Henry Lin suddenly spoke up, his voice fierce and menacing.
Everyone nearby was stunned by his words, and the whole hall erupted in a buzz.
"I thought the Lin family would come to propose with a softer attitude, but seeing Henry Lin act so aggressive, it looks like they're determined to win this!" someone below exclaimed in shock.
"Of course! Nathan Lin joined the Southriver Sword Sect, so now he's one of them. His status in the sect will only keep rising, and with the Southriver Sword Sect backing him, even someone like Colonel Su can't do anything to him. That's real confidence!" another person said, sounding like they'd expected this all along.
All around the hall, countless guests whispered among themselves. From their tone, it was clear they'd seen this coming from Henry Lin and the others. Now, as they glanced at Colonel Su and his brothers, their eyes were full of sighs and sympathy.
If this were before, how would the Lin family ever dare to treat the Su family so arrogantly?
It's all because of Nathan Lin, isn't it?
"Brother Lin, what do you mean by this?" Colonel Su took a deep breath, his face darkening as he looked at Leonard Lin.
"It doesn't mean much. Right now, Henry handles all Lin family affairs." Leonard Lin shook his head, making his stance clear.
"Then I'd like to see how you, representing the Southriver Sword Sect, plan to settle this score!" Colonel Su's voice was low and his face was livid.
After so many years in the military, he'd never been humiliated like this by a junior.
"You want to fight me?" Nathan Lin looked at Colonel Su and let out a mocking laugh. "Uncle Su, don't say I don't respect my elders, but to be blunt, you wouldn't last three moves against me!"
Three moves!
Nathan Lin's tone dripped with sarcasm. The way he looked at Colonel Su showed no respect—only arrogance and contempt.
Colonel Su was burning with rage. Ignoring Sam Su and Grizzly trying to stop him, he strode right up to Nathan.
"When I first enlisted, I was the hand-to-hand champion of my regiment three years running! Let's see if my blade's gotten dull, or if you youngsters are really that tough!"
With a furious shout, Colonel Su's aura exploded. He stepped forward with his left foot, clenched his right fist, and powered up from his waist. In the next instant, he charged at Nathan like a tiger descending the mountain.
This was standard military close-combat technique. Even though Colonel Su was already over forty, his moves and power were still formidable.
A fierce gust of wind shot at Nathan Lin's face. Just when everyone thought Colonel Su would take him down in one move, Nathan just snorted with disdain and casually raised the scabbard in his hand.
The Southriver Sword's scabbard swung up, colliding with Colonel Su's palm. Nathan knocked aside his hand, then instantly stepped forward and kicked Colonel Su square in the chest.
Bang!
Nathan Lin's kick looked ordinary, but it sent Colonel Su flying a good distance. He crashed into several wine tables behind him, scattering desserts and drinks everywhere, leaving Colonel Su completely humiliated.
"Big Brother!"
Sam Su's face changed instantly. He rushed over to help Colonel Su up.
Colonel Su's face was ashen. He clutched his chest, gritting his teeth to keep from spitting blood, but the pain inside was like a raging sea—he could barely hold himself together.
The crowd was stunned by Nathan Lin's crisp, decisive moves. Some young women even started applauding.
Victor Su's face stiffened, while Molly Su's cheeks turned pale with anger.
"Relax, I wasn't trying to kill him. Besides, we'll be family soon—Molly's uncle is my uncle too. I held back just now; otherwise, he'd be dead for sure." Nathan Lin declared arrogantly, his words making Victor Su's face look even worse.
"Old Man Su, Nathan really does like Molly. Plus, her parents made a marriage contract with my Lin family. Are you planning to break it?" Henry Lin said, his tone full of sly sarcasm.
"And Sam Su, you'd better tell us where that punk who injured Sword Master Eric Cui is hiding. Otherwise, your Su family won't escape disaster!"
"The wrath of the Southriver Sword Sect isn't something your family can handle!"
Henry Lin spoke coldly, pressing his advantage.
Leon Lin took the chance to stand beside Nathan Lin, head held high, basking in the thrill of 'when one person rises, chickens and dogs ascend.'
"That's right! Anyone who dares mess with the Southriver Sword Sect is doomed! Whether it's that so-called 'master' who snatched a magic artifact at the appraisal fair, or that arrogant guy who broke two Misty Rain Swords at the Moore estate—the sect will hunt them down and deal with them all!"
"My cousin Nathan is a dragon among men! The Su family should be grateful to have him as a son-in-law. How dare you act like this?"
As Leon Lin spoke, he put extra energy into his voice, attracting plenty of admiring glances from the girls in the crowd. He was clearly loving it.
The Su family members looked even more embarrassed, and Victor Su's old face was about to lose all dignity.
Sam Su helped Colonel Su to his feet, his face twisted with rage. "Damn it! You think you can threaten me? I swear, I'd risk my life just to tear a chunk out of the Lin family!"
Sam Su roared, humiliated. He glanced around, looking for a gun.
"Sam!"
Victor Su shouted angrily, finally making Sam Su shut up, though he was still fuming inside.
"Grandpa, let me do it."
Molly Su didn't want to see Victor Su suffer. She whispered, "If it weren't for you, Grandpa, I wouldn't even be alive today."
"Just let me go."
Her face showed a hint of weary sadness. She couldn't bear to see the Su family trampled and humiliated in front of everyone.
After today, once word gets out, the Su family's reputation in all of Jinnan will be ruined.
"No way!" Victor Su gritted his teeth and shook his head. "I told you, I won't trade your happiness for anything! You're my only granddaughter!"
"It's just a shame we couldn't find that master from before. Molly, it's my fault..."
Victor Su's face was full of sorrow, like a hero at the end of his road.
Once a tiger among men, he never imagined one day he'd be besieged by a pack of wolves.
"You'd better decide quickly. I'll give you five minutes. If I don't get an answer I like, the next people the sect sends won't be so easy to deal with." Nathan Lin said coldly.
Leon Lin grinned, basking in the spotlight. He glanced around and saw a bunch of rich girls giving him flirtatious looks, which made him secretly delighted.
But as his eyes swept the crowd again, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure. The smug smile on Leon Lin's face froze.
He blinked in surprise, then his eyes widened in shock.