Money Over Love Vol.5

Chapter 171: One roar defeats three people!

"Damn! You’ve got a lot of nerve!"

"Look at this temper of mine! If it weren’t for a direct order from the higher-ups, I’d have beaten the shit out of you!"

"Ying Bufan! Don’t you dare say the four of us are ganging up on you. If you’ve got the guts, take us on one-on-one!"

 As their words fell, Zhang Ao opened his mouth but found himself powerless to retort, only managing to hang his head in silence. In contrast, the expressions on Huang Liu and the other two soured as they started cursing and swearing. But for all their bluster, not a single one of them dared to make the first move. A dense fear was palpable in their eyes.

"Fine. One-on-one it is," Lin Fan said, an eyebrow raising as he cast a slightly surprised glance at Sima Qin. He then offered, "I’ll even fight you without using my hands."

 This guy is ranked fourth, yet he’s the one with the most guts?

 Lin Fan immediately clasped his hands behind his back and gave a casual nod. "Come on!"

"Uh..." Sima Qin’s mouth twitched, his heart trembling as he met Lin Fan’s eyes, which were now brimming with fighting spirit. He wanted nothing more than to raise a hand and slap himself across the face.

 I knew I shouldn’t have talked so tough. Now he’s put me in an impossible situation. If I don’t dare to fight, how can I ever show my face in the Imperial Capital War Zone again? Not to mention, Mr. Xia Sr. and that dense crowd of warriors are all watching!

"Sima Qin, stop dawdling and get on with it!" Huang Liu and Ye Qiu were also speechless, glaring at him with annoyance. "Don’t you drop the ball and bring shame on the four of us!"

 Just spouting a few empty threats would have been fine. Did you really have to go and challenge him to a one-on-one, you idiot? He just showed his hand to warn us to back down, not to escalate things! Even if we win, he’ll have done it without using his hands while we’re taking turns. There’d be nothing to brag about. But if we lose, it would bring eternal infamy, making us the shame of the Imperial Capital War Zone! We wouldn’t just fail the mission from our superiors; the bigwigs would chew us out! Everyone knows that while Lin Fan is officially a dead man, he’s still considered part of Mr. Xia Sr.’s faction. If we lose to Lin Fan, it’s the same as the leaders of the Imperial Capital War Zone losing to Mr. Xia Sr.!

"...Fine! Ying Bufan, you’re the one who said you wouldn’t use your hands. I’m not forcing you!" Sima Qin gritted his teeth and took two steps forward, hardening his resolve as he shouted. He was already in too deep to back down. Even if he wanted to surrender, the higher-ups from the Imperial Capital War Zone who were quietly watching would never allow it.

"In front of the Old Commander, I, Lin Fan, will not go back on my word." Lin Fan glanced at the stern-faced Mr. Xia Sr. before nodding at Sima Qin.

 It’s clear the Old Commander’s prestige in the Imperial Capital has slipped quite a bit. Even punks like these four dare to be so disrespectful to him? Fine. I’ll let the world see once more what it means for a tiger to retain its might even in death!

"You arrogant fool! This is the price for your insolence!"

 The next moment, Sima Qin’s expression darkened as he charged at Lin Fan. The torrential aura of the Qi Condensation Early Stage erupted, sweeping across the field like a gale. The surrounding people squinted, their eyes stinging from the blast, raising their hands just to try and make out what was happening. However, no matter how hard they stared, not daring to blink, they couldn’t follow Lin Fan’s movements. He was too fast, like a bolt of lightning!

 CRACK!

 A pained scream cut through the air. Sima Qin, who had been charging forward with such ferocity, was sent flying backward, vomiting blood. He crashed heavily at the feet of Zhang Ao and his two comrades.

"Sima Qin!"

 THUD!

 The man’s body hit the ground, causing the other three to cry out in unison, their expressions changing drastically. Their eyes met, pupils shaking violently with terror. If Lin Fan had gotten the better of them before through their own carelessness, that was one thing. But this time, he hadn’t even used his hands. A single, casual kick was all it took to send Sima Qin, a warrior at the Qi Condensation Early Stage, flying.

 The four of them were all of roughly equal strength. If Lin Fan could defeat Sima Qin in one move, he could just as easily crush the other three without breaking a sweat.

"Ye Qiu, you’re up!" Zhang Ao said, swallowing hard as he looked at Ye Qiu, whose face was a shifting palette of emotions.

"Ah... Let Second Brother go instead. I... I..." Ye Qiu’s mouth was dry. He shook his head desperately, turning to the pale-faced Huang Liu.

"Damn it, what are you scared of?" Huang Liu’s face twitched as he urged in a low voice. "Even if you lose, you still have me and old Zhang, don’t you?"

"Ye Qiu, be careful!" Sima Qin warned, clutching his chest where several ribs were broken as the others helped him up. "He’s far too strong! He was definitely hiding his true strength to bait us!"

 At this moment, his regret was so deep it felt like it was twisting his insides. His heart filled with despair! I always thought Ying Bufan’s reputation was overblown and that he didn’t deserve it. Now that he’s severely injured me with a single kick, I finally understand what it means to gaze up at a mountain so high you can’t even fathom its peak!

"Gentlemen, I think we should stop here for today," Mr. Xia Sr. said kindly as he and Tie Hao walked over. The old man shook his head. "If this continues, it won’t be easy for you to report back."

"Old Xia, what are you trying to say? You think the soldier you trained has already won?" Zhang Ao shot back, his face flushing with shame and anger.

"You stay out of it!" Huang Liu’s expression was grim. He looked up at the sky and snorted. "This is a grudge between us and Ying Bufan. We have to settle this today!"

"Hmph! Mr. Xia Sr. is worried you’ll lose so badly you’ll get whipped when you return home!" Tie Hao’s face darkened, unable to hold back his anger any longer. "Not only do you not appreciate his concern, but you also dare to disrespect him?"

"Lose? How could we possibly lose?" Seeing that all pretenses were dropped, Ye Qiu also became furious, rolling his eyes. "Ying Bufan! You love showing off, don’t you? If you have the guts, try fighting without using your hands or your feet!" he yelled at the expressionless Lin Fan, forcing himself to appear calm.

 A ripple of derisive laughter passed through the black-uniformed warriors, provoked by such a shameless demand.

"What are you laughing at? What’s so funny?!" the blue-uniformed warriors retorted, their faces beet-red with humiliated fury. "He’s the one who wanted to act tough! What’s the big deal if he doesn’t use his feet either?!" But any discerning eye could see the lack of conviction in their flickering gazes and weak voices.

"Hmph. You four really bring honor to the Imperial Capital War Zone," Mr. Xia Sr. said, his anger finally showing. He stopped trying to persuade them and retreated to his original spot with an incensed Tie Hao.

"I’m tired of wasting time," Lin Fan said, his eyes turning icy as he shook his head in disdain. "How about this: I won’t use my hands or my feet. I’ll just stand here and let you three wastes come at me all at once."

"Good! You said it yourself! Don’t blame the three of us for attacking together!"

 BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

 Hearing this, Zhang Ao, Huang Liu, and Ye Qiu exchanged glances, their hearts filled with secret elation.

 Damn. Show-offs really do get struck by lightning! Serves you right, you bastard. We’re going to teach you a proper lesson! Not using his hands or feet? How is that any different from just waiting to die?

 In an instant, they let go of the heavily injured Sima Qin and, ignoring the strange looks from the crowd, charged toward Lin Fan like three speeding locomotives. The wind howled and sonic booms echoed! The three Qi Condensation Grandmasters moving in unison kicked up a veritable typhoon on the field. The crowd stumbled back in alarm, wincing as the gale-force winds stung their eyes. The hems of their clothes whipped about violently, refusing to settle.

"Is that all?"

 From the heart of the chaotic assault, Lin Fan’s indifferent voice emerged.

"SCRAM!"

 A deafening roar erupted like a thunderclap on a clear day.

"AH—!!"

"Aah... my ears! My ears!"

 THUD! THUD! THUD!

 The three formidable bodies, charging with astonishing momentum, froze abruptly three feet from Lin Fan. Then, all at once, they flew backward vomiting blood, their features twisted in agony as they writhed on the ground, blood streaming from their eyes, ears, noses, and mouths.

 HISS...!!

 The sight left everyone, who were already clutching their ears in pain, completely and utterly dumbfounded. A wave of horrified, sharp intakes of breath swept through the crowd.

 He defeated three War Gods with a single roar? What kind of terrifying, heaven-defying power was this?

 As expected of the Heavenly Pride War God who once single-handedly suppressed an entire army. Only a figure of his caliber was worthy of a state funeral!

 Seeing their former comrade display such divine might, the black-uniformed warriors were overcome, tears streaming down their faces as they dropped to one knee in a great, dark wave. They felt aggrieved for Lin Fan, filled with sorrow, helplessness, and a profound sense of desolation.

"This... this..." The blue-uniformed warriors exchanged glances, their faces filled with resignation. He was, after all, a great hero who had served his country with utter loyalty. Even though times had changed and his star had faded, what right did a mere mortal have to look down on a former god?

"Old Commander, I implore you to intervene! Let the Young Marshal stay in the Imperial Capital! Give him a chance!"

 THUD!

 Tie Hao could no longer restrain himself. With red-rimmed eyes, he knelt before the conflicted Mr. Xia Sr. and pleaded.

"We beg the Old Commander to give the Young Marshal a chance!" the sea of kneeling, black-uniformed warriors echoed in a thunderous chorus.

 Chapter 172: Compromise of the Imperial Capital’s High Level

"This, this..."

 Seeing that everyone around was pleading for Lin Fan, even the warriors from the Imperial Capital War Zone they had brought were deeply moved, wanting to speak but holding back. Staggering to their feet, Zhang Ao and his two companions exchanged ugly looks with Sima Qin.

