Chapter 256: The Golden Claw Sect

Chen Lingxin walked through the two groups facing off and entered the hall.

The atmosphere inside was incredibly tense. The old master, Chen, sat on a high-backed chair, his expression dark and stormy. His face was shadowed with gloom.

Chen Lingxin’s father, Chen Tianxing, sat in a seat below him, his face twisted with anger.

After entering the hall, Chen Lingxin silently positioned herself behind the old master, her lips tightly pressed together, saying nothing.

Chen Tianli was also standing behind the old master, fists clenched and head slightly bowed. His face was filled with both anger and frustration.

Across from the old master sat three individuals, looking smug and arrogant.

One of them had both hands wrapped in bandages, his entire face covered like a mummy. Only his eyes were visible. In those eyes flickered a mix of darkness and satisfaction. This was none other than Jiang Linfeng.

Seeing the old master looking helpless and both furious and restrained, Jiang Linfeng couldn’t be more pleased.

But it wasn’t enough.

Everything the Chen’s Martial Arts Hall owed him, he was determined to reclaim today, with interest.

Next to Jiang Linfeng sat a tall, handsome young man in his twenties, wearing the same training uniform as the Golden Claw Sect students outside. Despite being a student himself, he showed no respect toward the old master or the current head of Chen’s Martial Arts Hall, Chen Tianxing. He sat back on the sofa, legs crossed, his face marked by cold arrogance.

His eyes lingered on Chen Lingxin, scanning her long, straight legs. His gaze flickered with interest, making it clear he was quite taken with her.

Besides Jiang Linfeng and the tall young man, there was a third person in the hall.

This man, who sat in the highest seat, appeared to be in his forties. He looked unremarkable, except for his sharp, piercing eyes. He wore a white Tang suit with black cloth shoes, and his hands, which were exposed, had long, strong fingers. His nails were neatly trimmed and gleamed like polished jade.

This middle-aged man, younger in appearance than Jiang Linfeng, was the core expert sent by the Golden Claw Sect. He was the senior apprentice, Duan Changhan.

“Master Chen, I understand how difficult it is to establish a martial arts academy, and yours has a century of history. I’m willing to offer you a chance. Hand over the person who injured my apprentice brother Yuan, and we’ll call it even. How about that?” Duan Changhan said calmly.

The old Master Chen let out a cold laugh.

“Master Duan, is this how the Golden Claw Sect handles matters? Jiang Linfeng came to challenge our academy, and during a fair duel, he used hidden weapons to launch a sneak attack. Instead of disciplining him, you’re standing up for him? Aren’t you worried that the martial arts world will laugh at your methods?”

“Even if my apprentice brother Yuan did act inappropriately, it’s for the Golden Claw Sect to handle. Outsiders have no right to interfere,” Duan Changhan glanced at the old master with a calm, deliberate air. “Besides, you crippled my apprentice brother’s cultivation. You must give us an explanation.”

“Haha, in a martial artist’s duel, life and death are at one’s own risk. We even used our academy’s signboard as the stakes. Jiang Linfeng used hidden weapons, which is a grave violation. Yet here you are, not mentioning a word of it and clearly taking his side,” the old master scoffed with sarcasm.

The duel had been one of life and death. Crippling someone’s cultivation—or even death—was entirely permissible under those terms. And Jiang Linfeng’s use of hidden weapons was a major breach of honor during a duel. But Duan Changhan conveniently ignored this, showing blatant favoritism toward Jiang Linfeng.

“Senior Brother, why bother wasting words with them? Let’s just smash their school!”

Jiang Linfeng’s face, hidden under the bandages, twisted with hatred as he glared at the old master.

“If we destroy the academy, I doubt that coward Lin Xiao will keep hiding.”

“Hmm… you do have a point,” Duan Changhan stroked his chin, seemingly interested in Jiang Linfeng’s suggestion. “What do you think, Master Chen?”

Hearing Duan Changhan and Jiang Linfeng openly talk about smashing his academy, treating him as if he weren’t even present, Chen Tianxing, who had been silent until now, couldn’t hold back his anger. Before the old master could respond, he slammed his hand on the table and stood up.

“Jiang Linfeng signed an agreement with the Chen Martial Arts Hall, promising not to trouble us again. Are you planning to go back on your word?”

“It was only my apprentice brother Yuan who signed that agreement, not the Golden Claw Sect,” scoffed the tall young man sitting beside Duan Changhan. “Master Chen, surely you understand the difference?”

Jiang Linfeng let out a sinister laugh. “Duan Fei is right. I did sign an agreement with you, promising not to cause any more trouble for the Chen Martial Arts Hall, but that was a personal matter. It doesn’t bind the Golden Claw Sect.”

Duan Changhan had invested heavily in his son, Duan Fei, grooming him from a young age. Although Duan Fei was only 25, he had already reached the late stages of the Bright Force stage, and his martial arts skills were quite exceptional. Even within the Golden Claw Sect, where geniuses were abundant, Duan Fei stood out as one of the best. He was highly regarded by the sect’s master and was groomed as a future successor.

The reason Duan Changhan brought Duan Fei to Jinghai City was twofold. To broaden his horizons and to help Duan Fei build a reputation, paving the way for his future.

“You think you can talk to my father like that?”

Chen Lingxin couldn’t hold back her anger any longer. Her eyebrows shot up, and she glared furiously at Duan Fei.

Duan Fei stood up from the sofa. He towered over Chen Lingxin by half a head. His smile disappeared as his entire demeanor shifted, exuding a fierce and domineering aura that created an oppressive atmosphere.

“A mere martial Arts Hall—do you believe I can’t destroy all of you by myself?”

Chen Lingxin clenched her teeth and was about to charge forward, but the old Master Chen grabbed her, holding her back.

Old Master Chen rose from his grand chair, his sharp eyes scanning Duan Fei before landing on Duan Changhan, who remained seated, unmoved. “Master Duan, it seems we have nothing left to discuss. If you’re here for a fight, then say so.”

“I’ve made it clear. Hand over the one who crippled my apprentice brother’s cultivation!” Duan Changhan’s voice was cold and harsh.

“Ridiculous! Chen’s Martial Arts Hall may be small, but we aren’t people who turn our backs on those who helped us.” Chen Tianxing’s body tensed, and his muscles rippled with energy, producing a crackling sound as he grew a few inches taller. “If talking won’t resolve this, then let’s settle it with our fists.”

“With just you? You’re not even worthy of my father’s time,” Duan Fei sneered, launching himself toward Chen Tianxing. “I’ll take care of you!”

Before his words had even finished, Duan Fei had already closed the distance between them. His hands curved like talons, one aiming for Chen Tianxing’s face, the other for his chest.

As his hands moved, they turned an iron-like blue, resembling the claws of a predatory eagle. His speed was blindingly fast, creating a sharp whistling in the air as his nails gleamed with a deadly, cold light.

If Duan Fei’s claws made contact, Chen Tianxing would, at best, be disfigured—at worst, he’d be gutted on the spot.

Chen Tianxing hadn’t expected Duan Fei to strike so treacherously, attacking without warning. A flash of anger crossed his eyes.

He was twice Duan Fei’s age and a peer of Duan Changhan. For Duan Fei to attack him so brazenly, and for Duan Changhan to do nothing to stop it, was a clear sign that neither father nor son had any respect for him.

Given that, there was no need for him to hold back.