One of the Shen family elders spoke first.
"Indeed. It wasn't long ago that word spread he'd been crippled and cast out."
"Who could've imagined that in just a few short weeks, he'd become strong enough to crush Bone-Refining experts at the fourth layer?"
The others around the table exchanged uneasy glances, disbelief filling their eyes.
Shen Yuan drew in a deep breath, his tone heavy.
"If our Shen family acts rashly now, it'll be nothing short of suicide."
He paused, then said coldly, "The family head once had close ties with Magistrate Jiang Yunzhou of Qingshan County. Tomorrow, I'll visit the magistrate's manor myself—see if I can persuade him to act on our behalf and avenge the family head's death."
Another elder sighed helplessly. "At this point, that's our only hope."
Just then, the second master spoke up.
"Elder Brother, since the Lin family has also made an enemy of the Chen family, why don't we ally with them? Together, we'd have a far better chance of crushing Lin Yi."
Shen Yuan's eyes lit up.
"A fine idea!"
"The Chen family's strength is crippled now. They can't avenge themselves alone. If we reach out first, they'll be eager to join forces."
"What do you all think?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, a wise move.""The head speaks the truth!"
"Good," Shen Yuan said with a cold smile. "Second Brother, tomorrow you'll go to the Chen estate yourself. Discuss the terms of our alliance."
"Yes, Elder Brother!" Shen Feng replied firmly.
——
Lin Yi woke from his nap on the recliner, stretching lazily.
A servant nearby hurried forward.
"Young Master, you're awake. Shall I have the kitchen prepare something for you?"
Lin Yi waved him off. "No need. I'll eat out."
He paused, then added, "Go call Lin Yao. I'll take her with me."
The servant bowed slightly. "Apologies, Young Master, but Miss Lin Yao went out with Steward Li not long ago. She came by earlier, but seeing you were asleep, she didn't dare disturb you."
Lin Yi raised a brow. "Is that so? Then never mind. I'll go alone."
He stood and left the courtyard.
——
Outside the Lin residence, the streets of Qingshan bustled with life. Lanterns swayed in the night breeze, their glow spilling over shopfronts and peddlers calling out their wares.
Lin Yi watched the scene quietly. Since his dantian had been crippled, this body hadn't once taken a stroll through the city.
Now, feeling the cool air on his face, his mood was light. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"It's been ages since I've had the Baihua Dumplings from Fenglin Pavilion," he murmured. "I've missed them. Guess I'll treat myself tonight."
Then, half to himself, he chuckled. "Maybe I'll even run into that Lin Yao girl."
——
In Wutong Alley, Steward Li hurried after Lin Yao, who was skipping ahead with youthful energy.
"Miss Yao, slow down!"
"I know, Uncle Li!" she called back, but her feet didn't stop—if anything, she sped up.
And then—
Thud!
Not watching where she was going, she collided head-on with a richly dressed young man.
Startled, Lin Yao quickly bowed, her voice flustered.
"I'm so sorry, big brother! I wasn't looking! Are you all right?"
Smack!
A sharp crack echoed through the alley.
The young man's hand lashed out, striking Lin Yao hard across the face.
His eyes were cold, his voice a snarl.
"Are you blind, you stupid girl?"
Lin Yao stumbled back, clutching her cheek, shock and tears welling in her wide eyes.
A red handprint bloomed on her pale skin as she stared at him, trembling, unable to believe what had just happened.
Her eyes instantly flooded red.
"Miss!" Steward Li reacted at once, face paling as he rushed forward to shield Lin Yao, planting her behind him. He glared at the young man with righteous fury. "She merely bumped into you by accident and immediately apologized. You had no right to strike her—this is outrageous!"
Thud!
Before his words even finished, the youth's boot slammed into Steward Li's abdomen. The steward was sent flying dozens of meters, crashing hard to the ground as a mouthful of blood gushed from his lips. His pupils shrank in terror—his eighth-stage Body Tempering strength hadn't even been enough to withstand that single kick.
Who... what was this boy?
The girl at the youth's side tugged his sleeve and whispered urgently, "Tang Xuan, they're from the Lin family. Maybe we should let it go?"
The girl was Jiang Luo, daughter of Magistrate Jiang Yunzhou. The boy called Tang Xuan was of the Tang family in Qingfeng City and Jiang Luo's betrothed.
Tang Xuan snorted with contempt, his eyes hardening into a predatory glare. "I don't care if they're Lin family scum. If she bumped into me, she pays," he said, voice thick with arrogance. The Tang family was one of Qingfeng's great houses—far above the likes of the Lin family in Qing County. He looked at Steward Li and the other man with utter disdain.
"Kneel," he demanded, swaggering. "Kneel and shout that you're blind dogs who had no eyes, and then we'll call it even."
"Or—" His tone went cold as a blade. "—I'll show you what cruelty really is."
Steward Li trembled with fury. "You—"
He didn't finish the word before Tang Xuan's boot crashed down onto his face. The force slammed his head into the ground; blood spattered everywhere.
"Kneel or not?" Tang Xuan said, icy.
"Bah!" Steward Li spat a mouthful of blood. Kept pinned to the dirt, he forced out, teeth chattering, "I… will not kneel!"
Thud!
Tang Xuan's foot rose and came down again like an iron hammer, smashing into Steward Li's face. The bones in his cheeks and jaw shattered beneath the blows; blood blurred his vision. Gritting his teeth, he ground out through clenched teeth, "You can die thinking that— I will not kneel!"
Lin Yao was already sobbing, tears streaming down her face as she begged, "Big brother, I know I was wrong. Please—please stop. Spare us!"
"Spare you?" Tang Xuan sneered at the sight of her ruined mascara and trembling lips. He loved nothing more than tormenting the weak. Mercy was not in his nature.
"You won't kneel? Fine—first I'll cripple the old man." His expression turned vicious. He raised his foot, ready to drive it down toward Steward Li's groin.
At that moment, a figure moved so swiftly he seemed to appear from nowhere. A hand shot out and clamped onto Tang Xuan's ankle like a steel trap.
At the same time, a cold voice exploded in his ear: "You're getting cocky."