chsdbacks Chapter 101 Are you convinced yet?
Chapter 101 Are you convinced yet?
"Well!"
Looking at the haphazardly arranged "piles of people" groaning incessantly before him, Lin Bei couldn't help but mentally rub his forehead.
The air was filled with dust, sweat, and a faint smell of blood.
The dozens of hunters who had been so aggressive and clamoring to teach him a lesson were now like stalks of wheat swept by a gust of wind, slumped to the ground, their cries of pain weak and feeble.
The scene was a complete mess, with tables and chairs shattered and the ground riddled with potholes. Only the large chair Lin Bei was sitting in and the area around it miraculously remained intact, creating an eerie contrast.
"I used too much force!" Lin Bei sighed silently to himself.
This outcome was completely unexpected. His original intention was to intimidate the competition with swift and decisive action, but who would have thought…
These hunters are far too... weak!
Lin Bei's brows furrowed tightly as his gaze swept over the faces on the ground, contorted with pain, his eyes filled with undisguised confusion and doubt.
Based on their current appearance?
With such frailty that he can't even withstand a single punch or kick from himself?
How do they usually deal with and even hunt evil spirits in the dark of night?
This completely overturned his understanding of the word "hunter".
Isn't it just delivering takeout to those ruthless monsters who eat people without spitting out the bones?
This absurd yet darkly humorous thought flashed uncontrollably through his mind.
The golden-red light around him slowly faded, but the Flaming Sun Release state remained unchanged. The warmth of the true fire of the sun was still there, a testament to his abundant power, but it also highlighted the fragility of his opponent.
In fact, Lin Bei's previous thoughts were extremely clear and direct.
Lady Rose is now his woman.
His purpose in coming here was clear: to help her regain absolute control of the Rose House and to ensure that this outpost against the evil spirits could function truly and effectively, rather than becoming a tool for some people to fight for power.
Moreover, time was of the essence and the situation was delicate, leaving him no room for leisurely political maneuvering.
The simplest, most direct, and most effective method is to subdue people with force!
In a man's world, especially in the dangerous and power-driven world of ghost hunters, fists are the hardest truth and strength is the loudest declaration.
Any flowery words or convoluted arguments appear pale and powerless in the face of absolute power.
Therefore, he chose the most flamboyant method—actively provoking all the hunters present to provoke them into attacking him.
He was determined to settle the score in one battle!
With a crushing and undisputed victory, they completely subdued these unruly hunters!
He must defeat them until they are convinced of his authority and never dare to harbor any disloyal thoughts again. As long as the hunters at the bottom bow their heads and admit their defeat, acknowledging his (or the Rose Lady he represents) authority, then those parasites entrenched in the management and secretly undermining the Rose Lady will crumble like a castle in the air with its foundation removed.
Their power does not originate from themselves, but rather depends on the support and awe of the lower-level hunters.
With the hunters backing them up, they are the high and mighty managers; without this foundation, they are nothing but a few clowns jumping around.
The reason why Lady Rose gradually lost control of Rose House was because she overlooked this most fundamental point.
She trusted her subordinates too much, or was too busy with complicated matters, and failed to establish a close connection and absolute authority with these frontline hunters who lived on the edge of danger.
This gave those with ulterior motives an opportunity to secretly weave a web, bit by bit, like termites, eroding and stealing the power that should have belonged to her.
Now, Lin Bei is going to give them a taste of their own medicine. However, he's not using underhanded tricks, but a perfectly legitimate, open strategy—a force that crushes everything!
However, despite the good plan, its execution went awry.
Lin Bei ultimately underestimated himself and overestimated the hunters of the Rose House.
This misjudgment stemmed from his past experiences.
Since arriving in the Demon Slayer world, Lin Bei has encountered not only companions but also enemies, all of whom are powerful figures standing at the pinnacle of their respective fields!
First of all, Muzan Kibutsuji's terrifying strength goes without saying.
Giyu Tomioka, whom I only met once, was calm and powerful, and his Water Breathing technique was exquisite.
Urokodaki Sakonji, who taught him and Tanjiro, was unfathomable, as deep as an abyss and as majestic as a mountain.
The formidable enemies they encountered included the eerie and cunning temple ghosts.
