Chapter 325: line with translation of title

title: 331. Chapter 331 Clamor

Ten years passed in an instant.

Lin Ke had grown from a cute little boy into a handsome young man.

The number of inner disciples of the Eight Extremes Martial Hall increased from the original eight to twenty-six.

The eldest senior brother Shi Ganding, the second senior sister Yu Huiying, and the third senior brother Liu Zongquan successively received their master's permission, went out to establish branch halls of the Eight Extremes Martial Hall, promoting Human Immortal Martial Arts and the Eight Extremes Fist Method.

The fourth senior brother, fifth senior sister, and sixth senior brother oversaw the various martial hall industries scattered across different regions, constantly traveling to manage them.

The one truly shouldering the main responsibility at the Eight Extremes Martial Hall headquarters in Fuli County is Lin Ke.

As for the seventh senior sister Li Sisi, after showing signs of an early romance, the master's wife firmly sent her back to her natal family to pursue further studies at the Bright Heart Sword School.

What most angered the master's wife was Li Sisi's early romance partner, who was not her childhood friend and fellow disciple Lin Ke, but a male classmate from the Provincial Capital Academy whose family advocated mechanical reform and development.

Once, the eighth junior brother Lin Ke, whom Li Sisi admired for his outstanding talent and rapid progress in Human Immortal Martial Arts, underwent a complete transformation in less than half a year at the Provincial Capital Academy, becoming, in her eyes, a backward conservative.

He didn't even want to be as close as before, let alone speak a few more words.

It seemed that if he got even slightly closer, he would be tainted by a decaying aura, impossible to avoid.

"Ke'er, Si Si, don't take this to heart; rest assured, I will definitely correct her mistaken thinking."

After returning from the Bright Heart Sword School in her natal home to Fuli County, the master's wife immediately sought out Lin Ke, earnestly advising him, fearing that the increasingly outstanding Lin Ke might develop second thoughts.

Know that over the past seven or eight years, the Eight Extremes Martial Hall's promising development has been entirely due to Lin Ke, who gradually integrated into the martial hall family and devised strategies behind the scenes.

If Lin Ke's heart were chilled by his daughter's rebelliousness, it would be a great loss.

Not to mention that the martial hall's development still requires Lin Ke's effort.

After ten years together, the master's wife had already come to regard Lin Ke as half a son and her chosen son-in-law.

Consequently, the master's wife placed great importance on Lin Ke's thoughts and opinions.

"Madam, rest assured, I won't have any improper thoughts."

In the face of the master's wife's kind advice, Lin Ke expressed that he would not cause trouble for the master and the master's wife.

Moreover, Lin Ke truly had no particular feelings for the seventh senior sister Li Sisi.

He wasn't just a naive boy who would fall for any pretty girl he saw.

"Just don't think too much, just don't think too much."

Hearing Lin Ke's calm statement, the master's wife actually felt a bit disappointed.

Well, the idea of having Ke'er become her son-in-law who rides the dragon to swift success is likely to come to nothing.

Not only did Si Si cause trouble, she was also very rebellious.

Looking at Lao Ba, it doesn't seem like he has any intention of marrying Si Si.

"Alright, you go ahead and be busy; I won't disturb you. Also, don't wear yourself out—rest more and take care of your health."

The master's wife didn't say anything more on the topic, glanced at the various books piled on the desk and the half-read martial arts theory manual, left a remark, and departed from Lin Ke's study.

After the master's wife left, Lin Ke opened the manual, took out a stack of documents from the drawer, and read them carefully.

"These two are definitely not mutually in love!"

After reviewing Li Sisi's early romance partner's personal and family background, Lin Ke muttered to himself and gave a very definite judgment on the matter of her early romance.

Over these ten years, Lin Ke has certainly not wasted his time, making tremendous progress in all aspects.

First is the realm of Human Immortal Martial Arts.

