Chapter 68 I Am Very Fair

Zheng Nanxu’s face clouded with distress upon hearing Dou Jun’s words, and in that instant, he fully understood Dou Jun’s malicious intentions.

Dou Jun, noticing Zheng Nanxu’s hesitation, spoke with a sinister edge, “Hesitating? Zheng Nanxu, you’d better think this through. Swear allegiance to Young Master Wang and me, and the benefits you’ll receive will be immense. But if you refuse, you’ll be our enemy. You won’t get a single project; you’ll be blacklisted. Your little company will go bankrupt in days, and you won’t even leave this place unharmed tonight. Surely any fool can see which is the better choice, right?” Dou Jun pressed him relentlessly.

Of course, Zheng Nanxu understood the stakes. The consequences of each choice were starkly clear, and Dou Jun was confident Zheng Nanxu would choose to side with them. For Dou Jun, this was no more than a game of cat and mouse, toying with Zheng Nanxu and Lin Yang. Even if Zheng Nanxu did defect, there would be no real reward for him.

“Zheng Nanxu, you’re a smart man. Smart men don’t do foolish things. We’re not children anymore; we both know the only thing that matters is profit. In the face of profit, so-called camaraderie is worth nothing. You have one minute to decide.”

Lin Yang watched Zheng Nanxu waver, torn between choices, and sighed inwardly. Such a dilemma was a true trial of human nature. Even if Zheng Nanxu decided to attack him, Lin Yang wouldn’t blame him. Besides, Lin Yang never wished to test Zheng Nanxu in this way; it was unnecessary.

“Nanxu, don’t torment yourself. Go ahead, I won’t hold it against you,” Lin Yang said quietly.

“Brother Yang…” Zheng Nanxu’s face twisted with pain.

“Come now, you might not even be able to land a hit on me,” Lin Yang beckoned with a gentle smile.

Dou Jun sneered, “Still not making your move, Zheng Nanxu?” Wang Shenglan lit a cigarette and watched the two men with amusement, finding the game entertaining.

Dou Jun walked over to a bodyguard, took a baseball bat, and tossed it to Zheng Nanxu. “You’ve got thirty seconds left. If you don’t act, you’ll take the beating with Lin Yang.”

Zheng Nanxu picked up the bat and walked up to Lin Yang, raising it high as though to strike. Yet in the end, he could not bring himself to do it. Instead, he turned and faced Dou Jun.

“Dou, I see right through you! Listen here, I’m not falling for your trap, and I’ll never betray Brother Yang. A fight? So what? I’m not afraid! It’s not like I’ve never been beaten before. Bring it on!”

Zheng Nanxu hefted the bat, squaring off against the others.

Dou Jun hadn’t expected Zheng Nanxu to make the most foolish choice, spoiling the game altogether. “You idiot, you’re nothing but a dumb dog!” he spat, his face dark with anger.

Wang Shenglan rose to his feet, clapping his hands. “Such touching loyalty among classmates—I’m almost moved. But you’ve disappointed me. Prepare for bankruptcy.”

Zheng Nanxu only sneered, unfazed by the threat. “Brother Yang, when the fighting starts, you run first. I’ll hold them off.”

“You… why didn’t you just hit me?” Lin Yang smiled.

“Are you kidding? I, Zheng Nanxu, am not someone who betrays his friends. Besides, I brought you here tonight. How could I sell you out?”

Wang Shenglan raised his hand, issuing the command, “Do it! Beat them hard—just don’t kill them; leave them breathing.”

At his signal, one of the bodyguards sprang into action. Zheng Nanxu gripped the bat tightly. “Find an opening and get out. I’ll manage.”

Weiwei cowered behind Lin Yang, terrified by the scene.

A bodyguard swung his baton at Zheng Nanxu. Though Zheng Nanxu had some gym training and knew a few moves, he was no match for the Phoenix Palace bodyguards. He couldn’t handle one on his own, let alone seven or eight.

Seeing this, Lin Yang yanked Zheng Nanxu back and kicked the bodyguard, sending him crashing into the wall.

“All at once! Get him!” Dou Jun bellowed.

The rest of the bodyguards rushed in. Lin Yang, bare-handed, moved like a dragon among them. None could even graze his clothes before he took them down, crushing their joints. Soon, the room echoed with their pained cries.

The entire ordeal lasted less than a minute—eight bodyguards, all defeated.

Wang Shenglan and Dou Jun stood aghast, faces dark with shock. The madam and the hostesses were equally dumbfounded, unable to believe their eyes.

“Damn, Brother Yang, you’re incredible!” Zheng Nanxu exclaimed in awe and excitement.

“That’s why I said you could have hit me—I wouldn’t have been hurt,” Lin Yang grinned.

“If I’d known you could fight like this, I wouldn’t have been so worried,” Zheng Nanxu said, relieved he’d stayed loyal.

“Get more men! Call Leopard—get him here!” came the urgent order.

Wang Shenglan was rattled. If Lin Yang turned on him, he’d have no way to defend himself. He quickly ordered the madam to make the call.

The madam snapped back to her senses and hurriedly dialed the phone.

Leopard was the top enforcer at Phoenix Palace, officially the head of security, and the number one fighter under Wei Dagang.

Hearing this, Zheng Nanxu quickly warned Lin Yang, “We should get out of here. Leopard’s a menace—rumor says he’s a sixth-rank master and ruthless!”

“Sixth rank? That’s nothing,” Lin Yang replied with a light laugh.

“Pretty arrogant! You think a few martial arts moves make you unbeatable? Offending me means no one can save you,” Wang Shenglan said coldly.

“You’re the one who doesn’t know your place. Not just the head bodyguard of Phoenix Palace—even Wei Dagang himself doesn’t mean anything to me.”

Wei Dagang, at that very moment, was already being rushed to the hospital.

“Fine! We’ll see how you die!” Wang Shenglan spat, his anger turning into a mocking laugh.

Dou Jun chimed in, “Lin Yang, I underestimated you—you’ve picked up some fighting skills these past couple of years. But what good will that do? You’re no match for us. In our eyes, you’re just an ant we can crush at any time.”

“Enough nonsense.”

Lin Yang moved, and in a flash, he stood before Dou Jun. Dou Jun hadn’t even seen him approach and recoiled in shock.

Smack!

Lin Yang slapped Dou Jun across the face, spinning him around in place. Dou Jun saw stars, blood streaming from his nose and mouth.

“Stop right there!” Wang Shenglan shouted, but his voice quivered.

Lin Yang glanced at him, and in the next instant, was standing before him.

Smack!

Wang Shenglan took a slap as well, his head ringing and his cheek burning.

“Don’t—don’t come any closer!” Chen Zhe gripped a wine bottle, but his voice was weak.

“I’m a fair man. Everyone gets a slap—no one is left out,” Lin Yang said calmly.