Chapter 62

Shi Hu lay on the ground, barely managing to take out a bottle of medicinal pills and pour them into his mouth. After a while, he got up from the ground, but the lecherous look on his face was gone, replaced by a somewhat sinister expression. However, the sinister look quickly passed, and his face was filled with caution as he said with a show of bravado, "Although I offended you all just now, didn't you all go a bit too far?"

At this moment, a noisy sound came from outside, and a loud voice echoed, "I don't know which great person is handling matters here, but my Twin Stone Mercenary Group has offended you. I hope you can be lenient."

After saying this, without waiting for Lin Zheng and the others to respond, over twenty people surged in from outside. The leader was a short middle-aged man who bore a striking resemblance to the lying Shi Hu. It was clear that this was Shi Hu's father. Then, a man and a woman came out from behind the middle-aged man and ran over to Lin Zheng and the others, standing on either side of Luo Lingling, who was behind Lin Qin.

"Lingling, are you okay?" the woman asked with concern.

"Mother, I'm fine! I just missed you all." Luo Lingling ran out from behind Lin Qin and threw herself into the woman's arms.

"Father, is everything alright?" The middle-aged man, who didn't look particularly robust, turned to the old man and hugged him, asking with concern.

"Yes, it's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!" The old man seemed to have a huge weight lifted off his shoulders and said happily.

"Come, let me introduce you to my parents. This is Brother Lin Zheng, these are Brothers Lin Wen, Lin Qian, and Lin Dao. This is Sister Li Ruoshui, Brother Lin Zheng's fiancée. This is my elder sister Lin Qin, and there's a very good wolf sleeping in the guest room behind us." Luo Lingling proudly introduced everyone one by one, then said to Lin Zheng and the others, "This is my mother, Lady Liu, and this is my father, Luo Zheng."

Lin Zheng and the others politely greeted Luo Lingling's parents, ignoring the group of people at the door. The short middle-aged man listened to his son's words with a grim expression, standing aside with a look of displeasure.

"Luo Zheng, since everyone has just returned, let's celebrate and finalize the marriage between our families, shall we?" The leading middle-aged man said calmly.

"This is Shi Hu's father, Shi Meng, the leader of the Twin Stone Mercenary Group, with an eighth-level cultivation," Luo Lingling whispered to the others.

"Leader, brothers, let's go have a drink first. We'll join you in a bit. However, Ling'er is still young, and the marriage isn't urgent. Besides, the decision should be hers, and neither I nor her mother will interfere," Luo Zheng said in a firm but not aggressive tone, leaving no room for argument.

"Hmph, I'll decide today. In seven days, my family will come to take the bride. I hope Old Man Luo will be prepared," Shi Meng said, turning to leave without waiting for Luo Zheng to respond. Shi Hu followed his father, a sinister look flashing across his face, but he remained quiet as he walked out behind Shi Meng.

"Wait, what are you doing? I haven't said anything yet, and you think you can just leave?" Lin Qin was unhappy and shouted, "What's this? You can just say you'll marry whoever you want and then leave? Why don't you go to the capital and say you'll marry the princess in seven days? Are you showing off here? Besides, you've come to the wrong place!"

"Who are you to speak to our leader like that?"

"Little girl, let's see if you can handle this!" Instantly, a few people from the mercenary group jumped out from the crowd, weapons in hand, and attacked Lin Qin. Shi Meng stood still, not stopping them, wanting to see if these people were as troublesome as his son said.

"Swish!" A cold light flashed, and Lin Dao appeared between the two sides, his long sword slicing through the air and standing in front of Lin Qin. The attackers in mid-air screamed and fell to the ground, their hands instantly cut with red lines, blood gushing out and staining the ground red.

Shi Meng's eyes narrowed, and he shouted, "Who are you? This is Wushuang City, don't think we're afraid of you!"

"Three points, Shi Leader, nod if you agree. You leave today, and we'll all be fine in the future," Lin Zheng stepped forward and waved his hand, saying.

"First, cancel the marriage; second, as I understand it, the Luo family owes you a lot of money for some reason, let's call it even; third, don't show up in front of us casually, especially your son." Lin Zheng spoke clearly, his tone as if he were chatting with an old friend.

Shi Meng's face darkened. He heard every word clearly, and the young man in front of him wasn't joking. For some reason, he felt a sense of fear! If he didn't agree, there might be serious consequences. Who were these people? But if he agreed to these three points, he wouldn't be able to stand in Wushuang City anymore, and he might as well cut his own throat!

"Is this a bit too much, young sir? As the saying goes, even a strong dragon can't suppress a local snake. If you offend the local snake, your friends and family will have a hard time!" Shi Meng hinted with a smile.