The four realms of martial arts are the Qi Power Realm, the Condensing Truth Realm, the Unity Realm, and the Penetrating Void Realm.

After ten years of arduous training, bolstered by his nearly overflowing extraordinary talent, Lin Ke outwardly appears as a peak warrior of the Condensing Truth Realm, but in reality he has already entered the later stage of the Unity Realm.

Within the Eight Extremes Martial Hall system, only the master Li Shuwen, who is in the Penetrating Void Realm, possesses a higher realm and combat strength than Lin Ke.

The master's wife, who is in the middle stage of the Unity Realm, along with the eldest senior brother and second senior sister in the early stage of the Unity Realm, are no longer a match for Lin Ke.

Looking across Danyang Commandery, Lin Ke can certainly be counted among the top martial artists.

Secondly, his standing and influence within the Eight Extremes Martial Hall system and the martial world.

Master Li Shuwen is a typical martial person—wise, but lacking in scheming and without the patience for management.

After three years of joining the hall, Lin Ke, having seen through certain people and matters, began to devise strategies, developing the martial hall's influence and various industries.

Today, under Lin Ke's leadership, the Eight Extremes Martial Hall has become the largest martial hall in Danyang Commandery, with comprehensive strength comparable to some sects and gangs.

In terms of industry, unlike most Human Immortal Martial Arts Sect Martial Halls, which shun mechanical martial arts due to their hostility toward it, they reject the growing mechanization and technological development.

Lin Ke actively promotes industrial reform in the Eight Extremes Martial Hall, staying ahead of the tide of development.

After seven years of operation, the Eight Extremes Martial Hall has successfully amassed substantial financial resources and a vast industrial system.

As the saying goes, 'the bird that sticks out gets shot.'

The Eight Extremes Martial Hall's rapid development naturally attracts envy, covetousness, and suppression from certain people and forces.

If we can't compete in the marketplace, we'll switch tracks.

Some Human Immortal Martial Arts Sect Martial Halls and some Mechanical Martial Arts Sect Martial Halls have begun provoking trouble and storming the hall.

In the past few years, the main force responding to those who stormed the hall was Master Li Shuwen, Eldest Senior Brother Shi Ganding, and Second Senior Sister Yu Huiying.

Once Lin Ke revealed his Condensing Truth Realm level, Master Li Shuwen began arranging for him to spar with others.

Over three plus years, with dozens of matches and an undefeated record, Lin Ke's fame spread throughout Danyang Commandery and the martial world.

Whether it's the Human Immortal Martial Arts Sect or the Mechanical Martial Arts Sect, everyone knows of a figure like Lin Ke.

Even the reputation of Young Hero Lin Ke has spread to several neighboring commanderies of Danyang Commandery, such as Tianshui Commandery.

Additionally, an intelligence system was established alongside the construction of branch halls and the expansion of industries.

This extremely detailed information in Lin Ke's hands comes precisely from the gathering of the intelligence system.

Lastly, it is about how to restore his own wizard's power and, through this trial, help Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke.

Although he threw himself wholeheartedly into the practice of role-playing and human-immortal martial arts, Lin Ke would not forget the true purpose of this journey.

Having extensively researched materials, combined with personal cultivation experience, Lin Ke believed that as long as he could break through the Cavity Void Realm and reach the legendary fifth stage of martial arts—the Seeing God Realm—he would then be able to unlock the Sea of Consciousness, gaining knowledge and sorcery.

Moreover, by means of the trial, Lin Ke also had a guess.

That is to win the championship of the Under-Heaven's Number One Martial Arts Assembly held eight years later, becoming the number one martial artist of this world.

Overwhelming all martial practitioners of the human-immortal martial arts and mechanical martial arts of this world!

Gathering his thoughts, Lin Ke redirected his attention back to the matter of Seventh Senior Sister Li Sis's early romance.

Li Sis's attitude toward him changed too abruptly, and moreover, there are some suspicious aspects in the process of her falling into an early romance.

