Half an hour later, in the Xia Family’s rear garden, at the White Jade Pavilion.
The Head of the Xia Family had fully recovered. He personally brewed tea for Lin Fan, his calm yet imposing demeanor revealing a wisdom and experience far beyond ordinary people.
“Mr. Lin Fan, your miraculous skills have saved my life. Words cannot express my gratitude. Please accept this Xia Gold Card. In all high-end establishments across Binhai City, any expenses will be covered by the Xia Family Fund.”
Lin Fan glanced at the diamond-studded gold card and smiled, waving his hand. “That won’t be necessary. I only need the Hundred-Venom Blossom Herb.”
The Head of the Xia Family gently placed the gold card on the table in front of him. “This is an additional token of thanks. As for the Hundred-Venom Blossom Herb, Xia Ruoxi will take you to retrieve it shortly.”
Lin Fan did not refuse this time and accepted the card. “Then I’ll take it. Thank you.”
Being able to spend freely in all high-end places across Binhai City… this was no small gift. It seemed the Head of the Xia Family still had something he wanted from him…
At that moment, Xia Ruoxuan hurried over.
“Grandfather, you were poisoned by Gu. Someone must have plotted to assassinate you.”
“I’ve already deployed the top experts from the Thunder Hall to guard the estate.”
“Also, before you fell critically ill, you instructed me to secretly activate the Hundred Merchants Venture Capital Fund. I’ve decided to hand its management over to Xia Ruoxi.”
Although Xia Ruoxuan usually competed with Xia Ruoxi in everything, when it came to the family’s interests, she knew how to make the right choice.
The Head of the Xia Family nodded in satisfaction. “Good. I’ve decided to hold a birthday banquet tomorrow to dispel the bad luck. It will also let the outside world know that I’ve recovered, stabilizing the Xia Family’s stock price.”
“While we’re at it, we’ll deal with those who harbor ill intentions.”
As he spoke, he turned to Lin Fan with a meaningful smile. “Please lend your support to the Xia Family. You must attend and honor us with your presence.”
Lin Fan nodded knowingly. So this old fox wanted him to help identify the culprit and eliminate the opposing forces.
Still, it was a small matter—there was no need to refuse.
“Of course. But please arrange for me to obtain the Hundred-Venom Blossom Herb as soon as possible. I need it urgently.”
Xia Ruoxi stood up and gestured politely. “Please, I’ll take you to the Xia Family Treasure Pavilion to retrieve it.”
…
Soon, Lin Fan and Xia Ruoxi arrived at the Xia Family Treasure Pavilion.
When the car was about 20 meters from the entrance, Xia Ruoxi suddenly slowed down.
“All the bodyguards have been replaced. The newcomers are not here with good intentions.”
Lin Fan raised an eyebrow slightly. “How can you be sure?”
Xia Ruoxi lowered her voice. “I’ve memorized the appearance and details of every single bodyguard in the Xia Family. I won’t be mistaken. Stay in the car—I’ll protect you.”
After speaking, she honked twice and rolled down the window, waving at the eight black-clad bodyguards in the distance. “Come here for a moment.”
Lin Fan looked at her slender, delicate figure.
So beautiful… and she said she would protect him? She didn’t look like she had much combat ability at all.
The eight black-clad men approached with sinister smiles. “Miss Xia…”
Before they could finish, Xia Ruoxi suddenly kicked open the car door, pulled out a devil pepper spray, and sprayed it straight into their faces.
Then, with a quick motion, she slapped her thigh and miraculously produced a small blade as thin as a little finger.
In the blink of an eye, the eight men were covered in blood, pierced all over.
Lin Fan was completely stunned.
“Incredible… so behind Xia Ruoxi’s beauty lies such brutality.”
“She barely knows any martial arts, yet her movements are agile… and she has the heart to kill!”
In mere moments, all eight impostor bodyguards collapsed to the ground, writhing and screaming.
Xia Ruoxi raised her brow proudly at Lin Fan.
Lin Fan gave a wry smile and pointed behind her.
Xia Ruoxi turned around—and her face instantly went pale.
