He's Here!

Imperial Capital.

Yang Family.

Yang Mingyou had been sitting in the main hall since early morning, his face clouded with worry. He seemed to be waiting for something.

Lin Yun and Yang Xiaoran, meanwhile, were still enjoying their time together.

Yang Mingyou had the good sense not to disturb them.

Just then, someone entered the main hall.

The man dropped to one knee.

"Family head, the scouts haven't sent word yet."

Yang Mingyou gave a quiet hum, and some of his anxiety eased.

"All right. You can go."

"Yes."

The man left the main hall, closing the door behind him.

Once again, Yang Mingyou was alone in the hall.

"Ah."

He sighed, rose from his chair, and took a framed photograph off the wall.

The woman in the photograph looked remarkably like Yang Xiaoran.

Yang Mingyou gazed at it and smiled despite himself.

Then he ran his fingers along the edge of the frame.

"Yuyan, are you doing all right over there on your own?"

"I might be joining you today."

As he held the frame, remembrance filled his eyes. His thoughts seemed to drift back to long ago.

Bang!

While he was still lost in memory, the doors flew open with a bang.

Lin Yun and Yang Xiaoran walked in hand in hand, looking every bit like a couple in love.

"Dad."

"Uncle Yang."

They spoke at the same time, then sat down together.

Without drawing attention to it, Yang Mingyou set the photograph behind him and spoke.

"Xiaoran, Lin Yun, you're here."

They both answered.

Then Lin Yun asked,

"Uncle Yang, do you know where Li Yao is? Has he arrived yet?"

Yang Mingyou shook his head.

"Not yet. My scouts just reported in. They haven't seen him."

"Could Li Yao be too afraid to come?"

Lin Yun sneered inwardly. So what if you won the Martial Arts Tournament? You're still that spoiled brat, the same Li Yao who's afraid of his own shadow.

Yang Xiaoran chimed in.

"Li Yao definitely doesn't dare face Brother Lin Yun."

"So what if he won the Martial Arts Tournament and made a name for himself? Trash will always be trash."

It was laughable. Yang Xiaoran was only a Third Rank Martial Master. She had not even qualified to enter the Martial Arts Tournament.

Yet she dared to talk so boldly.

Yang Mingyou looked at the two of them.

Bitterness returned to his eyes.

He must have lost his mind to put his faith in such a young upstart.

For days, he had treated Lin Yun as an honored guest. He had even given him his daughter.

Was it truly worth it?

After thinking it over these past few days, Yang Mingyou had come to understand a great deal.

The best outcome was for Li Yao to lose to Lin Yun's side. Lin Yun could then use the Lin Family's standing to guarantee the Yang Family's safety, trading Li Yao's life for a promise that they would not be held accountable.

The next best outcome was for Lin Yun to win and, in the heat of the moment, kill Li Yao outright. He could then return to the Lin Family and ask its head to protect the Yang Family.

The worst outcome was...

He did not dare think any further.

All he could do was pray that Lin Yun would win.

"Family head!"

A Yang Family bodyguard pushed the door open and rushed in.

"Look at you, barging in like that! Have you no manners?"

Yang Mingyou had yet to speak, but Lin Yun had already begun scolding the man.

Yang Mingyou froze for a moment. Just who is the head of the Yang Family? But he did not dare lose his temper, so he hurried to smooth things over.

"What is it? Take your time."

The bodyguard paid Lin Yun no mind.

At Yang Mingyou's words, he hurried to report.

"The men keeping watch up ahead sent word. Li Yao has set out for the Yang Family!"

Yang Mingyou had more or less expected the news, but hearing it himself still left him momentarily stunned.

Lin Yun's eyes, on the other hand, lit up. He asked eagerly,

"Li Yao's coming? How many people did he bring? Is there anyone stronger than a Ninth Rank Martial Master?"

The bodyguard replied,

"Just two. Li Yao and his personal guard, Li Wenbin."

"Hahahahaha! Li Yao, Li Yao. You're as arrogant as ever. You know I'm here, yet you dare come without bringing anyone else? You're asking to die."

Lin Yun was overjoyed.

Yang Mingyou also let out a breath of relief. The weight that had been hanging over him finally lifted.

"Phew. That's good."

Lin Yun rose and walked to the window, looking out at the street.

"Li Yao, you must be tired of living."

"I have two Martial Venerables on my side. One Martial Venerable is already more than you can handle, yet here you come, marching to your death."

A cold smile curled his lips.

The night before, he had asked his father to send another Martial Venerable. This was the greatest force he could muster from the Lin Family.

Two Martial Venerables were more than enough to deal with Li Yao and Li Wenbin.

"Brother Lin Yun, you're amazing."

Yang Xiaoran gazed at Lin Yun with open admiration.

"Of course. Your Brother Lin Yun has seen it all."

Lin Yun smiled and reached out to pat Yang Xiaoran's head.

Li Yao, you're a complete fool.

He sneered inwardly.

Elsewhere.

Li Yao and Li Wenbin were driving toward the Yang Family residence.

"Young master, the other two experts just sent a message. They've reached the area near the Yang Family residence."

As Li Wenbin drove, he relayed the message from his phone to Li Yao.

Li Yao nodded when he heard it.

"Good. Tell them to keep a close eye on things. Don't let that brat Lin Yun escape."

"This time, I'll show him what happens when someone crosses me."

Li Wenbin acknowledged the order.

"Young master, our scouts near Lin Yun say he brought in another Martial Venerable last night."

"Just a Martial Venerable. We've got three Martial Kings."

Li Yao leaned back in his seat and folded his arms.

"If he can call in reinforcements, so can I. Why would the Li Family fear the Lin Family?"

Li Wenbin smiled and said nothing more.

He knew as well as anyone that few families in the Imperial Capital could match the Li Family's resources.

Li Yao looked out the window, running through his plans.

Lin Yun, do you think two Martial Venerables are enough to deal with me?

I have Martial Kings on my side.

Martial Kings. They're a whole realm above Martial Venerables. Crushing you will be easy.

"Oh, right, Uncle Bin. What do you think Lin Yun's face will look like if I call out those three Martial Kings while he's showing off?"

Li Yao asked with a grin.

Li Wenbin thought for a moment before answering.

"He'll probably wet himself."