Only then would Lin Ke investigate this matter.

It was precisely through Lin Ke's indirect probing that the master's wife discovered her daughter's abnormality, and then resolutely sent her daughter to the Bright Heart Sword School.

As a reclusive sect, the Bright Heart Sword School is built deep in the mountains, almost completely cut off from the world.

Thus, even if Li Sis had indeed been afflicted by some evil technique, it could still be buffered.

Lin Ke intuitively felt that Li Sis's 'early romance' incident was merely a beginning.

There is a force lurking in the shadows that has set its sights on the Eight Extremes Martial Hall.

Whether the opponent intends to suppress the reputation of the Eight Extremes Martial Hall to strike at human-immortal martial arts, or to covet its assets, Lin Ke cannot agree.

Not to mention the feelings developed over ten years of association, solely considering that the Eight Extremes Martial Hall can help him strive for the number one title eight years later, Lin Ke must get to the bottom of this matter and uncover the mastermind behind it.

Waiting passively for death, or defending and counterattacking, is not Lin Ke's style.

"Looks like I need to make a trip to the provincial capital."

Closing the materials, Lin Ke muttered to himself and made a decision.

"If the mountain won't come to me, I'll go to the mountain."

The opponent hides in the dark, daring not to take overt action.

What Lin Ke needs to do is drag the opponent out into the sunlight and punch him to death!

The next day.

After bidding farewell to his master and mistress, Lin Ke set out alone, taking a boat straight down from Fuli County to the provincial capital. As for his movements, Lin Ke did not conceal them in the slightest.

All forces paying attention to the Eight Extremes Martial Hall's movements could know when Lin Ke left, when he boarded the boat, and when and where he arrived.

If one wanted to do something, such as intercept and kill, it would be extremely convenient.

"Husband, will Ke'er encounter danger?"

Watching the sailboat fade into the distance, the mistress couldn't help but feel worried.

Even though Lin Ke is 'mature beyond his years' and very opinionated, having been raised by her side for ten years, how could she not worry?

"Don't worry, madam; even if there is danger, it won't be Ke'er's, but the danger of those who can't help but jump out to stir trouble."

Li Shuwen smiled faintly, speaking with full confidence.

"How so?"

The mistress's beautiful eyes instantly fixed on Li Shuwen's eyes, eagerly seeking an explanation.

"Ke'er's strength should now be greater than yours."

Li Shuwen transmitted the words secretly, saying them only for his own wife to hear.

The mistress looked left and right, and indeed noticed many suspicious individuals lurking on the dock.

Since Ke'er developed and expanded the martial hall, there have always been spies from other forces around its vicinity.

Seeing this, the mistress said no more, taking Li Shuwen's hand and returning to the martial hall.

If there is anything to say, it can be whispered when the two are alone, which is more private and more candid.

On the other side.

Lin Ke's journey went extremely smoothly, with no one blind enough to jump out and provoke him.

On the following night, the sailboat sailed into the provincial capital's dock.

"Junior brother, here."

The senior brother Shi Ganding, having learned the previous night that Lin Ke was coming, was quite excited.

Today he even came personally to the dock to welcome him.

"Senior brother, long time no see."

Lin Ke disembarked, calmly making his way through the crowded throng to stand before Senior Brother Shi.

"Haha… it's been more than half a year. The last time we met was when you brought Seventh Junior Sister to the provincial capital to study."

Senior Brother Shi first laughed loudly, then his tone grew somewhat complex as he heaved a deep sigh, "Alas! I failed to look after Seventh Junior Sister properly, leading to a mistake."

"This matter has nothing to do with you, Senior Brother."

Lin Ke said seriously, "Moreover, the exact nature of this matter is still unclear; we need to investigate."

"Junior brother, you came to the provincial capital this time specifically to investigate this matter, right?"

Senior Brother Shi immediately followed up with a question.

"Exactly."

Lin Ke gave a slight nod.

"If there's anything you need Senior Brother to help with, just say so."

