Chapter 28: That Collision Ruined the Grand Entrance

Lin Yi appeared as though his steps were unsteady, feigning urgency as he addressed Murong Yueyao.

“Don’t worry, Murong,” he said. “I’m here to rescue you—ow…”

With that utterance, Lin Yi’s entire body seemed about to slip, as if he’d lost control of his turn. In an instant, his body tilted backward, colliding directly with Zhang Ruofeng.

Zhang Ruofeng had been watching Lin Yi closely, but clearly, he’d misinterpreted what he saw. Earlier, Zhang Ruofeng assumed Lin Yi was like Murong Yueyao and Murong Xingyao—someone with at least some martial arts training. Yet, he never expected Lin Yi to stumble just turning around.

Stumble he did, and moreover, he toppled right toward Zhang Ruofeng, about to crash into him. Was it intentional? Zhang Ruofeng couldn’t tell. Regardless, it seemed trivial to block him—he didn’t even plan to use his fan, instead intending to simply shove Lin Yi away with his strength, hoping to send him flying as easily as Lin Yi had kicked the old woman moments before.

He considered kicking Lin Yi, but they were too close for that, so Zhang Ruofeng decided to use his hand instead, confident that his tremendous strength would send Lin Yi dozens of meters away, breaking his limbs and leaving him sprawled on the ground.

But in the next moment, Zhang Ruofeng was dumbfounded. Why couldn’t he push Lin Yi? As Lin Yi’s body rushed toward him and his hand reached out to make contact, it was as if something invisible blocked his path—his hand simply couldn’t touch Lin Yi. More importantly, he couldn’t move anything in front of him; it felt like a weight of ten thousand pounds, utterly immovable.

Then Lin Yi slammed into Zhang Ruofeng.

A ripping sound echoed through the air as the tattered Daoist robe Zhang Ruofeng wore was shredded by the collision, as effortless as cutting through tofu. Lin Yi’s shoulder struck Zhang Ruofeng’s bowed head, and the impact splintered his nasal bone. Blood sprayed from his nose, and with a thunderous crash, Zhang Ruofeng was sent flying.

“Aaah—!”

Zhang Ruofeng only felt a tremendous force shatter his nose, his body propelled like a bird soaring through the sky. Several bones broke, and his outstretched hand was snapped by the blow. He couldn’t even gauge the severity of his injuries; all he knew was the excruciating pain piercing his mind.

With blood streaming from his nose, Zhang Ruofeng wiped his face, the crimson liquid aggravating his already throbbing head. With a heavy thud, he landed on the asphalt. As he hit the ground, he heard another crack—he hadn’t landed properly, his backside hitting first in a clumsy descent, likely injuring his spine.

The agony was unbearable. In the next second, Zhang Ruofeng lost consciousness.

Before fainting, only one thought flashed through his mind: the image he’d so carefully cultivated as the Daoist heir was utterly ruined. His master had said so, the elders of his family had said so—he was the most talented disciple of Dragon Tiger Mountain, a top-tier expert, someone who had even vanquished an A-class vengeful spirit. He was the Daoist scion; how could his debut be so disastrous?

He hadn’t even made a name for himself before being beaten.

Who was this young man, and how could he possess such formidable strength?

His thoughts muddled, Zhang Ruofeng slipped into unconsciousness.

It had to be said, the sight of Zhang Ruofeng being sent flying startled everyone.

Lin Yi shook his head. “He calls himself the Daoist heir? He’s so fragile.”

With that, Lin Yi jogged over to Zhang Ruofeng, confirmed that he’d fainted, and swaggered away.

His departure caused a stir.

Everyone was dumbstruck. Who could have guessed that Zhang Ruofeng, who’d just performed miracles, would be knocked out by a young man? This so-called Daoist heir—wasn’t he supposed to be a celestial being? Moments ago, he’d conjured an apple tree from a seed, yet now, a simple stumble from a beautiful woman’s ex-boyfriend had sent him flying? Was the Daoist heir made of feathers, able to fly?

Or was he truly a celestial, with an innate ability to float—so when struck, he simply drifted off?

No one knew what to make of it.

Lin Yi was long gone, leaving behind a bewildered crowd. Many rushed toward Zhang Ruofeng. Regardless of what had happened, Zhang Ruofeng was still a figure of legend. The apple tree alone marked him as a celestial disciple. Perhaps he was delicate, but it didn’t change the fact that he was truly gifted.

