gone was any trace of his previous arrogance.

Lin Xiao frowned slightly—he hadn’t expected the man to be so weak-willed. He hadn’t even done anything yet, and the guy had already pissed himself.

“Pathetic. Trash like you dares to challenge me?”

Lin Xiao let out a cold chuckle, releasing his grip. The man’s body plummeted, but before he hit the ground, Lin Xiao drove his knee forcefully into the man’s abdomen.

“Ugh!”

The impact sent the man tumbling backward. His eyes bulged as he crashed onto the ground, curling into a fetal position, convulsing like a dying shrimp.

After dealing with him, Lin Xiao swept his gaze across the remaining people and beckoned casually to the one closest to him.

That man didn’t step forward. Instead, he took a step back, avoiding Lin Xiao’s gaze.

They weren’t fools. After witnessing Lin Xiao’s display of strength and their companion’s miserable state, they were already wavering.

“Get him! What the hell are you all standing there for?!” Gu Shaojun shouted furiously from behind them, his face livid with rage. “You eat my food, wear my clothes, and now, when I need you to fight, you’re cowering? What do I keep you around for?”

No matter how much Gu Shaojun roared, the men still didn’t move.

They weren’t stupid—rushing in now was nothing but suicide.

The one closest to Lin Xiao hesitated, his eyes darting around. Then, suddenly, he turned and bolted.

“Did I say you could leave?”

Just as he took his first few steps, a cold voice echoed behind him. In the next instant, a powerful grip clamped around his neck, yanking him off his feet and slamming him into the ground.

His head smashed against the pavement. Blood spattered, his nose caved in, and his teeth were shattered. A sharp, agonizing wail escaped his lips as he writhed on the ground, clutching his face.

“You brought this upon yourself.”

Lin Xiao kicked him away, sending him rolling several meters before he came to a stop, his screams cutting off as he fainted from the pain.

Lin Xiao’s gaze then swept coldly over the remaining men.

“You. None of you are leaving.”

Now, only four of them were left.

“Brothers, let’s take him down together!” one of them shouted, gritting his teeth before charging at Lin Xiao.

The other three, fueled by adrenaline, roared and attacked from different angles.

To Lin Xiao, these thugs were barely stronger than average people. He didn’t even need to dodge or use complex moves.

Instead, he simply raised his hand and struck out with lightning speed—three consecutive slaps.

Compared to Li Yunxi’s earlier slap, Lin Xiao’s strength was in a completely different league.

Slap!

Four crisp smacks rang out almost simultaneously. The four attackers were sent flying, their faces swelling grotesquely. Blood and broken teeth scattered as they crashed to the ground, rolling in agony. Their ears buzzed, their vision blurred, and their screams filled the air.

Lin Xiao found their cries unpleasant. He casually kicked each of them again, sending them tumbling across the pavement.

By the time they landed at Gu Shaojun’s feet, their screams stopped. They had already passed out from the pain.

Throughout the entire process, Lin Xiao had only used one hand. His other hand had remained in his pocket the whole time.

The sheer brutality of his actions sent shivers down the spines of everyone watching.

If it had been any ordinary person, even if they had the upper hand in a fight, they wouldn’t have dared to go this far.

But Lin Xiao was different.

His principle had always been to eliminate threats.

Since these people were already rotten to the core, why should he hold back?

To him, strength and status didn’t matter. If someone was evil, then they deserved to be dealt with thoroughly.

Even if they survived, they would be crippled, ensuring they could never cause trouble again.

With the small fry taken care of, Lin Xiao finally turned his attention to Gu Shaojun.

The only ones left standing were Gu Shaojun and his bodyguard. The burly man who had remained motionless throughout the entire ordeal.

Unlike the others, the bodyguard had refrained from attacking Lin Xiao. However, his pupils contracted as he locked eyes with Lin Xiao, his knuckles turning white from clenching his fists too tightly. Cold sweat seeped down his back.

“He’s dangerous. Extremely dangerous.”

His eye twitched uncontrollably, veins bulging on his forehead. His instincts screamed at him to turn and run.

But as Gu Shaojun’s hired protector, abandoning his employer would mean ruining his career.

He had no choice but to stay put, blocking Gu Shaojun with his broad frame. His mind waged an internal battle, unsure whether to fight or flee.

“Uncle Long, compared to you, how strong is this guy?”

Gu Shaojun, though startled by Lin Xiao’s display of strength, remained oblivious to its true significance. With misplaced confidence, he sneered, “No wonder he dared to fight back. He’s got some skill.”

Hearing Gu Shaojun’s ignorant remark, “Uncle Long” didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Truly, ignorance was bliss.

Although they had yet to exchange blows, Lin Xiao’s earlier performance was enough to make it clear this was no ordinary opponent.

“Young Master Gu, this man is strong. Even I can’t guarantee victory against him.” Uncle Long hesitated for a moment before whispering, “As the saying goes, ‘A gentleman takes revenge ten years later.’ Perhaps it would be wiser to retreat for now and settle things another day?”

Gu Shaojun’s expression darkened. His bodyguard’s grave tone sent an ominous feeling creeping into his heart.

But before he could react, Lin Xiao took a step forward.

His pace was steady, not rushed, but in just a few seconds, he had closed the five or six meters separating them.

He was already right in front of them.