Chapter 45: The Legendary Family

The next day, Lin Yuan and Xiao Dai’er arrived together at Temple Street.

The place was bustling with people, lively beyond compare.

“I never thought there would be such a street in the outskirts of Haicheng,” Lin Yuan remarked, surprised at the scene before him.

Back in Shennongjia, aside from himself, there were hardly any other martial artists around. Naturally, there was nothing like this kind of gathering.

Today, Xiao Dai’er wore a black off-shoulder top paired with shorts. Her striking figure instantly drew everyone’s attention. Standing beside her, Lin Yuan inevitably became the focus of many envious men.

“Sis-in-law, who’s this guy?” came a raspy, irritating voice that instantly spoiled the mood.

A slightly plump young man approached, his shifty eyes feasting on Xiao Dai’er, as if he meant to see right through her clothes.

“Call me that again and I’ll cut out your tongue,” Xiao Dai’er said coldly.

Unfazed, the man snickered shamelessly. “Did I say something wrong?”

“Dai’er, who is he?” Lin Yuan asked, displeased. His good mood had been ruined by this man. What bad luck.

“He’s my fiancé’s cousin, Xiao Qi,” she replied.

Hearing the intimacy in Lin Yuan’s address, Xiao Qi scowled. “Who do you think you are, calling my sis-in-law by her name? She’s not someone you can covet.”

“If you know what’s good for you, leave now and I’ll pretend this never happened. Otherwise, you won’t be able to bear the consequences.”

Lin Yuan glanced at him indifferently. “Oh, really?”

Smack!

A slap, swift as lightning.

Xiao Qi had just opened his mouth when searing pain exploded across his cheek. Several teeth flew out, and half his face went completely numb.

“Ah!” Xiao Qi howled in agony, ordering, “Get him! Kill him! I want him dead!”

Several burly bodyguards in suits stepped forward, surrounding Lin Yuan.

“A bunch of ants, and you think you can challenge me?” Lin Yuan stood calmly, hands behind his back. Facing these towering men, he showed not a hint of fear.

“Enough! All of you, stop!” a melodious voice called out.

Everyone turned to see a young woman in a purple, knee-length dress striding over. She looked about eighteen or nineteen, with sweet, delicate features.

“Miss Zi Ning, why won’t you let me teach him a lesson?” Xiao Qi complained, barely able to contain his frustration.

This young woman was none other than Mo Zi Ning, the heiress of the Martial Alliance’s local branch, and Mo Lao’s granddaughter. Her status was formidable, especially since she had already reached the Yellow Stage in martial arts at her age—a noteworthy achievement.

“Because this is my territory. If I say no, it’s no. If you’re not convinced, challenge me,” Mo Zi Ning declared, hands on her hips, domineering and unyielding.

“Uh…” Xiao Qi’s expression shifted. He was just an ordinary man—how could he possibly defeat a Yellow Stage practitioner? Even if his bodyguards attacked together, they’d stand no chance. Such was the gap between ordinary people and martial artists.

“Coward,” Mo Zi Ning sneered with open contempt.

“You!” Xiao Qi glared at her, then shot a malicious look at Lin Yuan. “Count yourself lucky today. We’re both in Haicheng—let’s see how long your luck holds out.”

Mo Zi Ning added, “Don’t worry, I’ll have your back. If Xiao Qi gives you trouble, just call me.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Xiao Qi bristled.

“Nothing at all. I just can’t stand you. So you have a few bodyguards—big deal.” Mo Zi Ning snorted, full of swagger.

“Brother Xiao, what’s going on?” At that moment, a plain-looking young man walked over.

“Liu Le, you’re finally here. Damn, I’ve been bullied to death!” Xiao Qi lit up as if he’d seen a savior.

“Liu Le!” At the sight of him, even Mo Zi Ning’s bravado faded. “You… Why are you here?”

Xiao Dai’er whispered, “Brother, this man is from a legendary family. He reached late Yellow Stage at a young age—he’s very strong.”

Lin Yuan nodded. He had already seen through it, though he hadn’t expected the man to hail from such a lineage.

A family called “legendary” must have produced Xuan Stage experts in three consecutive generations. That meant the Liu clan still had a Xuan Stage master holding down the fort. Such families were not to be trifled with.

After hearing what happened, Liu Le turned to Lin Yuan. “You hit someone for no reason—you’re at fault. Let my brother hit you back, that’s only fair.”

His tone was lofty, as if he were giving orders from on high rather than making a suggestion.

“And what if I refuse?” Lin Yuan thought this man was putting on quite an act for someone merely at late Yellow Stage.

“If you refuse, I’ll beat you until you submit.”

Liu Le’s voice was domineering, his gaze sharp and forceful.

At his side, Xiao Qi jeered, “What’s wrong, tough guy? Cat got your tongue? My brother’s a late Yellow Stage expert. Didn’t you have Mo Zi Ning backing you up? Go on, act tough now!”

“Sorry, brother, I can’t help you here—I can’t beat this guy either,” Mo Zi Ning whispered apologetically.

“It’s fine. He’s only late Yellow Stage. I don’t see what’s so impressive about that,” Lin Yuan scoffed.

Mo Zi Ning was stunned. “You mean late Yellow Stage isn’t impressive? That’s already a master!”

Liu Le laughed as well. “You have no cultivation at all. You’re just an ordinary man—what right do you have to comment on us martial artists?”

“You just can’t see my cultivation,” Lin Yuan replied coolly.

“Then let me test it myself!” Liu Le struck, his punch splitting the air with force.

“You’re not even qualified to fight him,” a woman’s voice rang out. In the next instant, a surge of formidable true energy erupted, blasting Liu Le back.

Blood spurted from his mouth as he looked up to see a woman in a black leather jacket standing protectively before Lin Yuan. She hadn’t even made a move, yet she’d repelled him so easily!

“True energy unleashed... could she be a Xuan Stage master?” Liu Le’s heart pounded in shock.

“Empress Mei, you’re here,” Xiao Dai’er greeted her with a smile.

“What?” At the name, Liu Le’s mind reeled in terror.

Empress Mei! That name meant only one thing in the underworld—everyone knew it.

She was one of the nine king-ranked assassins, a true Xuan Stage master!

Liu Le’s breath quickened. His face pale, he slowly got to his feet, cupped his fists, and bowed deeply before her. “Liu Le of the Liu family greets the senior! Thank you for sparing my life!”

At these words, everyone around was stunned.

Who was Liu Le? A scion of a legendary family, a Yellow Stage expert!

Yet today, he was kneeling in submission to a woman.

Empress Mei spoke coldly, “You should thank him. If he had made a move, it would have been far more than just pushing you back.”

“What?!” Liu Le’s face changed dramatically at her words.

Did this mean Lin Yuan was even stronger?

Could he be a mid-stage Xuan master?

If so, that would be truly terrifying!