62: Chapter 62 No more pretense, let's just fight! You think you're so tough?

Platinum Nightclub, third-floor VIP private room.

The private room was filled with swirling smoke, and the crystal chandelier emitted a dim, yellowish light.

A middle-aged man wearing a black Tang suit sat on the leather sofa, holding a cigar in his hand, with an opened bottle of Lafite placed on the coffee table in front of him.

His face was stern, and there was a hideous scar at the corner of his eye.

It extended from his eyebrow all the way to his cheekbone, as if he had been slashed by a blade.

Just by sitting there, he exuded an imposing aura that was intimidating without him even needing to be angry.

This person was the overall underground boss of Linan District—Brother Ba.

His real name was Zhao Debiao.

A Molding Stage Level 7 martial artist.

He supported hundreds of brothers under him and managed over a dozen businesses, including the Platinum Nightclub.

On the surface, he was a legitimate businessman.

In the shadows, he dealt with gambling, loan sharking, protection fees... doing whatever made money quickly.

Having operated in Linan District for over a decade, he was deeply rooted, and even had his own people inside the Patrol Bureau.

At this moment, a tall, thin man in a suit stood opposite Brother Ba, bowing his head as he reported something.

"Brother Ba, regarding your brother-in-law, Captain Zhou Jian... something happened."

Brother Ba's hand holding the cigar paused slightly, and he narrowed his eyes: "What happened?"

"He went to Lixian Academy this morning, intending to pressure that university student named Chen Lin..."

"But he ended up getting beaten by him. In front of hundreds of students, he was kicked flying with one kick and knocked down with one punch."

The tall, thin man swallowed hard.

"And... that Chen Lin exposed the entire relationship between Captain Zhou Jian and us on the spot."

"The Patrol Bureau has already intervened, and Captain Zhou Jian has been detained and suspended for investigation."

The private room fell into a deathly silence.

"Damn it!"

"It's this Chen Lin again!"

"First he dealt with my confidant, now he's dealing with my brother-in-law!"

"He really wants to tear off the mask with me!" Brother Ba glared ferociously.

"Dad, don't be angry anymore. Getting too angry is bad for your health. Let's go out for a walk."

At this moment, a seven-year-old girl, The Young Delinquent, with a high ponytail ran over and hugged Brother Ba's clenched right hand.

Looking at his daughter, Brother Ba forcibly stifled his anger.

"Fine, Dad will listen to you and we'll go out for a walk."

Saying this, Brother Ba took his daughter downstairs to the first floor.

...

Meanwhile, on the first floor lobby of the Platinum Nightclub.

As soon as Chen Lin and his group walked through the front door, a scent mixed with perfume, alcohol, and tobacco rushed towards them.

The lobby was dimly lit, and deafening music poured out from the speakers.

In the center of the dance floor, several dancers were twisting their bodies, and the surrounding booths were filled with all kinds of guests.

"Welcome, distinguished guests!"

A hostess wearing a cheongsam walked up with a smile: "Do you have a reservation? Or are you looking for a friend?"

"Just looking around."

Chen Lin's tone was casual, his gaze scanning the entire lobby calmly.

Liang Wu followed behind, his whole body tense, his hands involuntarily clenching into fists.

Xiao Han and Tao Zi were also obviously a bit nervous, looking around; it was clear they were visiting a place like this for the first time.

Wang Gu was quite relaxed, even winking at the hostess.

Ye Huang was expressionless, following behind Chen Lin like a shadow.

"Shall I arrange a booth for you all?" the hostess asked enthusiastically.

"Sure," Chen Lin nodded.

The hostess led them across the dance floor and settled them into a relatively secluded booth.

The location of the booth wasn't the best, but it had an open view, allowing them to see half of the lobby.

The hostess in the cheongsam handed over the drink menu; Chen Lin flipped through it casually and then dismissed her.

Once the waiter had walked far away, Liang Wu finally couldn't help but lean in and lower his voice to ask: "Brother Chen, why are we here... exactly? You have to give us the bottom line."

Chen Lin leaned back on the booth's soft leather sofa, his gaze constantly observing the movements around him.

"You guess."

