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{Chapter: 192 The intention to kill!}
Ye Feng simply couldn't comprehend what had just happened.
As the young master of the Lin family, Lin Yuan had always appeared delicate, with soft skin and a tender appearance—how could someone like him possess such terrifying strength? Even more bewildering was the fact that Lin Yuan was stronger than him, a seasoned mercenary who had survived countless brutal battles.
"Is this some kind of illusion?" Ye Feng thought in disbelief.
But the throbbing pain in his arm and the sensation of his bones nearly fracturing told him otherwise.
It was real—painfully real.
Ye Feng clenched his teeth. Despite his shock, he was unwilling to concede. He still harbored thoughts of retaliating against Lin Yuan. However, just as he was about to make his move again, a clear and authoritative voice rang out across the hall.
"Enough! All of you, stop!" Mei Yuxian called out, her elegant brows raised slightly in disapproval.
As the host of tonight's banquet, any form of conflict was a complete embarrassment to her reputation. She couldn't allow the situation to spiral further out of control.
It was clear to everyone present that Chen Zheng had been the one to start the trouble. Mei Yuxian's disgust toward him only deepened, while her impression of Lin Yuan remained positive and untarnished. Thus, she directed no blame toward Lin Yuan.
Without hesitation, a group of well-trained bodyguards rushed over and forcibly separated Ye Feng from Lin Yuan, dragging him to the side.
Meanwhile, Lin Yuan loosened his grip on Chen Zheng's hand slightly. He had clearly sensed that Chen Zheng's bones were about to shatter completely. The man's face twisted in agony, and he looked seconds away from losing consciousness.
With a flick of his wrist, Lin Yuan threw Chen Zheng aside as if he weighed nothing.
"Let's not ruin Sister Yuxian's evening," Lin Yuan said lightly, his voice calm and detached.
Chen Zheng landed heavily on the floor with a thud. He staggered back to his feet, gritting his teeth in humiliation. He glared at Lin Yuan with undisguised hatred, attempting to muster a look of defiance and intimidation.
But as his gaze met Lin Yuan's cold, emotionless eyes, an involuntary shiver ran down his spine. His bravado instantly crumbled.
"What... what kind of gaze is that?" Chen Zheng thought, his heart pounding.
It was as though he were standing alone on a frozen tundra, ice-cold winds howling around him. Every instinct honed through years of military service screamed at him: danger.
Lin Yuan's chilling gaze radiated an unmistakable killing intent.
Chen Zheng knew it instinctively—Lin Yuan truly wanted him dead.
Slowly, Lin Yuan averted his gaze, showing no further interest in him. He understood that Chen Zheng's time would soon come. After all, a seasoned soldier like Chen Zheng could trust his instincts; and today, those instincts were correct.
Lin Yuan's desire to eliminate him was not born merely from the earlier physical clash. It was also because of the way Chen Zheng had looked at Mei Yuxian.
Lin Yuan didn't deny it—he shared a trait similar to Ye Feng: intense possessiveness.
The lustful, covetous look Chen Zheng had dared to give Mei Yuxian had already sealed his fate in Lin Yuan's mind.
Thus, Lin Yuan had already drafted his next moves. In just three days, he would completely dismantle the Qingshan Gang.
After their fall, his next target would be none other than the Chen family itself.
Once the Chen family's power was reduced to ashes, Lin Yuan would personally end Chen Zheng's miserable live in a very miserable way.
Knowing he couldn't outmatch Lin Yuan today, Chen Zheng refused to meet his gaze again. He clutched his injured hand tightly and, with the support of Wang Sheng, staggered away in defeat.
Outwardly, Chen Zheng tried to maintain his pride. But inside, he was seething with rage and humiliation.
He had originally intended to humiliate Lin Yuan tonight—to teach this pampered young master a painful lesson. Yet now, he was the one thoroughly disgraced.
"Once I recover," Chen Zheng vowed silently, "I'll make him pay."
He would not only take revenge on Lin Yuan but also on the entire Lin family if he could. It was no secret that the Chen and Lin families had a long history of friction. Their businesses competed fiercely, with interests that often collided.
In fact, the Chen family had already marked the Lin family as enemies long ago.
Even if he couldn't destroy the Lin family overnight, Chen Zheng believed that targeting Lin Yuan, an inexperienced young heir, would be child's play once he fully recovered.
With his status as a lieutenant colonel, backed by his family's influence, Chen Zheng was confident he could strike from the shadows before Lin Yuan even realized what was happening.
Gripping his broken hand, Chen Zheng silently vowed to turn this humiliation into blood-soaked revenge.
Just then, another disturbance arose downstairs.
A commotion far more intense than when Chen Zheng had arrived.
Unlike before, this time Mei Yuxian's reaction was immediate. After exchanging a few quick words on her phone, she elegantly rose from her seat and personally made her way downstairs to greet the incoming guest.
Such a grand reception was a rare honor—one that someone like Chen Zheng could only dream of.
Lin Yuan watched the scene unfold leisurely.
Meanwhile, he noticed a new WeChat message flashing on his phone screen.
It was from Cui Susu. She had sent a simple smiling face emoji.
Lin Yuan smiled faintly.
It seemed almost certain now: the latest guests were none other than Cui Yunrong and Cui Susu.
---
Under the bright lights of the banquet hall, an elderly man with a proud posture made his way up to the second floor. His hair was completely gray, yet his spirit remained strong and unyielding. Despite wearing simple Tai Chi clothes that made him seem humble and approachable, the old man instantly captured the attention of the entire crowd. It was as if his very presence commanded respect.
