Chapter 111: Unforgivable Provocation

Although Liu Lixiong had only met Lin Dong once, and that was over half a month ago, the impression left by that encounter was extremely deep. A casual remark could change Jiuzun’s mind, which showed just how high Lin Dong’s status was in his eyes. Liu Lixiong had no doubt about Lin Dong’s claim—they were friends despite the age gap! Even the most powerful sects wouldn’t dare offend such a relationship. Now, here he was, a mid-tier sect elder, yet still daring to show up and even start fighting. It might seem impressive, but Liu Lixiong didn’t even dare think about the consequences.
Sweat poured down his back like a storm, drenching him instantly.
Seeing Liu Lixiong, Lin Dong was also momentarily stunned. His first thought was that Liu Lixiong had discovered his identity and brought along the arch-rival of Old Ding. But upon seeing Liu Lixiong’s expression, he quickly dismissed this idea. After a brief reflection, he understood—Liu Lixiong must be Liu Qingling’s uncle. What puzzled him was why Liu Lixiong had been in Xilan City for half a month before showing up to cause trouble now.
Glancing at Feng Cheng and several young men behind Liu Lixiong, Lin Dong guessed the reason—Liu Lixiong was probably waiting for reinforcements.
“Qingling…” Liu Yejian roared, his long sword pointed at Lin Dong, desperate to tear him apart. Fortunately, he still had some sense and knew he couldn’t charge forward.
“Scoundrel! Put Qingling down, or don’t blame the Liu family for turning your inn to rubble!” Liu Zhengkuan shouted angrily.
Since they were acquaintances and he was acting that way, Lin Dong naturally understood that as long as he didn’t want things to escalate, he probably didn’t need to use his kicking ability anymore.
Regardless of whether using that ability might reveal secrets or what the entire sect would do after losing two elders and several disciples, if Liu Lixiong was crippled, he’d lose a temporary ally once he went to Qiufeng City.
Since no one was hurt on either side and Liu Qingling was basically disabled, it would be best to make the Liu family suffer a little more to keep things under control.
Lin Dong put away the black iron kitchen knife, patted Liu Qingling’s shoulder, and said calmly, “That’s enough. Go stop the bleeding.”
Liu Qingling stood frozen, too afraid to move. Liu Yejian and Liu Zhengkuan were also stunned—was he that easy to talk to?
Feng Cheng, who was slightly more sober, and since Liu Qingling’s broken arm was related to him, hurriedly urged, “Come back! Come back quickly.”
“Right, come back! Hurry up and stop the bleeding,” Liu Yejian and Liu Zhengkuan said, regaining their senses and signaling at Liu Qingling.

In a daze, Liu Qingling staggered forward.
“Shopkeeper Lin…” Huo Yuan whispered in his ear, “Just letting him go like this—given our strength…”
Although Liu Lixiong’s still-shocked expression made Lin Dong confident that a fight wouldn’t happen, he didn’t dare relax completely either. He leaned in close to Huo Yuan and shared his thoughts.
Huo Yuan instinctively glanced at the pile of shovels and brooms by the courtyard wall, nodded slightly, and silently headed over. If Lin Dong could instantly send Liu Lixiong outside the wall the moment he attacked it, he was 90% sure he could seriously injure him with a single punch.
As everyone watched, Liu Yejian and the others stepped forward in relief when Liu Qingling staggered to their side. But the moment he was safe, it was as if a shot of adrenaline had been injected into him—every trace of fear and weakness vanished instantly, and a surge of power made his pale face suddenly flush red.
“Uncle, you must avenge your nephew…” His shrill cries were piercing and harsh. Liu Qingling didn’t notice at all that Liu Lixiong’s expression was even worse than his own. Pointing at Lin Dong with his left hand, he forgot the agony in his severed arm and wanted to devour him alive.
“Kill him!”
Liu Yejian clearly had no intention of sparing Lin Dong just because he spoke politely. He raised his long sword abruptly and aimed it at Lin Dong, with Liu Zhengkuan echoing his fury in a shout.
Jiang Zhen and the others quickly stepped forward to protect Lin Dong, but both of them looked murderous, though they didn’t move an inch.
“Elder brother!”
“Lixiong!”
The two immediately felt ashamed. Though they sympathized with Liu Qingling for having his arm cut off, they weren’t fools. If they really charged in, even though they were warriors, they weren’t warriors loyal to the Great Han Nation—they’d surely be killed. That shout was meant for Liu Lixiong. Once Liu Lixiong attacked, Feng Cheng and his disciples would surely follow.
“Lin Dong, wait! Wait for me to grind you to dust!” Liu Qingling screamed shrilly, unaware that his flushed face was a sign of his fading strength.
Amidst everyone’s astonished gazes, Lin Dong paid no attention to Liu Qingling’s shouts. He bowed slightly toward Liu Lixiong and said, “Elder Liu, I hope you’re well?”
“Y-young master…”
Liu Lixiong’s teeth trembled slightly. Though Lin Dong’s smile was gentle and kind, in his eyes, it resembled the ice of the netherworld—so cold it made one feel frozen from head to toe.
“Do you know each other?”
With Liu Lixiong’s voice, Liu Yejian and the others finally noticed his strange behavior and turned to look at him.

