BOOM!!!

Before Ding Peng could even recover his stance, he was blasted away by an immense force. His body violently crashed into the wall, and the moment he hit the ground, a spurt of fresh blood sprayed from his mouth.

The actress beside him screamed. Lin Xiao glanced at her indifferently, and the moment their eyes met, she collapsed to the ground. With a terrified expression, she immediately covered her mouth.

Ding Peng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. Despite the searing pain, his malicious eyes were filled with overwhelming hatred as he stared at Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao withdrew his foot. "Come in!" he said indifferently.

His words were obviously not directed at Ding Peng. Soon, the private room's door was pushed open, and a man of about forty walked in expressionlessly.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Ding Peng was stunned for a moment before a flicker of hope ignited in his eyes. Yes, he was excited. After all, the man who had just arrived was his right-hand man, Tie Shankao.

He was second only to Ding Peng himself in Jinhai City's underworld. But that wasn't the true reason for Ding Peng's excitement. The real reason was that Tie Shankao was a Martial Artist with an impressive level of cultivation.

"Tie Shankao, you've arrived just in time! Kill this stinking beggar for me!" Ding Peng roared.

But Tie Shankao paid him no attention, acting as if he hadn't even seen him. He walked straight up to Lin Xiao and said respectfully, "Mr. Lin, I apologize for my tardiness."

Lin Xiao nodded. "You're not late. It's good that you're here."

Tie Shankao was indeed Ding Peng's right-hand man, but he was also one of Xiao Shixiong's men. That's right—he had been sent by Xiao Shixiong to keep an eye on Ding Peng. As the King of the Southern Town, Xiao Shixiong was never a benevolent man, nor did he blindly trust his subordinates.

The revelation struck Ding Peng like a bolt of lightning, leaving him wide-eyed and tongue-tied. Tie Shankao's words were like a club battering his skull, leaving his mind completely blank. A bone-chilling coldness enveloped him. It was the feeling of despair.

"Wh-Why?" Ding Peng asked, his voice trembling.

Only then did Tie Shankao's gaze turn toward him.

"Because you deserve to die," Tie Shankao said, his tone frigid and laced with a killing intent so sharp it could pierce the soul.

"Tie Shankao, I work for the Boss! Are you really going against me for some outsider?" Ding Peng bellowed.

Tie Shankao just laughed. "That's right, you work for the Boss. But do you know who the Boss's boss is?"

"What do you mean?" Ding Peng asked, his voice quavering.

By now, even an idiot would realize something was terribly wrong, and Ding Peng was no idiot. A man couldn't rise to the top of Jinhai City's underworld by being a fool. Could it be? Is this beggar in front of me the Boss's boss? No, how is that possible? He's clearly just a beggar!

Ding Peng finally understood. Without waiting for Tie Shankao to reply, he asked tremulously, "So... the Boss wants me dead?"

Tie Shankao nodded. "That's right."

It was another crushing blow. Ding Peng collapsed completely to the ground, his face as pale as if it had been drained of all blood. The light in his eyes had vanished entirely, and he could only stare blankly at Lin Xiao.

Suddenly, he scrambled over to Lin Xiao and fell at his feet.

"I... I was wrong! Please, I'm begging you, spare me! As long as you let me live, I'll give you all my assets. From now on, I'll be your dog!" Ding Peng pleaded humbly.

His voice trembled and his body shook as he began to kowtow to Lin Xiao. He kowtowed frantically, not even caring when his forehead started to bleed from the repeated impacts.

Lin Xiao ignored him completely, as if he weren't even there. He turned to Tie Shankao and said, "He's all yours."

"Rest assured, Mr. Lin. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Lin Xiao nodded and said indifferently, "From now on, you are the helmsman of the Jinhai City underworld."

Tie Shankao's mind reeled. He was utterly shocked.

He knew Lin Xiao wasn't joking. In fact, when he received the call from Xiao Shixiong telling him to take good care of this plainly dressed young man, Tie Shankao knew the man's background was extraordinary. Otherwise, Xiao Shixiong wouldn't have personally called to give him those instructions.

What shocked him now was that Lin Xiao was appointing him the new helmsman of Jinhai City's underworld. Although he had been the second-in-command, the gap between number two and number one was as vast as heaven and earth.

Struggling to suppress the turmoil in his heart, Tie Shankao knelt before Lin Xiao with a thud. "Mr. Lin, rest assured, I won't let you down."

Lin Xiao nodded. Pointing to the young starlet, he said, "Don't hurt her, but make sure she keeps her mouth shut."

Tie Shankao nodded emphatically.

To be honest, if Lin Xiao hadn't given that specific order, the actress wouldn't have lived to see another day. Tie Shankao had already decided to stage an accident to make her disappear from the world permanently. After all, she knew too much.

Lin Xiao patted Tie Shankao's shoulder and turned to leave.

Just as he stepped out of the private room, he received a call from Xiao Shixiong.

"Sir, has the matter been handled? Is there anything you need me to do?"

Although Xiao Shixiong knew that Lin Xiao wouldn't hold him responsible for Ding Peng's actions, Ding Peng was his subordinate, after all.

"It's nothing. I've left it for Tie Shankao to handle. Oh, by the way, let him take over as the helmsman of Jinhai City's underworld. I think he'll do well."

"As you wish, Sir!"

"Alright, that's settled then."

Lin Xiao hung up and headed downstairs.

Just as he exited the restaurant and was about to get into his car, a frantic and angry voice reached his ears.

"I don't know you! Let go of me!"

The voice sounded familiar. Lin Xiao froze for a moment before looking toward the sound.

It was Pei Yanzi being dragged toward a car by a man in his forties or fifties.

The young woman was the picture of innocence; she had clearly never experienced anything like this. Her charming face was now deathly pale, clearly terrified.

At the sight, Lin Xiao's fury ignited. Without a second thought, he charged toward them.

Just as the man was about to force Pei Yanzi into the car, Lin Xiao grabbed him by the hair and hurled the old bastard to the ground.

Startled, Pei Yanzi froze when she saw Lin Xiao. A moment later, she threw herself into his arms and burst into sobs, crying as if her heart would break.

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