As soon as she caught sight of him, Mei Yuxian's face lit up with genuine surprise and delight. She immediately stepped forward to greet him warmly.
"Old Master Cui, I truly did not expect you to attend tonight," Mei Yuxian said with a radiant smile, quickly reaching out to steady him. "Be careful, there's a small step here."
It was rare to see Mei Yuxian treat anyone with such obvious deference. Her respect for this elderly man was written plainly across her face.
Cui Yunrong smiled kindly, waving away her concern. "No need to fuss. This old body is still in good health," he said with a hearty laugh. Observing Mei Yuxian's respectful and vibrant demeanor, he could instantly understand why Lin Yuan had gone to the trouble of acquiring that painting for her.
Naturally, with Mei Yuxian personally welcoming a guest, the entire hall buzzed with curiosity. All eyes turned toward the newcomer.
Those who recognized Cui Yunrong immediately became restless with excitement and admiration.
After all, when Cui Yunrong was younger, he had carved out a legendary name for himself in the military history of Kyushu. His exploits had made headlines across the nation. Even in retirement, he had frequently appeared on television interviews and news segments, becoming a household name throughout the country.
Many of those present tonight had grown up hearing stories about Old Master Cui's heroics.
Without hesitation, a crowd of well-dressed elites surged forward. Whether they were business tycoons, influential politicians, or heads of prominent families, everyone wanted to make an impression.
Glasses of wine were raised one after another as they vied for his attention.
"Old Master Cui, allow me to propose a toast! You have been my idol since I was a boy!"
"Please, Old Master Cui, allow me as well! I've admired you all my life!"
"Old Master Cui, your bravery has always inspired me!"
At that moment, even these usually arrogant and aloof family heads appeared like eager juniors trying to please an elder.
While their words carried genuine respect, there was no shortage of hidden motives among them. Building a relationship—or even receiving a slight nod of approval—from someone like Cui Yunrong could bring immeasurable advantages for their families and businesses.
However, Cui Yunrong simply waved his hand casually, his tone light but firm.
"I'm already an old man now. My body can't handle alcohol anymore. Even the smell of wine is unpleasant to me," he said with a chuckle.
Upon hearing his words, the wealthy businessmen and family patriarchs hurriedly downed their drinks in a single gulp and quietly retreated a few steps, not daring to offend him any further.
At that moment, another figure made his way through the crowd—Chen Zheng.
Clad in a military green uniform adorned with glinting epaulettes, Chen Zheng's steps were brisk, his expression filled with anticipation.
When he had heard that Cui Yunrong was visiting Jiangbei from Yanjing, Chen Zheng had been desperate for a chance to meet him. After all, Cui Yunrong wasn't just a hero of Kyushu—he was a legend within the military.
Cui Yunrong had retired with the rank of Lieutenant General—a full four ranks higher than Chen Zheng, who was merely a Lieutenant Colonel.
(For reference: Officer Cadet < Second Lieutenant < First Lieutenant < Major < Lieutenant Colonel < Colonel < Senior Colonel < Major General < Lieutenant General < General.)
The gap between them was so vast that, realistically, no matter how hard Chen Zheng worked, he would never be able to bridge it within his lifetime.
What's more, even after retirement, Cui Yunrong's influence within the military and political circles only grew stronger. His children had also followed in his footsteps, serving in high-ranking positions in the military and performing exceptionally well.
For someone like Chen Zheng, forging a connection with Cui Yunrong could mean an accelerated rise through the ranks—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Until now, however, Cui Yunrong's whereabouts had been a mystery. Chen Zheng hadn't been able to find a way to approach him.
Tonight's banquet seemed to be a stroke of incredible luck. Cui Yunrong had actually shown up, and so had he!
Knowing that Old Master Cui had a reputation for being kind and supportive of Kyushu's soldiers, Chen Zheng approached with enthusiasm, eager to make a good impression.
Standing tall, Chen Zheng came to a crisp halt in front of Cui Yunrong, saluted sharply, and said in a loud and respectful voice, "Greetings, Lieutenant General Cui!"
Hearing the formal address and seeing Chen Zheng's military uniform, Cui Yunrong's eyes momentarily brightened.
Although he preferred not to be addressed by his former rank now that he was retired, he didn't take offense. After all, this young man was still part of the armed forces, and Cui Yunrong had always held deep affection for soldiers, regardless of their rank or background.
With a gentle smile, Cui Yunrong nodded and said, "Good, good. Not bad at all."
As he spoke, he reached out and gave Chen Zheng a friendly pat on the shoulder.
To others, it was a small, insignificant gesture, but to Chen Zheng, it was as if a heavy burden had been lifted off his chest.
His heart surged with excitement.
In his mind, that simple pat was a sign of appreciation and approval. It was the golden opportunity he had been dreaming of.
Driven by the desire to make the most of the moment, Chen Zheng stood even straighter, trying to appear strong and capable.
However, as soon as Cui Yunrong's hand made contact with his shoulder, Chen Zheng's injured hand involuntarily twitched several times in pain. His face stiffened, but he tried hard not to show any discomfort.
Yet, Cui Yunrong was not easily fooled. His years of battlefield experience made him highly observant.
He immediately noticed the oddity in Chen Zheng's expression, and his sharp gaze dropped to the injured hand.
His brows furrowed slightly as he asked, "What happened to your hand? How did you injure yourself?"
His tone carried genuine concern—not because he particularly favored Chen Zheng, but because he cared about the well-being of all soldiers.
Under the gaze of such a legendary figure, Chen Zheng's heart raced faster, and a trace of embarrassment flashed across his face.
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