Bring Out Your Confidence, Majesty, and Aura

The newcomer wore a purple robe, had a dignified appearance, and a domineering gaze. A powerful aura, cultivated from years of holding a high position, emanated from him.

Especially his fiercely raised eyebrows.

An ordinary person would feel intimidated upon meeting his gaze.

This person was none other than the Fierce Tiger Gang's leader, Sun Xiao.

Upon entering Cui Jing Tower, Sun Xiao ignored the kneeling Sun Yaowei. Instead, he quickly surveyed the surroundings. Seeing the eighteen skilled men groaning in pain, his brow twitched slightly.

His gaze lingered on Lin Fan for a moment before he looked away. He then walked to Wang Changhai's side, hands behind his back. Sun Yaowei tried to grab his father's leg, but Sun Xiao callously kicked him away without even looking. He then cupped his fists and said:

"Hall Master Wang, I, Sun, have failed to discipline my son and have caused much offense."

Wang Changhai, pretending not to notice Sun Xiao's arrival, was leisurely holding his tea. Upon hearing the voice, he suddenly put on a surprised expression, then seemingly caught off guard, he stood up and said, "Sect Leader Sun, what brings you here?"

Lin Fan, standing to the side, watched the Hall Master's performance.

He couldn't help but want to laugh inwardly.

His acting isn't very good.

Sun Xiao pointed at Sun Yaowei, frustratedly saying, "Brother Wang, my unfilial son has disrespected his elders and offended you. Upon hearing of this, I immediately rushed over. I hope Brother Wang, considering our years of friendship, can give him a chance to mend his ways."

After speaking.

Before Wang Changhai could reply, Sun Xiao kicked Sun Yaowei again and roared, "Unfilial son, why aren't you kneeling down to kowtow to Hall Master Wang and apologize? If Hall Master Wang doesn't forgive you today, you're not getting up."

At this moment, Sun Yaowei, in pain, was terrified. He hadn't expected his father to come and not only fail to protect him but also side with the other party.

Thinking this.

He felt wronged.

But he had no choice. Fearing his father, he immediately knelt before Wang Changhai and kowtowed.

Sun Xiao waited for Wang Changhai to speak. From his understanding, Wang Changhai was a rather smooth and soft-hearted person. He would surely say, "There's no need for this, Sect Leader Sun. Just take him back and discipline him properly."

However, what he didn't expect was that Wang Changhai calmly sat there, not saying a word, letting his son kowtow.

In reality, Sun Xiao's guess was accurate; Wang Changhai had indeed intended to do just that.

But just as Wang Changhai was about to speak, he noticed Lin Fan's gaze.

Although Lin Fan hadn't said a word, he understood the meaning behind his eyes.

It meant...

Hall Master, don't you dare speak. Bring out all your confidence, presence, and authority. If you back down now, I'll truly look down on you.

Thinking of Lin Fan's bravery, he felt that this was indeed the right approach. He then sat down firmly, his meaning clear: You can start kowtowing to your grandfather.

At this moment.

The hall was silent, save for the sound of Sun Yaowei's kowtowing.

The onlookers dared not even breathe loudly. They had never witnessed such a scene before. Some who knew Wang Changhai well were surprised by his sternness. Sun Xiao had arrived, yet he hadn't even offered a word of pleasantry.

Where did this confidence come from?

As their gazes fell upon Lin Fan, who was bare-chested, they understood. Wang Changhai's confidence came from this young man.

Wang Changhai picked up his teacup again. The tea had long gone cold, but he still blew on it, as if wanting to drink but not drinking, and casually placed the cup back.

The bottom of the cup made a crisp sound as it collided with the tea table.

Sun Xiao roared, "Unfilial son, kowtow harder for your old man!"

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Sun Yaowei braced himself with his hands on the ground, his head slamming heavily against the floor. With each impact, more blood stained the ground.

His forehead was bleeding.

Wang Changhai glanced at Lin Fan, as if asking, Even now, is it not enough?

Lin Fan merely turned his head away, not even looking at the Hall Master.

After an unknown amount of time.

Sun Yaowei's forehead was a bloody mess, his movements sluggish, and he could barely stay kneeling.

"Enough," Wang Changhai said. He stood up and cupped his fists. "Sect Leader Sun, let today's matter end here. Consider this a lesson for him. I hope he behaves himself in the future, and I will not pursue this further."

"Thank you, Brother Wang, for giving me this face," Sun Xiao said, cupping his fists. He suppressed his anger and then addressed the onlookers, "Please, everyone, do not spread word of today's events. I thank you all."

With that, he waved his hand, and his subordinates carried the nearly unconscious second young master away.

"Brother Wang, I bid you farewell."

He turned and left.

He didn't want to stay a moment longer.

As Sun Xiao departed, Wang Changhai let out a deep sigh of relief. The pressure had been immense. His composure in facing Sun Xiao was entirely an act.

Wu Yong, whose face was bruised and swollen, shouted loudly.

"Brother Lin is amazing!"

The subordinates' shouts grew louder and louder.

What they witnessed tonight had deeply impacted their minds. It was too fierce, too overbearing. They were completely subdued.

At the same time, the subordinates recalled how Brother Lin had been training in the warehouse every day during this period.

Could doing this...

...make them as strong as Brother Lin?

At this moment, many subordinates were eager to try, wanting to be like Lin Fan.

