Chapter Fifty-Three: It's Your Uncle

“Brother Qiu Mo, it's been a while...” The burly man clasped his fists in greeting.

“Brother Wang Yan, you’ve worked hard.” The dark figure returned the gesture.

“I didn’t expect you yourself would come today, Brother Qiu Mo. Are you worried some bandits might dare to mess with our City Lord’s Mansion along the way?” The burly man teased.

The shadowy figure’s expression was solemn. “Better safe than sorry. According to the master’s information, the An family likely already knows it was our City Lord’s Mansion behind the incident in Autumn Bright City. Fearing complications, I was sent here this time…”

The burly man was surprised. “Oh? The master never mentioned this to me.”

Qiu Mo sighed. “It was supposed to be a minor affair, hardly worth troubling you, Brother Wang Yan… I had advised the master to let me intercept that broken Spirit Pill myself…”

“But the master wouldn’t listen, thinking two men like Mu Zhong would be enough to deal with an immature young girl…”

“Now, we don’t even know whether those two are dead or alive.”

As he welcomed Qiu Mo inside, Wang Yan said, “No need to lament, Brother Qiu Mo. Even if the An family knows it was us, what of it?”

“In Dragon City, we are as gods… They’ll never stir up a storm.”

“I’m not worried about the An family…” Qiu Mo replied.

Wang Yan frowned. “Then what’s the concern, Brother Qiu Mo?”

Qiu Mo explained, “Returning with the An family’s young lady is not only the daughter from Autumn South, but also a young man accompanying her…”

“The master suspects it was this youth who saved the An family’s young lady en route… What troubles the master is that this person seems to have appeared out of thin air, and we haven’t been able to trace his background…”

Wang Yan pondered, “Is the master worried the youth is from the Three Sects?”

Atop the tower.

The two women listening in below turned simultaneously to look at Lin Cheng.

Their eyes brimmed with silent questions.

Lin Cheng shrugged, indicating they’d have to guess for themselves.

After shooting Lin Cheng a glare, the two women leaned forward again, watching the men below.

Inside, the two men sat cross-legged.

Qiu Mo removed his cloak, revealing a sallow face.

He stroked his goatee and spoke gravely, “That’s precisely our concern. If this youth isn’t from around Dragon City or Autumn Bright City, he may well be a disciple sent down from the Three Sects for training…”

Why had no one seen him before? Among the three known Spirit Realm experts the Qiu family was aware of, this youth was not one.

Above, An An’s brows furrowed as she caught sight of the newcomer’s face.

Hearing this, Wang Yan fell into thought. “If he truly is a disciple from the Three Sects, we dare not provoke them in Dragon City.”

“Of course, but… if he dares ruin the Qiu family’s plans, then perhaps…” Qiu Mo said, finally making a slicing gesture.

Wang Yan was startled, “This… you must think carefully. If the Three Sects investigate, Dragon City would be doomed.”

Qiu Mo waved him off. “No need to worry, Brother Wang Yan. We wouldn’t act within Dragon City… We’ll wait until the master uncovers his background. If he’s not from the Three Sects, we can erase him without a second thought…”

Above, hearing the two men once again plotting against him, Lin Cheng’s lips curled into a cold smile.

“Well, I won’t take up more of your time, Brother Wang Yan. The master and others are waiting for me to return for the meeting…” After a final exchange, Qiu Mo clasped his fists in farewell.

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“As always, Brother Qiu Mo, chatting with you makes me forget the business at hand. Please wait a moment…” Wang Yan said, clapping his hands. Soon, an ugly-faced young man appeared outside the room.

“Come in…” Wang Yan called.

“Greetings, Master. Greetings, Sir.” The ugly youth bowed respectfully to the two men.

Qiu Mo glanced at the youth. “Is this the new disciple Brother Wang Yan mentioned before?”

“It is.”

“Hu Ju, this is Elder Qiu Mo. He seldom shows himself. Hand him the item.”

Wang Yan looked at the youth. Though this disciple was born ugly, he possessed some talent in cultivation and was well liked by Wang Yan, which was why he trusted him with such a precious item.

Upon hearing this, the ugly youth hurriedly produced a storage pouch and handed it to Qiu Mo.