Senior Brother Shi immediately expressed his stance, then shifted tone and said, "However, the investigation isn't urgent; come on, Senior Brother will give you a welcome feast to wash away the dust."

Saying this, Senior Brother Shi reached out an arm, pulling Lin Ke toward the convoy waiting outside the platform.

Lin Ke did not dodge, following Senior Brother Shi's motion as he walked toward a convoy of three vehicles resembling beetles.

The two sat in the rear seat of the middle vehicle.

The convoy set off, heading toward the most luxurious hotel in the provincial capital.

After about half an hour, the convoy entered the bustling urban area from the dock near the suburbs, where people flowed like a tide, and stopped before a hotel whose lights shone brightly, its exterior resplendent with gold and jade.

The martial hall disciples who got out of the front and back two cars separated the doorboy who wanted to step forward to greet guests.

"Hall Master, we've arrived."

The capable young man in the front passenger seat of the middle car and the driver each opened a car door for the two senior brothers.

"Come on, junior brother. Last time you came, you never went here. Tonight, try something fresh and take a good look at the prosperity of the provincial capital."

Senior Brother Shi put his arm around Lin Ke's arm and walked toward the hotel interior.

The lobby manager who noticed the commotion here had already been waiting by the revolving door, wearing a professional smile, and said respectfully: "Mr. Shi, your reserved private room is ready; please follow me."

"Come on, junior brother."

Senior Brother Shi first gave the lobby manager a slight nod, then called out to Lin Ke, whose gaze had drifted to the pillar in the west corner of the lobby.

"All right, senior brother."

Lin Ke withdrew his gaze and followed Senior Brother Shi to the private room on the second floor.

In his heart, he actually began to mutter.

Just arrived at the provincial capital, before he could start his investigation, the investigation target appeared at the hotel where the eldest senior brother was giving him a welcome feast, and had deliberately waited in a corner, wanting to secretly observe him.

This is definitely no coincidence.

They must have been tracking Lin Ke's itinerary all along.

But after all, they were still a bit inexperienced, failing to conceal themselves properly and exposing themselves too early.

With a thought, Lin Ke cast a hidden mark that landed extremely inconspicuously on the person tailing him from behind the pillar.

He then paid no further attention to them and focused on catching up with the eldest senior brother.

People always change.

Especially after their living environment and circumstances undergo a great change.

The eldest senior brother has run a martial hall in the provincial capital for five years; although he has not neglected his martial cultivation, the provincial capital's lustrous lights and flowing wine, its flamboyant world, have also become an obstacle to his further progress.

Their master, Li Shuwen, had once pointed this out to the eldest senior brother.

Lin Ke also tactfully brought up whether they should change locations for the martial hall, or return to Fuli County to retreat for a while.

The eldest senior brother neither avoided the topic nor withdrew from the provincial capital.

He believed that the provincial capital's flamboyant world is not only an obstacle to the martial path, but also a tempering.

As long as he can hold to his original intention and not be led astray, he will surely reap great benefits.

Thus, the eldest senior brother was allowed to continue overseeing the provincial capital.

The two senior brothers entered the private room, took their seats, and began the meal.

Martial practitioners, of course, don't drink much alcohol.

Senior Brother Shi's "main dish" for entertaining Lin Ke tonight is not a banquet either.

A tableful of delicious dishes quickly went into both of their stomachs.

The martial hall disciples who came along as attendants were eating and drinking well in the two private rooms to the left and right.

"Junior brother, let's go……"

After wiping the oil from the corner of his mouth with a napkin, Senior Brother Shi was about to greet Lin Ke to try tonight's "main dish".

Suddenly someone burst into the private room, aggressive and imposing.

The leader was a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old youth, dressed in proper attire, wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, and possessing an extremely refined demeanor.

But his attitude was extremely vicious; he pointed a finger at Lin Ke and demanded harshly:

"Speak, where did you hide Si Si?"