Wang Tianhua struggled to get up from the ground, his face still covered in blood and grime, but a ferocious grin was evident on his features.
His gaze swept across the room, and everyone present saw the fury and gritted teeth in their eyes.
He no longer held back, revealing the darkness within him completely.
He laughed wildly, "I know you're all incredibly resentful. After all, I'm a cripple now, worthless in your eyes. And it's all because I provoked Lin Xiaotian, bringing shame upon the Wang family upon his return. If this gets out today, the entire clan will become a laughingstock."
"But..."
Wang Tianhua paused, his gaze fixed on his father. "With Lin Xiaotian backing me, what can you do to me?"
"From now on, you will strictly follow my orders. Whatever I tell you to do, no one is allowed to object. Otherwise, I will report it to Lin Xiaotian. When Lin Xiaotian returns to our family, he will not let you off."
"You've all seen the sect leader's strength and methods. Although he always wears a smile, he doesn't hesitate to kill. You cannot afford to provoke his decisive and ruthless nature."
"If you don't want to die, tuck your tails between your legs and be dogs."
The Wang family patriarch trembled slightly with rage. "You unfilial son!"
"Shut up!" Wang Tianhua snapped, turning his head sharply, his eyes blazing with anger. "If it weren't for the fact that you're my father, I'd be the first to have you dealt with."
"I begged you earlier, and not a single one of you helped me. It was Lin Xiaotian who acted, allowing me to narrowly escape death."
"Now I am Lin Xiaotian's dog. Only by being his dog can I survive safely. It's better to live a lowly life than to die, and I haven't even enjoyed this world yet."
"Listen up, everyone. Today, I announce the first decree: From now on, any command from Lin Xiaotian is something we must execute immediately. Anyone who dares to object or disobey will suffer a fate worse than death."
The faces of everyone in the Wang family turned extremely grim.
They desperately wanted to call Wang Tianhua out for being a dog relying on its master's power.
But they didn't dare. Wang Tianhua's current demeanor was that of a petty man who had achieved success. To be the first to stick their neck out now would truly invite disaster.
Lin Xiaotian drove back to Songzhou not long after.
This excursion to the Wang family was like planting a long-term investment. They were a third-ranked family in the provincial capital, and he would surely find them useful sooner or later.
The gains from this were far more significant than obtaining any material possessions.
As he was contemplating these matters, his phone suddenly rang. Seeing the caller ID, a slight curve formed on his lips.
The call was from Ye Wantong.
"What does the girl want calling me for?"
A trembling voice came from the phone, "Where are you?"
Hearing the unusual tone, Lin Xiaotian's brows furrowed slightly. He said directly, "I'm in the suburbs. Did something happen on your end?"
"Send me your location directly, and I'll be there now."
"I've run into some trouble here..."
The sentence was cut short as the call abruptly ended.
Lin Xiaotian's brow furrowed deeply. He had vaguely heard other voices on the phone. He stomped on the accelerator, his tires leaving a black arc on the ground as he made a sharp U-turn. He sped off like an arrow released from a bow.
He had heard other voices on the phone, familiar ones, and he had already guessed where she was.
It only took him about ten minutes to drive there, and his only fear was that Ye Wantong might get hurt in the meantime.
Inside the gambling stone shop.
The fat boss wore a sinister grin. "Ye Wantong, I don't know what grudges you have with Ye Lingfeng, but he promised me substantial benefits if I successfully captured you."
"Although the plan was thwarted by someone and didn't succeed, the promised reward must still be paid."
"Besides, you took so much jade from me last time. You can't just walk away, can you? Shouldn't you pay the benefit fee?"
Ye Wantong bit her red lip, looking at her shattered phone lying on the ground. She said directly, "I've already called Lin Xiaotian."
"You've seen his strength. If he shows up, do you still dare to be so arrogant?"
The fat boss let out a triumphant laugh. "I know his strength, of course. You don't need to remind me."
"I'm well aware of what he's done. However, if I capture you, it will lead to a secret place, and then I can make him my tool."
"He seems to care about you a lot. If I threaten him with your life, I don't believe he'll resist."
"Besides, I'm not asking him to pay a huge price. I just need him to appraise some raw stones for me, and take him overseas to purchase a batch of goods. With his abilities, if he's willing, he can make me incredibly rich."
"I'm a businessman. I'm willing to risk the gallows for profit. As long as there's enough benefit, I'll do anything."
As he spoke, his voice became more ferocious. "Moreover, you're such a beautiful woman. Now that you've fallen into my hands, shouldn't I have the chance to enjoy myself to the fullest?"
"Honestly, I was captivated the moment I saw you last time, but I didn't have the opportunity or the strength then."
"But it's different now. I've made all the preparations and was waiting for you to fall into my trap."
"I never expected that by just sending you a message today about new arrivals, you would come directly to my door. This is an unexpected joy for me."
Ye Wantong's eyes blazed with anger. "Lin Xiaotian isn't that foolish. When he arrives, you will pay the price for your words."
However, the smile on the fat boss's face grew even more arrogant. "Perhaps. But some prices are paid much later. You don't need to spout any nonsense about karma here. I don't believe in that."
"We who deal in raw stones, who hasn't got blood on their hands?"
"Since you've stepped into this circle, you should know its dangers. It's a pity you're still a novice, destined to be a tool for me to play with."