 This mission to capture Lin Fan has utterly failed. The opponent’s strength is too immense. Even if the four of us joined forces, we were nowhere near enough to be considered a challenge!

 As for using heavy weapons... the thought arose only to be silently dismissed with a shake of their heads. This was the Capital, a stronghold where the powerful and influential were everywhere. Not to mention, Lin Fan had a special identity. Making too big of a scene would only make the situation even more difficult to resolve.

 Moreover, with Lin Fan’s extraordinary skills, if he wanted to escape, they simply couldn’t stop him. If they truly infuriated him and he went on a killing spree in the Imperial Capital, it would cause an uproar throughout the city, and everyone would feel at risk.

"Mr. Xia Sr., may I have a word with you in private?" Zhang Ao’s expression changed several times. Finally, gritting his teeth and suppressing the pain, he approached Mr. Xia Sr. He looked at him pleadingly, his previous domineering aura completely gone. Huang Liu and the other two followed, their heads hung low.

"Alas! I’m old, and my words carry no weight anymore," Mr. Xia Sr. said, squinting and shaking his head.

 Before the stunned Zhang Ao and the others could speak, the old man helped Tie Hao to his feet and turned to leave.

"Hey, hey, Mr. Xia Sr.! Please wait, please wait!" Zhang Ao trembled violently as he and the other three hurriedly rushed to catch up.

"I’m just a retired old man with no power left to wield. I should hurry home to avoid interfering with your official duties," Mr. Xia Sr. said sternly, walking on without looking back.

 Tie Hao, who had caught on, also strode forward with a stoic expression.

"Mr. Xia Sr., Mr. Xia Sr.! We were wrong just now. You mustn’t leave! If you go, who can control that guy!"

 THUD! THUD!

 The faces of Zhang Ao and his group flushed red with embarrassment. Gritting their teeth, they knelt on one knee, blocking Mr. Xia Sr.’s path.

"Hmph, so now you remember to ask our Old Commander for help? Weren’t you acting all high and mighty before, telling us not to meddle?" Tie Hao asked coldly, a glint of cathartic satisfaction in his eyes.

"Xiao Hao, say no more. If they think we’re useless, why should we stay and be scorned?" Mr. Xia Sr. said, fighting to suppress a smile as he waved a hand to those around him.

 WHOOSH!

 Instantly, the black-uniformed warriors all stood up, forming ranks beside the old man.

"No, please, don’t do this!"

"Mr. Xia Sr., everything is negotiable! We have long admired Brother Ying, and meeting him today, he truly is remarkable!"

"Yes, yes! Brother Ying is a credit to your training, sir. Not only is he handsome and charming, but his strength has also earned our deepest admiration!" Huang Liu and the other two, their faces ashen, desperately forced smiles, trying to curry favor.

"Really?" Hearing this, Mr. Xia Sr. glanced at the approaching Lin Fan and nodded. "Then this old man will take the liberty of deciding this myself. I will stake my life and reputation on it and make an exception: let Lin Fan stay in the Imperial Capital for three days to handle his affairs. How about it?"

"Ah, this... we don’t have the authority. We must report to our superiors first." Huang Liu and the others exchanged glances, not daring to speak.

 Zhang Ao, however, steeled himself, stood up, and stepped aside to pull out his phone. A few moments later, a chorus of curses, along with the sound of a table being pounded and a teacup smashing, could be heard from the phone. Zhang Ao’s cheek twitched continuously as he braced himself to listen, then he cautiously responded a few times.

"Mr. Xia Sr., the superiors have agreed... but Brother Ying must accept three conditions," Zhang Ao said with a grim face as he walked back, turning to look at Lin Fan.

"First, you must not reveal your identity. Second, you must not harm anyone or use the influence of the Ying family or the Xia family. Third, as soon as the three days are up, you must leave immediately and never set foot in the Imperial Capital again!"

 As soon as he said this, the expressions of Mr. Xia Sr. and Tie Hao changed. Although the higher-ups in the Imperial Capital War Zone had reluctantly compromised, the conditions were incredibly harsh. Without leveraging the Xia family’s influence, how could Lin Fan possibly contend with Shen Yueli?

 Under the curious gazes of the crowd, Lin Fan fell silent for a moment before nodding. "...Alright. I agree to all of them."

 Three days should be enough time to handle everything. As for not using the influence of the Ying or Xia families? I never planned to in the first place.

"Fine, it’s settled then! Mr. Xia Sr., my apologies for today’s offense. We four brothers will visit you again to formally apologize!" Zhang Ao swallowed the coppery tang of blood in his throat. He and the other three bowed to Mr. Xia Sr., preparing to leave immediately with their men.

 Today’s defeat had been too miserable, too humiliating. Not only did they need to hurry back to camp to treat their injuries, but they were also likely in for a lashing.

 At this thought, bitterness filled their mouths, and they were kicking themselves with regret. If only we had known. We shouldn’t have tried to act tough. If only we had listened to Mr. Xia Sr.’s repeated advice!

"Catch."

 Just as the four of them were turning to leave in disgrace, Lin Fan’s eyes flickered, and he casually tossed a small porcelain bottle their way.

"You—what do you mean? I’m warning you, we’re only letting this go because we respect Mr. Xia Sr.!" Zhang Ao instinctively caught the small porcelain bottle, his voice laced with suspicion and alarm.

 Huang Liu and the other two exchanged a glance, also growing tense.

"These are some Qi Replenishing Pills I recently refined. There are four left. Take them for your injuries," Lin Fan said calmly, his expression indifferent. "I caused this whole mess, so don’t hold a grudge against the Old Commander. If you want revenge, come for me."

 What? Qi Replenishing Pills worth hundreds of millions? He’s just giving them away?

 BOOM!

 Zhang Ao and his three companions froze in shock, staring utterly dumbfounded and unable to process what had just happened.

 What is this? Offering a carrot after the stick? Dammit, what does he take us, the Four War Gods of the Imperial Capital, for? As if we’d want his charity!

"You don’t want it? Then give it back," Lin Fan said with a shake of his head, holding out his hand.

"Hmph! You northerners are so stingy. Who asks for something back after giving it away?" Zhang Ao’s face tightened as he hurriedly stuffed the small porcelain bottle into his pocket.

 Huang Liu and the other three put on a proud air, turning their heads away with taut expressions. But the irrepressible smiles creeping onto their lips betrayed them completely.

"Ying Bufan, don’t get cocky! Once we four brothers have recovered, we’ll find you for a proper rematch!" Zhang Ao shouted through gritted teeth, then prepared to lead his men away.

"Do me a favor. Find out where the young master of the Guxin Group, a guy named Kim something Hwan, is staying," Lin Fan said, his lips twitching slightly. He chose not to expose their act, his tone becoming serious. "Asking you for help doesn’t break those three rules, does it?"

"...Fine. Wait for our news."

 Having accepted the pills, their hands were tied. Zhang Ao clutched the small porcelain bottle in his pocket, exchanged a look with the other three, and nodded in agreement. As long as Lin Fan didn’t cause any more trouble, gathering a bit of information wasn’t a big deal for them.

"Come on, let’s go home! Bingbing has been nagging me about you since midnight. If I don’t bring you back, she’ll fight me to the death." The sea of black-uniformed warriors gradually receded like the tide. Mr. Xia Sr. watched Zhang Ao’s group leave the corridor before turning his gaze to Lin Fan.

"...With my status, is that appropriate?" Lin Fan’s gaze grew distant, and a bitter smile touched his lips.

"What’s appropriate or not? You’re a soldier I trained! If the Ying family doesn’t want you, then the Xia Family Mansion is your new home!" Mr. Xia Sr. scowled, grabbing Lin Fan’s hand.

"I’ll go get the car." Tie Hao secretly wiped a tear from his eye and strode away.

 He soon drove Mr. Xia Sr.’s vehicle to the airport exit. The old man and the young man got into the car and headed toward the Xia Family Mansion, leaving behind only the curious onlookers at the airport exit, craning their necks to watch them go.

「」

"Who in the world is that Lin Fan guy?"

 Inside a white BMW, Kim Sooeun murmured in astonishment as she watched the military vehicle with the black license plate drive away.

"The airport was suddenly locked down... Surely it couldn’t have all been for him, right?" Huang Xiaoya, in the driver’s seat, sat with her mouth slightly agape, unable to close it for a long time.

 Both of them had been incredibly curious and had waited outside the entire time. Seeing Lin Fan leave unharmed, escorted by a military vehicle, was almost too hard to believe.

"Forget it. Don’t worry about that annoying jerk. I’ll take you to meet Jiang Taizhong oppa!" Kim Sooeun pouted, naturally unwilling to believe Lin Fan could be anyone important. She then smiled and patted Huang Xiaoya’s slender shoulder, pointing toward the Extreme Speed Taekwondo Gym.

 Chapter 173: Niece Xia, don’t mess around!

"You haven’t been back in seven years, have you? Go take a bath first, then change your clothes."

 CREAK!

 Before long, the car came to a halt before the gates of the Xia Family Mansion, which were guarded by two sentries. Mr. Xia Sr. clutched Lin Fan’s hand tightly, striding inside with a beaming face, as if afraid the young man would sneak away the moment he let go.

"Bingbing always kept your room for you. She stubbornly refused to let us touch it. I can’t even imagine how overjoyed she’ll be to see you..." the old man droned on, completely ignoring Lin Fan’s helpless expression and bitter smile.

 After a short while, the group arrived at the residential area deep within the compound. The members of the Xia family they passed all froze in their tracks, staring at Lin Fan in utter shock.

 Someone in the crowd gasped, stammering, "Y-Ying...!"

"His name is Lin Fan! Don’t you get it wrong!" Mr. Xia Sr. glared, his rebuke allowing no room for doubt.

