Chapter 65: Bringing Trouble (Part 2)
Chapter 65: Bringing Trouble (Part 2)
Lin Yuan slightly frowned.
Right then, a voice sounded from the nearby banquet. A gaze shot across a hundred yards, instantly landing on Lin Yuan, and especially on the Little White Whale at his feet. A flicker of surprise passed through it.
“Since Junior Brother has arrived, it shows fortune has smiled upon you. Coincidentally, my Senior Brother has recently mastered a superior Dao technique and hosts this banquet to share its profound insights with fellow disciples. Junior Brother may enter and witness the marvels!”
It was a young Daoist with long, narrow eyes and a black robe. He examined Lin Yuan up and down, his gaze probing.
Hearing this, Lin Yuan gave a faint smile.
“I fear if I enter, Senior Brother’s banquet might not proceed so smoothly?”
Lin Yuan deliberately raised his voice slightly. Instantly, by the palace lotus pond, numerous auras turned their gazes towards him. He had clearly succeeded in drawing the attention—especially Senior Brother Yan Chuyi’s—of the banquet guests.
“Are you here to stir trouble?” The black-robed, long-eyed Daoist instantly narrowed his eyes, a cold, sharp aura flickering within his gaze.
Lin Yuan remained expressionless. This wisp of aura fell upon him like a gentle spring breeze. This scene caused a subtle change in the long-eyed Daoist’s expression.
Although he served as the steward under the Xuanzhen Abode, he was also an Inner Sect Disciple of the Yuanling Grotto-Heaven.
His cultivation was not inferior among the Inner Sect disciples. Yet this person before him regarded it as nothing.
Lin Yuan raised his head calmly, his gaze briefly resting on the black-robed disciple. “Not quite. I am a newly enrolled Inner Sect Disciple of the Yuanling Grotto-Heaven. The Grotto-Heaven authorities have designated Xuanzhen Abode as my place of residence. I am here to complete the handover with Senior Brother Yan!”
Upon hearing these words, the black-robed young Daoist’s face instantly paled. A wisp of a razor-sharp, chilling gleam flickered faintly before him.
It was the radiance of a Flying Sword.
And it didn’t seem like an ordinary one.
Just at that moment, a calm voice came from beside the lotus pond!
“Since this Junior Brother has come to finalize the Xuanzhen Abode handover with me, then come in and witness it!”
“I presume Junior Brother wouldn’t be so inhospitable as to evict me from the Xuanzhen Abode before the banquet has even concluded!”
The voice was magnetic yet gentle, but anyone could hear the thread of icy coldness within it.
Hearing this voice, the black-robed young Daoist forcibly suppressed the killing intent in his heart. He cast a cold glance at Lin Yuan, sneered coldly, and turned to re-enter the lotus pond area.
Lin Yuan chuckled lightly and followed the young man into the lotus pond moments later.
The other party clearly had no intention of easily surrendering the abode. This invitation was naturally not out of kindness. But since he needed to reclaim this cave dwelling from this entrenched local power, he couldn’t refuse.
He didn’t want to give anyone grounds to criticize him, accusing him of lacking manners.
From outside, Lin Yuan already knew Senior Brother Yan enjoyed his luxuries, having built many palaces. Only upon entering did he grasp the vastness within.
Grand palaces stood like giants, seemingly built upon water, arranged around a massive central white jade lotus pond. There were countless rockeries, stone bridges, fish ponds, pavilions, and towers.
Lin Yuan inwardly shook his head. While cultivating Immortals needn’t live ascetically, such extravagant opulence was hardly conducive to quiet cultivation. This surpassed even a royal palace.
Beside the lotus pond, over a dozen young men and women were already gathered. They had even hired some Mermaid Fish Demons to dance gracefully by the pond amidst swirling mist and clouds.
As soon as Lin Yuan stepped into the lotus pond area, he could keenly sense gazes turning towards him from the various towers and pavilions lining the shore.
With one glance, Lin Yuan spotted the distinguished figure seated at the head of the lotus pond. A strikingly handsome young Daoist, surrounded by over ten young men and women exuding vibrant auras, were appreciatively watching the Mermaids’ dance and song. They chatted softly amongst themselves, deliberately leaving Lin Yuan standing alone at the side.
It didn’t bother Lin Yuan’s heart. Someone like him, arriving to demand a cave dwelling back, was inherently unwelcome. Being snubbed was only natural. He couldn’t very well force them to greet him with smiles.
He simply found a seat himself and directed his gaze towards the graceful dancing spirit demons by the pond.
During his journey through the various immortal isles, Lin Yuan had encountered many non-human creatures. The Chengyuan Immortal Sect seemed quite open-minded; not only did they accept service from some, but many such beings had also joined their Inner Sect.
Mermaid Fish Demons weren’t rare. Many openly walked the territory under the Yuanling Grotto-Heaven’s control.
Many influential Inner Sect disciples and True Inheritance Disciples within Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands kept them as status symbols. Many mermaids were happy to provide such services, seeking benefits from the disciples of these great powers. With better luck, they might climb into the beds of some Inner Sect disciples, becoming the mistress of a cave dwelling. That would be a triumphant, glorious return home, carrying prestige and dignity.
The Mermaid demons before him each possessed pure magical auras within them. While dancing and singing, their auras subtly merged, creating a sight both pleasing to the eye and hinting at profound wonders that could touch the heart. Most remarkably, they were all beautiful and well-mannered, clearly trained for this purpose.
