Volume One, Chapter Seven: Concealment Is Also a Kind of Protection

Seeing such a spectacle, Xu Biao was momentarily stunned. Then, as if realizing something, he put on an ingratiating smile and walked toward Lin Baohu.

"Master Tiger, how come you’re here in person? Though I intended to propose to the Yun family today, you didn’t need to make such a grand display, and bring so many gifts. I am truly overwhelmed and honored."

Lin Baohu frowned slightly, his gaze instinctively drifting toward Chu Ming in the distance.

But before he could speak, Xu Biao’s voice sounded again.

"You little bastard, do you see this? This is Master Tiger of the Fierce Tiger Hall. If not for his appreciation of me—coming here with lavish gifts to propose to the Yun family on my behalf—you would never have a chance to meet him face to face in your lifetime. Do you understand?"

Chu Ming smiled faintly, replying, "What if I told you he came here for me, what would you do?"

"Hahaha, how ridiculous." Xu Biao laughed wildly, his contempt obvious. "For you? You really dare say anything. If not for my loyalty to Fierce Tiger Hall, do you think Master Tiger would lower himself to come here for you?"

"And yet, here Master Tiger stands before you. Still, you dare utter such shameless words—do you not know the meaning of death?"

Chu Ming shrugged and said, "Lin Baohu is right beside you. If you don’t believe me, you can ask him yourself."

"Shut up!" Yun Cheng barked angrily. "Have you not done enough harm to our Yun family? And you think you’re even qualified to speak Master Tiger’s name?"

"Saying Master Tiger came for you—I think you’ve gone mad."

Yun Mingyi sneered, "You little beast, have you lost your mind over money? Who would ever believe your nonsense? You’d better think about how you’re going to die soon."

The rest of the Yun family chimed in.

"Exactly, I don’t know how the old man was fooled by him, believing all his wild talk. Not a word from him is reliable."

"If he really knew Master Tiger, with Master Tiger’s strength, would the Chu family have been wiped out back then?"

"It’s just that the old man’s become muddled, believing his far-fetched boasts. Who else would trust him?"

Chu Ming listened to the chorus of ridicule without a trace of emotion on his face.

Yet, as their voices grew more fervent, Lin Baohu’s actions stunned everyone into silence.

Lin Baohu raised his hand and delivered a slap across Xu Biao’s face.

The blow left not only Xu Biao dumbfounded, but also the entire Yun family.

Wasn’t he here to deliver gifts and propose on Xu Biao’s behalf?

Why was Lin Baohu now striking Xu Biao?

Xu Biao, bewildered and panicked, clutched his swollen cheek. "Master Tiger, you… I…"

Lin Baohu roared, "You fool, get out of my sight!"

With that, Lin Baohu lifted his leg and kicked Xu Biao squarely in the abdomen.

He held nothing back, using all his strength. The force was far beyond what Xu Biao could withstand.

"Ah…"

Xu Biao screamed, his body thrown uncontrollably through the air.

With a thunderous crash, he slammed into a section of the courtyard wall, buried beneath red bricks, and lost consciousness.

In an instant, the Yun family courtyard was plunged into silence. Everyone—members of the Yun family and Xu Biao’s followers alike—held their breath, their eyes filled with terror, fearful that they might be Lin Baohu’s next target.

Lin Baohu’s cold, sharp gaze swept over them all, finally settling on Xu Biao’s henchmen.

"Fierce Tiger Hall took you in, but you followed Xu Biao and committed countless wicked deeds, tarnishing our reputation."

"Take them away," Lin Baohu commanded, raising his hand.

"Mercy, Master Tiger!"

"Mercy, Master Tiger!"

The henchmen, faces drained of color, scrambled to their knees, begging for their lives.

Lin Baohu ignored them entirely, striding quickly to stand before Chu Ming.

Lin Baohu bowed respectfully. "Young—"

Before he could finish, Chu Ming raised his hand to stop him.

Then, a voice only Lin Baohu could hear sounded.

"Let them leave first. I don’t want my identity exposed yet."

Lin Baohu was stunned for a few seconds, then immediately turned and ordered his men, "Clear the area. Remove all unrelated persons."

"Yes!"

Faced with Lin Baohu’s command, Yun Cheng, Yun Mingyi, and the others dared not resist, obediently making their way outside.

Yun Xueyan wanted to speak, but the old master Yun forcibly pulled her out.

Outside the Yun family estate.

Yun Xueyan asked anxiously, "Grandfather, Chu Ming—"

Yun Tianding smiled kindly. "Hehe, don’t worry. If Master Tiger meant him harm, he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths."

Yun Xueyan pondered for a moment, then nodded, though her eyes remained fixed on the manor.

Meanwhile, inside, Lin Baohu knelt on one knee, trembling as he spoke. "Young master, forgive me. I had no knowledge of Xu Biao’s actions today. Had I known, I would never have kept him."

"I only retained him because East City’s powers are so intertwined. I planned to remove him once things stabilized, but I never imagined he would dare offend the young master so brazenly."

Chu Ming said nothing, but Lin Baohu silently cursed Xu Biao’s entire family.

When Chu Ming remained silent, Lin Baohu drew a dagger from his waist, as if preparing to stab himself.

Chu Ming waved his hand, "Enough. You’re not entirely to blame. Your ability to sweep through East City’s factions so quickly proves your competence. I’m quite confident in your leadership of Fierce Tiger Hall."

"As for Xu Biao, let that matter rest. How you punish him is your concern, not mine."

"Thank you for your forgiveness, young master. I will not disappoint you," Lin Baohu said anxiously.

Then, he turned and made a gesture to his men.

At once, they dragged Xu Biao from beneath the bricks and carried him out of the Yun family.

Outside the estate, Yun Cheng and the others were utterly stunned.

The turn of events was far beyond anything they had anticipated.

Whether it was Chu Ming’s identity or Xu Biao’s fate, it was unbelievable to them.

The proud vice-master of Fierce Tiger Hall, the arrogant Xu Biao, had been carried out just like that?

They had pinned their hopes for the Yun family’s survival on Xu Biao. Now that he was gone, what were they to do?

"Young master, the three great families of East City are determined to join forces against the Yun family. Their business is on the brink of collapse, so I’ve brought the industrial park project. If the Yun family wishes, they can take it over tomorrow," Lin Baohu said.

Chu Ming waved him off. "I’m not interested. You can handle negotiations with the Yun family yourself."

"Young master, with your status, if you reveal yourself, you could easily help the Yun family resolve this crisis. Why—" Lin Baohu began.

Chu Ming answered with displeasure, "Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t. Sometimes, concealment is also a form of protection."