Chapter 69: Coercion |
Yet Lin Yanzhou showed no concern at all.
“What?” He looked at Xiao Jin, a trace of mockery on his face. “Brother Xiao, are you planning to make a move?”
The pressure of the Golden Core realm surged toward Xiao Jin without restraint.
Xiao Jin’s knees weakened, yet he forcibly held himself steady. Gritting his teeth, he stood firm, not retreating even a single step.
“Oh?” Lin Yanzhou raised a brow, a hint of surprise in his tone. “You’ve actually reached the Foundation Establishment stage?”
He sized Xiao Jin up and let out a cold laugh.
But trash was still trash.
Just as his words fell—
“Clink.”
It was the sound of a teacup being set down.
Lu Fengmian placed the teacup in his hand onto the table, the base lightly tapping the surface.
Three.
He counted silently in his heart.
Two.
One.
In the next instant—
An overwhelming and suffocating pressure erupted from his body, instantly sweeping across the entire venue!
Peak Nascent Soul.
It was the aura of Peak Nascent Soul!
The bustling banquet hall instantly fell into deathly silence.
Someone dropped their chopsticks onto the table. Others turned pale, not daring to move at all.
At the main seat, the teacup in Bai Chongshan’s hand slipped and fell, overturning onto the ground, tea splashing all over him. Yet he felt nothing, his eyes staring blankly ahead, his lips trembling as he failed to utter a single word.
Lin Yanzhou’s expression was even more exaggerated.
Almost all the pressure was concentrated on him, as if an invisible hand was pressing him down mercilessly. His knees began to tremble, his bones creaking audibly.
Thud.
He knelt.
His knees slammed heavily onto the ground with a dull sound.
Kneeling there, he looked up at the moon-white figure slowly rising to his feet.
Lu Fengmian calmly smoothed his robes, his movements steady. His gaze fell indifferently upon the kneeling Lin Yanzhou, as if he were looking at an overzealous grasshopper.
“The Sect Master’s command token of the Lingyun Sect is here.”
Lu Fengmian raised his hand and removed the deep green token from his waist.
The strokes of the “Ling” character on the token were bold and powerful, like a coiling dragon, gleaming coldly under the sunlight.
“To see this token is to see Venerable Lingxuan.”
His voice clearly reached the ears of everyone present.
Who would dare be so arrogant?
Silence.
True, absolute silence.
In an instant, even the sound of breathing vanished.
Lin Yanzhou stared at the token, his lips trembling violently, his face as pale as paper.
“I… impossible…”
He muttered in a low voice, as if the words were being squeezed out of his throat.
“Impossible… how could you…”
“Young Master!”
A figure descended from the sky, landing beside Lin Yanzhou.
It was a man dressed in black, with a lean face and an unfathomable aura. He did not look at Lin Yanzhou, but instead faced Lu Fengmian and knelt on one knee.
“Lin Su, guard of the Lin family, greets the first disciple of the Venerable.”
Lu Fengmian lowered his gaze to look at him.
“A guard of the Lin family?” His tone was indifferent. “You’ve come at the right time.”
Lin Su kept his head lowered, his voice respectful.
“This subordinate failed in his duty to protect, allowing the Third Young Master to offend Young Master Lu. This matter is the fault of the Lin family. When I return to the residence, I will truthfully report everything to the eldest young miss.”
Lu Fengmian said nothing. He picked up the teacup on the table and slowly took a sip.
Lin Su remained kneeling there, not daring to move.
The guests were silent, as quiet as cicadas in winter.
After a moment, Lu Fengmian set down his teacup and gave a slight nod.
“Go.”
The oppressive force was withdrawn.
Only then did the crowd gasp for air, like drowning people finally surfacing.
As if granted amnesty, the guard grabbed the limp Lin Yanzhou, his figure flashing as he disappeared into the sky.
The banquet fell into complete silence; no one dared act rashly.
With one of the main figures gone, the remaining guests looked at each other, at a loss.
Lu Fengmian’s gaze lightly swept over Bai Chongshan.
“Head of the Bai family.”
Hearing himself addressed, Bai Chongshan could not help but shudder.
“This junior has truly broadened his horizons today,” Lu Fengmian said. “So this is how the Bai family treats its guests—subjecting them to such humiliation.”
Bai Chongshan’s face alternated between pale and ashen, unable to respond.
Lu Fengmian did not spare him another glance.
He turned and nodded to the members of the Xiao family.
“Let’s go.”
Father Xiao was the first to come back to his senses and hurriedly stood up. Mother Xiao helped the grandfather up, and Xiao Jin followed last.
The group walked through the silent banquet hall toward the main gate.
Only after their figures disappeared outside did the hall erupt like a boiling pot, descending into chaos.
Bai Qingran stood at the edge of the crowd, quietly watching everything.
She saw Xiao Jin’s back as he unhesitatingly stepped forward to shield that man.
She saw Lu Fengmian, with just a casual motion, silence all the guests in the hall.
She saw Lin Yanzhou kneeling in disgrace.
For a fellow disciple, Xiao Jin could step forward without hesitation.
Lu Fengmian could display his strength to prevent those beside him from being bullied.
She suddenly asked herself:
What do I truly want?
When everyone else was forced into lowering their heads in fear, only she raised hers.
She stared at that handsome and composed man.
And suddenly, she understood.
Life could be lived another way.
Not controlled by others, not drifting with the current, not being a puppet who always sat properly, smiling gracefully.
She raised her hand and removed the golden hairpin from her head.
She took off the jade bracelet on her wrist—the symbol of her engagement.
Lifting her ornate skirt, she pushed through the chaotic crowd and ran toward the gate.
The wind brushed past her hair, as if carrying away everything from the past.
Outside the gates of the Bai Residence, the Xiao family stood beside their carriages.
Father Xiao’s legs were still somewhat weak; he leaned against the carriage, taking quite some time before he could breathe normally again.
He looked up at Lu Fengmian, his eyes filled with complex emotions—shock, reverence, and a trace of relief from surviving a disaster.
“Young Master Lu, about what just happened…” He seemed unsure what word to use. “That coercion…”
Lu Fengmian tilted his head, his tone apologetic. “Did I frighten you, Uncle Xiao? I’m sorry.”
Father Xiao hurriedly waved his hands. “N-no! How could that be! It’s just…”
He could not continue.
Just what?
Just that he never expected the Lingyun Sect’s Sect Master’s first disciple to be so powerful?
A nineteen-year-old at the Peak Nascent Soul stage?
Mother Xiao tugged at his sleeve from the side and said in a low voice, “Stop asking.”
Father Xiao finally fell silent, though his gaze still could not help but drift toward Lu Fengmian.
The Xiao family’s grandfather was much calmer than his son. Looking at Lu Fengmian, his cloudy eyes were filled with gratitude.
“Young Master Lu, the Xiao family will forever remember your kindness.”
As he spoke, he was about to bow.
Lu Fengmian quickly supported him. “Senior Xiao, you are too serious. Xiao Jin is my junior brother—I should naturally protect him.”
Standing to the side, Xiao Jin lowered his head upon hearing this, his ears growing warm again.
Mother Xiao suddenly remembered something and grabbed his arm.
“Jin’er!” She looked him up and down, her eyes shining brightly. “You’ve actually reached Foundation Establishment? When did this happen?”
Under her gaze, Xiao Jin felt somewhat embarrassed. “Just… just in the past few days.”
Mother Xiao’s eyes reddened again, but this time from joy.
“Good, good, good!” She nodded repeatedly, tightly holding his hand and refusing to let go. “My son has grown up—he has achieved something!”
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