Suddenly, the sound of a long sword being drawn rang out again. Lin Dao, who had just sheathed his sword, slowly drew it out. The sound of the blade sliding against the scabbard echoed in everyone's hearts, a slow, scraping sound that finally turned into a sharp "swish" as the sword was fully drawn, the oppressive metallic friction finally disappearing. As everyone breathed a sigh of relief, a fierce killing intent surged towards Shi Meng and his group.

Lin Dao held his long sword horizontally, pointing it at Shi Meng and his group, the overwhelming killing intent instantly enveloping everyone. Shi Meng's heart trembled, and he went on full alert, making a gesture. Everyone picked up their weapons and went on guard.

"I hate trouble, and what I like most is to eliminate it!" As Lin Zheng finished speaking, his body suddenly disappeared from where he stood. Lin Wen and Lin Qian exchanged a glance and also vanished from the crowd.

In the next moment, Lin Zheng appeared in front of Shi Meng, his hands turning a jade-like color as he grabbed Shi Meng's shoulders, using all his strength to lift him up and throw him to the ground. Shi Meng, caught off guard, was hit by Lin Zheng. Lin Wen and Lin Qian instantly appeared on either side, striking Shi Meng's back several times. Then, Lin Zheng broke through Shi Meng's protective spiritual armor with a punch, grabbed his foot, and threw him towards Lin Dao.

All of this happened so quickly, in less than a breath. Everyone felt as if a crack had appeared in the sky, and a brilliant silver light sliced through the air towards the flying Shi Meng. Lin Dao calmly stood back in front of Lin Qin. Shi Meng flipped in mid-air and landed, but except for the initial punches, there was not a single cut on his body. Everyone was puzzled, wondering if the powerful strike was just a feint.

The surroundings became deathly quiet, not a sound could be heard!

Not far away, Shi Meng's head fell from his neck, but no blood flowed from the decapitated body as it collapsed to the ground. Everyone stood in shock, staring at the headless corpse.

Lin Zheng patted his hands. Lin Dao's strike was like a deer hanging its horns, exquisite and indescribable. Shi Hu, Shi Meng's son, was completely terrified, standing still with a look of shock on his face. The others also stopped, staring at the headless leader.

"Lin Wen, you and Uncle Luo Zheng go and take over the Twin Stone Mercenary Group. Do what you think is best!" Lin Zheng said and walked out with Li Ruoshui and Lin Qin. Instantly, the people of the Twin Stone Mercenary Group at the door moved aside, forming a wide path.

"Father, Mother, just follow Brother Lin Wen. Grandfather will explain everything to you. I'll go first." Luo Lingling said and followed Lin Qin. After yesterday's events, Luo Lingling seemed to have grown a lot. Even the Tang family couldn't get the better of Lin Zheng, so what was a small fry like Shi Meng?

Lin Zheng held Li Ruoshui's hand, and the group chatted and laughed as they quickly disappeared down the alley.

Luo Lingling led the group to the mansion that the old man had mentioned. From a distance, the red-tiled roof and red walls were visible, and a large wall enclosed a considerable area. In this place where land was as valuable as gold, such a mansion clearly belonged to a prominent family. The original sign on the gate had been removed, as if waiting for its new owner to give it a new identity.

Luo Lingling knocked on the gate, and soon an old man dressed as a steward came out. Luo Lingling explained their purpose, and the old man quickly invited them in. Lin Zheng and the others were led by the old man to tour the mansion, which included pavilions, gardens, a bridge over a stream, and a training ground. The layout of the mansion was luxurious but not gaudy, noble but not pretentious, indicating that the original owner was no ordinary person.

After a brief tour and some inquiries about the neighborhood, a robust middle-aged man approached from the gate. He had a broad back and a strong build, walking with a determined stride, exuding an aura of authority.

The old man introduced Lin Zheng and the others to the middle-aged man. From the old steward, they learned that the man's name was Kang Zhi'an, and he held the title of Marquis. Lin Zheng glanced at Kang Zhi'an and noticed that his cultivation was quite high, and he had a strong military aura, suggesting a long military career. However, Lin Zheng also noticed that Kang Zhi'an seemed to have a hidden illness, and the aura of determination was faintly interrupted.

While Lin Zheng and the others were observing Kang Zhi'an, Kang Zhi'an was also scrutinizing them. The Marquis was quite surprised. The young man in front of him looked weak and refined, yet he had humiliated the Tang family of Wushuang City, making him the talk of the town. The three women with him, except for the one in green, exuded a unique aura, one that even the Tang family seemed to lack.

What interesting people! Lin Zheng and Kang Zhi'an exchanged a glance and both smiled happily!

PS: It r