Chapter 123: Another Encounter with Bandits

As the Yin-Yang Technique reached the peak of the Profound Tier, Ling Tian became increasingly sensitive to energy signatures. After all, the technique originated from the dual forces of Yin and Yang, yet for a moment, he could not identify the source of this familiar aura.

He decided to take things as they came; since someone was tracking him, regardless of whether the target was one of the people in the car, they would eventually reveal their true colors. Ling Tian chose to go with the flow.

Upon arriving at the pedestrian street in Jianghai City, they found several large shopping malls that integrated dining and entertainment—a favorite spot for young women and a sanctuary for dates. Lin Youya, Song Xiaomei, and Tingting happily entered the largest mall, which was bustling with activity due to its tenth-anniversary celebrations. Ling Tian and Shi Xiaocai followed along.

While many men dislike shopping, accompanying beautiful women is a different story. Women look at merchandise, while men look at women—not just the beauties beside them, but sneaking glances at others as well, provided they aren't caught by their own companions.

However, Ling Tian noticed that this time, Lin Youya and Song Xiaomei were acting differently. Instead of aimlessly browsing, they headed straight for a specific cosmetics counter on the ground floor.

Following the three girls, Ling Tian kept a watchful eye on his surroundings. The people from the car didn't seem to have followed, and there was no familiar scent. Had he been mistaken? Were they not tracking him after all? Still, it was better to be cautious.

"Excuse me, do you still have that 'Fairy Water' in stock? We would like three bottles," Song Xiaomei asked as they reached the counter.

"I am sorry, that item is limited daily, and we have already sold out for today. You will have to come back earlier tomorrow," the clerk replied with an apologetic smile.

"Oh, well. We'll come back earlier tomorrow, then," Lin Youya said, clearly disappointed. Since they were sold out, she could only blame herself for arriving late.

"Seriously, cousin, this is produced by your family. Can't you just get some privately?" Song Xiaomei muttered, feeling dissatisfied.

"Xiaomei, this isn't produced by our family's main company. It’s manufactured by my cousin Lin Youqin's own cosmetics firm," Lin Youya explained.

"Isn't that the same thing? Isn't her company under your family's conglomerate?" Song Xiaomei asked, confused.

"Of course not. The cosmetics company under the family umbrella is managed by her, but this product is produced by a new company she established independently. It has nothing to do with our family. I can't ask her for it; I don't want to give her the chance to mock or ridicule me," Lin Youya said unhappily.

"Sigh, I guess we'll have to come early and queue tomorrow. I heard this Fairy Water is hard to get now. It's quite expensive, too. I really don't understand why there are so many rich people!" Song Xiaomei was truly frustrated. In this world, money couldn't solve everything, and this Fairy Water was proving difficult to buy.

Ling Tian finally understood. The girls had been pestering Shi Xiaocai to go out just to buy this cosmetic. And to think it was made by Lin Youqin—when did that flirtatious woman become so capable? He was somewhat familiar with her and figured getting a few bottles shouldn't be a problem. He might as well help them out.

"Xiaomei, actually, I’m quite familiar with Lin Youqin. How about I get you a few bottles of that Fairy Water?" Ling Tian asked Song Xiaomei directly, skipping Lin Youya, as he could see she didn't want to have much to do with her cousin.

"Really? That’s great! But brother-in-law, how do you know Lin Youqin?" Song Xiaomei asked, first delighted and then puzzled.

Lin Youya, standing nearby, remained silent but eyed Ling Tian suspiciously. Had this guy also slept with her cousin?

"I saved her life, heh! So, she’ll help with a small favor like this," Ling Tian said dismissively. He certainly couldn't mention how familiar he was with her body.

"Saved her? Hmm, then let's get a few extra bottles," Song Xiaomei said without the slightest bit of modesty.

"No problem," Ling Tian laughed. This girl was thick-skinned—not at all the same type as his own women.

"Brother, I need to go to the restroom!" Tingting, who had been quiet until now, tugged on Ling Tian’s sleeve.

"Uh, the women's restroom? Let the two big sisters take you," Ling Tian said, feeling awkward. This little girl was becoming too dependent; did she need him to accompany her to the restroom too?

"Heh, I need to go too. You guys wait here; I’ll go with Tingting," Lin Youya said, smiling as she took Tingting’s hand. She had already come to view the girl as a younger sister, finding her sweet and her background pitiable.

"Alright, hurry back," Ling Tian said with a nod.

