A Divine Farmer

Chapter 287 - I Cannot Guarantee That I will Keep My Promise!

At Fourth Uncle's gesture, everyone charged at Zhang Xiaolong. They surged forward like a torrent intent on engulfing a lone leaf adrift in the river.

It should have been an easy task. As Fourth Uncle had pointed out, no matter how skilled a fighter is, how many opponents can he handle? Ten? A hundred? Yet, here stood several hundred.

A single punch to each person would be enough to sap the strength of even the most physically fit individual, leaving them too weak to lift their fists.

But were these people the type to be felled by one punch? Certainly not. They were seasoned fighters…

Fourth Uncle's train of thought was abruptly cut short as he witnessed Zhang Xiaolong burst into action.

Spinning with his chair, he became a blur, flinging anyone who dared approach him through the air as if he were a high-speed top, repelling everything in his vicinity.

In just a moment, dozens were slung into the wall, their insides jumbled, unable to rise for quite some time.

The rest were taken aback, hesitation setting in as they realized the sheer might of the man before them.

But Zhang Xiaolong did not cease. The whirlwind intensified, weaving through the crowd, sending everyone flying without so much as grazing an object.

Minutes later, the opulent villa's living room was strewn with bodies.

Zhang Xiaolong, standing by a chair, took his seat once more, turning to the pale-faced Fourth Uncle Chu. “Now that the crowd has thinned, shall we talk?”

“Who are you, some kind of master?” Fourth Uncle Chu inquired.

“I'm just a simple farmer,” Zhang Xiaolong replied with a serene smile. “I only wish to tend to my fields and run a modest business. If you hadn't bothered me, I might never have known such people as you even existed.”

“What are you after?” Fourth Uncle Chu pressed, aware that Zhang Xiaolong must have an ulterior motive and was not likely to walk away after a mere confrontation.

“That's the question I should be asking you,” Zhang Xiaolong retorted. “If I refuse to surrender the formula, what are your plans?”

Fourth Uncle Chu's complexion grew grim. For an ordinary person or company, once the Chu Sect had intervened, there would be no peace until the formula was surrendered or the company collapsed.

“You seem intent on leaving me no choice,” Zhang Xiaolong observed, despite the other party's silence. “The so-called Chu Sect will vanish from Qingyang City starting today. That's the best exit strategy I can offer you.”

“Don't overstep,” Fourth Uncle Chu retorted angrily. “Are you aware of how long the Chu Sect has been a fixture in Qingyang City? The power of the Chu Sect far exceeds what you can imagine. Without it, Qingyang will descend into chaos.”

“Haha, I've never encountered such an absurd argument. Qingyang will only improve without you parasites,” Zhang Xiaolong laughed heartily. “Do you take me for a toddler? Make your choice. Even if you refuse to cooperate, I have ways to completely eradicate your precious Chu Sect.”

Fourth Uncle Chu's expression became even more unsightly. After a rapid shift in his gaze, he sighed deeply. “Fine. If I were a few years younger, I might challenge you. But now, I'm old, and my child is still too young. Perhaps it's indeed time for the Chu Sect to disband.”

His tone was tinged with melancholy, seemingly mourning the fall of a once-mighty sect.

Zhang Xiaolong nodded, unsurprised. “I believe this is for the best, for both you and your child. Haven't you noticed how the Chu Sect's environment has turned your child violent and bloodthirsty?”

“Further discussion is futile. In the world of martial arts, might makes right. One must accept aging; denial is not an option. I hereby announce,” Fourth Uncle Chu proclaimed, addressing the scores of fallen enforcers, “effective today, the Chu Sect…”

As all eyes were fixed on him in anticipation, Fourth Uncle Chu's hand flashed, unleashing three streaks of cold light—three gleaming silver daggers.

Observing the precision and swiftness of his movements, it was clear that he was a master of throwing weapons. Three daggers encircled Zhang Xiaolong, trapping him in their midst. With such a sudden onslaught, it would be nearly impossible for anyone to dodge this lethal strike.

Fourth Uncle Chu truly was a seasoned veteran. He picked the precise moment his adversary was most at ease, just when it seemed he had resigned himself to defeat, without any will left to win. In an instant, Fourth Uncle Chu played his ace, aiming to corner his opponent into a deadly situation.

Zhang Xiaolong hadn't anticipated that Fourth Uncle Chu was also a master of throwing weapons. Even as his opponent made his move, he sensed an energy fluctuation, possibly the signature of a true master's internal strength.

It was undeniable; the opponent's strategy was ingeniously crafted. Had it been anyone else, they might not have died, but they would certainly have been struck. And that would have changed everything.

But Zhang Xiaolong was no ordinary man. Before a hint of smugness could even grace Fourth Uncle Chu's face, he had already caught all three daggers in his grasp.

“You…” Fourth Uncle Chu's complexion turned a shade of purple, as if overwhelmed with a surge of blood to his face.

He could never have imagined that his carefully concealed trump card, his last-ditch effort to turn the tide, would be so effortlessly defused by his opponent.

“Not bad with the flying daggers,” Zhang Xiaolong commented coolly. “Consider this a friendly match. Next time, I'll be sure to send the daggers right back to you.”

With that, he clenched the three flying daggers in his hands, channeling a hint of divine power. The blades twisted and contorted, morphing into a metal ball within his grip. With a casual twist, he hurled the ball away.

Bang!

The metal ball struck the wall, leaving a deep, dark hole where it embedded itself, completely out of sight.

Fourth Uncle Chu's legs buckled, and he slumped into a chair, devoid of any remaining courage to confront Zhang Xiaolong. “The Chu family has been established for many years, and parting with the Chu Sect is difficult. But as of today, the Chu Sect will cease to exist. I implore you to spare the lives of the Chu family, especially the younger members…”

“Rest assured, I have no interest in murder or arson,” Zhang Xiaolong replied, then inquired, “Since you walk this path, why did you target my cosmetic formula? Was it your own idea, or were you commissioned by someone else?”

“This…” Fourth Uncle Chu hesitated, searching for a plausible excuse, but the earnest gaze he met made him think better of it. “Chu Yang and Chu Peng of All Light Company are my elder brother and nephew, respectively. They're interested in purchasing your formula. This would allow the Chu Sect to fully step away from the underworld and transition into legitimate business.”

“Ah, so you're related,” Zhang Xiaolong realized. “Well, please convey a message to Chu Peng for me. If he continues to cause trouble, I can't promise that I'll adhere to any agreement.”