The Humble Steward Li One Second, Proud the Next

The night deepened.

The street.

Three figures walked side-by-side, but there were far more than just these three. Eight more people lay on the ground, being dragged along. These eight were strung together as if by a chain, like a human centipede.

But upon closer inspection, one would realize it wasn't sewn together. Their limbs were merely connected by ropes.

"Captain Song, have you offended someone recently?"

Lin Fan understood this was a question asked with full knowledge of the answer. If you haven't offended anyone, who would be idle enough to take someone's life?

Captain Song remained silent. He was also trying to figure out who he had offended, but after thinking it over and over, he truly couldn't pinpoint anything. It wasn't that he was reflecting on his own shortcomings.

It was simply that he had offended too many people.

Seeing Captain Song say nothing, Lin Fan sighed, "It seems Captain Song is just and upright, having offended too many people."

Captain Song nodded.

It was indeed the case.

He had offended quite a few, but there was no other way. He and criminals were irreconcilable. Once they fell into his hands, no amount of pleading would help.

"Brother, you were amazing just now."

Yang Ming could finally get a word in, his mind filled with the scene that had just unfolded.

His address had also changed from "Brother Lin" to "Brother."

This was a shift in mentality, born from admiration for strength.

"Staff techniques, just a rudimentary Martial Way."

"Martial Way? What is Martial Way?"

Yang Ming didn't understand. He had never even heard of such a thing as Martial Way.

"The so-called Martial Way is about being incredibly strong, able to fight ten against one, a hundred against one, capable of shattering mountains and breaking rivers. Whoever possesses such ability is practicing Martial Way."

Lin Fan felt helpless. He could fight ten against one now, but he didn't want to fight ten against one like this. Bullying ordinary thugs offered no sense of accomplishment. What he craved was the thrill of effortlessly suppressing Martial Way experts.

Yang Ming was taken aback.

Fighting ten against one was acceptable.

Fighting a hundred against one was barely acceptable.

As for shattering mountains and breaking rivers, that was just bragging.

"Brother, shattering mountains and breaking rivers, who can actually do that?" Yang Ming shook his head, deeming it impossible.

Lin Fan didn't answer. Instead, he looked at Song Qing, "Captain Song, have you truly never heard of Martial Way?"

Captain Song had been in the Security Bureau for so long; he was a seasoned veteran. Even if he hadn't practiced it himself, he must have heard of Martial Way experts, right?

"No."

Song Qing didn't know where Lin Fan had heard of Martial Way. In any case, he had never seen anyone as formidable as Lin Fan.

Of course, if having great strength counted as being a Martial Way expert, then yes, there were such people. But that relied on frequent training to build up a strong physique.

He remembered when he was young, accompanying a colleague to arrest a criminal. The suspect was incredibly strong, and three or four men couldn't subdue him. But that was just brute strength; everything else about him was ordinary.

Before long, they arrived at the Security Bureau.

Lin Fan chatted briefly before bidding them farewell and turning to leave.

Song Qing watched Lin Fan's retreating figure.

Yang Ming spoke urgently.

"Master, you must help him."

"Help him with what?"

"Isn't he planning to join the Security Bureau? You must pull some strings for him then and get him in."

"What, did you receive a bribe?"

"No, it's just that I feel incredibly safe when I'm around him."

"Safer than with Master?"

"Of course... No, not safer than with Master."

Yang Ming, snapping back to his senses, immediately shook his head. He had let slip what he meant.

Song Qing did have such thoughts, but Lin Fan's background was a bit sensitive, being associated with a Gang. However, during this time, he had inquired about the man's character.

The common folk at Jili Pier had a good impression of Lin Fan.

Especially one elderly person, who praised Lin Fan to the skies, as if there had never been a better person in the world. If he hadn't confirmed the person was just an ordinary citizen, he would have thought he'd encountered one of Lin Fan's paid promoters.

There weren't many people in the Security Bureau willing to do real work these days.

And even if they were willing, it wasn't always possible to get things done.

If he hadn't met that person tonight.

He and his disciple would probably die there.

At this moment, Lin Fan, who had returned home, didn't rush to sleep. Instead, he took out his books to review and consolidate what he had learned. Once he felt he had a thorough understanding, he took his staff and went outside to begin practicing.

Effort doesn't always pay off, but having a cheat system definitely does.

The previous fights had brought him a few points of proficiency.

Basic Staff Technique was not far from completion.

He didn't know what would happen after it reached completion.

Would Basic turn into Intermediate?

That was probably impossible.

The next day, noon, the dock warehouse.

"Brother Lin, the Rich Guy you were talking about has appeared."

Wu Yong rushed in excitedly, shouting loudly. Although he didn't know what "Rich Guy" meant, based on Brother Lin's intentions, the Rich Guy's arrival meant their good days were coming again.

As expected, the eyes of the brothers in the warehouse were gleaming.

Even now, they were still savoring yesterday's delicacies, truly unforgettable in their lifetime. They were just low-level thugs, how could they have the right to go to Xianwei Tower? Even if they sold their butts, it wouldn't be enough.

They looked at Lin Fan with solemn respect. It was Brother Lin who allowed them to experience such a life.

"He's here, good. Brothers, you haven't eaten breakfast, have you?"

Lin Fan waved his hand, stopped practicing, and picked up a towel to wipe himself.

"Forget breakfast, I didn't even eat dinner last night."

"Me too."

"I not only skipped dinner and breakfast, but my wife also said last night that I was as strong as an ox. This confidence comes from all the delicacies."

