Jin Yu was utterly confused.

  What is this guy even talking about? What brother?

  The young man seemed just as baffled by Jin Yu’s reaction. His brows furrowed, and he muttered under his breath, as if trying to make sense of something.

  "You don’t know?" he finally asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

  Jin Yu’s expression hardened. "What are you going on about? My father only has two children, and that’s a fact." His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

  The man froze mid-sentence. "What chil—what?" He stared at Jin Yu for a long moment, his shock evident. Then, after a brief pause, he pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing as if realizing something.

  A trace of embarrassment flashed across his face. He coughed awkwardly before standing up and walking toward Jin Yu. Stopping right in front of him, he met his gaze head-on, his eyes dark and unreadable.

  "Who told you your father only has two children?" he asked, his voice calm but heavy. "What if he has three?"

  The question hit Jin Yu like a thunderclap.

  What the hell?!

  His mind reeled. He glanced around, half-expecting someone to step in and explain that this was some kind of twisted joke. Was this man really talking to him? Wasn't he Uncle Lin’s disciple?

  A disturbing thought crept into Jin Yu’s mind. Did that old bastard have an illegitimate son?

  Had his father cheated on his mother?

  His heart pounded at the sheer audacity of the idea. This was huge. Scandalous. The kind of drama straight out of a novel!

  Jin Yu’s mind raced as he recalled a story he had read back on Earth—about a nobleman who had an affair with his wife’s maid. The maid bore his child in secret, and to keep the boy close, the nobleman raised him as a subordinate. Years later, that illegitimate son grew strong enough to kill the rightful heir and steal his place.

  A chill ran down Jin Yu’s spine.

  No way… Could something like that be happening to me?!

  His expression darkened as he looked up at the man, his thoughts in turmoil. But what made his blood run cold was the smirk curling on the man’s lips—sharp, knowing, almost mocking.

  "What’s wrong?" the man asked, his voice dripping with amusement. "Scared?"

  For a moment, Jin Yu almost felt intimidated by the man. But then, a thought struck him—so what if this guy was my father’s hidden son?

  I am the legitimate heir. I carry the name openly. What right does he have to try and scare me?

  His expression hardened, his initial panic vanishing. If he showed weakness now, he’d be doomed to be bullied forever.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Jin Yu’s gaze turned cold. He tilted his head slightly and let out a low chuckle. "Scared?"

  His lips curled into a smirk. "You'd better have a damn good explanation, otherwise, I'll make sure you regret every word you just said?"

  For a split second, the man seemed taken aback.He studied Jin Yu's face for a while.

  Then, out of nowhere, he burst into laughter.

  "Hahaha! Isn’t Young Master Jin a little too fierce? I’m shaking in my boots!" He continued laughing, patting Jin Yu’s shoulder repeatedly, his earlier cold demeanor vanishing like it had never existed.

  Jin Yu: "…?!"

  What the hell is wrong with this guy?

  The man finally calmed down, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "Relax, don’t be so tense." He gave Jin Yu a knowing look before adding, "The name’s Chen Haoran."

  Jin Yu’s breath hitched.

  Don’t tell me…

  Chen Haoran’s smile widened as if he found Jin Yu’s reaction amusing. Then, without warning, he reached out and patted Jin Yu’s head, his touch light and playful

  Jin Yu frowned, his brow twitching in irritation, but before he could react, Chen Haoran had already turned away.

  With an air of leisure, he strolled over to the window, where a transparent glass is embedded on the wall. Beyond it, the battle stage loomed below, the cheers of the crowd still echoing through the air.

  Chen Haoran stood there, hands clasped behind his back, gazing down at the ongoing fight as if it were nothing more than idle entertainment.

  Jin Yu scowled.

  This bastard was toying with me!

  Anything related to Uncle Lin was never normal. That maniac was already insane, and now his disciple was the same?!

  How I wish I could dunk their heads in shit! This is so frustrating!

  Chen Haoran turned back and smirked. “Brat, since you’re my master’s disciple, that makes you my junior brother. Got it?”

  Jin Yu’s face darkened. “What disciple? I already told that maniac uncle I wasn’t interested! Why the hell did he lie to you?”

