Wreaking Havoc at Hu Mansion-This Was Just How Brutal He Was

They filed into Hu Mansion, one after another.

Following Brother Lin with their chests puffed out, they didn't even know what fear was. Aside from Lin Fan and Yang Ming, who were officers, everyone else was a dockworker, a man of low status.

In the past, if they'd dared to barge in here, having their legs broken would've been the least of their worries.

But now they weren't afraid.

Brother Lin was their confidence. They were following him in doing something big.

"Who are you people? This is Hu Mansion. Who let you in?"

Hearing the commotion, the Hu Mansion steward hurried over. At a glance, he saw a crowd of strangers barging in, and immediately stepped forward to demand an explanation and block their way.

Lin Fan reached out, hooked an arm around the steward's head, and clamped a hand around the back of his neck. He kept walking as he spoke.

"We're on a case for the Security Bureau. Behave yourself. Where's your young master? Go call him over."

With Lin Fan gripping the back of his neck, the steward instantly bristled like a rabbit with its fur standing on end. In his panic, he started snapping back.

"How dare you! Let go of me! This is Hu Mansion, and I'm the Hu family steward. So what if you're an officer from the Security Bureau? If you want to enter Hu Mansion, you still need to send a calling card and request an audience!"

Lin Fan laughed. "Well, look at you, all tough. Not much ability, but plenty of temper. Wu Yong, Qian Tao, give him a few slaps to clear his head."

Then he tossed the man behind him.

Wu Yong grabbed the steward and slapped him back and forth, leaving his face red and his eyes dazed. He was the Hu family steward! In Yong'an City, he was a man of standing and status.

When commoners saw him, they always called him "Master," to say the least.

And now, right here in Hu Mansion, these common rabble dared slap him in the face. This was lawless!

Before he could come to his senses, Qian Tao stepped in and slapped him back and forth again. Blood trickled from the steward's mouth. His legs gave way, and he slumped to the ground, staring blankly at the gang of men before him, who looked like bandits.

"Someone come! Where is everyone?"

He roared until his throat nearly tore.

Where the hell had all the guards gone?

Shopkeeper Wang, who had been nursing his grievances, stared at the scene in shock. He only wanted justice. He didn't want the wine recipe anymore; he just wanted his son rescued.

Who could have guessed Master Lin would act so quickly? No investigation, no pulling strings—he'd come straight to the door to arrest someone.

His heart pounded hard.

He could tell Master Lin truly meant to get him justice.

As they entered the reception hall, the maids screamed and fled in panic.

Lin Fan strode to the grand chair at the head of the room, pulled the iron rod from his back, and slammed it into the floor. The priceless tiles cracked, and the rod punched a hole right through them.

He plopped down and stared at the servants huddled in the corner.

"Go. Call your master and young master over."

Then he closed his eyes to rest.

The brothers who had followed him couldn't help giving Brother Lin a thumbs-up, silently cheering in their hearts.

Brother Lin, you're awesome.

Brother Lin, you're the best.

Brother Lin, you're both awesome and the best.

In the rear courtyard, Master Hu was tending the flowers and plants he had lovingly cultivated. With a wealthy, powerful household, he was practically a local emperor in Yong'an City, living a life of ease.

"Master! Master!"

Rapid footsteps and a frantic voice rang out.

A servant hurried over, panting. "Master, something's wrong! People from the Security Bureau have barged into Hu Mansion and are demanding that we hand over the young master."

Master Hu furrowed his brow slightly. "The Security Bureau? What are they here for?"

"I don't know, but they've come in force. The officer leading them is a rookie named Lin Fan."

Lin Fan?!

Master Hu had heard of him. He'd been told that Lin Fan had a lot to do with how lively Yong'an City had become lately. Though he knew little about the man, he understood that he was a difficult opponent.

"Come on. Let's go see."

He didn't believe Lin Fan would dare do anything to him.

In the reception hall.

Before Master Hu appeared, his laughter rang out.

"Hahaha! What wind blew Officer Lin to our Hu Mansion? It's an honor to have you here. Forgive me for not welcoming you sooner." Master Hu entered from the rear with his hands clasped behind his back and a beaming smile. When he saw the crowd in the hall,

his heart gave a slight jolt. These visitors had come with bad intentions.

"What wind? A crooked one, naturally." Lin Fan opened his eyes but didn't so much as shift in his chair.

Master Hu smiled. "Officer Lin, you certainly know how to talk. Our Hu family has always upheld an upright family tradition. Our ancestors even produced a Martial Scholar. We've passed down poetry and propriety through the generations, and made loyalty and honesty our principles. We're renowned in Yong'an for our good works. Officer Lin, with a show of force like this, could there perhaps be...some misunderstanding?"

"Someone who's read books really has read books—nothing but nonsense spilling from your mouth." Lin Fan clicked his tongue. "Master Hu, I'm not here for you today. Call your son out. I have something to ask him."

