Chapter Three: The Humble Abode

Silence!

The entire arena fell utterly quiet.

In an instant, the vast martial arena was as still as a grave.

All eyes fixed on the Second Elder, who now stood majestic and imposing, exuding an unparalleled aura of dominance.

Lin Hao was stunned, as were many others.

Is this really Lin Zhenbei, the Second Elder of the Lin family, who was usually idle and carefree?

All along, Lin Hao had believed that Lin Shuang’s carefree attitude was simply an inherited family trait, but now the Second Elder had just shown a completely different side.

“No, this can’t be.”

Finally, Wang Qingsong beneath him let out a guttural roar. He struggled with all his might but to no avail. The large foot pressing on his face was like a mountain, and he was nothing but an ant crushed beneath it.

The physical pain was nothing compared to the shock in his heart.

Who was Wang Qingsong?

One of the three great powers of Tianbao City, a formidable master at the third level of the Qi Sea realm.

There were only a handful of Qi Sea realm practitioners in the entire Tianbao City.

In Wang Qingsong’s mind, only the Lin family patriarch Lin Zhennan and the Zhang family patriarch Zhang Shanyue were worthy rivals. Lin Zhenbei was insignificant by comparison.

But today, at this moment, he was trampled beneath the feet of the Lin family’s Second Elder with no strength to resist.

Not far away, Zhang Shanyue gasped in shock. Despite his intelligence, he now clearly understood that the Lin family had been hiding their true strength all along and were not to be trifled with.

Just as Lin Zhenbei had said, Tianbao City could be divided into three great powers or ruled by one alone.

The fact the Zhang and Wang families had managed to hold their ground here all these years was a courtesy granted by the Lin family. Though they often competed, they had never truly crossed the line.

Realizing this, Zhang Shanyue dared not show even the slightest disrespect. He stepped forward and cupped his fist toward Lin Zhennan.

“Brother Lin, today’s matter was my recklessness. I offer my deepest apologies and will bring ample gifts to pay my respects in person tomorrow.”

With that, Zhang Shanyue led the Zhang family away from the Lin residence at a brisk pace.

The most notorious prodigal of the younger generation had punched Wang Heng to death with a single blow.

The idle Second Elder had slapped Wang Qingsong so effortlessly that he couldn’t even retaliate.

The more one thought about it, the more terrifying it became.

Not one member of this family was normal.

They were not to be provoked.

There were wise men in the Wang family as well who clearly saw the situation for what it was.

One of the Wang elders hurried forward, apologizing profusely and vowing henceforth to follow the Lin family’s lead without question.

“Leave,” the Second Elder said magnanimously, retracting his foot.

Wang Qingsong wanted to speak further but was silenced by the Wang elder, who quickly had his people carry away Wang Heng’s body as they fled.

And just like that, the dispute ended.

---

Huang Liang stood there, dazed and confused.

This was completely different from what he had expected — two extremes apart.

In truth, both the Zhang and Wang families had been stirred up by Huang Liang’s own scheming; otherwise, they wouldn’t have acted so rashly.

“Young Master Huang, the Lin family has prepared a humble abode for you. You must be weary from your journey. Rest here for the day. Tomorrow, Ah Hao will accompany you to the Tai Xuan Sect,” the Second Elder approached Huang Liang with a kind smile, his demeanor gentle and amicable, a stark contrast to his earlier imposing presence.

“Ah… yes, yes,” Huang Liang replied, shaking his throbbing head as he slowly came to his senses.

He found himself unable to say much, his previous arrogance now subdued.

The Lin family was evidently far more complex than he had imagined. Everyone here seemed like hidden masters, not to be trifled with. He had a strong instinct that his status as a disciple of the Tai Xuan Sect meant nothing here.

Most importantly, these people truly dared to kill.

Nearby, Lin Yang and Lin Shuang exchanged a glance and smiled in perfect harmony.

“Father, Young Master Huang’s lodging will be arranged personally by us brothers,” Lin Shuang stepped forward.

“Hmm, do not neglect this matter,” the Second Elder emphasized deliberately.

“Rest assured, Father. We will fulfill our duties as hosts to the utmost,” Lin Shuang grinned. The two brothers, leaning on their canes, approached Huang Liang and gestured invitingly. “Young Master Huang, a guest from afar, please come in.”

