"Lin San, dare you?" Tao Wanying exclaimed, both shocked and angry, but involuntarily took a few steps back.
Ever since the day Lin San humiliated her in Jinling City, she had developed a sense of fear towards Lin Wanrong. In Hangzhou, at the Qingyu Tower, it was Lin San again who caused her brother to lose his shop, lose face, and injured his fingers. Fueled by anger, she dared to seek revenge.
"You know I'm a villain, so what is there that I wouldn't dare?" Lin Wanrong laughed, finding the girl's words lacking substance. Grinning, he moved towards Tao Wanying.
In terms of fighting, Tao Wanying was never a match for Lin Wanrong, especially in the current one-sided situation. Startled, she screamed twice but still tightly held onto Tao Dongcheng's hands, unwilling to let go. Under the shock, she completely forgot her martial arts skills and turned into a helpless little girl.
Lin Wanrong coldly looked at her, saying, "Miss Tao, are you surrendering on your own, or do you want me to take action?"
Having experienced his strength, Tao Wanying knew that escape was impossible today. She bit her lip and said, "Lin San, I'll stay, but release my brother."
Tao Wanying might have countless flaws, but in times of trouble, she was unwilling to abandon her family. This aspect was commendable and the only positive impression she left on Lin Wanrong.
Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, "Miss Tao, do you have the qualifications to make conditions? It's quite amusing. Today, it's your Tao family robbing us. Why are you begging me now?"
Tao Wanying gritted her teeth in silence. Lin Wanrong took a few steps forward, lifted her chin playfully, and lightly touched her face. He smirked, "Miss Tao, apart from your figure, it's hard to say which other part looks good."
Tao Wanying jumped back in shock and anger, her eyes turning red under the humiliation. "Lin San, if you dare to bully me, even if I become a ghost, I won't spare you."
"Bully you?" Lin Wanrong laughed, "Forgive my bluntness, Miss Tao. With your appearance, even if I were blindfolded with pig lard and the lights were blown out at night, I wouldn't be able to touch you."
"Go to hell!" Tao Wanying, embarrassed and angry, scolded loudly.
"Whether I live or die has nothing to do with you. But you persistently entangling with me, could it be that you've taken a liking to me? Why am I so unlucky to be noticed by a crazy woman? When I go back, I must burn some incense to dispel evil spirits," Lin Wanrong teased.
Unable to bear such humiliation, Tao Wanying, disregarding the significant difference in their strengths, rushed towards him.
In her anger, she lost all techniques. Lin Wanrong seized the opportunity, a knife-hand strike to the back of her neck, causing her to faint.
"Lin San, did you kill her?" An anxious voice came from behind, and Lin Wanrong turned around to see Miss Xiao arriving.
"Do I look like an executioner?" Lin Wanrong sighed, "Miss Xiao, I hope your impression of me isn't that bad."
Miss Xiao, knowing he hadn't killed anyone, felt relieved and scolded him, "You took advantage of her, not as an executioner, but as a shameless person."
Gao Qiu walked over, smiling, "I arrived late. Apologies for alarming Miss and Master Lin."
Miss Xiao nodded, "Miss thanks Mr. Gao for coming to our rescue."
Lin Wanrong added, "Mr. Gao, your timely intervention saved us from a difficult situation. If you had been with us on the way, we would have had a much smoother journey."
Gao Qiu said, "Master Lin is also skilled, throwing stones accurately. Even without my help, you could handle this alone. Before leaving, Master Xu repeatedly reminded me to protect everyone secretly, not to cause any disturbance. If not for the rampant bandits today, I wouldn't have revealed myself."
Dealing with the bandits was settled, but how to handle the Tao siblings became a dilemma.
Miss Xiao contemplated, "We should treat Tao Dongcheng and Miss Wanying differently. Tao Dongcheng repeatedly plotted against us, an unforgivable crime. However, Miss Wanying, despite her wrongs, is only protecting her brother out of familial bonds. Let's not pressure her excessively. In my opinion, we should capture them and bring them to the authorities. I believe no one would dare to shield them."
Lin Wanrong frowned upon hearing this. Miss Xiao seemed naive and lacking political sensitivity. This matter couldn't be resolved by involving the authorities. Women, naturally, had a limited understanding of politics, and this was inherent; urgency wasn't necessary.
Sighing, he said, "Miss, while treating Tao siblings differently is agreeable, handing them over to the authorities might be challenging. Have you considered the jurisdiction issue here?"
Miss Xiao asked, "This is the border area between Jiangsu and Zhejiang. What's the issue?"
Lin Wanrong replied, "If you hand them over, do you give them to Jiangsu or Zhejiang?"
