A sharp crack rang out—not from fists colliding, but from Da Ming's arm.
The sound of tendons snapping and bones splintering was clearly audible. Da Ming let out a shrill scream, and his left arm dangled limply at his side. It was plainly ruined beyond repair.
The terrifying force rebounded, sending him stumbling backward, his face deathly pale.
The customers around them witnessed the scene and fell silent in an instant. Then their pupils shrank as they stared at Chen Lin in horror.
A master!
With just that one move, he had effortlessly crippled the arm of a Divine Treasury Third Layer expert. A man with that kind of strength was at least at the Divine Vault Seventh Layer!
Perhaps even stronger!
Chen Lin's gaze swept casually over Liu Mingxuan. It seemed to carry a palpable chill.
Liu Mingxuan felt an invisible pressure descend on him in an instant. It was as if an ancient ferocious beast had fixed its eyes on him. Fear seized his heart, turning his entire body cold. His vision darkened in waves, and his legs went weak. He collapsed to the ground, unable even to struggle.
"Sir, this..." The maid beside them looked at Liu Mingxuan's wretched state, then at Chen Lin's icy gaze. Unable to bear it, she couldn't help opening her mouth to plead for him.
Chen Lin remained expressionless, his voice so calm it was almost indifferent. "He just tried to attack me. You couldn't stop him. I returned the favor, and you can't stop me either. Whoever bullies others will be bullied in turn."
His words fell, and the surroundings sank into complete silence. Only Liu Mingxuan's ragged breathing remained.
"My father is the current Minister of Works! You dare treat me like this? You'll pay for it!"
Liu Mingxuan scrambled to his feet, trying to use his family's influence to salvage the situation. But in his current dazed and disheveled state, he only drew snickers from the onlooking customers.
Chen Lin's lips curved into a mocking smile. "The Minister of Works' son bullies people with his family's power, only to get taught a lesson himself. Quite the amusing turn of events."
Before his voice had faded, a deep, steady voice sounded from behind him. "What's going on?"
Everyone turned to look. An elderly man in brocade robes approached, his face lean and refined, his bearing extraordinary.
The maids and guards nearby bowed respectfully when they saw him.
"Elder Qin!"
Elder Qin was one of the elders stationed at the Four Directions Merchant Association in Tianyan City. He was also a figure of considerable renown in the Imperial Capital.
His arrival raised the tension in the air by several notches.
The maid hurriedly lowered her voice and recounted what had happened to Elder Qin.
After listening, Elder Qin didn't flare up at once. Instead, he pondered for a moment, then turned to the guards and maids. His voice was mild, yet carried an unquestionable authority. "Why haven't you helped Young Master Liu up and seen him settled?"
"Elder Qin, you must see justice done for me! He dared bully the son of a court official in public. That's a blatant disregard for the Imperial Court!"
At Elder Qin's words, Liu Mingxuan seemed to have found someone to lean on. His voice brimmed with hatred for Chen Lin and...
Elder Qin's face broke into a warm smile. He addressed Liu Mingxuan in a respectful, tactful tone. "Young Master Liu, our Four Directions Merchant Association is a place of business. We believe in harmony bringing prosperity."
"This guest was a little rash, but he had no intention of taking your life. How about this? I'll have a private word with him later and 'set him straight.' What do you think?"
Liu Mingxuan heard him, and a knowing, chilly smile curled his lips. "Then... 'set him straight' properly."
Elder Qin then instructed the maids, "All right. Take Young Master Liu to the inner hall to rest and make sure he's comfortable. Also, bring a Bone-Mending Pill for this guard to take."
His words both soothed Liu Mingxuan and gave Da Ming an explanation, leaving no one out.
The maids promptly answered and carefully helped Liu Mingxuan, whose face still looked awful as he struggled to maintain his dignity, and Da Ming, whose pain had eased somewhat after taking the pill. They quickly escorted them away.
Only after the group disappeared at the end of the corridor did Elder Qin slowly turn around.
His gaze settled on Chen Lin. His manner remained mild, but that mildness held the steadiness of a man who had seen through the ways of the world—and even a touch of carefully measured respect. "The wind's strong outside, sir. Please, come in."
He extended a hand in invitation.
As he spoke, he extended a hand in invitation.
Chen Lin watched it all in silence, sneering inwardly.
As expected, no one stirred without gain, and no merchant was free of guile!
He had already sensed that Elder Qin was nearby—at the very least, he had been there since Liu Mingxuan appeared and blocked Chen Lin's way.
The Four Directions Merchant Association was so vast, yet the old man had taken his time over just a few steps. Clearly, he had been waiting for the right moment to step in.
Chen Lin's black robe was an obvious target, and Elder Qin had immediately guessed most of the truth: he was probably there to trade in something unsavory—contraband, hidden weapons, poison, and the like.
That was why he hadn't shown himself right away. Like an old fisherman, he had waited patiently for the fish in his net to leap.
Liu Mingxuan's provocation had been the perfect test.
If Chen Lin had lost, Elder Qin could have stepped in at that moment, taken him into custody with every justification—claiming that fighting was forbidden in the association—and made Chen Lin owe him a favor. Two birds with one stone.
Afterward, he could have driven down the value of whatever Chen Lin had brought. After all, once someone saved you, you were bound to feel grateful.
But Chen Lin had subdued the guard with ease, proving that he was no pushover.
If Elder Qin still didn't show himself now, it would mean the Four Directions Merchant Association wasn't safe—and would cost him face.
His timing was masterful: he had stopped the situation from spiraling out of control (if Chen Lin accidentally killed Liu Mingxuan, it would have caused a world of trouble) while playing the role of an impartial mediator.
Liu Mingxuan's father was the Minister of Works. There was no way Elder Qin didn't know about that connection.
By appearing at just the right moment, he had made Chen Lin back down, protecting the son of a powerful official while also preventing Chen Lin from becoming the sworn enemy of Liu Mingxuan's father.
As for his earlier remark about "setting him straight," the meaning couldn't have been clearer: he certainly wasn't going to lay a hand on Chen Lin afterward.
He had soothed Liu Mingxuan while also sending Chen Lin a message: you owe me a favor.
Perfect!
This old fox played the power games of commerce with consummate skill.
Interesting.
Chen Lin judged him silently, his gaze sharpening almost imperceptibly as he met Elder Qin's "invitation."
The two walked through the corridor and entered an elegantly furnished room.
As soon as Elder Qin took his seat, he spoke with a genial smile. His tone sounded casual, yet every word struck at the heart of the matter. "You certainly have courage, sir. You even dared to lay hands on the Minister of Works' son. That's no small nerve. Fortunately, I came out in time to smooth things over. Otherwise, this could have gotten out of hand."
He paused and lifted his teacup, but didn't drink. "As for what I said outside about 'setting him straight'—haha, that was just an offhand remark, a little joke. You were in the right. Young Master Liu was disrespectful and provoked you first. He deserved to be taught a lesson."
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