A master with such terrifying and formidable cultivation actually knelt on the ground and called someone else master?
And he was sitting right next to Lin Feng, the very person they had just been discussing!
What kind of terrifying status must that young man in white sitting beside Lin Feng possess?
How on earth did Lin Feng get involved with someone like that?
For a moment, those who had just been gossiping wished they could burrow their heads beneath the tables, terrified that Zhong Qing might have overheard their conversation and would make things difficult for them.
However, Zhong Qing clearly had no interest in them whatsoever.
"Pull back your cultivation for now, and follow behind me." Zhong Qing looked the puppet up and down. It was practically indistinguishable from a real person, complete with an aura of its own, and it obeyed his commands completely.
I must admit, Zhong Qing was quite satisfied with this puppet.
"Understood, Master."
The man in black nodded respectfully, then stood silently behind Zhong Qing without uttering another word.
"Master, this is?"
Lin Feng, standing off to the side, was naturally startled when he saw the man in black.
"A subordinate I took in previously."
Zhong Qing could hardly reveal that the man in black had been obtained through a system check-in, so he had to casually cobble together an excuse to brush it off.
"A subordinate? You're truly amazing, Master."
Lin Feng wore a look of astonishment. Such an unfathomable expert actually addressed his master as master.
"Stay calm, stay calm."
Inside the desolate ring, Old Jian remained relatively calm, chiming in leisurely: "Given your master's terrifying might, having a Moon Profound Realm servant is perfectly normal, isn't it?"
"The Moon Profound Realm?!"
Lin Feng was even more shocked, never imagining that the man in black before him was at the Moon Profound Realm.
Even now, Moon Profound Realm cultivation remained an unreachable existence in his eyes.
And so, the master, disciple, and servant trio ate and drank their fill before finally stepping out of the small tavern.
"Master, I need to head back to the Lin Family for a while. My family has always treated me exceptionally well, and I've saved up some money here, so I want to go to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion to buy some gifts to bring back for them." Once outside the tavern, Lin Feng said respectfully.
"Alright, Master will go with you. Buy whatever you want, and if you run short, I have more here." Zhong Qing smiled.
"Great, thank you, Master."
Zhong Qing and his group headed toward the Myriad Treasures Pavilion.
As Zhong Qing and the others left, the entire tavern erupted in an uproar.
"Did you hear that? Lin Feng actually called that man in white master!"
"Indeed, how did Lin Feng strike such unbelievable luck to take on such a powerful master? Isn't he supposed to be a good-for-nothing?"
"Regardless, with the backing of such a formidable pillar, the Lin Family is bound to rise to prominence!"
"Incredible, simply incredible."
As the crowd buzzed with discussion, someone quickly rushed off to spread the news.
Inside a luxurious private booth nearby, a young nobleman in lavish attire who had witnessed the entire spectacle swallowed hard. Leaving behind the young ladies he had gone through such great trouble to invite out, he abandoned them in place and hurried back to his estate with his subordinates.
Guests in several other private boxes did the exact same thing.
South of Fengtian City.
The Lin Family.
Families were numerous throughout Fengtian City, and the Lin Family belonged to the second tier.
Inside the Lin Family living room at this moment, the head of the Lin Family, the elders, and numerous high-ranking officials were all seated.
Their brows were etched with a deep sense of gravity.
"Family Head, the Fang family from the east of the city is bullying us with their influence, having already swallowed up more than half of our Lin Family shops. If we don't think of a solution soon, our family's assets will be completely carved up!"
The First Elder said with a solemn expression.
"Indeed, Family Head. It's not just the Fang family; the Gu family from the west is also eyeing us covetously. The mineral deposits we've been excavating outside the city have caught their attention, and they've even issued a harsh warning demanding that we hand over the mines to them voluntarily, or else they will attack the Lin Family in the coming days."
Another elder spoke with a face full of bitter hatred.
In an instant, sighs of despair filled the entire hall.
At the head of the room, Family Head Lin Hanyi furrowed his brows even tighter.
Misfortunes truly never came singly. Ever since the incident with the Murong family, all the other families in Fengtian City had been targeting the Lin Family.
Yet, just as the atmosphere grew heavy with gloom, a family disciple suddenly rushed in to report.
"Reporting to the Family Head, the head of the Fang family from the east of the city requests an audience." the disciple shouted.
"The Fang family head? What is he here for?"
Hearing it was the Fang family, Lin Hanyi's expression darkened as he said coldly, "After devouring our Lin Family's shops, is he coming to our doorstep to cause trouble?"
"No, Family Head. It seems the Fang family head is here to offer an apology." The disciple hurried to explain.
"An apology?"
