Chapter 454: Humiliation?

As one of the fifteen Class-A martial halls, Blazing Sun Martial Hall was sure to retaliate. Otherwise, if it couldn’t even avenge its students, how could it expect them to risk their lives for the hall? How could it ensure their loyalty?

Qin Sheng’s screams grew weaker and weaker. His limbs began to twitch, and finally, his eyes rolled back as he passed out from the pain.

Lin Xiao released Qin Sheng’s neck, straightened up, and expressionlessly kicked him.

Qin Sheng’s body flew to the feet of the Blazing Sun Martial Hall students.

“This is just a small warning and lesson. Don’t think you can act arrogant and lawless just because you have numbers on your side.”

The students of Blazing Sun Martial Hall looked at each other, silenced by Lin Xiao’s overwhelming aura.

Just then, from the rear of the crowd came the sound of clapping.

A deep and powerful male voice rang out, “So imposing, so fierce… what a formidable dragon crossing the river!”

At the sound of that voice, the previously dispirited Blazing Sun Martial Hall students lit up, eyes full of excitement, turning in the direction of the voice, “Senior Brother, you’re finally here.”

The crowd parted, revealing a tall figure.

It was a young man, lean and long-limbed, around his early twenties, with handsome features. He wore a white martial arts uniform, with the words “Blazing Sun” embroidered on the chest.

This young man was the young master of Blazing Sun Martial Hall. His expression was icy, and a cold smile tugged at his lips as he clapped and walked forward into the crowd.

All the Blazing Sun Martial Hall students surged toward him.

One student pointed at Lin Xiao and complained, “Senior Brother, that man injured Qin Sheng.”

“Senior Brother, you must avenge him!”

“No need to say more. I already know what happened,” the young man said coldly, glancing at Lin Xiao before turning toward Qin Sheng, who lay on the ground. “Bring Qin Sheng over. I need to check his injuries.”

“Yes, Senior Brother.”

The young man had great authority. As soon as he spoke, the students quickly moved Qin Sheng’s unconscious body to him.

“Is that Blazing Sun Martial Hall’s Senior Brother An Baichen?” came hushed whispers from the crowd.

“He’s even more impressive in person than the rumors say. This is going to be good.”

“An Baichen is a well-known young talent in the southern martial world. He’s ranked sixth on the Southern Rising Stars list, incredibly gifted. He reached Dark Force at twenty-five, and it’s been three years since. His strength must be even more terrifying now. That guy Lin Xiao has met a serious opponent.”

“Blazing Sun Martial Hall is backed by the Four Poles Sect, right? That’s one of the seven great forces in the South. Provoking Blazing Sun is basically provoking Four Poles. This kid’s future in the southern martial world is doomed. So reckless… doesn’t know the value of patience…” someone sighed, shaking their head at Lin Xiao.

Meanwhile, Chen Lingxin was quietly explaining An Baichen’s background to Lin Xiao. Before coming to Dongzhou, she had done her homework and knew the key figures of the southern martial world well.

“Master, that guy in white is An Baichen, senior disciple of Blazing Sun Martial Hall, ranked sixth on the Southern Rising Stars list. His father is An Chaoyang, master of Blazing Sun Hall and also deputy head of the Four Poles Sect. An Baichen trains in the Tiger-Crane Fist, a top-tier technique from Four Poles. It’s extremely powerful. He’s even defeated Dark Force experts in battle, so he should have decent real-combat experience.”

Hearing this, Lin Xiao gave a slight nod, signaling that he understood.

After checking Qin Sheng’s injuries, An Baichen stood and looked at Lin Xiao. His handsome face darkened, and his eyes grew cold, faintly flashing with killing intent.

“You sure are ruthless. My junior brother Qin had no past grudges or recent feuds with you. Just a minor offense, and you do this to him?”

“No past grudges, no recent feuds?” Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow, a cold gleam in his eyes. “If there’s no enmity, then why did he come to provoke me for no reason?”

“That was indeed a mistake on my junior brother’s part. I apologize on his behalf.”

As Blazing Sun’s senior brother, An Baichen couldn’t twist the truth in front of everyone.

But immediately, his tone changed, sharp and stern.

“Even if you wanted to teach him a lesson, you could’ve used a less extreme method. His nose is completely destroyed now. It’ll never return to normal. Are you trying to declare war on Blazing Sun Martial Hall?”

“Don’t try to intimidate me with your hall’s name.” Lin Xiao’s calm, detached gaze didn’t waver. A trace of mockery even appeared on his lips. “Even if I am, so what?”

An Baichen’s fists clenched at his sides.

Lin Xiao’s dismissive attitude made him feel utterly humiliated. Killing intent surged as he narrowed his eyes.

“So, you really are picking a fight with Blazing Sun Martial Hall?”

“If you say so, sure. Doesn’t matter to me.”

“No one who dares oppose Blazing Sun has ever ended well. You’ll be no exception.”

A sharp glint appeared in An Baichen’s half-lidded eyes as a powerful aura surged from his body. He took a step toward Lin Xiao.

“I’ll give you one last chance. Kneel and apologize to my junior brother, and break one of your arms. Then I’ll let you go.”

“You want to fight me?” Lin Xiao looked An Baichen up and down, then slowly shook his head. “You’re not my match. Better call your father instead.”

“I’m not your match?” An Baichen laughed in disbelief. It was the first time someone had dared to talk down to him like this. “Let’s see if you can still talk like that after I break your arms and legs.”

He strode forward to within three meters of Lin Xiao, rolled up his sleeves to reveal muscular arms, then shook his body. Cracking sounds erupted from his bones.

“I don’t care who you are or where you’re from. You hurt a Blazing Sun student in Dongzhou, and you must pay in blood.”

An Baichen lowered into a horse stance, one fist at his waist and the other extended forward—the starting form of Tiger-Crane Fist.

“I know you have some skill, but you’ve messed with the wrong person. You shouldn’t have—”

Before he could finish, Lin Xiao coldly interrupted, “You talk too much. If you want to fight, hurry up. I’ve got to register afterward, don’t have time to waste on you.”

“What did you say?!”

An Baichen could hardly believe his ears. He never imagined someone would speak to him like that. His pale face flushed red with rage. He was absolutely fuming, lost for words.

Humiliation.

Pure, undisguised humiliation.

“Trash! You’re asking for death!”

Unable to hold back any longer, An Baichen let out a furious roar.

He lunged forward, his fist trailing behind his body. His form was as agile as a crane, yet his punch roared forward like a tiger, aimed directly at Lin Xiao’s chest.