Chapter 6: A Challenge

After Linn'er and Xuen arrived at their villa, Xuen turned to her with a warm smile. "Linn'er, feel free to choose any room you like," he offered generously.

Linn'er, her eyes sparkling with gratitude, replied, "Thank you, Sir. I'm truly happy. But tell me, what work will I be doing here?"

Xuen shook his head gently. "Don't call me 'Sir.' Call me 'brother.' As for your work, I'd like you to help me manage medicines. Here," he said, handing her an ancient alchemy manual, its pages weathered with time, "this is an old alchemy book given to me by our former master. Study it thoroughly and memorize as much as you can about the medicines."

Linn'er tilted her head slightly, curiosity evident in her expression. "What exactly do I need to study?"

Xuen hesitated, caught in a delicate balance. He couldn't reveal to her that she was his sister, nor could he burden her with menial tasks. Instead, he decided that alchemy would be a suitable pursuit for her. After all, it was a field he had never excelled in, having neglected it during his own training.

"Just study for now and get some rest," Xuen said, his tone gentle yet firm. "I'll retire for the night as well."

Linn'er nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Alright, Big Brother," she replied, her voice carrying a note of affection and respect.

With that, the two parted ways, the villa settling into a tranquil silence as the night deepened, the weight of unspoken truths and newfound responsibilities lingering in the air.

The dawn broke, casting its golden hues over the horizon as another day began. Xuen descended the stairs, his footsteps echoing softly through the quiet villa. The aroma of breakfast wafted through the air, drawing him toward the dining area where Linn'er was meticulously setting the table.

"Big Brother, come have breakfast," Linn'er called out, her voice warm and inviting.

Just as Xuen took his seat, the door opened, and Quirong stepped inside, her presence as graceful as the morning breeze. "Good morning," she greeted, her tone serene. "I stayed with my family last night," she added, offering a polite nod to both Xuen and Linn'er.

Xuen, ever the composed host, turned to Linn'er and introduced Quirong. "This is Lin Quirong. Her family gifted me this villa, and she is staying here for the time being." Linn'er smiled warmly, and soon, the two women began to converse, their words flowing effortlessly as they found common ground.

After breakfast, Xuen excused himself. "I have some business to attend to," he said, his voice calm but firm. As he prepared to leave, his phone rang, breaking the morning's tranquility. The caller was Old Hao, his voice tinged with urgency. "Master Xuen, it's me, Old Hao. There's a problem. Please come to the Lin Family estate as soon as possible."

Without hesitation, Xuen agreed and made his way to the Lin Family residence. Upon arrival, he found Old Hao visibly agitated. "Old Hao, what's wrong? Why are you so panicked?" Xuen asked, his demeanor unshaken.

Old Hao took a deep breath before delivering the news. "Master Xuen, after you killed Song Wei and Song Hu of the Sonv family, their father has returned seeking revenge. He is a peak martial master and has challenged you to a duel at the Song Martial Hall."

Xuen's expression remained impassive. "It's just one master. Why are you so worried?" he inquired, his tone steady.

Old Hao's concern deepened. "It's not just Old Song that worries me. He may have brought reinforcements from the Li family. The Li family is one of the most powerful in the provincial capital. Their involvement could complicate matters."

Xuen's confidence was unshakable. "It's alright. Don't worry. He can't do anything to me," he assured, his voice calm and resolute. With that, Xuen prepared himself for the impending confrontation, his mind as sharp as his blade, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

"Let's go to the Song Martial Hall. Let's meet this old man who seems eager to die," Xuen said casually, his tone laced with indifference. Accompanied by Lin Hao and Lin Hei, members of the Lin Family, Xuen made his way to the Song family's martial hall. Upon arrival, they found the place teeming with influential figures from Shenzhen and Gongzhou, their presence adding weight to the already tense atmosphere.

The air was thick with anticipation as Old Song, the patriarch of the Song family, stepped forward, his voice booming with fury. "Who is Xuen Ye?" he demanded, his eyes blazing with rage.

Lin Hao, ever loyal to Xuen, stepped forward to confront Old Song. "Old Song, don't push your luck. How dare you cause trouble in Shenzhen?" he shouted, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the crowd.

Old Song sneered, his confidence unshaken. "If I were alone, I might have been wary of your Lin Family. But now, I am a member of the Heavenly Bird Sect. I have reached the peak of martial mastery. Even in the capital, people respect me. How dare you shout at me, Old Hao?"

Xuen, unfazed by the exchange, stepped forward, his calm demeanor contrasting sharply with the tension in the room. "I have to go and buy some things for my sister, so let's make this quick," he said, his voice steady and dismissive.

Old Song's face twisted in anger. "You brat, you've got guts," he growled before charging at Xuen with a furious strike. But Xuen, with effortless ease, caught Old Song's punch mid-air and delivered a single, powerful slap that sent the old man flying several meters away.

The crowd gasped in shock. A young man had just defeated a peak martial master with a single, casual blow. Murmurs of disbelief rippled through the onlookers as Old Song struggled to his feet, his pride wounded. "That was a sneak attack!" he shouted, trying to save face. Desperate, he called upon several members of his sect, all martial masters in their own right, to join the fight.

But Xuen moved with unrelenting precision. Without hesitation, he dispatched each of Old Song's reinforcements one by one, his movements a blur of lethal efficiency. Old Song's confidence crumbled as he realized the sheer power of the young man before him. In a last-ditch effort, Old Song's bodyguard drew a gun, aiming it squarely at Xuen.

"Shoot, if you have the guts," Xuen said coldly, his gaze piercing.

The bodyguard fired, but the bullets never reached their target. An invisible, yet palpable aura surrounded Xuen, deflecting the bullets effortlessly. The crowd erupted in astonishment. "That's Qi Release! He's a Grand Master!" someone exclaimed, the revelation sending a wave of awe through the gathering.

Old Song, now trembling with fear, fell to his knees, accepting his fate. "I've made a grave mistake," he muttered, his voice barely audible. With a flick of his wrist, Xuen released a surge of Qi, ending Old Song's life instantly.

The hall fell silent as the weight of the moment settled over the crowd. One by one, the influential figures from Shenzhen and Gongzhou knelt, acknowledging Xuen as the new leader of Shenzhen. It was a moment of awe and reverence, a turning point that left even the most powerful individuals in the room humbled.

From the sidelines, Brother Tiger and Brother Ba emerged, their faces etched with regret. They approached Xuen and bowed deeply. "We apologize for what happened at the bar yesterday," they said, their voices filled with remorse.

Xuen regarded them calmly before nodding. "You're forgiven. From now on, you'll work for me," he declared. Both men accepted without hesitation, eager to align themselves with such a formidable figure.

With the matter settled, Xuen turned to leave. "I'll call when I need you. Goodbye for now," he said, his voice carrying an air of finality. As he walked away, the crowd watched in silent admiration, their eyes following him as if witnessing a deity in human form. His departure was nothing short of majestic, leaving an indelible mark on all who witnessed it.