The members of the Lin Family were instantly dumbfounded.
Yet, while the Lin family members were still in a daze, another disciple rushed in breathlessly to report: "Reporting to the Family Head, the Gu family from the west of the city has arrived at the gates with ten carts of gold, silver, and jewels, claiming they are here to clear up a misunderstanding."
Hearing this, the Lin family members grew even more bewildered.
The reporting disciple didn't stop there, as several more disciples came running in to make reports.
"Reporting, the Zhao family requests an audience, saying they've come to deliver gifts."
"Reporting, the Guo family has sent an invitation, requesting all members of the Lin Family to dine together at the First Restaurant of Fengtian."
"Reporting, the Feng family requests an audience, saying they've come to propose marriage..."
In a flash, the entire Lin Family grand hall became boisterously lively with endless reports.
Yet the high-ranking officials of the Lin Family were left completely dumbfounded.
What on earth is going on?
Has this world gone abnormal, or are their ears failing them?
Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, filled with sheer disbelief.
Laden with heavy doubts, Lin Hanyi and the others hurriedly rushed to the reception hall.
Sure enough, the reception hall was packed with people, all of them prominent family heads of Fengtian City.
Besides these people, the doorway of the reception hall was piled high with large and small packages of various gold, silver, and jewels forming a small mountain.
Seeing Lin Hanyi lead his family members out, those waiting hastily hurried forward to greet them.
"Ah, Brother Lin, long time no see."
The Fang family head was the first to step forward, acting like a bosom friend of decades as he firmly grasped Lin Hanyi's hands and said with a beaming smile, "Brother Lin, do you still remember that time eighty years ago outside Fengtian City when we dug for loaches together? Thinking back on it now, it truly brings back unforgettable memories."
"Of course, besides reminiscing with you today, I also heard recently that some worthless scoundrel from my Fang family coveted Brother Lin's shops, which caused a bit of unpleasantness between our two houses."
"Alas, it's all my fault for being deep in closed-door seclusion previously. I only learned of this matter today upon coming out of seclusion, which led to such a grave mistake!"
"Rest assured, however, once I came out of seclusion, I severely punished that scoundrel of the Fang family, completely stripped him of his position, and rushed over to Brother Lin's home with gifts to apologize at the very first moment."
"So I hope Brother Lin will not hold it against our Fang family!"
"Come, help me present the gifts."
With that, the Fang family presented several storage rings filled with priceless materials of all kinds.
However, the Fang family head was not finished when the Gu family head took a quick step forward.
"Brother Hanyi, I have failed you!"
The Gu family head wailed, shaking his head and sighing as he said, "My clansmen told me they discovered an unexploited mineral deposit outside the city, so I led people to mine it. But who could have known—who could have known that this deposit was already claimed, that it belonged to Brother Hanyi's family?"
"When I learned of this news, my heart was filled with such guilt. It was clearly someone else's property, yet I failed to investigate and mined it privately, causing such a massive misunderstanding between the Lin and Gu families."
"I—I am truly not a man. I have let the Lin Family down."
As he spoke, the Gu family head gave himself two smacks to the face with a look of bitter remorse, sighing heavily: "Brother Hanyi, my visit today is primarily to clear up the misunderstanding between our two houses, so I beg you not to take offense."
"Of course, to make up for the mistake committed by my Gu family, I intend to cede our two finest mineral veins outside the city as compensation to Brother Hanyi."
"Right now, all my Gu family people have withdrawn, and Brother Hanyi can send someone to take over at any time!"
In an instant, the various family heads in the Lin Family reception hall began frantically rolling out all kinds of clumsy acting.
To ingratiate themselves with the Lin Family, they spared no method whatsoever.
Some came to propose marriage.
Some wanted to swear oaths of brotherhood with Lin Hanyi.
Some wanted to treat the entire Lin Family to a banquet.
One family head simply didn't know how else to suck up; although he was half a year older than Lin Hanyi, he dropped to his knees on the floor demanding that Lin Hanyi take him as an adopted son.
The entire scene was utterly disgraceful, yet painfully realistic.
Throughout the ages, across different eras and different places, it had always been the same.
A truly authentic portrayal.
Lin Hanyi and the others stared wide-eyed, completely bewildered like monks touched by Zhang's staff.
Looking at the flattering crowd before them felt just like a dream.
Just a moment ago, they had been clamoring to attack the Lin Family, and in the very next breath, they had come to apologize in person, their attitude lowering itself to a jaw-dropping degree.
"You..."
Lin Hanyi looked at the crowd in utter confusion.
At that moment, a servant outside shouted, "Family Head! Family Head! The Young Master has returned!"
"What? Feng'er is back?"