She screamed and dove back into the car. “We can’t handle this! Let’s run!”
Boom!
A massive hammer flew through the air and smashed the windshield into pieces.
Terrified, Xia Ruoxi threw herself into Lin Fan’s arms.
The soft sensation made his heartbeat quicken. He quickly circulated his dragon qi to steady himself and said, “I’m here. You’ll be fine.”
In the next instant, he became a blur. The moment he stepped out of the car, he appeared in front of thirty-five black-clad men.
The leader spun a machete in his hand, his eyes filled with killing intent. “Kid, you’re fast. But sticking your nose into this means you’re destined to die.”
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
He thought that by speaking, he could distract Lin Fan and launch a sneak attack.
But Lin Fan remained completely unaffected. Stepping forward, he delivered four heavy punches to the man’s abdomen.
The final punch was so powerful that it burst the shirt on his back!
“Kill him!”
“Take him down!”
The men behind him roared and charged forward like madmen, swinging their blades at Lin Fan.
With a flick of his wrist, Lin Fan drew out a 1.5-meter-long Fish Intestine Soft Sword.
Clang…
The moment the sword was swung, a clear, ethereal sound rang out, forcing everyone to retreat three steps.
Xia Ruoxi stared in shock. “Wow… a sword… something that long—where did he even pull it from?”
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Lin Fan only took five steps.
Yet the Fish Intestine Soft Sword in his hand moved like countless spiritual serpents, weaving through the air in all directions.
The blade was so flexible it could twist like a rope. In the instant of blocking attacks, its tip precisely cut open a wound on each assailant.
Ahhh…
Screams echoed endlessly. This story is hosted at g.com.
Before Xia Ruoxi could even process what was happening, all thirty-five black-clad men had collapsed into pools of blood.
What was even more horrifying—
Their bodies were covered in countless wounds.
With a casual flick, Lin Fan made the sword disappear.
He turned back with a harmless smile. “Don’t be afraid. None of them can stand up anymore.”
Xia Ruoxi’s jaw nearly dropped. She quickly got out of the car and ran over to check.
“Oh my god! They’re dead!?”
“This… how can you be so cruel!”
The wounds on each man were deep. Even if they were rushed to the hospital, stitching them up would not stop the bleeding.
Being struck by Lin Fan’s sword meant only one thing—the difference was merely dying sooner or later.
The chance of survival was almost zero.
Lin Fan walked over and patted her shoulder. “My master once said, those who deserve to die must die. These people can’t be spared.”
As he spoke, he stepped on one of the men’s chests and flicked his fingers, scattering a fine powder onto the man’s face.
Strangely, the tiny amount of powder immediately helped stop the bleeding.
Lin Fan said calmly, “You don’t have to die. Tell me—who sent you?”
The man trembled in terror, looking at Lin Fan as if he were a god. “B-brother… no—sir! Divine one! It was Li Hongyi from Hongyi Group!”
“Li Hongyi wants Xia Ruoxi dead!”
Lin Fan asked, “What else?”
The man gasped for breath. “There’s more… the land in the eastern suburbs owned by the Xia Family is blocking Hongyi Group’s expansion. Li Hongyi said both the Head of the Xia Family and Xia Ruoxi must die… then no one in Binhai City will be able to stop him!”
Lin Fan nodded slightly. Then, with a subtle release of force from his foot—
Bang!
The man’s seven orifices began bleeding, and he died instantly.
Xia Ruoxi instinctively stepped back. “Y-you… why did you…”
Lin Fan narrowed his eyes and smiled faintly. “I’m only polite to friends and family. As for others… it doesn’t matter.”
“Let’s go. Take me to get the Hundred-Venom Blossom Herb.”
Xia Ruoxi suppressed her fear and walked ahead in a daze. “Follow me.”
Yet inside her heart, countless thoughts surged.
Lin Fan—beneath his gentle demeanor and unmatched medical skills—hid a beast capable of tearing everything apart.
Such a man, master of both medicine and combat…
A single thought rose uncontrollably within her—
“If he were my man… how wonderful that would be…”