Chapter 14: The Deputy Steward of the Lin Mansion

“Chu Fengmian, come out!”

A roar suddenly erupted from outside the courtyard.

Chu Fengmian turned his head to look and saw a sturdy, middle-aged man dressed in silk stepping into the courtyard, closing in on him step by step.

The man’s muscles bulged beneath his clothes, and the look in his eyes as he stared at Chu Fengmian was filled with murderous intent; he clearly had come with ill intentions.

“Li Mingyang, you are merely a servant of the outer manor, yet you dare to trespass into my courtyard?”

Chu Fengmian recognized the man. His name was Li Mingyang, the most loyal lackey under Li Xing, the deputy steward of the outer manor. His strength was second only to Li Xing within the Lin Manor’s outer grounds, reaching the sixth level of the Bone Tempering Realm.

Chu Fengmian had long anticipated this. Now that he had seized the courtyard previously occupied by Lin Mo and Lin Ye, Li Xing would inevitably come to retaliate.

After all, both Lin Mo and Lin Ye were Li Xing’s subordinates. If Li Xing did nothing, he would lose all authority within the outer manor.

It seemed this Li Mingyang was sent by Li Xing to test Chu Fengmian.

“What a joke. Chu Fengmian, do you really think you’re someone important? In the outer manor of the Lin family, we only call you ‘Head Steward’ out of respect for the manor’s reputation. Don’t go putting on airs!”

Li Mingyang looked at Chu Fengmian with a cold, mocking expression.

“Kid, remember this: in the outer manor of the Lin family, if you’re obedient, we’ll still call you Head Steward. But if you aren’t, you’re nothing more than trash! And trash can never turn things around!”

“Very well. It seems the outer manor of the Lin family has truly become lawless. A mere servant thinks he can turn the world upside down.”

A cold sneer appeared on the corner of Chu Fengmian’s mouth.

In the past, he would never have dared to confront Li Mingyang directly. But now that he had mastered the Infinite Sword Dance, he had the strength to fight even a martial artist at the seventh level of the Bone Tempering Realm.

Since Li Mingyang dared to come, he would serve perfectly as a whetstone for Chu Fengmian’s sword.

“You say I can’t turn things around? Then today, I will use you to establish my authority and let Li Xing see! Who is the true Head Steward in this outer manor!”

Chu Fengmian moved, suddenly lunging toward Li Mingyang.

“You little bastard! You dare to insult my master?!”

Hearing Chu Fengmian’s words, Li Mingyang roared in a frenzy.

In Li Mingyang’s heart, Li Xing was his supreme master. Hearing Chu Fengmian’s words, he instantly flew into a rage.

“Bone-Splitting Claw!”

Seeing Chu Fengmian charge, Li Mingyang struck out. His hands turned black, and his skin became incredibly rigid.

The Bone-Splitting Claw was a powerful martial art within the outer manor. When mastered, one’s hands could become harder than refined steel. Li Mingyang had unleashed his most vicious technique right from the start.

However, Chu Fengmian’s speed was far greater than he had imagined.

As Li Mingyang’s claw descended, Chu Fengmian’s figure had already reached his side, and a kick was already slamming into Li Mingyang’s chest.

With a loud “thud,” Li Mingyang’s massive frame was sent flying, crashing to the ground and spitting blood.

“Sixth level of the Bone Tempering Realm, and you dare to trespass in my courtyard? Today, I will cripple your cultivation to let everyone see whether this courtyard can be trespassed upon!”

Chu Fengmian grinned hideously and stomped down toward Li Mingyang.

“Stop!”

Suddenly, a cold voice rang out.

A figure was seen rushing into the courtyard from outside, clearly intending to save Li Mingyang.

“Hmph.”

Seeing this figure, Chu Fengmian sneered, but his foot descended with force, slamming onto Li Mingyang’s chest.

Instantly, the ribs in Li Mingyang’s chest were shattered one by one, and the three spirit meridians in his body were simultaneously crushed.

“Chu Fengmian, I told you to stop!”

Seeing that Chu Fengmian had ignored him completely, the figure’s voice grew even more furious.

“Does Chu Fengmian need your permission to discipline a servant, Li Xing?”

The voice belonged to Li Xing, the deputy steward of the outer manor. It seemed he had been standing outside the courtyard all along, observing everything.

He simply hadn’t expected Li Mingyang to be defeated so easily by Chu Fengmian. By the time he reacted, Chu Fengmian had already struck.

Li Mingyang was someone he had spent significant resources to cultivate; otherwise, a mere servant of the outer manor could never have reached the sixth level of the Bone Tempering Realm at such a young age.

But now, with this kick from Chu Fengmian, Li Mingyang was effectively crippled. It was nearly impossible for him to ever cultivate again.

“A servant who doesn’t know his place—of course I must discipline him.”

Chu Fengmian gave a cold, sinister smile and stomped down again.

“Ah!”

Li Mingyang let out a miserable shriek as he lay on the ground. His left wrist was crushed to powder under Chu Fengmian’s foot.

This stomp, delivered right in front of Li Xing, might have landed on Li Mingyang, but it was a direct slap to Li Xing’s face.

Li Xing had always considered himself the true master of the outer manor, yet now, his face was being slapped in front of everyone.

“Chu Fengmian, you!”

Li Xing finally rushed over. Looking at Li Mingyang on the ground, his face twisted in rage, and an aura of fury erupted from him. He glared at Chu Fengmian, looking as if he might explode at any moment.

Seeing Li Xing’s state, Chu Fengmian’s expression remained as calm as ever. No matter how angry Li Xing was, he would never dare to attack within the Lin Manor.

After all, Chu Fengmian’s status was that of the Head Steward of the outer manor, while Li Xing was merely a deputy. In terms of rank, Chu Fengmian was a step above him.

If Li Xing dared to strike, the Lin Manor would not let him off, even without Chu Fengmian lifting a finger.

Previously, Lin Mo and Lin Ye had only dared to bully Chu Fengmian in the shadows. Now, in the public eye, Li Xing absolutely did not dare to make a move.

“Deputy Steward Li, do you have any advice?”

Chu Fengmian looked at Li Xing, smiling without warmth.

Li Xing had been arrogant and overbearing in the outer manor, but now that Chu Fengmian had slapped his face, he didn’t even dare to retaliate.

Is this what it feels like to possess power?

Chu Fengmian thought to himself.

He had never felt this way in his previous life. Now, he finally felt like a true person, a true martial artist. Even if he was still very weak, in the future, Chu Fengmian would surely stand above the nine heavens.

This Lin Manor was merely the beginning. Once Chu Fengmian became a true powerhouse, let alone this manor, even the seven great sects would eventually be trampled beneath his feet.