"You!"
Leon Lin's gaze locked in place; his smile vanished, replaced by shock. Unable to hold back, he shouted in anger.
The whole crowd was already focused on Leon Lin's side.
The moment Leon Lin spoke, his shocked tone instantly sent a ripple of confusion through the hall. Following his line of sight, several people glanced toward a spot in the crowd.
There, on the sofa, a teenager lounged, sipping juice and eating pastries. He leaned back, legs crossed, looking for all the world like an audience member at a play.
"Leon, what's wrong?"
Henry Lin noticed Leon Lin's sudden change in expression, frowned slightly, and asked.
Leon Lin, who had been basking in attention, turned his head and saw Evan Lin sitting there. His face instantly darkened, voice trembling: "It's really you. You actually dared to show up here!"
"We never settled what happened at the last rooftop appraisal. Now that you've run into us today, guess your luck's finally run out!"
Leon Lin let out a cold, mocking laugh.
Nathan Lin turned, gripping the Southriver Sword in his left hand. He looked down at Evan Lin from above: "Are you the one who, at the appraisal fair, injured my cousin, stole my artifact, and crippled Sword Master Cui with despicable methods?"
Nathan Lin's words instantly set the whole hall buzzing.
Everyone turned to look at Evan Lin. Just now, this kid had only mouthed off to Colonel Su and knocked out Thunderhawk, the Flying Eagle Company's number two fighter, with a single punch.
Colonel Su and Thunderhawk were strong, sure—but in most people's eyes, they were just regular elites. Sword Master Cui from the Southriver Sword Sect? That was a whole different level!
Anyone from the Southriver Sword Sect carried the label of 'master among masters.'
Just like how Nathan Lin had sent Colonel Su flying with one kick, now, hearing Nathan's accusation, plenty of people couldn't help but look at Evan Lin with doubt in their eyes.
"Master! You're still here!" Sam Su spotted Evan Lin on the sofa and lit up with joy.
"What's there to be happy about? Don't tell me you really think your so-called master can beat Nathan Lin, who's holding the Southriver Sword?" Colonel Su, still leaning on Sam Su for support, spoke with difficulty.
"Big Bro, don't be so sure. This master here actually defeated Sword Master Cui. He's the real deal!" Sam Su shot back.
They didn't notice that, at that moment, Victor Su—whose face had been weathered and sorrowful—suddenly trembled all over. And Molly Su, normally calm and beautiful, now showed a rare blush. Her always serene eyes sparkled with something new as she looked at the boy across the hall.
"Master? This is the master you brought?"
Victor Su muttered to himself, as if asking Sam Su for confirmation.
"Yeah, Dad! This master is the one who helped me get the artifact—otherwise, I wouldn't have had anything decent to give you!" Sam Su nodded eagerly.
He'd barely finished speaking when Victor Su suddenly burst out laughing. The laughter grew louder and louder, like he'd just stumbled on something wildly exciting.
Victor Su's sudden laughter made the guests and the Lin family members feel a bit weird inside.
"So young, and you dare call yourself 'master'?" Nathan Lin turned to face Evan Lin directly, lifting the sheathed Southriver Sword so its hilt pointed straight at Evan. "Do you even know who I am?"
"You hurt my cousin, so you're an enemy of the Lin family. And if you're an enemy of the Lin family, you're an enemy of me, Nathan Lin! I was acknowledged by the Southriver Sword of the Southriver Sword Sect—so if you go against me, you're going against the entire Southriver Sword Sect!"
Nathan Lin's voice was icy and full of killing intent, his whole body radiating a cold, murderous aura.
That sudden killing intent made a lot of people feel like they'd just fallen into an ice cellar. They looked at Nathan Lin with even more awe, and at Evan Lin with a hint of pity.
"Going against the Southriver Sword Sect?"
Everyone watched as the teenager popped another pastry into his mouth, chewed twice, then casually took a sip of juice to clear his throat. He spoke in a flat tone.
It sounded half like he was talking to himself, half like he was making a point no one could quite put into words.
"Of course. If you're scared, just kneel down in front of me and kowtow three times. I'll take you to the Southriver Sword Sect and let the sect master decide your fate. If you confess nicely, maybe you'll live—and who knows, maybe you'll get to be a sword slave. Not a bad deal for someone with your fists." Nathan Lin saw Evan Lin's calm reply and assumed he was afraid, so he added with even more arrogance.
The Southriver Sword Sect has dominated Capitalview for years. Any ordinary mortal who heard that name would be down on their knees, shaking in fear.
Who would dare challenge them?
But instead, as soon as Nathan Lin finished speaking, the boy on the sofa showed not a trace of fear. He simply clapped his hands, brushed off the pastry crumbs, and slowly stood up.
He yawned, and under countless stares, suddenly wore a calm expression. He spoke with cold indifference: "You want me to confess? What crime?"
"What I do is the law. My actions are the rules!"
"Even if your whole Southriver Sword Sect came at me, you'd be like ants trying to shake a tree. And you, Nathan Lin—are you really qualified to act so high and mighty in front of me?"
Evan Lin snorted coldly and casually walked forward.
Wherever Evan Lin walked, the wealthy and powerful—usually high and mighty—instinctively parted like the tide, opening a path for him.
The young women who'd admired Nathan Lin suddenly found this boy—who just moments ago seemed like he was trying too hard—strikingly handsome and pleasing to the eye.
But as Evan Lin walked through the crowd, his whole bearing was solitary and sharp as a blade.
In that moment, he was like an unmatched sword—every step he took seemed to strike straight at everyone's heart.
"Master..."
Molly Su whispered, her gaze fixed on Evan Lin, eyes shining.
"A hero born of youth—a hero indeed."
Victor Su let out a long sigh. Watching the boy stride forth, it was as if mountains and seas were pouring in from the horizon—an awe-inspiring sight.
That feeling—Victor Su had only ever sensed it while fighting bravely on the battlefield.
Today, a youth stands against the Southriver Sword Sect, fearless. His upright, indifferent figure is burned into the memory of all who witness it.