Chapter 131: Are Your Whole Family Well?

The stone lion, already an eye-catching sight, was suddenly smashed. The sound, like a booming bell, instantly drew the attention of countless onlookers.

"What happened? Did someone smash Lord Ling's stone lion? This...""Is this guy out of his mind?""Lord Ling treasures that lion, stroking it several times a day. How dare he smash it? Who is this? Does he have a death wish!"

Everyone casually browsing in the mall froze in their tracks.

Before their murmurs died down, a patrolling law enforcement team approached. They looked at the scene before them, equally in disbelief.

These two lions were Lord Ling Tianyu's most prized possessions, each worth millions and virtually priceless. This man just rushed over and smashed one with a single punch without a word... "What the hell, does he have a death wish?"

"Don't let him escape! Catch him, Lord Ling will reward us!""Awooo!" As the call rang out, the crowd didn't hesitate. Like a howling pack of wolves, they immediately surged forward, surrounding Sun Qiang in the center, rolling up their sleeves and eagerly clenching their fists.

"So fast?" Sun Qiang was startled. He hadn't expected the law enforcement team to arrive so quickly, blocking him before he could get back to his master. His face changed. "Can I... explain? Actually, it was...""Explain what? Beat him up!""Let's give him a good thrashing first!"

With roars of fury, countless fists immediately rained down. "How dare you smash the stone lion right in front of us? Do you have the guts of a bear or a leopard?"

"I..." Sun Qiang, seeing the barrage of fists, was so exasperated he almost spat blood. "Master, didn't you say it would be fine? You're a liar..."

It was no wonder the law enforcement team reacted so ferociously. As peacekeepers responsible for handling disputes and protecting the mall's property, they knew the stone lion was Lord Ling's cherished possession. If it was smashed in their presence, they would likely all be fired if Lord Ling blamed them. It would be strange if they weren't furious!

"Huh?" Zhang Xuan, who had been leisurely sipping tea, waiting for Sun Qiang to finish his task, had seen no one approach for a long time. When he finally turned his head, his eyes widened. "This is too fast! Shouldn't they smash the stone lion, then inform Lord Ling, and *then* deal with the issue? Why... did they just start attacking without a word?"

"From the looks of it, if I go over there, I'll probably get beaten too..." Zhang Xuan's mouth twitched, and he remained rooted to his spot. He mused, "It's a joke, while my strength isn't weak, I can't withstand an attack from so many people! It's better to pretend I don't know him..."

"Master..." Sun Qiang, who was being savagely beaten in the crowd, saw his master glance over and quickly turn away. He was almost in tears. "Master, didn't you promise me nothing would happen?"

"Stop!" Just as the patrolling law enforcement team was gleefully delivering blows, a loud shout rang out, and a majestic middle-aged man strode forward. As he reached the entrance and saw the shattered stone lion on the ground, his mouth twitched uncontrollably, clearly showing his immense distress.

It was Ling Tianyu, the owner of Tianyu Commerce! Someone must have already informed him about the shattered lion; otherwise, he wouldn't have appeared so quickly.

"What exactly happened?" Ling Tianyu asked, his gaze chilling.

"Reporting to Lord Ling," the leader of the law enforcement team stepped forward hastily, "we were on patrol just now when we witnessed this reckless individual smash your lion with a single punch. He then tried to flee, but we apprehended him..."

"Him?" Ling Tianyu's eyes narrowed dangerously as he took a few steps closer to Sun Qiang. By now, Sun Qiang had taken countless punches, and his clothes were torn. Fortunately, he had managed to protect his face in time, preventing disfigurement.

"Sun Qiang?" Ling Tianyu recognized him, his voice laced with ice. "If you can't give me a good reason, do you believe I'll throw you into the river to feed the fish right now?"

"I..." Sun Qiang involuntarily shivered, hesitated, then gritted his teeth. "My master told me to smash it!"

"Your master? Since when do you have a master?" Ling Tianyu was taken aback.

As the owner of the commerce, he didn't typically concern himself with trivial matters. Although Sun Qiang had left conspicuously the previous night, Ling Tianyu, given his status, hadn't bothered to pay him any mind.

"I acknowledged him as my master yesterday, and he's right there!" Sun Qiang said, pointing.

"Hmm?" Ling Tianyu frowned and looked over. He saw Zhang Xuan, with his back to them, slowly sipping tea, seemingly completely unconcerned by the commotion.

"Master!" Sun Qiang breathed a sigh of relief upon saying the word and quickly took a few steps toward Zhang Xuan.

"Did you tell him to smash my stone lion?" Ling Tianyu asked, taking a few steps closer, his brows furrowed, and his gaze turning icy.

Zhang Xuan didn't turn his head, seemingly deaf to the question. He continued to sip his tea, completely disregarding Lord Ling's presence.

"How audacious!" "Lord Ling asked a question, and he didn't even answer! He's practically asking for death!" "Letting his subordinate smash the Lord's stone lion, this fellow is definitely in for it..."

The law enforcement officers, seeing the esteemed Lord Ling question this man who not only failed to answer but also remained seated, were filled with righteous fury. They couldn't help but curse him out. "Where did this guy come from? What's he trying to prove?" "Acting so arrogant here, do you want us to finish you off in minutes?"

"May I know your name, sir, and why did you have someone smash my stone lion?" Ling Tianyu, a man of experience, waved an arm, cutting off his officers' indignant shouts.

"Sit." Zhang Xuan didn't even lift his eyelids, continuing to drink his tea. Seeing this, Sun Qiang hurriedly scurried over and filled the teacup opposite Zhang Xuan.

Seeing this gesture, Ling Tianyu's anger flared, his expression becoming terrifyingly grim. The man's actions were a clear statement: he deemed Ling Tianyu worthy of sharing tea, but not worthy enough to pour his own water.

He had risen from nothing to establish the vast Tianyu Commerce, a formidable power throughout the Tianxuan Kingdom. Even esteemed prime ministers and princes treated him as an equal at most, never daring to be so presumptuous. This man was simply too arrogant!

However, the more audacious the man was, the more Ling Tianyu suppressed his anger. He reasoned that since the other party knew his identity and still acted this way, he must have some formidable backing. Having been in business for so many years, he knew that if he couldn't even stomach this slight, Tianyu Commerce wouldn't exist today.

"I hope to hear a reasonable explanation!" Ling Tianyu said, his eyes narrowed, as he sat down opposite him.

Zhang Xuan continued to ignore his question, calmly sipping tea as if completely oblivious to the other man's growing anger.

The tea was piping hot. He sipped it for a full minute, and just as Ling Tianyu was growing impatient and Sun Qiang was about to wet himself with fear, Zhang Xuan slowly set down his teacup and looked up at Ling Tianyu.

Ling Tianyu appeared to be forty-seven or forty-eight, with dark, upward-sloping eyebrows that gave him a heroic and imposing air. His countenance alone clearly marked him as a powerful and ambitious figure.

Without speaking, Zhang Xuan gestured to Sun Qiang.

"Reporting to Master, this is Lord Ling Tianyu, the owner of the commerce!" Sun Qiang, of course, knew and promptly stepped forward to introduce him.

"Oh," Zhang Xuan responded, picking up the teapot and slowly pouring water. "Ling Tianyu..."

"Is your family well?"