 Hearing this, the gathered Xia family members nodded in understanding. "Right, right. Mr. Lin, this way, please. I’ll take you to your room," an elderly maid said, stepping forward and courteously escorting Lin Fan away.

 Mr. Xia Sr. then went into the study with Tie Hao. The old man finally couldn’t hold it in any longer and let out two hearty laughs. He then pulled out his constantly buzzing cell phone and argued with the big shots from the Imperial Capital War Zone until his face was red.

 At this moment, Lin Fan had arrived in the familiar room. He let out a long breath, took off his clothes, and soaked in the warm water of the bathtub. In the past, whenever he returned to the Imperial Capital to visit his mother during the holidays, he would also stay at the Xia family estate for a few days. Even after so many years, everything in this room remained exactly as it was.

 CREAK.

 The door outside the bathroom was pushed open quietly. Lin Fan’s eyes flickered, and he turned his head to call out, "Mrs. Wu, just leave the clothes on the bed."

 The next moment, the faint sound of footsteps didn’t retreat. Instead, they gradually approached the bathroom.

 Damn it! Mrs. Wu has been a widow for years. Could she have developed some... peculiar fetish?

 Lin Fan listened intently, a corner of his mouth twitching as he stared at the frosted glass door of the bathroom. One second, two seconds, three... more than five minutes passed. The hazy silhouette stood outside for a long time, as if it had finally made up its mind.

 As Lin Fan’s eyes widened, he saw the doorknob slowly turn, followed by a slender, pale wrist reaching through. Their eyes met. Lin Fan jolted, and his face turned green.

"Ahhh! It’s you! It’s really you!"

 Outside the glass door, a stunningly beautiful figure was crouched in an eavesdropping pose. A white, form-fitting tank top tightly hugged her perky, round chest. Beneath a pair of pink hot pants, her two straight, long legs were fair and smooth, glowing like white jade. Xia Bingbing’s eyes, rimmed like a panda’s, were wide with excitement. She jumped up and down before suddenly lunging forward, completely oblivious to Lin Fan’s flabbergasted expression and shattered composure.

 SPLASH!

 The beautiful figure landed in the tub, sending water everywhere. Xia Bingbing was instantly drenched, her thin clothes becoming nearly transparent and revealing her fiery figure in stunning detail. Yet, her pretty face was brimming with a smile of pure happiness, even though her pounce had missed its target.

"Niece Xia, don’t be reckless!"

 In the blink of an eye, Lin Fan’s figure flickered, and he dodged to a corner of the bathroom. With a speechless look on his face, he hurriedly wrapped a bath towel around his waist, covering his vitals.

 Speaking of which, his seniority in relation to her was rather awkward. Although they were the same age, Lin Fan and Mr. Xia Sr. were like teacher and friend, and Lin Fan was a soldier the old man had personally trained. Just like that, he was a full generation above Xia Bingbing.

"What... what did you call me?" Xia Bingbing’s pretty face froze, and her chest heaved with indignation. She stared hard at Lin Fan, struggling to keep the frustrated tears from spilling from her eyes.

"Bingbing, don’t be like this. We can’t act so recklessly..." Lin Fan sighed silently, a touch of pity in his eyes. Holding the towel with one hand, he reached out with the other to wipe the tears from her face.

"You bastard! I’ve waited for you for seven years! Do you have any idea how many seven-year periods a girl gets?" Xia Bingbing cried, hammering Lin Fan’s chest with her small fists.

"Even if you waited another seven years, in terms of seniority, I’d still be your uncle," Lin Fan murmured gloomily, the corner of his mouth twitching.

"I don’t care! That’s between you two! Why should I have to call you my uncle?"

 RIP!

 Xia Bingbing yelled and suddenly grabbed the towel around Lin Fan’s waist, viciously yanking it off. "I can’t wait any longer! I’m going to become your woman today!"

 Damn, when did this girl get so strong?

 Lin Fan felt a sudden chill below his waist, and his face turned green again.

 WHOOSH!

 His figure flickered, and he instantly appeared beside the bed in the bedroom, wrapping a thin blanket tightly around himself.

"Xia Bingbing, you’re shameless!" Lin Fan growled, his expression dark with frustration.

"Hmph, you think you can escape? I had Mrs. Wu lock the door from the outside ages ago!" Xia Bingbing wiped away a tear and walked over in her fluffy white rabbit slippers, sitting triumphantly on the edge of the bed. "Ying Bufan, you have to submit to me today!"

"...That’s enough. Can you please stop messing around? My time is precious. I can only stay in the Imperial Capital for three days."

"What? Three days and three nights?" Xia Bingbing’s beautiful eyes lit up, and her face instantly flushed red. "Well, can you handle that? As for me... I don’t mind..."

 PFFT!

 Lin Fan stared blankly for a second before he understood, nearly choking hard enough to spit up blood. "I’m here on serious business! Can you please stop letting your imagination run wild?"

 He walked to the door and pressed his hand against the lock. An invisible surge of Qi Force flowed silently from his palm.

 SNAP.

 The lock’s bolt was forcibly broken, and Lin Fan pulled the door open.

"Get out. I need to get dressed," Lin Fan said, his heart steeled as he pointed expressionlessly out the door.

"No! I won’t!" Xia Bingbing flopped onto the bed spread-eagled, shaking her head like a rattle drum.

"If you won’t leave, then I..." Lin Fan’s scalp tingled. He didn’t dare stay a moment longer. Wrapping the thin blanket around himself, he turned to leave, only to have his entire body freeze in shock.

 Outside the door stood a dense crowd of Xia family members, all staring with their jaws about to hit the floor.

"Xia Bingbing, you did this on purpose, didn’t you?"

 BANG!

 Lin Fan slammed the door shut with a dark face, glaring at Xia Bingbing, who was giggling uncontrollably on the bed.

"Yes, I did it on purpose," Xia Bingbing said, sitting up with a sly, triumphant glint in her eyes. "We’re a man and a woman, alone in a room together, and everyone outside saw. Whether you’re willing or not, our relationship can never be explained away now, hmph!"

"...Why are you doing this to yourself? As the distinguished young lady of the Xia family, you can have your pick of any talented young man in the Imperial Capital," Lin Fan said after a moment of silence. He shook his head and pulled a chair over to sit down. "And I... I’m just a lonely ghost who’s lost everything. I’m not worthy of your attention."

 He spoke in a low voice, a flicker of sorrow in his eyes.

"Hmph, I don’t care if you were Ying Bufan before or Lin Fan now." Xia Bingbing jumped off the bed, walked over to Lin Fan, and stared down at him. As their eyes met, the determination in hers melted into a deep, sweet tenderness. "If you didn’t have feelings for me, why would you have used the Qianqiu Airlines 3S-level Supreme Platinum Card I gave you?"

"I used that out of desperation. If you misunderstood, you can have the card back." Lin Fan exhaled sharply, gritted his teeth, and stood up, tossing the blanket aside. Steeling himself, he ignored her completely and began to change into the new set of clothes on the bed.

"Ahhh! You pervert!" Xia Bingbing was stunned, apparently not expecting Lin Fan to be so bold. She stomped her foot and screamed, quickly covering her face with her hands. A moment later, however, she couldn’t resist peeking through her fingers, her heart pounding and her face blushing as she stealthily sized him up.

"AHEM. Lin Fan, there’s news from Zhang Ao. He says the person you’re looking for has been frequenting a place called the Extreme Speed Taekwondo Gym. We have the address." Just then, a heavy cough sounded from outside the door, followed by Tie Hao’s deep voice.

"Extreme Speed Taekwondo Gym... Good. Thank Zhang Ao for me," Lin Fan said from inside the room, his eyes glinting as he finished dressing.

 He turned around and shook his head helplessly at the eagerly waiting Xia Bingbing. "You want to come along too, right? Go change. You can drive me there."

"Mhm, mhm! Wait for me! You have to wait for me!" Xia Bingbing nodded excitedly like a chick pecking at grain, then scampered off in her slippers.

"Like hell I’ll wait, I’m not an idiot," Lin Fan muttered with a bitter smile, not daring to delay. He immediately opened the door and urged Tie Hao, whose cheek couldn’t stop twitching, "Brother Tie! Please arrange a car for me. Let’s go now!"

 Chapter 174: Physical checkup?

"The person you’re looking for is named Kim Soohwan. He’s the crown prince of the Goryeo Guxin Group."

 A moment later, Tie Hao had someone borrow a black Mercedes with an ordinary license plate from a neighbor. He stood at the entrance of the mansion courtyard and handed the car keys to Lin Fan. Then, he pulled out a piece of paper with the address of the Extreme Speed Taekwondo Gym written on it.

"Moreover, there have been rumors in the Imperial Capital lately that the Ying family and the Guxin Group have grown very close. They’ve already reached many business cooperation agreements," Tie Hao added with a solemn expression, hesitating as if he had more to say.

"So it really does have something to do with Shen Yueli... Thanks, Brother Tie. I know what to do now." Lin Fan took the car keys and the note, giving a nod.

 Seeing Tie Hao hesitate, Lin Fan added lightly, "Don’t worry, I won’t cause any trouble for the Old Commander."

"Alright, be careful out there. To avoid suspicion, I won’t go with you." Tie Hao’s brow relaxed as he patted Lin Fan on the shoulder, but his gaze couldn’t help but drift toward the mansion’s interior.

 Damn it, I’ve been sold out!

 Lin Fan froze, his expression changing instantly as he grabbed the car keys and made to jump into the black Mercedes.

"Lin Fan! How dare you trick me! Go on, run! If you take one more step, I—I’ll never speak to you again!"

 The next moment, a shrill scream, tinged with anger and embarrassment, erupted from behind him.

 Lin Fan flinched and shot a speechless look at Tie Hao, who was struggling to suppress a smirk. Without a doubt, the guy had been deliberately stalling to buy Xia Bingbing time.

