Chapter 85: Striking First

To them, Lin Qingyun was just a solitary demon-hunting wanderer. It was entirely normal for someone like that, once they had enough resources, to while away several years indulging themselves in the settlement. If they were even slightly inclined toward cultivation, who knew how long they might remain secluded? Under such circumstances, if the Wanlong Demon Hunting Team wanted to exact revenge and seize his resources, they would have no choice but to gather together and wait. At first, it was tolerable, but as time dragged on, everyone grew restless and unwilling to idle away their time.

Though they followed Zhou Wanlong, they all needed to earn resources for their own cultivation and pleasure; it was impossible for them to keep watch indefinitely. Zhou Wanlong soon sensed that things were going awry. After some consideration, he resolved to put pressure on his opponent. If necessary, he was even willing to employ deathsworn assassins to make a move within the settlement. He would then spend additional resources to ensure both Lin Qingyun and the deathsworn were expelled together. He could promise the deathsworn a transfer to another settlement along with generous rewards—there would always be someone willing to take the risk. As long as his opponent was driven out, Zhou Wanlong would have his chance.

Today, Zhou Wanhǔ was in charge of this matter, bringing men to exert pressure and look for opportunities. Of course, unless absolutely necessary, they dared not take action in the Human Paradise. The rules here were strict—even a master like Zhou Wanlong, at the Soaring Cloud Realm, found it difficult to bend them. In such bustling and chaotic places, unless one possessed overwhelming power, few dared to casually unleash their spiritual sense, lest it be seen as an act of hostility, which could easily lead to misunderstandings and conflict.

Even though Lin Qingyun had not released his spiritual sense, he keenly sensed the hostile stares as Zhou Wanhǔ and his men approached. He had been watching the beasts' ferocious contest with great interest, calmly discussing bets with Xiao Hei and casually asking her more questions. Suddenly, he turned his head sharply.

Zhou Wanhǔ and his four companions were all glaring at Lin Qingyun with murderous intent, striding directly toward him.

"Sir, that's Zhou Wanhǔ, vice captain of the Wanlong Demon Hunting Team. His brother, Zhou Wanlong, is a Soaring Cloud Realm master and quite domineering. You’d best be careful. But don't make the first move here in Human Paradise—better not act at all, or you'll both be punished, lightly or severely, even killed," Xiao Hei warned Lin Qingyun. Though still cautious, she had gained much from the pills Lin Qingyun had casually given her, and was now quite proactive.

"Gentlemen, the Wanlong Demon Hunting Team would like to sit here. Would you be so kind as to move elsewhere? The private rooms up front are reserved for our use. Just mention my name, and you'll be allowed in to watch," Zhou Wanhǔ said.

Lin Qingyun spared no expense, always choosing the best spot. Only a few private booths were exclusively reserved and could not be bought, or else he would have taken one of those. Some in the area recognized Zhou Wanhǔ, and even those unfamiliar with him were quickly informed by others nearby. Sensing trouble, and seeing that it cost them nothing, everyone promptly rose and vacated their seats, leaving Lin Qingyun surrounded by emptiness as Zhou Wanhǔ and his men seated themselves around him.

Zhou Wanhǔ fixed Lin Qingyun with a cold stare. "So you’re the one who killed my men from the Wanlong Demon Hunting Team, aren't you? You have some nerve, sitting here as if nothing happened. Do you even know the meaning of death?"

The other four vice captains radiated murderous intent, pressing it down upon Lin Qingyun.

With a thud, Xiao Hei, right beside Lin Qingyun, collapsed to the ground, her body going limp. Yet she was clever: she immediately crawled under the wide seat, trying to escape out the back. Though it was only killing intent and pressure, for someone at her humble Phoenix Initiate rank, remaining under the murderous aura of so many Ninth-Level Heartstring Realm cultivators was courting death.

Seeing Xiao Hei crawling away, Zhou Wanhǔ snorted in satisfaction, about to continue his threats.

“Damn you, are you an idiot? Who do you think you are, coming here to threaten me? I must've given you too much face. What are you pretending to be? You’re nothing—running your mouth in front of me like you matter. Wanlong Demon Hunting Team, huh? Believe me, if I wanted to, I could wipe you all out. Look at yourself—what exactly are you playing at? If not for the rules here, I'd kill every last one of you myself. Idiot. And you, snorting like a pig—are you sure you’re not one? You’re even dumber than a pig.”

“Has living in the settlement rotted your brain? You think I’m afraid of you filthy bastards? Get lost if you know what’s good for you—don’t try to act tough here.”

“Just because you wear human skin, you think you’re a real person? Dress up in a suit and you think you’re some high-class gentleman? Who the hell do you think you are, daring to speak to me? Get lost, go cool your heels somewhere far away.”

As Zhou Wanhǔ had just started to speak, snorting in contempt, his expression suddenly changed drastically. In those few moments, Lin Qingyun had bombarded him with a telepathic barrage of insults—relentless and unfiltered. With people like this, beating around the bush was pointless; only the most direct and savage attack would get through. From the moment Zhou Wanhǔ appeared, Lin Qingyun could see what kind of man he was—a brute through and through, now dressed up with a veneer of status. Such people were easily provoked, and Lin Qingyun gave him no chance to prepare, launching straight into a relentless verbal assault via telepathy. Anyone with sense would realize this was entirely intentional.