The endless evolution of the Eye-Ear Demon also brought him immense pressure.
Even Ashina Jiro, the only one who could be called a "mortal," had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship, making him a grandmaster.
Having dealt with, fought against, and learned from such beings for a long time, Lin Bei's vision and his benchmark for "strength" have been unconsciously elevated to a height that is difficult for ordinary people to reach.
He subconsciously believed that an organization capable of operating in the darkness and specializing in hunting evil spirits must have highly capable core members.
Even if they are not as good as the Demon Slayer Corps members, they should be close enough to be considered elite, at least well-trained and experienced.
But he was wrong.
That's ridiculously wrong.
Because he overlooked the most crucial point.
Environment determines opponents, and opponents determine strength.
The hunters of Rose House, their main task, or rather, what they can deal with, are mostly those evil spirits that roam the outskirts of town, those with relatively ordinary or even weak strength.
These demons may be able to threaten ordinary civilians, but they are no match for true elite demon hunters.
The prolonged "low-intensity" confrontation has inadvertently limited the upper limit of their own strength.
Comfort, or rather, relative "safety," can sometimes be the greatest corrosive agent.
It is this overlooked "common sense" difference that has led to the current awkward and even somewhat ridiculous situation.
They beat him into submission.
There is no doubt about that.
Look at the horror and fear still lingering in the eyes of those hunters lying on the ground, not daring to groan too loudly; look at the remaining hunters who are still standing, trembling like quails, not daring to breathe.
Lin Bei's intimidating presence, like solid ice, had frozen their will to resist.
But the problem is—it seems to have been destroyed too!
Looking at the more than thirty people piled up together, groaning in pain, Lin Bei felt an unprecedented headache.
This is not the outcome he wanted.
Deterrence comes at a price, but the price is so high that subsequent troubles will follow.
His yang energy is indeed wondrous, containing powerful life energy and possessing healing effects.
But how can it be used to cure so many people one by one?
This is simply a fantasy!
Not to mention how much precious time and energy this would require, the sheer amount of yang energy consumed would be beyond his means to supply.
Yang energy is the foundation of his strength and one of the fundamental reasons for his survival in this dangerous world. How could he squander it like this?
Trying to clean up the mess you created by damaging your own foundation is a terrible business deal!
Lin Bei's brows furrowed into a deep frown as his gaze swept over the crowd, feeling somewhat helpless for the first time.
The price of "accepting" seems a bit too heavy.
Just as Lin Bei was feeling troubled and pondering how to handle the aftermath, a clear and calming voice, like a gentle stream, clearly entered his ears.
The sound wasn't loud, but it pierced through the oppressive silence and the groans of the injured.
"Don't worry."
It is Lady Rose.
She remained standing quietly half a step behind Lin Bei, her posture upright. The light veil covering her face concealed her stunning beauty, revealing only a pair of deep, starry eyes that now exuded composure and understanding.
Her gaze swept calmly over the wounded on the ground, her tone carrying an air of composure as if she were in complete control.
"The Rose House has its own resident doctor and stocked medicines. As long as it's not an immediate death or permanent disability, injuries like broken bones, fractures, or internal organ concussions can be treated; it just takes more time to recover."
These words, like timely rain after a long drought, instantly extinguished Lin Bei's anxiety. His tense nerves relaxed immediately.
"That's good!"
Lin Bei felt a weight lifted from his heart and let out a long sigh of relief.
As long as the victim is not killed or maimed and can be saved, the consequences of "overdoing it" are still within a controllable range.
As for the recovery time? Perfect, let these guys reflect on their actions in bed, so they won't cause any more trouble in the near future.
With his mind at ease, Lin Bei immediately put aside the question of how to deal with this pile of "troublesome" trivial matters.
He no longer glanced at the groaning crowd on the ground, as if they were merely obstacles to be cleared.
He turned around deftly, his movements fluid and effortless, and settled back into the iconic, large chair.
The chair back was sturdy, and the armrests were wide and thick, firmly supporting his body. He adjusted his posture, making himself more relaxed and exuding an even more domineering aura.
Once settled, Lin Bei's gaze, like two cold searchlights, slowly swept over the remaining hunters who could still stand.
