Chapter 100: The Four Guardians

Although not much information was revealed, there was one thing certain: the person they sought was no ordinary existence—someone of immense importance to them.

But for now, the most crucial task was to locate the headquarters of the Scarlet Hero Society.

As everyone was discussing these matters, a subordinate from the Tianxiong Gang suddenly rushed in, breathless and panicked.

“Brother Xiong, Brother Xiong, something’s wrong!” he cried, his face filled with alarm.

“Calm down! What’s happening? Speak slowly!” Guan Tianxiong barked impatiently.

“Our main venues in the city center—they’re being raided by people from the Scarlet Hero Society!” the subordinate reported, agitated.

“What?!” The composure Guan Tianxiong had maintained vanished instantly. He slammed the table and sprang to his feet.

“Damn the Scarlet Hero Society! They really think I’m just a pushover now!” he cursed furiously.

His anger was understandable. Over the past month, the Tianxiong Gang’s profits had been steadily squeezed by Miao Shouren. The city center venues, once a vital source of income and heavily guarded by Guan Tianxiong, were now under attack, with Miao Shouren sending his men to sweep them out.

For the Tianxiong Gang, this was nothing short of a catastrophe. Guan Tianxiong could no longer sit still.

“Who’s leading the attack this time?” he demanded, his voice thunderous.

“I heard that two of the Four Golden Guardians are involved. Our men are no match for them!” the subordinate replied, his face filled with dread.

“The Four Golden Guardians…” The bluster drained from Guan Tianxiong as soon as he heard the name, his confidence evaporating.

He had previously faced one of the Four Golden Guardians and knew firsthand the strength they possessed.

That encounter ended in a crushing defeat for Guan Tianxiong; he simply wasn’t their equal.

Now, with two of the Guardians arriving together, Guan Tianxiong was completely at a loss, stunned into silence.

The others, hearing of Guan Tianxiong’s predicament, could only sympathize.

The Four Golden Guardians—Miao Shouren’s four top experts—were figures none of them dared to underestimate. This time, it seemed Guan Tianxiong was destined to suffer a heavy blow.

Even Mao the One-Eyed couldn’t help but think: if such trouble befell his own territory, he would have no choice but to yield. The Four Golden Guardians were peerless martial masters; each could probably defeat their entire group single-handedly.

“Brother Xiong, maybe… maybe you should call Fourth Master…” the subordinate ventured, testing the waters.

“Fourth Master…” At the mention of that name, everyone’s face shifted to one of awe and reverence.

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Gu Siye—Gu Hanliang!

In their eyes, he was a figure as lofty as a divine dragon.

It wasn’t just that Gu Hanliang was a member of the Gu family of Haizhou; even ignoring his family’s deep connections, Gu Siye had made a name for himself in the capital, carving out a prominent place. In those circles, his reputation was legendary, far beyond what these small-town figures could hope to match.

Most importantly, rumor had it that Gu Hanliang, Fourth Master Gu, was himself a supreme martial artist, commanding a host of experts, some said to be grandmasters of internal force.

They believed Guan Tianxiong’s backing came from Fourth Master Gu, granting him the power to maintain the Gu family’s local standing in Haizhou.

If Fourth Master Gu intervened, even Miao Shouren would be wary, forced to show respect.

With this thought, hope flickered anew for Guan Tianxiong.

But to their surprise, as soon as the suggestion was made, Guan Tianxiong exploded as if his tail had been stepped on.

“Call him? Are you trying to ruin me? If Fourth Master finds out we can’t handle even this, he’ll skin us alive!” Guan Tianxiong’s voice boomed, startling everyone.

The subordinate who made the suggestion trembled, nodding repeatedly and not daring to say another word.

Everyone understood—Guan Tianxiong was right. They had long heard that Fourth Master Gu’s methods and temperament were beyond ordinary imagination; otherwise, he wouldn’t have thrived in the capital.

Guan Tianxiong had been placed in Haizhou by Fourth Master Gu to support the family, but now, if he couldn’t even withstand an outsider like Miao Shouren, what use would he have?

Fourth Master Gu had plenty of capable men; Guan Tianxiong’s main advantage was his early loyalty and his local roots in Haizhou.

But if he lost even that, he’d have no say with Fourth Master Gu. Given the master’s decisive ways, he would surely remove Guan Tianxiong and install someone more competent.

That was why Guan Tianxiong dared not mention calling for Fourth Master’s help.

Lin Le had already guessed as much. He understood why Guan Tianxiong had sought him out, never mentioning Miao Shouren, and even when inquiring about Lin Le’s whereabouts from Guo Zhao, he had kept silent—afraid word would reach Gu Hanliang in the capital.

Lin Le couldn’t help but smile wryly, seeing just how hard Guan Tianxiong was working to protect his position.

At this moment, Guan Tianxiong’s face shifted from pale to livid, wishing he could skin the subordinate who had spoken up—wasn’t this just undermining him in front of everyone?

Fortunately, he had invited Lin Le today.

Guan Tianxiong believed that with Lin Le’s skills, even facing two nearly grandmaster-level Guardians wouldn’t be a problem. There would be no need to trouble Fourth Master Gu.

Just then, Yao Kun’s phone rang.

After answering, Yao Kun’s reaction mirrored Guan Tianxiong’s—he slammed the table and nearly leapt to his feet.

---

“What did you say?! Fine, I understand. I’ll bring my men over immediately!”

After hanging up, Yao Kun’s expression turned grim.

“Leader Yao, don’t tell me your side is…” Guan Tianxiong had already guessed from Yao Kun’s tone.

Yao Kun sighed heavily, his face dark as night.

“It’s the city center as well. My venues have been swept!” he said bitterly.

The division between Guan Tianxiong and Yao Kun’s north-south territories began in the city center, so both had venues there.

When everyone heard Yao Kun had suffered the same fate, an uproar ensued.

“And my men report that two of the Four Golden Guardians personally led the attack,” Yao Kun added.

“What?!” The crowd was shocked.

“So, the Four Golden Guardians have all mobilized tonight!” Guan Tianxiong said, incredulous.

The Guardians were formidable, usually operating solo or in pairs. This time, however, all four had acted together.

The news threw the group into chaos.

Previously, they had hoped that with Lin Le’s help, he could defeat the Guardians one by one and gradually turn the tide. But now, with all four mobilized, even a master like Lin Le couldn’t possibly face four martial experts at once.

Even Guan Tianxiong’s confidence crumbled. If it were only two Guardians, he might hold out hope, but with all four…

Could Mr. Lin really accomplish this?

Even Guan Tianxiong was uncertain.

At this moment, after hearing Guan Tianxiong and Yao Kun’s reports, Lin Le merely smiled, rising slowly.

“Well then, since they’ve come to us, let’s go meet them,” Lin Le said calmly, his voice tranquil.