Chapter 108: Chaos

Midday is the busiest time for restaurants, and the two-story lobby of Lin’s Inn is no exception. Usually, customers keep coming in an endless stream—once one table is cleared, a new group takes its place within less than fifteen minutes. At midday, it’s even busier, with hardly any downtime between tables. If it weren’t for Lin’s Inn’s rule offering various discounts to those who leave within half an hour, there might even be queues.

Originally, Liu Lixiong and Liu Yejian, the head of the Liu family, planned to arrive in the evening when there were fewer people, making things easier. But Liu Qingling insisted on causing a disturbance when there were more people, so that the people of Xilan City could better see the Liu family’s power. It made sense, so the two agreed.

Entering the lobby and seeing its bustling atmosphere, Liu Qingling’s heartbeat quickened slightly. Today would likely be the most exhilarating day of his twenty-something years. Of course, once Lin’s Inn was taken care of, causing trouble at the Military Assessment Institute would be even more satisfying. After all, holding the position of director gave him a greater sense of achievement.

A group of over ten people entering the lobby together naturally became the center of attention. From afar, they could see that everyone was armed and had fierce expressions. Ma Chun, who had experience dealing with trouble on the streets, wasn’t afraid. After spotting Liu Qingling, whom he had met before, he mustered the courage to approach.

“Young Master Liu, what brings you here? Please come in. Are you here to eat or stay?”

Just as Liu Lixiong was about to slap Ma Chun away, Liu Qingling said in a low voice, “We’re here to seek justice.”

“Justice?” Ma Chun grew uneasy. Those words clearly meant they were there to cause trouble.

Liu Qingling wanted to see if he could play it cool first. He spoke in a calm tone, as if discussing things with Ma Chun, “That’s right. Manager Lin is extremely domineering. A month ago, he led several warriors to kill people recklessly in our Liu family’s territory. Please bring Manager Lin out and have him give an explanation to our family.”

Since they were there to cause trouble, although Liu Qingling’s attitude was fairly good, Ma Chun didn’t dare take the risk of actually bringing Lin Dong over. If Liu Qingling suddenly attacked, he would be unable to escape blame.

With a quick thought, Ma Chun immediately bowed and said, “Young Master Liu, please wait a moment. I’ll go find the manager right away.”

“Go!” Pushing Ma Chun away, Liu Qingling knew that among those present, aside from his own strength, there were his uncle, elder uncle, father, and even a junior brother of his elder uncle whose status was higher than his. Acting on his own would surely displease them, so he immediately explained, “Qingling thinks that by following proper etiquette first and resorting to force only if necessary, even if we destroy Lin’s Inn, our Liu family will still have the upper hand. This will not only show the people of Xilan City the might of the Liu family but also prevent us from being accused of anything.”

Liu Yejian, the head of the Liu family, and another martial artist, Liu Zhengkuan, were well aware of Liu Qingling’s virtues, so they didn’t point it out. Instead, Liu Lixiong patted Liu Qingling on the shoulder and praised him, “Although your talent isn’t as great, it doesn’t matter. When my elder uncle returns, he’ll find a way to send you some medicinal pills. Even if you can’t enter the sect, your calmness and wisdom will surely help our Liu family thrive in the future.”

“Thank you, elder uncle,” Liu Qingling was overjoyed.

Liu Yejian and Liu Zhengkuan exchanged glances, but since it was a good thing, there was no reason to reveal anything.

Before long, Ma Chun returned, but instead of Lin Dong, he was followed by disciples like Huo Yuan and Jiang Zhen.

Ma Chun didn’t know why Huo Yuan and the others had stayed at the inn, but he was very clear about their identities and their relationship with the innkeeper.

With Huo Yuan and the others involved, there was no need for the Liu family to back down. Why risk having the innkeeper step forward?

“Where is Innkeeper Lin?” Liu Qingling saw another chance to play the fool, targeting Ma Chun and the others behind him. He remembered clearly that these were the experts who had gone to the Liu family with Lin Dong to kill people last time.

Innkeeper Lin didn’t know what arrogance was, but these experts surely had some pride. They would undoubtedly not be polite in front of their defeated opponents.

“Young Master Liu, it’s unfortunate, but our innkeeper is out,” Ma Chun stepped aside slightly and introduced Huo Yuan, saying, “This is an old friend of our innkeeper. He can also make decisions regarding the inn.”

Liu Qingling bowed slightly to Huo Yuan and politely asked, “What’s your name, sir?”

Huo Yuan’s face, already dark from having his cultivation interrupted, grew even darker. “Speak quickly if you have something to say!”

Huo Yuan’s attitude pleased Liu Qingling even more than Liu Lixiong’s promise of medicinal pills. He became even more humble and said, “Sir, you were also at the Liu family last time, so there’s no need for me to explain the situation. Our Liu family has always been kind to others in Xilan City and didn’t want to make a fuss. But with so much gossip, it could threaten our foundation here. That’s why we had to come to Lin’s Inn to seek justice from Innkeeper Lin.”

Huo Yuan frowned, scanning the faces of those around him before saying coldly, “No matter what help you’ve brought today, you have half a moment to leave Lin’s Inn. Otherwise, you’ll bear the consequences.”

Liu Qingling still tried to act weak, but Liu Lixiong, unable to tolerate it any longer, stepped forward with an imposing aura.

“What an arrogant fellow. I really want to see how you plan to make us leave Lin’s Inn.”

Huo Yuan’s expression darkened as he suddenly clenched his fist and lunged at Liu Lixiong.

“Seeking death!”

Liu Lixiong violently kicked the ground, causing the tables, chairs, and cups in the hall to tremble. A footprint several centimeters deep appeared as he advanced instead of retreating.

Bang!

Apart from one of Liu Lixiong’s junior disciples, no one else present could see the two figures clearly. Jiang Zhen and the others could only barely see two silhouettes colliding at high speed.

A deafening explosion erupted, with violent energy surging outward from their fists like a gust of wind, knocking people off their feet and flipping tables and chairs. In an instant, the hall was in chaos. Ma Chun watched in fury.

Huo Yuan stepped back several times before stabilizing himself, a trickle of blood flowing from his dry lips. As for Liu Lixiong, his clothes fluttered, yet he remained as steady as a rock.

The disparity between the two was immediately apparent.

Jiang Zhen and the others were shocked and quickly protected Huo Yuan.

“Find a way to hold them off,” Huo Yuan ordered gravely.

Jiang Zhen and the others rushed forward. Behind Liu Lixiong, aside from Liu Qingling, who still felt he hadn’t played the fool long enough, everyone else charged forward.

In moments, the hall turned into a chaotic battlefield. Although the Gu Huan Sect had added two new disciples recently, they were weaker in both strength and number compared to Liu Lixiong’s group.

Fortunately, since neither side knew the other’s identity, they feared the other might be a warrior loyal to the Great Han Nation. Though their attacks were fierce, none dared to kill outright, making it difficult to determine a winner in a short time.

“Go tell Manager Lin to go to the Gu Huan Sect himself and gather more people,” Huo Yuan said, grabbing Ma Chun, who looked deathly pale, in the chaos.

Ma Chun started and rushed to the back yard.

The fight continued. Under Huo Yuan and the others’ restraint, Liu Lixiong’s side couldn’t break into the back yard, but the situation was urgent. Liu Qingling, along with Liu Lixiong’s junior disciple and two other disciples, tried to leave the inn via a detour to enter the back yard. Though Huo Yuan understood their intentions, he was powerless to stop them.

If Liu Lixiong and his group couldn’t get in, they couldn’t get out either.