Chapter Forty-Four: Fleeing in Panic

At the sight of blood, the atmosphere in the hall grew oppressively tense. Though everyone present had lived on the edge, tangled in countless brawls and real, deadly fights—especially Yuan Xiaotian, who had once been a formidable figure in his youth—times had changed. Years of decadent living had worn away the fierceness that once made these men see red at the mere scent of blood.

Yuan Xiaotian couldn't help but inhale sharply. This was certainly a tough one. He began to scheme, searching for a way to subdue Ling Tian. Those who survive in the underworld are always shrewd; while their fists fly without hesitation, their minds remain cool and calculating. After all, a moment’s rashness could land you in prison for murder. So, intimidation is their craft—they know that if they can instill fear, the rest is child's play.

But at this moment, Yuan Xiaotian found himself at a loss. Normally, just the mention of his name would strike terror into anyone’s heart. Ling Tian, however, seemed utterly indifferent, as though out for a stroll at the theater, paying no heed to Yuan Xiaotian or the dozen men at his command.

“Boss, this kid’s arrogant beyond belief. Let’s just hack him to pieces,” one of the underlings snarled, brandishing his machete. Never before had he felt so stifled—over a dozen men, yet they were being toyed with by an unarmed boy.

Yuan Xiaotian waved his hand, signaling for silence. He hadn’t survived this long without cunning. Ling Tian dared to come alone and remained so calm—he had to be relying on something. Acting rashly would not be wise.

Ling Tian puffed on his cigar, smiling as he watched Yuan Xiaotian’s furrowed brow. The old man’s courage had long since been corroded by a life of debauchery. Ling Tian knew exactly what Yuan Xiaotian was weighing; with his current status, he wouldn’t dare kill so easily. The world had changed.

Of course, when Ling Tian returned home, he constantly reminded himself to keep a low profile—not out of fear, but because entangling with the dregs of society was a waste of precious time.

“Have you made up your mind? My time is limited. If you have something to say, say it. If you need to fart, then do it quickly,” Ling Tian urged impatiently. Once, he would have resolved matters with a single, decisive blow—mercenaries have but one purpose: to kill. Their missions are always swift and clean.

But now, back in his homeland, he had to stay low-key. Unless absolutely necessary, he would avoid killing.

Having been toyed with by a mere boy for so long, Yuan Xiaotian realized that if word of this got out, his reputation would be in shambles.

He shot to his feet with a ferocious grin. “Boy, do you really think I don’t dare kill you?”

“Do you even have the ability?” Ling Tian retorted unhurriedly, his tone thick with disdain. At that moment, he was confident he could deal with Yuan Xiaotian in a second.

Yuan Xiaotian laughed. “You’re arrogant, I’ll grant you that. No wonder you beat Old Wolf. But two fists can’t fend off four hands. Even if you’re strong, you won’t leave here alive today.”

With that, he gave the order to attack. Ling Tian’s constant provocations had finally pushed Yuan Xiaotian to murderous intent. Even with the risks, he was determined to eliminate this threat.

Just then, Yuan Li swaggered into the room, humming a tune and carrying a machete. Clearly, he was eager to test his mettle. As Yuan Xiaotian’s son, he needed to see blood to have any bragging rights.

“Let me see who dares cause trouble here! I’ll hack you to pieces!” Yuan Li shouted.

Ling Tian turned, recognizing Yuan Li. A cold smile curled at his lips—he had been planning to settle scores with this young man, and here he was, as if delivered by fate.

“Well, we meet again so soon. When do you plan to repay the rest of the money?” Ling Tian asked.

Yuan Li met Ling Tian’s gaze and, instead of fear, burst into triumphant laughter. “Boy, I can’t believe I ran into you here! I was just worrying about how to find you, and you walk in of your own accord.” He laughed so hard he nearly doubled over.

Since being humiliated by Ling Tian in Baolan City, Yuan Li had sworn revenge. He never expected the opportunity to come so soon.

Yuan Xiaotian was puzzled by the animosity between his precious son and Ling Tian. “Li’er, what grudge do you have with him?” he asked.

With so many people present and in his own territory, Yuan Li was sure Ling Tian wouldn’t escape this time. He addressed Yuan Xiaotian, “Last time I accompanied An Qi to Baolan City, we ran into this punk. He humiliated me in public, beat me up, and extorted a million from me.”

The more Yuan Li spoke, the angrier he became, forgetting even the recent uproar in Yunhai City, where the Nangong and Situ families—two of the city’s four great clans—were searching for Ling Tian. Yuan Li only gave a brief account, and Yuan Xiaotian never connected Ling Tian to the legendary talisman master.

“The nerve of you, laying a hand on my son! I’ll make you wish you were dead! Men, tie him up and set him alight!” Yuan Xiaotian roared. Perhaps he had committed too many sins, but even with countless women at his side, this was his only son.

As the sole heir to the Yuan family, Yuan Xiaotian cherished Yuan Li above all. To have him beaten like this was intolerable.

A dozen men drew their weapons—gleaming machetes—and surrounded Ling Tian, ready to strike.

Ling Tian gripped the table with both hands and, with a mighty heave, flipped the three-meter-long conference table, wielding it as a weapon. He swept it through the crowd, sending four men flying instantly and scattering the rest in terror.

Weighing over two hundred pounds, the solid wooden table was as formidable as any weapon. Machetes barely left a mark, but a single blow from the table could easily break bones.

Like a berserk giant, Ling Tian swung the table in wide arcs, mowing down his foes. Within seconds, two-thirds of the thugs lay sprawled on the ground, and the rest cowered at the edges, unwilling to advance. Had Yuan Xiaotian not been present, they would have fled long ago.

“With skills like yours, you dare call yourselves men of the underworld?” Ling Tian sneered, crashing through the room with the table, chasing the remaining thugs like flies, smashing any who dared come near.