At those words,

Master Hu's smile gradually faded. He'd offered the man courtesy, but Lin Fan had refused to accept it. Did he really think he was somebody?

His expression darkened, and his tone turned colder. "My son has been unwell these past few days and is resting in the rear courtyard. He isn't receiving visitors. If the Security Bureau has business, why not discuss it with me first?"

The meaning was clear.

You're asking for trouble.

"Why the fuck should I discuss anything with you? I'm asking you nicely to call your son out. Don't make me come over there and do it myself." Lin Fan looked at Master Hu, his voice cold.

Yang Ming couldn't get a word in edgewise.

Everything had been fine just moments ago.

Then suddenly, the atmosphere had gone sour.

Brother Lin didn't seem to care for beating around the bush. He went straight for the jugular and started trading blows.

"What did you say?" Master Hu's voice rose sharply as he glared at Lin Fan. "Even when Steward Li speaks with me, he's courteous. You're nothing but a rookie officer—how dare you be so arrogant? This is outrageous!"

He truly hadn't expected it.

This Lin fellow was actually so insolent.

Did he think Hu Mansion was somewhere he could run wild?

The gleaming golden plaque of the Martial Champion hung above the hall. It had been passed down for a hundred years and was the pride of the Hu family. Even the county magistrate would have to give it a thumbs-up and praise it.

What a Martial Champion indeed.

Rapid footsteps approached, and more than a dozen guards came hurrying in with clubs in hand. The Hu family kept these hired thugs on a generous purse. Every one of them was broad-shouldered and burly, with sharp light in their eyes.

Clearly, they were fed well on meat and fish, and put through rigorous training.

When they heard that officers had come to Hu Mansion to cause trouble,

they were instantly furious.

So what if they were officers? They'd beat those blind fools all the same.

"Master, we're here."

The head guard, A Meng, spoke in a voice like a booming bell. He strode into the hall, first bowing respectfully to Master Hu, then turning around. His leopard-like eyes flashed with a vicious, icy glare, fixing on Lin Fan.

The warning in his gaze was unmistakable.

Know what's good for you and leave on your own, or we'll break your legs.

Seeing that the guards had arrived, Master Hu felt reassured.

He stood with his hands behind his back and looked down indifferently at Lin Fan, who remained seated. "You're welcome to visit the Hu family, but you're not qualified to come here and throw your weight around. A Meng, show this gentleman out."

"Yes, Master."

A Meng's jowls twitched as he flashed a mocking, cruel grin. He advanced on Lin Fan step by step, looming over him, his voice dripping with contempt. "Officer, are you going to leave with some dignity, or should my brothers help you out and send you—"

He hadn't even finished saying "out" when—

BANG—!

A muffled boom, like a heavy hammer pounding a drum, suddenly exploded through the hall!

Everyone inside saw only a blur. A black shadow flew out like a broken sack, so fast that no one could react.

After a clatter of noise, the shadow slammed into the courtyard's stone paving and rolled several times before coming to a stop.

The crowd stared in horror.

The guard who had been so arrogant just moments ago now lay curled up like a squashed shrimp, his face as pale as paper. A clear footprint was sunk into his chest. He suddenly opened his mouth and spat out a huge mouthful of blood, his whole body twitching.

In an instant, the entire hall fell utterly silent.

Every guard froze in place. The sneers on their faces had stiffened, replaced by incredulous fear. They all sucked in cold breaths, their palms slick with sweat around their clubs.

H-how was this possible? He'd sent a man flying with one kick, and at least fifteen or sixteen feet, too. Could a human being really do that?

The composure on Master Hu's face shattered completely. His mouth fell open in shock, his eyes nearly bulging out of his head, his mind blank.

This was impossible.

Amid the dead silence and shock,

Lin Fan slowly lowered his leg, brushed off the dust, then raised his hand and slapped the tea table beside him. The teacups rattled and jumped.

"Master Hu, I'll say this one last time. Hand over your son at once. Otherwise, under the laws and regulations, you're guilty of 'knowingly concealing a criminal.'

Your Hu family's ancestors were Martial Scholars. You know the law, don't you?

If your son has committed some other crime, then your crime of shielding him won't be a minor matter. Do you want to see whether your Hu family's bones are harder, or the shackles of the law? Do you want to leave with some dignity, or should I help you find some? You can spend a good long while in jail and try out the prison's memory-restoration treatment?

"Ah—say something!"

Yang Ming's eyes shone as he looked at Brother Lin. He'd just witnessed a domineering might even his own master didn't possess.

His heart fluttered.

He was smitten, he was smitten.

Shopkeeper Wang stood frozen. He wanted nothing more than to drop to his knees before Master Lin. He'd never imagined that Master Lin would really dare poke the Yong'an tiger in the backside for the sake of an ordinary man like him.

From this day on, if anyone dared say a bad word about Master Lin,

he'd hack them to death. Otherwise, he wouldn't be worthy of the name Wang.