Chapter 413: Courting Death Without Limits

With a single punch, Lin Xiao sent Shan Dagong flying. Without sparing him another glance, he stomped hard with his foot, twisted his body in place, shifting from a frontal charge to a lateral movement, and rammed toward Xin Ping on the other side.

The moment Lin Xiao suddenly struck at Shan Dagong, Xin Ping had already made preparations. Now, seeing Lin Xiao charging toward him, he let out a fierce roar. His eyes widened, blood vessels surging across his eyeballs. Instead of retreating, he surged forward to meet Lin Xiao head-on.

“Crane Wing Piercing Strike!”

Another killing move from Twin Crane Fist—at this moment, Xin Ping’s body seemed to transform into a real white crane descending from the sky, carrying a fierce, bloody wind, aiming to tear Lin Xiao apart on the spot.

Realizing Lin Xiao wouldn’t let him go, Xin Ping went all out.

His entire body surged with internal force. His already brawny physique swelled by several degrees in an instant. His arms and legs turned a greenish-black under the influence of Dark Force, with knotted muscles and bulging veins. He looked terrifying.

Facing the transformed Xin Ping, Lin Xiao’s heart showed no ripple. His charging body showed no sign of slowing. He kept barreling straight toward Xin Ping.

The two of them collided with a thunderous crash like two high-speed cars.

A deafening impact echoed beneath the canopy. After a brief stalemate, Xin Ping’s body was sent flying. He flew seven to eight meters through the air, then tumbled across the ground for more than ten meters before finally coming to a stop.

Wherever he passed, soil flew, grass shredded. The flat lawn turned into a chaotic mess, full of pits and ruts.

Xin Ping lay face down on the ground, motionless. Lin Xiao had knocked him unconscious on the spot.

“Hoo!”

Lin Xiao exhaled a long breath, straight as a sword, stretching half a meter before it gradually dispersed. White mist rose from the top of his head.

Don’t be fooled by how easily he dispatched Xin Ping and the others in just a few moves. That was only because he had gone all out. The physical energy he expended was no less than fighting a full-scale battle.

Had it not been Lin Xiao, even a peak dark force master wouldn’t have resolved a four-on-one so quickly.

With Xin Ping knocked unconscious, this short and intense battle came to an end. All four dark force masters had fallen at Lin Xiao’s hands, losing all ability to continue fighting.

From the moment the four ganged up on Lin Xiao to the end of the battle, not even two minutes had passed.

Everyone stared blankly at Lin Xiao’s tall, proud figure. Emotions surged in their hearts, but not a single person spoke.

In the vast clearing, aside from the rustling of leaves in the wind and heavy breathing, no other sound could be heard.

Everyone had been stunned by Lin Xiao’s skill.

One against four—devastating and unstoppable.

Even Wan Caixuan, who trusted Lin Xiao the most, hadn’t expected this outcome.

“In just a short time apart, Lin Xiao’s strength has grown again.” Wan Caixuan hugged Lin Xiao’s suit jacket, watching his back, brilliance flashing in her beautiful eyes.

Though she didn’t practice martial arts herself, her family heritage ran deep, and her insight was sharp. With one glance, she could see Lin Xiao’s foundation.

Standing still and regulating his breath for a few seconds, Lin Xiao cast a calm glance toward Jiang Shiliu and the others, then turned and walked back to Wan Caixuan.

“You’re not hurt, are you?” Wan Caixuan wrapped one arm around Lin Xiao’s, leaned in close, and whispered softly in his ear.

Seeing this scene, many people around them showed strange expressions again.

When had the cold, aloof, untouchable Miss Wan—one of the four great beauties of the imperial capital—ever been this close to any other man?

“No,” Lin Xiao shook his head. “With those four, they’re still not enough to hurt me.”

His words were calm, but full of unshakable confidence.

“If you want to leave, we can go anytime.”

“Even if I wanted to leave, the host probably wouldn’t allow it,” Lin Xiao said with a light smile. “Haven’t you realized yet? Everything today was aimed at me.”

A cold gleam flashed in Wan Caixuan’s eyes. “If I want to take you away, let’s see who dares to stop me. Jiang Shiliu dares plot against you in front of me. He’ll pay double for it later.”

“Let’s wait a bit longer. I’m actually curious about what exactly Jiang Shiliu plans to do to me.”

***

On the other side.

Jiang Shiliu watched Lin Xiao and Wan Caixuan whispering to each other, completely ignoring him, the host of this event. His fists clenched unknowingly, nails nearly piercing into his palm. His heart was full of stifled anger.

“That useless trash! I treated him so well, and he can’t even take one move from Lin Xiao. Not only did he lose, but he ruined my entire plan. Damn it! Damn him!”

He had once treated Xin Ping as an honored guest, showing him courtesy and respect. But now, after seeing Xin Ping so easily defeated by Lin Xiao, his attitude instantly changed. He now saw him as worthless and beneath notice.

“What now?” Jiang Shiliu’s gaze flickered, sweeping across the bodyguards standing nearby. “Should we just have the bodyguards shoot Lin Xiao on the spot?”

Once this thought arose, he could no longer suppress it.

“Brother Jiang, we miscalculated this time.” Nangong Hao walked up beside him and spoke in a low voice, “Didn’t expect that guy’s martial arts to be so formidable. Even four dark force masters couldn’t take him down. Now that we’ve already offended him, we must find a way to eliminate future trouble.”

“What do you suggest, Brother Nangong?”

Nangong Hao raised a hand and slashed downward. “If we’re going to do it, go all the way. Find an excuse to have the bodyguards arrest him. If he resists, gun him down.”

Li Chengkun and Wu Donglai came over as well. Hearing Nangong Hao’s suggestion, Wu Donglai hesitated. “That guy is Wan Caixuan’s bodyguard. If we act like this, won’t she object?”

“The four of us together, are we afraid of one Wan Caixuan?” Li Chengkun snorted coldly. “The Wan family is powerful, true, but don’t forget Wan Caixuan is only one of the heirs, not the actual head. She’s still competing with other successors. If she’s smart, she won’t choose to go against us.”

“Then what excuse should we use to arrest Lin Xiao?” Jiang Shiliu asked deliberately.

Cunning and ruthless by nature, he preferred to plot from behind the scenes. Even though he now wished to kill Lin Xiao more than anything, his words gave nothing away.

“Hmph, isn’t there an excuse right there?” Nangong Hao pointed toward the fallen Xin Ping and Zhong Wu, a sly grin spreading across his face.

Jiang Shiliu’s eyes lit up. He couldn’t help but look at Nangong Hao with admiration. He had never paid much attention to the Nangong family’s eldest son before. Who would’ve thought he had such cunning?

“Brilliant plan!” Jiang Shiliu was energized, all previous gloom swept away. “Brother Nangong, you’ve truly impressed me today.”

“That Lin Xiao dares be so close to Miss Wan? If I don’t get rid of him, I’ll never be able to stomach it!”

Nangong Hao stared at Lin Xiao with eyes full of jealousy, his teeth grinding audibly. He, like Jiang Shiliu, had long coveted Wan Caixuan.

“Brother Jiang, act quickly. Don’t waste time!”