Chapter Sixteen: Divine Reversal

"Master Sun, this is where you’re in the wrong," the Empress consort of the Chu family said, her tone commanding as she pointed at Ling Zheng and frowned with an air of authority befitting the mistress of the house. "You’ve come all this way to pay respects to our Ling Zheng, and now that Mr. Ling has graciously granted you an audience, you finally see him, only to act with such discourtesy? Hurry over and pay your respects; have you no manners at all?"

Sun Fu couldn’t make sense of her words, thinking to himself, “Pay respects, my ass. They’re showing off right in front of me.”

"Who would have thought that Master Sun—esteemed as he is—could be so rash in his dealings? If my father saw you like this, what would he say?" Ling Zheng, piling on the airs, drew approving glances and raised thumbs from the gathered relatives and friends. So young, yet so assertive! To even dare lecture Master Sun—indeed, the son-in-law of the Chu family was a dragon among men.

Even Sun the Cripple was momentarily stunned by these two eccentrics. Frowning, he turned to his men and asked, "Where did these two idiots come from?"

His men looked equally baffled, unable to answer.

The hall was crowded; even Chu Peng was standing nearby, and Liu Xiangyun, always eager to bask in reflected glory, had been sticking close behind Ling Zheng. Their faces had been adorned with proud smiles, but now, upon hearing Sun's words, those smiles froze awkwardly.

Did Master Sun truly not recognize Ling Zheng? He’d actually just called the illustrious Mr. Ling an idiot.

At that moment, Sun the Cripple spoke to his men again: "I’m going to pay my respects to Mr. Ling. I have no time for nonsense with these fools. Find out what connection they have to Mr. Ling. If they’re blood relatives, never mind. If not, kill them."

"Yes, sir." At once, four burly men advanced toward Ling Zheng and the Empress consort.

Meanwhile, Sun the Cripple hurried off in the direction where Ling Feng had just been expelled.

“Is Sun the Second an idiot?” Ling Zheng was dumbfounded. “He was just begging to meet me, but now he says he doesn’t know me? Didn’t he do his homework before coming?” The Chu family’s relatives and friends were equally perplexed.

Still, Ling Zheng didn’t panic. He believed everything could be explained, and when Sun the Cripple finally learned his true identity, he would no doubt come groveling with apologies. In fact, this would be the ultimate face-slapping moment, and Ling Zheng began to feel rather pleased with himself.

By now, Sun the Cripple’s four men—each swaggering with confidence—were rapidly closing in. Sun was notorious for his ruthless nature and the countless enemies he’d made; thus, his bodyguards were all seasoned fighters. The four present today were the so-called "Four Vajras" of the Sun family, each a master martial artist—Sun himself had even given them names: Zhang Long, Zhao Hu, Wang Chao, and Ma Han.

Each one stood at least six foot one, their sheer presence pressing down on the crowd, who instinctively took several steps back, not daring to meet their eyes.

Ling Zheng, trusting implicitly in his father’s power, stood unafraid. Hands clasped behind his back, he regarded the four with a cold, steady gaze.

Sensing the Empress consort’s anxiety, Ling Zheng turned slightly and chided her gently, "Wife, why panic? Your husband is the renowned Mr. Ling of Jiangzhou. These petty thugs—what can they do to me? In my eyes, they’re nothing more than chickens and stray dogs."

"Mm." The Empress consort, whose confidence had been wavering, felt pride and reassurance surge within her at his words. She smiled at Ling Zheng, radiant and lovely. "I know, my husband is the best. We are the rulers of Jiangzhou—what do we have to fear? I’m not afraid."

"Darling," she added, "remember to give these penniless fools a good lesson later."

"That’s the spirit, my wife!" Ling Zheng replied.

This display of poise and banter, even as events spiraled, made those around them reconsider their doubts. Perhaps it was Sun the Cripple who was mistaken. Ling Zheng’s confidence was not mere bravado—it was the certainty born of strength.

"Bah." Zhang Long, unimpressed, spat on the ground, his small, sharp eyes glinting as he asked Ling Zheng, "Tell me, what’s your relation to Mr. Ling?"

