Chapter 13: The Director's Reverence!

Bang!

Lin Haotian’s body crashed to the ground, lifeless, his eyes glazed over in eternal unrest.

“This… is my choice!” Li Dongming’s voice rang out firmly, sharp as a drawn sword.

Hiss!

Silence fell over the hall once again, so still it felt like a deathly void.

No one had expected Li Dongming to shoot Lin Haotian right then and there—especially in front of Lin Zhennan!

Madness!

Utter madness!

The crowd erupted in turmoil, emotions swirling wildly—indescribable, inexpressible.

“Li Dongming, you have such audacity! You’re abusing your power to kill for personal gain!” Lin Zhennan wiped the splattered brains from his face, eyes narrowing fiercely, his expression twisted with rage.

He hadn’t anticipated Li Dongming’s sudden gunfire.

“Who said I abused my power to kill?” Li Dongming holstered his weapon, expression unreadable.

“In broad daylight, you still dare to deny it?” Lin Zhennan was furious, bewildered by Li Dongming’s sudden madness.

“Xiao Mengxue is the younger sister of war hero Xiao Longhu, a martyr’s kin. According to the first article of Long Kingdom’s martyr protection law, insulting or harming a martyr’s family is a grave offense.”

“Your manager at Shennong Workshop just insulted a martyr’s family and attempted harm. Moreover, Lin Haotian willfully obstructed official duties, directing the police and officials. I acted under urgent authority—shooting him was the lawful exercise of my duty!” Li Dongming stated coldly.

“Is that all?” Lin Zhennan’s face darkened.

Though the law existed, who cared? Once the tree falls, the monkeys scatter.

Since Xiao Longhu’s death, the Lu family had treated Xiao Mengxue like a dog.

And now you tell me to care for a martyr’s family? What a joke!

“That’s all it takes!” Li Dongming’s face turned icy. He ignored Lin Zhennan and instead respectfully turned his gaze to Duan Lingxiao.

“Mr. Long… sir, are you satisfied with this handling?” Li Dongming stood straight as a spear, his voice filled with genuine reverence.

Everyone present was stunned.

Li Dongming was only thirty-six but already the director of the city’s police and prosecution bureau, a deputy department-level leader—an influential figure with a promising future.

Yet here he was, showing utmost respect to a young man barely in his twenties!

Unbelievable!

What background did this man have to command such deference from a deputy department head?

“Handle it according to the law,” Duan Lingxiao said calmly.

Then he added, “I don’t want to see them again.”

“Yes, sir!” Li Dongming immediately nodded.

Though Duan Lingxiao appeared just over twenty, he wore the Dragon Emperor Ring—the symbol of the Dragon Palace’s helm.

The appearance of the Dragon Emperor Ring heralded the Dragon Palace’s return to the world.

And Li Dongming was a member of the Dragon Palace organization.

“Take them all away!” Li Dongming waved his hand, and several officers swiftly stepped forward.

Yu Mengmeng and the greasy man Wang Defa were arrested, handcuffed, and dragged off.

Their fate would be utterly grim.

“Wait!” Lin Zhennan suddenly spoke, eyes icy, facing Duan Lingxiao with a threatening tone:

“Li Dongming, do you really plan to leave just like that? Don’t you owe me an explanation for what just happened?”

“Explanation?” Li Dongming’s gaze was indifferent, a murderous aura barely contained.

“Lin Zhennan, I don’t know who you are, but I am the deputy leader of Jiangnan City’s Shennong Workshop. Offending me is of no benefit — you’ve just made a needless enemy!”

His words revealed he suspected Duan Lingxiao’s identity was no ordinary one—after all, even Li Dongming was so deferential.

But to kill his son and just let it go? Impossible!

He couldn’t swallow this grievance.

“Oh? And what do you plan to do?” Duan Lingxiao smiled slightly, his eyes cold and piercing.

“This is Jiangnan City—not too big, not too small. Even if you’re a mighty dragon, you might not control this patch of land, so…”

Before Lin Zhennan could finish, a sharp gust of wind exploded—a punch struck his shoulder.

The attacker was none other than Li Dongming!

Bang!

Lin Zhennan screamed and flew back.

The fierce wind grazed his scalp, snapping several strands of gray hair.

“Huff… huff…”

Lin Zhennan genuinely tasted the scent of death.

His eyes widened in horror—Li Dongming even dared to strike him!

And when his gaze locked on Li Dongming’s cold pupils, his heart trembled.

He wasn’t mistaken.

If he dared to complain again, Li Dongming would pulverize his chest with the next punch.

“Lin Zhennan, I am executing official duties. If you continue to obstruct, I will act first and report later, taking emergency measures against you!”

“Also…”

“Show respect to this gentleman!” Li Dongming did not hide his words.

His aura exploded fully, a killing coldness like a shattered abyss.

Those nearby shuddered, feeling their throats tighten with dread.