Qiu Mo raised an eyebrow, surprised, and glanced at Wang Yan. He took the pouch and scanned its contents, smiling.

“Brother Wang Yan, you certainly have nerve, entrusting the item to a disciple… No one would ever guess it’s not on you, Brother Wang Yan…” Qiu Mo laughed.

“You flatter me, Brother Qiu Mo. As you said, caution is the key. The master entrusted me with guarding the southern mine, so I dare not disappoint his expectations,” Wang Yan replied.

The two men shared a hearty laugh.

Above, seeing Qiu Mo about to depart, the two women looked at Lin Cheng.

“You two stay up there and don’t move. If things turn bad, leave at once, alright…” Before the women could react, Lin Cheng leaped down.

“Who’s there?” Sensing movement, Qiu Mo and Wang Yan quickly looked up.

Lin Cheng approached under cover of night.

In his hand, a flash of light—he gripped the Skyward Sword and thrust at the pair.

The sword moved like a dragon!

Sensing the ferocity of the attack, both men shuddered, the aura of the Minor Spirit Realm bursting forth.

Their robes billowed as they formed seals to meet his attack.

After a brief exchange, the two men steadied themselves from their initial panic, realizing their opponent was only at the eleventh rank of True Qi Master.

“Who are you? How dare you trespass upon the Qiu family’s mine at night…” Qiu Mo demanded sharply.

Lin Cheng tapped the Skyward Sword, producing a clear ring, and replied carelessly, “I am your ancestor!”

The two men narrowed their eyes, exchanging a glance.

Wang Yan stepped forward, baring his teeth in a cruel smile. “Seems our City Lord’s Mansion has been quiet too long. Even scoundrels dare to provoke the tiger.”

Resting the Skyward Sword on his shoulder, Lin Cheng brushed his bangs aside. “Don’t say I won’t give you both a chance. Come at me together… I crave battle. Don’t let me down…”

Above, An An and Qiu Yingying watched, their mouths agape, as if they could swallow a bird’s egg.

“Lin Cheng is so dashing!”

Wang Yan and Qiu Mo were furious. “Arrogant brat, prepare to die…”

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Wang Yan charged first, a yellow aura surrounding him as spiritual power swept in from all directions. With formed seals, he unleashed various techniques at Lin Cheng.

Lin Cheng employed the Sword Cleansing Wind technique, deftly neutralizing Wang Yan's attacks.

Qiu Mo’s eyes narrowed. A longbow appeared in his hands, and with a drawn string, a fiery arrow coalesced.

Inferior-grade spiritual weapon, Fire Cloud Bow!

Above, An An covered her mouth, growing anxious for Lin Cheng.

Whoosh!

The fiery arrow shot forth. Lin Cheng sensed it and, instead of dodging, swung his sword against the arrow.

Crack!

With a soft sound, the arrow split down the middle, dispersing.

“A mid-grade spiritual weapon—that sword in your hand is a mid-grade spiritual weapon!”

“Who are you? Within ten thousand miles of Dragon City, no one has ever heard of you!” Qiu Mo cried out in astonishment.

“Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is you may not leave here alive today,” Lin Cheng replied.

“Arrogant…” Wang Yan roared, two massive hammers appearing in his hands as he swung them furiously at Lin Cheng.

Lin Cheng lightly tapped his toes, gracefully retreating to evade the blow.

He stomped, then charged at the pair, unleashing sword techniques.

Mountain Severing Style!

Dragon’s Path!

Wind Listening!

…

Through long cultivation, Lin Cheng had mastered the Sword Cleansing Wind technique to perfection.

He danced between the two men, weaving back and forth.

Though able to match the pair, Lin Cheng realized his sword technique alone was not enough to claim easy victory.

He couldn’t help but think he must give his master a thrashing upon returning, to force him to teach higher-level sword arts.

“Are you two fighting with all you’ve got? If you don’t use your full strength now, you won’t get another chance,” Lin Cheng taunted as he fought.

Wang Yan’s hammers collided, his eyes ablaze with anger.

“Such shameless boasting!”

A faint smile curled Lin Cheng’s lips. His aura shifted, and a fierce sword intent burst forth!

“Well, enough practice… Let’s end this…”

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