C9 His Wife Was Shocked!.

"How can this kid be so daring?"

In a shadowy nook just outside Lin Yun's courtyard, a spectral figure lurked, covertly watching every move inside. The sight of Lin Yun dispatching Ding Xu without a second thought left him utterly shocked.

He had always pegged Lin Yun as nothing more than a timid, old-fashioned scholar. What he couldn't fathom was how Lin Yun had transformed after a brush with death.

"I'm not fond of repeating myself."

Lin Yun's icy gaze fell upon the three petrified disciples from the Law Enforcement Hall. Clutching his bloodied sword, he seemed poised to strike at any moment.

The example of Ding Xu's fate had been enough to silence any doubts the disciples might have harbored. With gritted teeth, they proceeded to break each other's arms, the pain causing them to break out in cold sweats, their faces ashen with fear.

Lin Yun gave a nod of approval and said dismissively, "You're free to go."

At his command, the three disciples stumbled out of the courtyard, a deep and lingering fear of Lin Yun's courtyard now etched into their minds.

The shadowy onlooker sighed, "This guy has really stirred up trouble now," before vanishing into thin air.

With Ding Xu dead, his nominal master, Elder Qingfeng, was sure not to let this slide.

Lin Yun was acutely aware of this. Elder Qingfeng was known for his volatile temper, and it was likely he would come looking for Lin Yun directly.

Given Elder Qingfeng's standing as an elder within the Mystic Moon Sect, Lin Yun knew he was no match for him.

That's why, even before he made the decision to eliminate Ding Xu, Lin Yun had already devised a plan.

Just then, a tall, burly figure appeared at the entrance of the courtyard. Lin Yun recognized him immediately—it was Jiang Mang, the top disciple of the Outer Sect, whom he had encountered outside the pill room earlier that day.

"What's he doing here?" Lin Yun wondered silently.

Jiang Mang's gaze fell on Ding Xu's headless body, and a peculiar smile crept across his stoic face.

"You're not afraid to die?" Jiang Mang asked, his eyes flickering with pity, sympathy, and a greater measure of admiration.

Despite knowing Ding Xu was under Elder Qingfeng's protection, Jiang Mang respected Lin Yun's audacity to end him with a single sword strike. Regardless of Lin Yun's level of cultivation or even if he were a mere mortal, his bravery had earned Jiang Mang's esteem.

Lin Yun replied with a light laugh, "Getting pushed around isn't my style. The best way to handle these types is to give them a taste of their own medicine!"

Jiang Mang shook his head and countered, "Even with the Sect Master's protection, Elder Qingfeng won't hesitate to kill you."

Having spent years within the Mystic Moon Sect, Jiang Mang was all too aware that the sect's current tranquility was merely a facade. Qin Yutong might be the Sect Master now, but with less than a year since her ascension, her power base was still consolidating. The sect was rife with volatile elements like Elder Qingfeng, beyond her immediate control.

And of course, there was the fact that Qin Yutong was still too young. Her cultivation and personal power hadn't yet reached the level needed to single-handedly lead a sect.

In essence, in such dire straits, even if Qin Yutong truly wished to shield her husband, Lin Yun, it was doubtful she'd succeed.

"Then I won't bother you further."

Lin Yun smiled, his curiosity piqued as he asked, "You surely didn't come all this way just to say that, did you?"

In his recollection, Jiang Mang was notoriously solitary among the Outer Sect disciples. Given his disposition, it was unlikely he'd seek out Lin Yun for idle chatter.

True to form, Jiang Mang cut to the chase, "I need twenty each of Fasting Pills, Vitality Pills, and Miasma-dispelling Powder."

Lin Yun raised an eyebrow in surprise.

The pills Jiang Mang requested were all Grade Two, each fetching a pretty penny on the market. And here he was, asking for a hefty quantity all at once—a significant transaction, indeed!

"The going rate totals seven thousand taels of silver."

Jiang Mang handed over a hefty bundle of banknotes to Lin Yun, who quickly tallied them to find only six thousand taels.

Meeting Lin Yun's quizzical look, Jiang Mang stated flatly, "I'll owe you a thousand taels for now."

Lin Yun was taken aback, "You're asking for credit?" He hadn't pegged the imposing, stoic man before him as one to employ such tactics.

Shaking his head with a chuckle, Lin Yun remarked, "Given your current level of cultivation and standing, you'd likely spend only around five to six thousand taels for these pills at the pill room. So why come to me and pay more?"