“Uncle, you must stand up for me! He cut off my arm!” Liu Qingling feared that Liu Lixiong might spare him just because of his relationship with Lin Dong, so he cried out again.
Smack!
With a sharp sound, filled with anger, Liu Lixiong slapped Liu Qingling across the face, sending him flying instantly.
Spinning like a top in the air, Liu Qingling crashed to the ground. With wide eyes, he stared in disbelief at Liu Lixiong’s outstretched hand as his body convulsed violently.
“You wretched thing! Still not apologizing to the young master?”
Liu Lixiong gritted his teeth in fury. Why provoke someone? He had ended up offending a friend of a top-tier powerhouse.
It was a friend of a top-tier powerhouse!
What was a family in a small county? What was an elder of a mid-tier sect? If they met someone with a bad temper, wiping out the entire Liu family or slaughtering everyone in the sect would be as easy as waving their hand.
“Brother, what are you doing?” Liu Yejian rushed forward to help Liu Qingling up, heartbroken but too afraid to anger Liu Lixiong.
Liu Zhengkuan, being an older generation, gritted his teeth and shouted, “Lixiong, no matter how close he is to you, he can’t take his anger out on Qingling, right?”
“Close? Do you think I’m close to the young master? Do you know how huge a disaster you’ve caused?” Liu Lixiong wanted to slap Liu Zhengkuan and Liu Yejian too.
“A huge disaster?”
Everyone finally realized how serious the situation was. Given Liu Lixiong’s expression, could it be that the other party had some even more formidable identity?
Liu Qingling spat angrily, “He’s just an inn owner with weak strength. How could he have an identity that even uncle can’t afford to provoke? Even if he does, since they’re not strong, just wipe them out all…”
“Keep talking? I’ll kill you!”
Furious, Liu Lixiong wanted to kill them to silence them. Not to mention whether he could hide from the Wine Lord’s pursuit, even just wiping them out all was delusional. Afraid that these words might anger Lin Dong, he immediately raised his arm, ready to slay Liu Qingling with a single blow.
“Enough.”
Lin Dong said calmly.
Like receiving an imperial edict, Liu Lixiong glared fiercely at Liu Qingling before turning to Lin Dong with a flattering smile.
Killing them to silence them was absolutely out of the question. His mind raced, and he secretly rejoiced that no one was dead—just injured to varying degrees, so there might still be a way out.
Knowing when to back down was Liu Lixiong’s principle. If he could kneel and beg for mercy last time, even though there were more people this time, his life was still the most important. Immediately, he bent his knees and, to everyone’s astonishment, knelt on the ground with a thud.

“Young master, I know I have caused a terrible disaster. If you wish to kill me or punish me, I will have no complaints.”
Lin Dong nodded.