Chapter 97: Completing More Hidden Quests

"What are you four doing, loitering around here?! Who said you can film around here, huh?!"

Just as Lin Haoren wanted to urge their group to leave, an angry voice called out from a distance.

A relatively well-built man wearing a blue factory uniform rushed over from the opposite side of the old factory road.

The man’s body was riddled with observable scars that looked both hideous, terrifying, and impressive, giving the person an intimidating aura.

At a glance, the person did not look like an ordinary factory worker.

On the contrary, he looked like someone with a mercenary, military, or criminal background—the kind that had personally experienced plenty of blood and violence.

Fang Ning and the two Camera Operators paled with fear when they saw the menacing man rush over.

"W-we’ll leave right away!" Fang Ning’s cameraman uttered, retreating from the fence opening.

Lin Haoren and the others moved away too.

However, the scar-faced factory worker’s anger rose upon seeing them trying to leave the scene.

"Stop right there! You’re not allowed to leave with those cameras!" The scar-faced factory worker roared threateningly.

Fang Ning and the two Camera Operators subconsciously obeyed. They stood paralyzed like chickens waiting to be slaughtered.

Lin Haoren grabbed Fang Ning and dragged her along.

At the same time, he turned his head and shouted to the two Camera Operators, "Hurry up and run! Why are you listening to that man?! Do you want him to come up and smash your cameras?!"

"This is a public space! There is nothing wrong with our filming! That guy clearly has a guilty conscience!" Lin Haoren roared.

The two Camera Operators were startled awake by Lin Haoren’s shout and resumed their escape.

Meanwhile, their livestream channels were in an uproar.

[Smelly Lin spoke so much sense! What is wrong with filming in a public space? Why would that scary man be so angry if there isn’t a problem?]

[Right? It’s the first time I’ve seen a factory worker with such scary scars. Those scars don’t look like normal work injuries at all. What kind of factory worker looks like this?]

[Do you even have to ask? That ain’t no factory worker! He must be someone from the underworld!]

[Sister Fang’s group is in danger. That scarface looks very violent and scary.]

[I doubt it. The world is currently watching. What kind of idiot would blatantly commit crimes on a live broadcast?]

[Hehehe, it seems like this illegal laboratory is real. Otherwise, why would this factory worker get so agitated in front of the cameras? However, this only makes him seem more guilty.]

[It seems Qingshan Synthetic Materials Factory is hiding a big secret! If they are really conducting animal experiments, we must get justice for the poor animals!]

[The government wouldn’t try to cover it up, would they?]

...

While Lin Haoren’s group fled the scene, it became clear that the two Camera Operators, carrying heavy equipment, couldn’t possibly outrun the fit-looking factory worker.

Lin Haoren was aware of this.

As such, he released Fang Ning’s hand and slowed down his pace to cover their rear.

At that moment, Scarface closed the gap and reached out for one of the cameras with his claws, his eyes flashing with malice.

Anyone could tell that he wanted to smash the cameras.

Pak!

In that crucial moment, Lin Haoren intercepted Scarface’s attack with a resounding smack, slapping the hand away.

The surprisingly strong force didn’t just successfully deflect the attack but also halted Scarface’s forward momentum, forcing him to stagger back a step.

Although this surprised Scarface, it only fueled his malice.

"Give me those cameras!" Scarface roared furiously, lunging at Lin Haoren with a grappling stance, intending to suppress him with his superior size and strength.

However, Lin Haoren was like a slippery eel; Scarface couldn’t catch him at all. He would always slip through his grip like quicksand.

Then, before Scarface realized it, he was pulled by a strong force, and his world turned upside down as he was thrown overhead.

His body flew over three meters before landing square on his back.

Fang Ning and the two Camera Operators were stunned after witnessing the scene. They didn’t expect Lin Haoren’s slim body to hide such strength.

[Holy moly, Smelly Lin is actually so strong! How did he throw such a brawny man that far with his body?]

[Hehe, Smelly Lin’s cat is a grandmaster in Taijiquan. How can the owner’s skill be any worse?]

[What a relief. It seems like Sister Fang’s group is safe.]

[Lin Haoren: I’m not in danger; you are.]

[Hahaha...]

...

Ding!

[Congratulations! You have completed a Hidden Quest: Protect the Lens.]

[The lens is the bridge between you and the world. A superstar can possess a thousand charms, but without the lens, they have no avenue for appreciation and brilliance. To protect the lens is to protect your stage.]

[You have received Beginner-Level Gift Pack x3]

...

[Congratulations! You have completed a Hidden Quest: Subdue the Violent With Grace.]

[Taijiquan teaches that true strength need not announce itself. It yields, redirects, and conquers with effortless grace. A superstar is much the same—never needing to force the world’s attention, yet impossible for the world to look away.]

[You have remained composed in the face of the arriving storm, stood firm when others retreated, and turned a moment of danger into a spectacle worthy of remembrance.]

[The world has witnessed your martial brilliance and taken notice of your existence. You have seized the gaze of the world and left your mark in the memories of those who have witnessed it.]

[For a period of time, your fame will increase more quickly, and opportunities will come seeking you.]

[A notable Action Director has become interested in you and wishes to offer you a role in an upcoming action series.]

[You have received Beginner-level Gift Pack x5]

...

Upon receiving the series of system notifications, Lin Haoren was stunned for several breaths. Moments later, his eyes brightened, feeling pleasantly surprised.

He didn’t expect to receive such generous rewards for stopping Scarface.

’System Bro, open all the gift packs!’ He willed.

Ding!