Chapter 133: Knocking on the Door, Striking with Authority

After the Lin sisters returned to Jinxiu Fang, they brushed aside what had happened while shopping, didn't keep it in mind, and didn't specifically bring it up to Xiao Zhangqing.

In their view, it was just an inconsequential little matter, with no further developments.

It was like seeing a fly buzzing beside you while eating, but it didn't land on your plate; the sensation was unpleasant, yet not worth lingering on, let alone sullying the master's ears.

Thus a few days passed.

What the Lin sisters never expected was that this "fly" actually came to their home! That alone was enough to make one feel disgusted.

They couldn't avoid giving Xiao Zhangqing a headache either.

"Is it you?"

She opened the cave formation, and upon seeing the newcomer outside, Lin Ziyu instantly recognized the person.

Of course, she still didn't know He Yuan's name, but the bizarre behavior He Yuan and his fiancée Song Ping'er displayed while shopping a few days ago, as well as He Yuan's unsettlingly frivolous smile, were clearly not easy to forget.

A few days later, upon seeing the sister duo again, He Yuan was in high spirits, beaming as he said, "You must be Miss Lin Ziyu, right?"

Lin Ziyu still hadn't guessed the other's purpose.

Hearing the other call her name left her very puzzled.

She and her sister probably didn't know this person; could he be looking for their master, a friend of the master? So Lin Ziyu could only temporarily suppress her discomfort, furrowed her brows and asked, "Who are you? What business do you have?"

He Yuan looked at the calm yet faintly charming pretty face before him, and his heart burned with excitement.

"Where is your sister Lin Zixi?" He Yuan forced his inner tremor to stay restrained, barely maintaining gentlemanly decorum, without making any move, and asked.

Lin Ziyu's brows furrowed deeper, and she coldly asked, "Who exactly are you? What are you doing here? My sister doesn't know you either."

He Yuan said with a cheerful smile, "No problem. You didn't know me before, but soon you sisters will become familiar with me."

A few days earlier, he had been 'threatened' by his fiancée Song Ping'er, forcing him to temporarily placate her.

After all, Song Ping'er is the eldest daughter of the Song family; even though his uncle is Xue Ya Zhenren, he still has to court her properly and cannot truly fall out.

The Song family is also very important to his uncle.

However, that day, while coaxing Song Ping'er to leave, he immediately ordered his subordinates to tail the Lin sisters and investigate their identities and residence.

Today, having finally pacified the lady Song Ping'er, he found himself with free time and promptly came over.

Not only the Lin sisters, but also the master behind them, he has investigated thoroughly.

Thus today he is fully confident he will 'return fully loaded', unlike the previous encounter where he met a dead end with the young lady of the Mu family.

"If you don't state your purpose, I'll have to ask you to leave!"

Lin Ziyu harbored a strong dislike for such a frivolous person.

Not only now that she's with Xiao Zhangqing, even back then in Nanshan Fang, living in the lowest tier of Peng Hu Qu, she had the same temperament.

She would rather be extremely frugal and endure hardship herself than give any excuses to this frivolous young master.

"No rush, I came today with a purpose," He Yuan said with a smiling grin, interrupting Lin Ziyu as she was about to close the formation, "Your master is Bai Wuji, right? Let him out; I have business with him."

Lin Ziyu suspected, "You're looking for the master? Who exactly are you? State your name first."

She knew for sure that the other was a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator.

But she didn't really take it to heart.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator, in front of their master, is hardly a big figure.

"He Yuan. If your master hasn't heard of my name, then tell him that my uncle is Xue Ya Zhenren!" He Yuan wore a confident smile, waiting for Lin Ziyu's shocked reaction.

Given his cultivation and strength, in this vast Liyang Immortal City he truly amounts to nothing, far from being flamboyant, and his reputation is worth only a few coins.

However.

His uncle Xue Ya Zhenren's reputation in Liyang Immortal City is enormous! His uncle's face is extremely valuable!

A genuine Jie Dan cultivator, and moreover an old‑school Jie Dan cultivator!

Even the City Lord's Residence must show some deference to his uncle! For example, among the City Lord's 'Liyang Seven Heroes', even the most outstanding one, Guang Qin Zhenren, is quite courteous when meeting his uncle.

Therefore, in Liyang Immortal City, there aren't many who dare not give his uncle face.

Those who have offended his uncle have basically already gone to meet Yama.

"Xue Ya Zhenren?"

Upon hearing that, Lin Ziyu's face indeed showed a look of shock.

Having been in Liyang Immortal City for several months, she had memorized the names of over twenty Fake Core True Persons among the city's top echelon.

Not to mention the few genuine Jie Dan cultivators.

