Chapter 132: The Quick-Response Quiz

Master of the Transcendent Realm! As a practitioner of martial arts, Gu Hanliang was well aware of the terrifying power such a title held—these were truly god-like beings.

Across all of China, masters of the Transcendent Realm were exceedingly rare, each one a formidable force guarding their own territory.

Xiang Tianyuan of Songzhou and Hua Xifeng of the capital—each wielded influence and status far beyond that of Gu Hanliang.

Yet, whether it was Xiang Tianyuan or Hua Xifeng, they had only reached the Transcendent Realm twenty years later than the young boy standing before him now. Gu Hanliang couldn’t help but think that, given time, this youth’s achievements would far surpass those of Xiang Tianyuan and Hua Xifeng.

Although Gu Hanliang was now making a name for himself in the capital, it remained a place of political intrigue and shifting power. His life was far from easy, and his existing interests were constantly eyed and encroached upon by rival factions.

For a long time, Gu Hanliang had hoped to recruit a master of the Transcendent Realm to safeguard his interests. As the old man often said, a Transcendent Realm master was like a stabilizing force in the sea—just having one by your side was enough to deter any ill intentions without even needing to intervene.

Gu Hanliang had initially thought Mr. Lin from Haizhou would be the perfect candidate. But at the very first glance, he realized he had been mistaken.

He had underestimated the power of a Transcendent Realm master!

Ordinary people, upon hearing the name of Fourth Master Gu, would naturally feel intimidated—like that rascal Xiang, who, despite being a desperate outlaw, was still so frightened in Gu Hanliang’s presence that his legs went weak.

But this young boy’s gaze never showed the slightest hint of fear or respect when facing him. To be honest, that unsettled Gu Hanliang, yet at the same time, he understood this was the confidence of a Transcendent Realm master!

Even when confronting the biggest sharks or local magnates in the circle, they remained calm and composed, fully in control.

It seemed the old man was right: masters of the Transcendent Realm could not be recruited, only befriended. Once they reach that level, their world and that of ordinary people are entirely different—they would never willingly submit.

Gu Hanliang had not understood this before, but now, standing before this young man, enlightenment dawned.

“I must first apologize to Fourth Master for ruining your business today and injuring your men,” Lin Le said with a hint of helplessness.

“Not at all, Mr. Lin’s actions surely had their reasons. It must be my men’s recklessness that offended you. It is I, Gu, who should apologize,” Gu Hanliang replied with a smile, though his heart burned with anger.

He had hoped to use Mr. Lin’s visit to the capital to forge an alliance, but his men had immediately offended this important figure.

At this moment, Gu Hanliang nearly harbored murderous thoughts.

“If Fourth Master insists on an apology, that would truly be too much. But there are still some matters unresolved; I hope Fourth Master will allow me to handle them first,” Lin Le said firmly, unwilling to let the matter drop, especially regarding Zhang Yanyan and Xiang.

Those present watched as Lin Le and Fourth Master Gu exchanged words with calm ease, utterly astonished.

This young man, so young, could hold his own against none other than Fourth Master Gu—it was simply unbelievable.

“Of course, Mr. Lin, please proceed as you see fit,” Gu Hanliang said, stepping aside and entrusting all authority to Lin Le.

After thanking Gu Hanliang, Lin Le’s gaze fell upon Zhang Yanyan.

Under his stare, Zhang Yanyan felt a cold chill deep in her heart, as if plunged into an icy abyss. Trembling uncontrollably, she shook like leaves in the wind.

Now she truly realized the gravity of the person she had offended—someone even Fourth Master Gu treated with respect. What a terrifying existence that must be!

Zhang Yanyan was merely an ordinary young lady; how could she dare offend such a powerful figure?

“It was, it was Brother Xiang who ordered me to do it! He gave me the money to falsely accuse Mr. Lin of impropriety!” Before Lin Le could speak, Zhang Yanyan broke down and confessed.

“This is the two thousand yuan he gave me,” she said, trembling as she pulled a stack of bills from her bosom and placed them on the ground.

At this revelation, the crowd murmured in surprise. Their suspicions had been confirmed—it was indeed related to Xiang.

“You vile woman, how dare you betray me!” Xiang’s expression darkened with fury.

“Bang!” A dull thud echoed as Zhang Tianzong struck Xiang on the head, sending him sprawling to the ground.

“Mr. Lin is speaking; you have no right to interrupt!” Zhang Tianzong’s voice was icy, silencing Xiang completely.

Lin Le turned back to Zhang Yanyan and asked, “Did he say why he wanted to frame me?”

At this question, Zhang Yang and Ding Jun suddenly felt as if struck by lightning, their bodies trembling and knees weakening as if they might collapse.

Their hearts seemed to leap into their throats, overwhelmed by fear.

To them, the seemingly ordinary Lin Le now appeared as terrifying as the King of Hell himself.

“Xiang said it was because Mr. Lin offended his friend, and he wanted to take revenge on his behalf. That’s why he made me set a trap for Mr. Lin,” Zhang Yanyan confessed honestly.

“Hmph…” Lin Le had long known the truth; he merely wished to bring it to light.

“Alright, take your money and leave,” Lin Le said coolly.

“Re-really?” Zhang Yanyan could hardly believe she was escaping so easily.

Though her accusations were hateful, they had not crossed the line, and Lin Le did not wish to make things difficult for a woman.

“But if there’s a next time, you will be dead,” Lin Le added without emotion, sending a chill through Zhang Yanyan’s heart.

“Y-yes, yes, there will be no next time!” Terrified beyond measure, Zhang Yanyan nodded vigorously, her wicked intentions thoroughly extinguished.

After kowtowing several times to Lin Le, Zhang Yanyan snatched up the money and fled hastily.

Lin Le then fixed his gaze on Xiang.

“Now, tell me who ordered you to do this,” he asked calmly.

“Th-this…” Xiang was no longer arrogant but filled with dread as he met Lin Le’s gaze.

Beside him, Ding Jun and Zhang Yang were pale, trembling violently.

“Mr. Lin is asking you a question; answer honestly!” Zhang Tianzong growled harshly.

“I… I’d rather die than speak! Kill me if you must!” Xiang bit his lip and declared defiantly.

“Damn it, how dare you talk like that!” Zhang Tianzong’s voice was so fierce it could frighten a person to death, ready to teach Xiang a lesson.

“Wait,” Lin Le raised his hand to stop him.

“Surprising that you’re loyal. Very well, I believe the one who ordered you is here. I’ll count to three—whoever confesses first will live; the others I’ll deal with myself,” Lin Le said evenly.

Hearing this, everyone’s curiosity peaked. They all wanted to see who dared to order Xiang to slander Mr. Lin.

Gu Hanliang smiled, finding Lin Le’s method quite intriguing.

“Three…” Lin Le began counting down.

Zhang Yang and Ding Jun were extremely nervous, their eyes meeting Xiang’s with complicated expressions.

“Two…”

The two exchanged a glance, their minds working swiftly.

“One…”

“It was us! We had Xiang act on our behalf! Please, Mr. Lin, spare us!” The moment Lin Le finished, Zhang Yang and Ding Jun’s resolve broke; they knelt before Lin Le and admitted everything in haste.