Huang Liang straightened his clothes, blew a puff of his tuft of yellow hair hanging before his face, and resumed his usual proud posture, casting a disdainful glance at the two brothers.

He could not understand how, despite their lame legs, they could still smile so cheerfully.

Following Lin Shuang and the other brother, Huang Liang’s gaze briefly swept over Lin Hao. His brow furrowed slightly as he thought to himself: “The intelligence I received must be wrong. Lin Hao is not a waste, and the Lin family is not as simple as they seem. This family is extraordinary. I’d better keep a low profile for now. As for dealing with Lin Hao, I will take him back to Tai Xuan Sect tomorrow. There will be plenty of time and opportunity.”

The Lin family members dispersed. Lin Zhennan was pleased with Lin Hao’s performance but said nothing more than to pat his shoulder and tell him to come see him that night, mysteriously.

Lin Hao walked along a courtyard path paved with blue stones, his mind swirling with thoughts.

For the first time in many years, he truly felt the difference within his family.

“What level has the Second Elder reached? I can’t tell, but he’s clearly much stronger than Wang Qingsong. And the First Elder? The patriarch?”

“They must all be hiding their true power. If the Lin family has the strength to dominate Tianbao City, why remain so low-key?”

“I opened six meridians overnight, reaching the sixth level of the Meridian Opening Realm. The patriarch and others seemed unsurprised, as if they had expected it. Yet, the secret of the Supreme Divine Meridian is known only to me.”

“This family… none of them are normal…”

Lin Hao knew the Lin family was never as simple as they appeared. But now that the Second Elder had revealed his true strength, no longer hiding, why had they concealed it before? Could it be related to him?

Lin Hao couldn’t figure it out and decided not to dwell on it further.

No matter what, this was his family. The Lin family’s care for him had never lessened since childhood.

Elsewhere, led by Lin Yang and Lin Shuang, Huang Liang had been walking for nearly half an hour.

---

As the top family of Tianbao City, the Lin residence was naturally vast, with winding paths everywhere. Yet even so, it shouldn’t take half an hour to reach a guest’s lodging.

Moreover, they had long since passed the inner courtyard, and ahead lay a desolate wasteland overgrown with weeds.

“Where are you taking me?” Huang Liang’s voice grew sharp with annoyance.

“Please don’t be impatient, Young Master Huang. We merely wish to show you some of the Lin family’s scenery as part of our hospitality,” Lin Shuang replied.

“Hmph! I am here on official business, not to tour your scenery. Take me directly to where I am to rest,” Huang Liang sneered coldly. Though shaken by the Lin family’s display of power, he was still a disciple of the Tai Xuan Sect, his cultivation having reached the peak of the ninth level of the Meridian Opening Realm, just one step away from opening his Qi Sea and entering the Qi Sea Realm.

Besides, these two cripples in front of him irritated him. Were he not within the Lin family, he would have already lost his temper.

“Fine, then we’ll hurry,” Lin Yang gave Lin Shuang a look, and astonishingly, they both dropped their canes. One on each side, they grabbed Huang Liang’s arms and strode swiftly.

Within a few breaths, they crossed the overgrown wasteland and arrived at a dilapidated villa that looked as if it had been abandoned for ages.

“Lin Shuang, open the door,” Lin Yang instructed.

Lin Shuang strode forward and shoved open the rotting door. With a crash, the gate collapsed, splintering into pieces.

“We’ll get a new door later,” Lin Shuang said, clapping his hands.

“Young Master Huang, please come in,” Lin Yang gestured invitingly.

“What… is the meaning of this?” Huang Liang almost spat blood in disbelief.

Damn it! This was the ‘humble abode’ the Second Elder had promised?

And why were these two fools pretending to be lame?

“Come inside,” Lin Yang grabbed Huang Liang by the neck and lifted him up like a chick, dragging him inside.

Furious, Huang Liang felt a chill at the back of his neck. These two cripples had been feigning lameness earlier, but now they handled him like a plump goose ready for slaughter.

He was a proud master at the ninth level of the Meridian Opening Realm. Even unprepared, he shouldn’t be so thoroughly humiliated before Lin Yang, unable to muster even a shred of resistance.

The Lin family... three great cripples?