Translator: CinderTL
"From Suspended Bitter Mountain?"
"Precisely."
"Oh, then bind your hands and await judgment."
Xu Sanyan's expression was nonchalant, as if he didn't even see them as human beings.
"You!" Zhao Xunkong's face flushed with anger. Even if you're from the Wang Family, you can't show such contempt for Suspended Bitter Mountain!
Realizing Xu Sanyan's hostile intentions, Zhao Xunkong's demeanor instantly shifted. His eyes flashed with cold light as he sneered, "The Wang Family certainly carries themselves with great arrogance."
Then, feigning sudden realization, he added, "Oh, wait—you're not even a true member of the Wang Family, just a... heh."
Though he didn't finish the sentence, everyone understood his meaning:
A dog riding on its master's coattails.
Zhao Xunkong was accusing Xu Sanyan of abusing the Wang Family's influence to commit misdeeds, which was precisely what the idiom implied.
Xu Sanyan's expression remained unchanged. He turned to give Zhao Xunkong a proper look and asked, genuinely puzzled, "Who gave you the audacity to insult me?"
Zhao Xunkong sneered, "When did I ever insult you? Did any of you hear me insult Young Master Lin?"
"Never! Absolutely never!"
"Senior Brother Zhao is a true gentleman. He would never utter such vulgarities."
The junior brothers from Suspended Bitter Mountain chimed in, nodding in agreement. Zhao Xunkong glanced at them with a smug expression.
Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow. How many years had it been since he'd encountered someone like this? After a moment's reflection, he realized the last person who'd actively sought their own death had been... the last one.
Swish—
A faint, dark light flashed. Before Zhao Xunkong and his group could react, Xu Sanyan had vanished from sight.
Zhao Xunkong immediately tensed, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword, ready to strike at any moment.
"Se... Senior Brother..."
A junior brother's terrified voice came from behind. Zhao Xunkong froze, cold sweat trickling down his temples, his palms slick with perspiration.
Yet he dared not wipe them, for a hand now rested on his shoulder, a mere palm's width from his neck. A slight movement would be enough to end his life in an instant.
Zhao Xunkong swallowed hard, his eyes wide with terror. He forced out a few words through clenched teeth:
"Soul Refining Realm..."
Although Zhao Xunkong's cultivation level was only at Foundation Establishment Perfection, he had encountered Soul Refining Realm cultivators before. The pressure this person exerted was no less than that of a true Soul Refining Realm cultivator, leaving only one possibility:
This person was also at the Soul Refining Realm!
The disciples of Suspended Bitter Mountain froze in place, standing like statues as they stared blankly at the figure behind Senior Brother Zhao.
A Soul Refining Realm cultivator!
And so young?!
Xu Sanyan leaned forward slightly, his voice a soft whisper against Zhao Xunkong's ear, "What did you just say about me?"
Zhao Xunkong's sword hand trembled, his heart leaping into his throat. He knew that if he answered poorly, his life would be forfeit.
This was a great cultivator of the Soul Refining Realm! Yet he had dared to insult him to his face, calling him a bully who relied on his master's power!
Though he was a disciple of Suspended Bitter Mountain, provoking a Soul Refining Realm cultivator meant certain death. Even if he were killed, the sect would not avenge him.
Xu Sanyan's voice grew impatient. "I asked you a question. Can you hear me?"
"I... I hear you," Zhao Xunkong stammered, his voice trembling.
"Why are you scolding me?"
"I... this junior's eyes failed to recognize Mount Tai and offended you, Senior. Please forgive me. My Master is True Lord Changku. I beg you to spare me this once, for my Master's sake."
Zhao Xunkong was on the verge of tears. To him, the massive hand gripping his shoulder felt like Yama's chains, ready to snatch his soul at any moment. Under this immense pressure, he frantically wracked his brain, desperately searching for a way to survive.
"True Lord Changku..." Xu Sanyan frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "I don't recognize the name."
Zhao Xunkong nearly burst into tears. His Master had reached the Peak Stage of the Dao Seeking Realm—not particularly high, but the most formidable backing he could possibly invoke.
"Senior, what would it take for you to spare me? Whatever you ask, this junior will comply without objection."
Xu Sanyan pondered for a moment. "Hmm... I've heard that Suspended Bitter Mountain possesses a treasure called pool milk. I'm quite interested in it. How about one pound of pool milk for your life? What do you say?"
"Ah?"
Zhao Xunkong nearly wept. One pound of pool milk?
"You really have the nerve to ask for that! Your life isn't even worth a pound of pool milk."
"Senior... the pool milk is a priceless treasure of Suspended Bitter Mountain. As a mere inner sect disciple, how could I possibly obtain a pound for you?"
"Then there's nothing for it. If you're useless, who else is to blame?" Xu Sanyan patted Zhao Xunkong's head as if tapping a ripe watermelon.
Zhao Xunkong felt like he was frantically dodging back and forth at the gates of hell. He imagined his name flashing on the Underworld's register of life and death.
"I have spirit stones! I'm willing to offer them as compensation. Please, Senior, have mercy!"
"Spirit stones..." Xu Sanyan showed no interest, then shook his head with a hint of regret. "So you're completely worthless after all. This makes things difficult."
"No, no! I'm not!" Zhao Xunkong blurted out, sensing the ominous tone. "My Master is an Elder of Suspended Bitter Mountain! He'll definitely save me!"
"Oh? Really?" Xu Sanyan's interest piqued.
"Absolutely!"
"Very well, I'll give you one chance." Xu Sanyan glanced around and randomly pointed at a disciple. "You, go back and deliver the message."
The Suspended Bitter Mountain disciple glanced at Zhao Xunkong, as if seeking his approval.
"Can't you hear the Senior's orders?" Zhao Xunkong snapped. "Get going!"
"Yes, sir!"
The disciple turned and fled.
Xu Sanyan removed his hand from Zhao Xunkong's shoulder, smoothing out the wrinkles on his robe as he did so. Seeing Zhao Xunkong's nervous demeanor, he chuckled,
"Don't be so tense. Anyone who's spent time with me knows I'm quite easy to get along with."
Zhao Xunkong nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, I can see that... I can see that..."
At that moment, even if Xu Sanyan had claimed to be his biological father, Zhao Xunkong wouldn't have dared to argue.
Seeing Zhao Xunkong's obsequious behavior, Yang An felt a surge of satisfaction. After enduring countless humiliations from Suspended Bitter Mountain these past few days, he finally had a chance to vent his anger. He even wished Young Master Lin would crush them with a single palm strike to completely quell his resentment!
Yang An tugged on Yang Zhao's sleeve and transmitted telepathically, "Third Brother, this Young Master Lin..."
Yang Zhao replied telepathically, "His cultivation level is extraordinary, and his talent is exceptionally rare. We learned from the Wang Family yesterday that Lin Fan is the Wang Clan Head's son-in-law. Father predicts the Wang Family will rely heavily on him in the future. We must treat him with utmost respect and avoid offending him at all costs."
Yang An nodded inwardly. Judging by his appearance, Lin Fan couldn't be older than a hundred years, yet he had already reached the Soul Refinement Realm. Such a figure was rare even in the entire Central Region, let alone within the Wang Family.
Yang An asked again, "What are Lin Fan's preferences?"
Yang Zhao smiled, recalling the shrill cries his younger sister had made the previous night. He transmitted telepathically, "He has no particular interests... except for women."
(End of the Chapter)
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