C13 The Wind and Clouds Moved!

The Lin family was abuzz with tension in the early morning, and it wasn't just the elders and brothers who harbored deep-seated grudges against Lin Xi who felt the looming crisis. Even those who routinely bullied Lin Xi for sport, seeking favor from Lin Dong, Lin Huan, and currying favor with the influential ladies of the house, were now consumed by fear and plotting.

Lin Xi's meteoric rise and stunning counterattack had caught them all off guard. His uncanny ability to consume medicinal pills and enhance his strength at will had everyone convinced that his moment to exact revenge was just around the corner.

Lin Dong, as the young master, was not with his parents at this time. He had his own circle and power base. In his room, he was speaking with an old man who, despite his stooped figure and snow-white beard, exuded vitality. "Elder Qiu, I'm entrusting this task to you. You've been with the Lin family since you arrived with my mother, never revealing your martial skills, always the discreet servant. You've done very well."

"I've made myself clear: Lin Xi, that worthless wretch, cannot be allowed to live. So, I'm counting on you. Please take care of it!"

Elder Qiu, a late-stage yellow level Warrior, was a servant in name but fiercely loyal to the Qiu family. He had watched Lin Dong grow up and was deeply attached to him. Whether driven by their master-servant bond or the Qiu family's ambitions to control the Lin family, Elder Qiu would not tolerate any threat to Lin Dong's safety or status.

With eyes as dark and piercing as a viper's, Elder Qiu nodded in agreement. "Rest assured, Young Master. Even if Lin Xi has defied the odds, he still needs time to mature. I may not be the most capable, but within three days, I will claim his life without implicating you or the Mistress..."

With those final words, Elder Qiu turned on his heel and vanished into the shadows.

Lin Dong stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his refined face contorted with malice. "Lin Xi, you vile creature, I await the day you lie dead at his feet..."

Meanwhile, the Lu family, Feng family, and Hua family in Rosehaven were also buzzing with the news of Lin Xi's astonishing ascent within the Lin family.

The recent news had the patriarchs of the three major families on the edge of their seats. The Lin family, already recognized as the foremost among the four great families, particularly the Lin Qiu branch—one of the four distinguished families in Rosehaven City—boasted a patriarch whose daughter had a formidable background.

What was even more difficult for the other three families to stomach was the prodigious development of Lin Dong, the Lin family's young master. With the robust support of both the Lin and Qiu families, Lin Dong had advanced to the middle stage of the Warrior class at just fourteen and subsequently stepped into the late stage.

Two years on, rumors swirled that Lin Dong had ascended to the ninth level of the Realm of Might, leaving the three families in a state of near despair, struggling for breath.

Among Rosehaven Town's four youthful prodigies were:

Lin Dong of the Lin family, a ninth-level Warrior.

Feng Jiaju of the Feng family, an eighth-level Warrior.

Lu Xiaoyun of the Lu family, a seventh-level Warrior.

Hua Wuque of the Hua family, also a seventh-level Warrior.

Despite all being late-stage Warriors, the disparity between them was significant and difficult to bridge.

In the midst of this, the Lin family experienced a meteoric rise once more. The unexpected emergence of Lin Xi was a bitter pill for the three families to swallow.

Following Lin Dong's ascent to the top genius of Rosehaven, the rival families resorted to underhanded tactics in an attempt to eliminate him. Yet, Lin Dong was not only secluded in his family's secret chamber for cultivation, but he was also guarded by a formidable peak Warrior bodyguard, making any attempt on his life futile.

With spies embedded within each family, the three major families were quick to catch wind of Lin Xi's emergence. Nonetheless, Lin Xi's abrupt rise failed to shock the upper echelons of these families. Despite his rapid progress, he was merely an ant at the third level of the Warrior class, easily crushed by any one of the scores of individuals capable of doing so.

What truly baffled them was the manner and timing of Lin Xi's rise. Just the night before, he had been deemed worthless, yet upon awakening, he had astonishingly reached the pinnacle of the early Warrior stage.

