Chapter 473: A Fizzle at the End

The two men landed—one on the left, one on the right—between Lin Xiao and Chunyu Yan.

One of them grabbed Lin Xiao’s wrist, the other blocked Chunyu Yan’s fist.

These two men—one average-looking and of medium height, the other broad-faced, large-built and imposing—were none other than Tian Junliang and Xue Fanjia.

“Master Chun, and this young brother, let’s call it a day,” said Tian Junliang, who was holding Lin Xiao’s wrist. He cast a look at Lin Xiao with a gaze difficult to read, then said lightly, “This is the Southern Martial Exchange Conference, not a place for you two to settle a life-and-death grudge.”

Lin Xiao flicked his wrist, shaking off Tian Junliang’s hand, and straightened his posture. His eyes, tinged with red, turned to Chunyu Yan, who happened to look over at the same time.

Their gazes met midair, clashing like sparks.

“Master Tian, Alliance Leader Xue, this has nothing to do with you. Stay out of it. Today, I will kill this brat.”

Chunyu Yan, unaware he’d just been saved, glared at Lin Xiao, murderous intent overflowing.

“Kill me?” Lin Xiao’s pupils flickered with cold light as he replied flatly, “You’re welcome to try.”

The traditional Chinese suit on Chunyu Yan’s body fluttered despite the absence of wind. A massive, icy aura surged up from within. His wrist twisted, about to strike—only to be held in place by Xue Fanjia.

Xue Fanjia’s strength was a level above Chunyu Yan’s. With him blocking the way, Chunyu Yan couldn’t even get close to Lin Xiao.

Compared to Chunyu Yan’s rage, Lin Xiao remained calm and composed. The red glow in his eyes gradually faded, and the killing intent on his body dissipated completely.

Though he really wanted to teach Chunyu Yan a lesson, it was inconvenient to make a move with someone intervening.

Besides…

Lin Xiao glanced subtly at Tian Junliang. He realized he had misjudged the man. When Tian Junliang had acted just now, a trace of aura had leaked. Lin Xiao noticed that this so-called number one expert in the South was very likely not merely at the peak Dark Force stage, but had already stepped into Flowing Force.

“Alliance Leader Xue, Master Tian, do you really plan to stop me?” Chunyu Yan’s eyes were frosty, and now he even bore resentment toward the two of them. “Did you not see what that little bastard did? He crippled my disciple, injured him this badly. If I don’t avenge this grudge, what kind of Patriarch of Scarlet City Sect would I be?”

“You want revenge for your disciple? Fine,” Tian Junliang said, unmoved. “But not here, and not in front of the entire Southern martial community.”

“Chunyu Yan, what do you take the Martial Alliance for? What do you take the rules of the seven great sects for? What do you take me, Tian Junliang, for? I already warned you to discipline your disciple properly. Where were you? Now that your disciple’s been beaten on the ring, you come jumping out, trampling the rules we all set. Do you think the Martial Alliance belongs to you alone?”

Tian Junliang’s voice was loud, echoing through the entire venue.

“Hall Master Tian is absolutely right!”

“No wonder he’s the number one expert in the South. Compared to certain people, the contrast is obvious.”

“Shh, not so loud, don’t let the Scarlet City Sect hear you…”

“Even if they hear, I’ll still say it. It’s not just me who has an issue with Scarlet City Sect, everyone does. What, are they going to kill us all?”

“That Zhang Li got what he deserved if you ask me. But that young expert Lin Xiao… His martial skills are terrifying! He actually beat Zhang Li, who’s in the late Dark Force stage.”

“Looks like that young man Lin Xiao is going to be the new number one on the rising star rankings. Not only did he beat Zhang Li, he withstood Chunyu Yan’s attack. So young and already this strong. Truly frightening!”

“I remembered something, I heard a guy named Lin Xiao defeated the master of the Golden Claw Sect. Could it be him?”

“You’re behind the times. He didn’t just defeat the master of the Golden Claw Sect, yesterday he beat An Baichen too. And in just one move! I saw it with my own eyes!”

“Hey, who do you think is stronger? Him or Lei Wen, or Jiang Long?”