As Lin Yun pointed out, Jiang Mang had indeed advanced to the Essence Building Stage, earning his place among the Inner Sect disciples. It was common knowledge that Mystic Moon Sect's Inner Sect disciples enjoyed a 20% discount at the pill room.

Jiang Mang's reply was straightforward, "Your pills are superior in quality."

Lin Yun couldn't suppress a laugh. He was well aware of the high quality of his pills, crafted as they were by the system.

Jiang Mang fixed Lin Yun with an intense gaze, his tone icy, "Will you sell them or not?"

Should Lin Yun decline, Jiang Mang would be forced to settle for the inferior offerings of the pill room.

"I'll sell them to you," Lin Yun responded decisively. "I'm fine with you owing me a thousand taels."

To Lin Yun, a thousand taels was a minor detail. The real value lay in securing Jiang Mang's support. Alone and unsupported within the Mystic Moon Sect, an ally as formidable as Jiang Mang would be invaluable.

Besides, Lin Yun had a hunch, despite their brief acquaintance, that this seemingly frosty giant was a man of his word.

"System, begin refining the Fasting Pills, Vitality Pills, and Miasma-dispelling Powder!"

After pocketing the six thousand taels from Jiang Mang, Lin Yun retreated to his room. He busied himself with a pretense of activity before emerging with the system-refined pills. His points soared from 460 to 5,060 after deducting the 1,400 points exchanged for psychic force.

Jiang Mang scrutinized the pills, then shot Lin Yun a perplexed look. "Did you just refine all these now?"

"No, these were prepared earlier," Lin Yun lied smoothly, betraying no hint of deception.

Jiang Mang's expression softened slightly. Had Lin Yun admitted to crafting them on the spot, it would've been a blow to his pride.

After all, pill refining was no trivial feat. Spirit Alchemists had to meticulously manage the ingredients and control the flames. Were it so simple, their skills wouldn't be held in such high esteem and rarity.

"Given your exceptional alchemy skills, you should make it a priority to get certified as a Spirit Alchemist by the Spirit Medicine Alliance. With that title and the Alliance's protection, those people might think twice before targeting you openly."

Before he departed, Jiang Mang gave Lin Yun a meaningful look and advised, "The nearest branch of the Spirit Medicine Alliance to the Mystic Moon Sect is over a hundred miles away, in Northern Prefecture Pass."

"Thanks for the heads-up."

A glimmer of light danced in Lin Yun's bright eyes as he offered a slight smile.

The death of Ding Xu and the crippling of three Law Enforcement Hall disciples were not issues to be taken lightly. Jiang Mang could foresee the brutal retaliation that the Law Enforcement Hall would likely unleash on Lin Yun. Of course, Lin Yun had anticipated this too.

So why did he boldly take out Ding Xu in such a public manner?

The answer was straightforward. Lin Yun had long intended to secure his status as a Spirit Alchemist with the Spirit Medicine Alliance. With their backing, even Elder Qingfeng wouldn't dare lay a hand on him.

"Young Master, how did you come by such a vast sum of money?"

Meng's eyes widened as she weighed the hefty banknotes in her hands.

Lin Yun left the banknotes with her, offering a few quick instructions before swiftly exiting the Mystic Moon Sect.

The cover of night was the perfect cloak for his departure.

Bathed in the serene moonlight, an exquisite figure stood atop an elegant pavilion, her gaze lost in the celestial tapestry above. A touch of sorrow and wistfulness lingered in her beautiful eyes.

A shadow emerged, revealing itself to be a white-bearded elder clad in black, his expression etched with concern.

Qin Yutong's smile was gentle as she inquired softly, "Uncle Shadow, how is he doing?"

The elder known as Uncle Shadow to Qin Yutong let out a resigned chuckle. "Miss, the lad's doing well, but he's landed you in hot water! He went ahead and killed Qingfeng's nominal disciple, Ding Xu, and broke the arms of several Law Enforcement Hall disciples."

"What? I thought he wasn't practicing cultivation?" Qin Yutong gasped in disbelief.

"The details are murky, but there's no denying he's an enigma," Uncle Shadow replied with a wry smile. "After his illness, he's like a changed man. He's not only reached the Fourth Grade of Body Refining, but he's also mastered pill refining! And that's not all. He's become increasingly audacious, fearing no one. Miss, I'm afraid Qingfeng might come looking for trouble as soon as tonight or tomorrow."

It took Qin Yutong a moment to process the astonishing revelations. Her husband in name had undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into someone entirely different from the Lin Yun she once knew.