"Senior sister, why aren't you saying anything? As long as you agree to be my disciple, I guarantee you'll become a powerful sovereign in the future!"
Sovereign?
She almost wanted to slap Xie Ren. How could he say something so ridiculous? That word was forbidden, a title meant for godlike figures. It was a term that should never be spoken by anyone, especially someone like Xie Ren, who was still so young and innocent.
The innocent look in his eyes told her that he hadn't even realized the significance of his own words. He was still the same naive junior brother she had always known, someone who lived without worrying about the future. He spoke as though everything could be simple if you just asked for it.
just as she was about to reject his foolish request, a cold voice sliced through the air.
"Trash, you're still alive!"
Lan Yue's eyes widened in alarm. She knew that voice.
Turning quickly, she saw a scrawny man stepping toward them, his face twisted in fury.
It was Lin Bao, a direct descendant of the Lin family from Empyrean Cloud City. He was at the mid-stage of the Foundation Establishment.
Beside him was a burly figure, a massive brute with thick muscles and a cruel sneer on his face, Lin Lei, his loyal lackey.
They had been waiting at the foot of Taishan Mountain for too long without any news. Lin Lang, the young master's servant, had been tasked with bringing Lan Yue down.
But after hours of silence and no word from him, they decided to take matters into their own hands and head up the mountain themselves.
Lin Bao's eyes narrowed, his anger rising like a storm cloud.
"Junior brother, run! Get out of here, now!"
She said, her hands urgently pushing against him, but not hard enough to send him flying. She didn't want to hurt him, but she needed to get him away.
A mocking laugh echoed from behind them. "Haha, Lan Yue, don't be stupid. A useless fool at Qi Refining, where exactly do you think he can run?"
"Lin Lei, cut off his hand! Let him understand no one get close to woman this young master desire!"
Lan Yue's heart sank, but she didn't hesitate. Without thinking, she stepped in front of Xie Ren, putting her body between him and Lin Lei.
"Lin Bao, I beg you, let my junior brother go! He's just a fool! This has nothing to do with him! Please, don't hurt him!"
Lin Bao's eyes flashed with fury. She's begging for him? The woman he desired, his future concubine, was pleading for a worthless trash
He could barely contain his rage. Even if Xie Ren was a nobody, he couldn't let this slight go unpunished.
His voice turned cold as ice. "Lin Lei, what are you waiting for? Chop off his hand!"
But Lin Lei hesitated, his thick brow furrowing as he took in the situation.
Was his young master truly this much of an idiot? Didn't he see that Lan Yue was standing right there, in front of Xie Ren?
If Lin Lei took the swing and accidentally hit her, it wasn't just Xie Ren who would be in trouble. Lin Bao would have his head, and not in a way that would allow him to walk away.
"This is what they call a fool dragging others to the grave," Lin Lei muttered under his breath, though the words were barely audible. He hesitated, his sword trembling slightly in his hand.
"Young Master, can you pull Miss Yue aside first? I don't want to risk injuring her," he suggested, his voice filled with caution.
The words seemed to push Lin Bao's patience past its breaking point. He glared at his lackey.
"Worthless! What do I even keep you around for?!" His eyes turned back to Lan Yue, then to Xie Ren. "I'll deal with you later."
With a growl, Lin Bao took a step forward. He would make sure that no one stood in his way, especially not a lowly servant and his woman. He would show them who truly held the power here.
But just as his hand reached for Lan Yue, CRACK!
The sound of bones snapping rang out sharply, followed by Lin Bao's' scream immediately.
"AARGHHH! MY HAND!! YOU BASTARD, YOU BROKE MY HAND!"
His voice was full of disbelief and searing pain. His body jerked back in shock as he clutched his broken wrist, staring at the twisted, mangled mess of his hand.
"You wanted to cut off my hand, didn't you?"
"Well… how does it feel to be the one losing a hand instead?"
Xie Ren's expression was indifferent, as if this was nothing out of the ordinary.