Until the two bodyguards fished Ma Baomin's body out of the lake and carried it over to be placed before him, Master Fo finally recovered from his extreme shock and, at the same time, let out a long sigh of relief. He knew his life had been saved tonight.
However, Master Fo had also been thoroughly frightened tonight, and more so, deeply shaken. He had already considered Mr. Xiao to be very powerful, but now he realized that Mr. Xiao's might far exceeded his imagination.
Master Mo was, after all, from the Jiangdong Pavilion. The fact that he could emerge from there with his skills was enough to show his extraordinary abilities. Yet, even he could not withstand even a single move from Ma Baomin.
This demonstrated Ma Baomin's terror. But even so, Mr. Xiao, using only two chopsticks, effortlessly caught the opponent's sword, and with a casual flick of the chopsticks, he killed Ma Baomin.
If this incident hadn't been witnessed firsthand, it's unlikely many people in Suzhou City would have believed it if told.
Master Mo, enduring the severe pain, got up and staggered to Xiao Yunlong's side. He bowed and said, "Thank you, Mr. Xiao, for your timely intervention. It was my fault for being blind earlier, which led me to offend you. I apologize. I hope Mr. Xiao will not take offense. If you ever visit Jiangdong in the future, I will certainly host a welcoming banquet for you!"
Xiao Yunlong merely said indifferently, "I wouldn't stoop to your level. You should get to a hospital and have that hand stitched up as soon as possible. If you delay any further, it might be completely ruined!"
"Yes, Mr. Xiao. Then I shall take my leave. And Master Fo, I cannot accept rewards without merit. I have no face to take this gold any longer!"
After speaking, Master Mo picked up his severed arm and left swiftly.
"Master Mo, I'll visit you another day!" Master Fo shouted after his receding figure, then turned to signal his butler.
The butler understood and turned to retreat, but soon returned with several people.
There were five people in total, including the butler. Each of them was holding a plate full of gold bars. In the dark night, under the moonlight, the gold bars emitted a dazzling golden glow.
"Mr. Xiao, thanks to you tonight, my entire family was spared. This is a small token of my appreciation. I hope Mr. Xiao will accept it!" Master Fo stepped forward.
Xiao Yunlong didn't even glance at them. Instead, he picked up the exquisite wine bottle on the table and shook it, saying, "This wine is quite good, but unfortunately, there's not much of it."
Master Fo understood immediately and quickly said, "Mr. Xiao, I still have some of this wine in my cellar, about five or six bottles. If Mr. Xiao likes it, I'll have someone deliver it to you tomorrow, no, right away."
"There's no need for such trouble. Have someone move it to my car now," Xiao Yunlong said, standing up and patting his backside as he walked towards the exit.
"What are you standing around for? Hurry up and have someone move the wine!"
Master Fo glared at the butler, then hurried to catch up, saying, "Oh, Mr. Xiao, shall I have someone move these gold bars to your car as well..."
Before he could finish, Xiao Yunlong waved his hand to interrupt him. "I originally had no intention of interfering in others' martial world disputes. The only reason I agreed to help you was because you took good care of Ruyan these past few days. Do you understand?"
"I understand, I understand!" Master Fo nodded repeatedly.
"Remember to send someone to pick us up at nine tomorrow morning. While Ruyan is filming, you must ensure her safety. If anything happens to her, I will hold you accountable!" Xiao Yunlong said and left without looking back.
"Mr. Xiao, please rest assured. I will definitely send people to guard Miss Liu at all times. I can lose my head, but I will never let Miss Liu lose a single strand of hair!"
Master Fo shouted loudly as he chased after him, as if afraid Xiao Yunlong couldn't hear him.
Upon reaching the parking lot, the butler had just finished loading several bottles of good wine into the car. Xiao Yunlong then drove away.
It was late at night when he returned to the Liu family manor. The main villa was still brightly lit. Liu Ruyan had fallen asleep on the sofa, seemingly having waited for Xiao Yunlong for too long and then drifted off.
Xiao Yunlong shook his head, walked over softly, extended his hands, and picked her up. He turned and headed towards the bedroom.
However, halfway there, Liu Ruyan suddenly opened her eyes.
"I just got back and saw you sleeping on the sofa, so I..." Xiao Yunlong explained.
"I know. I'm awake now. Brother Xiao, you can put me down."
Xiao Yunlong grinned and said, "It's fine. Your Brother Xiao has plenty of strength to hold you. Not just for a while, but even for a lifetime!"
Hearing this, Liu Ruyan's body tingled. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond, only nodding obediently.
After returning her to the bedroom and putting her down, Xiao Yunlong said, "From now on, if I'm not back too late, don't wait for me. At least don't fall asleep waiting on the living room sofa like this. The temperature is low at night, and you might catch a cold. Got it?"
Liu Ruyan hummed in response, not wanting to continue the topic. She then said, "Oh, Brother Xiao, about an hour ago, my second uncle, Liu Jianmin, called to say that Shang Fagu, Shang Youde, and Shang Binde from the Shang family had committed suicide by hanging."
Xiao Yunlong's expression remained unchanged. He simply said, "Alright, I know. It's very late. Get some rest. I'll sleep in the attic tonight and practice some skills."
"Then goodnight, Brother Xiao!" Liu Ruyan smiled faintly.
Just as Xiao Yunlong was about to turn away, he raised an eyebrow upon hearing this and said, "Ruyan, don't you think it sounds a bit distant to still call me Brother Xiao now?"
