A Ruthless Business Mind

A crisp sound came not from the clash of fists, but from Da Ming's arm.

The clear crack of broken bones and torn sinews rang out. Da Ming let out a miserable scream as his left arm drooped limply, clearly ruined.

The terrifying force rebounded, sending him staggering backward, his face deathly pale.

The surrounding guests witnessed this scene, falling silent instantly, then their pupils contracted as they stared at Chen Lin in shock.

An expert!

With just that one move, he had casually crippled the arm of a Divine Vault third-layer expert. This level of strength was at least Divine Vault seventh-layer or above!

Perhaps even stronger!

Chen Lin's gaze swept casually over Liu Mingxuan, carrying a tangible chill.

Liu Mingxuan felt an invisible pressure instantly envelop him, as if a primordial beast had locked onto him. Fear seized his heart, chilling him to the bone, his vision darkening. His legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground, losing even the strength to struggle.

"Sir, this..." The attendant beside him looked at Liu Mingxuan's pitiful state, then at Chen Lin's icy expression. Unable to bear it, she couldn't help but speak up to plead.

But Chen Lin remained expressionless, his voice flat to the point of indifference: "He just intended to strike me. You couldn't stop that. I'm returning the favor. You can't stop that either. Those who bully others will themselves be bullied."

His words fell, and the surroundings fell into dead silence, broken only by Liu Mingxuan's heavy gasps.

"My father is the current Minister of Works! Bullying me like this—you'll pay for it later!"

Liu Mingxuan scrambled up, trying to salvage the situation with his authority, but his disheveled appearance only drew mocking laughter from the onlookers.

A hint of a mocking smile curled at the corner of Chen Lin's mouth: "The son of the Minister of Works, throwing his weight around and bullying others, only to get taught a lesson. Quite the drama, isn't it?"

Before his words faded, a steady, forceful voice came from behind: "What's going on here?"

Everyone turned to look. An old man in brocade robes, with a gaunt face and an extraordinary bearing, walked over.

The attendants and guards nearby saw him and bowed respectfully.

"Elder Qin!"

This Elder Qin was one of the elders stationed at the Four Directions Merchant Association in Tianyan City, a man of considerable renown even in the Imperial Capital.

His appearance instantly heightened the tension in the air.

The attendant quickly whispered the sequence of events to Elder Qin.

After listening, Elder Qin did not immediately flare up. Instead, he pondered for a moment, then turned to the guards and attendants, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable authority: "Why aren't you helping Young Master Liu up and seeing to him properly?"

"Elder Qin, you must stand up for me! Bullying the son of an Imperial official in public—this is a blatant disregard for the Imperial Court!"

Liu Mingxuan, bolstered by Elder Qin's words, found his backbone again, his tone filled with resentment toward Chen Lin.

Elder Qin put on a warm smile, his tone respectful and smooth as he addressed Liu Mingxuan: "Young Master Liu, our Four Directions Merchant Association runs an open business. We value harmony and prosperity."

"This guest may have been a bit rash, but he had no intention of taking your life. How about this: later, I'll have a private 'word' with that guest. What do you think?"

Liu Mingxuan's lips curled into a knowing, cold smirk: "Then... have a good 'word' with him."

After that, Elder Qin instructed the attendants: "Take Young Master Liu to the inner hall to rest and comfort him. Also, fetch a 'Bone-Mending Pill' for that guard."

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His words soothed Liu Mingxuan and gave Da Ming some recompense, covering all bases.

The attendants immediately acknowledged with respect, carefully supporting the still-pale Liu Mingxuan, who forced an air of dignity, and Da Ming, whose pain had eased slightly after taking the pill, as they quickly withdrew.

Once their figures disappeared at the end of the corridor, Elder Qin slowly turned around.

His gaze fell on Chen Lin, his demeanor still calm, but that calm carried a worldly steadiness, even a hint of appropriate respect: "This guest, the wind is strong outside. Please, come in."

He extended his hand in an inviting gesture.

As he spoke, he extended his hand, making an inviting gesture.

Chen Lin watched all this silently, sneering inwardly.

Indeed, no profit, no action; no merchant, no cunning!

He had just sensed that Elder Qin had been nearby for a while—at least since Liu Mingxuan appeared and blocked him.

After all, the Four Directions Merchant Association was vast. Dragging out these few steps for so long was clearly waiting for the right moment to intervene.

His own black robe was undoubtedly a glaring target, letting Elder Qin guess seven or eight parts of the truth—most likely here to trade something shady, contraband, poisons, or the like.

That's why he hadn't rushed out, like an old fisherman waiting for the fish in his net to jump on its own.

Liu Mingxuan's clownish provocation was the perfect touchstone.

If Chen Lin had lost, Elder Qin would have stepped in then, legitimately taking him down, citing the no-fighting rule in the association, while also making Chen Lin owe him a favor—killing two birds with one stone.

Afterward, he could devalue whatever Chen Lin had to offer, since being saved would demand gratitude.

But Chen Lin had easily subdued the guard, proving his strength was no joke.

Now, if Elder Qin didn't show up, it would mean the Four Directions Merchant Association wasn't safe, losing face.

His appearance now was masterfully timed: he stopped the situation from spiraling out of control (if Chen Lin had accidentally killed Liu Mingxuan, the trouble would be immense) and played the role of an impartial mediator.

Liu Mingxuan's father was the Minister of Works—a connection Elder Qin could not possibly be unaware of.

His timely appearance had made Chen Lin back off, preserving the noble scion's dignity while preventing Chen Lin from becoming outright enemies with Liu Mingxuan's father.

As for that remark about "having a word" earlier, the meaning was clear enough—he wouldn't actually make a move against Chen Lin afterward.

It soothed Liu Mingxuan while signaling to Chen Lin: you owe me one.

Perfect.

This old fox had mastered the art of political maneuvering to a tee.

Interesting.

Chen Lin made his assessment internally, but his gaze sharpened almost imperceptibly as he met Elder Qin's "invitation."

The two passed through a corridor and entered a tastefully decorated room.

The moment Elder Qin sat down, he spoke with a genial laugh, his tone seemingly casual yet every word striking home: "Our guest truly has guts, daring to lay hands on the Minister of Works' son. That takes some nerve. Fortunately, this old man stepped in to smooth things over, or this affair would have blown up for real."

He paused, lifting his teacup without drinking: "As for that 'having a word' business outside, haha, that was just this old man speaking off the cuff—a joke, nothing more. Our guest was entirely in the right. Young Master Liu was disrespectful first, then provoked you; he deserved the lesson."