Chapter 4: The Divine Healer Emerges

The night at the Li family estate was deep and tranquil, the moonlight filtering through sparse tree branches to cast dappled silver patterns across the sprawling lawn. A gentle breeze whispered through, carrying a faint chill. Lin Feng stood in the corridor outside the bedroom, the glowing ember of his cigarette flickering in the dim light. His figure stood tall and resolute, like a sturdy pine, but his eyes burned with a raging fury. The process of curing Li Ruoxi's curse had appeared effortless, but he knew it was merely a fleeting moment in his vengeful journey. The shadow of the Shadow Syndicate had now unmistakably surfaced.

Behind him, Li Tianhao approached cautiously, his voice low and deferential, "Mr. Lin, the guest room is ready. Would you like to rest…?" His tone was laced with respect, tinged with a hint of probing uncertainty. Lin Feng's display of medical prowess and commanding presence had left him utterly in awe, convincing him that this young man was no ordinary figure.

Lin Feng crushed the cigarette butt underfoot, turning to face Li Tianhao. "No need—I have other matters to attend to. Just remember to keep your promise tomorrow," he said calmly, his voice carrying an invisible but palpable pressure. Li Tianhao dared not press further, nodding quickly, "Mr. Lin, rest assured, I'll fulfill it without fail!"

"Is she really going to be alright?" Li Tianhao couldn't help but ask again, the worry still lingering in his eyes. Lin Feng let out a cold chuckle, "I said she'll be fine, and she will. If she doesn't wake in three days, come find me." His tone was domineering yet irrefutable, leaving no room for doubt. Li Tianhao exhaled in relief, thanking him profusely before watching Lin Feng depart.

Leaving the estate, Lin Feng drove back to Tianhuang Pavilion, entering the top-floor suite. Through the window, Jiangcheng's countless lights twinkled like stars against the inky night sky as he stood on the balcony, lighting another cigarette. His mind replayed the curse he'd extracted from Li Ruoxi—its sinister, vicious technique was unmistakably the signature of the Shadow Syndicate. Three years ago, their flames had consumed the Lin family mansion, and he'd witnessed his parents perish in the inferno. The true masterminds behind that tragedy were this very organization. Now, their audacity in targeting Li Ruoxi was clearly a warning to Jiangcheng's other powers.

His phone rang, and Lin Feng answered, a deep voice coming through, "Master Feng, we've traced the origin of Li Ruoxi's curse—it's undeniably the work of the Shadow Syndicate. They've been operating in Jiangcheng for three years, backing Lin Zhengxiong and Zhao Wanshan, with their influence now deeply rooted in the underworld." The voice belonged to his deputy from the Dark Blade, speaking with utmost respect and caution.

"The Shadow Syndicate…" Lin Feng narrowed his eyes, his tone icy and laced with killing intent. "Have you found their lair?" The deputy paused, "Not yet—they're extremely elusive. But we intercepted a shipment overseas, and the clues point to an abandoned factory in Jiangcheng's East Suburb." He hesitated, "Should we strike now?"

"East Suburb?" Lin Feng snorted coldly, "Keep an eye on it—don't alert them prematurely." He hung up, tapping his fingers lightly on the railing. The name "Shadow Syndicate" stabbed at his heart like a blade. He knew the first step of his revenge had been taken, but the true enemies still lurked in the shadows, and he would uncover them soon enough.

A knock sounded at the suite door. Lin Feng frowned, opening it to find the hotel manager, his face beaming with a servile smile, holding a bottle of red wine. "Mr. Lin, this is a gift from our owner—worth two million, as a token of gratitude for your presence tonight!" His demeanor was even more reverent than before, clearly aware of Lin Feng's earlier dominance at Tianhuang Pavilion.

Lin Feng glanced at the bottle, replying indifferently, "Just leave it there." The manager set it down, bowing deeply before retreating. After the door closed, Lin Feng picked up the bottle, uncorked it, and poured himself a glass. He took a sip, savoring the rich aroma, but it couldn't mask the burning rage in his heart.

The next morning, Jiangcheng's Chamber of Commerce building buzzed with activity, swarmed by media reporters setting up cameras and microphones, eager for a story. Li Tianhao stood on the stage, impeccably dressed in a suit, a large screen behind him displaying the words "A New Chapter for Jiangcheng." Clearing his throat, he declared solemnly, "Ladies and gentlemen, starting today, my Li Group fully supports Mr. Lin Feng. Jiangcheng now bears his name!"

The crowd erupted in astonishment. Reporters snapped photos furiously, one shouting, "Mr. Li, who is Lin Feng? Why do you pledge such allegiance to him?" Li Tianhao smiled faintly, "Mr. Lin saved my daughter from mortal danger—he's the Li family's benefactor. His abilities will soon be clear to you all."

The news spread like wildfire, sending shockwaves through Jiangcheng. At Zhao Group headquarters, chaos reigned. Zhao Tianlong smashed a crystal glass, roaring, "That useless Lin Feng—where does he get the nerve? Even Li Tianhao bows to him?!" His father, Zhao Wanshan, sat on the sofa, his expression dark and brooding. "Tianlong, calm down. I've spoken to Lin Zhengxiong—he says Lin Feng is just bluffing, a washed-up nobody after three years of wandering. What waves can he make?"

Before he could finish, a secretary burst in, panicked, "Chairman, it's bad! Our three subsidiaries were hit by a stock market attack just minutes ago—fifty billion evaporated in ten minutes!" Zhao Wanshan shot to his feet, his face pale with terror, "Who did this?"

"We don't know yet—their methods are too sophisticated. Even our financial experts can't trace the source!" the secretary stammered, wiping sweat from his brow. Zhao Wanshan collapsed back onto the sofa, cold sweat beading on his forehead as a chilling thought struck him: "Could it really be Lin Feng?"

Meanwhile, Lin Feng stood on the balcony of Tianhuang Pavilion, gazing down at Jiangcheng's sprawling cityscape. His phone rang, and he answered, his deputy reporting, "Master Feng, the first strike against Zhao Group is complete. What's next?" Lin Feng sneered, "Keep going—I want them left with nothing." He hung up, turning back into the suite, his eyes blazing with killing intent. The Zhao family's panic was just a small part of his plan; the real storm was only beginning to brew.