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Chapter Eleven: Death
Lin Feng awoke in excruciating pain, struggling to open his eyes. He found himself lying on a soft couch. As he shook his head and looked around, he noticed a red wooden chair, a round table, and a landscape folding screen. The walls of the room were adorned with calligraphy and paintings.
Compared to the simplicity of his own home, this decor felt luxurious.
"Where am I? Am I dead?" Lin Feng muttered to himself as he struggled to sit up, his body aching as if it were falling apart. His internal organs felt as if they were being pricked by needles.
A girl dressed in purple entered the room, carrying a bowl of medicine. Upon seeing Lin Feng awake, she hurried over and said, "Don't move; you haven't recovered yet."
Lin Feng looked at the lively girl and asked, "Did you save me?"
The purple-dressed girl nodded, then shook her head. "My father saved you."
"Who is your father?" Lin Feng inquired.
"Lin Xiao is my father," she replied, handing the medicine to Lin Feng. "This is a spirit potion I brewed myself; drink it while it's hot."
Just as Lin Feng was about to take the medicine, he heard the name Lin Xiao and immediately withdrew his hands, feeling a surge of excitement. "The clan leader saved me?"
At that moment, with a creaking sound, the door opened, and Lin Xiao walked in.
Seeing Lin Feng awake, Lin Xiao's face broke into a relieved smile. "You finally woke up."
Lin Feng disregarded his injuries and rolled off the couch onto the floor, kneeling before Lin Xiao. "Thank you for saving my life, Clan Leader."
"Feng'er, don't move around too much; it will worsen your injuries," Lin Xiao said as he stepped forward and quickly helped Lin Feng back up.
He then turned to the purple-dressed girl. "Miao'er, you go outside for a moment; I need to speak with Feng'er alone."
"Hey, what are you whispering about? Why can't I listen?" Lin Miaomiao teased, but obediently followed her father's instructions and left the room.
Lin Xiao made sure Lin Feng finished his medicine before saying, "Feng'er, I have some things to tell you. Just listen for now. If you have questions, wait until I'm done, understood?"
"Yes." Lin Feng nodded respectfully, lying on the bed of the Head of the Lin Family, Lin Xiao. He felt restless.
"The one who truly saved you is not me, but yourself. When I intervened, I was obstructed by Lin Longyu, and his ancestral spirit weapon struck you. As for why you didn't die, I can't figure that out either. Logically speaking, a Foundation Realm Cultivator should be dead after a hit from someone in the Nurturing Origin Realm."
"I saw you still breathing, so I brought you back to recuperate. My Miaomiao excels in medicine; she went into the mountains to gather spiritual herbs and brewed medicine for you. You were unconscious for three nights but finally woke up from the brink of death."
"However, just yesterday, I publicly declared that you had died."
Upon hearing this, Lin Feng could no longer hold back and asked, "Why?"
"Let me finish first."
Lin Xiao interrupted Lin Feng and continued, "Since Lin Longyu signaled Lin Qing to take action against you, if you survive, they won't let it go easily. Moreover, next time they strike, they will likely be more cautious and deadly. Without anyone to protect you, your only option is to feign death for your safety. Additionally, only with your death can I frame Lin Qing for killing a clansman and prevent him from entering Solitary Moon City to cultivate."
"Within the Lin family's power structure, Lin Longyu's faction occupies half. If Lin Qing enters Solitary Moon City to cultivate and returns one day, the Lin family will be completely under his control. This is the second reason why you must die."
"I value your participation in this family Martial Examination for two reasons. First, your talent is astonishing. In just two months of cultivation in the Foundation Realm, you've reached the third level; that's comparable to those in Solitary Moon City. Second, I need you to protect my daughter Miao'er."
"Miao'er will be going with you to Solitary Moon City for cultivation. She has a kind heart and is inexperienced; she needs someone to accompany and care for her. If she travels with Lin Qing, I won't feel at ease. Your temperament is steady and your intentions are good; you're the best choice."
"Alright, I'm done. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."
After finishing his speech, Lin Xiao quietly watched Lin Feng. He thought that after such an information dump, Lin Feng would surely have a lot of questions.
After pondering over what he had heard, Lin Feng looked at Lin Xiao with utmost seriousness and said, "The head of the family and my sister have saved my life; the head has shown me kindness. From today onward, I will risk my life to ensure my sister's safety."
