Huang Tianxiong, unable to bear Jin Shan's evasiveness, stated his intentions directly.
If Jin Shan still intended to deal with him, he had nothing more to say.
He accepted it.
After all, the grey area was precisely like this!
A hint of surprise flickered across Jin Shan's aged face as he asked, "You think I'm wrong?"
Huang Tianxiong, completely taken aback by Jin Shan's question, immediately replied, "I... I didn't mean that!"
Jin Shan chuckled lightly, "I'm not senile yet!"
"If I couldn't even grasp your meaning, what right would I have to be respectfully addressed as Master Jin by you all?"
"This..." Huang Tianxiong hesitated, unsure of what to say, resigned to whatever happened.
He had, after all, survived one ordeal.
Of course, based on his understanding of Jin Shan, he wasn't the kind of person who would casually resort to killing.
After all, he had turned to Buddhism and put down his butcher's cleaver.
Jin Shan continued, "I know you're dissatisfied with me and have always wanted to take my place, but have you ever considered what the conditions are for replacing me?"
Boom!
Hearing this, Huang Tianxiong's heart trembled, and his body shivered.
He had never expected Jin Shan to say something like this.
For a moment, he didn't know how to respond!
To deny it would be a lie!
But if he admitted it, he was sure to face Jin Shan's wrath!
"Master Jin, I..." Huang Tianxiong trailed off, unable to articulate his thoughts.
Jin Shan pressed on, "You don't need to deny it; that's the reality!"
"Everyone wants to climb higher!"
"There's no shame in that!"
Huang Tianxiong was speechless at this point.
Jin Shan added, "Tianxiong, if you want to rise, I can clear the path for you!"
"After all, in our circle, new blood comes in quite rapidly!"
"..."
Huang Tianxiong stood frozen, unable to utter a word despite his thoughts racing.
Silence.
It was the only option.
Jin Shan then inquired again, "What do you think?"
Huang Tianxiong's subconscious reaction was to shake his head, "Master Jin, in Lin City's grey area, you are the sky!"
"I am merely a small fry you've helped rise."
Jin Shan demurred, "You mustn't say that. You must believe in yourself. After all, I am already half in the grave and won't live much longer!"
Huang Tianxiong's heart pounded, and he managed to say, "Mas... Master Jin, you are in the prime of your life. You must never say such things!"
Jin Shan smiled enigmatically and shook his head.
"The future of Lin City belongs to you young people!"
"I am already old!"
Hearing Jin Shan's words, Huang Tianxiong felt worse than if he had been slapped several times. He hung his head, his face dark.
"I called you here today with no other intention than to chat. Perhaps my words are a bit too direct, but don't take them to heart. If you resent me, then I can resent you too!" Jin Shan said with a smile, appearing like an ordinary old man.
Huang Tianxiong shook his head, "Master Jin, how could I possibly resent you!"
"That's good. It's getting late; stay for a meal," Jin Shan said amiably, with a slight smile.
Huang Tianxiong, feeling too awkward to stay, quickly replied, "Master Jin, perhaps another time... I have some matters to attend to and won't disturb you any further!"
Jin Shan conceded, "Alright, perhaps next time!"
Huang Tianxiong acknowledged, shook Jin Shan's hand, and then departed from Jin Ding Mountain Villa.
He left with great haste, as if his feet were greased.
The moment he was gone, Hong Ying emerged from the study within, her face carrying a cold expression...