His eyes were calm and expressionless, yet they contained an invisible, heavy pressure, as if the air itself had solidified. The devastating battle just now had already deeply imprinted the word "fear" into the souls of everyone present.
"Now," Lin Bei began, his voice not loud, yet clearly echoing in the silent hall, carrying an undeniable authority, "can you listen to me properly now?"
The words fell like a pebble thrown into still water, but they elicited a perfectly synchronized reaction.
The remaining hunters, whether young or old, bold or timid, were all being pulled by invisible threads, nodding their heads rapidly and in unison, looking exactly like a group of terrified "nodding bugs."
Nodding vigorously!
At this moment, in this situation, who would dare to utter a single word of "no"?
Do you think you have too long a life? Look at that pile of "lessons from the past" over there. Aren't they all shouting to teach Lin Bei a lesson one moment and rolling on the ground the next? That pile of human-shaped "warning signs" is still twitching and groaning in pain!
Lin Bei took in everyone's reactions, and his tense lips finally relaxed, even curving upwards into a very faint smile.
satisfaction.
Although there were some minor mishaps during the process (a lot of people were knocked down), the final result... well, it looks pretty good.
At the very least, the sheer number of nodding followers in the room fully demonstrates that his "declaration of strength" has resonated deeply with everyone and successfully "intimidated" the crowd. That invisible shackle of fear has already been placed around everyone's neck.
So Lin Bei didn't delay any longer and spoke again, his tone still calm, but with a matter-of-fact command:
"In that case, I'll stick to what I said at the beginning."
He paused slightly, his gaze sharpening as it swept across each terrified face with an almost tangible intensity.
"Bring your manager out here."
This sentence is like the second stone thrown into a calm (or rather, stagnant) lake.
However, this time the reaction wasn't a uniform nod, but rather...
They looked at each other in bewilderment!
Most of the remaining hunters looked at each other, their faces filled with confusion.
Person in charge?
What person in charge?
Which aspect is the person in charge?
The management of Rose House isn't just one or two people, and the situation is so complicated now...
You'd better explain yourself clearly, buddy!
If you don't name names or specify who you're looking for, how are we supposed to know who to call out?
What if I call the wrong person and offend you, this fierce god? Wouldn't I end up like that "crowd" over there?
But... you won't tell?
No response?
The hunters' eyes secretly glanced towards Lin Bei.
He sat upright in his chair, his expression calm, but as time passed, his eyes gradually grew impatient, and a chilling aura gathered between his brows, as if he might unleash a thunderous rage at any moment.
If I don't say anything... it seems like I'll get beaten up anyway!
Fear, like a cold, venomous snake, coils around everyone's heart, almost strangling it.
Cold sweat trickled silently down my forehead and temples. What should I do?!
Under immense pressure, the remaining hunters seemed to have found a lifeline. Their gazes, unanimously and with a strong sense of pleading, turned to the two old hunters who had been silently watching from the sidelines and had not participated in the attack.
Those were two veteran hunters from Rose House.
Their faces were etched with the marks of time, their eyes were deep, and although their clothes were similar to those of other hunters, their demeanor was more composed and reserved, like rocks weathered by storms.
They were extremely senior and experienced, having witnessed the rise and fall of the Rose House.
In this moment of leaderlessness and fear for everyone, they naturally became the "tall ones" in everyone's eyes who could make decisions and step up.
Focused on by dozens of gazes filled with both hope and fear, the two old hunters' faces instantly crumpled up like bitter gourds after being hit by frost.
It's so tough!
You're afraid, but aren't we two old bones afraid too?
The one-sided "massacre" just now, with its inhuman strength and speed, had left these two seasoned veterans trembling with fear and chills down their spines! The young man in that chair was definitely a monster!
Of course I'm scared!
But despite the fear, someone has to step up and deal with the current situation.
Someone has to communicate with that menacing figure. Otherwise, if this suffocating silence and pressure are allowed to fester, who knows if that menacing figure will feel slighted and strike again?
The consequences... are unimaginable.
Looking around the room, besides those two old guys, who else is more qualified and has more "weight" (at least in terms of seniority) to take the fall?
They were, in fact, the two tallest among all the hunters who were still standing at that moment.
Despite their hearts pounding with anxiety, the two old hunters exchanged a brief, unspoken glance, and both saw a resolute determination in each other's eyes.
