Chapter Sixty-Six: Tian Xinyu's Plans

Lin Feng made his way through the throng of people to the far side of the sports field, where he gazed at the massive arena being erected at its center.

This confrontation between the two factions was not entirely open to the public. It was, at best, semi-public: only those of sufficient status and standing were permitted entry, and all forms of recording were strictly forbidden. Any attempt to disseminate footage related to the duel would be met with severe reprisal across the entire internet.

After all, this contest would decide which underground power would reign supreme in Binhai City. To offend the victor would be akin to courting death—or at the very least, to be skinned alive.

As Lin Feng waited quietly for the duel to begin, a group of young scions from Binhai’s most prominent families swaggered over to him. At their head was Lin Feng’s archrival, Long Yaoyang.

"Lin Feng, who would have thought that even a live-in son-in-law of a third-rate family like you could enter the arena? Seems like security at the games leaves much to be desired. Young Master Tian, you really ought to review your security arrangements—otherwise, who knows what kinds of riffraff might sneak in next!"

Long Yaoyang was in high spirits today. He knew exactly how formidable Ji Sheng was—one Cheng Longjian was enough to utterly overwhelm him, and Cheng Qianfeng was not even worth mentioning. Soon, the Tianlong Hall would crush the Ji Sheng Society and rise as the preeminent underground force in Binhai City. No one would dare defy him again!

Even with the Tang family’s protection, he could crush Lin Feng with a single finger.

At that moment, Long Yaoyang’s lackey, Wang Jie, stepped forward. Looking down at Lin Feng with smug disdain, he sneered, "Surprised, aren’t you, Lin Feng? Who’d have thought you’d see a day like this. As they say, those who lose the way are deserted by all. Now you’re surrounded on all sides—how I delight in your misery! Not to worry, I’ll take good care of your wife, Yao Qianqian. Every Qingming Festival, I’ll burn you a green hat to wear in the afterlife—so you can enjoy it down there! Hahaha!"

Their laughter erupted in waves, clearly delighted by Wang Jie’s words.

"Heh, Lin Feng, today is an auspicious day for Binhai City—I don’t wish to see blood spilled. But I, Qin Chao, swear that after today, I will see you crippled, to avenge my humiliation!"

Qin Chao loathed Lin Feng to his very core. At the Tang family auction, Lin Feng had made him a laughingstock, a stain upon his reputation that the upper circles of Binhai still mocked.

Zhong Hui also stepped forward. Ten days prior, he had tried to teach Lin Feng a lesson, only to suffer a brutal defeat instead. Though rare medicines had healed his hands and feet, the wounds still ached at the sight of Lin Feng, filling him with bitter resentment.

"Xinyu, I can’t believe this brat dares show his face here. Out of respect for you, I’ll hold off for now—but after tonight’s duel, I’ll make sure to break his hands and feet!"

Ten days ago at the Yao Group, Lin Feng had publicly humiliated Tian Xinyu—a grudge that remained fresh.

"Hmph, I appreciate you all giving me this face," Tian Xinyu replied coolly. "This fool is courting death by coming here himself—I won’t stop him. After tonight, let’s see if he lives to see the sunrise."

The young heirs brimmed with confidence, regarding Lin Feng as nothing more than meat on the chopping block.

Not only did these so-called young masters jeer at him, but a group of society heiresses also lingered nearby, eager to witness Lin Feng’s humiliation.

Yet Feng Jing, seated calmly apart, watched the scene unfold with cold detachment.

"Jing, aren’t we going to join in and shame this shameless loser?" asked Wang Lili.

"Yes, look at Young Master Qin and the others taking the spotlight!" chimed in Yu Lin, both members of the Elite Society and Feng Jing’s loyal followers. They watched Long Yaoyang and his group surround Lin Feng, itching to join in the mockery.

Feng Jing shot them a frosty glance. "If you have a death wish, go ahead. I won’t stop you. But don’t come crying to me with regrets afterwards."

"Ah? Jing, what’s gotten into you? Does Lin Feng really have some powerful backing?"

Feng Jing had no patience for these brainless heiresses. Did Lin Feng have powerful connections? No, but he possessed something far more formidable: unfathomable strength! With his transcendent abilities, nearly rivaling the immortals, he could sweep aside all foes. Even Tang Yunyun was moved by him, willing to offer herself; Old Master Tang, for his part, treated him as an equal and went out of his way to win his favor.

But all of this was now beyond her reach. Her own shortsightedness and arrogance had made her miss her chance; now, she could not even approach him.

Faced with these so-called young masters’ taunts, Lin Feng remained unruffled, not deigning to reply.

Tian Xinyu, seeing Lin Feng’s silence, thought he was cowed by the spectacle and dared not resist. Assuming his role as host of the event, he approached Lin Feng with official decorum.

"Sir, considering your status, I must inform you that your seat has been reassigned. You will find it at the very back of the arena, in the center of the cleaning staff’s section. A place befitting your station!"

"Brilliant, Young Master Tian! Couldn’t be more fitting!" the others laughed.

"Exactly, that’s where a nobody like him belongs!"

Under their mocking eyes, Lin Feng rose and walked quietly to the back row, sitting without a word, as if nothing had happened.

"Look! He really went and sat there—seems he knows his place after all!"

"Indeed, the self-discipline of a true loser! Hahaha!"

Their jeers and laughter continued until the duel was about to begin, at which point they left, satisfied with themselves. Lin Feng, for his part, remained as calm as a still lake, unmoved by it all, not even inclined to argue.

When a mad dog barks at your feet, do you stoop to its level and bare your teeth for a three-hundred-round brawl?

Let him rage, let him fume—the mountain breeze will still caress the hills; let him bluster, let him boast—the bright moon will still shine over the river. A true master is never roused to anger by petty disputes. He waits in silence for the perfect moment, then strikes—swift, decisive, and without a wasted word.

Just then, Feng Jing approached and quietly sat beside Lin Feng.

"Lin Feng."

"And you are?"

"Feng Jing, granddaughter of Old Master Feng. We met at the treasure contest."

"Oh? What brings you here?"

"Nothing much. I just wanted to offer you a sincere apology for what happened that day—"

Before she could finish, Lin Feng responded coolly, "You’re forgiven. Please leave. I prefer the quiet."

"I…"

Feng Jing had hoped to use this opportunity to apologize and perhaps draw closer to Lin Feng. But now, it was clear it was all meaningless. A trace of regret flickered in her eyes as she sighed and left of her own accord.

Sometimes, a missed chance is simply missed forever—no matter how much you wish to make amends, the opportunity is gone.

A resounding drumbeat echoed through the stadium, stirring the blood of every soul present.

The clash between the two great powers was about to begin!