Chapter 235: Chapter 113: Lin Yue’s Decision
As Zhao Wenzheng watched Lin Yue’s uncontrollable rage, a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
He had grown up in a great clan like the Zhao Family, immersed in their internal strife, schemes, and manipulations. For him, such tactics were already second nature.
This was especially true for Lin Yue. He possessed a superior root bone but had an arrogant and narrow-minded personality. He’d had it easy at the Martial Arts Hall, never facing any real setbacks, and his experience with the world was shallow.
Dealing with someone like that required no complex schemes. A simple prod was enough to ignite the flames of jealousy and resentment in his heart.
"Junior Brother Lin, have some water to calm down." Zhao Wenzheng picked up the teapot, poured a cup of warm water for Lin Yue, and handed it to him.
Lin Yue snatched the cup but didn’t even look at it, violently flinging it to the ground.
With a sharp CRACK, the porcelain cup shattered. The warm water splashed across the floor, soaking the hem of Zhao Wenzheng’s robe.
Zhao Wenzheng’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly, he scoffed.
’The heavens must love a good joke. How can a fool who wears his emotions on his sleeve like this also possess a superior root bone? Is he even worthy of the title "Martial Arts Hall genius"?’
’With such a brainless, idiotic temperament, he’s bound to take a major fall sooner or later!’
"Junior Brother Lin, calm down first," he said, feigning a helpless sigh. "The most important thing for you right now is to recover. Everything else can wait. Once you’re healed and back at the Martial Arts Hall, with your talent, who else could the Master possibly value more?"
After saying his piece, he stood up. "I have some other matters to attend to, so I won’t disturb your rest. I’ll come see you another day."
Lin Yue kept his head down and didn’t respond, clearly still consumed by his anger.
Zhao Wenzheng said no more, turned, and left the room, gently closing the door behind him.
Outside Jishi Medical Hall, night had fallen. The snow on the streets reflected the moonlight, casting a cold, sharp glow.
Zhao Wenzheng walked through the snow with a spring in his step, his mind calculating the results of his little visit.
’The seed I planted with Lin Yue is now firmly rooted.’ A cold smile touched his lips. ’Once he’s recovered and back at the hall, he’s bound to cause some trouble for Yang Jing.’
The thought of Yang Jing’s current fame—annihilating the Flying Horse Thieves, being feted by the County Magistrate, receiving personal instruction from their master, who even planned to take him on as a Closed-door Disciple—and even the way Qi Yun’s gaze had started to change when she looked at him, made jealousy grow like a weed in Zhao Wenzheng’s heart.
He considered his own talent to be no less than Yang Jing’s, and his background was far superior. On what grounds could Yang Jing just skyrocket to fame like this?
Especially Qi Yun... the woman he had secretly admired for years was now looking at Yang Jing differently. How could he possibly tolerate that?
’Yang Jing, oh, Yang Jing, don’t celebrate too soon.’
Zhao Wenzheng clenched his fists, a vicious glint in his eyes. ’With Lin Yue causing you problems and targeting you at every turn, I’d like to see just how long your glory will last.’
The more he thought about it, the more brilliant his move seemed. He didn’t have to lift a finger himself, yet he could create trouble for Yang Jing. ’I’m a true genius of both strategy and strength.’
The thrill of his successful scheme made his steps even lighter.
...
「Jishi Medical Hall.」
In the room, Lin Yue stared intently at the packet of candied fruit on the table, the rage in his chest threatening to consume him.
Zhao Wenzheng’s earlier words were like daggers, twisting repeatedly in his heart.
Anger at Yang Jing—how dare that guy with an inferior root bone steal everything that should have been his?
Anger at his master—he had fought tooth and nail for the Martial Arts Hall, only to be cast aside like a worn-out shoe after being injured, while the master turned to cultivate someone else?
And even anger at the entire Sun’s Martial Arts Hall—all those junior brothers who used to flock around him, the menial workers who once revered him... they were probably all fawning over Yang Jing now, weren’t they?
"Good! What a master! What a Sun’s Martial Arts Hall!"
Lin Yue gritted his teeth, his nails digging so deeply into his palms that they drew blood, though he didn’t even notice.
Resentful thoughts flooded his mind.
’The Master really can’t be trusted!’
’He saw that I was injured and decided my potential was gone, so he immediately turned around and gave all the resources and attention to Yang Jing.’
’He’s treating me like a useless, discarded pawn!’
"If you’re going to be so cruel, don’t blame me for being ruthless!"
A look of grim resolve flashed in Lin Yue’s eyes. ’Once I’ve recovered, I’ll formally leave Sun’s Martial Arts Hall! With my talent and a superior root bone, you think other powers won’t be fighting to recruit me?’
The more he considered it, the more feasible it seemed, and some of the stifling anger in his chest began to dissipate.
With his talent, he was a rare find in all of Yuhe County.
’Then I’ll find a backer stronger than Sun’s Martial Arts Hall, and my chances of breaking through to the Huajin realm will be even greater!’
’When I become a Huajin Powerhouse, I’ll come back and see the look of regret on that old bastard’s face!’
’And Yang Jing! I’ll make him understand who the real genius is!’
’And Senior Sister Ning Xiang... she can only be mine!’
Suddenly, the olive branch extended to him by the Xiao Family appeared in his mind.
The Xiao Family had approached him more than once in the past. They even sent someone to see him while he was recuperating. They said that if he was willing to marry Miss Xiao, he would receive the Xiao Family’s full support. He would not only have an endless supply of Exotic Beast Meat and superior medicinal herbs, but could even have a Xiao Family Huajin Powerhouse personally guide him in the Martial Dao every day.
At the time, his heart was set on Sun Ningxiang, and he was thinking about inheriting the mantle of Sun’s Martial Arts Hall, so he had politely refused. He had deeply regretted it ever since!
Looking back now, he realized he had truly missed a golden opportunity.
’The Xiao Family...’ A sharp glint flashed in Lin Yue’s eyes. ’They’re one of the six great families of Yuhe County, wealthy and powerful. If I can get their support, not only will my injuries heal faster, but my future prospects will be brighter, and my chances of breaking through to the Huajin realm will be much greater!’
He clenched his fist tightly, a decision already made in his heart.
He was going to tell the Xiao Family that he accepted the marriage proposal!
With the Xiao Family as his backer, how could he fail to make a swift comeback?
