C15 Conflict

When Chu Lin left the Vault of Wonders, night had fully descended. The bustling daytime noise had subsided somewhat on the streets.

Chu Lin carefully tucked away his gold card, a smile playing on his lips. Fifty thousand gold coins was a fortune to him. With that amount, he could outright purchase ten beast cores and secure his place as an outer court disciple of the Martial Academy.

Yet, Chu Lin had no intention of taking the easy route. His journey to Raven's Pass was not solely to collect the necessary beast cores; he was also there to hone his combat skills through rigorous training.

He quickly reached the intersection where he had arranged to meet Yang Hu, but there was no sign of him.

"Let's check it out. I heard someone has crossed Heaven's Edge," someone said nearby.

"Heaven's Edge? Is that the league founded by a prodigy from the Martial Academy?"

"Someone dared to cross Heaven's Edge in Duskhaven? Who's that bold?"

"It seems to be a rather burly young man. He's a disciple of the Martial Academy too, probably with the strength of Body Tempering second level."

"This is going to be interesting."

Several figures dashed past Chu Lin. Their conversation made his heart skip a beat.

"Could that be Tiger?" A sense of foreboding washed over Chu Lin, prompting him to quickly follow the group.

Elsewhere, a disturbance had erupted on the street.

"Kid, you've dirtied my shoes. Do you think a simple apology is enough to settle this?" A sharp, arrogant voice cut through the crowd. Over ten youths encircled one in their midst. The speaker, clad in a green robe and brandishing a folding fan, appeared to be the ringleader, with the others standing deferentially behind him.

Each of them bore the intricate emblem of a short sword on their chests—the mark of Heaven's Edge.

The young man at the center of the circle was none other than Yang Hu.

Yang Hu was inwardly seething with frustration. He had only intended to gather a few essentials for his venture into Raven's Pass. But the street was crowded, and he had inadvertently stepped on the shoes of a member of Heaven's Edge. It was clear that this young man's connections were far from insignificant.

As a disciple of the Martial Academy, Yang Hu was well aware of the notorious Heaven's Edge from the outer court and preferred to avoid any confrontation with them. In a recent encounter, he promptly offered an apology to one of their members.

However, the young man from Heaven's Edge seemed disinclined to resolve the issue amicably.

"Senior Brother, I am truly sorry. It was not intentional," Yang Hu said with genuine remorse, bowing deeply to the youth before him. He had no desire to stir up trouble, especially since he had already involved Chu Lin twice due to previous conflicts with Hu Zhi and Lyi Laomu. The thought of causing further trouble for Chu Lin and inciting the wrath of Heaven's Edge filled him with guilt.

Despite Yang Hu's forbearance, the Heaven's Edge youth was relentless. Seizing the opportunity as Yang Hu bowed, the youth grabbed his hair and forcefully pushed him to the ground.

"First off, I don't like apologies from someone who's standing up. Secondly, I'll accept your apology on one condition: you lick my shoes clean," the youth taunted.

"Just look at him. He's as pathetic as a dog in front of Young Master Yu."

"Servant disciples are practically no different from dogs!"

The group of youths burst into laughter.

"This is too much!" Yang Hu fumed, his spiritual energy swirling as he attempted to resist, but the hand on his head was overpoweringly strong, and he couldn't break free.

"Don't bother struggling. You're only at the second level of Body Tempering. If I felt like it, I could kill you," the young man sneered, his grip intensifying as if he intended to crush Yang Hu's head against the unforgiving stone floor.

Yang Hu's head throbbed with pain as if it were about to split open. Clenching his teeth, he bellowed, "This is too much. One day, I will have my revenge!"

Unbeknownst to them, a figure had pushed through the crowd and witnessed the entire scene.

Chu Lin's eyes widened in shock.

"Mu Rui, the pain you've inflicted on me will be repaid tenfold, a hundredfold!" he vowed silently, the bitter memory of being pushed off a cliff by Mu Rui fueling his resolve.

Amidst the tension, Chu Lin heard a voice tinged with mockery.

"Am I hearing things? A mere servant disciple like yourself, indistinguishable from trash, dares to speak such words. It's not your fault that you're lowly. But your ignorance of your own insignificance, that's your mistake. Do you realize there are some people you'll never measure up to?"

Chu Lin's fists were clenched tightly. He was steadily advancing toward Young Master Yu.

"Who might you be?" Young Master Yu rose swiftly, eyeing the young man who had abruptly materialized before him with caution.

Blood trickled from the corner of Yang Hu's mouth. Seeing Chu Lin, he expressed regret, "Sorry, I've caused trouble for Chu again..."

"What's going on?" Chu Lin cut off Yang Hu, his voice cool yet laced with anger.

"I accidentally stepped on his shoes first. Chu, they're from Heaven's Edge." Yang Hu, aware of Chu Lin's temperament and fearing that he might provoke Heaven's Edge on his account, spoke with hesitation.

"Young Master Yu is speaking to you, you..." A youth beside Young Master Yu began to scold Chu Lin.

But before he could finish, Chu Lin was already before him, his pale palm striking swiftly downward.

The sound of breaking bones was unmistakable.

The young man had no time to defend himself, his arm hanging limp. The sudden, severe pain in his shoulder caused his world to go dark as he collapsed.

"Old Zhang!"

Shouts of alarm erupted from the members of Heaven's Edge, yet none dared to approach.

Onlookers inhaled sharply, their gazes fixed on Chu Lin in astonishment.

Their shock stemmed not only from Chu Lin's demonstrated prowess but also from the audacity of someone in Duskhaven laying hands on a member of Heaven's Edge!

Amidst the many eyes upon him, Chu Lin turned gracefully and offered a formal gesture to Young Master Yu. "My brother has dirtied your shoes. I offer my apologies once more on his behalf."

A smile crept onto Young Master Yu's previously darkened face. He had been wary of the young man's strength, but it now appeared that the young man was equally wary of the might of Heaven's Edge behind him.

"I'm not interested in dwelling on this issue. Carry Old Zhang on your back. We're leaving." Young Master Yu gestured to his subordinate to hoist the collapsed young man onto his back, preparing to depart.

"Hold on!"

At that moment, Chu Lin's voice rang out once more.

Young Master Yu instinctively halted. The crowd around them turned to Chu Lin, their expressions a mix of confusion and curiosity.

"You've forgiven my brother, but it seems he hasn't forgiven you yet, has he?" Chu Lin's expression remained serene as he locked eyes with Young Master Yu. "You've soiled my brother's clothes. How do you propose we settle this?"