Chapter Seven: The Family Jade Pendant

"Don't worry, I won't take your life. A good beating will suffice!" After chasing him out of Howling Moon City, Hu Dequan finally cornered Lin Xiaobao by the edge of the city moat.

Given the disparity in strength, Lin Xiaobao, who had once outrun a third-rank martial artist, found it truly difficult to outrun Hu Dequan, who was of the fifth rank. While Hu Dequan was calm and composed, Lin Xiaobao was panting heavily, his eyes darting restlessly as he calculated how to escape his predicament.

"Wait!" Seeing Hu Dequan charging toward him, Lin Xiaobao hastily cried out, "I have something to say!"

"Speak? Speak, my foot! I've been fooled by you more than once—do you think I'll give you another chance to trick me?" This time, Hu Dequan was clearly prepared. He didn't stop for Lin Xiaobao's words; before his sentence had even finished, his iron-hard fist smashed into Lin Xiaobao's nose.

A wave of dizziness struck Lin Xiaobao's head, pain exploding across his face. Under the forceful blow, he staggered back several steps and, losing his balance, landed hard on the ground.

"I'll show you what happens to someone who claims to be unstoppable! I'll show you what comes of being too quick to break!" With each scolding, another punch landed on Lin Xiaobao, each one delivered with precise malice—targeting the soft flesh, never the vital spots.

Hu Dequan vented his pent-up frustration with relish, oblivious to the blood streaming from Lin Xiaobao's nose. The crimson wet his chest, but did not spread further.

At that moment, the blood seeping from Lin Xiaobao's nose soaked into his shirt, transforming into a thin red thread that flowed into the jade pendant he wore at his chest. Had anyone looked closely, they might have noticed the dragon and tiger within the pendant stirring as if coming to life.

But Hu Dequan was preoccupied, savoring the pleasure of tormenting Lin Xiaobao. It wasn't the first time he'd caused trouble for him, but Lin Xiaobao always managed to talk his way out—so this time, Hu Dequan was determined not to give him a chance to speak. Now, with fists and feet combined, his delight was palpable.

As for Lin Xiaobao, all he could do was shield his face. Since a beating was inevitable, the best he could do was minimize the damage—he had to protect his handsome face at all costs.

Suddenly, a surge of power, accompanied by a flash of red light, burst from Lin Xiaobao's body. Hu Dequan was instantly blown back more than ten meters, staring in shock as Lin Xiaobao struggled to get up, but failed.

Just then, Hu Dequan's followers finally caught up. "Young Master Hu! What happened?"

One of them helped Hu Dequan to his feet, his gaze toward Lin Xiaobao equally shocked. Hu Dequan was a martial artist of the fifth rank—among the young generation of Howling Moon City, few could rival him. Other than Lin Xiaobao, there was no one else present. Could it be that Lin Xiaobao now had the strength to contend with Hu Dequan?

These followers, emboldened by Hu Dequan's usual arrogance, had developed a bully's temperament. But when faced with someone truly formidable, none dared step forward.

"Let's go..." For the moment, Hu Dequan had no idea what had just happened to Lin Xiaobao, but a vague fear took root in his heart, as if if he attacked Lin Xiaobao again, his own life would be forfeit.

His followers, feeling as though they'd been pardoned, hurriedly helped him back toward the city.

A moment earlier, Lin Xiaobao had felt an immense power surge into his body, then vanish. All the pain in his body disappeared, as if he'd just awakened from a dream after an injury. Watching Hu Dequan and his cronies flee in panic, Lin Xiaobao was left bewildered.

He stretched his limbs, finding himself fully recovered, and immediately reached for the bracelet at his chest. Scaring off Hu Dequan was one thing, but the Elder Lin Tian could not be intimidated so easily. Leaving Howling Moon City was now an urgent priority.

The bracelet was still there. But when he habitually reached for his jade pendant, his heart sank—the pendant that had always hung at his chest was gone, leaving only the chain around his neck.

He pulled open his shirt, hoping the pendant had simply slipped inside. But as soon as he did, he quickly closed it again. On his chest was a greenish mark, identical in shape to the pendant.

So his family heirloom was not so simple after all, and the strange event just now was likely connected to it. Perhaps even the recurring dreams he had... Suddenly, Lin Xiaobao wondered if his very passage into this world was inextricably linked to the jade pendant.

"What happened just now?" At that moment, a voice came from his side—Elder Lin Tian had appeared without warning.

Lin Xiaobao was startled, then his suspicions were confirmed. Without missing a beat, he replied, "Just a couple of petty thieves, but I drove them off. Elder Lin Tian, what brings you for a stroll by the river?"

"A stroll?" Elder Lin Tian paused, then his eyes filled with guilt and remorse. "Would you be willing to join the Snowy Wind Pavilion?"

Though Lin Xiaobao had walked this path countless times, he couldn't help but glance around. What was this about? Some unspoken rule? Did the elder really intend to initiate a tryst out in the wilds? That seemed a bit extreme. He shook his head vigorously. "All my meridians are blocked—I can't cultivate at all. I appreciate your kindness, Elder Lin Tian, but I must decline!"

But the more Lin Xiaobao showed distrust, the more Elder Lin Tian felt he owed him. "So what if your meridians are blocked? I have a way to open them. Come with me to the City Lord's residence. Tomorrow, we set out together for the Snowy Wind Pavilion!"

No tryst after all? Lin Xiaobao was somewhat relieved, but the elder seemed intent on keeping him close, which only unsettled him further. He continued to refuse, "But my dream is to become a great storyteller!"

Elder Lin Tian shook his head helplessly and took a bracelet from his sleeve—the very twin of the one Lin Xiaobao carried. "In truth, I am your father. I cannot imagine what hardships you've endured to make you so wary of others. But rest assured, from today on, I will make it up to you. Where is your mother now?"

At last, Lin Xiaobao understood—this old man wasn't interested in his looks, but had mistaken him for his son. Yet the bracelet belonged to that girl, didn't it? Piecing everything together, he decided to go along with the misunderstanding for now. "My mother is dead. I have no father like you!"

Though Lin Xiaobao spoke the truth, to Elder Lin Tian it sounded like the words of a son unwilling to forgive. "I have indeed wronged you both, but I had my reasons. All these years, I have searched for your mother, never imagining she would leave me a bloodline. I will surely make amends for all I owe you and her. Now, take me to your mother's grave."