It was currently the wee hours of the morning with daybreak soon approaching.
Lin Xun was currently immersed in his cultivation training. His injuries were not severe and should fully recover in three to five days with the help of some medicine.
This was mostly thanks to the rapid growth in his physique. Ordinary injuries were no longer a problem as long as they weren’t fatal.
Lin Xun was currently visualizing the Six Word Blade Art in his head.
He had single-handedly slain a dozen True Martial cultivators in the battle at the Black Tiger Gang’s base. However, he had no chance to properly analyze each detail in the heat of the battle.
As he slowly recalled the fights, numerous things soon became clear.
Battle was never just about theoretical discussions. Although the Six Word Blade Art only had six moves, each move contained numerous subtleties. It was a unique blade art that combined both viciousness and difficulty.
At the end of the day, the Six Word Blade Art was a technique that was made for fighting. There was no way to properly understand its essence without battle.
In the past, due to Lin Xun’s lack of battle experience, he was only able to reach the elemental level despite his efforts, finding himself stuck and unable to make further progress.
After being tempered and polished by blood and battle, Lin Xun realized that he had learned plenty from his experiences. Many subtle key points he could never understand before were gradually becoming clear in his mind.
“I should be able to push the Six Word Blade Art to the precise level after a few more battles.”
Lin Xun knew that tonight’s battle had deepened his understanding of the Six Word Blade Art, raising his control and knowledge of its power to whole new levels.
The sound of people conversing outside suddenly drew Lin Xun’s attention. He immediately got up and walked out.
It was already the wee hours of the morning with dawn fast approaching. The fighting in the slums district was also gradually dying down.
Gu Yanping, a powerful Spirit Dipper stage expert, was stationed at the entrance to Lin Xun’s residence, eliminating the possibility of other gangs attacking.
Who would come at this time?
When Lin Xun walked out of the courtyard, he saw an unexpected person: the Stone Cauldron Alms treasure appraiser, Wang Lin.
Lin Xun was especially surprised to find that Wang Lin was not alone. He had brought a group of subordinates, who were holding bloody heads in their hands.
Could Mu Wansu have heard of what happened and sent Wang Lin as reinforcements out of kindness?
However, this thought was immediately denied the moment it emerged.
Mu Wansu was a decisive woman who made clear distinctions between love and hate. If she wanted to help, she would have already made arrangements while the Black Tiger Gang was preparing to deal with him. It was impossible for her to have waited till now.
Then why is Wang Lin here?
Lin Xun was unsure of why Wang Lin, who had indifferently driven him out of Stone Cauldron Alms just a few days prior, was here. Although Lin Xun knew it was Mu Wansu’s idea, he still held a small grudge against the man.
On that day, he had personally sent the Flame Blade into the Stone Cauldron Alms’ hands with the belief that they would understand his good intentions while also hoping to repay their help. Who could have predicted that he would instead be chased out, which did not feel good at all.
Wang Lin was conversing with Gu Yanping, but immediately smiled and called out when he saw Lin Xun appear, “Young Master Lin Xun, I hope you won’t blame me too much for disturbing you so late at night.”
Lin Xun smiled, “Uncle Wang Lin is too polite.”
His attitude was neither cold nor friendly, neither servile nor overbearing. There was zero indication that he was going to invite Wang Lin in.
At this observation, Wang Lin could not help but sigh inwardly. Looks like the little guy is still somewhat resentful.
Despite this, Wang Lin’s smile grew friendlier as he said, “I heard some crooks wanted to cause trouble for Young Master Lin Xun and immediately hurried over to provide assistance. Along the way, I encountered some crooks who were going to pick a fight with the young master. Hence, I decided to take matters into my own hands and take them down.”
As he spoke, he pointed towards the string of heads carried by his subordinate, “Please have a look, young master, there seem to be a few big shots from the Green Bamboo Gang among them.”
Lin Xun immediately understood. Wang Lin was here to express his goodwill. He had evidently found out about Lin Xun’s relation to the Chopstick Gang and sought to express his sincerity by attacking the Green Bamboo Gang.
Why had Wang Lin done so?
It was clearly related to the Flame Blade he had sold to Golden Jade Hall a few days ago. Wang Lin had likely connected the dots and made the decision to try and make up for before and gain Lin Xun’s favor.
“Many thanks Uncle Wang Lin.” Lin Xun cupped his hands together.
“Haha, this is nothing. I’m happy as long as you are safe.” Wang Lin laughed heartily, his voice booming loudly.
Gu Yanping suddenly said, “Lin Xun, it will be morning soon. Since the situation has stabilized, I shall not disturb you any further and will take my leave.”
“Please wait Uncle Gu.” Lin Xun suddenly recalled something and hastily returned to the room. He returned with a package, which he handed to Gu Yanping, “This is a small gift, please accept it.”
