Chapter 68: Taking Off Together

The anticipated sound of a slap never came. Instead, there was a dull crack.

The burly man clutched his left cheek, let out a miserable cry, and collapsed to the floor.

“Is it amusing for cultivators to bully ordinary people?” Before anyone could react, Lin Zhan was already standing in front of the innkeeper.

“Innkeeper, my friend, please step aside,” Lin Zhan said, then stood like a mountain, blocking the path of the Wei mansion’s henchmen.

One of the attendants rolled the burly man over and gasped. The once arrogant, domineering companion now had half his face caved in, several teeth scattered on the floor, and was barely conscious.

“Ah! Ah!” The attendant was frightened, crawling to the side and vomiting uncontrollably.

Young Master Wei’s expression changed dramatically. He hadn’t even seen how Lin Zhan struck, and his man’s attempt to slap the innkeeper had not only failed, but had left him crippled. How could he possibly swallow this humiliation?

“Everyone, attack! Kill him for me!” came the hysterical command. The henchmen snapped out of their stupor, drew daggers and swords, and lunged at Lin Zhan.

Lin Zhan’s figure blurred. With a sweep of his fists, two opponents were sent spinning on the spot, like powerless tops, and were about to collapse.

He could have ended their lives with a single punch, but fearing collateral damage to the innkeeper’s establishment, he instead delivered another blow, sending them flying together like cannonballs, spinning through the inn’s doors.

The remaining ones, including the man whose face was half destroyed, suffered the same fate, flying out one after another.

Outside, cries and wails erupted.

“Young Master Wei, do you wish to stay, or would you rather join your minions on their flight?” Lin Zhan approached his final adversary, his gaze as sharp as a blade, locking eyes with him.

Young Master Wei feigned composure, “You—don’t push your luck. If you have the guts, don’t leave. Just wait here.”

In truth, his composure had already crumbled. Among his minions, some were seventh or eighth rank mortals; the one who had attempted to slap the innkeeper was a ninth rank. Yet, in a single exchange, Lin Zhan had battered and kicked them all out like rubber balls.

As for himself, a peak ninth rank mortal, he was now trembling with fear.

“Ha! Whether I have guts or not, I’m merely staying at an inn. Since you insist, I’ll be here tonight. Call whoever you want,” Lin Zhan replied.

Lin Zhan moved, and Young Master Wei suddenly felt a binding force envelop him, his limbs numb, cold sweat pouring.

“You can leave, but first compensate the innkeeper for his losses. Look at all the broken tables and chairs,” Lin Zhan said, grabbing Young Master Wei’s collar and lifting him effortlessly.

“Hand!” he barked.

Young Master Wei shuddered violently and hurriedly extended his hand.

Lin Zhan held his hand, and with a quick twist, there was a crack and a cry of pain.

While stripping off Wei’s storage ring, Lin Zhan casually broke one of his fingers.

“Let me give you a taste of flying!” With a toss toward the door, the notorious villain was sent flying like a broken kite.

Another round of screams erupted outside as Lin Zhan deliberately smashed Young Master Wei into his henchmen, bringing about a collision worthy of stars falling.

A crowd had gathered outside, watching with righteous delight as the battered group fled, supporting each other.

Once the Wei family’s party was gone, the innkeeper hurried over to Lin Zhan, forcing a smile. “Young man, this trouble is quite serious. Young Master Wei is vindictive and can’t stand defeat. He’ll surely return with experts to avenge himself. Perhaps it’s wiser for a hero to avoid trouble for now and leave?”

Lin Zhan tossed the confiscated storage ring to him, smiling. “No worries. I’ve decided to stay at your inn tonight. If anyone comes again, I’ll handle it.”

The innkeeper quickly returned the ring, embarrassed. “I really can’t accept this!”

Lin Zhan nodded and pocketed the ring. “Very well. How about this: any losses your inn suffers these next few days, I’ll cover them.”

The innkeeper had no choice but to agree—he couldn’t possibly force Lin Zhan out. Still, his heart was troubled. Lin Zhan was formidable, but the Wei family had a whole nest of fighters; no matter how strong one man was, how could he withstand a siege by so many experts?

Young men crave glory and enjoy a moment in the spotlight, but most geniuses perish on the road to greatness.

If Lin Zhan were killed, the inn would surely share his misfortune.

The thought made the innkeeper consider packing up and fleeing.

Lin Zhan understood the innkeeper’s worries, but he would not speak of them. He knew the only way to dispel such fears was to uproot the entire Wei family.

He would never regret his actions. If one allowed themselves to be bullied without resistance, worrying only about unbearable consequences, what meaning would cultivation have? What purpose would life serve?

After pocketing the ring, Lin Zhan produced a superior spirit stone. “Take this, my friend. No need to worry. My meal has gone cold—please trouble yourself to bring me another.”

The innkeeper, unable to refuse, accepted the spirit stone, feeling reassured. With this, he could reopen the inn several times over.

It wasn’t that Lin Zhan was hungry again, but he hadn’t eaten his fill earlier. He noticed his appetite had grown.

Even after Lin Zhan’s lesson to Young Master Wei, a few guests lingered, watching the aftermath—including those at the white-robed youth’s table.

They returned to their seats, whispering and occasionally glancing at Lin Zhan.

“The cultivation of this menial seems hard to discern.”

“Yes, he appears to be fifth rank, but that can’t be right. The Wei group had at least seventh rank mortals, yet they couldn’t withstand him at all.”

The white-robed youth leisurely fanned himself, sneering, “As I said before, these menial disciples rely only on brute strength. They fight without technique, and Wei didn’t even have time to use his treasures, so he suffered a hidden loss. It’s nothing remarkable.”

Hearing these words behind him, Lin Zhan shook his head and smiled to himself, “Ah, so many love to put on airs these days. Aren’t they afraid of being struck by lightning?”

He sighed inwardly, “Why is it that someone who wishes to keep a low profile is always forced by fate into the spotlight? So dazzling among the crowd, unable to be discreet. Can’t even eat in peace—how vexing.”