"Let him go, or don't blame me for being rude!"
His words were cold and stern, and the aura around Hong Baiqing grew increasingly imposing. He stared coldly at Lin Shuguang.
No matter what had happened, the Special Management Bureau could not possibly let someone turn the place into a complete mess.
"Are you done with your nonsense?" Lin Shuguang turned his head, his gaze icy. "You dared to arbitrarily deduct my mission reward, yet you're afraid I'd come knocking? Since you had the guts to do it, then don't act like a coward and lecture me with your grand principles. Spit every last cent of my money back out!"
Hong Baiqing furrowed his brows.
Pang Xiaonian, whose face was covered in blood, instead let out a shrill cry. "Lin Shuguang! I haven't violated any rules! I know you completed the mission, but too many people from the First Division died this time. The bureau has to give them an explanation. Most of your money was distributed to them. I absolutely didn't pocket any of it for myself."
At first glance, there seemed to be nothing wrong with Pang Xiaonian's words. Colleagues who had sacrificed their lives naturally deserved sympathy.
But on closer thought, his words were actually aimed at destroying Lin Shuguang's reputation.
Why had Lin Shuguang come looking for him in such a murderous rage?
For money!
But who had received that money?
The families of those fallen brothers!
How could Lin Shuguang demand it back?
Was he supposed to ask the families of the fallen for it?
The moment he dared to do that, his reputation would be utterly ruined.
For a moment, the onlookers' gazes at Lin Shuguang became strange as well. Most of them were probably sympathetic. After all, Pang Xiaonian's disgusting method truly left people powerless.
Hong Baiqing said indifferently, "Lin Shuguang, you've heard the reason for what happened. Are you still going to make a scene? Let him go!"
Lin Shuguang's gaze was deep and shadowy. He turned to look at Hong Baiqing, staring at him expressionlessly. Then he withdrew his gaze, lowered his eyes, and crouched in front of Pang Xiaonian.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, who could not see his expression, he slowly spoke.
"Those who sacrifice their lives should be treated generously. There's nothing wrong with that. But shouldn't this money come from the National Treasury? Since when does it have to be deducted from someone else's reward?
"Every one of us who goes out to complete missions has our head tied to our belt. By doing this, aren't you telling everyone that no matter how much blood we shed or how much we contribute to Great Xia, in the end, the things we earn can be deducted with a casual word from scum like you?
"Who would still dare to fight for their lives after that? I risked my life, only for my money to be given to someone else. Wouldn't it be better for me to die?
"Even if I agreed, would the tens of thousands of brothers in the Great Xia Special Management Bureau agree?"
Everyone was shaken when they heard this.
Their gazes toward Pang Xiaonian became far less friendly.
They also had to go out on missions every month. If they followed Pang Xiaonian's reasoning from now on, then what were they risking their lives to complete missions for?
To send money to other fallen colleagues?
It wasn't that everyone lacked compassion. No one wanted to be treated like a fool and toyed with at will!
Pang Xiaonian felt a chill run through his heart beneath their stares.
Lin Shuguang slowly rose to his feet. "A good horse gets ridden, and a good man gets bullied. You think I'm easy to bully, but who gave you the courage?"
The instant his voice fell—
Rumble!
The fierce howl of a gale tore into everyone's ears. Amid the soul-shaking roar of sonic booms, it was as if bolts of thunder and flames surged wildly through everyone's hearts.
Under the crowd's horrified gazes, several clusters of thunder and flames twisting through the air suddenly expanded and exploded around Lin Shuguang. Scattered red light dyed the entire room a crimson hue.
Lin Shuguang drew Slaughter Blade, his momentum soaring like a rainbow, as though a demon had descended!
Scorching Gale Force struck his face. Pang Xiaonian bore the brunt of it, his expression changing drastically as his hands and feet turned cold!
He had imagined countless possibilities, but never in his wildest dreams had he expected Lin Shuguang to be this arrogant. Even more terrifying was his strength.
Pang Xiaonian had absolutely no chance of resisting!
Just as he was struck speechless with terror, Hong Baiqing charged forward.
Clang!
Even beneath that terrifying storm of sound, the clear tremor of metal rang into everyone's ears.
Pang Xiaonian, who had been standing there waiting to die, instinctively opened his eyes. At once, he witnessed a scene he would never forget in his life.
Hong Baiqing stood in front of him, thrusting out his battle spear.
Opposite the two of them—
Lin Shuguang's robes billowed as he stood there with his blade in hand, boldly exuding an utterly overbearing presence.
Hong Baiqing's heart trembled. He felt not the slightest joy at having blocked Lin Shuguang's attack.
This guy had grown stronger again!
His thoughts spun wildly, as if raging waves had surged up in his mind.
How many days had it been since he and Lin Shuguang last parted? Yet the power of this slash far surpassed that of his previous attack.
He had investigated Lin Shuguang's information.
The archives from Huai City were far too troublesome to access. All he could find were the missions Lin Shuguang had undertaken during his time in Demon Capital.
From Zuo Rongfei to Fist Demon Yan Hai—
The gap between them was something he understood all too well. It seemed Lin Shuguang had completed his Second Awakening at Demon Martial.
"With talent like this, was helping the Zhao Family right or wrong..."
As his thoughts shifted, Hong Baiqing suddenly withdrew his battle spear and said in a deep voice, "I knew nothing about this matter. Believe it or not."
Clang!
Everyone around them froze.
Especially Pang Xiaonian. He stared at Hong Baiqing, who had stepped aside from in front of him in disbelief, his face instantly turning deathly pale.
Hong Baiqing had actually chosen to yield?!
The sight left everyone dumbfounded.
Was this still the decisive Hong Baiqing who always had the final say?
Lin Shuguang looked over expressionlessly without saying a word.
Hong Baiqing turned around and glanced indifferently at Pang Xiaonian before tossing out a sentence. "Have it all made up within one day."
After saying that, he did not even look at Lin Shuguang. He turned and left.
With a thud, Pang Xiaonian dropped to his knees.
"Lord Lin, Lord Lin, I'll make it all up to you! I promise! I swear!"
Lin Shuguang looked at him indifferently.
In truth, he knew that he could not kill the man.
After all, Pang Xiaonian had the Special Management Bureau's status. If Lin Shuguang truly killed him without following procedure, even Si Qianjun would be unable to protect him.
Moreover, Hong Baiqing was protecting Pang Xiaonian. There was no need for Lin Shuguang to expend such a great effort.
He had come here for two reasons.
First, to demand his money!
Second, to establish his might!
It didn't matter if the people of Demon Capital had never heard of him. But if they provoked him, they absolutely would not end up any better than Pang Xiaonian!
Lin Shuguang's silent declaration of dominance truly intimidated everyone.
"Before evening, I want to see the money in my account."
After coldly tossing out those words, Lin Shuguang sheathed his blade and left.
When Pang Xiaonian heard that, his body completely went limp, and he collapsed onto the floor.
Downstairs at the Finance Department, Cao Chao hurried over as soon as he saw Lin Shuguang approaching. "I just saw Hong Baiqing leave. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." Lin Shuguang replied casually. "It's settled. The money will be in my account before evening."
Cao Chao's heart shook.
Even with Hong Baiqing stepping in, the Finance Department had still lowered its head. Lin Shuguang's methods were truly forceful!
"Thank you, sir."
"It's nothing. Did you drive? Take me back to Demon Martial."
"I did. Are you leaving today, sir?"
"Mm. I'm leaving after picking up my luggage."
"Have a safe journey, sir..."
Before you continue