Chapter Fifty-Four: Attitude

Once hailed as the king of mercenaries, Ling Tian had always faced formidable and ruthless adversaries, far beyond anything these people, sheltered by their peaceful society, could even imagine. Yet one principle remained constant: the law of the jungle, where the strong devour the weak and power commands respect.

Ling Tian revered this law above all else—indeed, he was its staunchest enforcer. At times, displaying his strength was not merely about domination; it was a form of protection, ensuring that others dared not provoke him lightly. Years of peace had dulled the edge of these ancient families, robbing them of the ferocity their ancestors once possessed.

Confronted by Gu Feng's aggressive posture, Ling Tian merely smiled and replied in an imperious tone, “Can you speak for your family? If you can, then let us go to war now. If you cannot, then get out of my sight; you are not even qualified to oppose me.”

With a single sentence, Ling Tian cut off any retort Gu Feng might have made. To declare war in the name of one's family? Even Gu Feng's own father, the head of the Gu family, would have to convene the elders before making such a momentous decision. After all, war between families was no trivial matter—a single misstep could mean ruin and destruction.

It was much like a nation: even when border skirmishes occur, no one dares to declare war lightly unless fundamental interests are at stake.

Gu Feng's face turned ashen with distress. His opponent disregarded him entirely, and Ling Tian's arrogance was overwhelming—he spoke of war with the Gu family as if it were a casual affair. Was he mad, or was he truly as strong as he appeared?

Either way, Gu Feng, in his current position, could not afford to provoke him.

If the Gu family were to go to war with Ling Tian, even in victory their strength would be diminished. The other three great families of Yunhai City would surely seize the opportunity to carve up the Gu family for themselves.

For years, the four great clans had been evenly matched, cooperating and competing in equal measure, maintaining a delicate balance. Should that balance be broken, the consequences would be dire.

Though Gu Feng was a notorious playboy, he was still the heir to his family and far from ignorant. The more he thought about it, the more fear took root. He was caught between a rock and a hard place.

Zhang Ding and Zhang Ting were tense to the point of panic, terrified that Gu Feng would lose his temper and have them killed on the spot. For the scions of powerful families, a few lives meant nothing at all.

Everyone present focused their attention on Gu Feng, especially Baldy, who relied on him as his greatest support. With Ling Tian's domineering words and Gu Feng's notorious arrogance, Baldy fully expected Ling Tian would be destroyed. He waited, breathless with anticipation.

After a full minute's pondering, Gu Feng finally raised his head, smacked his lips, and spoke in a conflicted tone: “Tell me, what exactly do you want?”

At these words, the onlookers were dumbfounded. Zhang Ding and Zhang Ting gaped in disbelief. Never could they have imagined that the Gu family's eldest son would not dare confront Ling Tian directly.

Baldy was even more shocked. Gu Feng's behavior today was completely out of character. What on earth was going on?

Ling Tian spoke in a low, steady voice: “I wish for nothing more than to keep out of your family's way, but it seems you are determined to trouble me. I came here today to buy a car, but ended up being bitten by a few mangy dogs. My mood is thoroughly ruined—tell me, what do you think should be done?”

Gu Feng shot a venomous glare at Baldy—the useless fool who had brought trouble upon him by provoking Ling Tian. If he had any grounds to stand on, Gu Feng could have asserted himself; as it stood, he needed to make some kind of explanation, or Ling Tian would not let the matter drop.

“Ling Tian, don’t push your luck. I may not speak for my family, but if you force me too far, you won’t escape unscathed either,” Gu Feng replied, his expression dark.

Those in power must know how to judge the situation and act with restraint. Ling Tian was a master of this art, leaving Gu Feng without any opening and forcing him to parry as best he could.

“I’ll say it again: if you cannot represent your family, stop posturing before me,” Ling Tian said flatly.

“Even without my family’s power, I can deal with you,” Gu Feng retorted, his face flushing with humiliation.

Ling Tian sneered, lifting his hand and pointing directly at Gu Feng’s nose: “Without the Gu family behind you, you are nothing.”

The words struck Gu Feng to the core; he had no answer for them.

“You’d do best to hold your tongue now. Provoking me is a terrible idea—if I accidentally slap you to death, wouldn’t that be a pity?” Ling Tian said with a smile. To him, second-generation tyrants like Gu Feng, who relied solely on family influence, were the most contemptible of all.

Gu Feng was about to retort, but seeing Ling Tian casually shatter a brick with his bare hand, he immediately fell silent. He did not believe his own skull was harder than a brick.

Now, at last, Gu Feng understood why Li Wenhao, the eldest son of the Li family, had suffered a brutal beating from Ling Tian, and yet the Li family had maintained their silence ever since.

This fellow was truly not to be trifled with.

“We’ve gotten to know each other through conflict, I suppose. Tell me then, what compensation do you want? Name your price,” Gu Feng said, barely containing his anger. Had his bodyguards been stronger, he would have ordered them to attack without hesitation.

Since he had already struck a blow, Ling Tian decided to press his advantage, crushing Gu Feng’s spirit entirely.

He shook his finger and said, “Your attitude is far from sincere.”

Gu Feng stamped his feet in frustration, but he knew that not even Old Wolf had been a match for Ling Tian—his own bodyguards stood no chance. Left with no alternative, he swallowed his fury and forced out through clenched teeth, “Mr. Ling, I was out of line just now. If you have any demands, please state them—I’ll do my best to comply.” As the words left his mouth, he felt an urge to slap himself. What utter humiliation! The proud eldest son of the Gu family, reduced to such a sorry state—if word got out, he would never show his face in Yunhai City again.

Ling Tian strolled over, and in a flash, struck out with four palm blows. The four bodyguards had no time to react before being sent flying. Once the king of mercenaries, a master of countless killing techniques, and now nearly at the mid-stage of Qi training, dealing with a few ordinary bodyguards was child’s play.

“Pathetic!” Ling Tian scoffed, turning to Gu Feng and saying coldly, “Have you made up your mind?”

Gu Feng gritted his teeth and forced a smile onto his face. “Young Master Ling, I was wrong just now. Please, be magnanimous and don’t stoop to my level.”

His opponent had yielded—whether genuinely or not, Ling Tian’s purpose had been achieved.

Knowing not to press his advantage too far, Ling Tian decided to let matters rest. “Since you’re being so sincere, let’s leave it at that. But I never want to see these three again.” He pointed at the trembling Baldy, Zhou Juan, and the female sales clerk.

Even if Ling Tian had not spoken, Gu Feng would have dealt harshly with these three. If not for their foolish provocations, he would not have had to humble himself before Ling Tian.

“Someone, get these pieces of trash out of my sight! I never want to see them again!” Gu Feng roared, venting all his pent-up rage on the three culprits.