Lin Xiao was slightly taken aback; he hadn't expected this child to grasp everything so quickly and make a decision so soon. He smiled with satisfaction and said, "I believe in you. However, there’s no need for you and Miao'er to address each other as master and servant. You are older than her by a year; you can call her Lin Miaomiao."
"Miaomiao sounds so nice! But why does it have the character 'Lin' in it?"
Lin Miaomiao had been eavesdropping outside the door, and as she spoke, she pushed the door open and walked in.
“Miao'er, you’re being naughty again.”
Lin Xiao raised his hand, signaling Lin Miaomiao to come closer. He pointed at Lin Feng and asked, “Miao'er, are you satisfied with this person accompanying you to Solitary Moon City?”
Lin Miaomiao scrutinized Lin Feng, pretending it was their first meeting as she looked him up and down, then from left to right. Finally, she said, “This person looks a bit thin; I wonder if he has the strength to catch a chicken. However, he does seem honest enough; I suppose he’s passable.”
Upon hearing that someone thought he lacked the strength to catch a chicken, Lin Feng immediately protested, looking aggrieved. “Miaomiao, you…”
“What do you mean by ‘what’…” Lin Miaomiao interrupted him and shot Lin Feng a glare. “You wanted to eat my rabbit that day; I haven’t settled that score with you yet.”
“That doesn’t even relate to this! It’s been so long since then,” Lin Feng explained.
“A woman’s memory is quite long, haven’t you heard? It’s hard to please women; don’t offend them if you can help it. On our way to Solitary Moon City, you better behave,” Lin Miaomiao said with a grin.
Lin Feng knew that Lin Miaomiao had put in a lot of effort to save him and even went up the mountain to gather herbs. He didn’t want to argue with her and merely muttered, “Come on, you’re a girl after all.”
“What did you say? Just so you know, my hearing is excellent! Don’t think I won’t hear you gossiping behind my back,” Lin Miaomiao threatened with a huff.
Hearing the exchange between the two kids, Lin Xiao couldn’t help but laugh heartily. He nodded in satisfaction and said, “Not bad; if you can get along with my Miao'er, then I’m even more at ease.”
Lin Feng suddenly remembered something and asked, “Master, when do we set off?”
“In a month. Elder Lin still needs to visit other branches of the Lin family to select people before gathering everyone together to head back to Solitary Moon City,” Lin Xiao replied.
“Then… can I go home and see my parents?” Lin Feng asked. After waking up, his greatest concern had been his parents.
Lin Xiao pondered for a moment before saying, “You can go back to say goodbye, but it’s best if you return in the dead of night to avoid being discovered. Also, during this month, stay here and don’t go anywhere.”
Lin Feng thought for a moment and said, “Master, I don’t want to waste this month; I want to venture into the deep mountains for training.”
“Hmm…” Lin Xiao began to contemplate.
"Rest assured, Master, it's hard to encounter members of the Lin family deep in the mountains. Even if I do, I will keep my distance. I want to become stronger so that I can properly protect Miaomiao and repay you for saving my life," Lin Feng said earnestly.
Lin Xiao nodded upon hearing this. "Alright, you may go, but remember to act within your limits and do not venture too far. The depths of the back mountain are filled with ancient forests, and it is rumored that spirit beasts reside within."
"Understood," Lin Feng replied, then thought of something else. "Master, when I sparred with Lin Qing, I realized my physical strength is still lacking. Is there a good way to enhance my physical strength?"
Lin Xiao pondered for a moment before responding, "Generally, improving physical strength relies on weight training and healing from injuries repeatedly. However, there is an ancient method that can yield results with less effort, but few have dared to try it."
"What is this ancient method?" Lin Feng's eyes brightened.
"It involves applying a stimulating substance to your wounds when you are injured. The flesh that grows back after healing will be stronger. However, this method is somewhat cruel and unbearable for most people, which is why it has not been passed down."
"Can sea salt be used as a stimulating substance?"
"Sea salt has a high salinity; it's a good choice. Feng'er, you must act within your limits," Lin Xiao warned again.
"Thank you for your guidance, Master."
Lin Feng expressed his gratitude to Lin Xiao and then bid farewell to Miaomiao before plunging into the depths of the mountains. There were some things he did not mention to Lin Xiao, but that did not mean he had forgotten them.
Standing in the deep mountains as night fell, Lin Feng looked at the Lin family home illuminated by countless lights. He had no place to return to and could only hide alone in the mountains away from everyone.
