Chapter 102: What Happened

In that instant, the entire hall fell into utter silence. Every face, without exception, wore the same expression—wide eyes, mouths agape, features awash with disbelief.

Moments ago, those from the Red Eagle Society who had been mocking Lin Le were now dumbstruck, staring at their boss, Bald Bao, sprawled on the floor like a dead dog. They could hardly believe their eyes.

It must be an illusion! Surely they were hallucinating! How could it be possible? That young man had defeated their boss, Bald Bao, with a single punch?!

Even Yao Kun and Guan Tianxiong stood frozen, like two statues, stiff and unmoving. One move! With just one move, the mighty Bald Bao—the Four Golden Guardians whom they regarded as invincible—was utterly vanquished!

What kind of terrifying strength did it take to accomplish such a feat?

At that moment, the astonishment and a hint of fear in Yao Kun and Guan Tianxiong’s eyes were unmistakable as they gazed at Lin Le. Both silently thanked their luck that they were not enemies of this youth, for had they been, they would surely be doomed.

Guan Tianxiong, in particular, was shaken by the power of Lin Le’s true energy strike. Its ferocity was incomparable; Bald Bao, who was close to attaining the peak of internal strength, stood no chance. Even if a true grandmaster arrived, whether he could withstand Lin Le’s blow remained doubtful.

A startling thought flashed through Guan Tianxiong’s mind—could Mr. Lin’s martial cultivation have already reached the realm of transformation?

Seventeen or eighteen years of age, and already at the peak of martial arts?

He drew a sharp breath, unable to ponder further, feeling his worldview collapse around him.

He had believed that the Gu family and the old master Gu were Lin Le’s greatest backing. Now, it seemed Lin Le needed no support from anyone. With his own martial prowess, no matter how powerful a family or prominent a clan, they would have to weigh their options carefully before making a move against him.

Guan Tianxiong made a silent decision—henceforth, even without the Gu family or old master Gu, he would treat Lin Le with the same respect he showed now.

Unconsciously, Guan Tianxiong and Yao Kun exchanged glances, each seeing the same shock and awe reflected in the other’s face. At least this time, their opinions about Lin Le were perfectly aligned.

“The rest is up to you,” Lin Le said calmly after dealing with Bald Bao.

With that, he no longer concerned himself with the matter, turning and leaving without another word.

Only after Lin Le left did the crowd snap out of their stupor.

“It’s in your hands now!” Yao Kun instructed one of his elite enforcers.

Then, Yao Kun and Guan Tianxiong hurried after Lin Le, heading to their next destination.

“Finish them off!” As soon as Lin Le’s group departed, Yao Kun’s men charged Bald Bao’s underlings like wolves driven mad.

Those men, who had relied on Bald Bao’s martial skills to act with impunity, now found themselves terrified after seeing their leader dispatched in seconds. None dared resist; they were quickly surrounded by Yao Kun’s men.

Yao Kun and Guan Tianxiong led their group out, about to leave Leyu just as One-Eyed Mao and the other Hai Dong bosses arrived in pursuit.

“What... What’s going on here?” One-Eyed Mao asked in confusion.

Their vehicle had been delayed by a minute or two, and as they finally arrived, they found Yao Kun and Guan Tianxiong already leaving. Had the Red Eagle Society left? Or perhaps they too feared the Four Golden Guardians and dared not enter?

Lin Le didn’t spare One-Eyed Mao a glance as he got into the car. Yao Kun and Guan Tianxiong, with mischievous smiles, left One-Eyed Mao and his group bewildered.

“Hahaha...” Guan Tianxiong burst out laughing, patting One-Eyed Mao on the shoulder, but said nothing further, joining Yao Kun in the car.

“What... What on earth is going on?” One-Eyed Mao muttered, still puzzled, as were the others.

Before they could react, Lin Le’s convoy pulled away toward the next destination.

“Mao, boss, what are they up to?” someone asked.

“You ask me? Who the hell am I supposed to ask?” One-Eyed Mao replied, frustrated.

“So what do we do now?” another asked.

“What else? Chase them!” One-Eyed Mao, no longer daring to delay, was determined to see what Guan Tianxiong and his group were plotting.

Yet, ten minutes later, when One-Eyed Mao arrived at Guan Tianxiong’s next venue, he was dismayed to find Lin Le’s group already leaving.

“Damn...” One-Eyed Mao cursed inwardly. What was going on? Weren’t they supposed to deal with the Four Golden Guardians? Why leave as soon as they arrived?

He glanced at Guan Tianxiong, who still wore that mischievous grin, patting his shoulder again without a word, clearly treating him like a fool.

The outcome was the same as before—the so-called Golden Guardian was felled by Lin Le with a single punch, unable to mount any resistance.

Lin Le’s group moved on to the third location.

One-Eyed Mao and his men exchanged looks, this time without hesitation.

“Go after them! Keep up!”

The bosses rushed to their cars, determined not to miss this third encounter.

“Mr. Lin, word just came in—at the next spot, the remaining Guardians have gathered together. It seems they’ve learned the news and want to face you together,” Guan Tianxiong reported after hanging up the phone.

“That’s just as well, saves us another trip,” Lin Le replied calmly, as though none of it mattered much to him.

A dozen minutes later, the convoy stopped in front of the Grand Bar, one of Guan Tianxiong’s venues and his main source of income.

This time, the opposition was clearly prepared, with guards stationed at the entrance.

Those men eyed Lin Le’s group warily, faces fierce, their gazes toward Lin Le especially hostile—but also deeply fearful.

Word had already reached them from the previous two venues: Guan Tianxiong’s group had brought a formidable martial artist, now heading this way. From the descriptions, it could only be Lin Le.

The guards watched Lin Le approach, but did not intervene, simply letting his group inside.

“Mr. Lin, could there be an ambush?” Yao Kun asked cautiously.

“No matter,” Lin Le replied calmly.

Reassured, Yao Kun and his men relaxed; Lin Le’s words were law—if he said there was no danger, then nothing would happen.

Lin Le’s group entered the bar’s main hall.

The Grand Bar was the most luxurious in all of Haizhou, built in the style of a European palace. The hall and second floor were connected, with a massive diamond chandelier hanging overhead. The opulence was worthy of its name.

As Lin Le entered, he saw dozens of tough men waiting, weapons in hand.

Leading them were two men—the remaining Golden Guardians.

One wielded twin blades, the other held a dagger. Both looked fierce, unmistakably desperate characters.

Lin Le immediately sensed that these two were stronger than the previous Guardians, true martial artists who had just entered the stage of advanced internal strength.

This time, One-Eyed Mao and his group managed to keep up, nearly bumping into Lin Le before Guan Tianxiong blocked them.

Before One-Eyed Mao could steady himself, Lin Le’s voice echoed in their minds, transmitted by spiritual sense.

“Be careful, there’s an ambush upstairs!”

An ambush? One-Eyed Mao nearly collapsed in fright.