Chapter 168: The Curtain Falls

With Shen Lin, Zhou Fang, and Wu Yong incapacitated and writhing in agony on the ground, the battle that would determine the fate of Chen’s Martial Arts Hall finally drew to a close.

Of the six martial arts masters who came to challenge the school, besides the initial challengers Han Lin and Zhu Tao, the rest were left either crippled or severely injured. And Jiang Linfeng, the catalyst of this turmoil, lay unconscious, his martial prowess completely shattered.

No one could have anticipated such an outcome at the battle’s beginning, not even those with the wildest imaginations.

Lin Xiao, undeniably, emerged as the greatest hero of this crisis for Chen’s Martial Arts Hall.

Every gaze in the room converged on him, who stood there with a calm composure.

A mixture of fear, admiration, worship, revulsion, and hatred filled those looks, but gone was any trace of underestimation.

The vast hall of Chen’s Martial Arts Hall was enveloped in such silence that one could hear a pin drop, with invisible tensions swirling in the air.

Old Master Chen signaled Chen Tianxing, who quickly understood and, along with a group of students, closed the school’s entrance to prevent Han Lin and Zhu Tao from escaping.

Jiang Linfeng was still motionless on the ground.

The room was so quiet, everyone was afraid to even breathe too loudly, lest they draw Lin Xiao’s attention. His performance had been nothing short of miraculous.

He had remained silent until now, but his actions spoke volumes.

If anyone were to proclaim Lin Xiao as the best martial arts master in the Jiangnan Province after this battle, no one would dare object. His absolute strength had spoken for itself.

A master of Dark Force in his early twenties with such overpowering combat prowess was rare, perhaps unheard of, even among the heirs of the most influential factions in the ancient martial arts world.

Indifferent to the stares directed at him, Lin Xiao’s gaze shifted, focusing on Han Lin and Zhu Tao, who had managed to escape any serious injury.

Seeing Lin Xiao’s gaze, both shivered and quickly averted their eyes, lacking the courage to meet Lin Xiao’s stare. They had been thoroughly intimidated by Lin Xiao’s superhuman martial prowess.

Lin Xiao then turned his attention to Jiang Linfeng, who was still unconscious in the distance. Despite the severe beatings, Jiang Linfeng, as a Dark Force master, possessed extraordinary vitality. Despite his miserable state, his life was not in danger.

Under different circumstances, Lin Xiao would not have hesitated to kill Jiang Linfeng to remove a future threat. However, in such a public setting, he restrained himself.

Since killing Jiang Linfeng was not an option, Lin Xiao ceased paying him any attention. After all, Lin Xiao had already neutralized all his internal energy, effectively nullifying his martial arts capabilities.

He calmly returned to Chen Lingxin’s side.

“Are you alright?” Chen Lingxin approached with evident concern.

“I’m fine. Do I look like something’s wrong?” Lin Xiao responded, shaking his head calmly.

“How can you say you’re alright? You’ve been attacked by so many, and look, your hand is injured,” Chen Lingxin said worriedly, then quickly grabbed Lin Xiao’s hand as if noticing something for the first time.

Lin Xiao then realized his palm bore several minor cuts, leaking a trickle of blood, likely from catching Jiang Linfeng’s hidden weapon bare-handed.

As Lin Xiao flexed his hands, the bleeding intensified slightly.

“It’s nothing, just superficial wounds, don’t worry.”

“Stop moving!” But Chen Lingxin, seemingly ignoring Lin Xiao’s words, held his hand more firmly and called out to a few students, “Why are you just standing there? Get a basin of clean water, quick!”

The students, previously mesmerized by Lin Xiao, hurried off at her command.

At that moment, Elder Chen also approached.

“Lin Xiao, I’m deeply grateful for your actions today,” Elder Chen said, his tone laden with gratitude and a touch of remorse. “Without your intervention to turn the tide and defeat Jiang Linfeng and his group, the reputation of Chen’s Martial Arts Hall would have been lost. Thank you, sincerely.”

“Elder Chen, you’re being too formal. I simply did what was expected of me,” Lin Xiao replied with a slight smile. “Besides, fighting with masters and refining my own skills is something I enjoy. You don’t need to worry.”

“Right, Grandpa, why all the formalities? Master isn’t an outsider,” added Chen Lingxin from the side.

“In any case, Chen’s Martial Arts Hall survived this crisis today thanks to you, Lin Xiao. I won’t let your efforts go unrewarded,” declared Elder Chen, firmly, without any attempt to claim credit.

Lin Xiao simply nodded at these words without saying anything.

“Lingxin, help Lin Xiao inside and see to his wound treatment,” Elder Chen then directed Chen Lingxin.

“Consider it done,” she said.

Chen Lingxin took Lin Xiao’s arm, draped it over her shoulder, and encircled his waist with her other arm, poised to support him.

“I’m really alright. It’s merely a minor cut on my hand,” Lin Xiao explained with a forced smile.

The whole competition, though it looked intense to outsiders, actually didn’t put too much pressure on Lin Xiao. Were it not for his interest in fighting with a master of Dark Force, he could have finished the battle in under a minute.

However, Chen Lingxin was unaware of this. She understood only that Lin Xiao, despite being a master of Dark Force, faced not just one, but several attackers. Even though he showed no outward signs of pain, Lin Xiao had to be exhausted, possibly even sustaining concealed injuries.

Disregarding his protests, she firmly helped Lin Xiao to his feet.

Chen Lingxin was only a bit shorter than Lin Xiao, at over 5″7 tall. Due to her regular martial arts practice, her figure was fit and slender, without any excess fat. Moreover, she was very strong, not struggling at all, even with Lin Xiao’s weight on her.

Lin Xiao, supported by Chen Lingxin, was a bit stunned. However, Chen Lingxin didn’t dwell on this much and led Lin Xiao indoors.

Once Chen Lingxin and Lin Xiao vanished from sight, the previously silent hall of Chen’s Martial Arts Hall suddenly burst into a frenzy of discussion. Everyone was eagerly talking about the fight that had just unfolded.

“Incredible, absolutely incredible!”

“Unbelievably awesome, one against four! And one was a master of Dark Force, plus three heads of the major martial arts schools. He still came out on top!”

“When did Chen’s Martial Arts Hall find such an exceptional young talent?”

“More than just incredible, he’s a freak of nature! How did he train to get this strong? Surely, not even prenatal training could achieve this level of badassery!”

“Hey, guys, could you tell which technique he was practicing?”

The crowd buzzed with questions and comments, transforming the once quiet courtyard into a scene as lively as a marketplace.

The six challengers seemed to be forgotten, standing isolated, with no one paying them any mind.

Others might have forgotten them, but Elder Chen did not.

By this time, Shen Lin, Zhou Fang, and Wu Yong had been helped to their feet by Han Lin and Zhu Tao. Even the unconscious Jiang Linfeng had been moved to the side by the two.

With a grave expression, Elder Chen made his way towards the six men.

As Shen Lin and the others noticed Elder Chen approaching, they exchanged wary looks, a trace of solemnity in their eyes. They knew that Elder Chen’s visit this time was definitely not going to be a pleasant one.