Chapter 54: Old Jin’s Thoughts

Outside the bar, approximately five minutes after Lin Xiao had entered, Old Jin was still in the van. His face was a mix of anxiety and unease. Lin Xiao’s actions were a matter of life and death for him.

After a moment of hesitation, he steeled himself, grinding his teeth in determination.

“Damn it. If this goes south, I won’t make it out alive anyway. Let’s go.”

With that, he and his two trusted henchmen left the van, preparing to enter the bar.

They mustered their courage and approached the bar’s devastated entrance, where they immediately spotted a body. However, because the face was down and dim lighting, they didn’t give it much thought, assuming it was one of the bouncers that Lin Xiao had knocked out. They prepared to step over it.

But then, one of Old Jin’s henchmen suddenly stammered, “Jin… Brother Jin, could this be Boss Wang’s clothing?”

Caught off guard, Old Jin didn’t turn around. Instead, he responded somewhat irritably, “What nonsense are you talking about? You all know Wang Lin’s strength. He couldn’t have died this quickly.”

Although he would like to see Wang Lin dead, he was well aware of Wang Lin’s ability. In his view, even if Lin Xiao emerged victorious, it must have followed a series of intense battles.

Having entered less than five minutes ago, how could Lin Xiao have resolved Wang Lin so swiftly? Besides, as a prominent figure in Jinghai City’s underworld, Wang Lin wouldn’t meet such a tragic and lonely end at the entrance of a bar.

“Brother Jin, it really seems to be Wang Lin’s clothes,” his other trusted henchman chimed in with a note of excitement.

Even if he found it hard to believe, Old Jin had no choice but to turn his head.

His face reflected both anticipation and skepticism as he looked at the body lying on the ground. As the shock in his eyes deepened, he quickly ordered, “Turn the body over.”

When his henchmen flipped the body to reveal Wang Lin’s lifeless face, Old Jin took a sharp intake of breath. The shock was evident on his face. He had never anticipated Lin Xiao dealing with Wang Lin so rapidly.

However, he quickly composed himself. Since Wang Lin was dead, his bigget threat was eliminated, and perhaps…

Old Jin felt that an opportunity had come his way.

With a gleam of eagerness in his eyes, he dismissed the shock from his mind, turning to dash towards the bar hall.

Soon, he saw Lin Xiao, his face devoid of emotion. Hastily, he half-ran towards him, greeting him with utmost reverence, “Boss.”

Lin Xiao merely glanced at Old Jin, not uttering a word. Yet, the others were far from calm.

As one of Wang Lin’s important subordinates, most people in the bar hall knew Old Jin. When they saw Old Jin showing such respect to Lin Xiao, various thoughts flashed through their minds.

Indifferent to their speculations, Lin Xiao voiced, “Wang Lin is already dead. However, I have no interest in any of you underlings. I only have one requirement. Do not disturb me, and do not leak what happened today. Otherwise, don’t blame me for my harshness.”

Lin Xiao’s statement left everyone somewhat bewildered. They had considered various tactics that Lin Xiao might employ, like consolidating Wang Lin’s forces and initiating a massive purge.

Especially when they heard Old Jin addressing Lin Xiao as ‘Boss’, they thought Lin Xiao was a new force intent on establishing his reputation in Jinghai City’s underworld and reshaping its order. However, they hadn’t expected Lin Xiao’s demand to be so modest.

If Lin Xiao were to know their thoughts, he would say they’re overthinking. Not to mention that Lin Xiao, being a military man, had no fondness for such dark forces.

Even considering Lin Xiao’s reputation as the dominating Night Emperor in the underworld, his aspirations were not as trivial as controlling a small gang. He had no interest in taking over such an organization, a feat he could accomplish single-handedly.

“What are you guys stunned for? Didn’t you hear Boss’s words? You all know his capabilities. Wang Lin is dead, do you wish to follow him?” At this moment, Old Jin, looking at the dazed crowd, shouted suddenly.

Old Jin’s words brought the crowd back to their senses, and they chimed in,

“Boss, we have no objections, none whatsoever.”

“Yes, yes, we’ve been displeased with Wang Lin for a while. You taking care of him is like executing justice. How could we possibly object?”

“Boss, rest assured, we know nothing about tonight’s events. Wang Lin succumbed to a sudden illness, it has nothing to do with you!”

Lin Xiao’s show of power terrified them. They wouldn’t dare provoke him. Not to mention this minor request, they would grudgingly agree to anything as long as Lin Xiao didn’t take their lives.

Each one of them, patting their chests, assured Lin Xiao with a determined expression.

“That’s good. I hope you’ll remember your words today,” Lin Xiao said, his gaze cold as he scanned each person around him. “I’ve committed your faces to memory. If word of today’s events leaks out, you’ll be joining Wang Lin.”

Having said this, Lin Xiao dismissed them, turned on his heel, and exited the grand bar hall.

“Boss… Boss, allow me to see you out,” Old Jin called out, watching Lin Xiao’s retreating figure and quickly following after him.

Old Jin’s intention in escorting Lin Xiao was to display their relationship to the others in the bar. He planned to use Lin Xiao’s influence to seamlessly inherit Wang Lin’s power. Without Lin Xiao’s prestige, his own power would hardly suffice to compete with the others.

Outside the bar.

“Boss… please take care,” Old Jin called out cautiously, regret seeping into his voice.

He berated himself for his impulsivity in insisting on seeing off this intimidating man.

Lin Xiao shot a cold glance at Old Jin. He knew exactly what Old Jin was doing but chose not to comment.

He was well aware that the underworld, the gray industry, was something no one could escape. The eradication of it was as impossible as eliminating shadows in the presence of light. If one Wang Lin died, there would still be a Chen Lin, Bai Lin, Xu Lin, and so forth.

It was a never-ending cycle, an inextinguishable force.

The only thing one could do was control and restrict, keeping the damage caused by these underground forces to a minimum. Therefore, rather than allowing a stranger to occupy Wang Lin’s position, it was preferable to let Old Jin, someone he was familiar with, do it.

“After consolidating Wang Lin’s power, if I find you involved in anything immoral, don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Lin Xiao warned in a flat tone.

“Yes… yes… Boss, rest assured. Once I’ve merged with Wang Lin’s forces, I’ll abolish all illicit businesses Wang Lin operated,” Old Jin said hastily, realizing his plans had been fully exposed.

“Remember what you said.”

Lin Xiao then asked for some information before walking away.

As Old Jin watched Lin Xiao’s fading figure, his eyes flickered momentarily, but they quickly ignited with a burning desire.

To Lin Xiao, Wang Lin’s influence might seem insignificant. But for many, it was a lifelong pursuit.

With Wang Lin’s death, he, being one of Wang Lin’s key lieutenants, now had the credentials to vie for Wang Lin’s position.

Although his power was significantly inferior compared to others, he believed that by leveraging Lin Xiao’s prestige, he would undoubtedly succeed Wang Lin and emerge as a formidable figure in Jinghai City’s underworld.

At this juncture, Old Jin felt a surge of gratitude towards Lin Xiao. If not for Lin Xiao, he might have remained under someone else’s thumb for his entire life. Even with Wang Lin’s demise, his power was inadequate to compete for the vacant position.

In the best scenario, he would continue as someone’s enforcer. In the worst, he would face a grave without a proper burial.

Old Jin had made up his mind. He would closely align with Lin Xiao in the future. If Lin Xiao told him to head east, he would not dare to deviate west.

Lin Xiao’s capabilities had entirely subdued him. He had not anticipated that a person could reach such formidable strength, eerily similar to those legendary martial arts masters.