C21 Who Gave You the Guts

"What?" Zhao Ji and Feng Ru exclaimed in unison, their eyes wide with shock. Their blood seemed to freeze, and a chill crept into their limbs.

It was their responsibility to escort Chu Yan.

They were the only ones privy to Chu Yan's death.

Yet, how had this mysterious young master managed to enter the Lin Family Mansion before them?

The fear that their plan had been exposed and someone had outmaneuvered them was palpable.

However, Steward Lin of the Lin Family quickly continued, "The one currently seeking an engagement with our clan leader is none other than Ye Chen, the prodigious talent from Evergreen Town's Ye Family. Ye Chen and our young miss are a match made in heaven, unlike the stray dog you've dredged up, who dares to aspire to join our esteemed Lin Family?"

Steward Lin's sneer was relentless as his gaze swept over Chu Yan and the others, his eyes brimming with scorn.

Although his own cultivation was merely at the first level of the Genuine Force Stage, his direct lineage to the Lin Family granted him the authority to lord over and reprimand the servants of other surnames, including Zhao Ji and Feng Ru.

This was why Zhao Ji, despite seething with anger, managed to keep his composure and said, "Steward Lin, we are acting on the Old Master's orders and must report back to him posthaste. Are you truly barring our entry?"

"Oh, resorting to invoking the Old Master's name, are we?" Steward Lin's face twisted into a deeper sneer. "Since when does the Old Master require your guidance on his affairs?"

Zhao Ji and Feng Ru felt a tingling sensation on their scalps, hastily asserting they wouldn't dare to overstep.

"I might as well inform you," Steward Lin declared with a hint of arrogance, "that half a month ago, the Old Master had a revelation and secluded himself to break through to the Great Circle of the Second Level of the Pulse Condensation Stage. He has yet to emerge, and in his absence, all clan matters are jointly managed by the clan leader and the council of elders."

"The Old Master is attempting the Great Circle of the Second Level of the Pulse Condensation Stage?" The news stirred excitement in Zhao Ji and Feng Ru.

Chu Yan, listening from the side, took mental note. He had learned from Zhao Ji about the Pulse Condensation Stage during their journey, understanding that it was divided into three levels, each with its own stages of Small Success, Large Success, and Completion.

Advancing to each new level is an immense challenge for ordinary cultivators, demanding perseverance, wisdom, and a stroke of luck.

In Evergreen Town, the Lin Family is one of the prominent clans, boasting over three thousand members. Yet, among them, only five have reached the Pulse Condensation Stage: the venerable Old Master Lin Xiao, Patriarch Lin Chongtian, and three esteemed elders.

Old Master Lin, with the highest cultivation at the Second Level of the Pulse Condensation Stage, is on the cusp of a breakthrough. If successful, his enhanced strength will significantly bolster the Lin Family's standing in Evergreen Town.

This should be cause for celebration, but with Lin Xiao absent, it's hardly advantageous for Chu Yan and his companions.

Steward Lin, observing Zhao Ji's fervor, scoffed, "Indeed, this is a critical affair for our Lin Family; we cannot afford any slip-ups. The Ye Family, recognizing the importance of this event, has come forth today with a marriage proposal, seeking to wed our young mistress. They wish to forge a strong alliance with our clan."

His gaze then shifted to Chu Yan, his tone dripping with malice, "The Ye Family, a distinguished lineage in Evergreen Town, is on par with our own. A union between our houses would propel both families to new heights of influence in the town. That's precisely why the Deputy Chief has ordered us to keep a vigilant watch; we cannot allow any disruptions to this marriage alliance. We will not admit any unrelated individuals, particularly not the likes of trash aspiring to rise above their station."

Steward Lin's words were a thinly-veiled jab at Chu Yan, his disdain palpable.

Zhao Ji and Feng Ru grimaced at the insult.

Resolute, Zhao Ji bit back, "If entry is barred, we'll take our leave now and report back once the Old Master concludes his seclusion."

As Zhao Ji reached for Chu Yan to depart, Steward Lin's voice pierced the air with a sneer, "I said you're not to enter, but who said you could leave?"

Zhao Ji's expression darkened as he turned to Steward Lin. "What are you implying?"

Steward Lin's eyes gleamed maliciously as he sneered and pointed at Chu Yan. "The Deputy Chief has given orders. During the Ye Family's proposal visit, anyone found deliberately sabotaging the future alliance between our two families must be detained—especially the one who dares claim to be a son-in-law of the Lin Family!"

Previously, Zhao Ji and Feng Ru had merely looked displeased, but at Steward Lin's words, their faces turned ashen. They hadn't anticipated the Ye Family's sudden involvement, nor could they have imagined that, in the Old Master's absence, the Lin Family's upper echelon would take such a hardline stance, even daring to defy the Old Master's commands!

"Take him down! Smash his jaw first so he can't talk!" Steward Lin commanded, pointing at Chu Yan. Noticing Zhao Ji and Feng Ru stirring, he raised his voice sharply and bellowed, "Zhao Ji, Feng Ru! As servants of the Lin Family, are you contemplating treason?"

For them, as servants, to strike against their own household was unthinkable, yet if Chu Yan were apprehended and the truth about their impersonation was revealed, they'd be in deep trouble.

While they wavered, Zhao Ji's vision blurred as Chu Yan suddenly strode toward Steward Lin. It was just one step, but so swift it sent a chill through Zhao Ji.

In an instant, Chu Yan stood before Steward Lin. "You think you can imprison me?" he asked, his voice tinged with mockery as he grasped Steward Lin's outstretched finger. "And just who do you think you are?"

With those words, Chu Yan twisted the finger backwards.

A sharp crack echoed as Steward Lin's finger was bent back against his hand. His face contorted with excruciating pain, his eyes wide with fury and disbelief.

He had never expected Chu Yan to strike at him!

"I—ah!" Steward Lin began to shout, but Chu Yan was quicker, seizing his hair and yanking hard. A searing pain shot through his scalp, and a gut-wrenching scream tore from Steward Lin's throat.

"Break my chin?" Chu Yan chuckled, flashing a bright smile with his pearly white teeth, "Who gave you the nerve!?"

In a flash, Chu Yan soared into the air, his leg whipping out like a lash, sweeping through the sky to strike Steward Lin's head.

Swish!

The air around them rippled with the shock.

With a resounding thud, Steward Lin's head caved in as if struck by an iron whip. His cheeks indented, his eyes bulging, and in an instant, most of his teeth were knocked loose, spewing out in a bloody, saliva-mixed spray like petals scattering from the heavens. His head was shrouded in a cloud of blood mist, and his gaunt body was sent flying helplessly into the air.

In that instant, the hearts of all the onlookers seemed to miss a beat.

Chu Yan didn't pause; he advanced with a fierce stride and lifted his leg for a powerful kick to his opponent's chest.