"Don’t look at me like that," Tie Hao grumbled in a muffled voice. "You get to walk away scot-free, but I’m the one the Young Miss is going to harass every day..." He turned and gave the passing Xia Bingbing a look that said, *Mission accomplished*.

"What are you looking at? How old are you, still playing childish games like this?"

 BANG!

 With a stern expression, Xia Bingbing strode over, yanked open the passenger door, and slid inside.

"Bingbing, I’m really going on official business. It might be dangerous," Lin Fan said, frowning as he clutched the keys.

"What danger could there be with you around? Lin Fan, don’t tell me you can’t even protect your own woman?"

 Xia Bingbing had changed into a simple white dress that made her look pure and youthfully radiant. She spoke nonchalantly as she took foundation and other cosmetics from her small purse, quickly touching up her makeup in the rearview mirror.

"This is all your fault! You kept me up all night, and my dark circles still haven’t faded!" Turning her head, Xia Bingbing pouted her red lips and chided Lin Fan coquettishly.

"Fine, fine, it’s my fault. It’s all my fault." Lin Fan’s head was starting to throb. He silently pulled open the driver’s side door.

 RUMBLE!

 The brand-new black Mercedes roared like a tiger unleashed from its cage. It sped away from the Xia Family Mansion, heading for the Extreme Speed Taekwondo Gym.

 Inside the mansion gates, Mr. Xia Sr. paced with his hands behind his back, his expression filled with emotion. "That kid hasn’t had it easy. Hiding in Haicheng for seven miserable years... I wonder how much grief he had to endure from the Su Family."

"The Young Marshal is merely a dragon stranded in shallow waters, not a creature meant for a small pond," Tie Hao said with a reassuring smile as he stepped forward to meet him. "He just needs one opportunity to rise again. You needn’t worry about him."

 Just after midnight last night, once Lin Fan’s whereabouts were exposed, the Xia family had effortlessly uncovered all the information about his past seven years. They had deliberately kept it from Xia Bingbing, however, to spare her feelings.

"Getting divorced is actually for the best. At least it might temper that stubborn-as-a-mule attitude of his... But that girl from the Hai City Yuan Family... Ah, well. Let the young people sort it out themselves." Mr. Xia Sr. massaged his temples, a wry smile on his face.

"That Yuan Youwei? How can she possibly compare to our Miss Bingbing?" Tie Hao shook his head with a confident smile. "Besides, the Young Marshal and Miss Bingbing are childhood sweethearts. Yuan Youwei doesn’t stand a chance."

"Whatever. In any case, that kid can only stay in the Imperial Capital for three days. He can’t cause too much trouble." Mr. Xia Sr. waved his hand dismissively, his expression growing somber again as he and Tie Hao walked back into the mansion side by side.

 Although the higher-ups in the Imperial Capital War Zone had made an exception and allowed Lin Fan to stay, the question of his future still required careful consideration. To simply cast aside such a figure would be a grave loss for Xia Country. But Lin Fan was still burdened by a false accusation. Until his name was cleared, he could not make a public appearance. It was a difficult, truly difficult situation.

「Southern Imperial Capital, Extreme Speed Taekwondo Gym.」

"Xiao Ya, this is the Extreme Speed Taekwondo Gym my brother runs! It’s been incredibly popular with the young people in the Imperial Capital over the years. We’ve had over ten thousand students in total!"

 SCREECH!

 A white BMW braked to a stop at the gym’s entrance. Inside the car, Kim Sooeun’s eyes shone with pride as she pointed to the red banner above the entrance.

"You came on the perfect day. You’ll even get to watch many Taekwondo masters compete in person."

"Mm-hm. Thanks, Sooeun. I would never have dared to come to a place like this by myself."

 Huang Xiaoya looked up. On the banner, the words "Extreme Speed Taekwondo Gym Anniversary Invitational Tournament" were brightly displayed.

 The two excitedly got out of the car and walked into the gym. The vast, brightly lit facility was already filled with people in white Taekwondo training uniforms. In the central area, a young man and woman were engaged in a fierce sparring match.

"Miss Kim, Mr. Jiang Taizhong is in his office. Please follow me." A lobby manager approached them, his face wreathed in smiles. He led the ever-curious Huang Xiaoya and Kim Sooeun to the office area on the second floor.

 After a knock, the door was pulled open from within, revealing a burly figure in a black leather vest. Unexpectedly, while his build was imposing, he had the handsome, slender face of a boy band member. His narrow eyes, however, looked somewhat murky and held a faint, wicked gleam.

"Oppa! It’s been so long! I missed you so, so much!" Kim Sooeun shrieked, pouncing forward as a blushing and slightly stunned Huang Xiaoya looked on. She threw herself at Jiang Taizhong, planting frantic, uninhibited kisses on his porcelain-white cheeks.

"Third Miss, is this lady your friend?" A faint smile touched Jiang Taizhong’s lips as he gently pushed the reluctant Kim Sooeun away. He fixed his gaze on Huang Xiaoya, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

 He had accompanied the Kim siblings to Xia Country many times and had his fair share of its women. But compared to the refined, petite girl before him, those flashy women from the clubs paled in significance.

"Mhm, mhm! She’s my good friend, Huang Xiaoya! She wants to learn Taekwondo from you, Oppa! She wants you to be her master!" Kim Sooeun gave the visibly uncomfortable Huang Xiaoya a little push forward as she made the happy introduction.

"Very well. For the Third Miss’s sake, I, Jiang Taizhong, will make an exception and accept you as my student." Jiang Taizhong frowned briefly, then nodded. "Come in by yourself," he said, gesturing into his office. "I need to assess your aptitude first to see if you’re suited for my high-intensity training."

"Xiao Ya, did you hear that? Hurry and go in, this is a rare opportunity! Whatever Oppa asks you to do later, you absolutely must agree!" Kim Sooeun urged her in a low, mysterious whisper, her eyes flicking toward Jiang Taizhong. When their gazes met, she couldn’t help but look smug, as if to say, *Aren’t you going to praise me?*

 Jiang Taizhong gave a slight nod in return, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

"Th-then, thank you in advance, Mr. Jiang."

 Huang Xiaoya had noticed the silent exchange between them. For some reason, an inexplicable unease settled in her heart. The lavishly decorated office ahead suddenly seemed to have a faint, sinister chill.

 CLICK.

 The door locked behind her, leaving Huang Xiaoya standing face-to-face with Jiang Taizhong.

"Miss Huang, take off all your clothes. I need to examine you carefully, bit by bit."

 Jiang Taizhong drew the curtains. When he turned back, his handsome, porcelain-white face was twisted into an undisguised, wicked smile.

 Chapter 175: The Worshipped Toy!

"Ah... Mr. Jiang, do we really have to take off our clothes?"

 Seeing this, Huang Xiaoya’s delicate body trembled slightly, her unease growing stronger. She shook her head, immediately retreating step by step to the door and grasping the doorknob.

"If that’s the case, then I won’t learn anymore. I’m sorry."

 CLICK.

 Huang Xiaoya pulled the door open, instantly revealing Kim Sooeun’s ice-cold face on the other side.

"Huang Xiaoya, what is the meaning of this? I kindly brought you here to become a disciple, so why won’t you listen to Oppa?" Kim Sooeun scolded harshly, as if she had become a completely different person.

"Sooeun, I don’t want to learn anymore. I don’t want to be touched by a stranger..." Huang Xiaoya said dazedly, quickly shaking her head to explain.

"Hmph, you’re being so melodramatic. Do you have any idea how many girls in Goryeo are desperate to receive Oppa’s affection?" Kim Sooeun crossed her arms, blocking the doorway to prevent Huang Xiaoya from leaving.

"If it weren’t for the fact that you’re still a virgin and capable of catching Oppa’s interest, do you think I would have brought you here?"

 What?! So this so-called good sister was planning to offer me to Jiang Taizhong as a plaything, just to curry favor with him?

 BOOM!

 Huang Xiaoya felt as if she had been struck by lightning, and her vision began to darken. She stood frozen to the spot, unmoving for a long time.

 Disappointment, anger, grievance... Tears swirled in her eyes, but she bit her lip hard and forced them back.

"Move aside! I have to go back to school for class!" Huang Xiaoya was growing angry and reached out to push Kim Sooeun away.

 SLAP!

 In response, she received a merciless slap across the face.

"Oppa has taken an interest in you! How dare you disappoint him? If you don’t satisfy Oppa today, don’t even think about leaving!"

 THUMP.

 Kim Sooeun forcefully pushed Huang Xiaoya back into the room, then slammed the door shut and locked it.

 The sounds of crying and a violent struggle erupted from within, only to fall silent a moment later. All that could be faintly heard was the heavy, coarse breathing of a man.

"Hehe, Oppa will definitely reward me well tonight for getting a taste of a beautiful virgin from Xia Country!" Remembering Jiang Taizhong’s prowess in bed, Kim Sooeun’s face flushed and her heart raced as she murmured in anticipation.

"Guard this place! Don’t let anyone come within half a step!" Turning her head, she commanded the smirking lobby manager at the end of the hall.

"Of course, Miss Kim. The invitational competition downstairs is about to start. Please, go and enjoy it," the lobby manager said with a bow, his eyes sneaking a glance at the locked office door.

 It had to be said, Jiang Taizhong was truly lucky with women. Rumor had it that he possessed a miraculous ability that could drive women to such ecstasy that, having had a taste, they could never leave him.

 Even as the Third Young Lady of the Guxin Group, Kim Sooeun had completely fallen for him, unable to extricate herself. She had even gone so far as to find other girls for him, just to win his favor.

