"What! Blind date!" Ling Yun quickly dug at his ears and wondered if he had misheard!
Cao Shanshan had shared a bath with Ling Yun, and both of them had once played around on Cao Shanshan's bed. Although Ling Yun resisted the urge to have sex with her, it wasn't that much different.
Ling Yun would have found it more believable if he had heard that the sun was rising from the west instead of Cao Shanshan attending a blind date!
"Eh… actually, it's not entirely the case since her family has arranged a marriage for her. Cao Shanshan was probably returning home to reject the proposal…"
Ling Yun had been instantly riled by his words and gave Tang Meng two knocks on the head. He shouted angrily, "Can you express yourself clearly? Going for a blind date versus rejecting a marriage proposal, how can that be the same thing! They are virtually opposites of each other!"
It was understandable that Ling Yun was anxious about the news. He had better not be confused about whether his woman had the audacity to go on a blind date with someone else!
Tang Meng stroked his large, bald head and gaped at the pain. He heard Ling Yun probing. "Did she mention anything before leaving? Why hasn't she returned even now?"
Tang Meng was more truthful this time. He pondered carefully before replying, "She did say that she had been unable to contact you and was very anxious. She requested that I convey the message to you to rest assured that she would be hurrying back as soon as she has rejected the marriage proposal!"
"But her mobile phone hasn't been switched on ever since she boarded the plane. I tried to call her to no avail…"
Ling Yun was perturbed by the news, which was a possible indicator of trouble. He clearly recalled that on the night of his dance with Cao Shanshan, there had been an overseas call from America while the two of them were conversing in the schoolyard.
Back then, Cao Shanshan said that the caller was her older male cousin from the Chen Family in Beijing who had been harassing her for over a month already!
The Chen Family again!
An arranged marriage as soon as she returned? And the Cao Family agreed to it? How efficient the Chen Family is! The thought flashed across Ling Yun's mind as he mulled over the matter.
Cui Lao had been grinning while listening to the conversation. He mused, My young master, which in line is this person?
Ling Yun had offended the Sun Family this time because of the ravishing beauty Zhuang Meifeng. Moreover, Cui Lao perceived that Xue Meining, Yao Rou, and the precious daughter of the Cao Family had been captivated by Ling Yun's charm as well…
Ehm, on this matter, Ling Yun neither resembled Ling Xiao nor his biological mother. Cui Lao was clueless as to who he bore a resemblance to.
Ling Yun pondered on the matter and reckoned that Cao Shanshan wouldn't have encountered any problems in Beijing given her high status in the Cao Family, as well as the clout that the Cao and Chen Families had in Beijing.
The most likely scenario was that Cao Shanshan had infuriated her family elders with an agitated rejection of the marriage proposal upon her return home. Consequently, she could have been temporarily grounded and prohibited from returning to Qingshui City.
As he thought of that, Ling Yun felt a sense of relief. He silently urged Cao Shanshan to hold her ground and promised to search for her in Beijing if she hadn't returned by the time he completed his existing tasks in Qingshui City.
Ling Yun sorted out his thoughts and quickly cast aside the issue concerning Cao Shanshan; there was still a lot of work to be done at present.
"Tang Meng, do you know who instigated the demolition of my former house on Linjiang Road?"
Ling Yun was livid at the thought of it; how could someone have demolished his house without his consent? Was the land still being governed under the law?
Without thinking, Tang Meng blurted, "Big Brother Yun, do you recall that we once beat up Tian Botao from the Gaoxin region on Linjiang Road?"
Ling Yun nodded his head. "Of course, I remember! Could it have been him?" Not only had he given Tian Botao a beating, Ling Yun silently recalled that he had even bashed up his nephew, Tian Xiaoguang.
Tang Meng sniggered. "Tian Botao isn't capable of pulling it off. This case necessitated the involvement of a demolition company. Do you know who's responsible for the demolition and rebuilding of houses on Linjiang Road?"
A murderous look flashed across Ling Yun's eyes. He muttered, "Could it have been Gou Liancheng?"
Tang Meng nodded his head. "That's right, it's the Liancheng Property belonging to Gou Liancheng! You beat Gou Liancheng until he became a eunuch. With such a vendetta, it's not hard to believe that Gou Liancheng and Gou Junfa would think of seeking revenge. Moreover, the Public Security Bureau has already verified that you were the culprit of that matter and is launching an investigation centered around you. Given your absence these past few days, it would be a wonder if they hadn't been thinking of demolishing your house!"
When Ling Yun heard this, he was aware that Tian Xiaoguang, Tian Botao, the demolition company, Gou Junfa, and Gou Liancheng were in cahoots with each other. Wouldn't the Street Administration, demolition company, and Liancheng Property have been able to call the shots if they wanted to demolish a vacant house?
"Moreover, now that Uncle Li and my father have lost their clout, Xie Zhenting, Luo Zhong, and Gou Liancheng have colluded to take control of the situation — it's the peak of their power and influence. Had it not been the case, Gou Junfa and Xie Junyan wouldn't have dared to retaliate in such a bold manner!"
"Alright, they're really capable!" Ling Yun gave a sinister smile and nodded his head. "In that case, let's repay the demolition with another demolition, violence with violence!"
Tang Meng was shocked and dumbfounded. "Big Brother Yun, what do you mean…?"
Ling Yun chortled. "Whoever demolished my house, I will do likewise to his. That way, we'd have settled the scores!"