Only now did everyone recall that before becoming police chief, Li Dongming was a battle-hardened soldier who had bled and triumphed on the border front.

“You!” Lin Zhennan clutched his chest, silenced.

His mind raced—who exactly was this young man? Why was Li Dongming so humble?

It was completely unlike his usual demeanor.

“Sir, I take my leave.” Li Dongming nodded respectfully to Duan Lingxiao, then waved to the others to carry away Lin Haotian’s body.

“Where are my herbs?” Duan Lingxiao approached Dr. Li, who was gathering the medicine.

“They’re… right here,” Dr. Li stammered, handing over a large bundle.

Duan Lingxiao counted carefully—everything was complete.

“Good. Consider these herbs as compensation for today’s mental distress at Shennong Workshop.”

Grasping the herbs in one hand, Duan Lingxiao took Xiao Mengxue’s soft hand with the other and left the workshop.

Onlookers gaped in disbelief.

You almost tore down Shennong Workshop, yet you still demand mental damages?

No one dared speak this aloud.

…

Back at the Xiao family villa.

Wild grass grew thick and tall; all the valuable paintings, antiques, sofas, and tables had been removed.

Only simple wooden beds and tattered quilts remained.

Xiao Mengxue usually scavenged leftover food nearby; inside the villa, there was only a single induction cooker.

Duan Lingxiao intended to concoct a pill.

“Too bad there’s no alchemy furnace, but this induction cooker will suffice for this pill.”

He powered it on, waiting patiently for the temperature to rise.

“Brother Lingxiao, are you… going to cook? Should I go out and gather or buy some vegetables?” Xiao Mengxue asked, noticing his movements.

Her words made Duan Lingxiao’s heart tighten.

He glanced at the desolate villa; beside the cooker lay only a few rotten vegetable leaves—the kind tossed away from market stalls.

“Mengxue, you’ve suffered…” Duan Lingxiao couldn’t bear to imagine how for five years, after her market shifts, she had quietly scavenged such scraps to eat.

His murderous intent toward the Lu family deepened.

Such a beautiful young woman, with a brother who was a national hero, subjected to such hardship—this cruelty was intolerable!

The Lu family, having caused chaos and abandoned their duties, deserved death!

“Brother Lingxiao, I’m used to it. I’m not afraid. Actually, those leaves are quite fresh. See? I’m plump and haven’t gone hungry at all!” Xiao Mengxue comforted him warmly.

“Mengxue, wait here. I’ll soon concoct the Rejuvenation Pill to restore your appearance,” Duan Lingxiao said, steadying his mind.

“Alchemy?” Xiao Mengxue’s wide eyes showed curiosity as she watched him intently.

She had never seen an alchemist before but knew from books that alchemists required excellent facilities.

In ancient times, alchemists, also called “fangshi,” typically resided with imperial or noble families to secure sufficient resources.

Alchemy with an induction cooker? How was that possible?

Her face displayed utter amazement.

Meanwhile, as time passed, the cooker’s temperature quickly reached the perfect level.

Duan Lingxiao carefully placed the gathered herbs into the cooker—a crucial step in refining the medicine.

Purification!

Medicines are inherently toxic; purification removes harmful substances.

The beneficial components merge harmoniously into a whole.

Especially with an induction cooker, its quality could never match an alchemy furnace.

One misstep could cause an explosion—disaster!

“Brother Lingxiao is so handsome!” Xiao Mengxue’s heart warmed as she admired his focused profile.

She had thought she’d never see him again, but this moment filled her with peace and reassurance.

About half an hour later, a rich fragrance filled the air.

Lifting the lid, four translucent white pills gleamed inside.

“Wow, success! Such cute pills!” Xiao Mengxue wrinkled her nose playfully, sniffing them with shining eyes.

She couldn’t believe Duan Lingxiao not only knew alchemy but was so skilled.

Alchemy with an induction cooker—yet it worked…

No one would believe it if told!

“If I had an alchemy furnace, I could use true energy to condense fire, making the process even better!”

“But for now, this will do!” Duan Lingxiao said, holding the pills before Xiao Mengxue.

“Mengxue, these are the Rejuvenation Pills I made for you. After taking them, your appearance will regain its former radiance.”

“Brother Lingxiao, really? Can it work?” Xiao Mengxue’s voice trembled as she clasped his hand tightly.

Looking at the four plump pills, she couldn’t hide her excitement.

“Of course.” Duan Lingxiao smiled warmly.

“Alright!” Without hesitation, Xiao Mengxue swallowed all four pills, her heart filled with hope.

Hiss!

Duan Lingxiao casually threw a few silver needles, pricking acupuncture points on her cheeks.

“Rest well, Mengxue. You’ll recover in about an hour.”

“Meanwhile, I’ll visit the Lu family.”

With that, Duan Lingxiao vanished from the Xiao villa.

“Brother Lingxiao!” Xiao Mengxue called out anxiously, but he was already gone from sight.