 It wasn’t the first time a girl from Xia Country had resisted fiercely, but a large sum of money was always enough to shut them up afterward. After all, the Guxin Group was now working closely with the Ying family, the number one powerhouse in the Imperial Capital. With the Ying family’s influence, who would dare come to the Extreme Speed Taekwondo Gym and cause trouble for Jiang Taizhong?

 Not to mention, the man’s strength was terrifying. He was Goryeo’s number one Taekwondo master, known to the outside world as a Qi Condensation Grandmaster!

 A few days ago, some who were unconvinced had brought over a few so-called martial arts experts from Xia Country. Jiang Taizhong had beaten them black and blue in just a few moves, sending them fleeing in disarray.

"Why isn’t my brother back yet? Isn’t he the gym owner? He’s going to be late for his favorite event, the finals?"

 The two went downstairs and stood before the main hall, watching the various Taekwondo masters compete. Kim Sooeun glanced around, asking with some confusion.

"Mr. Kim seems to have gone to Haicheng. He’s taking over a pharmaceutical company from Xia Country gifted by the Ying family, planning to have a bit of fun with it," the chubby-faced lobby manager explained softly, a smile plastered on his face.

"These Daxia people are really servile wretches, desperately trying to please my brother. Hmph," Kim Sooeun said with a snort, tilting her chin up, her eyes filled with a sense of superiority.

"It’s true. Many Daxia people are unhappy with our Taekwondo Gym’s booming business and try to cause trouble, but Mr. Jiang and his men always drive them away," the lobby manager nodded in agreement, a proud smile on his face.

"I don’t know where these Daxia people get the nerve to dispute the orthodoxy of Han medicine with us Goryeo people, or to claim the origins of the Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival."

"Exactly! Those are our Goryeo traditions, with thousands of years of history. These Daxia thieves are despicable!" Kim Sooeun curled her red lips in disdain.

 An image of Lin Fan inexplicably appeared in her mind, causing her to roll her eyes dramatically.

"The funniest thing is, men from Xia Country have this inexplicable confidence. They dare to hit on a beautiful girl like me right on the street."

"I was so annoyed that I refused him, but he shamelessly persisted and ended up grabbing my hand so hard it hurt..." Kim Sooeun complained irritably, massaging her still swollen and aching wrist.

"What? Who would dare lay a hand on you? They must be courting death!" the lobby manager exclaimed, stunned for a moment before growing angry. "Third Young Lady, once the invitational competition is over, I’ll have Vice Director Liew Zhilong take some men to help you vent your anger!"

"Yes, yes! We must find that hateful bastard named Lin Fan and beat him so badly he won’t get out of bed for half a year... It’s him! It’s him!"

 Kim Sooeun nodded vigorously, but just as she was about to continue speaking, her eyes went wide. She stared in shock toward the gym entrance and screamed.

 There, she saw Lin Fan, now changed into a casual black suit, striding in with a tall, beautiful woman by his side.

 Their eyes met, and both of them froze for a moment.

"Lin Fan! You’re shameless! How dare you follow me here?"

 At Kim Sooeun’s shriek, the duel in the center of the hall gradually halted. A group of burly Taekwondo masters turned, their expressions unfriendly as they looked toward Lin Fan.

"Do all men from Xia Country enjoy pestering women like this? Can’t you have a shred of the gentlemanly demeanor of our Goryeo men?" The lobby manager’s expression shifted as he instantly understood the situation. He strode toward Lin Fan and his companion, pointing at them and sneering sarcastically.

"Everyone, look at this man from Xia Country named Lin Fan!" Kim Sooeun announced as she walked over, her chin held high with pride. "He just tried to add me on WeChat at the airport!

"It’s absolutely disgusting! I clearly refused him, but he deliberately followed me all the way here!"

 What?! How dare he harass the sister of our gym’s owner, Mr. Kim? This pretty boy from Xia Country is truly shameless!

"So gross! Why is he so confident?"

"Those Daxia people stole so many of our Goryeo’s traditional festivals! They lost all sense of shame long ago!"

"Damn it! He dares to come to our Goryeo territory to harass women? He’s really asking to die!"

 The Goryeo men and women in the crowd were all enraged. Even many of the Daxia students began to join in the shouting and cursing.

"Sorry, who are you?"

 The next moment, under a sea of disgusted and angry glares, Lin Fan simply glanced at Kim Sooeun, not bothering to spare her another thought.

"Be good and cover your ears," he said, giving Xia Bingbing a reassuring look.

"O-Okay," Xia Bingbing replied, her beautiful eyes showing a mix of anxiety and excitement as she quickly covered her small ears with her fair hands.

"Where is Kim Soohwan of the Guxin Group? Get out here!"

 Turning his head, Lin Fan scanned the surroundings, then, channeling the energy in his Dantian, he roared.

 BOOM!

 The deafening voice exploded like a clap of thunder, even causing the chandeliers on the ceiling to shake and rattle.

 The cacophony of curses came to an abrupt halt. Everyone clutched their ears in pain, their heads ringing.

 In the office on the second floor, Jiang Taizhong was just about to slowly undress the unconscious Huang Xiaoya and indulge himself. His expression flickered, and he turned his head toward the door.

 A Righteous Energy expert? These Martial Artists from Xia Country truly don’t know their own limits. They dare to come back?

 Grabbing his phone from the desk, Jiang Taizhong smirked coldly. He immediately sent a voice message to Vice Director Liew Zhilong.

"Don’t hold back. Surround him and beat him to death! We need to make an example of him, so those flies from Xia Country stop buzzing around here!"

 Chapter 176: Can you please not flatter yourself?

"Mr. Jiang, a guy named Lin Fan is here causing trouble, and he brought a very beautiful young woman with him!"

 A few seconds later, Deputy Director Liew Zhilong replied with a message and a winking emoji.

"...Make a bet with him. If he loses, he has to leave the girl behind."

 Jiang Taizhong replied quickly, licking his lips as he glanced at Huang Xiaoya, who was unconscious on the sofa.

 He was known as a Taekwondo master on the surface, but in reality, he was cultivating a sinister technique that required him to frequently harvest female energy to replenish his own. As his strength skyrocketed, the desires inside him grew more intense. Since they dared to come straight to my door, why should I be polite? After all, the Ying family will clean up after me. I have nothing to fear! I wonder if I should call Sooeun too... haha!

 Imagining the delightful scene of one man and three women, Jiang Taizhong couldn’t contain himself any longer. He locked his door, went to the railing on the second-floor corridor, and gazed down at the training hall below with his hands clasped behind his back.

"You clearly came here to pester me, so why are you pretending you’re looking for my brother?"

 At that moment, down at the edge of the training hall, Kim Sooeun rubbed her ears, which were ringing from the shouting, and took a few steps forward. She pointed at Lin Fan and yelled, a smug look in her eyes as if she had seen through his ruse.

"Are you serious? You think my man would be interested in someone like you?"

 However, before Lin Fan could speak, Xia Bingbing rolled her eyes and curled her red lips in disdain.

"Just look at yourself. You have no breasts, no butt, a waist as thick as a bucket, and legs as short and stout as white radishes. Please, if you can’t afford a mirror, I can lend you one."

 As her words fell, a deathly silence descended upon the hall. The group of Taekwondo masters exchanged glances, unsure how to retort. Even though they wanted to curry favor with Kim Sooeun, the woman from Xia Country was simply too dazzling in her temperament, figure, and appearance. She completely overshadowed Kim Sooeun, the delinquent girl with dyed-blonde hair and large tattoos covering her arms.

"You... you... Do you know who I am?!" Kim Sooeun stammered, her face flushing crimson as she shrieked with humiliation and rage.

"Miss, do not offend our Third Miss. You can’t afford to provoke her," the hall manager threatened, his pale, plump face turning stern.

"And do you know who I am?" Xia Bingbing retorted, raising a delicate eyebrow.

 With her status, there was truly little to fear in the entire Imperial Capital. Although Mr. Xia Sr. had retired from the front lines years ago, the Xia family’s foundation remained strong. In terms of power, they were at least among the top four influential families in the Imperial Capital. Forget this young punk from Goryeo. Even if Ying Yutang, the Third Miss of the Ying family, were here, Xia Bingbing wouldn’t have to show her any courtesy.

"Ugly people are always causing trouble. Can you stop being so delusional? How dare you insult my Lin Fan’s taste?" Xia Bingbing sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead in exasperation. She completely ignored the twitch at the corner of Lin Fan’s mouth as he discreetly tried to pull his arm from her tight grip.

"Hmph, I don’t care who you are! This is Goryeo territory! If you dare to offend me, you’re not leaving today!"

 Seeing the eyes of many of the men fixed on Xia Bingbing, and even the female students glaring with envy, jealousy, and resentment, Kim Sooeun’s own rage and jealousy boiled over. She finally realized she had misunderstood Lin Fan’s intentions. Xia Bingbing’s accusation of her being "delusional" felt like an invisible slap across her face. It stung, a burning, humiliating pain. Screaming in fury, Kim Sooeun decided to teach this shameless pair a harsh lesson.

"Lin Fan, get them!" Xia Bingbing snorted, then quickly scurried behind him to hide. She then poked her head out, a taunting grin on her face as she looked at Kim Sooeun.

 Seeing this, Kim Sooeun nearly exploded with rage. "Beat them! Beat them senseless and throw them out!" she shrieked at the hall manager, so furious she wanted to jump into the fight herself.

"Third Miss, please calm down. Allow me to handle this."

 Just then, a middle-aged man in a white Taekwondo uniform with a black belt stepped forward, stopping the hall manager with a single look. He shook his head at Kim Sooeun before turning to the expressionless Lin Fan.

"I am Deputy Director Liew Zhilong. If you wish to see our director, Kim Soohwan, you must first defeat the experts in our dojo to earn the right."