“Hard to say. You’d have to see them fight to know…”

In the audience, the voices of discussion rose and fell.

Some praised Tian Junliang for upholding justice, some condemned Zhang Li’s deserved end, others dismissed Chunyu Yan’s complaints—but what everyone talked about most was the rising star, Lin Xiao.

After all, Lin Xiao’s performance was just too shocking.

Listening to the discussions around him, a fleeting smile appeared on Tian Junliang’s lips.

Originally, he had planned to wait until Chunyu Yan seriously injured Lin Xiao, then step in and take the genius under his wing. But once Xue Fanjia intervened, and considering the reputation of the Martial Alliance, he had chosen to act.

The West Sea Sect held the greatest influence within the Southern Martial Alliance. But the Southern Martial Alliance was just a branch of the Martial Alliance.

Everything had gone exactly as Tian Junliang predicted. He had raised West Sea’s and his own prestige, struck a blow against Scarlet City Sect and Chunyu Yan, and solidified his authority within the Southern Martial Alliance—three birds with one stone.

Chunyu Yan’s expression was extremely ugly. Even if he was arrogant, he knew he’d stirred public anger this time.

But as a sect leader, thick-skinned and deeply scheming, he immediately changed his tone, replacing his expression with a look of grief and shame.

“Hall Master Tian, your words are like a wake-up call. Sigh, Li’er is my personal disciple. Seeing him so gravely wounded, I lost my composure and acted improperly. Apologies for causing trouble for everyone.”

He cupped his hands and bowed in all directions.

No matter what, Chunyu Yan was still a top figure in the Southern martial world. No one could keep scolding him now, and the crowd gradually fell silent.

‘This old fox,’ Tian Junliang cursed inwardly, though he wore a smile as he said, “Hall Master Chun, perhaps I was a bit harsh earlier. But harsh words are loyal words, please don’t take it to heart.”

“Of course not,” Chunyu Yan replied, his face seemingly masked, revealing nothing of his true emotions. “Hall Master Tian is right. No matter what, the Scarlet City Sect is one of the Seven Great Sects, and I am a deputy leader of the Southern Martial Alliance. Though it was an unintentional misstep, wrong is still wrong. However…”

His tone changed, eyes turning toward Lin Xiao, gaze icy cold.

“The grudge between Scarlet City Sect and this little brat… I hope Hall Master Tian and Southern Alliance Leader Xue won’t interfere. I’ll let him off today, but in the future, I will surely seek justice. My disciple’s wounds cannot go unanswered, nor can his blood be shed in vain.”

Hearing the veiled threat in Chunyu Yan’s words, Lin Xiao let out a cold sneer, not bothering to respond.

Lin Xiao didn’t care, but Chen Lingxin couldn’t stay silent. Twisting her lithe body, she jumped onto the ring, stood beside Lin Xiao, and pointed at Chunyu Yan.

“You old bastard, watch your mouth! My master didn’t even bother to argue with you, and you’re pushing it?!”

“What did you say?”

Chunyu Yan had never been scolded like this before. Rage surged in his chest, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

“I said you’re an old bastard!”

With Lin Xiao beside her, Chen Lingxin feared no one. Hands on hips, her crisp voice rang out from the ring.

“You want justice from my master? Your disciple was useless and lost in a fair fight. My master spared his life, and instead of being grateful, you tried to ambush him. Like master, like disciple!”

Her words were sharp, every line cutting deep.

Lin Xiao glanced at Chen Lingxin and gave her a thumbs-up, praising her for a job well done.

Even with Chunyu Yan’s thick skin, being cursed to his face like this left him disgraced. His narrow eyes squinted, a dangerous glint flashing within. “What a foul-mouthed little brat. I won’t bother arguing with you now, but enjoy your extra half-day of life. Soon, you’ll know just how terrifying I can be.”

With that, Chunyu Yan could no longer stay. He leapt off the ring without even sparing a glance at the fallen Zhang Li.

And just like that, this attempted revenge ended in a fizzle.

But given Chunyu Yan’s character, one could foresee that his revenge wouldn’t be far behind.