What Others Say Is No More Than Ants and Flies. The Blade in Your Hand Is What Truly Matters!

Feng Jianyun sneered. "You need aged medicinal herbs, potent and properly prepared. Either Tiger Bone Marrow Strengthening Paste to temper your bones, or Century Blood Ginseng Pills to nourish your sinews and membranes!"

"These precious medicines have long been monopolized by the great lineages in the city, our martial arts schools, and the other factions with Blood Refining martial artists at their helm."

"What's left on the market is either inferior stuff or outrageously expensive."

"Let alone the precious medicines needed for Organ Cleansing and Blood Refining. They're even harder to find!"

"Ask your Senior Brother Zhang. Did he not spend his entire fortune buying these medicines?"

Lin Qing turned to look at Zhang Shun.

Zhang Shun opened his mouth, but in the end, he could only nod bitterly.

"That trip was a close brush with death."

Feng Jianyun smiled as if this was exactly what he'd expected.

At last, he fixed his gaze on Lin Qing and said coolly, "You have no connections, no resources, and an ordinary constitution."

"Junior Brother Lin, forgive my bluntness, but if you're lucky enough to break through to the Third Barrier Realm, Bone Forging, in your entire lifetime, your ancestors will have to be burning incense and sending up green smoke for you."

His icy words tore open the bloody reality and laid it bare before everyone.

Constitution and resources were two insurmountable chasms.

They stretched between ordinary martial artists and true masters.

Feng Jianyun leaned forward slightly, a smile of condescending charity on his face. "Still, since Junior Brother Zhang has vouched for you so strongly and says you have uncommon potential, I can give you a chance to prove yourself."

He pointed toward the window, in the direction of the courtyard below, where a few low barks could be heard.

"I keep a Western Region Mastiff at my estate. It's ferocious—ordinary strongmen are no match for it."

"If you go down there and spar with my beloved dog, holding out for the time it takes an incense stick to burn without losing, then I'll concede you have some courage and ability."

"Perhaps our circle could make an exception and let you dip a toe in. What do you say?"

Fight a mastiff as the token of his admission to their circle?

This was no longer mere contempt. It was outright humiliation.

Putting a man on the same level as a vicious dog spoke for itself.

Perhaps, in Feng Jianyun's eyes,

Lin Qing was worth even less than the beast he kept.

The table fell silent.

Third Senior Sister Zhao Hongxiu furrowed her brows even more deeply, but remained silent.

Eldest Senior Brother Qi Yunfei held his wine cup, gazing at the river outside the window as if his mind were elsewhere. He said nothing about the farce unfolding before him.

Liu Ying lowered her eyes, slender fingers toying with the hem of her clothes, as though she found it all rather dull.

Zhang Shun's face flushed red. He shot to his feet. "Second Senior Brother! You—"

"Senior Brother Feng, I appreciate the offer."

A calm voice cut him off.

Lin Qing slowly rose to his feet, his expression unreadable.

He swept his gaze over everyone at the table and suddenly found it all pointless.

He had never come to curry favor with anyone.

He had only wanted to see this so-called inner circle and gather some information.

Now he had the information he needed.

And he had seen the arrogance and narrow-mindedness of this circle clearly.

When people walked different paths, there was no point in seeking their company.

Why stay here and invite humiliation?

He cupped his hands to Zhang Shun, his tone apologetic.

"Senior Brother Zhang, thank you for trying to give me this opportunity today."

"But I'm of mediocre aptitude and humble means. I'm simply not worthy of joining the circle of you senior brothers and sisters. If I stay, I'll only make things awkward."

"I've spoiled everyone's evening. Please accept my apology. I'll take my leave."

With that, he looked at no one—not even Feng Jianyun, whose face had turned ugly.

Then he turned and strode steadily toward the private room's entrance.

Throughout the whole exchange, only Zhang Shun instinctively opened his mouth.

Qi Yunfei, Liu Ying, and the other two said not a word to stop him.

They did not even offer a polite parting remark.

Their silence was an attitude in itself.