According to undercover reports, Lin Xi had not practiced any of the Lin family's cultivation techniques. It remains a mystery what incredible substance resides within his body, but with just a handful of fasting pills, he managed to topple Lin Fan.

His meteoric rise was utterly astounding and caused widespread alarm.

Simultaneously, the leaders and senior members of the three great families came to the same conclusion: the once-considered worthless Lin Xi had stumbled upon a remarkable stroke of luck.

If left unchecked, this stroke of luck could become the three families' worst nightmare.

Meanwhile, in the grand hall of the Feng family, the patriarch Feng Buyi was conversing with Feng Jiaju and a girl of unparalleled beauty.

This girl was none other than Lu Xiaoyun, the prodigy of the Lu family.

As an infant, her grandfather, Lu Xincheng, patriarch of the Lu family, contracted a bizarre illness that left him teetering on the brink of death.

The Lu family sought remedies far and wide, even approaching the renowned yellow-level alchemist Qiu Bo in Rosehaven, only to be unceremoniously turned away.

However, after indulging in a lavish meal at the Lucky Mug, claiming he'd rather die full than hungry, Lu Xincheng miraculously recovered from his illness following a bout of severe vomiting. The meal had been prepared by none other than Chef Lin.

Realizing that Chef Lin had saved his life, an overjoyed Lu Xincheng impulsively promised his newborn daughter Lu Xiaoyun's hand in marriage to Lin Xi.

As Lu Xiaoyun grew up, she blossomed into a stunning beauty and a brilliant talent, becoming Rosehaven's fourth young prodigy.

Lu Xincheng lived with regret, unable to retract his promise, and mourned for years.

After Chef Lin's disappearance, Lin Xi's reputation as a good-for-nothing spread far and wide, and the Lu family seemed to erase the betrothal from their memory.

Lu Xiaoyun, however, found love with Feng Jiaju, the Feng family's own genius. Both families silently approved of their union, considering the benefits and alliance it would bring.

At that moment, Feng Buyi, the Feng family patriarch, watched his son and Lu Xiaoyun with a profound gaze.

"This is the situation. Now, I need to know where you both stand. Are you certain you want to be together?"

Feng Jiaju nodded without hesitation.

"I will have no other but Junior Sister Lu. I hope our family will grant this wish!"

Lu Xiaoyun's cheeks turned a rosy hue as she shyly lowered her gaze, her demure charm on full display.

"I am willing to join Senior Brother Feng, to soar side by side and unite our lives..."

Feng Buyi burst into laughter.

"Excellent! Within three days, I will personally visit the Lu family to request my son's hand in marriage!"

Just then, a figure peeked around the entrance of the main hall.

Lu Xiaoyun expressed her surprise.

"Lu Xun, what brings you here?"

Lu Xun, a member of the Lu family, steeled himself and stepped into the main hall. After paying his respects to Feng Buyi, he addressed Lu Xiaoyun,

"Miss, the head of the family has sent me to escort you home without delay..."

Feng Buyi and Feng Jiaju exchanged a glance, a sense of foreboding settling in their hearts.

Lu Xiaoyun looked anxiously at Feng Jiaju.

"Senior Brother Lu..."

Feng Jiaju managed a weak smile.

"Then you should go back..."

Sensing something amiss, Lu Xiaoyun turned to Feng Jiaju with a solemn promise,

"Senior Brother Feng, no matter what happens, my heart will remain steadfast..."

Feng Jiaju's smile broadened, feeling a surge of joy.

After Lu Xiaoyun's departure, Feng Buyi gave Feng Jiaju a knowing look.

"Do you really think that with Lu Xiaoyun's firm resolve, you're guaranteed to win her heart?"

Feng Jiaju's expression froze, at a loss for words.

Feng Buyi let out a cold laugh and gazed out of the hall, hands clasped behind his back.