 Before Lin Fan could reply, Liew Zhilong’s gaze fell upon Xia Bingbing, a flash of astonishment in his eyes. "However, if you lose, you’ll have to leave your girlfriend behind. Our head instructor, Mr. Jiang Taizhong, will give her a thorough physical examination!" he declared loudly, pointing at Xia Bingbing.

 Instantly, the dojo erupted in jeering laughter. Many of the male students had lecherous grins on their faces, their eyes filled with excitement. Meanwhile, the female students who were secretly jealous of Xia Bingbing exchanged glances, their eyes glinting with cold, schadenfreude-filled smiles.

"Lin Fan, do you dare? Who do you think you are to come here looking for my brother?" Kim Sooeun laughed as well, crossing her arms and taunting him in a mocking tone.

"What’s there to be afraid of?" Lin Fan swept his gaze across the room and shook his head. "You’re all too weak. Tell that guy on the second floor to come down. He’s barely qualified to trade blows with me."

 He ignored the shocked expressions on everyone’s faces and looked up at Jiang Taizhong, who was watching from the railing. Their eyes met. Jiang Taizhong’s lips curled into a wicked, intrigued smirk. Then, he gave a thumbs-up before jabbing it downward.

"Damn it! How arrogant!"

"Who do you think you are to challenge Mr. Jiang directly?"

"Mr. Jiang is a Qi Condensation Grandmaster! He could kill you with a single slap!"

 The Taekwondo experts in the hall erupted in fury, hurling insults at Lin Fan. Kim Sooeun and her two companions just sneered, looking at him as if he were already a dead man.

"Where’s Jiang Taizhong? Get the hell out here!"

 At this, Lin Fan frowned, no longer willing to waste any more time. Just as he was about to make a move, the screech of a car’s brakes sounded from the entrance of the dojo. Then, a loud, gruff voice boomed, capturing everyone’s attention.

"So you all look down on the martial arts experts of Xia Country and claim Taekwondo is the best in the world? Today, I’m going to make you open your dog eyes and take a good look!"

 The speaker was a fat man with his head wrapped in white bandages, limping on a single crutch. His bruised and swollen face was a mask of rage. Behind him followed three middle-aged men with their hands clasped behind their backs. They all wore indifferent expressions, as if they looked down on everyone else.

"Haha, you fatso! Didn’t you learn your lesson last time? You’re back to get beaten up again today?" the hall manager sneered, rolling his eyes.

"Third Miss, this guy brought people to cause trouble a few days ago, and I beat them all down. I can’t believe he has the nerve to come back today," Deputy Director Liew Zhilong explained to Kim Sooeun in a low, mocking voice.

"Hmph. So it’s just a bunch of losers. Don’t you men from Xia Country have any sense of shame?" Kim Sooeun asked with an arrogant nod.

"I was just careless last time! That’s the only reason I fell for your tricks!" the fat man roared, his face turning beet red. Then, he finally noticed Xia Bingbing standing behind Lin Fan, and his small eyes widened in astonishment.

"Bingbing, how did you get tricked into coming here too?"

 Chapter 177: none of you are good enough.

"What do you mean, ’deceived’? I brought Lin Fan here to challenge the gym!" Xia Bingbing glared at the fatty. Then, without mercy, she grabbed his ear and twisted it hard a few times.

"Fatty Chu, show some respect in front of your brother-in-law. Who gave you permission to call me Bingbing?"

"And remember this, from now on, you’re to call me ’Sister Bingbing’!"

"Hiss... Xia Bingbing, you heartless woman! I poured my heart out for you, and you go and fall for some other man, a pretty boy at that!" The man known as Fatty Chu howled in pain as he struggled free. With a look of pure resentment, he pointed a trembling finger at Lin Fan, his chapped lips quivering with rage.

"It was bad enough when you were obsessed with that bastard Ying Bufan, but now you’ve found a look-alike replacement? Xia Bingbing, how am I any worse than him!"

"Did you borrow my Mercedes just to let this pretty boy drive it? Damn it! The guy’s a broke loser who has to borrow a car! How could you be stupid enough to fall for his tricks?"

 Fatty Chu turned to look at the black Mercedes parked outside the gym, feeling like he was about to explode. Driving my own car to woo the woman I adore? How infuriating! This is simply maddening!

"You’re the fourth son from the Chu family, next door to the Xias, aren’t you? Still in college, right? What are you doing here?" Seeing the display, Lin Fan paused for a moment before finally recognizing him. Though they hadn’t interacted much, they were familiar faces. Has it only been seven years? He’s ballooned into a sphere!

"Who the hell are you? Do I know you? Get away from my goddess! You’re not worthy of her!" Fatty Chu snarled, rolling his eyes.

 SLAP!

 Before he could say another word, Xia Bingbing smacked him on the back of the head.

"Call him brother-in-law! Don’t you know any manners?" Xia Bingbing raised her hand again irritably, making Fatty Chu flinch and pitifully jump back to dodge.

 This guy had been her shadow since they were kids. He wasn’t a bad person, really. But what happened? We haven’t seen each other for just a few days, and he looks this pathetic?

"What did you get yourself into with them? Tell me clearly, and I’ll have your brother-in-law get revenge for you!" Xia Bingbing urged, her brow furrowed with a mix of concern and disappointment.

"Him? Forget it. It’s a good thing I spent a fortune to hire three martial arts masters. Otherwise, the two of you would probably be in the same boat!" Fatty Chu said sullenly, shrinking his head back.

"A female classmate from my university was tricked into studying Taekwondo here, and then that animal, Jiang Taizhong, raped her. Afterward, the guy tried to buy her silence, but she couldn’t stand it and went to the police. But they used their connections to get the case buried, and in the end... they drove her to jump to her death!"

 As he spoke, Fatty Chu’s eyes grew red, and his breathing became ragged. "Her family is from a rural village far from the city. Her parents rushed here overnight to claim her body, and they cried until they couldn’t see... I couldn’t take it. Against my family’s wishes, I brought people here to get justice for her, but who knew...!"

 He gritted his teeth so hard they audibly scraped, veins bulging on his forehead as he trailed off.

"That’s outrageous! This is the Imperial Capital! Who could be so brazen as to shelter them?!" Hearing the story, Xia Bingbing was also furious, her fists clenched tightly.

"Who else could it be but that pack of animals from the Ying family?" Lin Fan’s gaze turned cold, his jaw tightening. Allowing a bunch of Goryeons to run wild on the soil of Xia Country? Very well. I’d like to see just how long the Ying family can protect them!

"You... how did you know?" Fatty Chu stared at Lin Fan, his expression changing dramatically in astonishment.

"The head of this Taekwondo Gym, Kim Soohwan, kidnapped a good friend of mine and stole all his assets." Lin Fan glanced at the three middle-aged men behind Fatty Chu, frowning imperceptibly. These three emitted faint fluctuations of Qi Force. They must all be at the peak of the Late Ming Jin stage. They don’t stand much of a chance against Jiang Taizhong, who’s in the Hua Realm on the second floor.

"Hmph. Consider yourself lucky for Sister Bingbing’s sake," Fatty Chu nodded, the hostility in his eyes toward Lin Fan noticeably receding. "Master Yang, Master Song, Master Jiang, we’re counting on you today! After this is done, I’ll add an extra ten million to your bonus!"

 Turning to the three middle-aged men, Fatty Chu spoke with a respectful tone.

"Hmph, just a few small fries who practice Taekwondo. Young Master Chu, you’re making a mountain out of a molehill," said Master Yang. He was tall and thin, but his palms were thick and broad like a pair of iron shovels. "My Iron Sand Palm has been unmatched in the Jianghu for decades. I alone am more than enough for this."

"Indeed. To summon the heads of three major martial arts gyms personally... we’re giving these Goryeo sticks far too much credit," added Master Song. He was stout and powerful, with a face as red as a date and a bald head as shiny as a hard-boiled egg. He spoke in a booming voice with his arms crossed, his prominent temples pulsing occasionally.

"Young Master Chu, if you encounter such trivial matters in the future, please don’t ask all three of us to appear at once. We wouldn’t want to cause a panic among our peers in the martial arts community," said Master Jiang, his face grim and his slender, withered hands resembling a bird’s claws. He held a cigarette between his fingers, squinting and shaking his head with a hint of displeasure.

"Kid, what are you looking at? Step aside. This isn’t a scene you can be a part of," Master Yang snapped, his expression darkening with annoyance as he noticed Lin Fan staring at them.

"Young Master Chu, this is your friend, right? Tell them both to stand back so they don’t get hurt by accident," Master Song chimed in. "My techniques are powerful and wide-sweeping. Once I start, I can’t be held responsible for the lives of bystanders!" Master Jiang also snorted coldly, both of them clearly dismissing Lin Fan entirely.

 Just then, Lin Fan looked away and shook his head. "You’re not good enough." He then glanced at the other two. "And you two are even worse."

 What? Do we, the renowned masters of the Iron Sand Palm, Golden Bell Shield, and Dragon Claw Hand, not measure up in his eyes? Such arrogance! What grandiose boasts!

"Young Master Chu, what is the meaning of this? Did you deliberately bring someone here to mock us?" Master Yang’s face soured. "If you think we’re not good enough, then find someone better! We’ll take our leave!"

 Master Song and Master Jiang were so furious they rolled their eyes and stormed off.

"No, please don’t! Masters, don’t listen to that pretty boy’s nonsense!" Fatty Chu yelped, jumping in panic. He quickly limped after them to block their path. "He’s all talk! How else do you think he managed to trick my goddess Bingbing?"

 Turning back, Fatty Chu glared at Lin Fan. "If you have nothing good to say, shut up! No one will think you’re mute!"

"Hmph. In the entire Imperial Capital, only The Four War Gods might be able to best the three of us. Who the hell do you think you are, kid?" Master Yang sneered, looking at Lin Fan as if he were an idiot.

 Master Song and Master Jiang, who had paused, nodded in solemn agreement.

