Chapter 54: Your Reputation Holds No Sway!

Kou Yuanshan's face darkened as he spoke, "Master Lin, I didn’t know your true strength this afternoon, and may have offended you. I apologize. We are both masters—please, for my sake, let this go."

"My reputation carries weight, but yours means nothing to me," Lin Yang replied. With those words, he moved in a flash, charging straight at Kou Yuanshan.

Kou Yuanshan tried to fight back, but Lin Yang seized his fist and, without hesitation, slapped him hard across the face.

The blow landed with force, sending Kou Yuanshan flying and tumbling to the ground. He rolled twice before coming to a stop, blood spilling from his mouth and a molar knocked loose.

"Lin! I am a guest grandmaster of the clan, and you dare strike me?" Kou Yuanshan roared in fury.

Smack!

Lin Yang advanced again, delivering another resounding slap that sent Kou Yuanshan sprawling once more.

"Guest grandmaster? To me, you are nothing. You deserved to be struck," Lin Yang said coldly.

Kou Yuanshan’s face swelled, red handprints clearly visible, and the pain left him barely able to speak.

"Stop! Please, enough! I apologize," he stammered, fear finally overcoming his pride.

Lin Yang grabbed him by the collar and tossed him before Murong Yun and Murong Wan’er. "Apologize to them."

Kou Yuanshan didn’t dare utter a word of protest. He hurriedly said, "Miss Murong, I am sorry. Please forgive me."

"You’ve done enough, Master Kou. You may leave now," Murong Yun said, showing some leniency for the sake of his status within the clan.

"Thank you, Miss Murong, for your generosity. I will take my leave," Kou Yuanshan said, relief flooding his face. He truly feared that Lin Yang might kill him if angered further.

He knew well that, although he was a guest grandmaster, Lin Yang was far stronger—and much younger. His influence would easily outweigh Kou Yuanshan’s, and if it came down to it, the clan would side with Lin Yang.

With that, Kou Yuanshan slunk away in disgrace, all traces of his former arrogance gone.

"Serves him right! That old man thought being a guest grandmaster made him untouchable. He acted so high and mighty this afternoon, lecturing Mr. Lin without knowing his own limits," Murong Wan’er mocked without restraint.

Lin Yang turned to Murong Zhang and said, "I must apologize, sir, for striking one of your clan’s guest grandmasters. If the clan wishes to pursue this matter, you may come to me directly."

"You’re much too kind, Mr. Lin! That old fool deserved what he got. He brought it on himself, and you did the right thing," Murong Zhang replied with a hearty laugh.

"Mr. Lin, did you really kill Bai Sha?" asked Murong Yun.

Lin Yang nodded. Earlier, Murong Yun had investigated the infamous Purple and White Demons; the siblings were notorious for their evil deeds, but their strength was formidable.

Yet Lin Yang had dispatched one and injured the other in a single encounter.

“Then… what rank master are you?” Murong Yun asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Fourth rank.”

Everyone in the Murong family was stunned by Lin Yang’s answer. A fourth-rank master was already formidable, but Lin Yang’s youth made it all the more astounding.

“Mr. Lin, you are truly a prodigy in the martial arts. To have reached the fourth rank at such a young age—before you’re thirty, I’m certain you’ll break through to Innate True Realm and step into the Profound Realm,” Murong Zhang said.

Beyond the Innate True Realm lay the Profound Realm. Those who achieved this were known as Profound Masters, or Xuan Masters. A Xuan Master possessed the strength of an elephant, could project their inner energy, kill with sword aura, and command the very elements.

“Mr. Lin, you’re amazing!” Murong Wan’er’s eyes shone with admiration.

“From now on, Luo City won’t be known for only four grandmasters—it will be five,” Murong Yun said.

“With your youth, Mr. Lin, it’s only a matter of time before you surpass the other four and become the foremost master in Luo City,” Murong Wan’er continued to praise.

“Please, don’t flatter me any further, or I might get carried away myself,” Lin Yang replied, half in jest.

At that moment, Jiang Zuofeng stepped forward and fell to his knees before Lin Yang.

“Brother Jiang, what are you doing?”

“Mr. Lin, you are a martial genius. Would you accept me as your disciple and teach me the martial arts? I wish to apprentice myself to you,” Jiang Zuofeng pleaded sincerely.

“Uh… get up, please. I don’t intend to take on any disciples,” Lin Yang said.

“Is it because you think I lack talent? I swear I will work tirelessly—please, give me a chance,” Jiang Zuofeng begged, having long been obsessed with the martial arts and unwilling to let the opportunity slip by.

“Mr. Lin, why not agree to it?” Murong Wan’er chimed in.

“Wan’er, Mr. Lin has his own reasons. Don’t meddle,” Murong Yun admonished.

“It’s not your talent that’s the issue,” Lin Yang explained, “but I truly lack the time to teach, and without my master’s permission, I can’t take on students of my own accord.”

Lin Yang had no desire or energy to take on disciples, so he used this as an excuse to refuse.

Jiang Zuofeng, hearing this, could do nothing but rise to his feet, disappointment etched on his face.

“Here’s what I can do: I’ll teach you an internal cultivation technique and, when I have time, offer you some guidance. If you practice diligently, you may one day become a master yourself. But remember, we are friends, not master and disciple,” Lin Yang said.

“Thank you, Mr. Lin. I will never forget your kindness. In the future, I would go through fire and water for you without hesitation,” Jiang Zuofeng said, excitement lighting up his features. It had always been his dream to become an innate master.

“Thank you for helping Zuofeng,” Murong Zhang added gratefully.

Lin Yang waved it off. “Since you’re all safe and well, I’ll take my leave.”

“Mr. Lin, would you stay with us tonight?” Murong Yun asked suddenly.

Lin Yang eyed her curiously. She explained, “Chen Tianhao is a madman—there’s nothing he wouldn’t do. Since his ambush failed, I fear he might snap and bring his men to attack our house.”

Lin Yang had originally planned to visit Qin Monong, but after having the excess yang energy drained from him by Qiu Yuezhi earlier, he was in a calm, almost ascetic state, and had no particular urge to go. He agreed to stay.

“Mr. Lin, let me show you to your room,” Murong Wan’er offered enthusiastically, taking his arm.

“That girl has fallen for Mr. Lin, hasn’t she?” Murong Zhang remarked after Lin Yang was led away.

“Dad, you’re only just noticing? It’s obvious,” Murong Yun replied.

“Yun’er, to be honest, I’ve been hoping to match you with Mr. Lin. First, he is a man of great character and limitless potential—a rare talent indeed. Second, I know you dislike that marriage arrangement. If you and Mr. Lin were together, I could speak to the clan on your behalf,” Murong Zhang said earnestly.

Murong Yun’s expression turned somber. “Dad, that marriage was decided by the clan; I doubt anyone can change it. To the clan, we branch family children are nothing but pawns.”

“I’ve tried for years to escape that fate, yet I still feel so powerless,” she continued quietly.

“Perhaps Mr. Lin is the one who can help you break free from being a pawn. Tell me, do you have feelings for him?” Murong Zhang asked with utmost seriousness.