Chapter 638
Sever his hands and make him wish he were dead
"You were the one who assaulted people on Xixin Peak last night and even threatened to take over Xixin Peak, weren't you?"
Jiang Xuan met his gaze without changing his expression and spoke calmly.
"Two points need clarification. First, it wasn't a boast, it's a fact. Since last night, Xixin Peak has been under my control. Second, I hit them because they didn't know the rules and were engaging in debauchery in the clan's sacred ground, thus desecrating our ancestors. According to clan rules, not killing them was already showing mercy."
His voice was calm, yet it carried clearly throughout the room, with a sense of entitlement.
An uproar erupted in the crowd!
"Insanity!"
"Boy, you are courting death!"
"Brother Yingzhen, look at how arrogant he is!"
Lin Yingzhen frowned, her eyes growing even colder.
He hadn't expected that this boy, who looked a few years younger than him, would be so calm in the face of his questioning, a cultivator at the Heavenly Gang Realm, and even... speak with a condescending tone.
"Take over Xixin Peak? You think you can?"
Lin Yingzhen's lips curled into a cold smile, filled with undisguised contempt.
"Kid, I don't know where you came from, or what tricks you used to fool that senile old man Lin Zhong. But Xixin Peak is not a place for a brat like you who doesn't know his own limitations."
"Considering your young age, and the possibility that you might be being manipulated, kneel down now, apologize to Yu Jiao and the others, and leave the Forbidden City immediately, and I can pretend nothing happened. Otherwise..."
He paused, his Heavenly Gang Realm spiritual power surging slightly, an invisible pressure emanating from him, locking onto Jiang Xuan, his tone turning cold.
"Don't blame me for being impolite and cleaning up the Lin family's house."
Lin Yingzhen's face darkened completely.
He boasted that he was an outstanding young person from a collateral branch of the Xixi Lin clan, with remarkable talent. Three years ago, he successfully broke through to the Tiangang Realm, making him stand out among his peers. He was even considered by the elders of the clan to have the potential to reach the Linghai Realm.
He was usually quite particular about his appearance and demeanor, and rarely shouted like those spoiled brats.
But at this moment, this kid who appeared out of nowhere not only showed no fear, but also spoke in a calm and almost dismissive tone about "facts" and "showing mercy," which was an insult to him, to the entire Xixi Lin family, and even to all the Lin family collateral branches present!
"I don't know how high the sky is!"
Lin Yingzhen snorted coldly, his eyes flashing with a cold light. He no longer concealed the spiritual pressure of the Heavenly Gang Realm, and it surged towards Jiang Xuan like a tide, trying to crush this ignorant youth with his aura.
"It seems that unless I teach you a profound lesson, you won't understand that some words have consequences!"
"Brother Yingzhen, why waste words with this brat! Just take him down, break his legs, and see if he dares to be so arrogant again!"
"Exactly! Let him know that Xixin Peak is not something he can covet!"
"With Brother Yingzhen making a move, it'll be a piece of cake!"
Seeing Lin Yingzhen get angry, the young people around immediately cheered and jeered, looking like they were waiting to see a good show.
They couldn't wait for Lin Yingzhen to take action immediately and teach this brat a lesson for making them lose face last night and being so arrogant this morning.
Jiang Xuan looked at the group of indignant young people in front of him, who seemed to have committed some heinous crime, and then at Lin Yingzhen, whose face was cold and whose aura was imposing. He suddenly chuckled softly.
The laughter was soft, carrying a hint of undisguised mockery.
"I thought you were here to discuss some important business with such a large entourage."
Jiang Xuan shook his head, his tone as casual as if he were commenting on the weather.
"So, after all this time, you've come as a group... to get beaten up? Fine, I'm in a hurry, let's all go at you at once and save some time."
"Insanity!"
"you wanna die!"
"Brother Yingzhen, tear his mouth apart!"
These words were like a spark falling into a pot of boiling oil, instantly igniting everyone's anger! Even Lin Yingzhen, who had been trying his best to maintain his "composure," was completely enraged by Jiang Xuan's extremely contemptuous attitude, as if they were nothing! The last trace of hesitation in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a cold killing intent!
"Since you're so determined to die, then I'll grant your wish!"
Lin Yingzhen let out a low shout, and the spiritual power of the Heavenly Gang Realm within his body suddenly erupted. A pale yellow spiritual light flowed across his body, and an aura several times stronger than before rose up! He crossed his palms, and the wind from his palms howled. He was about to unleash his signature spiritual technique to give Jiang Xuan a lesson he would never forget!
However, just as his aura reached its peak and he was about to make his move—
Jiang Xuan, who was standing on the white jade steps, moved!