Gu Yanping raised his brow, “Please take it back if it’s just money, I did not help you for such things.”
Lin Xun chuckled, “Uncle Gu should open it and take a look.”
Gu Yanping contemplated a little before ultimately opening the package. His eyes immediately narrowed when he saw the Flame Blade lying within, gleaming with an icy light.
Wang Lin’s heart violently shook at this sight. As expected, Lin Xun had more than one Flame Blade and most definitely had some relation to the mysterious rune master.
Gu Yanping swiftly kept the blade and glanced at Wang Lin. Gu Yanping then nodded at Lin Xun, “Golden Jade Hall does need such a treasure to keep up appearances at the moment. I will accept this gift, but when it is sold, Golden Jade Hall will give you a fair cut of the profits.”
Lin Xun wanted to say something but was stopped by a wave of the hand from Gu Yanpang. He smiled and said, “Let’s do things this way. Alright, I’ll be leaving now.”
He turned around and left with Gu Liang. The professionalism and discretion Gu Yanping displayed were clearly different from other merchants.
This was a merchant cultivator.
After Gu Yanping left, Wang Lin also bid his farewells and swiftly departed with his subordinates.
Lin Xun did not urge Wang Lin to stay a while and watched him leave. Lin Xun knew that Wang Lin would definitely tell Mu Wansu everything when he returned to Stone Cauldron Alms.
Lin Xun wondered what Mu Wansu would think when she found out he had more than one Flame Blade.
Some mischievous ideas popped in his mind but he soon shook his head.
He and Mu Wansu were not enemies, and he did owe Stone Cauldron Alms. Although Lin Xun had some criticisms about her, he would not resort to such tricks just for some petty revenge.
The Flame Blade he had allowed Wang Lin to see was a signal for Mu Wansu to review her attitude towards Lin Xun.
He did not dwell on the matter and closed the gates before returning to the room. He found Xia Zhi was still in meditation with no indication that she was about to awaken. After today’s affair, Lin Xun felt that as long as the Wu Clan and Lian Fei were not fools, they should restrain themselves somewhat.
The Wu Clan.
The brightly lit discussion hall was filled with the sounds of arguing.
The bickering had not stopped ever since the Black Tiger Gang’s Old Tiger Lu had been killed. Seated in the hall, Clan Leader Wu Qun, First Elder Wu Yunshan, Second Elder Wu Yushan and Third Elder Wu Lanshan wore dark and stormy expressions.
Everyone was quarreling over whether to continue going after Lin Xun’s life.
Some pinned Wu Henshui’s, Wu Jie’s and the others’ deaths on Lin Xun and demanded his death to preserve the clan’s dignity.
Others argued that Black Widow, Du Xiao and Frowning Oldy and even the Black Tiger Gang’s Old Tiger Lu had already been killed, causing their Wu Clan to pay a huge price for nothing.
This proved that Lin Xun was no easy target. They felt that it would be better to take a step back and reassess their plans instead of continuing the operation.
Both views had their justifications. Hence, the room could not come to a consensus no matter how long they debated.
Right before daybreak, an informant came with news that finally put an end to the long debate.
The news was simple: the Golden Jade Hall Manager, Gu Yuping, had stepped forward to support Lin Xun.
Stone Cauldron Alms’ Wang Lin had also led a team of guards to Lin Xun’s residence, signalling that Stone Cauldron Alms had also decided to stick their hand into this matter.
When the Wu Clan higher-ups heard the news, they finally realized the severity of the matter. In the end, they agreed to temporarily take a step back and reevaluate the situation.
They did not fear a youngster like Lin Xun, but had to consider the threat of Stone Cauldron Alms. The Golden Jade Hall Manager, Gu Yanping, was also not simple and was a powerful Spirit Dipper stage cultivator. This level was considered top-tier even in Donglin City.
Under such circumstances, the Wu Clan could do nothing no matter how sullen they felt or how much they didn’t want to take this lying down. They had no choice but to change their strategy.
Dawn broke, chasing away the darkness of the night as the world welcomed a new day.
The curtain had long fallen on the bloody chaos in the slums Although there were still some undercurrents, the situation had stabilized for now.
The night’s events had been limited to the commoner district and had not really affected the rest of Donglin City. It was normal, after all, for gangs to be wiped out and new gangs to be born in the slums each year. As such, the city’s residents were long used to such happenings.
On this new morning, Golden Jade Hall announced again that they would be selling a new Flame Blade, causing a huge uproar and drawing many people’s attention.
Wang Lin walked in the deepest courtyard of Stone Cauldron Alms and prepared to report the night’s events to Mu Wansu.
In the slums’ 49th residence, Lin Xun hurriedly finished his bath and began training in the messy and badly damaged courtyard.
In the room, Xia Zhi was still silently cultivating; her peaceful, beautiful little face like a painting under the morning light.
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