Dugu Mo didn't raise any objections to his plans because Ling Yun's methods seemed perfectly justifiable. It was an easily understood principle — since they hadn't sought his permission before demolishing his house, he would naturally repay them in kind.
However, Cui Lao was shocked to hear about it. He thought, My young master, whether the demolisher sought your permission or not, the person already had a detailed plan in mind and was already prepared to execute it. If the entire armies from both sides were to engage you in battle simultaneously, your reasoning would vanish in an instant!
But you want to demolish some other person's house — that's a piece of property, isn't it easier said than done?
He quickly tried to dissuade Ling Yun, hoping that he would think of an alternative way of seeking revenge. However, Ling Yun murmured, "You don't have to dissuade me, Cui Lao. I have made up my mind, and that's how it's going to be settled!"
Ling Yun thought to himself, You demolished my home? Even if it hadn't been my home and was something else in my possession, you aren't even allowed to touch it without my permission. Who cares whether you are so-and-so? I'll demolish your house first, and we can then sit down to discuss other matters such as compensation!
If it weren't the case, how would he be able to establish his authority? Ling Yun was here to establish his authority this time!
"It's getting late, so let's have a good rest. You'll follow me to demolish the house tomorrow!" Ling Yun gave a sarcastic smile and ended their conversation for the night.
In fact, it wasn't Ling Yun's ultimate objective to demolish the house. His real purpose was to amplify the matter as a means of drawing either Luo Zhong or Gou Liancheng out. As soon as they dared to show their faces, Ling Yun would give them a piece of his mind!
When he had finished speaking and bade the three others in his company goodnight, Ling Yun returned to his bedroom with Little White.
Cui Lao, Dugu Mo, and Tang Meng exchanged glances. Dugu Mo sat cross-legged and began his cultivation. Cui Lao didn't say anything to Tang Meng but nodded his head and closed his eyes to begin his cultivation as well.
Tang Meng had been agitated for a long time before drowsiness overwhelmed him, and he fell directly onto the sofa in slumber.
Ever since Tang Meng had been injured from the fight, he had been kept awake by the pain from his wounds. Now that Ling Yun had healed him, it was remarkable that Tang Meng had been able to stand upright in excitement all this while.
Upon entering his bedroom, Ling Yun closed the door and surveyed the room. He saw the clothes that Zhuang Meifeng usually wore and was reminded of her.
Very soon, his gaze halted on a computer table. He discovered that an envelope had been placed there and was labeled, "For Ling Yun".
Ling Yun could recognize that it was Zhuang Meifeng's handwriting. He quickly took the envelope and opened it.
"Hubby, where have you gone? Didn't you promise that you would never leave me again? I'm really worried about you…
"Hubby, I haven't been able to contact you for an entire day. Younger Sister Lingyu, Big Sister Xiao, and I are really anxious. Auntie had to leave early in the morning yesterday to attend to an emergency. Lingyu hasn't been able to contact her either, so what should we do…
"Hubby, the people from the Sun Family have come again. This time, they have captured my parents and younger sister because of me, so I can't avoid this issue and have to confront it. If you have returned, please don't blame me…
"Hubby, I still can't contact you even now. Younger Sister Lingyu is hysterical, and Big Sister Xiao is also very anxious. We're all so worried for you!
"Hubby, I'm returning home. This is my problem, and I can't allow my family members to be punished for my sake! Don't worry, I won't divulge anything concerning you even to the point of death!
"It's hard to predict whether I'll be able to survive this. When you've returned, don't rush to rescue me like you did previously. I don't wish to implicate you again!
"Love you! Meifeng. April 8th, 8pm."
Although the letter wasn't long, Ling Yun could tell that it hadn't been penned in a single sitting. Instead, it had been written spontaneously after Zhuang Meifeng's family had run into trouble and while she was thinking about him. She had waited for him until 8pm on Tuesday, and upon seeing that he remained uncontactable, had decided to return home and enter the lion's den by herself.
Hmph! Sun Tianbiao, I'll let the matter rest if Zhuang Meifeng's alright. If even a hair falls from her head, I will annihilate the entire Sun Family in Beijing!
Ling Yun made a dismissive sound and put the letter away carefully. Then, he silently began to cultivate the Yin-Yang harmony balance on the bed.
On April 13th, Sunday, at 6am, Ling Yun stopped his cultivation session, descended from the bed, and exited the house. He entered the courtyard and started to cultivate the Stellar Condensation Technique.
He didn't know the exact number of experts representing the Sun Family, so Ling Yun was trying his utmost to elevate his capabilities as a means of self-protection.
By now, Ling Yun was clueless about the level that he had attained in the Houtian Realm. However, he was aware that he had already attained the peak of Physique Tempering Stage Four!
Although Ling Yun's power was immeasurably greater now compared to the time when he was at Physique Tempering Stage Four in the Cultivation World, the drastic expansion of his energy center and meridians meant that he was still in the same stage of cultivation.
After a full hour, Ling Yun sensed that he had made significant progress in his cultivation of the Stellar Condensation Technique and would be able to break through to the twelfth minor realm anytime now. He then ended his session of conscious cultivation.
Turning his head, Ling Yun saw that both Cui Lao and Dugu Mo were already pacing about in the living room. He laughed. "Wake up that sleepy head Tang Meng, and we'll go demolishing someone's house!"