"Leon Lu is a fourth-grade Vajra, and this kid still dares to show off in front of him? He must really be begging for trouble."
Seeing Leon Lu make his move, the guys beside him folded their arms and watched coldly, their eyes on Evan Lin full of nothing but disdain and contempt.
Shen Yuanbao was thrilled inside, and the people next to him were even more excited, all staring eagerly, waiting to see Leon Lu teach this kid a lesson.
Gloria Rong just stood there, neither stopping them nor saying a word.
Leon Lu's claw landed successfully, his palm on Evan Lin's shoulder. He was about to give this kid a taste of hardship, when he suddenly realized he couldn't exert any strength at all through his wrist.
He froze for a second. He'd only meant to teach the guy in front of him a lesson, so he hadn't used much force—but as a fourth-grade Vajra, his strength shouldn't just vanish like that, not even making a splash.
His face darkened as he tried to use more force—only to feel pain shoot through his wrist. Only then did he realize that at some point, the kid in front of him had hooked his left hand around Leon's wrist.
"No real strength, just a big temper?"
Evan Lin spoke blandly, tugged Leon's wrist, and as Leon pitched forward, Evan—without even turning his head—kicked backward, planting a foot right in Leon's abdomen.
There was a loud bang.
Leon Lu was sent flying through the air and instantly sprawled out on the ground.
"Holy crap!"
The surrounding second-gens watching the drama all looked stunned.
Shen Yuanbao and his group were even more frozen in place.
Only Gloria Rong's expression stayed the same, as if she'd predicted this outcome all along.
Back on Tidewatch Island, Gloria already knew Leon Lu couldn't possibly beat the young man in front of her.
"Didn't expect you to have some moves, huh?"
Leon Lu, who'd just been kicked to the ground, climbed back up, a bit disheveled, his words tinged with curiosity and confusion.
He dusted himself off, frowned, and stepped right up to Evan Lin.
"You even dare to hit Leon Lu?"
"Looks like you don't plan on leaving here in one piece tonight!"
A few second-gens nearby pulled out their phones, faces turning nasty as they prepared to make calls.
"Brother Leon! Didn't I say this kid was trouble?"
Shen Yuanbao was helped to his feet. Seeing Leon Lu also get humbled, he felt a surge of joy inside. After all, they're all in the same boat now; someone of Leon's level definitely wouldn't just swallow this loss. He'd for sure find a way to get his face back.
He glared at Evan Lin, speaking viciously: "You hitting me was one thing, but now you even dare to hit Brother Leon!"
"I know Brother Leon is Sister Gloria's good friend. If you keep tangling with him, it'll hurt his face, and probably make Sister Gloria upset too. Normally, I'd keep quiet, but honestly, Brother Leon, I'm not trying to stir things up—if it were me, I'd definitely make this guy suffer!"
Shen Yuanbao shouted, his voice shaky and his face pale with anger.
His words got instant support from the others nearby—all of them were the type who loved drama and didn't mind making things worse.
"It's you?"
But just as they finished talking, Leon Lu—who'd been ready to throw down—came around to face Evan Lin, and suddenly changed his tone: "What the hell are you doing in Beijing?"
"When did you get here, man? Damn, how come you didn't tell me?"
"No wonder I couldn't muster any strength just now—so it was you!"
Leon Lu's voice lost its anger and turned oddly excited as he stared at Evan Lin, eyes shining.
"Just came to Beijing for some business."
Evan Lin nodded at him, as a greeting.
"You should've told me, though."
Leon Lu scratched his head and said, "I never got to thank you properly for last time—even though you made me lose a ton of face."
"But that's a separate matter. Someday, I'm going to fight you for real—and win with my own hands!"
Leon Lu spoke with real seriousness.
Back on Tidewatch Island, if Evan Lin hadn't stepped in, Leon Lu would've been crippled by now.
Although Evan helped him out back then, it cost Leon a lot of face. Still, Leon is straightforward—he knows right from wrong and feels genuine gratitude toward Evan.
Bro... Brother Leon?
Shen Yuanbao listened to Leon's words, eyes wide in shock as he stared over there, dumbfounded: 'Wh-what's going on here?'
Brother Leon, you know this guy?
He asked, and the crowd around Shen Yuanbao was also stunned, waiting eagerly for a reply.
A loud slap.
Leon Lu slapped Shen Yuanbao across the face, making the fat on his cheeks jiggle. Shen stumbled back, legs shaking, clearly frightened.
'This guy'—do you really think you're qualified to use that kind of address?
Leon Lu's expression turned cold as he fixed his gaze on Shen Yuanbao and the others, making the group of second-gens pale in fear. 'This man is my friend. Show some respect and call him Brother Lin!'
Whoever offended him earlier, figure out your own way to apologize!
Leon Lu shouted, and Shen Yuanbao's group suddenly felt their mouths go dry.
How did this kid suddenly become Brother Lin?
He actually knows someone like Leon Lu?
And their relationship seems pretty good?
Shen Yuanbao's tiny, bean-like eyes were filled with terror. He was utterly shocked, his heart trembling, and when he looked at Evan Lin again, all he felt was fear.
He turned his head and glanced toward Gloria Rong, hoping she'd help plead for him, but Gloria just stood there and hadn't said a word from start to finish.
That left Shen Yuanbao really at a loss.
[Irrelevant system message. Skipped.]
The group was still hesitant—should they apologize to Evan Lin, an outsider with unknown background? When they first checked him out, they never thought this kid could hang with their crowd.
Leon, aren't you going to introduce him?
Before Shen Yuanbao and his friends could speak, one of Leon Lu's group asked a question.
These people looked at Evan Lin, but their backgrounds were much higher than Shen Yuanbao's crowd, so they stayed calm.
Still, their eyes were mostly full of curiosity as they sized him up.
Introduce him.
Leon Lu nodded and smiled at Evan Lin: "His surname is Lin, his name is Evan Lin. He's from Whitewood County under Brightsea City."
Brightsea City, Whitewood County?
Hearing Leon's introduction, the group was visibly stunned.
This is Beijing.
Right under the imperial city.
And yet, this guy from a tiny, unknown county gets so much respect from Leon Lu?
While they were still confused and puzzled...
Leon Lu immediately spoke up.
He’s stronger than me.
Allen Ju is his friend.
As soon as he said this...
Thud.
The group of second-gens who had been hesitating were now pale-faced, kneeling on the ground and hurriedly speaking to Evan Lin.
Brother Lin, I’m sorry. I, Shen Yuanbao, failed to recognize Mount Tai!
His voice was even worse than crying.
Hearing this, Leon Lu’s group of second-gens couldn’t help but glance at Evan Lin, clearly surprised.
Speaking of which, Allen Ju still owes him a favor.
Yeah, it’s a pretty big favor.
Leon Lu added.
The second-gens who had managed to keep their composure suddenly changed their expressions.