Chapter 110: The Pavilion Master Comes to the Rescue

“Brother Yun, you’re too polite!” Long Yinfeng cupped his fists. Although the four great families were locked in endless covert struggles, they still maintained a semblance of civility. Yet this time, Long Yinfeng seemed unusually assertive. Suddenly shifting his tone, he fixed his gaze on Lin Xiaobao and said, “However, this brat took advantage of my absence from the Long family to bully my nephew, Long Xiuping. I hope the Yun family will stay out of this matter, lest it disrupt the harmony between our two clans.”

A slap in the face! Though Long Yinfeng’s words were carefully chosen, Yun Zhongtian’s face burned with humiliation. The Yun family had clearly intended to protect Lin Xiaobao, yet now Long Yinfeng was telling them not to interfere—an obvious affront to the Yun family’s dignity.

Especially when Long Yinfeng claimed that Lin Xiaobao had bullied Long Xiuping—Yun Zhongtian could never believe it. Lin Xiaobao clearly possessed only the Postnatal Martial Stage cultivation; it was a stroke of fate alone that he hadn’t already been killed by Long Xiuping. To turn the tables and say Lin Xiaobao was the aggressor—who would buy such nonsense?

“This matter…” After some calculation, Yun Zhongtian decided to sacrifice this insignificant Lin Xiaobao first, then plan for the Yun family’s future.

Yun Keke, who had already cultivated the Mind-Perceiving Technique to the Heart-Observing Realm, naturally understood Yun Zhongtian’s implication. Before he could finish, she interjected, “This matter is definitely under the Yun family’s jurisdiction! Lin Xiaobao is a distinguished guest of our family. If we can’t even protect a guest, how can the Yun family hold its ground in Bloodwind City?”

Faced with Yun Keke’s strong stance, many onlookers secretly gave her thumbs up, while also envying Lin Xiaobao. Though Yun Keke’s beauty was not of the breathtaking, country-toppling variety, she was well regarded in Bloodwind City. Over the years, many young masters had pursued her, but she had never shown favor to any—yet today, she stood so firmly by Lin Xiaobao’s side. Could it be…? Many began to speculate.

“No wonder this brat is so arrogant; it turns out he’s relying on the Yun family’s backing!” Long Xiuping suddenly seemed to understand why Lin Xiaobao dared to disrespect him openly in the Xiaoyao Pavilion. He sneered, “Kid, hiding behind a woman doesn’t make you a man!”

“Hiding behind a woman isn’t manly? Then hiding behind a man makes you a man?” Lin Xiaobao retorted with a mocking grin, glancing at Long Yinfeng, the implication clear.

“You…” Long Xiuping was infuriated by Lin Xiaobao’s provocation. “I’ll duel you one-on-one!”

“Are you sure?” Lin Xiaobao looked at Long Xiuping with disdain. When he was only at the third segment of the Spiritual Path, facing Long Xiuping at the fifth segment might have been daunting. But now, having advanced to the fourth segment and cultivated his Mindwave to the third layer, if he still feared someone at the fifth segment, not only would others look down on him, he would too.

“This brat’s really arrogant, daring to talk like that to Long Xiuping despite only being Postnatal Stage Five!”

“Didn’t you see the Yun family’s second young lady standing up for him? He’s only so bold because of their backing!”

“I don’t even know why the second young lady would like such a pretty boy!”…

Due to the concealment formation on Lin Xiaobao’s body, everyone could tell his cultivation was only Postnatal Stage Five. Seeing this, they naturally concluded Lin Xiaobao was merely bluffing with the Yun family’s power.

“Xiuping, stand down!” Because of the concealment formation, Long Yinfeng could not discern Lin Xiaobao’s true strength. Yet recalling Long Xiuping’s report upon returning home and sensing the faint, shifting aura around Lin Xiaobao, he realized Long Xiuping might not be his match. “If this is a dispute among juniors, I won’t interfere. But since you look down on the Long family, don’t blame me for using my strength to crush you!”

Is there anyone more shameless than I? Watching Long Yinfeng’s brazenness, Lin Xiaobao thought to himself, yet he also pondered how to extricate himself. “So you’re planning to fight me?”

Lin Xiaobao showed no trace of fear, but inwardly he considered how to escape.

“The auction is about to begin. Let’s go in.” Yun Zhongtian felt staying would only bring disgrace and sought an excuse to leave.

Unexpectedly, Yun Keke stepped in front of Lin Xiaobao and said, “If you want to leave, go ahead. I’m staying.”

With Yun Keke’s stand, Zhang Bo naturally rose as well. Though he knew they were outmatched, a servant must have a servant’s resolve, and Zhang Bo had always been steadfast in this regard. Some loyal followers of the Yun siblings also stood before Yun Keke. Though their strength hovered around the eighth segment of the Spiritual Path, none showed any sign of retreat.

Faced with this, Yun Zhongtian felt trapped, shooting Lin Xiaobao a glare before finally stepping forward. “Is the Long family truly intent on warring with the Yun family?”

What Yun Zhongtian did not realize was how greatly this decision would benefit him in the future. From then on, he often taught his descendants: never judge a book by its cover—but that’s a story for another time.

“I just want this brat to give the Long family an explanation. If the Yun family insists on interfering, that’s their choice!” Long Yinfeng said fearlessly. The Yun family’s reaction played perfectly into his hands; once he found an excuse to swallow the Yun family, the Long family would become the strongest clan in Bloodwind City. This was a golden opportunity.

Just then, a voice echoed from the auction hall: “Does the Long family think no one in Xiaoyao Pavilion dares oppose them?”

Master Wen?

Long Yinfeng’s brow furrowed. Could it be, as Long Xiuping claimed, that the Yun family had allied with Xiaoyao Pavilion? With Yun family’s strength, that seemed unlikely.

Regarding the help Master Wen Hongcai had once given Lin Xiaobao, the Long family had analyzed the situation and concluded Lin Xiaobao’s connection with the Yun family. Otherwise, how could a nobody from a minor sect in Ningfeng Kingdom have caught Wen Hongcai’s attention?

After the incident, the Long family investigated Lin Xiaobao thoroughly; at this point, their knowledge of him even surpassed the Yun family’s.

“Master Wen, what you say is far from the truth. Someone has crossed the Long family, and I’m only seeking justice. I ask Master Wen to grant us convenience; the Long family will reward you handsomely in the future!” Long Yinfeng did not dare alienate Xiaoyao Pavilion. After decades in the Nameless Hall, he understood Xiaoyao Pavilion’s true power better than anyone in Bloodwind City.

“So Lin brother has offended the Long family?” Wen Hongcai clearly knew the entire situation. His appearance now was deliberate; he was waiting for the honored guest in the number one private room to arrive. After all, a performance needs an audience.

“That’s right!” Long Yinfeng suddenly sensed something amiss in Wen Hongcai’s tone. He called Lin Xiaobao “brother” — could the young man before them have a deeper background? Otherwise, even Yun Keke’s eldest brother, Yun Yuefei, the most talented young master of the Yun family, would not merit such familiarity.

Wen Hongcai’s next words confirmed Long Yinfeng’s suspicion: “Since the Long family and Lin brother have grievances, I’m sorry, but the Xiaoyao Pavilion auction will no longer welcome the Long family. Please leave.”