"Come out, you little bastard!"
A blast of fury shook the door of Lin Xian's residence. Lin Xian, who was sitting on a bench, turned his head. Through the window, he saw a figure in a dark purple robe standing at the door, exuding immense pressure. His qi aura made the servants outside tremble and retreat in fear.
That man was Mu Tianzheng—Mu Yueran's father. One of the Core Disciple instructors and a strong candidate for Elder. His face was flushed red, and his beard quivered in rage. He had a harsh and explosive personality. He was even nicknamed the Mad Crimson.
Lin Xian walked toward the door. He opened it, and his gaze immediately met Mu Tianzheng's. Behind the large man stood Mu Yueran, her head bowed as if hiding behind her father. If this were the old Lin Xianyang, he might have felt pity. Unfortunately, he was not.
"Who do you think you are to cancel the engagement unilaterally, huh?!" he shouted. "My daughter is a genius among the Outer Disciples. In two years, she'll be in the Inner Disciples. While you? You're just a boy with a shattered dantian. Do you think you're equal to my daughter, huh?"
Mu Tianzheng's face turned red with anger. He looked at Lin Xian with fury. If not for the fact that he respected Lin Xian's father as an Elder of Misty Sky Sect, Lin Xian might have been killed already. But he held back.
Mu Tianzheng frowned. Lin Xian stood calmly, wearing a simple dark gray training robe. His eyes were cold. Not a hint of fear showed, even though he was facing the Mad Crimson.
"I am trash, and that's exactly why I don't like being near other trash. It disgusts me," Lin Xian said flatly.
"What do you mean, you little bastard?" Mu Tianzheng roared.
"What do I mean?" Lin Xian tilted his head. He glanced at Mu Yueran. "I mean I don't like being too close to cheap women. It makes me sick."
Mu Tianzheng heard that and flew into a rage. His entire face turned crimson, and his head seemed to steam. His fists clenched tightly. His fury was barely restrained.
Instead of retreating, Lin Xian stepped forward.
"Yueran, you know? I once saw you alone with several Inner Disciples. You seduced them and even offered your body to get recommendation letters for yourself." Lin Xian smiled at Mu Yueran. "Isn't that right, Yueran?"
Mu Tianzheng turned to his daughter. "Is that true?"
Mu Yueran quickly shook her head. "No, Father. I didn't do that. I swear."
[DING!]
[Target Mu Yueran suffers severe psychological pressure.]
[Mental Stability -5%. Emotional]
[Status: Offended & Cornered.]
Mu Yueran's face turned pale. Her fists clenched, and her teeth chattered. She didn't dare lift her gaze. She was almost crying from Lin Xian's words.
On the other hand, Lin Xian grinned widely. He was pleased that it worked. This was just the beginning of breaking Mu Yueran's spirit. He had thought of far crueler ways than just insulting her in front of her father.
[Mental Stability -15%. Emotional]
Lin Xian was surprised. Apparently, Mu Yueran's mental state was more fragile than he thought. This wasn't just a good start, this was an excellent one. Lin Xian couldn't even hide the smile on his face. He was enjoying it.
"You little bastard!" cursed Mu Tianzheng. He raised his hand, palm open, ready to strike Lin Xian. "You've gone too far!"
The strike was aimed at Lin Xian. A powerful slap.
CLAK.
The hand stopped in midair. Lin Xian had raised his hand and blocked Mu Tianzheng's strike with a simple motion. Their eyes met again. Both gazes burned with determination and rage.
Mu Tianzheng grew more furious. His patience shattered completely. He channeled qi into his hand, preparing to strike Lin Xian with full force. Feeling the change, Lin Xian swallowed hard. He knew this was a dangerous situation. He wanted to back away.
"Damn. I underestimated him," Lin Xian muttered.
He thought Mu Tianzheng wouldn't dare hit him seriously. But reality didn't go as expected. Lin Xian turned his face, closed his eyes, and shielded his head with both arms.
One second. Two seconds. Three seconds. Four seconds.
Nothing happened. Lin Xian opened his eyes and saw someone holding Mu Tianzheng's hand. When he looked at who it was, he sighed in relief. It was his father. A small-built man with sharp eagle-like eyes and messy long hair.
"What are you doing, Mu Tianzheng?" asked Lin Huangzi.
Mu Tianzheng pulled back his hand. He turned around, but looked back. "Teach your son some manners. If you don't, I will."
Then, Mu Tianzheng left, dragging Mu Yueran along. It was clear Mu Yueran wasn't happy with her father's decision. She wanted him to at least land one hit on Lin Xian. Lin Xian's words humiliated her. She really wanted to see him punished.
Unfortunately, her father didn't do it.
"What did you do, Xian'er?" asked Lin Huangzi.
He looked at Lin Xian with a soft gaze. Even so, Lin Xian knew his father was serious. His answer would determine his father's mood. If upset, Lin Xian might be punished.
"I canceled my engagement with Mu Yueran."
He closed his eyes, thinking his answer was wrong. But unexpectedly, Lin Huangzi patted Lin Xian's head gently. He turned around and began walking away. Lin Xian was surprised. This wasn't what he expected.
"You're not mad at me?" Lin Xian asked.
"For canceling your engagement with Mu Yueran?" Lin Huangzi glanced back at his son. "Try remembering! Who asked me to convince her father to arrange this engagement?"
As Lin Xian thought back, he remembered. It was him. It happened when he was six years old. Just a child. Perhaps just childish words. Lin Xian had almost forgotten. He thought the engagement was his father's idea. He was completely wrong.
"From the start, I never agreed for you to be engaged to that cheap girl. I often saw her going into empty rooms with Inner Disciples. It disgusted me," said Lin Huangzi.
Lin Xian's eyes widened. He hadn't expected the insulting words he fabricated to be true. That explained why Mu Yueran was so shaken by what he said. Realizing that, Lin Xian felt even more disgusted with her. He wondered why he ever loved someone like that.
"I'm leaving. Train hard. If you need anything, just ask!"
"Yes, Father." Lin Xian bowed in respect.
Lin Huangzi nodded and walked away.