"The Four War Gods?" At this, Xia Bingbing let out a laugh, exchanging a knowing glance with Lin Fan. "Have you not heard? Just recently, Lin Fan single-handedly brought The Four War Gods to their knees."

 The boisterous gym was plunged into a dead silence, which was immediately followed by a roar of thunderous laughter.

 Chapter 178: The fate of the loser!

"Young girl, you’re too naive. Do you really believe such nonsense?"

"The Four War Gods are all Hua Jing Grandmasters. This pretty boy? He’d be lucky to block a single one of their moves!"

 Master Yang huffed indignantly and turned his head away abruptly. Master Song snickered, his face cold as he retorted. Master Jiang’s eyes bulged, his chastising tone growing aggressive.

"Sister Bingbing, have you lost your mind? What kind of potion has Lin Fan fed you!" Fatty Chu’s face turned crimson, his nose practically crooked with rage as the slightly improved impression he had of Lin Fan instantly vanished without a trace.

"Can’t you at least think before you brag? The Imperial Capital’s Four War Gods are esteemed figures. You think you can take down all four of them by yourself?"

 Fatty Chu was utterly furious, determined to expose Lin Fan in front of Xia Bingbing. After shouting at Lin Fan, he immediately pulled out his smartphone.

"Hmph, you didn’t expect this, did you? I have the Hector War God Zhang Ao’s WeChat! I’m going to tell him right now that someone is trampling on the dignity of the Four War Gods!"

 Ignoring the puzzled looks on Lin Fan’s and Xia Bingbing’s faces, Fatty Chu immediately started a video call.

 Seeing this, Kim Sooeun crossed her arms, clearly pleased. "Haha, Lin Fan, you finally can’t keep up the act, can you?" she asked, a mocking glint in her eyes.

 Nearby, the hall manager and Deputy Head Liew Zhilong exchanged smiles. The other Taekwondo experts in the hall, along with the students, also laughed and shook their heads. The fame of the Imperial Capital’s Four War Gods was legendary, even to them.

 Forget a mere pretty boy like Lin Fan; even Deputy Head Liew Zhilong and the other masters wouldn’t stand a chance against them. Even Jiang Taizhong, the top Taekwondo practitioner in Goryeo, probably wouldn’t dare to take on all four at once!

"Hey, Fatty Chu, what’s up?"

 Just then, his video call request was accepted, and the smartphone screen immediately displayed the bruised and swollen face of a man.

 Fatty Chu froze, his mouth gaping open in shock. "Hiss... Brother Zhang, what happened to you?"

 In the entire Imperial Capital, who could possibly leave the leader of the Four War Gods in such a sorry state?

"It’s nothing, I just sparred with Huang Liu and the others," Zhang Ao’s expression flickered for a moment before he shook his head nonchalantly. "If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up. We still have training to do."

"Wait, don’t hang up! Brother Zhang, do you recognize this guy? He’s lying, claiming he just took down all four of you!" Fatty Chu said in a panic, quickly pointing the front-facing camera at Lin Fan.

 One second, two seconds, three seconds... their eyes met.

 Lin Fan let out a wry smile and gave a slight nod as a greeting.

 On the other side of the screen, Zhang Ao’s body jerked, his eyes widening as if he had seen a ghost.

 Damn it, who was it? Who leaked this classified information? This will utterly disgrace the Imperial Capital’s Four War Gods!

"Brother Zhang, hey, Brother Zhang, what’s wrong?"

 Seeing that Lin Fan showed no sign of panic and instead appeared quite composed, Fatty Chu grew dissatisfied and quickly turned the camera back to himself.

"Uh... Fatty, what are you talking about? My signal is bad over here, gotta hang up!"

 CLICK!

 The next moment, Zhang Ao forced a stiff smile on the screen. Before Fatty Chu could say another word, he ended the call as if his pants were on fire.

 What the hell! What just happened? Is this the same haughty Hector War God who looked down on everyone?

 Fatty Chu stared, his eyes wide with disbelief. The nearby Master Yang and the other two were equally dumbfounded. Even Liew Zhilong and his group, standing opposite them, looked on with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty.

 No one was a fool. For the leader of the Four War Gods, Zhang Ao, to appear so flustered could only mean one thing.

 This man named Lin Fan was not as simple as he looked.

"Heh, so much for the so-called leader of the Four War Gods. I think he’s just a fame-seeking fraud!" Kim Sooeun scoffed, turning her head away dismissively. Watching them turn on each other was incredibly satisfying.

"What are you so arrogant about!" Fatty Chu’s face flushed. He lowered his phone and shouted at Kim Sooeun, unwilling to back down. "I’m telling you, it’s only because Brother Zhang has a special status and can’t intervene! Otherwise, he could wipe out your crappy gym in minutes!"

"Cut the crap. Are you going to fight or not?" Deputy Head Liew Zhilong stepped forward, his expression grim. "Don’t say we’re ganging up on you. No matter how many of you step up, we’ll take you all on."

"However, if you lose this time, you’ll not only have to kneel outside our Taekwondo Gym for a full day and night, shouting ’Taekwondo is number one in the world,’ but you’ll also have to leave her behind!" he added, pointing a finger at Xia Bingbing with a malicious sneer.

"Do you dare take the bet? If not, just surrender now and spare yourselves the pain!"

"Hmph, what’s there to be afraid of? The three of us are more than enough for a bunch of small fries like you, even if you all attack at once," Master Yang stepped forward, responding coolly with his head held high and his hands clasped behind his back.

"Kid, you talk a big game. Do you dare join us?" Master Song asked, turning his head to look at Lin Fan deliberately.

"That’s right. Even in a four-on-four battle of attrition, you can just be a filler. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose. If you’ve got the guts, then come on!" Master Jiang added with a sinister smirk.

 The three masters exchanged a look, nodding in tacit agreement.

 They had long since grown tired of seeing this pretty boy, Lin Fan, attracting so much attention and even slightly overshadowing their own renown as martial arts masters. Hmph, if they didn’t teach him a lesson, his ego would only grow more inflated!

"Fine. I’m short on time, so I’ll go first," Lin Fan said with an indifferent expression, nodding noncommittally amidst the strange stares.

 He then gave Xia Bingbing a reassuring glance and stepped forward to face Kim Sooeun and the others.

"Come on. I don’t mind if you all attack at once."

 What? Still talking big at a time like this?

"Teacher Liew, let me teach him a lesson!"

 His words sent an uproar through the Taekwondo Gym. A tall Daxia male student could no longer hold back. With a loud shout, he strode out from the crowd without waiting for Liew Zhilong’s permission and glared at Lin Fan, craning his neck.

"Why is a Daxia person like you mixed up with this lot?" Lin Fan asked, frowning slightly.

"What, so I should be like you and just run my mouth?" the student sneered, his lip twitching with disdain. "In this world, strength is what matters. What’s wrong with me learning from them to become stronger? You, on the other hand, should open your eyes and see what real power looks like!"

 After his roar, the man spread his arms, lowered his knees, and, like a raging bull, bellowed as he charged toward Lin Fan.

"Third Miss, Fang Mang is one of our gym’s top students. His strength ranks in the top ten," the hall manager whispered to Kim Sooeun.

"Very good. One Fang Mang is enough to handle someone like Lin Fan. Let the Daxia people tear each other apart. The fiercer, the better," Kim Sooeun replied, her lips curling into a vicious smile.

 SLAP!

 The next moment, a crisp slap echoed through the hall. The furiously advancing Fang Mang let out a miserable scream and was sent flying backward, spewing blood.

 THUD!

 His large, burly body crashed heavily at Kim Sooeun’s feet, causing her to lose her composure, shriek, and jump out of the way.

 The vast gym fell into a dead silence, broken only by Fang Mang, who was clutching his head, twitching and wailing in pain.

"So handsome! He’s truly worthy of being the man I, Xia Bingbing, chose!" Xia Bingbing’s eyes lit up as she pumped her fist in triumph.

 Nearby, Fatty Chu’s jaw hung open, completely dazed. Even the three masters, who had been sneering just moments before, sobered up and exchanged bewildered glances.

 Who could have thought Lin Fan would win so easily? With just a casual slap, he had sent Fang Mang, a practitioner at the peak of the Dark Energy realm, flying.

 Damn it! If we had known he was such a pushover, we should have gone first! What a huge mistake. We just handed Lin Fan a golden opportunity to show off!

 As Master Yang and the others were silently kicking themselves, the Taekwondo experts on the other side snapped out of their shock, their expressions turning to a mixture of fury and alarm.

 WHOOSH!

 They all rushed forward and started punching and kicking the downed Fang Mang.

"Waste! How could you lose to that Daxia person, Lin Fan!"

"Damn it! We never should have accepted you as a student! You’re a disgrace to Goryeo’s Taekwondo!"

 The group shouted, showing no mercy in their blows. Within moments, Fang Mang was bruised and bleeding from his mouth and nose, wailing and begging for mercy.

"Throw this trash out," commanded a cold voice from the railing on the second floor. Jiang Taizhong stood with his hands behind his back, his face a grim mask. "And don’t ever let him set foot in the Extreme Speed Taekwondo Gym again!"

 Chapter 179: Lin Fan is angry!

"No, don’t, please don’t!"

"Mr. Jiang! I love Taekwondo! What happened just now was an accident, please give me another chance!"

 Upon hearing this, Fang Mang’s face went pale with terror. Ignoring his injuries, he struggled to his feet. Facing Jiang Taizhong, he began to kowtow and weep desperately.

"Get lost! Our Goryeo Taekwondo does not accept trash as students!"

 CRACK! CRACK!

 With a grim expression, Liew Zhilong strode forward. He lifted his foot and kicked Fang Mang’s thigh twice with brutal force.

 The latter let out a scream like a slaughtered pig and collapsed onto the ground. His legs were twisted into unnatural angles, his thigh bones clearly shattered.