Zhou Wanhǔ barely maintained control, resisting the urge to kill on the spot, his eyes bloodshot as he pointed a trembling finger at Lin Qingyun.

"You—damn you—"

Lin Qingyun understood men like Zhou Wanlong. They were bandits at heart, used to violence and plunder; although aware that they couldn’t act recklessly in a place like Human Paradise, self-restraint did not come naturally. Unlike Uncle Two or Zheng Haoyue, who would not be provoked by such taunts, men like Zhou Wanlong were easily pushed over the edge.

With a bang and a cry of pain, as Zhou Wanhǔ’s finger jabbed Lin Qingyun’s shoulder, blood splattered everywhere. Lin Qingyun’s shoulder exploded where he was touched, and he slumped back in agony. Though the beasts below continued their savage battle, the sudden cry drew the attention of many nearby.

More importantly, several figures swiftly approached.

A suffocating pressure descended—the soul force of a Soaring Cloud Realm master. "What do you think you’re doing, daring to make a move in Human Paradise? Tired of living, are you?" thundered the newcomer.

Human Paradise lived up to its reputation: holding Heartstring Realm beast battles, attracting so many powerful onlookers and gamblers, any disturbance brought immediate intervention from Soaring Cloud Realm superiors, as well as three high-level Heartstring Realm cultivators.

One of them, an elder in traditional Tang attire, with white hair and beard and an imposing presence, fixed his gaze on Zhou Wanhǔ and his men.

"I—" Zhou Wanhǔ was stunned, completely unprepared for this turn of events.

"Tiger, how could you lay a hand on him—"

"Wanhǔ, you were too reckless! Don’t you know where we are?"

"Tiger, what do you think you’re doing? Have you forgotten what your brother said?"

The other four vice captains, who had moments before been intimidating Lin Qingyun alongside Zhou Wanhǔ, now turned on him with shock and irritation. They hadn’t seen what happened—only that Zhou Wanhǔ suddenly lost control, jabbed the other man’s shoulder, and blood gushed out. The more senior among them even rebuked him outright.

"I didn’t—" Zhou Wanhǔ protested in dismay, suddenly the target of everyone’s ire, including his own men. He wanted to explain, but seeing the crowd that had gathered and the Human Paradise enforcers closing in, he was at a loss for words.

"In the outside world, killing someone is considered taking action. Here, even this is forbidden. Do you understand?" one of the enforcers growled before Zhou Wanhǔ could finish.

Zhou Wanhǔ felt more aggrieved than he had ever been in his life; none of his many misdeeds compared to the injustice of this moment.

"You all, come with us. The chief wants to see you," the enforcers said curtly, not waiting for further explanation.

Zhou Wanhǔ, the four vice captains of the Wanlong Demon Hunting Team, the wounded Lin Qingyun, and even Xiao Hei, who had just crawled out from under the seat, were all escorted away.

The room they entered was vast, over three hundred square meters, a luxurious duplex. A middle-aged man in casual clothes lounged on a reclining chair on the balcony, gazing out at the distant lake. A beautiful woman poured him wine, another lit his cigar, and world-famous melodies played from the finest sound system.

Arriving here, Lin Qingyun felt as if he had stepped into the residence of the wealthiest tycoon in Haicheng. Everything in this place was something only the very rich could afford.

Even Zhou Wanhǔ and his men, worldly as they were, were awestruck. As for Xiao Hei, her eyes could barely take everything in. But if one looked closely, they would notice her eyes swiftly scanning the brands, names, models, and locations of every item, memorizing them all. Despite never having seen such luxury before, her accumulated knowledge and familiarity with outside information allowed her to quickly estimate the value of the various possessions.

"Chief, Zhou Wanhǔ and Haifeng have been brought in, along with the footage from earlier," reported the official who had escorted them.

"Director Wen, sir, my brother is Zhou Wanlong of the Wanlong Demon Hunting Team. I’ve accompanied him to meet with you before. Please, let me explain—this really wasn’t my fault. That kid played a trick on me: he cursed me via telepathy, and when my finger barely touched him, he caused his own wound, making it look as if I attacked him."

"Director Wen, you have such keen insight—I’m sure you can see it was that kid causing trouble, not us. Think about it: the Wanlong Demon Hunting Team has been here for so long, and with my brother’s standing, how could we not know the rules? Even if you gave me a hundred times the courage, I wouldn’t dare make trouble in Human Paradise."

On the way here, Zhou Wanhǔ had quickly explained everything to his companions, discussing both the incident and their countermeasures. Having calmed down, he now spoke the prepared words smoothly as soon as he entered.

Lin Qingyun, by contrast, said nothing as Zhou Wanhǔ pleaded his case. Even Xiao Hei watched Lin Qingyun nervously; though clever, she had never experienced such a high-stakes scene, and the pressure was immense. Still, she observed keenly, not panicking but taking everything in with acute attention.