Chapter 264: Geniuses Always Die Young

Lin Xiao’s heart sank. He darted forward, quick as the wind, instantly catching up to Chen Lingxin and grabbing Chen Tianxing mid-fall.

There was no time to check on his injuries. Lin Xiao’s eyes flashed like knives as he snapped his gaze toward the hall entrance.

Two figures walked out, one trailing behind the other. The first was familiar. His head and arm were wrapped in bandages. It was Jiang Linfeng, the same man whose skills Lin Xiao had stripped away. The other was a stranger. This man looked to be in his forties, dressed in a white traditional jacket and black cloth shoes. Though lean and wiry, his temples were sharply defined, his eyes piercing, and his steps completely silent. Everything about him screamed expert.

Just then, Jiang Linfeng’s gaze landed on Lin Xiao. Hatred flared in his eyes, intense enough to bore holes through Lin Xiao. He practically spat out his words.

“Senior Brother, it’s him! He’s the one who crippled me!”

The man beside him said nothing at first. He only let his gaze sweep over the scene in the courtyard. His face darkened. What he saw was far from what he’d expected.

He had brought along Golden Claw’s top students—experienced fighters with strong skills, capable of taking down half a dozen regular people at once, no problem. Yet here they all were, sprawled across the ground, beaten senseless by this unassuming young man. And among the defeated was even his own son.

Duan Changhan’s figure blurred as he leaped forward, landing smoothly beside Duan Fei. He crouched down to check his son’s injuries, his face growing even darker. Cold fury blazed in his eyes.

Lin Xiao hadn’t held back. Even if Duan Fei wasn’t permanently crippled, the damage was severe. Even with a full recovery, it was likely his martial skills would be affected for life.

Duan Fei was Duan Changhan’s carefully groomed heir, doted on since he was young. Now, seeing him so severely injured, Duan Changhan’s rage and killing intent were almost out of control.

The only reason he hadn’t attacked Lin Xiao right away was that he wasn’t certain of victory. Unlike Duan Fei, Duan Changhan’s seasoned experience told him that Lin Xiao was far from ordinary.

Duan Fei slowly came to and, spotting his father, his eyes turned red.

“Dad!”

The killing intent in Duan Changhan’s eyes faded as he spoke with a gentle tone.

“How are you feeling, Fei’er?”

“Dad, you have to kill him… get revenge for me!” Duan Fei said weakly, clutching his chest, though his voice shook with pure hatred.

Duan Changhan stroked his son’s head lightly.

“Don’t worry. I know what needs to be done. Rest now.”

Duan Fei nodded, lying back down, but he didn’t close his eyes. He stared at Lin Xiao with unmasked hatred, intent on watching him die by his father’s hand.

While Duan Changhan checked on Duan Fei’s injuries, Lin Xiao gently laid Chen Tianxing on the ground. After a quick look over him, his face stayed calm, but there was a storm brewing in his eyes.

Chen Lingxin rushed over to Lin Xiao’s side. She was at a loss seeing her father in such terrible shape.

Chen Tianxing was barely breathing, drifting in and out of consciousness. His injuries were horrific. His entire left arm was broken in several places, and both his abdomen and back showed signs of blunt trauma. Worse still, a hidden force was eating away at his internal channels, causing further damage.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that Chen Tianxing was practically crippled. And for the head of a martial arts hall, that was a fate worse than death.

Looking at her father’s shattered form, Chen Lingxin bit down on her lip so hard it bled. She held back her tears. Her enemies were right there. She wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing her cry.

On the other side, Chen Tianli also struggled to get up from the ground. He staggered over to Chen Tianxing’s side and fell to his knees with a thud.

“Father!”

He clenched his fists, then suddenly slapped himself hard. His face filled with regret.

“It’s my fault. I didn’t train hard enough, and I couldn’t protect you. If I was stronger, you wouldn’t be hurt like this. It’s all on me!”

“Don’t blame yourself too much,” Lin Xiao said, standing tall. “This isn’t your fault. Although Uncle Chen’s hurt badly, he’ll pull through.”

Lin Xiao then looked over at Duan Changhan, who was watching him too. Their gazes locked, a fierce tension crackling between them.

“But the problem’s not over yet. You take care of Uncle Chen. Leave the rest to me.”

Chen Tianli’s lips quivered as he whispered, “Thank you.”

“No need. This whole thing started because of me, so it’s only right I finish it,” Lin Xiao said.

He turned and headed toward Duan Changhan.

As he passed by Chen Lingxin, he reached out and gave her shoulder a light pat.

“Watch closely. I’ll show you how to deal with them.”

“Be careful, Master,” she called out, her voice choked with tears.

Even though she was heartbroken over her father’s condition, she was still worried for Lin Xiao. He gave her a slight nod, then stepped up, stopping two meters in front of Duan Changhan.

“So, you’re Lin Xiao?”

Duan Changhan’s gaze was cold as ice, as if he could freeze blood with just a look.

“You’re the one who ruined my junior brother’s cultivation and injured my son?”

Lin Xiao raised a finger, smirking. “Since you already know, why waste words? Come at me. Show me what a so-called master of the Golden Claw Sect can really do.”

“Oh, you’re about to find out.”

Duan Changhan let his hands fall to his sides. Fingers curled like talons. His knuckles cracked sharply, and his hands turned an iron-gray, nails jutting out like actual eagle claws.

“But before we start, I’ve got a few questions.”

“Oh?” Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow, a hint of impatience showing. If it were him, he wouldn’t waste time with so much talk before a fight.

“Why are you picking a fight with the Golden Claw Sect? Is someone putting you up to this?” Duan Changhan’s eyes narrowed. “And do you really understand what you’re getting yourself into?”

“What’s your point?” Lin Xiao asked, sounding bored.

“The Golden Claw Sect has ruled the martial world of Jiangdong for decades. We have countless experts, thousands of skilled disciples, and yet here you are, going up against us without a second thought. You must have some kind of backer, don’t you?”

“Backer?” Lin Xiao smirked coolly, his gaze steady. “I am my own backer.”

Duan Changhan laughed, though his face twisted with scorn. “The arrogance of youth. Sure, you’re talented, maybe even an expert in Dark Force. But do you even understand what kind of power you’re up against?”

“No,” Lin Xiao said, voice chilling. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with.”

Duan Changhan’s face grew darker. His fingers tapped together with a hard metallic clink.

“Well, well, well. I was going to let you live, maybe even bring you into the Golden Claw Sect,” he sneered. “But after injuring my students, my son included? I’ve changed my mind. Today, I’ll put you in your place. Remember, genius, you’re not invincible. Talent like yours often dies young.”