Liang Wu was stunned. His brain spun rapidly, and combining it with previous events, a bold guess popped up: "Are you here to... collect evidence of Brother Ba's crimes?"

Chen Lin didn't speak, just shook his head slightly.

Xiao Han asked tentatively: "Then are you here to scout the location? To figure out the terrain first, so it's easier to act later?"

Chen Lin still shook his head.

Liang Wu's heart skipped a beat, and an utterly ridiculous thought surged up.

His voice lowered even more, barely a whisper: "Brother Chen... you wouldn't be aiming for Brother Ba himself, would you?"

Chen Lin finally turned his head to look at Liang Wu, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

"You guessed right."

Liang Wu only felt a "buzz" in his head.

"Are you crazy?!"

Liang Wu almost lost control of his volume, forcibly suppressing the second half of his sentence: "Brother Ba is a Molding Stage Level 7 martial artist!"

"He's operated in Linan District for over a decade, with hundreds of brothers under him."

"The key is, this nightclub is his home base!"

He took a deep breath, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

"You came to someone's home base to arrest them?"

"Brother Chen, this is... this is..."

Liang Wu felt like he had boarded a pirate ship.

He should have said so earlier; if he had, he wouldn't have followed him in.

Now sitting here like an idiot, he wouldn't even know if he was sold out.

Liang Wu: I'm truly speechless!

[Ding! emotion points...]

Beside him, Xiao Han and Tao Zi's expressions also changed.

"Brother Chen," Xiao Han also lowered her voice to persuade him: "This is too risky. Look around... they're all Brother Ba's people."

"If we make a move here, what's the difference between that and poking a hornet's nest?"

Tao Zi also whispered in agreement: "Yeah, Brother Chen, why don't we think of another way?"

"Withdraw first and plan carefully?"

The three of them chimed in, repeating the same meaning over and over.

Don't make a move here, it's too dangerous.

Wang Gu and Ye Huang remained silent throughout, just sitting quietly.

Chen Lin was silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the faces of Liang Wu, Xiao Han, and Tao Zi one by one.

Their three pairs of eyes were filled with nervousness, worry, and a hint of faint fear.

He knew everything they said was the truth.

This place was indeed a den of dragons and tigers.

"Fine."

"I promise you, I will only make a move if Brother Ba provokes me."

Chen Lin finally nodded, his tone calm.

Liang Wu let out a long breath, his whole body like a deflated ball, slumped back against the sofa.

Xiao Han and Tao Zi also visibly relaxed a bit.

But none of them noticed that what Chen Lin said was "I will only make a move if Brother Ba provokes me."

He didn't say what if he didn't provoke...

Just then, a few people suddenly walked down the stairs.

A seven-year-old girl, The Young Delinquent, pulling along The Scarred Man.

Brother Ba?

Chen Lin stood up with a 'swoosh'.

As if his code had been forcibly executed.

It wasn't just Chen Lin; Brother Ba, who had come down, also noticed this side immediately.

Damn it, this must be Chen Lin.

He dares to come to my doorstep!

Although Brother Ba had never truly met Chen Lin, people had already told him what Chen Lin looked like.

At this moment, Brother Ba's eyes glinted with ferocity.

But he had promised his daughter that he would be a businessman in the future and not get into fights.

If his daughter wasn't there, it would be one thing, but she was right by his side now.

If he made a move, his daughter would definitely be sad.

It seems he had to force Chen Lin to make the first move!

On his own turf, if he dared to make a move.

Then Chen Lin would be finished!!!

He could also secure a justification of passive defense.

Thinking of this, Brother Ba couldn't suppress the corners of his mouth from curling up, with a bit of smugness on his face.

Aren't you very capable?

If you have the guts, hit me!

With a cold sneer, Brother Ba walked up to Chen Lin's booth.

In these short few seconds, a whole set of plans to force Chen Lin to make a move had already emerged in Brother Ba's mind.

However, before he could even open his mouth, Chen Lin stepped forward and suddenly threw a punch with his right hand.

Zero-frame start-up!

Before anyone could react, Brother Ba was dumbfounded as he flew backward.

He slammed heavily onto the ground!

He turned his head and looked at Chen Lin in disbelief.

Hey buddy, you...