"You lowly dogs, how dare you speak so insolently?" Ling Zheng barked. "I stand by my name—Ling Zheng. I am Mr. Ling! I am not someone you can afford to provoke. Kneel! All of you, kneel before me, or I’ll see to it that Sun Fu pays dearly."

Even the worldly Four Vajras were momentarily taken aback by his audacity. Still, they worried—what if he was truly a blood relative of Mr. Ling? They dared not cross such a man. But then Ling Zheng slipped, claiming to be Mr. Ling himself.

"You? Mr. Ling?" the four echoed in disbelief, then burst into laughter.

"If you’re Mr. Ling, then I’m the Jade Emperor," sneered Zhang Long.

With a swift motion, he seized Ling Zheng by the collar, lifting him off the ground and slapping him viciously across the face. "A clown like you, pretending to be Mr. Ling? And threatening our boss? Dream on. Take a good look at yourself!"

"You dare strike my husband? You, a mere servant, dare show such disrespect to the great Mr. Ling? Do you not fear inciting a calamity?" the Empress consort shrieked, rushing to Zhang Long’s side, only to be met with a contemptuous backhanded slap from Zhao Hu. His massive palm sent her flying several yards before she crashed to the ground, blood pouring from her mouth and nose, her teeth scattering on the floor.

Sun the Cripple’s men were all bullies by nature—ruthless to the core. Not content with the beating, Zhao Hu strode over and ground his boot into the Empress consort’s pretty face. "So, we’re lowly servants, are we? If you keep it up, I’ll make sure you get this treatment every day."

What was happening? Weren’t they supposed to be here to pay respects? How had the noble Mr. Ling and his wife ended up so utterly humiliated?

Faced with such a dramatic reversal, everyone was utterly stunned.

"I’m not an impostor! I am Mr. Ling! And you dare strike my wife? When my father arrives, Sun Fu will have to answer for this—you’ll beg for death but not find it!" Ling Zheng was shaken, but his conviction remained. Though his tone faltered, his words were still defiant.

"Still so stubborn? Beg for death, will you?" Zhang Long sneered, raining blows on Ling Zheng’s face. "I’ll ask you one more time—are you still pretending to be Mr. Ling?"

"I... am..."

Smack! Smack!

"I am..."

Smack!

"I’m not, I’m not! I was wrong, I was wrong!" Ling Zheng finally broke.

"That’s better. Zhao Hu, let’s go." Zhang Long dropped Ling Zheng to the floor, while Zhao Hu kicked the Empress consort aside. They all knew Sun had merely been venting his anger—no one would dare kill anyone in Mr. Ling’s own home. A beating would suffice.

"You—you dare lay hands on my daughter and son-in-law? Are you all mad? My son-in-law is the real Mr. Ling! Sun the Cripple only failed to recognize him because he’d never met him before. You four swaggering lackeys—when the truth comes out, you won’t even know how you died!" Liu Xiangyun shouted.

She was beginning to piece things together. Ling Zheng had told her the Four Vajras had never met him and were after his father. It seemed likely the four had never seen Ling Zheng before. Ling Zheng had been reckless to provoke Sun the Cripple without understanding the situation—this beating was truly undeserved.

The matter might have ended there, but Liu Xiangyun couldn’t hold her tongue. Wang Chao, recognizing her, grinned nastily. "Had your fun? Now it’s my turn. I saw this idiotic woman insulting Mr. Ling earlier. Sorry, boys, but I’m taking the credit this time." With that, he sent Liu Xiangyun flying into the nearby fountain with a powerful kick.

"Stop! Stop this at once—what on earth is going on?" Old Master Chu shouted, his eyes bulging with fear. "Mr. Chen, Master Sun, what is the meaning of this? Weren’t you here to bring gifts to the Chu family? Why are you making trouble instead? Please, give me an explanation—immediately!"

"An explanation?" Chen Heibai smirked coldly. "You want an explanation? After the way you treated my king, I’d sooner kill you all if not for the Empress consort’s sake. The old fool has no idea what’s coming to him and still dares demand an explanation!"

Chen Heibai nodded at Zhang Long. "The old man wants an explanation—give him one."

Zhang Long grinned darkly, understanding perfectly.