The thugs without wives glared at him enviously.

Showing off what? Just a wife? It's like we don't have one. Our five-fingered wives are much more sensible than yours, and they have more tricks too.

Outside, Steward Li looked towards the warehouse. That's right, he was back, intending to press his advantage and capture Lin Fan with lightning speed.

As the saying goes, familiarity breeds affection.

He truly didn't believe that with his decades of experience in dealing with people, he couldn't handle this inexperienced young man.

He walked to the warehouse and, before he could even step inside, he saw a dense crowd emerge. Leading them was none other than Lin Fan. This sight made Steward Li's heart tremble slightly.

"Oh, Steward Li, what brings you here?"

Lin Fan's act was flawless, showing no hint of premeditation.

Steward Li put on a professional smile. "I wonder if Brother Lin is free now. I'd like to invite Brother Lin to a nearby restaurant for a few drinks."

"No problem. Since Steward Li is asking, how can I refuse?" After speaking, Lin Fan looked displeasedly at the brothers behind him, frowning. "What's going on with you all? Seeing Steward Li and not even greeting him? Have you forgotten how Steward Li treated you yesterday? After eating, you just wipe your mouths and pretend not to know him?"

"No need, no need," Steward Li waved his hands repeatedly.

"We must."

The brothers behind him immediately shouted respectfully.

"Steward Li, hello."

"Steward Li, hello."

Faced with these increasingly loud compliments, Steward Li felt as if he had smeared honey all over himself; it was indescribably delightful. He smiled and raised his hand, waving back.

"Brother Lin, let's all go together then."

"How can we do that? You've already spent so much yesterday, this... this..."

"Alas, we're all brothers, why be strangers? Unless Brother Lin and the others look down on me, Li."

"How could that be possible? Then we gratefully accept."

"Hahaha, that's more like it."

Steward Li's generosity and righteousness were almost overflowing.

Soon, the large group set off, heading for Xianwei Tower, a restaurant known for its high-end luxury, a place ordinary people would shy away from. But now, it was the cafeteria for the brothers of Jili Pier.

During this meal, Lin Fan chatted enthusiastically with Steward Li. As they drank and talked, Steward Li was overjoyed, his smile never ceasing. What Lin Fan said made Steward Li feel like he was floating on air. As they drank, Steward Li became increasingly tipsy, his face flushed and his intoxication evident.

In Lin Fan's view, to keep this Rich Guy hooked, he had to increase the warmth of their interactions.

First meeting, a bit of familiarity. Second meeting, more comfortable. Third meeting, arm in arm, discussing everything under the sun.

Several days later.

The brothers of Jili Pier had been eating too well during this period; they had all gained weight and even become picky eaters. When their families occasionally prepared a good meal, they would find it uninteresting, criticizing the meat in their bowls.

For example, they would talk at length about the texture of the meat, concluding that it was inferior to Xianwei Tower's.

Family: Are they crazy?

Sun Manor.

Steward Li lowered his head, like a child who had done wrong, not daring to look directly at Sun Xiao.

Sun Xiao, seated in a grand armchair, gazed at the expense report in his hand. His expression was calm, undisturbed, but the figure of three hundred and seventy taels refused to leave his sight.

Three hundred and seventy taels, what did that mean?

It was money an ordinary person couldn't earn in a lifetime.

It could hire professional assassins to kill over ten people for you.

It could buy a three-courtyard mansion in the central district of Yong'an City.

Sun Xiao remained silent, but Sun Yaozu couldn't help himself. "Steward Li, how have you been spending money these past few days? Have you been eating dragon meat or drinking phoenix blood?"

"Young Master, I..."

Steward Li was speechless for a moment. He didn't know how to explain. Recalling carefully, he had been drinking himself into a stupor these past few days. Whenever he woke up, it was already dark, and he only felt a splitting headache and extreme fatigue.

He had drunk himself sick.

Sun Xiao waved his hand. "Money isn't much to me, but what is Lin Fan's attitude right now?"

His evaluation of Lin Fan was even higher. Because of what happened with Song Qing a few days ago, although it wasn't publicized, he knew Lin Fan had taken down eight ruffians armed with sharp weapons using nothing but a casually picked-up stick.

Such strength was unimaginable.

If he could truly win Lin Fan over to his side.

It would be like adding wings to a tiger.

"I..."

Before Steward Li could make excuses, a servant rushed in, bowed respectfully to Sun Xiao and Sun Yaozu, and then said to Steward Li, "Steward, someone from Jili Pier is here to inform you that Lin Fan has invited you to a banquet at Xianwei Tower. He also said you must attend, or it will break your brotherly bond."

Upon hearing this.

Steward Li, who had been looking down in shame, suddenly raised his head, his spirit returning. He coughed a few times and said, "Master, I have already made progress. I've infiltrated their ranks. Not only am I brothers with Lin Fan, but even his subordinates are extremely respectful to me. I guarantee that within a few days, I will be able to capture him, and I might even gain a group of subordinates for free."

Sun Xiao nodded in satisfaction. "Good, as expected of Steward Li. You handle things steadily. Go, continue with your task. As for the expenses, don't feel any pressure. As long as you can win him over, Master will reward you handsomely."

"Yes, Master."

Steward Li responded. As he left, he glanced at the Young Master. Although he didn't say anything, his meaning was clear.

The Young Master?

Heh!

Too green!

Too naive!

Too eager for quick success!

This was his evaluation of the Young Master.

To learn the calm and collected demeanor of the Boss, he still needed to learn and practice more.

Kid, you still have a lot to learn.

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