Volume One: The Wild Child Chapter Twenty-Four: The Hunter and the Prey

In the northern reaches of the Central Lands, once stood a multitude of noble families, colluding together to oppress the common people. Thus, despite the highly advanced civilization and productivity, a uniquely feudal regime emerged in the north. According to the genealogy of the Zhou clan, at the moment of greatest despair among the northern populace, Zhou Jingsheng rode alone into the region, joined by his Eight Virtuosos, and overthrew the "Emperor," granting the masses the freedom to gaze upon the heavens. Yet nowadays, when the people of the Central Lands hear this tale, they only scoff.

After all, the Lin clan's declaration of war was simply: "Sweep away oppression, liberate freedom."

But the event did occur. However, the later Zhou clan, once rulers, not only withdrew to a corner of safety but also began indulging in the very practices their ancestors had despised most.

The descendants of rebels became emperors; the spirit of the heroes crumbled to dust.

...

The two men were locked in combat, exchanging perhaps a dozen blows. Kuai Yue's forehead glistened with sweat, whereas Lin Yuheng's expression remained unchanged, though the trembling of his body betrayed his exhaustion. He grinned and said, "Among the Eight Virtuosos of the Zhou clan, the only true one turns out to be a half-buried old man." Kuai Yue forced a thin smile. "Are the Lin family's bastards always so rude? I have no patience for your noise." The smile on Lin Yuheng's face grew increasingly twisted. Ever since awakening his abilities, it had been a long time since someone called him a bastard. "What manners does a bastard need? But I won't kill you. After the Zhou clan falls, I'll let you see how the Kuai clan's descendants disrupt all propriety, spawning bastards everywhere."

Kuai Yue drew a deep breath, snorted coldly, and flung aside his cane, revealing a chilling blade within. Sword raised, he charged at Lin Yuheng. Lin Yuheng, unruffled, let blood seep from his eyes, focused intently on Kuai Yue, and, incredibly, forced the tip of Kuai Yue's sword to halt at his throat.

Thus, the fierce battle ended abruptly, as if the outcome had been decided.

Lin Yuheng picked up the wine glass from the table, took a sip, and moved with unhurried grace. He walked elegantly to the corner, pulled out Cai Ling, who had been hiding there since the fight began, and addressed him, "Sir Cai, may I entrust the cleanup to you? I have but one request—keep the Kuai clan under guard, can you do that?" "Rest assured, that is easily done," Cai Ling replied with a fawning smile, his eyes flicking to Kuai Yue, who stood motionless, seemingly lost and broken, cold sweat trickling down his neck.

Lin Yuheng's satisfied smile lingered as he nodded to Cai Ling. In truth, the other "Virtuosos" who died at his hand had gone to their deaths without hesitation because Lin Yuheng showed not a hint of mercy. Even these five were surprised—why did the Lin clan not need them?

Of course, the Lin clan desired the Virtuosos' allegiance, but since they would not become Lin Yuheng's dogs, they were of no value.

Cai Ling gathered his courage and asked, "My lord, how did you manage to subdue Kuai Yue so easily?" Lin Yuheng was in good spirits, casting a meaningful look at Cai Ling and smiling. "Ah, that's my awakened ability. I can exploit the fluctuations in a person's emotions, seize upon their strongest desires, and then take control. The effect is halved for those with realm powers; as long as they guard their minds with energy, they're safe—but Kuai Yue didn't know that."

Cai Ling nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets as he approached Kuai Yue. Passing by Lin Yuheng, he suddenly drew a dagger and stabbed fiercely at him, the blade shining with deadly force. Lin Yuheng had yet to set down his wine when the tip of the knife was already pressed to his throat.

"Mr. Lin, I must trouble you to release Kuai Yue from your control," Cai Ling said, his face now cold and devoid of earlier servility. Lin Yuheng's expression held a mocking amusement. "No longer willing to be my dog? Cai Ling, you'd better think it over." Cai Ling sneered at him. "I, head of the Eight Virtuosos, would never be a bastard's dog. Only Lin Yuheng’s notorious cruelty forced me to resort to such despicable tactics; in that sense, it’s a compliment to you. But to me, you have never been the hunter, nor am I prey waiting for your kill."

Lin Yuheng tilted his head, appearing unusually calm, murmuring like a child, "See, I gave them a chance, but they never cherished it, always calling me a bastard. Can't blame me for that."

Cai Ling frowned. "Enough of your tricks, release Kuai Yue now!" Lin Yuheng smiled faintly. "If I release Kuai Yue, will you spare my life?" Cai Ling pondered a moment before answering, "If you confess the Lin clan's secrets, I might let you live." Lin Yuheng nodded, gesturing for Kuai Yue to be brought over. Cai Ling, suspecting nothing, guarded his mind with energy, summoned a golden light to form shackles binding Lin Yuheng, and then walked toward Kuai Yue.

Step by step, Cai Ling carefully supported Kuai Yue, his longtime companion, wary of hurting him, slowly approaching Lin Yuheng. "Quickly, release him, no tricks!" Lin Yuheng gave Cai Ling an innocent look. "It's already done." Cai Ling glanced at Kuai Yue, noting the return of color to his cheeks, and breathed a sigh of relief. Hearing Kuai Yue mutter under his breath, he leaned in, thinking he was being addressed. "Run? Run where?" Before Cai Ling could react, Kuai Yue's sword had already pierced his body.

Fear twisted Cai Ling's face as he looked to Kuai Yue, seeing tears streaming down the old man's cheeks, as if he could not control himself. He wanted to question Lin Yuheng, but the sword had already penetrated his chest; all he could do was gasp for breath on the floor.

Lin Yuheng casually shrugged off the restraints, picked up his wine glass, and swirled it. "Head of the Eight Virtuosos, and you noticed nothing?" Cai Ling could not speak, only glared at Lin Yuheng with fury.

"If I can control Kuai Yue, I can also read his memories, see through the scheme you two devised. The flaw in my ability was a lie to deceive you." Lin Yuheng stood, crouched beside Cai Ling, and whispered in his ear, "From the very start, when you became my dog, I was already influencing you. But I had to wait for you to truly reveal your intentions before I could toy with you. Cai Ling, the more you wanted to kill me, the more your emotions peaked, bringing you ever closer to your doom. That’s why you so easily believed me; you thought your energy-formed shackles could bind me, but they were just two balls of golden light for illumination, soon to vanish."

Lin Yuheng straightened his clothes, smoothing the creases, and patted Cai Ling's head. "I have always been the hunter; the prey has never changed. The so-called reversal of roles is nothing more than your pitiful wishful thinking."

"In that case, it seems I am the final hunter," came a voice from the window. Lin Yuheng frowned and looked toward it. Lin Changtian leaned against the window, bathed in starlight bright as the silver moon, carrying the spring breeze, resembling the celestial Jade Balance. The Yu clan uncle and nephew kicked open the door, members of the Yu organization and a host of stationed realm guardians stormed in, surrounding Lin Yuheng.

For a moment, the role of hunter was thrown into uncertainty once again.