Hearing this, Lin Hanyi and the others cast all the family heads aside and hurried toward the door to welcome him.
"It's Lin Feng?"
"Let's go, let's go, let's keep up!"
Hearing the news, those family heads also hastily followed behind Lin Hanyi and his group.
At the entrance, Lin Feng was carrying large and small packages, with Zhong Qing and Zhong Qing's puppet following right behind as they stepped through the gate.
"Feng'er!"
"It's wonderful that you've returned safely!"
Seeing Lin Feng, Lin Hanyi's eyes instantly welled up with hot tears as he pulled Lin Feng straight into his embrace.
Ever since his engagement was broken by the Murong family last time, Lin Feng had been unable to bear the blow and left Fengtian City, disappearing without a trace.
Many rumors claimed that Lin Feng had long since died out there.
Now seeing Lin Feng return safe and sound, how could Lin Hanyi not rejoice as a father?
"As long as you're back, as long as you're back."
The other elders of the Lin Family also crowded around Lin Feng, inquiring about his well-being and examining him from head to toe. Seeing that Lin Feng was safe and sound, they wore expressions of boundless excitement.
"Father, and elder uncles, these are the gifts I brought for you."
Lin Feng held the bags and began handing them out to everyone one by one.
"You silly boy, as long as you're safe and sound, yet you still kept us in your thoughts."
Lin Hanyi and the elders grinned from ear to ear. Although the gifts weren't particularly precious, receiving them still brought immense joy.
"By the way, who are these two?"
Lin Hanyi only now noticed Zhong Qing and the man in black behind Lin Feng.
"Ah, Father, esteemed elders, let me introduce you. This is my master, Zhong Qing, and as for this other uncle, I don't know his name yet."
"What? Feng'er has actually taken a master?"
Hearing this, Lin Hanyi and the others were beyond thrilled. Finally, someone had ignored his lack of talent and taken Lin Feng as a disciple!
"We pay our respects to Feng'er's master and this gentleman beside him."
Lin Hanyi and the others bowed in unison.
"You needn't stand on ceremony."
Zhong Qing smiled warmly. "The one behind me is my attendant. You can just call him Heibai."
While speaking, Zhong Qing also sent a voice transmission to the black-robed puppet behind him: "From now on, your name is Heibai."
"Understood."
The black-robed puppet lowered its head slightly.
"So it is Mr. Heibai. Everyone, don't just stand here in a daze, please come inside, please come inside."
At this moment, the various family heads hurriedly retreated to both sides, looking at Zhong Qing and Heibai with awe-filled eyes as they lowered their voices to whisper.
"That man in black is the one who revealed the Moon Profound Realm aura back at the tavern."
"And judging by his posture and how he spoke just now, he truly is that man in white's attendant, while the man in white is Lin Feng's master."
"Indeed, it seems the rumors are all true. The Lin Family has struck unbelievably good fortune."
"Good thing we were astute and declared our stance quickly."
At this point, Lin Hanyi also remembered that a large crowd of family heads was still standing outside.
Therefore, Lin Hanyi first escorted Zhong Qing to the seat of honor, then turned around to say, "Lord Zhong, please sit for a moment. There are still some trivial matters to attend to here, and I will be right back."
"Esteemed elders, please host Lord Zhong properly."
With that, Lin Hanyi turned back to walk toward those family heads.
Hearing Lin Hanyi's words, the various family heads hastily waved their hands and shouted, "Family Head Lin, no need, no need, don't mind us! Just entertain the immortal senior, we'll just squat right here!"
"That's right, that's right, we'll just squat right here, don't mind us at all!"
At this moment, the posture of these family heads could not possibly have been lower, each of them wearing flattering and enthusiastic smiles.
"Ah, this..."
Lin Hanyi looked at the attitude of this group in sheer disbelief. They had lowered their posture far too much.
"Father, you don't need to mind them." Lin Feng chimed in from the side.
The perceptive Lin Hanyi seemed to sense something and asked in a low voice, "Feng'er, why did they suddenly come to apologize, offering all kinds of flattery and maintaining such a posture? Do you know what is going on with them?"
"If I guess correctly, it should be due to Uncle Heibai leaking his aura earlier."
Lin Feng smiled.
He then recounted everything that had happened at the small tavern from beginning to end to Lin Hanyi.
Hearing this, Lin Hanyi and the rest of the Lin Family immediately sprang to their feet in astonishment.
Their voices turned stuttering.
"Mo—Moon Profound Realm... This Mr. Heibai is at the Moon Profound Realm?!"
For a moment, everyone in the Lin Family turned their gazes toward Heibai.