As Lin Youya led Tingting away, Shi Xiaocai looked anxious. "Brother Tian, I noticed a car tailing us when we arrived. Will it be a problem for Tingting and Youya to go to the restroom alone?"

"You're quite sharp! You noticed something was off too? I let them go alone specifically to see if those people would make a move. Stay here and protect Xiaomei. I’m going to check it out—let's see who plays the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind." Given Ling Tian's caution, he wouldn't let them move alone at such a critical moment.

Sure enough, Ling Tian tracked them toward the women's restroom. Hiding behind a counter, he saw two large men waiting near the entrance. They looked incredibly strong, and though they carried no obvious weapons in the mall, they clearly looked capable of handling three or four men each.

When Ling Tian saw them, it finally clicked. They were part of the same gang that had targeted Lin Youya before. Their energy signatures were similar, and their builds were consistent. It was a group of mercenaries who took money to do dirty work. Were they targeting Youya again?

Ling Tian was no longer the weakling he had been; back then, he had been injured fighting a few thugs. Now, such people were like mere ants in his eyes.

Before long, Lin Youya and Tingting walked out. The two men suddenly lunged forward, shoving Lin Youya aside and grabbing Tingting before bolting!

"Ah!" Tingting shrieked.

"Help!" Lin Youya cried out, but no one dared to intervene. One of the men pulled out a knife, causing the crowd to scream and scatter in fear.

*That's not right!* Ling Tian thought, puzzled. *They aren't here for Lin Youya? Why Tingting?* He had no time to ponder; he rushed forward in a few strides, cutting off their path.

"Ling Tian!" The man holding Tingting froze upon seeing him. He had timed his move precisely for when Ling Tian was away—how had he arrived so quickly?

"It's me. It seems you recognize me. Then I'll give you a chance: put Tingting down, and you might avoid some physical pain." Seeing the man call his name, Ling Tian knew they had clearly done their homework. Kidnapping Tingting had been a long-planned conspiracy, but they hadn't been able to act while she was under his and Shi Xiaocai's protection.

"Hmph! Get out of the way, or I'll kill her!" The other man, wielding the knife, pressed it against Tingting's neck, hoping to threaten Ling Tian into backing off. By now, the mall security guards had arrived, and they had likely already called the police. The thugs knew that if they dragged this out, they would have no way to escape.

"You really don't know how you're going to die," Ling Tian sighed. He flicked several silver needles. The thug’s knife clattered to the floor, and he collapsed. The man holding Tingting also fell. Ling Tian rushed forward and caught Tingting just in time; had he been a second slower, she would have hit the ground.

Ling Tian’s feat stunned the onlookers. It was too fast—they hadn't even seen him move, yet the men had fallen.

In the crowd, several figures remained silent. *This Ling Tian really has some skill.* He bore a striking resemblance to the Ling Tian of the past—the look in his eyes, his movements, and that unique skill with silver needles. *Could he truly be that person?*

The individuals in the crowd naturally included members of the Dragon Group, the Dark Group, the Ministry of State Security, and subordinates of the man from the courtyard.

"Brother, I'm scared!" Tingting clung tightly to Ling Tian, clearly traumatized.

Lin Youya rushed to his side, pointing at the men on the ground. "Ling Tian, these people seem to be the same ones who tried to kidnap me on the highway." She had also noticed the connection.

"Yes, they are the same group. This time, I will extract information from them, and then I will wipe out this entire syndicate. I refuse to believe I can't find out who is behind this!" Ling Tian was determined to eradicate the organization to find the mastermind. Otherwise, he would always worry about Lin Youya. He had thought today's incident was aimed at her, but it turned out to be Tingting.

Regardless of the target, this group deserved to die for touching those close to him. With his current strength, he could roam Jianghai City—and indeed, all of China—with few rivals, as it was said there were very few cultivators who had reached the Earth Tier in this world.

Shi Xiaocai and Song Xiaomei arrived, stunned by the scene. *Something really happened?* But fortunately, the ones on the ground were the bad guys.

Though the two kidnappers were immobilized, they were not unconscious. They looked at Ling Tian with terror, unsure of what to say, knowing that no matter what they said, Ling Tian would not let them go.

"Security, please help me move these two kidnappers to a secluded room. I need to ask them a few questions before the police arrive. A room with no one else would be best," Ling Tian said, deferring to the guards. He and Shi Xiaocai couldn't carry both men, and besides, he had to protect the girls in case the kidnappers had accomplices.

The guards quickly found an empty room, but they didn't leave; fearing Ling Tian might kill the men, they stayed to wait for the police.