The Lin Clan was just a small cultivation family in Sanyang Town. The entire clan owned only a single third-grade treasure, which was the Lin family heirloom Samuel Lin had desperately sought.
Now, seeing a young man casually produce a fourth-grade treasure, Samuel Lin couldn’t help but feel envy, jealousy, and a surge of greed.
His eyes darting, Samuel Lin suddenly dropped to his knees before Ian Song and begged for mercy, saying, “Young sir, please spare me! I was blind and offended you. If you let me live, I’ll marry my niece to you—she’s the number one beauty in Sanyang Town!”
“Second Uncle, how can you do this?” Wendy Lin exclaimed when she heard her uncle trying to marry her off to this young man. True, he’d saved her, but things hadn’t reached the point of repaying him with marriage!
“Hmph!”
Samuel Lin snorted coldly. “I’m your only elder now. If I say you marry, you marry. Besides, this young man isn’t just good-looking—his cultivation is so high. Marrying him is your blessing, so what are you dissatisfied about?”
“But... I—”
Samuel Lin waved his hand, cutting Wendy Lin off, then looked at Ian Song with a sycophantic smile. “Young sir, what do you think?”
Ian Song let out a half-amused snort and waved his hand. “Alright, I won’t kill you. Just scram!”
Samuel Lin immediately tried to climb higher, his expression growing even more obsequious. Bowing deeply, he said, “Thank you for sparing me, young sir. By the way, I’m Samuel Lin, head of the Lin Clan in Sanyang Town. It’s not fitting to talk out here in the wild—why not come back to my Lin residence? There will be fine wine and delicacies to entertain you. And if you don’t mind, you can marry Wendy tonight and enjoy your bridal night. What do you think?”
“No, I don’t want to get married!” Wendy Lin cried out, flustered and waving her hands.
Samuel Lin shot her a vicious glare and threatened, “That’s not up to you!”
Confronted by Samuel Lin’s threat, Wendy Lin could only shut her mouth, her beautiful face full of grievance.
“This way, young sir—please!”
Samuel Lin made a formal gesture of invitation.
Ian Song nodded. “Lead the way.”
He was actually curious to see what kind of tricks Samuel Lin wanted to pull.
The whole way, Samuel Lin fawned over Ian Song and kept probing for his background. Ian played along, pretending to be a clueless newcomer and making up a vague backstory.
After Samuel Lin thought he’d figured out Ian Song’s background, a look of contempt crept into his eyes. ‘Brat, just wait till we’re back at the Lin residence. Let’s see how I’ll deal with you,’ he thought to himself.
When they passed the place where Liam Lin had fought, Samuel Lin noticed Liam’s corpse was gone. He wasn’t surprised—out here in the wild, there were plenty of beasts. Maybe one had dragged the body away.
Then, Samuel Lin kept raising his glass, coming up with all sorts of excuses to toast Ian Song. After dozens of cups, Ian’s cheeks were flushed bright red, and even his eyes looked a little unfocused.
Seeing this, Samuel Lin couldn’t help but smile smugly. He set down his cup and clapped his hands, and a crowd of burly men with blades and swords rushed in, surrounding Ian and Samuel.
“Second Uncle, what are you doing?” Ian Song feigned alarm.
Samuel Lin burst out laughing, full of pride. “You really thought I’d be grateful? That I’d marry my niece to you, you idiot?”
“You lied to me?” Ian Song snapped, anger flashing across his face.
“So what if I did?” Samuel Lin sneered, curling his lip in disdain.
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you?”
Samuel Lin boasted wildly, “Kill me? You think you have what it takes? Here’s the truth: the wine you just drank—I laced it with Huayuan Powder. Try circulating your zhenyuan now and see if you can still use it.”
“Ah! What’s happening? Why can’t I use my zhenyuan?” Ian Song shouted in fake panic.
“Heh, didn’t I tell you? There was Huayuan Powder in your wine!”
“But you drank too—why are you fine?”
“Are you dumb? My wine didn’t have any Huayuan Powder!”
“But we drank from the same pot!”
“Heh, obviously there’s a trick in my wine pot!”
“Actually, I knew all along there was a trick in your wine pot. Not sure if you believe me.”
Suddenly, the panic vanished from Ian Song’s face, replaced by a playful smile. “Honestly, I only went along with your little act because you bought me dinner. Now that the show’s over, it’s time for the curtain to fall.”
As he spoke, Ian Song slowly stood up, the flush fading from his face and his eyes growing clear again.
Samuel Lin was stunned, then shouted, “Impossible! Even a late Foundation Establishment expert would lose all zhenyuan if they took Huayuan Powder. How are you fine?”
“If you don’t believe me, why not try for yourself?” Ian Song said with a teasing smile.
“You’re just bluffing! Men, grab him and tie him up!” Samuel Lin barked.
Immediately, two of the burly men lunged at Ian Song, reaching for his shoulders.
Ian didn’t move, letting them grab him. But as soon as their hands touched his shoulders, a force blasted into them, sending both flying back with screams. They crashed into two others, leaving a tangled heap on the floor.
“All together!”
Samuel Lin shouted in fury, while he himself began to inch backward.
Seeing this, Ian Song casually waved his hand. Instantly, more than ten charging thugs were struck by an invisible force, sent flying and crashing to the ground.
Seeing this, Samuel Lin was now certain Ian hadn’t been affected by the Huayuan Powder. Terror seized his heart, and he spun around to flee.
Ian Song shook his head. “I didn’t want to stoop to the level of petty villains like you, but since you insist on courting death, I’ll grant your wish!”
With a flick of his finger, a streak of black light shot after Samuel Lin, circled his neck, and—his head flew off.
The thugs who’d been knocked down turned deathly pale at the sight. Some were so frightened they lost control of their bowels, and the hall was instantly filled with stench.
Ignoring them, Ian Song strode out of the main hall and made his way to a side courtyard in the rear.
Outside the side room, two guards were posted.
“Who are you—?”
Bang! Bang!
Before they could finish, Ian knocked them both out, then pushed open the door and stepped inside. His gaze landed on Wendy Lin, who lay on the bed, her cultivation sealed and her hands and feet bound.
Hearing the commotion, Wendy turned her head. When she saw it was Ian Song entering, panic flashed across her face. Seeing him walk toward her, she couldn’t help but cry out, “Don’t come over! Don’t come over!”
Seeing this, Samuel Lin was now certain Ian hadn’t been affected by the Huayuan Powder. Terror seized his heart, and he spun around to flee.
Ian Song shook his head. “I didn’t want to stoop to the level of petty villains like you, but since you insist on courting death, I’ll grant your wish!”
With a flick of his finger, a streak of black light shot after Samuel Lin, circled his neck, and—his head flew off.
The thugs who’d been knocked down turned deathly pale at the sight. Some were so frightened they lost control of their bowels, and the hall was instantly filled with stench.
Ignoring them, Ian Song strode out of the main hall and made his way to a side courtyard in the rear.
Outside the side room, two guards were posted.
“Who are you—?”
Bang! Bang!
Before they could finish, Ian knocked them both out, then pushed open the door and stepped inside. His gaze landed on Wendy Lin, who lay on the bed, her cultivation sealed and her hands and feet bound.
Hearing the commotion, Wendy turned her head. When she saw it was Ian Song entering, panic flashed across her face. Seeing him walk toward her, she couldn’t help but cry out, “Don’t come over! Don’t come over!”