Chapter 478: Complete Breakdown
Pei Kuoteng was already injured, and his heart was pounding with anxiety. Now, seeing Lin Kuang deploy the Willow Catkin Technique, he was completely stunned, his pupils filled with disbelief.
In such a short time, he learned my Antelope Hanging Horn Sword Technique and also learned the Willow Catkin Technique. Is... is he some kind of monster?! Pei Kuoteng muttered, his eyes filled with incredulity.
"Antelope Hanging Horn Sword Technique, Willow Catkin Technique? Nice names. Thanks, I’ll gladly take them," Lin Kuang said with a grin. He was being intentionally provocative. He couldn’t very well admit that Pei Yuandong had given him the Willow Catkin Technique, could he? That would be selling Pei Yuandong out, and Lin Kuang wasn’t the type of person to betray someone.
At that moment, power surged into the Nameless Sword in Lin Kuang’s hand, and he fiercely thrust it toward Pei Kuoteng’s throat, intending to kill him with a single blow.
Pei Kuoteng had lost all will to dodge. Having his swordsmanship, which he had arduously practiced for so long, learned by another person made him want to die. He had no desire to even try and evade the attack.
However, while he may not have wanted to dodge, Pei Kuoyan and the middle-aged man could not simply stand by and watch him die. After all, Pei Kuoteng represented a significant portion of the Pei Family’s combat strength. They could not afford his death. Moreover, Pei Kuoteng was Pei Kuoyan’s own younger brother. How could he possibly watch his brother be killed?
"Third Uncle, now!" Pei Kuoyan roared.
Instantly, the two of them moved. A long blade appeared in Pei Kuoyan’s hands, which he swung directly at the Nameless in Lin Kuang’s hand. Simultaneously, Pei Kuoyan’s third uncle, Pei Jingqi, produced a long sword of his own and thrust it toward the center of Lin Kuang’s back!
Under these circumstances, Lin Kuang clearly could not continue his attack on Pei Kuoteng. Pei Kuoyan’s blade would strike his Nameless first, and even if the Nameless still reached Pei Kuoteng, the blow would no longer be fatal. More importantly, Pei Jingqi was behind him. If Lin Kuang was even a fraction of a second too slow to dodge, Pei Jingqi’s sword would pierce his heart. His only option was to evade.
In a flash, Lin Kuang’s body moved sideways. In that single instant, he evaded both attacks, and Pei Kuoteng’s life was spared.
Lin Kuang looked coldly at the three men before him, his lips curling into a sneer. "The Pei Family is truly shameless! Three seniors ganging up on a junior... Tsk, tsk, is this how the great Pei Family conducts itself?" he spoke mockingly, his expression full of disdain.
Hearing Lin Kuang’s words, Pei Kuoyan’s expression darkened. He had never expected Pei Kuoteng to lose, much less that Lin Kuang’s strength would be so terrifying. This was completely beyond his calculations.
"Lin Kuang, I must admit, you are very strong," Pei Jingqi said, looking at him. "Even among the younger generation of the Ancient Martial Realm, few can compare to you aside from a handful of other prodigies. No other youth is your match. Your power has far exceeded our imagination."
Pei Jingqi was over seventy years old but looked as though he was only in his forties or fifties, a result of his cultivation that kept him appearing so young.
Hearing this, Lin Kuang looked at him calmly. "Is that so? That has nothing to do with me. I’m sure you all know the purpose of my visit to the Pei Family."
"That’s right, you came for an explanation. However, the Nameless in your hand is something our Pei Family must obtain. How about this? If you are willing to give me the Nameless, you may choose any treasured blade or sword from the Pei Family’s collection. We will also provide you with substantial compensation. What do you think?" Pei Jingqi asked, looking at Lin Kuang with great sincerity.
Faced with such a terrifyingly powerful and prodigious young man, Pei Jingqi did not want to resort to lethal force. If they failed to kill Lin Kuang, the Pei Family would suffer endless retaliation. A powerful man like Lin Kuang would undoubtedly turn the Pei Family upside down, and Pei Jingqi believed this without a doubt. That was why he was speaking so amicably with Lin Kuang. Otherwise, he would have simply tried to kill him long ago. Why bother with all this trouble?
"Tch, you make it sound so simple. Give me a treasured sword and some compensation, and we just call it even? Is this really how the Pei Family operates?!" Lin Kuang scoffed.
Hearing this, Pei Jingqi did not grow angry. Instead, he said calmly, "Then name your price. As long as you give me the Nameless, we can negotiate any condition you propose. Lin Kuang, I urge you to consider this carefully. You may not fear our Pei Family, but you have family, and you have a lover. I think you should seriously consider their circumstances."
Upon hearing this, Lin Kuang’s expression changed slightly. "Are you threatening me?!"
"No, I am merely stating a fact. You should be well aware that with the Pei Family’s power, it is something we can easily accomplish," Pei Jingqi said, his tone growing even more sincere.
Hearing this, Lin Kuang’s chest heaved as rage burned within him. The Pei Family had used his woman to lure him here, and now they were threatening him with her again to force him to surrender the Nameless. This infuriated Lin Kuang to no end. Being threatened was something he could not tolerate, yet Pei Jingqi had done exactly that.
"Hah," Lin Kuang began again, his eyes now bloodshot. "Let me tell you something. If you dare lay a finger on my family or my woman, I, Lin Kuang, will not rest until one of us is annihilated! Don’t believe me? Let’s just see who kills more of whom!"
His tone was laced with unconcealable malice, and his killing intent solidified, becoming almost palpable in its terrifying intensity.
Pei Jingqi’s brow furrowed at Lin Kuang’s words. This was precisely what he feared. If they truly pushed Lin Kuang into a life-or-death struggle, the young man would go berserk. A beast like that running wild would be a catastrophic storm for the Pei Family. At this thought, Pei Jingqi found himself in a dilemma, frowning, unsure of what to do.
Pei Kuoyan’s expression was just as grim. He was the Family Head, responsible for the thousands of men, women, and children living in the Pei estate. He did not dare make such a gamble.
Just as Pei Kuoyan and Pei Jingqi were caught in their dilemma, a voice traveled from afar, growing closer with each word.
"Lin Kuang, rest assured, we will not lay a hand on your woman. That, I can guarantee. However, you will not be leaving here alive today."
As his voice fell, a white-haired old man appeared in front of Lin Kuang. If not for his white hair, no one would have believed he was old. His complexion was ruddy and showed very few wrinkles. He looked to be only about forty years old, appearing exceptionally young.
"Second Uncle, what brings you here?" Pei Kuoyan exclaimed upon seeing the old man.