C33 Punishment!

Upon seeing Jiaang Lin nod in agreement, the Seventh Protector instructed the Old Shopkeeper to gather the spirit medicines according to the list provided by Jiaang Lin.

Some time later, the Old Shopkeeper returned and handed over the neatly packaged spirit medicines to Jiaang Lin.

"Farewell!"

Having paid with silver notes, Jiaang Lin gave a respectful fist salute to the Seventh Protector and got ready to depart.

"Take care, and I hope to see you again soon at the Myriad Medicine Pavilion," the Seventh Protector said with a smile.

"Definitely," Jiaang Lin responded, then turned and made his way back to the Jiaang family home.

Once Jiaang Lin was out of sight, the Old Shopkeeper turned to the Seventh Protector, his face etched with concern. "Seventh Protector, selling the spirit medicines for just two hundred thousand silver taels when they're worth three times as much seems far too generous, doesn't it?"

The spirit medicines were indeed valuable, each set typically fetching four hundred thousand silver taels. Yet Jiaang Lin had acquired them for merely half the price, a fact that naturally pained the Old Shopkeeper.

"Spirit medicines have their price, but goodwill is priceless," the Seventh Protector replied, unfazed by the monetary loss.

"Seventh Protector, forgive my ignorance, but I'm struggling to grasp the meaning behind your words," the Old Shopkeeper said with a wry smile.

Selling favors?

Why extend such a courtesy to someone like Jiaang Lin, whom many consider worthless?

"Jiaang Lin is far from simple," the Seventh Protector explained.

"He... Isn't he just a non-cultivator, a so-called 'trash'?" the Old Shopkeeper asked, puzzled, wondering if perhaps he had misunderstood.

The Seventh Protector had never been known to speak so highly of a young man before.

"Trash? That's merely a baseless rumor. Reliable sources have informed me that not long ago, Jiaang Lin knocked out Body Refining Level Four Tang Bei from the Dao Artifact Hall with a single punch. Moreover, at his family's banquet, he gravely injured Body Refining Level Seven Jiaang Gao.

A young man capable of such feats is certainly not the 'trash' that Clear Water Town's rumors make him out to be," the Seventh Protector said, shaking his head with a dismissive chuckle.

Upon hearing this, the Old Shopkeeper's face registered shock. Immersed in the day-to-day operations of the shop, he had little time to keep abreast of the town's gossip.

He was completely unaware of Jiaang Lin's recent actions in Clear Water Town.

Imagine his astonishment upon learning that the young man previously deemed incapable of martial cultivation had knocked out Tang Bei with a single punch and gravely wounded Jiaang Gao with just one move. It was as unbelievable as seeing a pig climb a tree!

Had he not been familiar with the Seventh Protector's integrity, the Old Shopkeeper would have surely dismissed the tale as fiction.

"To have seriously injured Jiaang Gao, Jiaang Lin must be at most at Body Refining Level Eight. To possess such strength at only sixteen years old... There are even some in Clear Water Town with Martial Dao Talents far surpassing his. Why would the Seventh Protector take an interest in him and owe Jiaang Lin a favor?" the Old Shopkeeper wondered aloud after some time.

"Body Refining Level Eight? Old Sun, your lack of martial arts knowledge prevents you from grasping Jiaang Lin's true capabilities," the Seventh Protector responded, chuckling.

"Jiaang Lin isn't at Body Refining Level Eight; he's reached Qi Gathering Level One! From what I know, at the Jiaang family banquet, he inflicted heavy injuries on Jiaang Gao while only at the peak of Body Refining Level Seven. Yet, within just a few days, he has already broken through to Qi Gathering Level One!

That young man is no waste; he's an exceptional Martial Dao Talent!" the Seventh Protector declared, his tone grave after a pause.

He has a unique Battle Soul that enables him to effortlessly discern the Cultivation Level of those weaker than himself. During their business negotiations, he recognized Jiaang Lin's Cultivation Level as Qi Gathering Level One.

In less than a fortnight, Jiaang Lin had progressed from the peak of Body Refining Level Seven to Qi Gathering Level One! Such talent is unprecedented, surpassing even the unparalleled genius Shaang Duoge of the Dragon Abyss Empire.

It was for this reason that the Seventh Protector chose to extend a favor to Jiaang Lin. He is acutely aware that Jiaang Lin's future is boundless. By granting him a favor today and forging a friendship, he anticipates that it may yield unforeseen advantages for his Myriad Medicine Pavilion in the days to come.

Securing the friendship of a Martial Dao Talent like Jiaang Lin for a mere two hundred thousand silver taels? That's a bargain!

The Old Shopkeeper was left utterly speechless by the Seventh Protector's revelation, his mind a whirlwind of shock and disbelief.

It took him a moment to find his voice.

The so-called waste of Clear Water Town had, in a few short years, leaped to become a Martial Dao Talent. The stark contrast between past and present sent waves of shock through the Old Shopkeeper, the impact almost too intense to bear.

Despite his skepticism, the Seventh Protector's endorsement left him no choice but to accept the truth.

"Remember, the words I shared with you earlier must not be disclosed."

The Seventh Protector's sudden instruction jolted the Old Shopkeeper back to reality, and he quickly responded with due reverence.

"Jiaang Lin, such an intriguing young man. I wonder, can he defeat Qiao Junhan?"

The Seventh Protector mused, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

He was well aware of the upcoming duel between Jiaang Lin and Qiao Junhan at the Central Battle Platform in Clear Water Town.