Liu Ruyan blinked slightly and asked, "Then, what should I call you? How about Brother Long?"
"Brother Long?" Xiao Yunlong felt a mix of amusement and exasperation. He pouted and said, "Calling me Brother Long sounds like I'm a gangster."
"Aren't you?" Liu Ruyan teased.
"..." Xiao Yunlong shook his head and said, "Forget it, call me whatever you like, or you can just call me by my name."
"Then I'll call you Yunlong from now on?" Liu Ruyan smiled.
"Okay!" Xiao Yunlong nodded, turned, and left the bedroom. After closing the door, he went up to the attic.
There were too many things happening during the day, and coupled with Liu Ruyan's recent poor health, Xiao Yunlong decided to cultivate in the attic at night. After all, the Three Thousand Divine Kingdoms technique was no trivial matter. If he only practiced during fragmented time, it would be difficult to achieve significant results.
After going up to the attic and washing up briefly, Xiao Yunlong sat cross-legged on the bed and began to cultivate.
The night passed without incident. The next morning at eight o'clock, the crew's private car came to pick up Liu Ruyan for filming.
When Xiao Yunlong walked down from upstairs, the car had already left.
After several days of adjustment and familiarization, Liu Ruyan had gradually found her rhythm in acting, which was a good thing. However, Xiao Yunlong knew that Jun Zifang from the Jun family, having suffered such a significant loss last time, would likely not give up. But since the other party had made no move yet, he couldn't make a move either.
Looking at the impurities expelled from his body due to last night's cultivation, Xiao Yunlong shook his head inwardly and walked towards the courtyard's swimming pool, jumping in with a splash.
However, after just two laps, a graceful figure walked over. At first, Xiao Yunlong thought it was Liu Ruyan, but then he realized it wasn't.
"Brother Xiao, swimming and exercising so early in the morning, no wonder you have such a good physique." The tall woman beside him called out in a sweet voice, her technologically enhanced face filled with smiles.
She was Liu Feiyan, who had specifically dressed in a low-cut short skirt and black stockings, looking very alluring. In short, she revealed what should be revealed and also what shouldn't be revealed.
This morning, Liu Jianmin's family had driven back from the Shang family. After all, they were his own children and grandchildren, so Liu Hongguo did not stop or drive them away. After all, after last night's events, he believed Liu Jianmin and the others should have understood the gravity of the situation.
When Xiao Yunlong saw it was her, he was too lazy to bother and simply dove into the water and swam away.
Liu Feiyan still waited by the side, her technologically enhanced face still wearing as many smiles as possible.
At this moment, Liu Jianmin and his wife, along with Liu Guohao, were watching from the villa next door. Huang Tingting felt a pang of sympathy and, after thinking for a moment, made a phone call.
"Feiyan, if it's not working out, just forget it. There's no need for this," Huang Tingting said.
"No, Mom, I think I can do it. Believe in my charm. In terms of looks and figure, how can that little slut Liu Ruyan compare to me? Just wait and see!"
Liu Feiyan hung up the phone after saying this.
Although Xiao Yunlong was in the water ten meters away, he could hear Liu Feiyan's conversation on the shore clearly. He still couldn't be bothered and continued swimming.
Liu Feiyan still stood there and didn't leave. Xiao Yunlong finished swimming and got out of the water.
Liu Feiyan quickly handed him a towel, saying, "Brother Xiao, you have so much stamina, to be able to swim for so long in one go. No wonder your martial arts are so good!"
"Do you need something?" Xiao Yunlong asked coldly as he walked, completely ignoring the towel.
"Actually, it's nothing much. I just specially made you some white fungus and lotus seed soup. I'll go get you a bowl." Liu Feiyan quickly followed him.
"No need, Ruyan made me some congee," Xiao Yunlong said without looking back.
Suddenly, Liu Feiyan, who had been running, stumbled and fell directly into Xiao Yunlong's arms.
"Oh no, Brother Xiao, my foot hurts... I twisted my ankle!" Liu Feiyan cried out in a childish voice.
Xiao Yunlong's face was filled with disgust. He raised his eyebrows and said, "Take your hands off me!"
"Brother Xiao, I really twisted my ankle. My foot hurts so much I can't walk. Can you help me inside!" Liu Feiyan cried with a whimper.
Xiao Yunlong's expression had completely darkened. He snorted and said, "I'll say it one last time: let go!"
"I want to let go too, but I really... really can't walk. Please, Brother Xiao, hold me..."
Before she could finish, Xiao Yunlong grabbed her neck and lifted her up.
"I think your foot isn't the problem, but your brain is. You need to calm down!"
Xiao Yunlong then flicked his hand and, with a splash, threw Liu Feiyan directly into the swimming pool.
Liu Jianmin and Huang Tingting, watching from the second floor of the villa next door, were stunned. They had never expected such an outcome.
Liu Feiyan choked on a few mouthfuls of water and surfaced, roaring angrily, "Xiao Yunlong, are you even a man? And compared to that bastard slut Liu Ruyan, I, Liu Feiyan, have a good figure and a good face. Where do I fall short of her?"
"Listen up. If there's a next time, I'll break all four of your dog legs!" Xiao Yunlong said and turned to leave.
"Ah... I'm not convinced! Where am I inferior to that bastard little slut? I'm not reconciled..."
In the swimming pool, Liu Feiyan shrieked hysterically, her face filled with anger and unwillingness.