None of them had expected that this quiet, unremarkable attendant following behind Zhong Qing was actually in the Moon Profound Realm.
And since even the attendant was a Moon Profound Realm expert, what kind of cultivation must Lin Feng's master possess?!
The members of the Lin Family could simply not believe it, feeling enveloped by a heaven-sent stroke of good fortune.
Their family's talentless youth had actually managed to take on such a powerful master—something they wouldn't even have dared to dream of in the past.
Simultaneously, Lin Hanyi and the others finally understood why families like the Gu and Fang families had suddenly executed a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree reversal in attitude.
With Lin Feng apprenticed to such a senior expert, their Lin Family would naturally bask in the glory, and those people naturally dared not offend them any longer.
"Senior Zhong, please forgive our negligence."
Lin Hanyi hurriedly led the group in another bow toward Zhong Qing, their expressions filled with panic. The descent of such an expert upon their Lin Family made them feel both that their humble home was illuminated with glory and terrified of any discourtesy.
"Father, you don't need to become so rigid just because you've learned of my master's strength. My master is very easygoing." Lin Feng chimed in hastily with a smile.
"Indeed, everyone just act as you please."
At the head of the table, Zhong Qing smiled gently as he sipped the tea served by the servant.
"Not at all, not at all. For the senior to look favorably upon my unworthy son is his blessing cultivated over past lives." Lin Hanyi said with intense emotion, his eyes turning red as he spoke.
His son had endured too many hardships in this lifetime.
Now, fortune had finally smiled upon them after adversity.
Soon, the Lin Family hosted a grand banquet for Zhong Qing, summoning back everyone of any consequence within the family.
At the banquet, Zhong Qing was naturally seated in the seat of honor.
Anyone qualified stepped forward under Lin Hanyi's lead to respectfully toast Zhong Qing one by one.
For several decades, Lin Hanyi had never been this excited.
Before long, he was a bit tipsy and couldn't help walking over to Lin Feng's side, lowering his voice to ask his son: "Son, after you became his disciple, Senior Zhong must have resolved the issue with your talent, right?"
"Of course." Lin Feng smiled.
Hearing the confirmation, Lin Hanyi's pupils constricted as he grabbed Lin Feng and exclaimed, "You mean you can cultivate now?"
Lin Hanyi's exclamation also caught the attention of the rest of the Lin Family, who cast expectant gazes their way.
"With my master's guidance, cultivation is far from the only thing possible." Lin Feng smiled with considerable pride, and with a slight shift of his mind, his Chen Profound Realm cultivation instantly burst forth.
"What?"
"The Chen Profound Realm?!!"
This sight instantly shocked the entire audience, leaving everyone staring wide-eyed and looking at Lin Feng in sheer disbelief.
"Heaven protects our Lin Family!"
Soon, Lin Feng was surrounded by the members of the Lin Family. Every face was plastered with doting smiles as words of praise poured unsparingly upon Lin Feng, feeling immensely proud of him.
After all, Lin Feng was barely sixteen years old.
A Chen Profound Realm practitioner at sixteen was a proud son of heaven anywhere he went.
"To hell with the Murong family! Having a daughter is nothing special. Your daughter is impressive, but my son is even more impressive."
Lin Hanyi let out a hearty curse before bursting into hearty laughter right where he stood.
"Actually, it's all thanks to my master's guidance."
Amidst the crowd, Lin Feng scratched his head and smiled bashfully, yet he still felt immensely thrilled to have become someone the Lin Family could take pride in.
At the head table, Zhong Qing drank his wine alone.
Watching Lin Feng—surrounded by the Lin Family and wearing a proud, smiling face—he too broke into a smile.
At this moment, he was likewise proud of Lin Feng.
In the days that followed, Zhong Qing took up residence in the Lin Family.
He was in no rush to leave, nor did he rush Lin Feng.
The child had been away for many days, and since he had finally returned home, letting him spend more time with his family was only right.
Meanwhile, during this period, many people in Fengtian City wanted to visit Zhong Qing, but Lin Hanyi turned them all away at the gates.
Then, on this particular day, the City Lord of Fengtian City personally came calling.
"Greetings, City Lord."
Lin Hanyi remained quite polite toward this City Lord.
"Trust you've been well since we last met, Family Head Lin." City Lord Bai Chen smiled slightly. "Your Lin Family is thriving and prosperous these days."
"City Lord, spare me the teasing." Lin Hanyi smiled. "I wonder what brings the City Lord to my door today?"
At this mention, Bai Chen's expression noticeably grew grave.
After a brief pause, he said, "Family Head Lin, I have indeed come today to ask a favor."
"Please speak." Lin Hanyi said with a serious expression.