 THUD!

 Two large, imposing male students grabbed the near-unconscious Fang Mang and tossed him out onto the street.

"Ah... ah, why are you doing this to me?!" he wailed from the street. "I ignored what everyone else thought of me and desperately defended you Goryeo! How could you be so cruel, so heartless?!"

 On the street, Fang Mang’s eyes were bloodshot as he let out a resentful roar. He beat the ground furiously, looking as if he was about to lose his mind, just like an old dog abandoned by its master.

"Isn’t that one of the top ten students from the Extreme Speed Taekwondo Gym? How did he get thrown out?"

"Pathetic. He spent all his time groveling before those Goryeo dogs, and now he’s nothing but a stray."

"Pah! I say he deserved it! The other day, I just complained that those Goryeo guys were too loud, and he threatened me with his fists."

 The commotion drew the attention of passersby, who stopped to stare and point. Neighboring shopkeepers peered out from their doorways, chattering amongst themselves. Some looked on with pity, while others just shook their heads. One man, his face contorted with hatred, spat a thick wad of phlegm onto the ground.

"Save me, please save me! I don’t want to die! I was wrong, I’ll never say a good word for those Goryeo dogs again..."

 Fang Mang dragged his broken legs, leaving a bloody trail as he crawled along the side of the street. He pleaded hoarsely, but no one paid him any mind.

"You all see that? That’s the fate of a loser!"

 Inside the Taekwondo Gym, Liew Zhilong withdrew his gaze from the door and glared fiercely at the Daxia students. They looked at each other, their expressions complicated, wanting to speak but holding back.

 We paid so much in tuition just to be pointed at and called trash? Not to mention, Fang Mang was a star student among us. But just because he lost to Lin Fan, he was thrown away like garbage! At that moment, a complex mix of emotions washed over the dozens of Daxia students, and they all began to feel a sense of regret.

"Alright, if you can’t handle losing, then all of you can come at me at once," Lin Fan said, looking away from the door with a slight frown.

 Clearly, this bunch of Goryeo dogs is making a mountain out of a molehill, just venting their frustration. They’re deliberately humiliating Fang Mang, a fellow Daxia person, right in front of us. An inexplicable anger rose in his heart. Lin Fan glanced at the Daxia students standing awkwardly in the corner. How stupid do you have to be to keep licking the boots of these Goryeo dogs? Very well, then don’t blame me for being ruthless. I’ll let you all see just how pathetically weak your precious Goryeo Taekwondo truly is!

 His jaw muscles clenched silently. Lin Fan’s gaze grew cold; he was getting angry.

"Lost? How did we lose? Fang Mang was just making a fool of himself. We never agreed to let that piece of trash represent the gym!" the now-composed Kim Sooeun scoffed, a cunning glint in her eyes.

"Miss Kim is right! It’s not that our Goryeo Taekwondo is lacking, but that you Daxia people have inferior genetics!" the hall manager chimed in, his chubby face flushing with smugness. "Despite receiving Director Liew’s careful instruction, you’re still so pathetic. It just proves you Daxia people are rotten wood that can’t be carved!"

"Yeah, they were always faking it, and now their true colors are showing!"

"Damn it! I told you Daxia people are unfit to learn Taekwondo! Only our superior Goryeo race can make it flourish!"

 Many of the Taekwondo experts nearby chimed in, scoffing and shouting their agreement.

"Oh, so you’re just going to shamelessly deny the result of the first match, is that it?" Xia Bingbing let out an exasperated laugh, rolling her eyes dramatically.

"Shit, could you Goryeo people be any more shameless!" Fatty Chu bellowed, jumping in fury.

 Master Yang and the other two shook their heads in disdain, their faces filled with contempt. They had long heard of Goryeo’s shameless behavior, how they repeatedly cheated in international competitions. Sometimes, they were so ruthless they would even backstab their own people. It wasn’t until they witnessed it with their own eyes that they realized the rumors were entirely true.

"Enough crap. If you want to continue, you’ll play by our rules!" Liew Zhilong’s face was grim as he waved his hand fiercely. "Zhixun, you’re up! Teach him a harsh lesson!"

"Yes, Teacher! Rest assured, I’ll make these Daxia people submit to the superiority of our Goryeo Taekwondo!" a stout Goryeo man replied, stepping forward and bowing deeply to Liew Zhilong.

 Turning his head, He Zhixun sneered at Lin Fan, cracking his thick knuckles. "Come on. Don’t say we Goryeo bully you. I’ll even let you have the first move!"

 He straightened up and beckoned Lin Fan over with a gesture one might use for a dog. The humiliating motion sent Kim Sooeun and the others into fits of raucous laughter.

 A mocking smile played on Lin Fan’s lips. "You’ll regret that for the rest of your life." The fury in his eyes could no longer be suppressed.

 BOOM!

 The floor shook as he shot toward He Zhixun like a human cannonball.

"Gasp... Damn it! Wait, hold on, I’m not ready yet!"

 A figure flashed like lightning as a fierce wind assaulted his face. In an instant, He Zhixun’s smile froze, his eyes bulging as if they would pop out of their sockets. He gasped, sick with regret and wishing he could slap himself. I knew Lin Fan had some skill, but I never expected him to be this ferocious!

 Terrified, He Zhixun screamed for him to stop, unable to muster an ounce of courage to fight back.

 CRACK! CRACK!

 Just as he gritted his teeth and turned to flee, he found Lin Fan was already pressed up against him—so close he could feel the man’s heavy breathing.

 He Zhixun’s groin tightened, and he nearly wet himself in fear. His eyes were frantic. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Lin Fan sent him screaming into the air with a single slap.

 With a grim face, Lin Fan followed up with a volley of swift kicks. He juggled the screaming He Zhixun in the air like a soccer ball, sending him up and down. The sickening crunch of breaking bones echoed relentlessly through the hall.

"Enough! Stop!" Liew Zhilong roared, his face as ghastly as if he’d swallowed a dead fly. He could no longer stand by and watch as He Zhixun was kicked to the verge of death, spitting up mouthfuls of blood.

"So, how about it? Do you concede?" Xia Bingbing challenged before Lin Fan could speak.

"Yeah, do you concede?!" Fatty Chu chimed in, realizing what she was doing. "Don’t you go fucking cheating and backing out again!"

 I really underestimated Lin Fan before. The guy might be annoying, but damn, what he does is satisfying as hell! As his pent-up frustration vented, Fatty Chu started to find Lin Fan much less disagreeable.

"Hmph. Fine... I suppose you can consider this round your win," the hall manager said through gritted teeth, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

 I have no choice. He Zhixun isn’t just the fifth-ranked Goryeo student here; he’s also related to the prestigious Kim family. If Lin Fan kills him in public, it’ll cause huge trouble!

"Is this the ’superior race’ you were all talking about?"

 THUD!

 After getting their concession, Lin Fan smiled. With a flick of his toe, he sent the broken form of He Zhixun flying toward Liew Zhilong and his cohort. His demeanor was so nonchalant, it was as if he were just kicking away a bag of trash.

"In my opinion, this so-called world’s number one bullshit Goryeo Taekwondo is nothing special."

 Amidst the shocked and furious glares of the Taekwondo Gym members, Lin Fan coolly pulled out a pack of wet wipes. He took one out, carefully wiped the bloodstains off his leather shoes, and then tossed the wipe away with a look of utter disgust.

"WHO! ELSE?!"

 Ignoring the shocked and pale faces of the crowd, Lin Fan channeled energy from his Dantian and swept his gaze across the room. His overwhelming aura, like that of a God of Killing descended to the mortal realm, suppressed all in his presence.

 Chapter 180: You go and rest!

"Damn it, this bastard is just insanely arrogant!"

"Humiliation! This is blatant humiliation!"

"Ah, shit, I’m going to kill you!"

"Go to hell, you Xia Country trash!"

"Teacher Liew, please let me up there! I want to crush every single one of his bones with my own hands!"

 Seeing this, the Taekwondo experts were all furious, the veins on their foreheads throbbing with rage.

"He’s... he’s so powerful..." The Xia Country students in the corner stared with wide eyes, feeling an exhilarating sense of vindication.

"I forbid you from losing to that bastard again! If you do, I’ll have my brother fire you all!" Kim Sooeun’s expression turned ugly as she glared fiercely at the hall manager and Liew Zhilong. The two men looked equally aggrieved, their cheeks puffing out repeatedly.

 On the floor lay He Zhixun, whom Lin Fan had kicked into a bloody mess. Even his own mother wouldn’t recognize him. He had suffered comminuted fractures all over his body; he looked less like a man and more like a pile of mangled flesh. Even if he survived, he would be wheelchair-bound for the rest of his life. Clearly, Lin Fan was simply using the same methods they had used against Fang Mang, intentionally striking a vicious blow to return the favor.

"Pei Jun, Quan Songyong, you’re with me!" Liew Zhilong took a deep breath, his eyes bloodshot and his gaze turning savage. They couldn’t let Lin Fan act so arrogantly any longer. Otherwise, even a victory would feel utterly humiliating.

 Following his low growl, two powerful, muscular male students responded with a shout and walked grimly to Liew Zhilong’s side. They were the strongest fighters in the hall, ranked first and second. They were both Mid Ming Jin experts, second only to Liew Zhilong, who was at the peak of Late Ming Jin.

"I’ll say it again: all of you, come at me at once. Don’t waste my time," Lin Fan said indifferently. He then mimicked He Zhixun’s earlier gesture, beckoning them with his hand as if calling a dog.

"Ah, shit!"

"Die! Just die!"

 This time, Kim Sooeun and the others couldn’t manage a smile. Instead, their faces contorted as they shrieked and roared. Liew Zhilong and his two students glanced at each other, then all laughed in fury.