C3 Chu Lin Challenged Mu Rui

In the center of House Mu's Reception Chamber stood an oval conference table surrounded by the prominent figures of Ironhold. Among them were leaders of mercenary bands and heads of commerce.

The patriarchs of House Mu, House Su, and House Lee occupied the three most distinguished chairs. Flanking the hall, dozens of young men and women represented the next generation of the Three Houses.

"This year, in the latter half, the Grand Trade Consortium will set up shop in House Mu's market. An auction will be held, offering a vast quantity of beast skins, sinews, a limited number of beast cores, and a first-level pill," announced one of the leaders.

"Today, the Su family declares the incorporation of the Cobalt Wolves as our private guard for the Southgate Market. Anyone causing trouble in our market will be dealt with—permanently," another leader proclaimed.

"House Lee will conduct a ceremony of abdication at year's end. I, Lee Zhuang, will hand over the mantle of leadership to Lee Bing. I invite all of you to witness this transition," declared the third.

The patriarchs of the Three Houses sequentially announced significant family matters. Meanwhile, over a dozen faction leaders busied themselves with documents, occasionally whispering among themselves, gearing up for their turn to speak.

Suddenly, the doors burst open. A young man in black strode in, brushing past the guards and into the hall.

The room erupted into murmurs as the assembly recognized the newcomer. The faction leaders paused, their faces etched with derision.

Confusion spread among most of the younger attendees. Only Mu Rui blinked in disbelief, questioning if he was mistaken. It was inconceivable to him that Chu Lin, who had vanished over two months ago, was still alive.

Upon seeing Chu Lin, Mu He's expression darkened. "Chu Lin, you have the audacity to show up here!" he bellowed. Chu Lin's disappearance was no secret, and Mu He, as the patriarch, was surely aware.

Yet, to protect his son, Mu Rui, he had kept the incident under wraps. Chu Lin was considered worthless; his death would have been inconsequential.

Mu He had never anticipated Chu Lin's return, especially not during such a crucial assembly. He worried, "If this boy speaks out of turn before Ironhold's elite, it could spell disaster."

Mu He commanded the two guards outside the door, "You two, quickly throw him out!"

Before the guards could act, Chu Lin fixed them with an icy stare and retorted sharply, "Do you dare to throw me out? I am the master, and you are but servants. The foremost rule established by the ancestors of House Mu is that any servant who mistreats their master shall be put to death!"

The guards, intimidated by Chu Lin's chilling gaze, were too scared to move.

Unfazed by the onlookers, Chu Lin turned his attention to Mu He, seated at the head of the room, and mocked, "Patriarch Mu He, are you not aware of this family edict?"

Mu He's brief flash of surprise did not escape Chu Lin's notice. Clearly, Mu He had been hoping that Chu Lin had perished at the bottom of the cliff.

Chu Lin resolved, "If House Mu cannot accommodate me, then it's time to sever all ties with them."

At that moment, Mu He's expression was dark with fury. He hadn't anticipated being publicly challenged by someone he considered worthless. Yet, he found himself at a loss for words in the face of Chu Lin's confrontation. There was something distinctly different about Chu Lin today.

Mu He, feeling increasingly agitated, cast a meaningful glance into the crowd and thought smugly, "Since this nobody has invoked the rule, I'll have Mu Rui teach him a lesson, to show him just how laughable his so-called status as a young master really is!"

As expected, Mu Rui caught his father's drift and jeered, "Just get out already. You can only strut around like this in front of the help!"

"Chu Lin, someone as worthless as you shouldn't be making a spectacle of yourself here!"

"It's one thing to be useless, but it's quite another not to realize just how useless you are!"

Mu Kai and Mu Nan chimed in eagerly, and soon, the rest of House Mu's younger members joined in ridiculing Chu Lin.

Amidst the mocking laughter, Chu Lin closed his eyes with composure and inhaled deeply.

"Worthless! Are you going to cry now? If you feel aggrieved, just call me Young Master Mu Rui. If you manage to amuse me, I might just spare you a couple more slaps!" Mu Rui's laughter was unrestrained, each instance of tormenting Chu Lin feeding a twisted sense of gratification within him.

Chu Lin's eyes snapped open, his pupils brimming with an icy chill.

"Today, each and every one of you has labeled me worthless. You all find joy in tormenting me. But what if one day, I rise to a stature so high that you're all forced to look up to me? What then?"

In that moment, Chu Lin's tranquil voice brought the Reception Chamber to a hushed standstill. However, the silence was short-lived as a fresh wave of raucous laughter soon swept through the room. Not just the younger members of House Mu, but even some from House Lee and House Su couldn't contain their mirth.

The very idea of such a 'nobody' making such a bold statement was laughable.

Mu Rui's initial surprise quickly morphed into a deeper sneer. He taunted, "Chu Lin, you certainly have a high opinion of yourself. How could a nobody like you even think to compare with us? It's an insult! If you can last ten moves against me, I'll call you 'Dad'."

Chu Lin didn't get angry; instead, he let out a light laugh and locked eyes with Mu Rui's domineering stare.

Then, with a voice brimming with confidence and clarity, he declared, "Bring it on!"

His words hung in the air, leaving the crowd momentarily speechless, and even Mu He's gaze sharpened. He regarded Chu Lin with a mix of surprise and derision, but it was fleeting before he let out a quiet, cold laugh.

A nobody, daring to challenge Mu Rui, who had already mastered the first level of Body Tempering.

"If you're so eager to meet your end, I'll happily oblige," Mu Rui said, his eyes glinting with malice. Chu Lin had survived a fall from a cliff before, but this time, Mu Rui intended to break him for good.

Squinting, Mu Rui took his place in the center of the hall, his gaze sweeping over Chu Lin with contempt. "If you can withstand ten of my strikes, you win," he declared.

"If I don't have you on the ground within five moves, I lose," Chu Lin countered as he positioned himself opposite Mu Rui, his gaze unwavering. His tone was so matter-of-fact, it was as though Mu Rui's defeat was a foregone conclusion.

The onlookers were taken aback. Was Chu Lin resorting to such drastic measures just to make his presence felt?

Many viewed him with sympathy, all except for a striking young lady from House Su, sitting in solitude on the other side of the hall.

Her delicate wrist propped up her chin, and though her features still bore the softness of youth, a hint of allure was evident. Clad in a pale green gown, she resembled an elegant green lotus in her graceful solitude.

Watching Chu Lin face off against Mu Rui, her once indifferent gaze sharpened with interest. With a smile, she remarked, "After such a long time without seeing Chu Lin, I must say, he's grown even more charismatic."