Without warning, without any nonsense, and without even gathering strength!
With a mere flick of his wrist, the "Flowing Light" battle blade, a decent-quality weapon he had acquired from the Black Scale Guard of the Chi family, appeared in his hand. A flash of cold light emanated from the blade, reflecting a dazzling brilliance in the morning sunlight.
Immediately afterwards, Jiang Xuan stepped down the stairs, his battle blade aimed at Lin Yingzhen who was about to rush up below, and with a simple yet lightning-fast slash, he brought it down!
There were no fancy move names, no complicated spiritual energy transformations. It was just the most basic and direct slash! But this slash seemed to suck away the surrounding air, bringing with it a shrill and piercing shriek!
What was gathered on the blade was not some vast spiritual power, but a sharp blade intent refined to the extreme, carrying the will to tear everything apart! It was as if it was not a blade, but an unparalleled sharpness that could split mountains and cut rivers!
The blade's momentum was like a storm, instantly tearing apart the spiritual pressure that Lin Yingzhen had deliberately created, and descending upon him with an unstoppable, domineering, and tyrannical force!
"what?!"
Lin Yingzhen's pupils shrank sharply, and alarm bells rang wildly in his mind! His spiritual technique, which he had been preparing to unleash, was abruptly interrupted. In his haste, he only had time to frantically channel all his spiritual power into his arms, crossing them above his head to protect them. At the same time, the pale yellow spiritual light on his body surged, forming a thick spiritual power shield!
He had never imagined that a mere youth at the Earthly Rank Realm could unleash such terrifying power and speed with a casual strike! This was completely beyond his comprehension! This strike made him feel a deadly threat!
"Stop them!"
Lin Yingzhen roared, his face flushed red from excessive use of spiritual energy.
The next moment—
"boom!!!"
The blade's edge collided fiercely with the spiritual energy shield that Lin Yingzhen had crossed his arms!
There was no stalemate, no resolution.
With a crisp "crack," the seemingly thick spiritual energy shield around Lin Yingzhen's body shattered like an eggshell! Immediately afterward, the violent power contained within the blade's aura poured forth without reservation onto his crossed arms!
"puff--!"
Lin Yingzhen felt an indescribable, immense force, as if he had been struck head-on by a prehistoric beast! His arms throbbed with pain, his bones cracked with a teeth-grinding sound, and he was thrown off the ground, completely out of control!
"boom!!!"
His body, like a kite with a broken string, traced an arc before crashing heavily onto the bluestone ground several dozen feet away, tumbling several times before coming to a stop. The impact left fine cracks in the bluestone.
"Cough! Cough cough cough!!"
Lin Yingzhen struggled to get up, but suddenly spat out several mouthfuls of blood, her face turning ashen white instantly.
He felt as if countless steel needles were piercing his entire body, especially his arms, chest, and abdomen. He didn't know how many bones were broken, and his internal organs had suffered severe shock. The excruciating pain made his vision blur. Even breathing became incredibly difficult, and he could only lie on the ground, writhing and convulsing in agony, without even the strength to stand up.
Quiet.
A deathly silence.
The group of young people who were just shouting, cheering, and waiting to see the show were now like ducks with their necks being choked, mouths agape, eyes wide, their expressions frozen in horror and disbelief.
what happened?
Lin Yingzhen, a Heavenly Realm expert and one of the most outstanding young members of the Xixi Lin Clan, was cleaved away by Jiang Xuan, who was only at the Earthly Realm, with a single, casual strike? He was even severely injured, coughing up blood, and unable to get up.
How...how is this possible?!
Hallucination! It must be a hallucination!
But Lin Yingzhen's miserable appearance, the bloody smell in the air, and the glaring pool of blood on the ground all ruthlessly told them that it was all true!
Gasps of shock rose and fell.
The gazes directed at Jiang Xuan instantly shifted from disdain and contempt to overwhelming fear and disbelief! What kind of monster is this young man?! To defeat a Heavenly Realm expert in a reverse battle, and win so cleanly and decisively?!
Jiang Xuan, carrying the blood-free Flowing Light Battle Blade, slowly walked down the last few white jade steps and came to Lin Yingzhen, who was lying on the ground groaning in pain.
He glanced down at it and gave a flat comment.
"Your reaction wasn't slow. You're lucky to have survived one of my blows."
These words made Lin Yingzhen feel even more ashamed and indignant, and he almost fainted from anger.
Jiang Xuan didn't look at him anymore, but instead turned his gaze to the group of silent, pale-faced young people.
When Jiang Xuan's calm yet seemingly imposing gaze swept over them, everyone involuntarily took a half step back. A few of the more timid ones had their legs trembling and wished they could turn around and run away immediately.
