Chapter 50: Ambushed

Having left Ning Xi’s residential complex, Lin Xiao caught the last bus back to Yongnan District.

After disembarking, Lin Xiao planned to return to Yuan Yu’s home. Maple Leaf Street was just a stone’s throw away; all he had to do was cross the dimly lit alley in front of him.

As the day turned into night, the sparse streetlights were barely enough to light the long, dark alleyway.

Nonetheless, Lin Xiao didn’t seem bothered. He had been walking this path daily for the past few days. With an indifferent look on his face, he walked into the alley. But as he stepped in, he involuntarily tensed up, sensing something was amiss.

Despite his internal alarm bells, he didn’t halt his pace and continued walking as usual.

Just as Lin Xiao reached the halfway point, a group of men suddenly emerged from the other end of the alley, blocking his way. Almost simultaneously, another group ran up from behind, surrounding him.

There were nearly twenty of them, all tall, muscular, and radiating menace. Each wielded a long machete, their presence alone enough to instill fear.

They stared at Lin Xiao with murderous intent, like predators eyeing their trapped prey.

The man at the forefront had a scarred face and an intimidating build. His golden chain necklace was the most eye-catching, visible even in the dim alleyway.

Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow and came to a halt.

He stood his ground, his expression calm, without a trace of panic or fear.

“You’re blocking my way. Step aside,” he coolly said.

His nonchalant attitude made the men exchange confused glances. Wouldn’t an ordinary person quake with fear and run for their life in such a situation? How was this young man so composed? And he had the audacity to say they were blocking his path. Was he a fool, or did he have some sort of backing?

Despite their surprise, Lin Xiao’s calm demeanor only served to ignite their anger.

Regardless of whether he was a fool or had some hidden ace up his sleeve, they were confident that the outcome would be the same.

“Quite brave, quite brave indeed. It’s my first encounter with such a fearless young man,” the man adorned with a golden chain said. His gaze fixed on the tranquil Lin Xiao.

He sneered. “If it weren’t for someone wanting your life, I, Old Jin, might’ve considered recruiting you. But, alas, such a shame. You’re destined to die tonight.”

The man who called himself Old Jin shook his head, his expression laced with regret. His words, however, spurred a reaction in Lin Xiao. He remembered Zhenglan’s warning earlier.

“Was it Song Tianxing who hired you?” he asked.

“Haha, indeed. You’re quite the bright one. But you’ve crossed someone you shouldn’t have. Those pampered young masters aren’t the type ordinary folk like us can afford to offend.”

Perhaps assured of Lin Xiao’s impending doom, Old Jin saw no need to lie.

A fierce gleam flashed in Lin Xiao’s eyes, disappearing almost as quickly as it had appeared.

He tilted his head up, facing Old Jin. “Are you so certain of my doom? What if the hunter gets hunted instead?”

“Haha, the lad’s got guts. But you see, it’s always wise to face reality.” Old Jin scoffed. “Since you’ve shown such courage, I’ll make sure your body stays intact.”

“Charge! Kill him!” Old Jin barked, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes as he pointed straight at Lin Xiao.

The first of the machete-wielding thugs charged, muscles taut, blade raised high as he rushed in with a bloodthirsty grin. The long blade whistled through the air, gleaming coldly under the lights.

Yet Lin Xiao stood unmoved—his posture relaxed, eyes calm, as if the flashing steel wasn’t even aimed at him.

To any outsider, it looked like the attacker would cut him down in the next breath.

The thug’s expression twisted in triumph. He had no idea what was coming.

But to the attacker’s shock, Lin Xiao casually stepped aside, evading the strike with ease. Before the thug could react, Lin Xiao’s foot lashed out—fast and brutal.

There was a sickening crack as the man’s chest caved in. His body sailed through the air and hit the ground with a dull thud, unmoving.

Old Jin’s eyes narrowed, surprise flickering across his scarred face.

That dodge was effortless. That kick was far too clean. It wasn’t something an ordinary man could pull off.

Even with all his years of street-hardened experience, Old Jin knew he wouldn’t have taken down a grown man with a machete that easily.

“He’s got real skill,” he muttered under his breath. “But skill won’t change the outcome.”

Although Lin Xiao’s display had startled Old Jin, it didn’t catch him completely off guard. Lin Xiao’s previous calm demeanor made sense now.

Still, Old Jin scoffed inwardly. So what if the boy knew a few tricks? One man couldn’t possibly fight off a dozen. This wasn’t some kung fu flick. Martial arts or not, he was unarmed. Strength had its limits. Sooner or later, Lin Xiao would fall.

But in the next breath, Old Jin realized how wrong he was—painfully wrong.

After flooring the first thug with a kick, Lin Xiao shoved another aside like swatting away a fly. Then, without pause, his foot whipped out again—clean, precise, devastating. Like something out of a movie, several more men were sent flying.

Cries of pain rang out one after another. Those struck by Lin Xiao’s kicks tumbled through the air and hit the ground hard, bones cracking audibly. The thud of their impact echoed across the street.

“Kill him!”

“Charge! Avenge our brothers!”

Shouts rang out as the rest of the gang surged forward, undeterred by the sight of their fallen comrades. Twenty men, machetes raised, swarmed like a tide, blades flashing in the light, convinced that numbers alone would bring Lin Xiao down.

But not a single strike landed.

Lin Xiao moved through them like a ghost—untouchable, unpredictable. He didn’t charge, didn’t flinch. He walked. Calm. Measured. Every step he took ended with another body crashing to the ground.

A swing of the blade—dodged. A lunge—countered. A grunt—and another thug was launched into the air.

Within moments, the chaos quieted. The street was littered with groaning bodies. Only a few of the twenty still stood, wide-eyed and trembling, the fight drained from their limbs.

Lin Xiao stood alone in the center of the chaos, surrounded by men still gripping their blades—yet not a single scratch marred his skin. Not even a drop of sweat lined his brow. The crowd that had charged him moments ago now lay scattered and broken around him.

These men were tougher than common street thugs, sure. But compared to the professional assassins Lin Xiao had faced, they were little more than warm-up fodder.

The few still standing staggered back toward Old Jin, eyes fixed on Lin Xiao like they were staring at a ghost. Their hands trembled, machetes clinking faintly in their weakening grips. Had Old Jin not been standing there like a wall behind them, they’d have bolted without a second thought.

They’d never faced anything like this. Lin Xiao wasn’t just dangerous—he was inhuman. And those blades they once held with pride and power? Now, they felt like cheap toys in the hands of frightened children.

Old Jin stood stupefied, unable to process the scene that had unfolded in front of him. The fight hadn’t lasted long, less than a minute.

He could hardly believe his eyes—within moments, all his men had been crushed. Even the few still standing were paralyzed with fear, their will to fight completely shattered.

Lin Xiao calmly advanced toward him.