"You… wait a moment, I'll go report to the master."

Lin Ziyu realized the matter was serious and could no longer be decided by her preferences, so she quickly suppressed her inner disgust and prepared to inform Xiao Zhangqing.

"Do I still need to wait outside?" He Yuan smiled, slipped straight into the cave, leaving Lin Ziyu no time to block him, and said, "Quickly have Bai Wuji come out to see me!"

Lin Ziyu couldn't block him, so she had to first lead him into the cave.

Inside the cave, Lin Zixi was feeding her Spirit Beast, the Red Flame Eagle; upon seeing He Yuan enter, she also showed a look of disgust and asked sharply, "Why is it you?"

She then turned to her sister Lin Ziyu and asked, "Sis, why did you let this person in?"

Lin Ziyu whispered to her sister the other's background, and told Lin Zixi to go notify the master.

……

……

When Lin Ziyu went to notify, Xiao Zhangqing was drawing talismans.

Sensing the disturbance in the studio's formation, Xiao Zhangqing hadn't finished a single Talisman Script, so he ignored it, waiting nearly a incense stick's length of time, then focused to finish before stopping.

Drawing talismans requires a single breath; if interrupted midway, no matter how skilled the technique, it cannot be resumed.

The second‑tier high‑grade Talisman Script he was drawing now, with its cost, is worth several hundred Low‑grade Spirit Stones.

It's extremely precious and cannot be wasted casually.

Xiao Zhangqing put away the finished Talisman Script, then dispelled the studio's formation, and, seeing the slightly anxious Lin Zixi walk in, asked, "What happened?"

Lin Zixi said uneasily, "My lord, outside there is a Foundation Establishment cultivator who claims to be the nephew of the Blood Crow Real Person. He says he has important matters to discuss with you. He has been waiting for almost a incense‑stick's worth of time."

Blood Crow Real Person? Hearing that title, Xiao Zhangqing felt a slight chill.

Back then at Nanshan Fang, before Pill Master Zhu Youlong passed away, only the hatred between his sect and the Blood Crow Real Person was told to Xiao Zhangqing. Since this life‑and‑death feud also concerned future Foundation Establishment sealing opportunities, Xiao Zhangqing naturally did not tell the Lin sisters. Therefore the Lin sisters did not know that the Blood Crow Real Person was someone Xiao Zhangqing had long recorded in his little notebook.

"He probably isn't here for revenge."

Xiao Zhangqing frowned, silently evaluating in his mind.

He inherited Zhu Youlong's 'last wish'—the secret that after sealing the core he would avenge the Blood Crow Real Person—something no one had ever mentioned, and even if the Blood Crow Real Person could calculate, he could not pinpoint him so precisely.

Moreover, if this person truly knew something, he would most likely act directly rather than send a Foundation Establishment junior to fetch him.

"Is he trying to win me over? Or has he discovered my identity as a Second Rank Superior Symbol Master?"

Xiao Zhangqing made a conjecture in his mind.

He did not hesitate and walked toward the reception hall.

Regardless of the other's purpose, he had to meet him.

Even if he backed down a thousand miles, and the Blood Crow Real Person truly learned of Xiao Zhangqing's connection with Zhu Youlong's sect, his current strength need not be overly feared.

Having reached a mid‑Foundation Establishment level of Soul Transformation strength, and possessing the Nine Autumn Flute and the Nine Autumn Divine Insight Secret Art, he was already sufficient to handle a Foundation Establishment Initial Stage True Person.

Even if the Blood Crow Real Person concealed his cultivation, being extremely cunning, and instead of remaining at the Initial Stage for decades as surface reports claimed, had actually reached the mid‑Foundation Establishment, Xiao Zhangqing still held the trump card Dragon Chant Technique, so self‑preservation was at least possible.

…

The reception hall.

Although Lin Ziyu felt disgust inside, she still performed the basic courtesy, offering He Yuan fruit pastries and tea.

After all, the visitor's background was huge; perhaps he came to see the lord for legitimate business, so she could not rashly become hostile.

Yet the waiting time of one incense stick tormented Lin Ziyu.

At first, He Yuan could still feign gentlemanly demeanor, speaking and acting politely.

Gradually, however, the lecherous playboy's true nature emerged, and his words became frivolous.

Finally, when the lord arrived, she breathed a sigh of relief, quickly standing behind Xiao Zhangqing and joining her sister Lin Zixi.

Dao Companion He gazed at the pair of sister blossoms, standing prettily, each like spring orchid and autumn chrysanthemum, his heart fluttered uncontrollably, making him even more impatient.

