Chapter 418: Now I Protect You

“Young Master, the investigation file you requested has been delivered.”

The burly man placed the documents beside Jiang Shiliu and said respectfully in a low voice, “I have also transferred a team of elite warriors from the family per your instructions. They should arrive in Jinghai in the next few days.”

Upon hearing this, a flicker of light finally returned to Jiang Shiliu’s eyes—a flame called hatred. 

“Tell them to get here as fast as possible. I don’t want to wait another moment.”

“Understood.” The burly man hesitated slightly, then added in a low voice, “Young Master, it’s best if you take a look at this file first.”

Jiang Shiliu slowly reached out and picked up the stack of documents. Even this small movement caused him to gasp from the pain, further intensifying the hatred he felt toward Lin Xiao.

“This is all the information on that Lin Xiao guy? Why is there so little?” Jiang Shiliu frowned, enduring the pain.

“That man named Lin Xiao has a very mysterious background. There’s no record of where he came from or what he did before, as if it’s all been erased. We can’t trace anything. All we know is that he suddenly appeared in Jinghai and became Miss Wan Caixuan’s personal bodyguard,” the burly man explained earnestly. “As for what could be found, it’s all in these documents. Young Master, this man… is not ordinary.”

Not just not ordinary—when the burly man first looked through the file, he could hardly believe his eyes. He was thoroughly shocked. Even now, cold sweat still covered his back.

Because this man named Lin Xiao had an overwhelming killing aura. He had taken countless lives and exuded terrifying might.

That alone would be bad enough, but what was worse was that despite having killed so many people, he hadn’t suffered a single consequence. That was the most frightening part.

Prompted by the burly man’s words, Jiang Shiliu finally became serious and began reading the documents carefully.

As he read on, his expression grew increasingly dark, sweat beading on his forehead, and a look of dread slowly emerged in his eyes.

The file contained only records of incidents related to Lin Xiao. The portion detailing his conflict with Wan Shixuan was especially detailed as if observed firsthand.

“…One of the Wan family’s heirs, Wan Shixuan, arrived in Jinghai, accompanied by the underground assassin organization Dark Night and a mercenary group. He was also protected by a housekeeper at the Dark Force stage and a mysterious figure named Xuan Yue. Though Xuan Yue’s cultivation level is unknown, it’s speculated to be at least Dark Force, prepared to deal with Wan Caixuan…

“Unfortunately, Wan Caixuan got wind of it ahead of time. Lin Xiao infiltrated the villa alone, gravely wounding several core members of Dark Night, and defeated both Xuan Yue and Wan Shixuan’s housekeeper, capturing Wan Shixuan’s body double…

“In retaliation, Wan Shixuan colluded with the Hundred Seat Society, the former underground power of Jiangnan Province, to set up an ambush, but they were all slaughtered. The Dark Night assassin organization was annihilated, the Hundred Seat Society was destroyed, Wan Shixuan’s housekeeper was killed, and Wan Shixuan himself was taken away…

“…The elite warriors personally dispatched by Wan Shixuan were later found dead at the gates of a Jinghai estate. No survivors. Suspected to be the work of Lin Xiao…”

Jiang Shiliu spent more than ten minutes reading just seven or eight pages.

“Are all the things written here true?” he finally asked in a hoarse, dry voice.

“They’ve all been verified. Everything is true.” The burly man’s expression was grim. “Young Master, that man named Lin Xiao is extremely dangerous. I suggest we don’t provoke him for the time being.”

Jiang Shiliu clenched his fists, veins bulging on the back of his hands: “Damn it… I can’t accept this!”

The burly man remained silent, hands folded before him, waiting patiently for Jiang Shiliu’s decision.

Jiang Shiliu’s face twisted—sometimes filled with hatred, sometimes with fear—shifting like a chameleon.

But in the end, fear of Lin Xiao won out.

“Pass down the order. Tell our men to pack up. We’re leaving Jinghai immediately.” Jiang Shiliu gritted his teeth. “This debt… I’ll settle it with him another time.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

The burly man breathed a sigh of relief. To be honest, he truly didn’t want to go up against Lin Xiao again—doing so would be suicide.

