Chapter 780 - 781
Lin Kuang sneered at Zheng Kang, who sat opposite him.
Instead of responding, Zheng Kang calmly finished writing the last character. The four characters, sharp and full of killing intent, represented the Zheng Family’s current thinking: they had decided to make their move!
Calligraphy springs from the soul; in a man’s writing, you see his heart. The characters were a reflection of the man’s heart.
Gently placing the writing brush down, Zheng Kang finally raised his head and looked directly at Lin Kuang for the first time.
"Didn’t you come to the Zheng Family looking for an answer? Well, this is it. I assume you understand," Zheng Kang said coolly.
"Indeed," Lin Kuang sneered, nodding. "I came for an answer, and I’m grateful that Family Head Zheng has provided it. However, I have eight words for you in return."
With that, Lin Kuang took a piece of Xuan paper, dipped his brush in ink, and wrote eight forceful characters in the style of Dragon Flies and Phoenix Dances.
"People die for wealth, birds die for food!"
These eight words were Lin Kuang’s warning to Zheng Kang and the entire Zheng Family. Each character radiated a murderous intent so intense it seemed the strokes themselves could kill. It was a terrifying sight.
"This is my warning to you. I think you understand," Lin Kuang said coolly, looking at the frowning Zheng Kang.
Zheng Kang looked back at Lin Kuang with disdain. "Perish? On what grounds? Right now, what right does your Lin Family have to challenge mine? What gives you the audacity to think you can bring about the end of the Zheng Family?!
"Don’t forget, Old Master Lin is dead. Without him, the Lin Family is a tiger that has lost its teeth and claws—a harmless creature that can be slaughtered at will!" Zheng Kang said mockingly.
Lin Kuang smiled faintly. "That was just a metamorphosis. When a tiger grows new teeth and new claws, it will become even stronger, fiercer, and more ferocious!"
"A tiger is not an eagle," Zheng Kang replied, his expression shifting slightly before he smiled and shook his head. "An eagle’s talons can be shed and regrown, but a tiger’s teeth cannot. What’s lost is lost. The only path left is death. Even if it clings to life, it is merely a desperate existence."
"Is that so? In that case, let’s wait and see," Lin Kuang said calmly. "We’ll see if this tiger is merely clinging to life or if it will emerge from its transformation even stronger. I think you’ll be quite surprised by the outcome."
"Is that so?" Zheng Kang sneered. "Then we shall wait and see. If that day ever comes, I hope this tiger is still alive. A dead one would be of no use."
"Rest assured, you will see," Lin Kuang said with a nod.
Giving Zheng Kang a meaningful smile, he turned and walked out of the study, leaving the Zheng Family estate.
Watching Lin Kuang’s departing figure, Zheng Kang couldn’t help but furrow his brows. Lin Kuang’s words left him feeling inexplicably worried. Lin Kuang was seemingly cornered, so why did he still feel so anxious?
"This young fellow is not simple at all!"
Just as Zheng Kang was pondering, a voice tinged with age sounded in the study. Startled, Zheng Kang looked up to see an old man standing before him.
"Father," Zheng Kang said respectfully, quickly rising to his feet.
"Sit," the Zheng family patriarch said coolly.
"Yes, Father," Zheng Kang replied, obediently returning to his seat.
Old Master Zheng walked to the desk, picked up the paper Lin Kuang had written on, and swept his gaze across the characters.
"His calligraphy is wild and carries a strong killing intent, yet it’s also restrained. Within that restraint lies immense self-confidence," Old Master Zheng said with admiration. "A young man like this... he’s truly remarkable."
Zheng Kang was stunned. He never expected his father to praise a rival.
"Father, even if he is shrewd, he’s facing us, the Gao Family, and others. Surely he can’t do much to us, can he?" Zheng Kang asked.
"Logically, yes," Old Master Zheng said.
Zheng Kang frowned. Logically, that was true, but he felt his father’s words held a deeper meaning.
"Father, what do you mean? Do you think the Lin Family has a chance to turn the tables? Or are you saying they have an ace up their sleeve that we don’t know about?" Zheng Kang asked again.
"I’m not sure," Old Master Zheng said. "But after hearing his words and seeing his calligraphy, I have a feeling this matter isn’t so simple. Be cautious. The Zheng Family should hold back for now. Let’s just wait and see."
"Father, if we act too late, I’m afraid the piece of meat we get won’t be very large! By then, the Gao Family might have already eaten the Lin Family hollow."
"What’s the rush?" Old Master Zheng said. "This is a minor issue. So what if the Zheng Family gets a smaller piece? Remember, preserving our foundation is what’s most important. Do you understand?"
Zheng Kang could only nod, though he disagreed internally. The old man must be getting timid with age. Lin Kuang is just making empty threats. How significant can they be? What threat can the Lin Family possibly pose now that Old Master Lin is gone?
"Zheng Kang, remember my words. Do not act for now; just observe," Old Master Zheng said, his tone grave as he read his son’s expression. "If you dare to act on your own, you will disappoint me greatly!"
Seeing his father’s obvious anger, Zheng Kang was startled and quickly replied, "Yes, yes, Father! I understand. Don’t worry. I will be sure to observe the situation carefully before acting."
"Good. I hope you remember your promise," Old Master Zheng nodded calmly. "I’ll be going now." With that, he left the study.
Zheng Kang let out a soft sigh of relief. He glanced again at the eight characters Lin Kuang had written. Truthfully, he could only see the killing intent they contained; he couldn’t discern anything else.
Age brings cunning, just as an old horse knows the way. Perhaps Father is right. I should wait and see to avoid any trouble. Zheng Kang thought to himself. He then crumpled the Xuan paper and tossed it into the wastebasket.
By now, Lin Kuang had already driven off. Since the Zheng Family’s intentions were crystal clear, he had no reason to stay. There was no need for him to visit the other families either, as the Gao and Zheng families were the main players.
After some thought, Lin Kuang drove straight to the Shen Family residence. Old Master Shen had previously agreed to help him. However, with things having reached this stage, Lin Kuang felt a little uneasy and decided to pay them a visit to check on the situation.