Chapter Five: Settling Accounts After the Autumn

Binhai City, First People’s Hospital, outside the main entrance.

At this moment, Mu Heng was approaching the entrance with Long Yaoyang’s group of followers.

“Lin Feng, you’re courting death today. Even a useless wretch like you dares to delay the old master’s treatment? Uncle, don’t worry, I’ll teach this ignorant fool a lesson right now!”

Previously, Mu Heng had left the hospital without permission to welcome his master, Long Yaoyang, and had no idea what had transpired inside. In his eyes, Lin Feng was merely a stepping stone for his own advancement—a useless man to be beaten for amusement.

Thus, his malice toward Lin Feng surpassed even that of Long Yaoyang.

“Uncle, let me take care of this for you today. I’ll deal with this fool so you won’t have to dirty your hands!”

Turning around, Mu Heng arrogantly raised his hand and pointed at Lin Feng, his expression full of contempt and swagger.

“Lin Feng, if you want to live, you’d better kneel and beg for mercy right now. Maybe, if I’m feeling generous, I’ll spare your life!”

Excitedly, Mu Heng strode forward, clenching his fists and sneering.

His family had a martial tradition—he’d trained in Pi Gua Palm since childhood. Outwardly a dissipated young master, his body was actually lined with tough muscle.

He was ruthless, fearless in a fight, and most of Lin Feng’s hospital visits were courtesy of his handiwork.

His eyes glinting with menace, Mu Heng, full of confidence, swung a punch straight at the back of Lin Feng’s head.

Martial arts are, after all, arts of killing, targeting vital points. A heavy blow to the back of the head usually leaves a person dizzy and disoriented, essentially helpless and ready for a beating.

Dealing with someone as weak as Lin Feng, Mu Heng was always certain of victory.

But this time, Mu Heng’s sneer froze abruptly.

A crisp slap rang out.

Lin Feng stood motionless, smiling as he looked at the stunned Mu Heng, who’d been struck senseless by the slap.

“Kneel and beg for mercy? You should first ask if the head of the Tang family agrees,” Lin Feng said lightly.

Indeed, the slap had come from Tang Henian himself. Though already in middle age, Tang Henian’s skills remained formidable.

Just now, seeing Mu Heng barge in with his men, threatening Lin Feng, he didn’t hesitate—he stepped forward and slapped him.

The slap was powerful, causing blood to spurt from Mu Heng’s nose and mouth, and knocking out two of his molars.

“Uncle! I’m your nephew, why would you—” Mu Heng stammered, thoroughly bewildered by the blow.

What was happening? Why would his uncle protect this useless Lin Feng?

Tang Henian’s gaze was razor-sharp. Mu Heng was only a distant branch of the Tang family, someone of little consequence. Yet here he was, daring to assault Lin Feng—the very doctor who had miraculously cured Old Tang.

It was as if a man with one foot in the grave was swallowing poison—eager to throw his life away!

“Mu Heng, I see you’ve grown bold in these few days, daring to attack Dr. Lin. Kneel at once!” Tang Henian’s thunderous command, backed by years of authority, sent Mu Heng collapsing to his knees with a loud thud.

“Dr. Lin? Who is Dr. Lin… Could it be…” Mu Heng’s mind went blank. He looked up, staring at Lin Feng, his eyes vacant, scalp tingling, as if he were a foolish goose unable to fathom his own fate.

Tang Henian, shrewd as ever, immediately saw the deep animosity between Mu Heng and Lin Feng.

Without hesitation, he decided to betray Mu Heng entirely. Turning to Lin Feng, he said respectfully, “Dr. Lin, this scoundrel is ignorant and reckless, offending you as he did. You may deal with him as you wish; the Tang family will not interfere.”

Upon hearing this, Mu Heng collapsed further. He knew then that Tang Henian intended to cast him aside completely.

“In that case, let him lose his status as a young master—never again to wield power or act with impunity,” Lin Feng said coldly.