The records showed that Lin Xiao was like a god or a demon. Regular elites couldn’t even scratch him—it would be sending lambs to the slaughter.

***

Elsewhere, in a luxury suite of a high-end hotel—

Nangong Hao was also reading Lin Xiao’s file. After finishing, his reaction was no different from Jiang Shiliu’s. He flew into a rage, smashing everything in the suite to pieces. He then immediately rushed to the airport with his men.

He didn’t want to stay in Jinghai another minute—nor did he dare to.

As for Wu Donglai and Li Chengkun, they had already been scared witless by Lin Xiao. They’d fled during the night the day before.

With the departure of Jiang Shiliu, Nangong Hao, and the others, what had happened at the estate began to spread through the attendees of the gathering. Lin Xiao’s name also began to reach the ears of many powerful families.

***

Capital City.

At the top floor of a skyscraper hundreds of meters tall, in a spacious executive chair, sat a young man like a lion.

He was extremely handsome, but even more striking than his looks was the innate dominance he exuded.

In his hand was a slim stack of documents.

“Lin Xiao? My little sister’s personal bodyguard? So that worthless Wan Shixuan was defeated by him. Interesting… very interesting.” The young man rubbed his hands together, and the documents turned to dust, scattering through the air. “Someone, come in.”

A cold and stunningly beautiful woman in a black suit entered the room and said respectfully, “Young Master, what are your orders?”

“Go investigate that man named Lin Xiao. What his origins are, what martial path he cultivates, and what level he’s currently at. Report back immediately once you have answers,” the young man said flatly.

“Yes, Young Master.”

The woman bowed and withdrew.

“Little sister… I never thought that someone as proud as you would seek help. And from a man, no less.”

The young man stood from the executive chair and walked to the massive floor-to-ceiling windows. Staring out at the prosperous scene beyond, his towering figure stood like a mountain.

“I’m beginning to take an interest in this Lin Xiao…”

***

Dongzhou City.

Located on the southeastern coast of Xia Country, it was one of the nation’s top-tier international metropolises, easily among the most prosperous cities in all of Xia Country.

In the backseat of a stretch Bentley sat a peerlessly beautiful woman in her early twenties. She was so breathtakingly lovely that she seemed sculpted from water. She sat with her eyes closed, expression serene.

Suddenly, her phone rang. She picked it up, eyebrows slightly furrowed at the caller ID, but still answered.

“Miss,” a respectful voice came through the receiver.

“What is it? I’m in Dongzhou City right now.” The young woman sounded a bit annoyed. “And didn’t I say not to call unless it’s an emergency? It’s a sensitive time.”

“Apologies, Miss, but we have news on the person you were looking for.”

“What?! Where is he now?” Her calm expression instantly changed, and she shouted in a rare moment of loss of composure.

The woman driving glanced sideways in surprise. She knew the identity of the woman in the backseat. She was someone who always had everything under control, never flustered. This was the first time she’d seen her like this.

The voice on the phone continued, unaware of the change in demeanor.

“According to our intel, he’s currently in Jinghai. But his situation isn’t looking great. He’s crossed several major families, including Jiang Shiliu of the Jiang family, and the Nangong and Wu families.”

“Jiang Shiliu… the Jiang family? And the Nangong family?” A cold glint flashed in the woman’s eyes. “Book me a ticket to Jinghai, immediately.”

“Miss, please don’t act rashly. It’s a sensitive period right now. Many people are watching you,” the voice warned in panic. “If you go now, and draw attention to yourself, not only will you be in danger, but so will the person you’re trying to see.”

The woman fell silent for a moment, then said, “Fine. I understand. But immediately send someone to Jinghai to protect him. Make sure Jiang Shiliu and the others don’t harm him.”

“Understood, Miss.”

After hanging up, the woman gazed out the window.

‘I’ve finally found you, Brother Lin Xiao. Don’t worry. I’ll come find you as soon as I can,’ she thought.

This peerless woman was none other than Mo Ling—one of the four great beauties of the Capital, president of the Mo Long Group, and someone Lin Xiao had once saved. She had been searching for him ever since he retired.

At this moment, as if recalling something, a playful smile appeared on her lips.

“Brother Lin Xiao, you used to protect me, now it’s my turn to protect you.”