Chapter 75: Chapter 35: Final Kill (Part 2)
The two maids, however, acted as if it were only natural. One of them stepped forward, giving Fang Rui a look that said, ’You’re sensible enough,’ before taking the formula and handing it to Lin Feng.
"Excellent!"
Lin Feng glanced at it once before setting it aside, unconcerned about its authenticity—he was certain Fang Rui wouldn’t dare deceive him.
Of course, it was also possible he simply didn’t care about the formula. Instead... he seemed more interested in Fang Rui himself!
"Haha, interesting, very interesting! You’re quite the character!"
Lin Feng looked at Fang Rui, clapping his hands with a loud laugh. "Are you willing to join my Lin Family?" he invited. "I can offer you the position of a First-Class Guard."
’This Fang fellow... how is he so lucky? Why does every good thing fall into his lap?’
Gao Yao’s heart filled with jealousy, his eyes widening in an instant.
Yuan Da was surprised as well, though not to the point of jealousy.
He was a Seventh Grade Martial Artist himself and held the rank of a First-Class Guard. More than that, he was highly valued by the Lin Family and was stationed to oversee the Black Market, putting his standing a cut above that of an ordinary First-Class Guard.
Seeing Fang Rui’s stunned silence, one of the twin maids beside Lin Feng explained proudly, "All guards of my Lin Family are Entry Grade Martial Artists. A Ninth Grade Martial Artist serves as a Third-Class Guard, an Eighth Grade Martial Artist is a Second-Class Guard, and only a Seventh Grade Martial Artist can become a First-Class Guard."
"In our Lin Family, there are no more than two dozen First-Class Guards. Most of them are assigned to the young masters and receive a monthly stipend of thirty taels of silver."
"When they’re out and about, even the leader of a small gang, a Middle Grade Martial Artist, would have to show them some respect!"
The strength Fang Rui had openly displayed was only that of an Eighth Grade, yet Lin Feng had directly offered him the position of a First-Class Guard. This was already an incredibly generous offer.
’It sounds like a great deal, but... I refuse! No matter how you dress it up, it’s still being someone’s dog, and I have no interest in that.’
’But a blunt refusal won’t work. That would be a slap in his face... Right, time for a little acting.’
A glint flashed in Fang Rui’s eyes. He took a deep breath, his expression shifting as if he were moved, yet hesitant. He was clearly struggling with the decision.
After a long moment, he finally spoke, his voice strained. "My apologies, I’m afraid I must turn down Young Master Lin’s kind offer. I am a timid man and have no taste for fighting and killing. I simply wish to live a peaceful life."
"So be it."
Whether it was due to the refined upbringing of a young master or because he simply didn’t care, Lin Feng remained impassive in the face of Fang Rui’s rejection. He wasn’t angry at all. Instead, he looked at Fang Rui with a hint of pity.
—as if the one losing out wasn’t him, but Fang Rui.
In fact, everyone else thought the same.
Seeing Fang Rui refuse the offer, Gao Yao’s foul mood, which had been stewing all evening, finally found some relief.
Yuan Da shook his head regretfully, sighing inwardly that the man had missed a golden opportunity.
The twin maids wore identical expressions that screamed, ’You just passed up the chance of a lifetime.’
"You may go. Qing’Er, see our guest out!" Lin Feng clearly didn’t want to say any more and waved his hand dismissively.
"Yes, Young Master."
The twin maid named Qing’Er stepped forward and gestured for him to follow. "This way, please!"
’If I’m going to put on a show, I have to see it through to the end.’
Committing to the role, Fang Rui opened his mouth as if to say something, a look of regret for the missed opportunity on his face. But in the end, he said nothing, gave a stiff, formal bow, and followed the maid out, looking utterly crestfallen.
...
After leaving the courtyard, a glint flashed in Fang Rui’s eyes. ’The Lin Family, huh?!’
There were two great families in Changshan County. The Lin Family managed the Black Market, while the Xia Family controlled the gangs.
The Tiger Gang, for instance, was backed by the Xia Family. Just as the residents of Willow Alley had to pay protection money to the Tiger Gang, the Tiger Gang, in turn, had to give a cut to the Xia Family.
It could be said that the Xia Family was responsible for half of the Tiger Gang’s evil deeds.
’The Xia Family was already on my shit list. Now, I can add the Lin Family!’
’These great families are all cut from the same cloth. No matter how high-and-mighty they act, it doesn’t change their true nature of extortion and holding the power of life and death over others!’
’Speaking of which, what happened to me wasn’t even extortion. It was just pure force, no transaction involved. They didn’t give me a single large coin!’
Even revealing his strength as a Seventh Grade Martial Artist would have been useless. At most, it would only have earned him a second glance from the Lin Family.
Only by reaching the Sixth Grade and entering the Middle Three Grades could he truly be valued—the difference between the Seventh and Sixth Grades was as vast as that between heaven and earth.
’Fortunately, I made it through today’s close call unscathed. My Tribulation Points have surged again. It won’t be long before I reach the Sixth Grade!’
’Settling scores with the Lin Family is a matter for the future. But today... today I must intercept and kill Gao Yao!’ Fang Rui thought.
...
「After Fang Rui’s departure.」
"Young Master, if you’ve taken a liking to that man, I can put in the effort to recruit him for you..." Yuan Da suggested.
He had taken a liking to Fang Rui, after all, and wanted to give him a leg up.
"There’s no need!"
Lin Feng commented, "A man’s life spans but a few decades. How many opportunities does one get? This person has no ambition. He’s content with mediocrity, satisfied with a comfortable but small life. With that mindset, he can’t seize the chances he’s given. He’s destined for nothing great."
"If he didn’t have a good head on his shoulders and some potential, I wouldn’t have wasted a single word on him!"
"Indeed!"
Yuan Da sighed.
The Lower Three Grades were one thing, but to break through in the Middle Three Grades Realm, one needed more than just secret manuals, innate talent, and comprehension—one also needed Great Medicine!
Furthermore, one had to achieve this before the age of thirty, before their vitality began to decline. Once past that point, breakthroughs became exceedingly difficult.
’That medicine seller missed his chance. He’ll spend the rest of his life stuck in the Lower Three Grades, wasting away his potential!’ Yuan Da thought to himself.
In the path of Martial Arts, one had to seize every moment—that was why a Martial Fool like him would join the Lin Family and willingly become their dog. It was all for the resources!
Unfortunately, they didn’t know that Fang Rui possessed Immortality. With an endless lifespan, he had no need for the philosophy of "ten thousand years is too long; one must seize every moment."
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