"That Lu Xincheng is up to something else, I'm sure of it. Hmph!"

"Well, that's only if that good-for-nothing can survive..."

...

Walking along the sole thoroughfare of Rosehaven toward the Lucky Mug, Lin Xi was accompanied by Lin Dong, who cast him looks of confusion and astonishment from time to time.

At this moment, Lin Xi's gait was far from his usual stride.

He was deeply engrossed in the essence of the One Flower, One Leaf Lightness Technique, lifting his foot at an odd angle with every step he took.

Lin Xi was well aware that he was practicing the initial stance of the Fallen Leaves Flying Flower Steps. Yet, despite having mastered the intricate technique, with each leaf and petal perfectly executed, Lin Xi continued to lift his foot in an exaggerated manner. This movement was suitable for martial arts footwork, but as a way of walking, it was awkward and unsightly. Throughout his journey, Lin Xi maintained this peculiar gait, stepping and lifting his foot, resembling someone with a troubled mind.

Unbeknownst to Lin Bufan, each time Lin Xi raised his foot, he gained a deeper understanding of the Fallen Leaves Flying Flower Steps. It wasn't until he arrived at the Lucky Mug that Lin Xi, under the astonished gazes of the servers and chefs, swaggered up the steps.

"Hey, did you see that? That good-for-nothing has lost his mind today. He can't even walk straight!" one remarked.

"Who knows? Isn't that the Lin family's Chief Steward with him? What's he doing at the restaurant so early? Something must have happened," another speculated.

The restaurant staff were clueless about the events that had transpired at the Lin family's training ground. Meanwhile, the groggy manager, Lin Bufan, hurriedly emerged to greet Lin Bufan. Although both were members of the Lin family, Lin Bufan was accountable to Lin Bufan.

Lin Bufan was unaware of the recent developments with Lin Xi, having spent the previous night with a beautiful newcomer to the restaurant, neglecting to return home. He was taken aback by Lin Bufan's early arrival at the Lucky Mug, wondering if his financial indiscretions had been discovered. With trepidation, he approached to offer his respects.

"Chief Steward Lin, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit? Oh, if only I had known you were coming, I would have prepared some early morning tea!" Lin Bufan said, trying to mask his anxiety.

Lin Bufan dismissed the gesture with a wave of his hand, responding coolly, "I'm here to deliver an order from the Patriarch. Lin Xi has been toiling away here at the restaurant, and it's come to my attention that he hasn't been properly fed."

His eyes flashed with a stern light as he fixed his gaze on Lin Bufan.

Lin Bufan, sweating profusely, bowed and stammered, "That... is indeed the case, however..."

He trailed off, unable to finish his sentence. He couldn't believe that Lin Bufan was unaware that these were the wishes of Young Master Lin Dong.

Lin Buqing chuckled with a hint of warning in his voice, "Let's not dwell on the past. The head of the Lin family insists that Lin Xi be well-fed!"

Lin Boqun nodded profusely, his heart racing with alarm. He had no idea what had transpired with Lin Xi to warrant such personal attention from the family head concerning his meals.

"Of course, the Lucky Mug is never short on food, hehe..."

Lin Buqing teased Lin Boqun with a playful gaze, "Four meals a day!"

What?

Lin Boqun looked up in disbelief.

Four meals meant, in addition to breakfast, lunch, and dinner, he also needed to provide a late-night snack?

Wasn't he the only one in the entire restaurant who received such treatment?

Lin Buqing's smile was serene yet insistent, "Lin Xi can eat whatever he desires. Don't you dare restrict his portions! Got it?"

Lin Boqun grimaced, internally grumbling.

What if he wants a feast? Do I have to get the head chef to whip up something special for him?

But Lin Buqing wasn't finished, "If Lin Xi craves Level Three Demonic Beast meat, you're not to show the slightest displeasure. This comes straight from the head of the family. Understand?"

Lin Boqun's mind reeled, utterly baffled.

Was this... the underdog's comeback?