Ignoring their fear, Jiang Xuan squatted down and began to grope Lin Yingzhen's body.
"What...what do you want to do?!"
Lin Yingzhen was both shocked and furious, and asked in a hoarse voice despite the excruciating pain.
"What?"
Jiang Xuan kept moving his hands without raising his head.
"Didn't you come here to test me? Now that you've finished testing me, you should pay some 'tuition,' right? I'm a fair person; I don't hit people for nothing."
As he spoke, he quickly and efficiently stripped all of Lin Yingzhen's valuables off her body.
A jade belt embroidered with spiritual patterns that can automatically clean itself and slightly enhance spiritual energy? Take it off.
Boots made of some kind of soft animal hide, engraved with lightness runes, and quite valuable? Take them off.
A close-fitting inner armor, subtly shimmering with spiritual light, offering decent defensive capabilities? Let's peel it off.
The exquisitely embroidered storage pouch hanging at the waist, seemingly containing a secret treasure? Take it off.
They even took away the hairpin that Lin Yingzhen used to tie her hair, which was inlaid with a small piece of warm jade.
Finally, Lin Yingzhen was left with only a pair of underwear to cover his shame. He lay naked and disheveled on the cold ground, his whole body aching with shame and indignation, yet powerless to resist. He could only let out a beast-like, humiliating roar.
"Aaaaaah! Jiang Xuan! I will never forgive you!!"
Lin Yingzhen's eyes were bloodshot, and he wished he could devour Jiang Xuan alive.
Jiang Xuan casually stuffed the loot into his storage ring before standing up, dusting off non-existent dust from his hands, and ignoring Lin Yingzhen's angry roar.
He weighed the storage pouch in his hand, then scanned it briefly with his divine sense. There wasn't much inside: some pills, a few hundred low-grade spirit stones, a few spare clothes, and two Yellow-rank spirit technique manuals. It wasn't much to him now, but every little bit helps.
"Is that all you have? It seems that you, the 'outstanding member' of the Xixi Lin family, aren't doing so well after all."
Jiang Xuan curled his lip, his tone carrying a hint of disdain.
These words infuriated Lin Yingzhen so much that she almost fainted.
After looting Lin Yingzhen, Jiang Xuan turned his gaze back to the group of young people who were already pale with fright, his eyes like those of a hungry wolf eyeing a flock of trembling sheep.
"You...you stay away!"
"We've given you everything! We didn't do anything!"
"It's none of our business!"
The group of young people were immediately terrified. The men turned pale, and the women were even more distraught. Some of them even instinctively covered their storage bags or valuable jewelry, fearing that Jiang Xuan would also search them.
Jiang Xuan looked at their cowardly appearance and sneered inwardly, losing interest in continuing the fight.
These people are nothing but opportunists who follow the crowd; teaching a lesson to Lin Yingzhen, the ringleader, is enough.
“Go back and tell those so-called elders behind you.”
Jiang Xuan's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying a cold warning.
"The testing ends here."
This time, I'll go easy on you and only charge you a small 'tuition fee.' Next time, if you dare send someone to cause trouble again, or try any tricks…”
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Lin Yingzhen, who lay on the ground like a dead dog, the meaning of which was self-evident.
“Since I, Jiang Xuan, have said I would take over Xixin Peak, I will not just say it. Let them know what they are doing.”
After saying that, Jiang Xuan didn't look at these people again, sheathed his Flowing Light Battle Blade, turned around, and walked with unhurried steps towards the street outside the square leading to the bustling area of the Forbidden City.
Only after Jiang Xuan's figure disappeared around the street corner did the invisible, suffocating sense of oppression slowly dissipate.
"Huh...huh..."
Only after surviving the ordeal did the young people dare to breathe heavily, their backs already soaked with cold sweat.
"Quick! Quick, check on how Brother Yingzhen is!"
"Oh my god...that's too cruel..."
"Is he...is he really at the Earthly Realm?"
"Stop talking! Help him up! Take him back! This is getting out of hand!"
The crowd then hurriedly surrounded Lin Yingzhen, who was only wearing a pair of underwear, covered in blood, with countless broken bones, and had fainted from shame and anger.
Someone took off their outer robe to barely cover his body, and then a group of people, like stray dogs, carried the unconscious Lin Yingzhen away from the square in a dejected manner, their arrogance gone.
It's easy to imagine that Lin Yingzhen's miserable state today, and the fact that he was stripped naked and ransacked in public, will soon spread throughout the Xixi Lin Clan, and even reach the ears of other collateral branches, becoming a huge laughingstock and a disgrace. And this is precisely one of the effects Jiang Xuan desired. (End of Chapter)