This voice, like a celestial melody, jolted Li Chonglou, who was moments from suffocation, instantly invigorating his spirit.
Senior Sister!
Senior Sister had actually arrived!
She must have returned from Yucheng, learned of his disappearance, and followed the trail.
Li Chonglou had extraordinary confidence in her.
Not merely due to her status; having witnessed her peerless skills in Yucheng, even with his current breakthrough, he still viewed her with utmost reverence. After all, she had been practicing the Sheepskin Scroll scripture since childhood, with meticulous guidance from their master, unlike him, who came from an unconventional background.
With her here, why should he dodge Li Hanlong’s palm strike!
Li Chonglou’s confidence surged. He neither dodged nor evaded, treating Li Hanlong as if he were invisible. From being cornered and facing certain death to looking up in disdain and utter disregard in an instant, the shift was ephemeral.
“Lin Ying?” Similarly, Li Hanlong’s body stiffened slightly upon hearing the voice. The palm strike aimed at Li Chonglou was immediately withdrawn. He turned towards the direction of the sound, a flicker of solemnity crossing his eyes.
Lin Ying, the only daughter of Lin Zhendong, was exceptionally gifted and as capable as any man. Who in their circle didn’t recognize this favored daughter of heaven? He was, of course, no stranger to her. For years, he had engaged in covert conflict with Lin Zhendong, yet he had never dared to plot against Lin Ying. It wasn't that he didn't want to, but that he couldn't. Lin Ying was not only formidable in her own right but also possessed powerful backing; to cross her would be akin to seeking death. That was why he had smashed Donglin Pawnshop while Lin Ying was in Yucheng, merely as a warning.
He knew very well that with Lin Ying’s skills, if he were to kill Li Chonglou, his own defenses would be exposed, and Lin Ying would seize the opportunity to inflict serious injury. The trade-off was not worth it. Therefore, he had to withdraw his palm. However, this did not mean he feared Lin Ying.
“Lin girl, you’ve returned quite quickly,” Li Hanlong said, narrowing his eyes and forcing a smile as he watched the figure gracefully approaching in the distance. But the next moment, his expression changed drastically as he saw someone following behind Lin Ying. His once steady gaze was now filled with fury. “Yan Bin! How dare you bring outsiders here? How dare you betray me!”
Following behind Lin Ying was Yan Bin, his adopted son, whose demeanor was cold and who had been missing for a long time. He had never expected that first Li Duo’er would help Li Chonglou escape, and now Yan Bin would bring Lin Ying to the golf course. In that instant, his heart burned with hatred. Although his nature prevented him from considering anyone his confidant, he had invested considerable effort in cultivating both Li Duo’er and Yan Bin. Now, both of them had slipped from his control. It was like having cherished possessions stolen.
“Foster Father, I’m sorry…” Yan Bin gritted his teeth, looking at Li Hanlong, their eyes meeting. He said, “I dare not forget the years of guidance and nurturing. But I do not wish for you to treat both Duo’er and me as mere tools. Please release Duo’er; I will accept any punishment you mete out!”
With that, Yan Bin lowered his body and knelt on one leg. He had been displeased with Li Hanlong for hitting Li Duo’er and for imprisoning her with Li Chonglou. But his relationship with Li Hanlong had always made it impossible for him to resist. It wasn’t until Lin Ying had a heart-to-heart talk with him, informed him about the Zuo Di matters, and promised to help him uncover his origins, that Yan Bin made the decision to bring Lin Ying to the golf course. However, he hadn't anticipated that Li Chonglou would have already escaped, nor that his foster father would be present. Now, caught in an impossible situation, there was no turning back.
“Presumptuous!” Li Hanlong’s face turned ashen, his killing intent flaring in his eyes. He strode towards Yan Bin like a shooting star, raising his palm to strike at his head. If he couldn’t control him, then this adopted son was a useless burden alive. Those who betrayed him were destined for death.
Yan Bin’s pupils contracted sharply, a look of terror on his face. He hadn't expected his foster father to be so ruthless. Without listening to his explanation, he was bent on killing him. He knew his foster father's methods too well; if he wanted him dead, ten lives wouldn't be enough to survive. It seemed he was fated to die today. Yan Bin sighed inwardly, regretting that he still knew nothing of his origins, unable to die with peace.
“Second Uncle…” Li Duo’er also cried out in fright, trying to intervene. Although she disliked Yan Bin, this simpering dog, at this moment, her heart involuntarily ached. It was like having a pet; she could hit or scold it, but no one else could bully it. Li Duo’er’s mindset was likely similar at this moment. However, before she could finish speaking, Li Chonglou gently took her hand and pulled her aside.
Li Chonglou understood his Senior Sister too well. Inheriting their master’s chivalrous spirit, although she didn't engage in deeds of robbing the rich to help the poor, her innate sense of justice was hard to conceal. Yan Bin had brought her here, so how could she let Li Hanlong kill him right before her eyes?
*Snap!*
Indeed, in the next second, just as Li Hanlong was about to deliver a fatal blow to Yan Bin, Lin Ying’s jade-like hand unfurled, intercepting Li Hanlong’s palm strike from behind. After a sound like bursting firecrackers, Yan Bin was sent flying by the shockwave, his face filled with horror as he watched the two begin to trade blows beside him.
Lin Ying’s movements were naturally graceful. Unlike the intense modern combat, each of her moves was cloaked and subtle. Li Hanlong, on the other hand, was direct and unrestrained, his every punch and palm strike causing the air to crackle with immense power. Yet, Lin Ying managed to deflect them all.
This woman could actually fight Foster Father to a draw? Yan Bin sat on the ground, his disbelief growing as he watched.
