Chapter 19: Want to make me your little brother?

"Heh, it seems Patriarch Lin is still unaware of the Cui family's true strength!?"

The young noble gave a gentle smile and continued

"The Cui family of Huaqing Prefecture is one of the three great families of the prefecture. Within the clan, they possess more than a handful of experts in the Form-Shaping Realm. Furthermore, this Cui Yongdi is merely the weakest among them in the Cui family. If the Cui family were to dispatch other experts, do you think your Lin family could withstand them, Patriarch Lin?"

The young noble's words were highly reasonable, and Xiao Shanhe and Xiao Lingyun, the father and son, nodded faintly.

Although Huaqing Prefecture was only one level higher than Cloud Mist City, the difference was truly like heaven and earth.

In Huaqing Prefecture, experts in the Yuan Dan Realm were considered commonplace; even a random second-rate family within the prefecture would have a Great Yuan Dan Realm powerhouse presiding over it.

Not to mention the three great families!

"Young Master, why are you offering this warning to this old man?"

"I have never believed in the idea of free lunches in this world."

Lin Xuan did not answer the young noble's words, but instead asked a counter-question.

"Hahaha!" The young noble folded his fan and laughed loudly, his laughter so arrogant that it irritated Lin Xuan.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Hou Mingyu, the second young master of the East Heaven King Mansion in the East Province. I believe I possess the strength to protect you."

"What!?"

Everyone was struck with shock, while only Lin Xuan's expression changed slightly.

The East Province was one of the thirteen provinces of the Great Desolate Empire, and the Lingwu Sect was one of the giants of the East Province.

Naturally, there could not be only one giant in the East Province, and the Hou family of the East Heaven King Mansion was one of the major giants—furthermore, they were a royal power that had long been at odds with the Lingwu Sect.

The members of the Xiao family were in utter disbelief; even their own clan, the Xiao family, was only slightly stronger than the Hou family.

This was a super power capable of contending with their own clan.

"The Hou family."

Lin Xuan muttered to himself. If he remembered correctly, back when he was at the Jixia Academy, he had a junior from the East Heaven King Mansion whose name seemed to be Hou Tianfeng. He wondered how that Hou Tianfeng was doing now.

"What is it?"

Hou Mingyu looked at the exaggerated expressions of the crowd, appearing somewhat smug, but Lin Xuan's contemplative silence caused Hou Mingyu to look at him with a higher regard.

After learning that he was the second young master of the Hou family, this Patriarch of the Lin family showed no sign of surprise whatsoever.

"What do you mean 'what is it'? Since when did your King Mansion start caring about the affairs of small places like ours? Why would you want to protect us?"

Lin Xuan's voice sounded nonchalant. He had seen plenty of such things back at the Jixia Academy.

There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world; everything came with a price.

The only thing the Lin family could pay with was their own clan!

"Then I shall speak plainly. I hope that in the future, your Lin family can work for me and be at my service. Furthermore, I will not mistreat you in the future!"

Hou Mingyu spoke with immense confidence.

Indeed, countless families desired to become vassals of the East Heaven King Mansion; even experts in the Form-Shaping Realm hoped to become honored guests of the mansion to serve them!

However, Hou Mingyu was mistaken about one thing: Lin Xuan would absolutely not be one of them.

"This Patriarch refuses!"

Lin Xuan's words fell calmly.

"What!?"

Hou Mingyu was stunned, momentarily thinking he had misheard.

Even Xiao Lingyun thought he had misheard.

If the Lin family could latch onto Hou Mingyu's connection and become a vassal of the East Heaven King Mansion, then in the future, even the Lingwu Sect would not easily move against the Lin family in the East Province. Why was Lin Xuan refusing!?

Old Master Xiao looked at Lin Xuan, who had remained calm throughout, with eyes full of admiration. Only such a person could become a great figure!

"Do you know what you are saying? You refused me!?"

Hou Mingyu laughed out of anger. Truly, no one had ever refused him, Hou Mingyu!

"Heh, regarding the Young Prince's invitation, I'm afraid I cannot comply. I only wish to lead our small family to live quietly in Cloud Mist City; I have no grand ambitions."

Lin Xuan declined once more with a smile.

This time, Hou Mingyu's expression became even more unsightly.

Lin Fan narrowed his eyes slightly. At that time, Lin Fan had also wanted to refuse on his father's behalf; being a dog for others was not what Lin Fan wanted.

Lin Fan looked deeply at his father. It seemed his father had changed since his sixtieth birthday, becoming more imposing and more authoritative.

*[Father, do not worry. Give your son a little time. In ten years at most, the East Heaven King Mansion will be nothing!]*

Lin Fan clenched his fists.

"Hahaha, I didn't expect you to actually refuse me. You have guts!"

Hou Mingyu appeared very angry, but his upbringing prevented him from acting undignified.

"Patriarch Lin, such ungratefulness is not the behavior of a wise man!"

At that moment, Da Biao, who was standing beside Hou Mingyu, stepped forward. His steel-like, thick Yuan Qi permeated the entire Lin residence, causing everyone's breath to hitch.

Hou Mingyu did not stop Da Biao's actions.

Hou Mingyu didn't want to say what he would do to the Lin family, but since they had rejected him, he had to teach them a lesson!

Lin Xuan's expression also turned slightly grim. Although this Hou Mingyu was not a typical profligate playboy, he was clearly not someone to be trifled with.

If a fight truly broke out here, Lin Xuan had no certainty of defeating this steel-clad giant unless he could break through to the Three-Tong Divine Realm!

"Young Master Hou, if Patriarch Lin does not wish to work for your East Heaven King Mansion, why must you insist?"

Suddenly, a beautiful figure descended from the sky.

"Who!?"

Everyone turned to look at the figure.

"President Gong!!"

Xiao Lingyun was overjoyed; it seemed his gamble had paid off.

"You are?" Hou Mingyu looked at the woman before him, finding her somewhat familiar.

Hou Mingyu couldn't tell, but Da Biao could sense the terrifying Yuan Qi contained within Gong Ling; it was nothing he could withstand.

Da Biao had already begun to sweat profusely.

"I am the President of the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce in Cloud Mist City."

Gong Ling spoke calmly.

Hou Mingyu curled his lip in disdain. A mere branch president of a Cloud Mist City chamber of commerce—he thought she was some grand figure.

"I, Luo Hui, greet Miss Gong."

At that moment, another figure descended from the sky—an elderly man.

"Elder Luo!" Hou Mingyu was very excited to see the old man.

Clearly, this was a great figure. For someone that a young prince of the East Heaven King Mansion would address as "Elder," they were likely beyond the Form-Shaping Realm!

Watching these experts arrive one after another, Lin Xuan helplessly crossed his arms and leaned to the side to watch.

As Lin Fan watched these people, a flash of envy crossed his eyes, but he quickly hid it. Sooner or later, he would become such a powerhouse, perhaps even surpassing them entirely!

"Miss Gong, my young master was reckless today. I will certainly come to your door to apologize in the future."

After saying this, Luo Hui led the bewildered Hou Mingyu and the relieved Da Biao out of the Lin residence.