Many, awed by his earlier display, knelt before Zhang Ruofeng, worshipping him inwardly. Now, as Zhang Ruofeng lay battered, these people cursed Lin Yi, their gazes shifting toward Murong Yueyao and Murong Xingyao.

Soon, Murong Yueyao and Murong Xingyao began to feel better. At that moment, Murong Yueyao narrowed her eyes in sudden realization.

“No, that wasn’t sorcery. If I think carefully, Zhang Ruofeng’s body reeked due to the grime, but when he waved his fan, a fragrant scent wafted out—it was medicine. Our bodies were controlled by drugs…”

Thinking it over, Murong Yueyao quickly pieced it together. Murong Xingyao’s eyes flickered, his face turning pale.

“He was bullying us. Zhang Ruofeng deserves punishment; he’s the Daoist heir of Dragon Tiger Mountain. But, Sister, I find Lin Yi rather interesting—he intervened and saved us, didn’t he? All right, all right, I’ll say no more…”

Murong Xingyao’s anger toward Zhang Ruofeng was immense, and the reputation of Dragon Tiger Mountain made him sigh inwardly.

As he pondered, Murong Xingyao realized Lin Yi must be exceptionally strong; otherwise, how could he have sent Zhang Ruofeng flying with a single move? But wasn’t Lin Yi supposed to be an ordinary young man, said to have no martial skills? Perhaps it was just a stroke of luck—maybe something was wrong with Zhang Ruofeng internally, causing him to be knocked out.

Regardless, the facts were clear: Lin Yi had resolved the matter.

Noticing his sister’s troubled expression, Murong Xingyao clicked his tongue and refrained from saying more.

“Let’s not talk about it, Sister. Let’s leave this antique street and go to my good friend’s shop. You head there first; I… I’ll buy another pack of cigarettes… then I’ll take a cab to join you.”

Cigarettes? What nonsense—didn’t he just buy a pack?

Murong Yueyao watched Murong Xingyao’s stammering, his eyes fixed on the direction Lin Yi had vanished, guessing that her brother was actually going to seek Lin Yi.

For a fleeting moment, her heart softened.

She nodded and prepared to leave.

She knew the name of the shop Murong Xingyao mentioned, located in the outskirts of Shengjing City—a jade gambling house.

In fact, Murong Xingyao and Murong Yueyao had come from the capital to Shengjing to attend an auction. They wanted to preview the auction items and needed to bring gifts, which was why they’d visited Yuxiang Pavilion. In retrospect, it would be better to buy gifts elsewhere, as those at Yuxiang Pavilion were too ordinary, lacking novelty.

…

Murong Xingyao watched Murong Yueyao depart, his eyes flashing as he hurried after Lin Yi.

He caught up with Lin Yi just as the latter circled back and stood before the signboard of Fat Lin’s Porridge Shop.

“Ah, we really are destined to meet! Come, Lin Yi, let me treat you to some medicinal cuisine. Let’s go—have some herbal porridge, it’ll make you stronger.”

Lin Yi glanced at Murong Xingyao, surprised he hadn’t left with Murong Yueyao.

Lin Yi soon realized Murong Xingyao was quite the chatterbox, a quality that clashed with his elegant appearance. If Murong Xingyao kept silent, he would be the epitome of a handsome, mature man, his bearing refined. Lin Yi could sense that Murong Xingyao possessed some cultivation, a certain energy about him.

But when Murong Xingyao spoke, Lin Yi felt decidedly uncomfortable. They weren’t nearly close enough for such familiarity, were they?

Before Lin Yi could respond, Murong Xingyao had already dragged him inside.

Still a bit dazed, Lin Yi found himself led into a private room.

Soon, the medicinal cuisine arrived.

The aroma alone revealed the presence of herbs—coptis, poria, wolfberry, water chestnut, ginseng, deer antler, red dates—at least twenty ingredients.

“Lin Yi, don’t be shy, eat, eat, eat…”

Lin Yi didn’t hold back, eating and drinking as he pleased, keeping his worries at bay.

Had Murong Xingyao not been related to Murong Yueyao, Lin Yi wouldn’t have come, nor would he have shown much friendliness. But given their family connection, and Murong Xingyao’s warmth, Lin Yi could hardly refuse.

As they ate and conversed, Lin Yi discovered that Murong Xingyao was, in fact, a man worth knowing.