However, upon seeing Xiao Zhangqing, he instantly changed his expression, smiling without a smile, and said, "Hundred Dao Companion, you have such great face. I came to visit, yet you made me wait so long. Does the face of my uncle not move you either?"

Xiao Zhangqing clasped his hands and said, "Dao Companion He, your sudden visit and my untimely reception are my fault. However, I was in the middle of drawing a symbol just now and could not stop; please forgive me."

He Yuan could no longer wait; after the opening words, he was too lazy to find more excuses, and directly seized the chance, saying, "Your neglect makes it easy for me not to care. You only need to agree to one thing."

Xiao Zhangqing thought for a moment; it seemed this person truly came with purpose.

"I don't know what it is; Dao Companion He, please speak first," Xiao Zhangqing said, not agreeing outright.

He Yuan's gaze turned to the Lin sisters, his greed and possessiveness unmasked, and said, "It's simple; for a Hundred Dao Companion it's not a difficult matter. These two concubines of yours, the Lin sisters, I fell in love at first sight last time; these past days I've been unable to eat or drink because of them. Please transfer them to me, how about that?"

Hmm? Xiao Zhangqing narrowed his eyes slightly, a flash of murderous intent passing through his gaze.

He originally thought the Blood Crow Real Person wanted to recruit him.

To his surprise, this person came seeking this matter? Upon hearing this, the Lin sisters' faces burned with uncontrollable anger, feeling a great humiliation.

This 'fly' indeed harbored ill intent, with no goodwill.

To think… to think he wants to take the two sisters away? After the anger, the sisters couldn't help but feel worry, glancing anxiously at Xiao Zhangqing.

After all, although the other party is merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator, seemingly insignificant, behind him stands a figure in Liyang Immortal City who can summon wind and rain—the Blood Crow Real Person! Yet only a faint thread of worry remains.

Whether Lin Ziyu or Lin Zixi, they still trust Xiao Zhangqing.

After so many years together, although the lord's secrets are still many and unfathomable, like a mountain with no visible peak, they still have a general understanding of his character.

They all do not think the lord would agree to He Yuan's absurd and rude request.

After a moment, Xiao Zhangqing said coldly, "Dao Companion He, are you joking?"

"I have no mood for jokes with you! Hundred Dao Companion, you know who my uncle is, so it should be clear that you cannot be my enemy, right?" He Yuan has always only patience for women; today, his demeanor toward the Lin sisters was determined to obtain them.

In his view, the Lin sisters are easier to obtain than Mu Chunfeng.

Because Mu Chunfeng is a single female cultivator without a 'belonging', if she does not consent, he cannot force her.

The Lin sisters are different.

He only needs to pressure Xiao Zhangqing to willingly hand over the Lin sisters, and that would suffice.

Dealing with men is far simpler than dealing with women.

Relying on his uncle's name, in this Liyang Immortal City, few dare to deny him face!

Xiao Zhangqing clearly is not among those.

Before arriving, he had already investigated Xiao Zhangqing's background thoroughly.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator from a small place who had just arrived in Liyang Immortal City, a Second Rank Inferior Symbol Master, with no connections or backing, apparently even foolishly refused the City Lord's Office recruitment.

It was as if Heaven itself were helping him!

If Xiao Zhangqing joined the City Lord's Office as a guest minister, obtaining the Lin sisters might still be somewhat difficult, requiring some effort.

Now then…

As easy as flipping one's palm!

Seeing Xiao Zhangqing's expression grow darker, He Yuan was not at all intimidated; he simply waved his hand lightly, adopting a magnanimous demeanor, "Lin sisters, I am determined to take you! If you are reluctant, we can set a price—how many Spirit Stones, or what resources you need; I am in a good mood and can satisfy you."

However, in the next instant…

He Yuan's eyes widened sharply; he felt as if Xiao Zhangqing had become an enormous terrifying black hole, his spiritual sense, perception, and sight all being sucked in.

"What kind of ghost is this?"

He broke out in cold sweat; as a Foundation Establishment Initial Stage cultivator, due to his background, he still possessed many life‑saving Magic Treasures and methods bestowed by his uncle.

Yet at that moment, his magical power could not be summoned in time, nor could his protective measures be employed; he instantly lost all resistance, and boundless darkness and terror enveloped him.

Boom! He Yuan felt his soul as if torn into fragments by an invisible storm, instantly leaving him on the brink of death.

At the same time, a magical power far stronger than his own mighty force seemed to crush his muscles and bones to pieces, and like a dead dog he was blasted out of the cave dwelling and tossed outside.

"If you're not satisfied, I can have your uncle come to help you take revenge!"

He Yuan, just before he lost consciousness, heard a voice echo in his mind.

(End of chapter)