The door to the private room opened gently, then closed just as softly.

Lin Qing disappeared beyond it, as if he had never been there.

"Hah..."

Feng Jianyun gave a mocking laugh, breaking the silence.

He cast a sidelong glance at Zhang Shun, whose face had gone livid.

"Junior Brother Zhang, your knack for collecting people has really improved. You bring any Tom, Dick, or Harry into our circle now?"

"Did you join some low-class gang and pick up a few unsavory tricks?"

Zhang Shun's chest heaved. He wanted to retort, but Qi Yunfei remained silent, and neither Zhao Hongxiu nor Liu Ying showed any sign of support. He knew that saying more would only bring him further humiliation.

He abruptly cupped his hands and said stiffly, "Eldest Senior Brother, everyone, I'll take my leave too!"

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and strode after Lin Qing.

Zhang Shun hurried out of River Gazing Pavilion and onto the streets, where the lanterns were just beginning to glow. He scanned the street anxiously.

The streets were crowded, with people streaming past and carts rolling by.

Lin Qing was walking alone amid the throng.

Zhang Shun hurried after him and called out, "Junior Brother Lin, wait!"

Lin Qing stopped but did not turn around.

"Junior Brother Lin, are you all right? That's just how they are."

"Ah, I shouldn't have brought you along to meet them without warning you."

Zhang Shun panted, shaking his head in regret.

"Brother Shun, have you ever heard a saying?"

Lin Qing did not turn around.

"What saying?"

Zhang Shun was taken aback.

"What others say is no more than ants and flies. The blade in your hand is what truly matters."

With that, Lin Qing walked into the crowd.

Like a river flowing into the sea, he soon vanished without a trace.

Zhang Shun stood where he was, watching Lin Qing's tall, lean figure as a complicated mix of emotions welled up inside him.

He felt indignant on Lin Qing's behalf over Feng Jianyun and the others.

More than that, he felt guilty toward Lin Qing, along with a strange sense of disappointment.

He had thought this would be a chance to introduce Lin Qing to a higher-level circle, where Lin Qing might gain some backing.

Instead, he had put Lin Qing through such humiliation.

But at least—

His junior brother seemed to have a resilient spirit.

"Ah, Junior Brother Lin..."

Zhang Shun sighed and muttered to himself.

"This was my fault. I didn't plan things through and acted too hastily."

He realized he might have underestimated the arrogance ingrained in those Inner City scions.

And he had underestimated the pride in Lin Qing's heart.

That young man was no one to be pushed around at will, no one who had to depend on others for a living.

After that unpleasant banquet at River Gazing Pavilion,

Lin Qing devoted all his energy to improving his strength and uncovering the mastermind behind it all.

The Ge Pao Society's intelligence network was indeed exceptional.

Through Zhang Shun's connections, Lin Qing spent some silver and soon obtained detailed information about Pan Yun, the head manager of Security Hall.

The result, however, surprised him a little.

Pan Yun was no ordinary manager for the Pan Family.

He was a martial artist in the Tendon Opening Realm. Though he was nearing forty, he had tempered his sinews and bones exceptionally well. Word was that he had developed the Pan Family's ancestral Silk Entangling Hand to a high level.

More importantly, he worked under the Pan Family's second young master. Though he was not part of the core bloodline,

he had still built up some standing and influence within the Pan Family.

"A Second Barrier Realm martial artist. The Pan Family's second young master..."

Lin Qing tapped his fingers lightly on the tabletop, his brows tightly furrowed.

If he rashly went after Pan Yun, there was no telling whether he could kill a Second Barrier Realm martial artist.

Even if he succeeded, it would inevitably arouse the Pan Family's suspicions and trigger a thorough investigation.

By then, he—the neighbor who had a grudge against Security Hall and possessed martial strength—would undoubtedly be the prime suspect.

The risk was too great. It wasn't worth it.

"My strength still isn't enough!"

Lin Qing drew a deep breath and forcibly tamped down the roiling killing intent.

Until he had overwhelming strength and a sound plan, he would have to swallow his anger for now.