When faced with a crisis, retreating will only bring greater disaster. Besides...
Their gazes, almost imperceptibly, lingered on Lin Bei and the mysterious veiled woman standing quietly behind him, scrutinizing her.
They didn't know Lin Bei and were filled with suspicion about his background and purpose.
So young, yet possessing such incredible strength, he is by no means an unknown person, so why did he suddenly appear in the Rose House and stir up trouble?
But they astutely gleaned a crucial piece of information: this ruthless man definitely had a close relationship with Lady Rose!
The reason is simple. They knew the masked woman behind them all too well.
That straight spine, that calm and profound demeanor, that figure whose unparalleled elegance could not be concealed even when veiled... especially those eyes that occasionally swept across the room, carrying complex emotions yet feeling incredibly familiar.
It's Lady Rose!
The two veteran hunters were deeply shocked and almost simultaneously confirmed this.
As true veterans of the Rose House, they had countless close encounters with this mysterious hostess.
Her gaze, her posture, and her unique aura—a blend of rose fragrance and sharp edge—were deeply imprinted in their memories.
Even though she was wearing a veil and deliberately concealing her aura, it was still difficult for her to completely deceive the eyes of these seasoned veterans.
Lady Rose is back!
This realization was like a warm breeze, instantly dispelling much of their fear and even stirring up an indescribable excitement and... peace of mind!
Because during this time, they were not entirely unaware of the undercurrents within the Rose House.
The unusual changes in management, the illogical instructions, and the increasingly oppressive, eerie atmosphere that seemed to be brewing a storm all made these veteran hunters feel deeply uneasy and worried.
They sensed a conspiracy, a betrayal, but were limited by their status and power, and could do very little, only anxiously in silence.
Now, everything is alright! The true mistress of Rose House, their pillar of strength—Madame Rose—has finally returned!
Although she had been gone for some time and her power seemed to have been usurped, her prestige remained!
Only she can rightfully set things right; only she has the ability and the right to stop this brewing undercurrent that could drag Rose House into the abyss!
Moreover, she did not return alone!
She brought back a huge, astonishing "surprise"—or rather, a "shock"—that was the young man before her, Lin Bei, whose strength was so overwhelming it was unreasonable!
With Lin Bei's overwhelming strength, which was like that of a god or demon, as he just displayed, coupled with Lady Rose's deep-rooted reputation and prestige... the two old hunters knew perfectly well that bringing Rose House back on track and clearing away the clouds to see the light of day again was now a sure thing, a certainty!
This realization gave them immense courage and confidence to face the predicament before them.
However, both old hunters were shrewd and meticulous.
Although they had already confirmed Lady Rose's identity in their hearts, they tacitly chose to remain silent, showing no intention of revealing it on the spot.
They knew Lady Rose's temperament well. She was always thoughtful and methodical in her actions.
Her choice to conceal her identity while masked, rather than revealing her true face, must have a deeper meaning and a comprehensive plan. Perhaps it's to lull her opponents into a false sense of security, perhaps she's waiting for a better opportunity, or perhaps she's trying to see the true colors of certain people...
If they rashly revealed the truth and ruined the lady's grand plan, they would truly be condemned to death! This tacit understanding and loyalty to their master led them to choose to observe the situation quietly and do what they were supposed to do.
Just as the remaining hunters were caught in a dilemma, like ants on a hot plate, torn between whether or not the two old hunters should step forward and answer, the atmosphere in the room was so oppressive it seemed to freeze over—
A series of hurried and chaotic footsteps, like a dense drumbeat, suddenly came from a passageway deep inside the Rose House, breaking the suffocating silence.
Footsteps approached from afar, carrying an air of accusation. Before the person had fully emerged from the shadows of the corridor, a furious and arrogant shout, like a broken gong, rang out, echoing throughout the hall:
"Who on earth has the audacity to cause trouble at Rose House?! Are they tired of living?"
Their voices were arrogant and full of confidence, as if they were the true rulers of this place.
Immediately afterwards, the light and shadow flickered at the entrance of the passage, and nine figures filed out, lined up in a row, and appeared in everyone's sight with a fierce aura.
These were the nine core members of the "management" who had conspired in the secret room earlier!
They finally... made their grand entrance!