This reminder made Miss Xiao realize the cunning of Tao Dongcheng. Choosing to act at the border allowed them to escape jurisdiction, making it difficult for either province to take responsibility. Given Tao Yu's identity and influence, this matter wouldn't be straightforward, especially considering it was witnessed only by the Xiao family. Now, Miss Xiao felt her idea was somewhat naive.
Seeing Lin San's smiling face, Miss Xiao thought, "He had planned this from the beginning and deliberately embarrassed me. He's teasing me." She snorted and didn't speak further.
Gao Qiu pulled Lin Wanrong aside, whispering, "Master Lin, how do you suggest handling this?"
Lin Wanrong, wiping his neck, chuckled, "In this mountainous and dense forest area—"
Gao Qiu was startled, "Master, you can't—"
Lin Wanrong grinned, "Why not? Did Master Xu mention something before leaving?"
Gao Qiu hastily said, "Master Xu emphasized not to cause any disturbance and to protect everyone secretly. If we conclude the Tao siblings here, it will cause trouble for the Xiao family."
Lin Wanrong thought, "We've already encountered significant trouble now. Moreover, we've already severed ties with the Tao family. When a pig is already dead, why be afraid of boiling water?"
"If the Tao siblings disappear, Tao Yu and his backers will undoubtedly retaliate fiercely. Gold City might become a battlefield. Master Xu warned Master Lin to consider the consequences before taking action. If Tao Yu and Cheng De join forces and cause trouble, even if Miss Luo can handle it, the position of the Xiao family will likely be compromised. Maintaining the current balance or helping Miss Luo thoroughly defeat Cheng De will allow the Xiao family to survive between the cracks. Master Lin must think twice," Gao Qiu advised with clasped hands.
Lin Wanrong laughed and patted Gao Qiu's shoulder, "Brother Gao, I'm just joking with you. Do I
look like a ruthless person?"
Gao Qiu, recalling Lin Wanrong's methods during the interrogation of Lu Zhongping earlier in the day, felt a chill. Lin Wanrong might not be ruthless, but the ideas he came up with were the cruelest.
"But you know, I'm not someone easy to bully," Lin Wanrong continued. "The Tao family has repeatedly used schemes and tricks against our Xiao family. If I don't stand up for myself, it would be unfair to me. Don't you agree, Brother Gao?"
"That is natural. A good man seeks revenge for grievances," Gao Qiu replied.
"I like hearing that," Lin Wanrong nodded. "Brother Gao, in your opinion, what makes a man happiest when doing something?"
Gao Qiu thought and said, "Visiting brothels."
Lin Wanrong sighed, "I'm speechless. It seems Brother Gao pursues simpler pleasures. Now, tell me, how can a man ensure he never visits a brothel and never experiences the company of women throughout his life?"
"Cut off his desires?" Gao Qiu suggested casually, and then, realizing what he said, was startled, "Master Lin, this is not acceptable; it's almost equivalent to killing him."
Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Brother Gao, where did you go with that? I'm afraid of killing chickens, let alone doing something so bloody. If I have to do it, I'll make it discreet. Brother Gao, you're a martial arts expert. Is there any technique to sever a certain part of a man, making it imperceptible temporarily and slowly manifesting after some time? This way, he wouldn't be able to become a man for the rest of his life."
Gao Qiu was in a dilemma, "This is too cruel."
Lin Wanrong, sensing Gao Qiu's hesitancy, grinned, "Brother Gao, do I look like an upright person? When facing enemies, the more cunning, the more I like it."
Gao Qiu, feeling somewhat helpless, reluctantly nodded, agreeing to perform the technique.
Lin Wanrong brought Tao Dongcheng forward and threw him on the ground. Gao Qiu said, "This technique might cause intense pain. I'm afraid this Tao won't awaken if we do it now."
"That's easy," Lin Wanrong smiled. He took out the anesthetic given by Xiao Qingxuan, which was fortunately wrapped in wax paper and remained dry despite yesterday's fall into the water.
Gao Qiu, a seasoned wanderer, recognized the substance at a glance, thinking, "This Master Lin is truly mysterious. He carries precious items with him, making Tao Dongcheng look more like a bandit than him."
Lin Wanrong instructed Si De to fetch water and a small bowl. He poured clean water into the bowl, sprinkled half a bag of the anesthetic, and stirred. "There you go. This is a top-quality medicine, essential for those who travel and indulge in romantic affairs. I rarely use it, but now seems like a good time."
Gao Qiu, using a technique, opened Tao Dongcheng's throat. Lin Wanrong poured the foaming concoction into him, laughing, "Alright, Brother Gao, you can start now."