  He then shot an irritated glare at Chen Haoran. “And you! You tricked me too! Are you looking down on me? What’s wrong with you people?! So damn annoying!”

  Chen Haoran chuckled at Jin Yu’s frustration. “You were cute when you were younger, but now you’ve got quite the temper. Whether you like it or not, since my master acknowledged you, you’re my junior brother. End of story.”

  Jin Yu let out a deep sigh. “Ugh… Forget it. No use arguing.”

  Chen Haoran nodded approvingly. “That’s more like it, kid.”

  “Don’t call me—”

  BANG!

  “YAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

  A thunderous crash shook the room, followed by the deafening roar of the crowd.

  “Shit!” Jin Yu cursed. He had completely forgotten about the fight!

  He dashed to the window beside Chen Haoran and peered down at the battle stage.

  Jin Yu saw Wu jianhong staggered back, his massive frame trembling slightly from the repeated blows he had endured. His opponent, a towering brute with thick arms like iron pillars, loomed before him, his stance steady and unwavering.

  Jin Yu sucked in a breath.

  Wu Jianhong didn’t stay down. Instead, he clenched his fists and forced himself upright, his chest heaving as he steadied his stance. His muscles tensed as he glared at his opponent with unwavering determination.

  People can clearly guess his thoughts from his actions–he is never giving up!'

  The crowd roared in excitement.

  BANG!

  Wu Jianhong lunged forward, throwing a powerful punch aimed straight for his opponent’s face. The sheer force behind it created a gust of wind, but his opponent sidestepped at the last second, avoiding the attack by a hair’s breadth.

  Whoosh!

  The brute retaliated instantly, sending a swift knee toward Wu Jianhong’s stomach.

  Thud!

  Wu Jianhong barely managed to lower his arms in time, blocking the attack, but the impact still sent him skidding a few steps back.

  Jin Yu’s eyes narrowed.

  He’s getting slower.

  At first glance, it still looked like an even match, but Wu Jianhong’s movements were becoming sluggish. His punches weren’t as sharp, and his reaction time was slowing down. His opponent, however, remained as steady as ever—waiting, watching, looking for an opening.

  And then he struck.

  The brute suddenly stepped forward, his muscles coiling like a spring before exploding with raw power.

  Boom!

  A devastating elbow strike crashed into Wu Jianhong’s ribs.

  Wu Jianhong gritted his teeth and swung his fist in retaliation, but his opponent was already moving. He ducked under the punch and delivered a crushing blow to Wu Jianhong’s thigh.

  Crack!

  Wu Jianhong’s leg buckled. His balance wavered.

  The brute didn’t let up. He pressed forward, delivering a rapid combination of heavy strikes—each one more punishing than the last.

  Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

  With every hit, Wu Jianhong was forced back, his defenses weakening. The crowd’s cheers grew deafening as they sensed the shift in momentum.

  Jin Yu’s heart pounded.

  He’s losing ground!

  Then, the opening appeared.

  Wu Jianhong swung wildly, aiming to push back his opponent, but the brute dodged effortlessly and stepped into his guard. His hands clamped down onto Wu Jianhong’s shoulders like a vice.

  Jin Yu’s breath hitched.

  He’s going for it!

  The brute bent his knees, let out a deep grunt, and with a terrifying display of raw power—

  Lifted Wu Jianhong off the ground.

  Wu jianhong struggled, but his opponent’s grip was unshakable.

  Then—

  BOOM!

  The entire stage shook as Wu Jianhong was slammed back-first into the hard stone floor. A wave of dust exploded into the air.

  The audience erupted.

  Jin Yu’s eyes widened.

  "Damn… that was brutal."

  Chen Haoran smirked. "Tch, I saw that coming."

  Down below, Wu Jianhong lay sprawled on the stage, his chest rising and falling rapidly. His fingers twitched as he clenched his fists, but his body refused to move.

  Had he finally reached his limit?

  The brute took a step back, rolling his shoulders as if preparing for the next strike.

  Jin Yu opened his mouth in disbelief 'After winning forty-eight fights in a row… Was Wu Jianhong about to lose?