The condensed inner force seemed almost tangible, frozen in the air.
Those streams of martial energy, shaped into blades, spears, and staves, tangled and clashed—when seen by the crowd, they struck with even greater impact.
In a flash, Evan Lin raised his hand.
All the weapon-shaped inner force around him instantly shattered into flickering streams, swirling toward Evan Lin’s fingertip.
Strands of martial energy wrapped around Evan Lin’s finger, finally forming a tiny dragon.
The dragon had form but no substance, coiled around his fingertip. Yet its claws and fangs were razor-sharp—at a glance, its edge seemed unmatched.
Fourth Elder Rowe’s pupils contracted sharply. His mouth opened slightly, but he had no time to react at all.
In that instant—
The little dragon shot from his fingertip like a flash of lightning, piercing the air and drilling straight into Fourth Elder Rowe’s glabella.
In the eyes of the onlookers—
Wherever Evan Lin passed, the ground shattered beneath his feet; the crowd retreated dozens of meters, leaving a wide, long path.
No one dared block his way—only fear filled their eyes.
Gavin Duan followed behind Evan Lin, his steps pounding the ground like a Vajra incarnate.
The tall master and short servant—these two figures were destined to become an unforgettable sight for everyone present.
“Finally… they’re gone.”
“Master Lin from Seacrest’s cultivation is terrifying!”
“Did he really kill that Rowe clan Elder?”
Watching Evan Lin and Gavin Duan’s figures fade from sight, many people finally breathed a huge sigh of relief.
“They’re gone!”
Maya Meng stood there, shaking like a leaf. It took her a long moment to recover, then she suddenly snapped back to herself, voice trembling.
“He even dared to kill a Rowe clan Elder!”
Meng Xiu Xiang supported the thoroughly crippled Shang Yue Shan. Her gaze flickered, heart still racing, but with the threat of death gone, she quickly steadied herself. She stared venomously in the direction Evan Lin departed: “He, Old Liu, and Gordon Gu—they all have to die!”
“Let me try contacting the Rowe clan right now—contact the Rowe clan!”
Meng Xiu Xiang spoke as she struggled to stand.
“Get the phone!”
Shang Yue Shan, having lost both hands, barked out a command. The pain had drained all color from his face, but his willpower still drove him to make the right choice: “Now that Fourth Elder Rowe is dead, we can help the Rowe clan track down that kid!”
“No matter what, we can still win back a round!”
Fourth Elder Rowe’s status within the Rowe clan was extraordinary.
So Shang Yue Shan could use this as leverage. It wouldn’t earn him the Shang family patriarch’s seat, but at least his future would be somewhat secure.
Maya Meng hurried to get the phone. Shang Yue Shan recited a number, and she dialed it.
When Maya Meng placed the phone next to Shang Yue Shan’s ear, his voice was urgent.
Rowe Bingting, Rowe Bingwu, Fourth Elder Rowe, and Rowe Xiaozhi—all killed by one person!
Shang Yue Shan kept talking, not even bothering with respectful tones despite the other party’s status.
After he finished speaking, the other end of the line was silent for a long time.
The air seemed frozen, unbearably heavy.
“The killer’s name.”
At last, a voice came through the phone.
Shang Yue Shan, Meng Xiu Xiang, and Maya Meng broke out in cold sweat; even through the phone, they felt the immense pressure from the other side.
The ancient martial Rowe clan was a colossal existence—far beyond the comprehension of ordinary families like the Shang clan.
“Master Lin from Seacrest!”
Shang Yue Shan spoke with difficulty: “I’ve memorized his appearance and information. I can help you find the killer!”
Shang Yue Shan was about to say more, when a series of muffled sounds exploded in his ears.
He froze for a moment, then looked up to see the bodies of the already dead Fourth Elder Rowe and Rowe Xiaozhi suddenly explode.
Boundless tongues of flame erupted from within, flesh and skin ruptured, and endless fire swept forth.
Maya Meng, Meng Xiu Xiang, and Shang Yue Shan had no time to react before the raging flames completely engulfed them.
The entire villa burned fiercely, flames shooting to the sky and reddening half the heavens.
All the guests nearby instantly changed expressions and retreated outside.
They listened to the sharp cries coming from Shang Yue Shan and the others inside, watching the figures ablaze and screaming as the flames roasted them, feeling chills down their spines.
The fire was extremely fierce.
Not until the villa was reduced to ruins did anyone snap out of it; a group of people stared blankly in that direction.
Gavin Duan followed Evan Lin, leaving the villa and walking the streets of Yanjing.
Evan Lin let out a long, heavy breath.
Behind him, Shang Yue Shan was dead, as were the Rowe clan Elder, four boxing slaves, and Rowe Xiaozhi—all utterly lifeless.
The reason he let them make one last call was simply to help the ancient martial Rowe clan narrow their target—and as a warning.
If the Rowe clan behaved themselves and stopped causing trouble, Evan Lin wouldn’t bother pursuing them further.
But if they stubbornly sought revenge, Evan Lin might have to travel to Tangshan himself and wipe out this so-called ancient martial clan.
Zheng Qiuchan sent Old Liu and Gordon Gu to the hospital for checkups. When Old Liu saw Evan Lin, he opened his mouth as if to ask something, then sighed instead.
He didn’t ask how Evan Lin dealt with Meng Xiu Xiang, just looked a bit lost. This time, he regretted wasting decades for a woman.
Gordon Gu wasn’t badly injured, but he’d need a lengthy hospital stay. When they met again, he kept praising Old Liu for having such a good disciple.
As for Evan Lin’s identity, neither Gordon Gu nor Old Liu asked; they realized it must be unusual, and didn’t press further.
Both Gordon Gu and Old Liu were grateful for Evan Lin’s actions, not hoping for further benefit from him.
They stayed in Yanjing for another three days.
In those three days, Master Lin of Seacrest became famous overnight because of the battle at the Shang family villa.
But after three days, neither the Shang family nor the ancient martial Rowe clan came to seek vengeance.
Instead, while Evan Lin was repeatedly dragged by Jing Tu to shop near Yanjing University’s commercial street, he encountered a dashing figure in a baseball cap standing at the street corner.
Just then, the figure turned around, revealing sharp features and an athletic build.
Jing Tu blinked, clutching her cola bottle, and whispered, “Isn’t that…?”
Evan Lin glanced over, sensing a faint martial aura from the newcomer.
The street crowd parted instinctively, giving the three a wide berth.
Gavin Duan’s footsteps cracked the pavement, drawing curious glances.
The newcomer strode forward, eyes fixed on Evan Lin.
Evan Lin smiled faintly, ready for the next stage of his Beijing journey.
Jing Tu tugged at Evan’s sleeve, nervous but excited.
Gavin Duan flexed his arms, silently guarding his master.
The autumn wind swept through the street, signaling new trouble ahead.