Chapter 15 - Brother's Alike

Had they heard that right? Was the world suddenly spinning out of control?

No, it couldn't be. This must have been some kind of elaborate play Chen Yinyin had orchestrated. But no one could quite figure out what part they were supposed to be acting.

Lin Feng's eyes narrowed as he locked onto Xie Ren, his gaze sharp with suspicion.

"Who are you?" he demanded, his voice threatening. If the man had shown up just a moment later, Chen Yinyin might have already succumbed to his pressure and agreed to become his woman.

"You're not qualified to know my identity,"

Lin Feng, a mere Mid Foundation Establishment cultivator, wasn't worthy of his attention. If not for attracting the Heavenly Dao's attention, Xie Ren would have already slapped him into submission.

Lin Feng laughed, though his eyes seethed with barely contained rage. "Hahaha, you say I'm not worthy? Do you even know who I am?"

Xie Ren shrugged dismissively.

"Oh, you think you're impressive? Why should I care who you are?" His tone made it clear that he couldn't care less about Lin Feng's status.

"Ignorant!" Lin Feng's voice rose with fury, his fists clenched. "You're so arrogant. Dare you fight me?"

He was determined to teach Xie Ren a lesson, to show everyone the consequences of underestimating him.

"You're not worthy to fight me." Xie Ren's words were dismissive. "Go fetch your father."

Lin Feng sneered, his contempt for Xie Ren growing. "Hahaha, I thought you were something, but you're just a pretty boy hiding behind a woman, pretending to be impressive!"

"Since you think I'm pretending, I'll show you just how well I can pretend." With a snap of his fingers, he commanded, "Kneel!"

The entire room fell into stunned silence. Did he just say kneel? Who was he ordering to kneel? Was this some kind of joke?

Before anyone could fully process what had happened, a loud "crack" echoed through the hall as a chair splintered under the immense pressure.

Everyone froze in shock as Lin Feng's father, Lin Huan, the head of the Lin family, suddenly collapsed to his knees.

Blood seeped from his knees where they struck the floor, the impact enough to send waves of pain through his body.

The onlookers were frozen, unable to comprehend what had just unfolded. Lin Huan, the patriarch of the Lin family, was kneeling before the Chen family.

Was this some sort of theatrical performance, a part of the play that was supposedly unfolding? But no, this couldn't be. Lin Huan was the father of Lin Feng, the head of the Lin family. Why was he seemingly cooperating with the Chen family?

Could it be that he was trying to scare his son away? What was happening?

Only Lin Huan could feel the crushing pressure weighing down on him. He was drenched in cold sweat, every muscle in his body trembling to resist, yet all his efforts were in vain. Under the invisible force pressing down on him, he was utterly powerless.

"Master, Lin Huan knows his wrongs. The Lin family knows their wrongs. Please, spare me. I beg of you!" Lin Huan's voice trembled as he fell to the floor, kowtowing repeatedly, his forehead striking the cold, hard stone beneath him. The desperation in his voice was visible, his entire body shaking with fear.

"Failing to teach a son is the father's sin. Lin Huan, you are indeed at fault, but I will give you a chance. Whether or not you seize it is up to you." Said Xie Ren calmly.

Lin Huan's eyes flickered with understanding, and he immediately turned to his son.

"Unfilial son! Why do you not kneel and beg this senior for forgiveness?!" His voice was now tinged with panic, as if this was his last hope to save his own life and his family's future.

Lin Feng's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Father, what nonsense are you speaking? You wish for me to kneel before a mere Qi Refining trash? Have you lost your mind?" He laughed, a bitter, incredulous sound. His father, the patriarch of the Lin family, who had always been the one to command respect, was now begging him to kneel to a mere Qi Refining cultivator.

"Unfilial son! Do you even hear yourself? Do you still acknowledge me as your father?" Lin Huan's face twisted in rage, his hands trembling as he fought to hold back the slap he was ready to give his disobedient son. "How dare you defy me in such a manner? Have you lost all sense of propriety?"

"Father, if you wish to kneel, then kneel! But I, Lin Feng, shall never lower my head to the weak! Not only will I not kneel, I will kill this arrogant trickster where he stands!" Lin Feng's eyes burned with fury, his killing intent radiating off him in waves.

The aura of his cultivation flared as his body trembled with barely contained rage. His hand reached for his weapon, and his murderous intent filled the room.

Then, unexpectedly, he burst into maniacal laughter, as if something in his mind had snapped.

The crowd exchanged confused glances, unable to comprehend the scene unfolding before them.

What had caused Lin Feng to laugh so wildly? Had he lost his mind?

Lin Feng wiped tears of laughter from his eyes and suddenly locked his gaze on Xie Ren, his voice filled with mockery. "I finally recognize you. You're the trash from Taishan Mountain, aren't you?"

Xie Ren had never left Taishan Mountain, and only a few people had ever crossed paths with him. Lin Feng, by coincidence, had recently helped his younger brother, Lin Bao, investigate Lan Yue, a matter that had led him to learn far more about Xie Ren.

"Oh, so you recognize me?" Xie Ren replied, surprised but not entirely caught off guard.

"Of course I recognize you! Oh, and where's your senior sister?" Lin Feng's grin grew wider, mocking. "Did she come today, or is she still busy rolling in bed with my brother?"

The room seemed to freeze as the air filled with hostility. Xie Ren's eyes narrowed, a cold fury rising in his chest. "Lin Bao is your brother?"

"Yeah, that's right he's my little brother," Lin Feng said with a smirk. "I'm sure he's enjoying himself with your senior sister right now!"

"Truly, bothers alike." Xie Ren said as he walked toward Lin Huan.

Without another word, he raised a hand, channeling his spiritual energy. In an instant, the pressure in the room shifted, and with a flick of his wrist, Xie Ren unleashed his power.

A violent burst of energy shot out, striking Lin Huan's arm.

A sickening crack sounded as the limb was torn from his body, blood splattering onto the floor in a gruesome display.

"Ah!"

The scream that followed was heart-wrenching, echoing off the stone walls, and sending a chill down the spines of everyone present.