Chapter 29: A Mutual Destruction

Silence. Absolute silence!

When Lin Jiangnian’s gaze fell upon the distinct palm print on the table, he fell silent. This so-called "ninth-rank minor expert" was likely far more formidable than he had imagined.

He raised his eyes, catching a glimpse of Xu Lan’s face, which held a trace of triumph and a flicker of warning in her eyes. It seemed that if Lin Jiangnian dared to step out of line, that palm would land on him next. It would crush him!

"I think we should talk this over properly," Lin Jiangnian said after a moment, looking at Xu Lan with earnest sincerity.

"Ha!" Xu Lan sneered. "What happened to that defiant, rebellious attitude of yours just now?"

"You misread me."

"I heard you don't like being threatened?"

"You heard wrong."

"And you wanted to silence me?"

"Rumors."

"..."

Xu Lan sneered repeatedly. "You really are capable of bending and stretching when the situation calls for it, aren't you?"

Lin Jiangnian subconsciously looked down... how did she find out? Pulling his gaze back, he looked at her again. "Can we talk properly now?"

"No!" Having realized she was being baited, there was no way Xu Lan would fall for his tricks again. This guy was too insidious, too cunning, and too outrageous! One slip and she would be caught in his web of words. She now realized the danger; she was the only person who knew Lin Jiangnian was an imposter, and he would surely find a way to silence her.

With that, Xu Lan immediately stood up and headed for the door. "We're not talking today. Come find me tomorrow!" She needed to go back and prepare.

However, before she had taken two steps, Lin Jiangnian rose and blocked her path.

Xu Lan steadied herself. "What do you think you're doing?"

"You cannot leave."

Xu Lan’s eyes widened. "Are you trying to stop me?"

Lin Jiangnian watched her calmly, yet a flash of resolve and coldness surged in his eyes. Things had reached this point, and the pretense was gone. If he let her walk out that door today, his fate would be entirely in her hands.

Therefore... she could not leave!

Sensing something, Xu Lan sneered in disdain. "Do you think you can stop me? Aren't you afraid I'll strike you down..."

Before Xu Lan could finish her threat, a dark shadow flickered before her eyes. Her pupils constricted in surprise—an ambush!

Lin Jiangnian had made his move. He chose to strike first while she was off guard! He knew that as a ninth-rank expert, he would likely lose in a head-on confrontation. His only option was a surprise attack to subdue her. At this moment, Lin Jiangnian no longer cared about being a gentleman.

Taking advantage of her lack of preparation, he lunged forward, grabbing her shoulder with one hand and clamping his other hand around her throat. His expression was grim and ferocious. The throat was one of the most vulnerable parts of the human body; if he could maintain his grip, he could...

"Bang!"

Before he could exert force, a sharp, violent pain erupted in his chest. He looked down to see a fair palm pressed firmly against him. A second later, agonizing pain radiated through his entire body.

"Ugh..." Lin Jiangnian groaned, the sheer force of the impact sending him stumbling back several paces. The intense pain almost made him collapse, and he clutched his chest, gasping for breath for a long time.

He looked up to see Xu Lan’s expression of utter fury. "You dared to ambush me? You’re courting death!"

Lin Jiangnian’s heart sank. He had underestimated her. Just how powerful was this ninth-rank expert?

"You're finished! You’ve made me angry!" Xu Lan was completely incensed. "Just you wait!" She turned and stormed toward the door.

At the same time, a surge of vicious intent flickered in the depths of Lin Jiangnian’s eyes. If he let her walk out that door, he was a dead man.

So...

As Xu Lan reached the doorway, she sensed a movement behind her. Realizing what was happening, she sneered and swung a palm backward. "You’re looking to die..."

"Bang!"

Her palm landed heavily on Lin Jiangnian’s chest once more.

"Ugh..."

Another groan escaped him. But simultaneously, a pair of strong arms reached out from behind her, wrapping around her in a desperate, vice-like grip.

Xu Lan’s eyes widened, and her body trembled. He... he actually...

"Let go of me!"

After a brief moment of shock, Xu Lan struggled violently, her immense inner strength threatening to shake him off. As a ninth-rank expert, her power was not to be trifled with; even as a woman, she was far stronger than the average man.

Yet, in the next second, Lin Jiangnian exerted an even greater, desperate strength, locking his arms around her tighter. He pinned her arms to her sides, leaving her no room to counterattack.

Xu Lan’s face flushed a deep crimson, filled with shame and rage. "You! Let me go!"

She struggled with all her might, the two of them locked in a stalemate. Overwhelmed by humiliation and anger, Xu Lan abandoned all restraint, using every ounce of her strength to force his arms apart. Just as she was about to break free, Lin Jiangnian’s gaze hardened, and he threw his weight forward, tackling her.

"Ah!"

With a cry of surprise, both of them crashed to the floor.

The sudden fall knocked the wind out of Xu Lan, causing the strength she had just mustered to dissipate instantly.

It wasn't over. Before she could recover her senses, Lin Jiangnian quickly rolled over, pinning her beneath him.

Xu Lan felt like crying! Her face was burning red, her appearance disheveled, and she was pinned to the floor in a deeply humiliating position. Behind her was Lin Jiangnian’s heavy frame, pressing down on her, pinning her hands and locking her legs to ensure she had no chance to resist.

Her mind went blank for a fleeting second... She never imagined that Lin Jiangnian would use such a despicable and shameless method to deal with her!

Feeling the heavy, warm presence of the man pressed against her back, at such a close and intimate distance... Xu Lan’s body trembled violently. She was going insane.

Overcome by a mix of shame and rage, she shrieked, "Let me go... you bastard, you rogue, you scoundrel! You’re despicable, shameless, and vile..."

"I won't forgive you! I'm going to kill you...!"

"If you don't let go, I’m going to scream! I’ll tell everyone you’re a fake heir! Help—mmm!"

Before she could finish her cry for help, Lin Jiangnian freed one hand and clamped it tightly over her mouth, silencing her.

"Mmmph! Mmmph!"

Xu Lan’s eyes were wide with terror as she struggled frantically. But the weight pinning her down made it impossible to breathe. She was a woman, after all; even as a ninth-rank expert, her raw physical strength was limited. Now, caught by surprise and subdued by such a shameless, underhanded tactic, she was completely immobilized.

Unable to move her limbs or call for help, Xu Lan glared at Lin Jiangnian over her shoulder, her face flushed with indignation.

However, she saw a cold, indifferent face. It was familiar—identical to the heir of the King of Lin. But at this moment, it felt entirely alien.

A trickle of blood remained at the corner of his mouth, adding a savage edge to his handsome features. His eyes, in particular, were vicious and cold, like a beast staring down an enemy while facing death, prepared to drag his opponent down with him.

Just one glance made Xu Lan shudder, creating a chilling, numbing sensation through her entire body.

He... he wanted to kill her?!

In the depths of his eyes, she saw the murderous glint... he had truly developed the intent to kill!

Xu Lan’s pupils contracted, and a look of pure terror emerged. She finally realized that Lin Jiangnian was not joking. He really wanted to kill her!

As the thought took hold, her body went limp, and she was nearly paralyzed by fear... As the eldest daughter of the Xu family, raised in luxury, when had she ever experienced anything like this? In that instant, she was so frightened that she lost all ability to resist, her mind turning to a void of white.

...

Behind her, Lin Jiangnian stared coldly at the woman he had subdued.

At this moment, only one thought occupied his mind:

Kill her!