Initially, he hadn't been optimistic about Jiaang Lin's chances.

But now, he found himself reconsidering, pondering the possibility that Jiaang Lin might just pull off a miracle for the whole of Clear Water Town on the day of their encounter.

Back at the Jiaang family estate, Jiaang Lin, laden with three hefty sacks of spiritual medicine, made his way home.

As he walked, he was met with the reverent stares of many Jiaang family disciples.

His recent feat of gravely injuring Jiaang Gao at the family banquet had sent ripples of astonishment through the clan.

Those who had once scorned Jiaang Lin now looked upon him with awe, their earlier mockery replaced by a cautious respect.

"Mr. Jiaang Lin, where have you been all this time? Why have you only just returned?"

Upon arriving at his dwelling, Jiaang Lin was greeted by Jiaang Xue, her face etched with concern and anxiety.

Jiaang Lin smiled.

"..."

Jiaang Xue was at a loss for words.

Who in Clear Water Town would dare to stroll through Celestial Peak Valley for a few days?

"The Celestial Peak Valley is incredibly dangerous. Why didn't you invite me to join you? If something had happened to you, how could I have explained it to our foster father? Do you have any idea how worried I've been? I thought you were already..."

After a pause, Jiaang Xue spoke up, her voice tinged with annoyance.

"Don't be upset, I'm fine!" Jiaang Lin said, gently patting Jiaang Xue's head and offering an awkward smile.

"Promise me you won't do this again. If you're going to Celestial Peak Valley, you must take me with you, understood?" Jiaang Xue said sternly, fixing Jiaang Lin with a glare.

"Alright, I promise I'll take you," Jiaang Lin responded.

"Jiaang Lin, do you realize the gravity of your actions?!" Suddenly, as Jiaang Lin and Jiaang Xue were talking, a commanding voice boomed across the courtyard.

Jiaang Zhengshan, accompanied by several high-ranking members of the Jiaang family, stepped into Jiaang Lin's courtyard, looking at him with indignation.

Jiaang Lin's brow furrowed, and his expression turned icy. "May I know what crime I am being accused of?"

He had never encountered someone like Jiaang Zhengshan, who demanded an admission of guilt upon arrival.

"Still playing dumb? Tell me, are you responsible for the deaths of Jiaang Gao, Jiaang Feng, Jiaang Lang, Jiaang Ren, and the other Jiaang family disciples?" Jiaang Zhengshan demanded.

"I don't know what you're referring to," Jiaang Lin replied coolly.

"You don't know? Well, today I will get an explanation from you. Jiaang family disciples reported seeing you with Jiaang Lang, heading into Celestial Peak Valley. Jiaang Gao and the others haven't returned for days. It wasn't until yesterday that our family's experts went into the valley and found their bodies. How can you claim their deaths have nothing to do with you?"

"Are you really claiming that their deaths have nothing to do with you?" Jiaang Zhengshan spoke slowly and deliberately.

Just yesterday, the Jiaang family's senior members learned that Jiaang Gao and several other disciples had ventured into Celestial Peak Valley and had been missing for days. Consequently, they dispatched people to search for them, only to discover that Jiaang Gao and the others were already dead.

Jiaang Lin, who had accompanied Jiaang Lang into Celestial Peak Valley, was mysteriously absent. Initially, Jiaang Zhengshan was convinced that Jiaang Lin had perished in the valley and was overjoyed at the thought. After all, if Jiaang Lin were dead, his son would rightfully become the next Patriarch of the Jiaang family.

However, to his dismay, Jiaang Lin returned unharmed today, dousing Jiaang Zhengshan's hopes like a bucket of cold water. Unwilling to accept this turn of events, Jiaang Zhengshan immediately led his men to Jiaang Lin's dwelling, intent on interrogating him, finding grounds to accuse him of wrongdoing, and either expelling him from the family or executing him.

"Celestial Peak Valley is fraught with peril and teeming with lethal threats, not to mention the numerous Demonic Beasts. Every year, the valley claims the lives of thousands, if not at least a thousand," Jiaang Lin countered. "How does the death of Jiaang Gao and the others necessarily implicate me?"

"Then why is it that out of everyone, only you returned from Celestial Peak Valley unscathed? Do you still dare to argue that you're not responsible for their deaths?" a voice suddenly challenged.

A young man, bearing a resemblance to Jiaang Zhengshan, stepped forward, fixing Jiaang Lin with a cold, indifferent stare. Jiaang Lin met his gaze, his eyes flashing with a chilling light.

This youth was Jiaang Xiang, Jiaang Zhengshan's son. At just sixteen, he was already recognized for his exceptional Martial Dao Talent, with a cultivation level at Qi Gathering Level One, making him one of Clear Water Town's prodigies. He was, in fact, Jiaang Lin's cousin.

In his previous life, Jiaang Lin vividly remembered how Jiaang Xiang had relentlessly bullied and beaten him. Jiaang Xiang had always been eyeing the position of Young Patriarch with envy, much like his father, Jiaang Zhengshan. Both seemed to wish nothing more than for Jiaang Lin to either be ousted from the Jiaang family or to meet an untimely death!

Understandably, there was not an ounce of brotherly affection in Jiaang Lin's heart for Jiaang Xiang.

"What are you implying, Jiaang Xiang? That I should have perished alongside Jiaang Gao and the others in Celestial Peak Valley to prove my innocence? Your insinuations are utterly absurd."

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