His gaze fell upon Lin Qing's home, and a surge of intense killing intent welled up within him, turning his eyes blood-red. This was all caused by them. Even though he wanted to concede defeat, Lin Qing shamelessly struck first.
He clenched his fists tightly, making cracking sounds.
"Lin Longyu, since I, Lin Feng, am still alive, those who will die in the future will be you."
Lin Feng wanted nothing more than to rush out and kill Lin Shan and Lin Qing right now. But he held back. The influence of Lin Qing's family was too great; he could only act when he had the strength to take them all down at once. Otherwise, it would endanger his parents and lead to their unnecessary deaths.
Finally, Lin Feng's gaze fell on his wooden house as he remembered his poor parents, tears streaming down his face. If he were to die, his parents would be bullied again. Although the Master promised to take care of them, there would always be times when help could not reach them.
He waited until the third watch of the night when all the households of the Lin family were sound asleep before setting off toward his own home. Along the way, Lin Feng was cautious and relied on his Triple Realm strength to easily avoid encounters with members of the clan.
The atmosphere in Lin Feng's home was heavy with despair. His mother had not returned to her room to rest; instead, she lay on the desk, asleep, cradling Lin Feng's spirit tablet in her arms. She had cried herself to exhaustion.
Seeing his mother in such a state of utter despair pierced Lin Feng's heart like a knife, adding fuel to his hatred for the Lin Qing family. He did not wake her but instead found a piece of clothing and gently covered them both.
Lin Feng walked into the room, searching for his father's figure. Eventually, he found his father bedridden, wrapped in white bandages, with a wound on his forehead.
"It must have been that bunch of scoundrels from the Lin family. I will make them pay dearly."
Even his frail father was not spared from his wrath. The hatred within Lin Feng surged uncontrollably as he could no longer hold back; he slammed his fist down onto the table before him. With a loud crash, the table shattered.
"Who?"
Lindor was startled awake by the noise. When he saw that it was Lin Feng, he trembled and stammered, "Feng'er, is that you?"
"Father, it's me." Lin Feng rushed to embrace his father, choking back tears.
At that moment, Lin Feng's mother was also awakened by the commotion. Thinking it was the Lin Qing family causing trouble, she hurried in. Upon seeing Lin Feng's back, she couldn't help but call out, "Feng'er."
Lin Feng pulled away from his father's embrace and knelt before his mother. Seeing her worn and exhausted face made him feel even more remorseful. "Mother, it is my unfilial conduct that has caused you suffering."
"Feng'er, is it really you?"
Lin Feng's mother rushed forward and enveloped him in her arms, weeping bitterly.
Once the family of three calmed down, Lin Feng recounted everything to his parents and learned how his father's injuries had occurred. His father had gone multiple times to confront the Lin Qing family but had been beaten severely by their servants without even laying eyes on Lin Qing. If it hadn't been for the head of the family intervening out of concern for appearances, his father's injuries would have been far worse.
"Father, from now on, do not seek revenge. I will make them pay back a thousandfold for this grievance," Lin Feng reassured him.
Lindor nodded and said, "Since you are safe, I will refrain from going. Otherwise, even if it costs me my life, I would seek justice."
Lin Feng's mother asked, "Feng'er, are you leaving already?"
Lin Feng nodded and replied, "I am going to Solitary Moon City. It is a place of strong warriors; once I go there, I will become a true powerhouse. Then I will be able to take revenge."
"Feng'er, can you not leave? Since you are safe, let's just forget about it and live a simple life," Lin Feng's Mother pleaded.
Lin Feng held his mother's hands tightly and said, "Mother, I cannot show my face now. If I do, Lin Longyu will kill me. It’s either my death or his. You don’t need to worry about me; I will be fine. The only thing I am concerned about is you both."
"How about we move away together, to a place where they can't find us?" Lin Feng's Mother suggested, not wanting to experience the pain of losing a child again.
"Foolish woman, our child is not like others. We have lived ordinary lives; how can we burden him with that?" Lindor chided Lin Feng's Mother for a moment before turning to Lin Feng. "Child, go and take care of yourself. As long as we don’t provoke them, with the family head protecting us, we will be fine."
Lin Feng talked with his parents for a long time, until dawn was approaching and he had to leave quickly. He slipped into the deep mountains to begin his training, embarking on the path to become stronger.
Only by becoming strong could he change everything and ensure that his parents could live without worry.
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