Li Chonglou frowned. His eyesight had become extraordinary. With his strength breakthrough and crossing realms, he could barely discern their movements. Although Senior Sister’s actions were understated and seamless, her body would slightly lose balance with each palm strike from Li Hanlong. This might be insignificant to ordinary people, but against a master like Li Hanlong, any slight flaw could be fatal. Senior Sister was indeed formidable, but she was still young, and being a woman, she inherently lacked brute strength. Prolonged combat would inevitably put her at a disadvantage.
“Junior Brother, aren’t you leaving yet?” Lin Ying twisted her waist, evading Li Hanlong’s palm strike, and gave Li Chonglou a meaningful glance. Li Chonglou understood immediately. This was no time to play the hero; if he didn’t leave now, he would have wasted Senior Sister’s efforts. He immediately prepared to pull Li Duo’er away.
Seeing this, Li Hanlong’s eyes flashed with ferocity. Seizing the moment of Lin Ying’s distraction, he punched her left shoulder. The force was not great, merely causing Lin Ying’s body to shift slightly. He then moved swiftly to block Li Chonglou. He had no intention of seriously injuring Lin Ying with this move; his sole purpose was to disengage and intercept Li Chonglou.
“Kid, if you get away, I, Li Hanlong, will never be able to hold my head up again!” Li Hanlong’s voice was laced with malice. This useless son-in-law had caused him endless trouble. Not only had he swayed his niece, but he had also broken through his cultivation on the spot. Such a person, though currently a nobody, would surely become a great threat if allowed to grow. If it weren’t for using him to counterbalance Lin Zhendong, he would have dealt with him long ago.
“Since I was going to kill you anyway, I’m not leaving!” Li Chonglou was already a troublemaker by nature. He hadn't avenged Xu Lie yet, and if he hadn't known his own limitations, he wouldn't have run. Since he couldn't escape now, why bother with the pretense? It was better to fight to the bitter end. Let no one have an easy time.
Saying this, Li Chonglou released Li Duo’er’s hand and adopted the stance that Xu Lie had concocted by merging Eastern and Western martial arts. He threw punch after punch towards Li Hanlong’s face. Just as Li Hanlong was about to counter, Lin Ying surged forward and delivered a high roundhouse kick towards his shoulder, her intention being to prevent him from attacking Li Chonglou. Li Chonglou was inconsequential to him, but Lin Ying’s attack could not be ignored. He had no choice but to block Lin Ying’s kick with his arm.
“Junior Brother, your strength has improved,” Lin Ying said, seizing the opportunity to stand beside Li Chonglou, even managing an appreciative smile before stating seriously, “Now is not the time to tangle with him. While the mountains and rivers remain, there will be wood to burn. Thirty-six stratagems, the best is to retreat.” Li Chonglou’s talent was truly heaven-defying. When she had reached the second level of Shen Gu, it had taken her five years. This junior brother, however, had only taken a little over a month. If he were given more time, he might truly ascend to the heavens. But before that, she had to protect him; he must not be broken on the path. This was her father’s instruction and her heart’s deepest wish.
“Senior Sister, he killed Brother Xu,” Li Chonglou’s voice was infused with an unprecedented chill, emanating from between his gritted teeth.
“Xu Lie is not dead,” Lin Ying said, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. “When I arrived, I received notification that he was reportedly shot three times, and his head was run over by a vehicle.”
“However, he practices martial arts and has strong vitality. You also taught him the heart method, so he survived.”
“It’s just that he’s currently in the hospital, and it’s unknown when he will wake up.”
This news instantly dispelled the malevolence in Li Chonglou’s eyes. Xu Lie wasn’t dead? He wasn’t dead! Although severely injured and unconscious, it was a hundred times better than being dead. At least, there was hope.
“Then what are you waiting for, Duo’er, hurry and go!” Li Chonglou’s fighting spirit vanished instantly. He beckoned Li Duo’er and bolted. His speed caught Li Hanlong off guard. By the time he reacted and lunged to pursue, Lin Ying had repelled him with a punch.
But Li Duo’er remained rooted to the spot, her beautiful eyes filled with tears, showing no intention of fleeing. Lin Ying, seeing this, knew she didn’t want to leave with her. So, she reached out to help Yan Bin. However, Li Hanlong, now enraged, could not allow her to rescue Yan Bin again.
He roared, “Lin Ying, this is my family affair. If you interfere again, I will sacrifice years off my life to strike you down right here, right now!” As he spoke, bloodshot veins appeared in his eyes, and his killing intent surged.
“You should go quickly. Foster Father is truly going mad, and you will surely suffer. As his adopted son, I cannot leave with you.” Yan Bin struggled to his feet and stood between them, shaking his head at Lin Ying. His expression was resolute. He had already made a mistake, and he wouldn’t make another. Now that Li Chonglou had left, and Duo’er was staying, he would not leave with Lin Ying.
“Take care!” Lin Ying saw this and said no more, turning and running in the direction Li Chonglou had disappeared.
Watching the backs of the two disappear, Li Duo’er finally breathed a long sigh of relief. Li Hanlong’s eyes, however, were still bloodshot, and his entire demeanor was as dark as a prison. His voice was chillingly cold. “Duo’er, do you really think he can escape? It won't be long before he returns begging me, begging on his knees to be locked up again!” With Zheng Xiumei and Jiang Yuxin in his grasp, how could he not control Li Chonglou? Even with Lin Ying here, what of it? On his own turf, even a dragon like Lin Ying would have to crouch.
After speaking, Li Hanlong walked directly in front of Yan Bin, a sharp glint in his eyes. He raised his palm and struck Yan Bin directly on the forehead.
*Crack!*
Watching Yan Bin fall stiffly backward, Li Duo’er was utterly stunned.