“Very well, Dr. Lin. Your wish is my command.” Tang Henian smiled warmly at Lin Feng, then turned and rebuked Mu Heng in a fury: “Mu Heng, you heard Dr. Lin. Listen well: as head of the Tang family, I hereby expel you from the family. From this day forward, you are no longer one of us. If you dare use our family’s name again, I will not spare you!”

“Expelled from the Tang family?” Mu Heng muttered in shock, nearly broken.

Once expelled, even the Mu family would cut ties with him. Everything he had would vanish—he’d become a powerless, penniless wretch!

“Uncle, please! Don’t do this! I beg you, show mercy!” Mu Heng pleaded, tears and snot streaming down his face as he knelt before Tang Henian.

Tang Henian remained unmoved, his face cold as stone. He shook his sleeve dismissively.

Seeing this, Mu Heng realized that Lin Feng was the true key. He turned and clung to Lin Feng’s leg, wailing, “Lin Feng, Master Lin, I was wrong! I looked down on you—I beg you, forgive me this once! Let me be your dog if you wish, just spare me!”

Lin Feng looked down at Mu Heng, a cold smile on his lips as he kicked him away.

“Mu Heng, this is only the beginning. Not just you, but those behind you—Long Yaoyang, Liang Fengnian—I won’t let any of you off!”

Hearing this, Mu Heng was left in a daze.

Just yesterday, Lin Feng was a useless son-in-law, a punching bag. Yet today, he’d become an honored guest of the Tang family, someone the head of the house personally sought to win over.

What had become of this world?

…

In less than ten minutes, the entire situation had changed dramatically. Tang Henian had acted with lightning speed and calculated shrewdness.

Having dealt with everything, he didn’t forget to turn to Lin Feng, smiling politely. “Dr. Lin, are you satisfied with my handling of the matter?”

“Master Tang, you are too kind. In the future, I can promise to help Old Master Tang one more time,” Lin Feng replied.

Lin Feng understood Tang Henian’s intention and offered his own goodwill in return, making a promise.

“Ah, thank you, Dr. Lin! I am deeply grateful!”

With Lin Feng’s word, the old master would live at least five more years; by then, the Tang family would have eliminated any remaining threats and have nothing to fear.

For the family, this was a monumental achievement.

Exchanging a distant relative for Lin Feng’s favor was a bargain Tang Henian could not refuse.

“Xiao Qi, bring my car around and escort Dr. Lin home!” Tang Henian ordered his bodyguard.

Lin Feng declined Tang Henian’s offer of an escort and took a taxi away from the hospital.

Tang Henian stood at the entrance, watching Lin Feng’s taxi disappear into the distance. He whispered to his bodyguard, Qi Heng, “Qi, I want you to investigate everything about Dr. Lin as quickly as possible, but don’t anger him. Understand?”

“Yes, Master. I understand,” Qi Heng replied, immediately setting off in pursuit of Lin Feng’s taxi.

…

Half an hour later, Shuiyue Community, Building Three.

Lin Feng stepped out of the taxi and walked slowly toward the old apartment building.

Gazing at the familiar yet unfamiliar place, Lin Feng was lost in reminiscence.

Memories from before played out in his mind…

Back then, the Yao family had eagerly sought a marriage alliance with the Lin family, offering their most beautiful daughter, Yao Yingying.

But times changed. The Lin family was ruined by Liang Fengnian’s revenge; the family business went bankrupt, and all former glory vanished.

The Yao family then did everything to avoid the alliance, attempting to break the engagement.

His grandfather, to give Lin Feng a refuge from the Liang family’s vengeance, personally traveled to Binhai to beg Old Master Yao.

But the Yao family humiliated the Lins, demanding an exorbitant bride price and that Lin Feng marry in as a son-in-law—a clear attempt to make them back down.

Yet, for Lin Feng’s survival, his grandfather—well into his seventies—went so far as to kneel and beg, just to give his grandson a chance at life.

Reluctantly, Old Master Yao agreed, though he changed the bride from Yao Yingying to the least favored daughter of the third household, Yao Qianqian.

To make this possible, Lin Feng’s grandfather even used his last savings to pay the bride price and buy a marital home.

That very home was here, Building Three, Shuiyue Community.