Chapter 36:
Chapter 36: Evil Buddha Tang Sen:
Lin You didn’t realize it himself, but it wasn’t that Mustache was weak—it was that his own endurance had grown stronger, raising the threshold needed to activate [God’s Exchange].
After uttering his contemptuous remark, Lin You charged straight into the mob of thugs, eager to find someone capable of inflicting enough pain to trigger his transformation.
Mustache was left in shock. A scrawny kid dared to mock him, a figure feared like a living king of hell in their circles? A mouse challenging a tiger? It was beyond absurd. He wanted to grab Lin You and teach him a lesson, but before he could, Lin You had already plunged into the crowd, disappearing beneath a flurry of swinging sticks.
Fuming, Mustache turned to Lin Shiyan, who lay unconscious on the ground. He kicked her with disdain, picked up an intact bottle of water, and unscrewed the cap. Pouring it on her face, he waited for her to wake up.
Lin Shiyan gasped as she regained consciousness. From where she lay, she could see Lin You amidst the throng of attackers, struggling but refusing to stay down.
The sight triggered a memory. Years ago, she had fought a lawsuit against a gangster and won, only to face revenge. On that day, surrounded by more than a dozen thugs, she had been saved by Lin Tianyang.
“Don’t be afraid, Second Sister,” Tianyang had said, gripping her hand tightly. “I’m here to protect you. No one will hurt you as long as I’m here.”
She had seen someone else being beaten as a diversion that day, just like Lin You was now. But that couldn’t be right. Lin You wasn’t brave; he was a coward who never even dared to look his sisters in the eye.
Mustache crouched next to Lin Shiyan and patted her face mockingly. “Is that kid really your brother?” he asked, gesturing toward Lin You.
Mustache’s tone had subtly shifted—he now called Lin You “little brother.” Men who lived by the streets respected strength, and despite everything, Mustache couldn’t help but feel a grudging admiration for Lin You’s resilience.
Lin Shengnan, watching the scene, was moved to tears. “Lin You, my good brother,” she thought, guilt piercing her heart. “We treated you so poorly, yet you still came to save us. I’ll make it up to you, I swear.”
When Mustache repeated his question, Lin Shiyan nodded, trembling. “Yes, he’s my biological brother.”
Mustache scoffed. “Doesn’t look like it,” he said coldly. “You don’t deserve him.”
He turned back to Lin You, who was still being pummeled. Despite the relentless blows, Lin You kept getting up, again and again. It was only after countless punches, kicks, and even a few hits to the head with sticks that Lin You finally felt it—the familiar surge of [God’s Exchange].
The transformations began:
Super sensory—activated.
Super recovery—activated.
Super defense—activated.
Super speed—activated.
Super reaction—activated.
Super strength—activated.
In an instant, Lin You became a six-dimensional warrior, ready to unleash his full power.
But just as he was about to strike, the roar of engines cut through the night. A convoy of black Hummers appeared, at least twenty vehicles strong. The lead car screeched to a halt, and out stepped Tang Sen.
Tang Sen dusted off his tailored suit, surveyed the scene, and asked calmly, “Where’s my little brother?”
Mustache’s bravado vanished as he recognized the man. Stammering, he said, “Y-you’re one of the Four Protectors of the Fox Way…?”
“Yes,” Tang Sen replied, his tone even. “I am the Evil Buddha, Tang Sen.”
Mustache broke into a cold sweat. “Brother Tang, I didn’t know you were involved! I was just following orders from Mr. Gao. Our annual dues to the Fox Way are paid on time—I meant no disrespect!”
Tang Sen didn’t even glance at him. Adjusting his watch, he said, “I don’t care about your excuses. My little brother called and said he was beaten here. I need an explanation.”
Mustache faltered, his mind racing. Little brother? Who could it be? Then, hesitantly, he asked, “What’s your little brother’s name?”
Tang Sen thought for a moment. “Lin You,” he said.
Mustache paled. His knees buckled, and he rushed to the mob, dragging Lin You out. “Brother Tang, is this your little brother?” he asked, trembling.
Tang Sen looked at Lin You, who scowled and said, “Took you long enough, Tang Sen. Were you waiting for them to beat me to death?”
Tang Sen chuckled, his smile forced. “Brother Lin, I was collecting a debt when you called. Don’t worry—I’ll make sure this is resolved to your satisfaction.”
Mustache’s horror deepened. This scrawny kid dared to talk to Tang Sen like that? And Tang Sen just took it? The Evil Buddha, known for his ruthless efficiency, was deferring to Lin You?
Tang Sen reached behind him, taking a baseball bat from one of his men. He turned to Mustache and asked coldly, “Which hand did you use to hit him?”
Mustache dropped to his knees, trembling uncontrollably. “Please, Brother Lin, Brother Tang, have mercy! I didn’t know! I have an old mother and a young son—I can’t afford to be crippled!”
Sweat poured down his face as he groveled, pleading for his life.