"Really? The old man is getting on in years, and it's about time he handed over the title of King of Gambling Stones. If Eldest Young Master Shan doesn't fancy you, I, Black Panther, do. You could become my wife then," Black Panther suddenly burst out laughing.
The lackeys following Black Panther also started laughing uproariously.
Dan Wen clenched his hands tightly, grinding his teeth, ready to explode in anger when Huang Yongfei grabbed his hand and whispered, "Young Master Shan, he wouldn't dare to actually strike. He's just showing off his sharp tongue. If it really came to blows, we'd be at a disadvantage."
Hearing Huang Yongfei's words, Dan Wen took a deep breath, turned his head away, and pretended not to see Black Panther.
Liao Ke was watching Dan Wen and couldn't help but get angrier. They were bullying her outright, and Dan Wen, who had always been pursuing her, now didn't dare to stand up for her.
"Xiao Ke, forget it, as if we didn't hear what he said," Dan Wen muttered as he caught Liao Ke's gaze.
Black Panther and his group laughed even louder, seeing that Dan Wen and Liao Ke were just juniors from their respective families, not strong enough to engage him in a conversation.
"I'm eating. I don't like to hear dogs bark." Suddenly, a cold voice rang out.
Originally, all the people in the restaurant had been drawn to the spectacle by Black Panther and his men; now, hearing this voice, everyone was stunned.
Black Panther was Hei Xiong's brother, one of the tyrants of Tengchong. Who dared talk to him like that?
Even Dan Wen wouldn't dare to confront Black Panther directly!
Tian Zi, Huang Yongfei, Dan Wen, and others at the table were also stunned, their eyes wide as they stared at Lin Mo.
The speaker was none other than Lin Mo, who was eating his meal.
A fierce look crossed Black Panther's face, his eyes as wide as copper bells, glaring at Lin Mo like sword light, "Kid, did you say that just now?"
"Do you have dog ears? Can't understand my words?" Lin Mo didn't even lift his head, his tone indifferent.
Black Panther and his lackeys immediately showed a ferocious expression. They hadn't yet met anyone in Tengchong bold enough to talk to him in such a manner.
"Kid, are you freaking asking for a death wish? Do you know who I am?" Black Panther clenched his fists, his eyes burning with fury.
"I don't care who you are."
As Lin Mo spoke, he pinched a wooden chopstick between his thumb and index finger and swiftly flicked it out. Before anyone could see clearly, the chopstick had pierced through Black Panther's shoulder, blood gushing out profusely.
Black Panther screamed in pain, stumbling back several steps, his forehead and face covered in cold sweat.
The other subordinates looked wooden-faced—the chopstick acted like a sword and pierced through the shoulder? This was internal martial arts!
Clutching his shoulder, his face twisted with pain and a trace of shock, Black Panther realized he had provoked an expert.
Dan Wen, Huang Yongfei, and Tian Zi also stared wide-eyed, incredulously watching Lin Mo. Could this guy, with such a haughty demeanor, actually possess such expert skills?
This kind of scene was something they usually saw in movies, and witnessing it firsthand was utterly shocking.
"Mountains never change, rivers flow forever." Clutching his shoulder, Black Panther gave Lin Mo a deep look and sheepishly led his group away.
"Master Lin, you're truly amazing," Li Yunfei's eyes gleamed with little stars.
Liao Ke was also somewhat taken aback. Lin Mo knew medicine and martial arts, yet he was not old. How could he be so powerful?
Thinking of this, Liao Ke felt that Lin Mo had a particularly mysterious aura about him, very compelling.
"Let's continue eating," Lin Mo said, noticing that Dan Wen and the others hadn't touched their chopsticks.
Dan Wen, Huang Yongfei, Tian Zi, and the others could hardly stomach their food now.
Especially Huang Yongfei, a member of the Sanda team, who had heard about the existence of ancient martial arts in Huaxia which could pluck leaves and slay people like in the martial arts novels, but he had thought it was all exaggerated fiction. He hadn't expected to actually meet a master this time!
The look on Dan Wen's face changed, unable to muster the courage to even resist Black Panther, yet Lin Mo had injured him with a single move. This made him feel utterly humiliated. With that in mind, how could he have any appetite to continue eating?
"You injured Black Panther. Hei Xiong will not let you go; they have guns," Dan Wen suddenly spoke up, looking at Lin Mo.
Hearing Dan Wen's words, the others came to their senses.
Lin Mo certainly had shown off, but Hei Xiong ruled Tengchong and was not someone to trifle with. If he sought revenge, Lin Mo might not fare well, for no matter how formidable one is, can one really best a bullet?
Lin Mo didn't seem to care at all and just kept eating his meal.
Black Panther, who always had the upper hand in Tengchong, had never suffered such a setback. However, knowing he had encountered an expert, he hastily went to the hospital for basic treatment, then had someone drive him in a Land Rover to a secluded village in Tengchong.
In a quiet and elegant farmhouse, Black Panther strode in. The yard was filled with flowers and plants. A middle-aged man wearing a black traditional Chinese garment sat in a rocking chair, holding a pot of tea, squinting his eyes with a comfortable smile on his face, basking in the sun.
"Brother," Black Panther called out upon seeing him.
The middle-aged man was Hei Xiong, the underground Dragon Head of Tengchong.
Hei Xiong turned his head, opened his eyes, then suddenly furrowed his brow, "How did you get hurt? Did you fight with someone?"
"Who in Tengchong would dare fight me? But this time, I met my match," Black Panther said with his head lowered, slowly recounting the restaurant incident. Initially squinting, Black Panther's eyes suddenly opened wide, a sharp light shot from his dark pupils as he muttered to himself, "Martial Artist!"
"He just casually threw it and the chopstick pierced through my shoulder," Black Panther said through gritted teeth, accidentally aggravating his wound and wincing in pain.
Hei Xiong slightly narrowed his eyes, a cold gleam shining through, and suddenly sneered, "No wonder I heard that old guy from the Liao Family got better. It turns out they hired an expert."
"Brother, I've never suffered like this before, you must take revenge for me," Black Panther said vehemently.
"Idiot," Hei Xiong coldly glanced at Black Panther and snorted.
"Brother, why are you scolding me?" Black Panther said, his expression embarrassed.
Hei Xiong snorted, "Do you realize it's a critical time now? I need to beat that old guy from the Liao Family to secure the mine. Then the whole of Tengchong, even Yun Province will be mine. We can't afford to alert them now; impatience can ruin great plans."
"I understand, brother," Black Panther said, lowering his head submissively, his respect for his elder brother profound.
Rising from a thug to the position of underground Dragon Head in Tengchong required ruthlessness, unscrupulous methods, and wisdom, qualities that Black Panther clearly lacked.
Hei Xiong spoke, slowly rising from the wicker chair with a furrowed brow, "Nevertheless, the appearance of a Martial Arts Master this time must be reported to Mr. Hong. Black Panther, haven't you always wanted to meet the expert behind me? I'll take you to see him now."
"Really?" Black Panther's eyes lit up, showing excitement.