Chapter 494: The Wager

Lin Xiao’s body didn’t pause for a second. He instantly took down the remaining three burly men.

From the moment the seven men launched their attack to the moment Lin Xiao defeated them, not even three seconds had passed.

Dealing with these men wasn’t even a warm-up for Lin Xiao.

It was only then that four delicate-looking young women rushed at him. Though they knew they were no match for Lin Xiao, their upbringing and training had long instilled in them a willingness to face death. From different angles, they thrust four daggers toward Lin Xiao’s body.

Lin Xiao suddenly stopped in his tracks, standing still as he allowed them to strike.

The four daggers, each forged from refined steel and incredibly sharp—sharp enough to slice a strand of hair—struck Lin Xiao’s body and left nothing but four faint white marks. They couldn’t even pierce his skin.

Expressionless, Lin Xiao shook his arms. A powerful surge, like a bursting dam, exploded outward, sending the four girls flying.

A series of dull thuds echoed as the girls’ small bodies slammed against the walls. Their faces went pale. Blood trickled from the corners of their mouths as they slid to the ground, their daggers clattering away, lost to the shadows.

The middle-aged man standing by the door felt his brow twitch uncontrollably. The look he gave Lin Xiao was tinged with caution.

Don’t be fooled by how easily the girls were taken down. They each possessed the strength of a half-step into Dark Force. The four of them combined would be difficult for even him to defeat quickly.

But Lin Xiao had finished them off in just one move.

Such strength was enough to make the middle-aged man’s heart tremble.

On the other side, the middle-aged woman stopped playing with her throwing knives. She leaned forward, both hands crossed in front of her defensively—a clear sign of how much pressure Lin Xiao’s presence brought her.

The corridor fell into a momentary silence.

***

Inside the conference room.

Wan Caixuan, Ning Xi, the handsome young man, and the girl all heard the commotion outside and revealed varying expressions.

Ning Xi’s tense body relaxed, returning to her usual lazy demeanor. A faint, amused smile played on her lips. Even without seeing it, she knew Lin Xiao had arrived.

Wan Caixuan had a similar reaction—relieved, yet her cold and aloof personality didn’t allow her inner thoughts to show. Her arms remained folded across her chest, her expression still icy.

“Looks like I won’t be signing that document today.”

“Third Sister, the one outside, is he the backup you called in?” The girl tilted her head to listen, biting her lip before giggling. “But do you really think he can break into this conference room and save you?”

“Of course. I have faith in him.” Wan Caixuan raised her eyebrows slightly.

“We brought Uncle Meng and Aunt Ding with us this time. You know their strength, don’t you? They’re both late-stage Dark Force, just one step away from the peak.”

The handsome young man crossed his legs and sat confidently on the sofa.

“As for your bodyguard, we looked into him beforehand. Even if he swept through Wan Shixuan, that was only because Wan Shixuan underestimated him and brought only a butler. He didn’t bring anyone from the imperial capital. We won’t make the same mistake. Based on what we know, no matter how talented your bodyguard is, his cultivation is at most an advanced Dark Force. Against Uncle Meng and Aunt Ding, do you really think he has a chance?”

“You’ll know soon enough whether he does.” A glint of light flashed in Wan Caixuan’s eyes. “How about this? Why don’t we make a wager?”

“Hehe, Third Sister, you sure have a lot of faith in that Lin Xiao. I’m honestly curious what’s so special about him that he could win over our ice-cold goddess.” The girl walked over gracefully to Wan Caixuan’s side. “So? What’s the bet?”

“Simple. We bet on whether or not he can break through Uncle Meng and Aunt Ding’s blockade and make it into this room.”

Wan Caixuan stood up. She was half a head taller than the girl, and the moment she rose, her presence suppressed the girl completely.

“If he can, I win. If he can’t, you win.”

The girl and the young man exchanged glances, clearly tempted. “And the stakes?”

“The stake is 3% of Brilliant Pharmaceutics Group shares,” Wan Caixuan said calmly. “Wan Shixuan and I together hold 6% of it, and you two hold 4%. Whoever loses will transfer their shares to the other party, no compensation. How about it?”

“Third Sister, are you really willing to risk that much? Even just three percent is worth billions and a seat on the board.” The girl looked incredulous. “I heard that women in love are blind. Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for him? Oh my god!”

The handsome young man’s eyes flickered. Suddenly, he clapped his hands loudly. “Third Sister, we accept the bet. Just don’t regret it later.”

“Don’t worry. I keep my word. Once I say something, I never take it back.” Wan Caixuan’s tone was calm. “Now, let’s wait and see who wins and who loses.”

***

Outside the executive office.

After a moment of silence, the middle-aged man finally spoke up in a deep voice, his tone heavy.

“Young man, impressive skills. I’ve heard the Third Miss has a skilled young bodyguard. Seeing you today, the rumors don’t do you justice.”

Lin Xiao’s expression was like stone.

“I don’t have time to waste with you. Move,” he said coldly.

“Young man, there’s an important family discussion going on inside with the Wan heirs. It’s not appropriate for outsiders to interfere. Why not wait out here with us?” The attractive middle-aged woman flipped her wrist, revealing several throwing knives in her hand. “If you insist on forcing your way through, we’ll have no choice but to stop you together.”

“Try it, then.”

Lin Xiao’s eyes narrowed, a dangerous light flashing within them.

“Let’s see if you can.”

With that, he stomped the ground hard.

The solid floor beneath his feet cracked like tofu, forming a deep footprint with dense, spiderweb-like fractures spreading outward.

Lin Xiao’s body shot forward like lightning, appearing in front of the middle-aged man instantly. His fingers clenched into a fist that shone like steel, and he launched it at the man’s chest.

Rumble!

Before the punch even landed, the sound hit first.

The force of the blow tore through the air with a deafening thunderclap, as if lightning would burst forth from Lin Xiao’s fist at any second.

After the thunder came a shrill whistling wind, like a train horn blaring.

The middle-aged man’s face changed drastically. He instinctively moved to dodge—but immediately remembered the conference room door behind him. If he dodged, Lin Xiao’s fist would crash straight through it.

That heavy wooden door wouldn’t last a second with the force behind Lin Xiao’s punch.

In a split second, the middle-aged man took a deep breath. His thin, wiry frame suddenly inflated like a balloon, transforming into a tall, muscular figure over two meters high. His eyes emitted a sharp gleam several inches long. The muscles in his arms bulged like steel cords, veins writhing like snakes. With both hands crossed in front of him, palms hard as iron, he thrust forward to meet Lin Xiao’s fist.

Fists and palms collided.

A thunderous crash like a massive hammer striking metal. A visible shockwave burst out, sweeping down the hallway like a hurricane.