“Junior Brother seems quite interested in my pond Mermaids. If you like them, I can choose two to gift to you.”
Right then, a calm voice reached Lin Yuan’s ears.
Lin Yuan remained impassive, not even looking at the speaker. He waved his hand dismissively.
“I appreciate Senior Brother Yan’s kindness, Lin Yuan does. But these Mermaids should remain for you to enjoy.”
The over ten young men and women, all possessed of noble bearing, turned their gazes towards him. These were Yan Chuyi’s friends within the Inner Sect, each with extraordinary backgrounds. Naturally, they felt a shared hostility towards this Lin Yuan who had suddenly shown up demanding the abode.
However, hearing Lin Yuan speak his surname, the group looked towards one particular young woman in palace attire. She was petite and quite pretty, dressed in crimson robes. Her willow-leaf eyebrows slightly furrowed as she asked directly.
“Junior Brother Lin, are you also from the Lin Clan of Western Wall? I don’t recall seeing you?”
The expressions of the other young men and women also held a touch of seriousness. It seemed the Lin Clan of Western Wall held significant influence within the sect.
Lin Yuan shook his head. “No.”
The crimson-robed palace lady pondered slightly and asked again. “Then… the Lin Clan of Dingyang?”
“My origins are merely humble.” Lin Yuan shook his head gently. Upon hearing this, the expressions of the over ten youths visibly cooled further, gaining an extra measure of haughtiness.
A young man stepped forward chuckling, pointing towards the numerous Mermaids by the pond. He spoke with an ingratiating smile.
“Junior Brother comes from a humble background, so naturally you wouldn’t know. The Mermaids of Xuanzhen Abode are renowned throughout many immortal isles! Each one was carefully selected from various Water Mansions, specially trained by female cultivators. They are not only skilled in song and dance but also exceptionally adept at serving others. They are truly rare treasures! Even we, when fawning over Senior Brother Yan here, might not succeed in getting one!”
“You’d best heed my advice, Junior Brother. With your abilities, you likely couldn’t hold onto the Xuanzhen Abode. Senior Brother Yan possesses profound cultivation and has friends everywhere; only he can command such a treasure! Why not take a lesser option?”
“Junior Brother Wu, what nonsense are you saying?” A soft, charming laugh chimed in. A slender girl with cool, refined features and a hint of captivating charm descended from a nearby pavilion. “If Junior Brother Wu wants a mermaid or two, Senior Sister could answer for Senior Brother Yan without needing his consent! Though, I doubt you’d get past Senior Sister Wen!”
Her eyes occasionally swept towards Yan Chuyi, her sparkling gaze betraying playful intimacy. She clearly shared an unusual closeness and understanding with Senior Brother Yan.
Her words drew light laughter from the other youths. Junior Brother Wu looked slightly embarrassed.
Then, this female disciple swept a cold gaze over Lin Yuan and spoke flatly.
“Junior Brother, since my Senior Brother has offered them to you, you’d best accept. Accept two mermaids, and let this matter rest. Otherwise… returning empty-handed might invite gossip within the sect. People might say my Senior Brother is too miserly, using his position to bully others!”
Though her words didn’t explicitly refuse to hand back the cave dwelling, her meaning was crystal clear.
The other dozen young men and women glanced at the two mermaids singled out for Lin Yuan, then at the cold glint in the female disciple’s eye. Their gazes returned to Lin Yuan, now tainted with a touch of mockery.
Standing together, the over ten of them projected an intimidating aura.
“I fear I must disappoint your generous offer.” Lin Yuan felt inwardly rather amused. Trying to trade off a worn-out cave dwelling for two used goods? This was quite the plan.
This was clearly meant as an insult!
Lin Yuan sighed inwardly. He had deliberately kept a cool head, held his temper, and repeatedly stated his origins—all to avoid being exploited.
He inwardly shook his head and softly recited,
“Have you not heard? Sixteen beauties soft as silk,
A sword-like waist that fells mortal men.
Though heads you see not take a spill,
In darkness, bones wither within.”
As these words fell, the expressions of all the young men and women in the cave dwelling turned unpleasant. Wasn’t this implying they were openly or secretly enslaved by lust, utterly worthless?
Not only that, but several female disciples fixed Lin Yuan with highly unfriendly stares.
Especially the charming female cultivator who fancied herself the mistress of Xuanzhen Abode. Her chest heaved violently with rage!
Who in the cave dwelling didn’t know she was Yan Chuyi’s mistress? Their relationship was longstanding. Whose ‘sword-like waist’ felled ‘mortal men’? Naturally, it was aimed at the abode’s master, Yan Chuyi himself.
Lin Yuan’s sarcastic poem didn’t just enrage the several female disciples present. Fierce, hidden gazes watching from the shadows also turned livid with fury.
They resolved to withhold action and let Lin Yuan face punishment first before sweeping in to handle the aftermath.
The young man earlier addressed as Junior Brother Wu had lost all trace of his smile. He stepped forward and regarded Lin Yuan evenly, sighing faintly.
“It seems Junior Brother is determined to cause trouble here at Xuanzhen Abode. We just can’t be sure how skilled Junior Brother is. But if you’re set on this… the outcome likely won’t be pleasant.”
A fierce, intense sharpness flashed deep within his eyes as he spoke.