"Hall Master, let me escort you home," Lin Fan said.

Wang Changhai nodded.

He had been humiliated tonight, his heart shattered. If Lin Fan hadn't appeared in time to help him regain face, he would have wanted to die.

After such a dramatic turn of events.

A person wouldn't feel like talking much for a while.

Mainly, they hadn't fully processed it yet.

After escorting the Hall Master away, Lin Fan glanced back at Chen Liang, whose face was swollen like a pig's head and who was trying to stop. Chen Liang, sensing Lin Fan's gaze, immediately slapped himself angrily.

He couldn't feel anything, it was too swollen to feel anything.

Fierce Tiger Gang.

Sun Xiao's expression was incredibly grim. The household servants were all well-behaved, clearly seeing that their master was furious. If they didn't want to be drowned in a well, it was best not to cross him at this time.

"Father, what's the situation?"

As the eldest young master of the Fierce Tiger Gang, Sun Yaozu was very well-informed. He already knew what had happened on Sun Xiao's way back. He couldn't even be bothered to say anything about his own foolish second brother.

Sun Xiao sat there, not saying a word. The rise and fall of his chest was enough to show how angry he was.

Suddenly, he looked at Sun Yaozu.

"Who is the strongest person you have, and how many can he fight?"

Facing the question, Sun Yaozu replied truthfully, "Father, the strongest person I have can fight six or seven people bare-handed. If they were all armed, he could probably take on four or five."

Sun Xiao said, "Do you know how many men Wang Changhai has? Eighteen, a full eighteen, and they're all carefully trained Gold Medal Fighters. And that kid looked like he was completely unfazed."

Sun Yaozu clicked his tongue.

He knew about this matter. When he first heard about it, he also found it unbelievable. Who could fight like that? But it was the truth, something that had just happened. Even if he didn't believe it, it was useless.

At this moment, Sun Xiao's steward hurried in.

"Master, the investigation is complete."

On his way back, Sun Xiao had already asked the steward to investigate the kid's identity and background, wanting to see where he came from.

Wang Changhai dared to show him no respect in front of him.

It was all because of this kid.

"Speak," Sun Xiao said.

The steward took out a piece of paper and read, "This kid's name is Lin Fan. He drifted into Yong'an City two months ago. He has no household registration, like a refugee. He later joined the Loyalty Hall and was assigned to Jili Pier, becoming one of Wang Changhai's subordinates."

"Initially, his performance was unremarkable, with nothing to draw attention. It wasn't until a recent skirmish where he performed exceptionally well that Wang Changhai noticed him and promoted him to a leader, managing the pier."

"Master, this is all we could find out for now."

Hearing this.

Sun Xiao tapped his fingers on the table, dong dong dong, with a certain rhythm.

He looked at Sun Yaozu and the steward.

"What do you think, can we recruit this kid?"

Sun Yaozu pondered, considering. He knew his father wanted to bring such a capable fighter into their fold.

Before he could speak.

The steward, eager to impress, said, "Master, the possibility of recruiting him is very high."

"Oh, explain."

The steward straightened his back and stroked his mustache. "Master, this kid drifted to our territory and joined the Loyalty Hall immediately, indicating he has no connections here and was just looking for a meal. Wang Changhai discovered him during a skirmish and promoted him to a leader. Although he's been given important responsibilities, I don't think he's particularly loyal to Wang Changhai."

"Oh? What makes you say that?" Sun Xiao asked, puzzled.

The steward smiled. "When we were at Cui Jing Tower, I observed carefully. Logically, if he were truly loyal to Wang Changhai, upon your appearance, he would have spoken disrespectfully to you on behalf of his Hall Master. But in my opinion, after your arrival, Lin Fan remained silent. This is enough to show that he didn't want to offend you, perhaps leaving himself a way out. After all, the second young master must hate him to the bone."

After speaking, the steward deliberated, feeling his analysis was quite thorough.

There wasn't a single flaw.

It made sense. How could someone become the steward of the Fierce Tiger Gang without some skill?

"Mm, that makes sense," Sun Xiao nodded.

The Steward took the initiative to volunteer, "If you trust me, sir, perhaps you could let me handle this matter. I guarantee I can win this person over."

"Good, then it's up to you."

"But sir, I might need some funds. After all, a direct approach might backfire. I'd like to interact with him casually, starting with small favors, and then explain the situation when the time is right," the Steward said.

"No problem. You have my full authority. Take what you need from the accounts office."

"Thank you for your trust, sir. I promise to handle this beautifully."

At this point, Sun Yaozu, who hadn't been able to interject, spoke up, "And if it doesn't work out in the end, won't that be a complete waste?"

"Young Master, that's absolutely impossible."

"So confident?"

"Heh heh, Young Master, it's not just confidence. As long as I can get acquainted with him, Wang Changhai will learn that his confidant is interacting with the Steward of the Fierce Tiger Gang. Do you think Wang Changhai won't harbor any ill feelings? If the other party truly refuses our overtures, we can spread some rumors to make Wang Changhai wary of him, to alienate him. By then, heh heh..."

As he spoke, the Steward let out a cunning laugh.

Sun Yaozu gave him a thumbs-up.

Being strong is useless if you don't have brains.

Even Sun Xiao felt this plan could succeed.

The Steward, having received their approval, became a bit smug.

Being able to fight is useless; you need brains.