In truth, they had been looking for him all along.

It wasn't just about tarnishing his reputation in public. The most important reason was that Su Ling had slept with Gao Yang's sister. To be precise, Su Ling and Gao Yang's sister, Gao Ting, were in a relationship, but the entire Gao Family was vehemently opposed. The reason was simple: Su Ling's family background wasn't good enough for them.

But Su Ling couldn't be bothered with that. He and Gao Ting were truly in love, so what was bound to happen, naturally did. As luck would have it, they were spotted by a member of the Gao Family one time when leaving a hotel.

This sent the Gao Family into an uproar. Not only did they confine Gao Ting, but they also started causing trouble for Su Ling everywhere. In fact, just this morning, Gao Fan and his men had cornered him. If he hadn't happened to run into a good friend of Su Yan's, he would have suffered a brutal beating.

A moment later, Su Ling confessed the entire affair to Chen Yang.

Seeing Chen Yang grinning from ear to ear, Su Ling said with exasperation, "Gao Ting's second brother, Gao Fan, is the worst. He keeps ranting about killing me. I'm lucky he hasn't caught me yet, or I'd be done for!"

Hm? Chen Yang's brow furrowed. Hearing that last part, he suddenly recalled the incident on Qiyun Road. Two rich young masters from Cangyun City had rushed into the Qin Family's estate to abduct Qin Qiu. Wasn't one of them named Gao Fan?

"This Gao Fan, is he good friends with someone named Ye Chao?" Chen Yang asked nonchalantly.

"Yes, yes, yes!" Su Ling nodded repeatedly. "They're thick as thieves, the best of friends. But I heard that after they went to Qiyun Road, all contact was lost. It's like they were killed or something."

At this, Su Ling suddenly froze. Gao Fan and Ye Chao had been sent to support the Martial Association, so they must have been killed by the person opposing it. And by now, many people knew that the one opposing the Martial Association was none other than the Nine Gates Admiral.

So... Su Ling whipped his head around to stare at Chen Yang.

"That's right. I killed them," Chen Yang nodded, admitting it frankly.

Su Ling: "..."

"If you and Gao Ting end up together, you won't come seeking revenge for me killing your brother-in-law, will you?" Chen Yang turned to Su Ling, a grin playing on his lips.

GULP.

Su Ling swallowed hard. Seek revenge on him? The mere thought sent a shiver down his spine, a chill that wracked his entire body. He would have to be tired of living.

"I-I was just thinking... you aren't planning on wiping out the entire Gao Family soon, are you?" Su Ling asked, his throat suddenly dry. He managed a weak, ingratiating smile.

"That depends on whether the Gao Family knows its place," Chen Yang said indifferently as he unhooked a wriggling crucian carp. "However, for your sake, I won't touch Gao Ting."

Su Ling: "..."

So that means if the Gao Family doesn't know its place, he'll eradicate the entire clan? This... this... How domineering!

They were, after all, one of the eight great influential families of Cangyun City. Throughout the entire city, only a handful of people dared to provoke them. Yet, Chen Yang spoke of them as if they were nothing, a trivial matter of no consequence. It was as if he were discussing some insignificant chore.

This... Su Ling sighed inwardly. No wonder they call him a big shot. His perspective and his level are just completely different.

"Then, uh, thank you, Boss," Su Ling said, wiping a bead of cold sweat from his forehead with a smile.

Chen Yang changed the subject. "Does your grandfather know that you're so close with me?"

"He knows," Su Ling nodded. "He asked me about it last night but didn't say anything else."

Chen Yang patted Su Ling's shoulder and said nothing more. Since the old man trusted him this much, he naturally couldn't let him down.

VROOOM!

The roar of a heavily modified car engine suddenly echoed from a distance, reverberating along the banks of the Qingyuan River. The sudden, deafening sound startled a flock of waterfowl into flight and scared away the fish that had been about to bite.

Watching the now-still float, Chen Yang's eyebrow twitched slightly. Beside him, Su Ling instinctively shuddered.

It was a long-discontinued model of a Jeep Wrangler, its body tall and imposing. With a four-wheel rear axle and a custom armored body kit, it looked more like an armored personnel carrier. Three men got out of the vehicle.

One of them was tall and formidable, clad in leather. His entire presence exuded a wild and unruly air that matched the vehicle perfectly. He leaned against the car door, slowly lit a cigarette, and began to smoke quietly without glancing at anyone. This was the eldest son of the Gao Family's third generation, Gao Yang.

The other two men were around the same age, in their early thirties. They strode toward them with agile, powerful steps. Their intimidating aura made it clear their intentions were anything but friendly. The nearby diners all cast puzzled glances in their direction.

The restaurant owner hurried over. He had just opened his mouth to ask what was going on when one of the men cut him off. "The Gao Family is handling business. Get lost!"

The restaurant owner immediately froze, then turned and scurried away. What had he done to deserve this? All he could do now was pray the damages would be minimal, or else...

"Well, look at you, Su Ling. What a leisurely life. You still have the nerve to be here fishing?" a young man with a brown scar by the corner of his mouth sneered coldly.

"Gao Feng, don't take it too far!" Su Ling's expression darkened. He shot to his feet, seething with anger. "Tingting and I are in love! What right do you have to keep harassing me?"

"You still dare bring that up? Today, I'm throwing you into the Qingyuan River to feed the fish!" Gao Feng snorted. "Have you looked in a mirror? Who do you think you are, trying to climb your way into the Gao Family? Are you even worthy?"

"Oh, I'm a social climber, am I?!" Su Ling was not a man with a mild temper. Enraged, he shot back, "If it weren't for Tingting, do you think I'd give your Gao Family a second glance? Whether your family is strong or influential means absolutely nothing to me!"

Chen Yang re-baited his hook, shaking his head with a slight chuckle. "One's an eleventh rank, the other is a twelfth. Aren't you afraid of getting beaten for shouting like that?"

"With you here, Boss, what do I have to be afraid of?" Su Ling declared with conviction.

Chen Yang cast his line into the river. "But I'm not going to help you."

Su Ling: "..."

The fiery confidence he'd shown just a moment ago vanished instantly, leaving him wilted like a frostbitten eggplant.

"Haha!" Witnessing this, Gao Feng threw his head back and roared with laughter. "That's hilarious! Su Ling, you're hopelessly naive. Did you really think you could rely on some random punk to stand up to the Gao Family?"

Su Ling was still in a daze. Weren't they just chatting amicably? Why is he leaving me out to dry now?

"What I mean is, since this involves your girlfriend, it would be best for you to resolve it yourself," Chen Yang said calmly, still holding his fishing rod. "Don't you agree?"

"Boss, the problem is, I can't beat them!" Su Ling cried out, his face a mask of misery so profound it looked like he was about to burst into tears.

Chen Yang snapped his fingers.

SNAP.

With the crisp sound, a faint golden light streamed down from above, pouring into the crown of Su Ling's head. In an instant, his power surged. He instantly leaped past the tenth rank, his strength soaring to the peak of the eleventh.

"How about now?"

Su Ling: "..."

Gao Feng: "..."

"..."

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