Chapter 41: Visitors from Lingnan

The sudden arrival of visitors from the Southern Ridge Wolong Clan took the Su family by surprise.

The Wolong Clan had specially dispatched two inner disciples, Zu Xingyu and Yun Feiyang. As soon as these two disciples arrived at the Su residence, they carried themselves as if they were the masters of the house, parading their status with an air of superiority.

Yet, despite the arrogance displayed by these disciples from the Southern Ridge Wolong Clan, not a single member of the Su family dared to step forward or utter a word, as though they were destined to be mere servants.

But then again, to these so-called martial clans, the noble houses were nothing more than ants, easily crushed with a flick of a finger, no more difficult than trampling a bug beneath one’s foot.

The Su family patriarch, Su Qingshan, along with Su Qingyi and others, personally stood at the doorway to greet the two guests.

In the reception hall, the two disciples maintained their lofty demeanor, their eyes half-lidded as they looked at those before them, their arrogance palpable.

In their eyes, the Su family, lauded as the premier noble house of Eastern Capital, was no more significant than an ant—utterly beneath their notice.

The old master Su Qingshan had no choice but to humble himself and ask, “I wonder what business has brought the two young masters to us so suddenly?”

Zu Xingyu and Yun Feiyang exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them.

Zu Xingyu spoke first. “We’ve heard some rumors that someone quite exceptional resides here in Eastern Capital. We also heard, old man Su, that you were at death’s door, yet somehow you were brought back from the brink. How exactly did that happen? Care to enlighten us, old man?”

Insolent!

The young generation these days was truly lacking in respect and courtesy.

The address “old man Su” nearly sent Su Qingshan into a fit of apoplexy. Yet, given their origins in the Southern Ridge Wolong Clan, especially with the illustrious grandmaster Wolong Qingtian renowned throughout the South, the Su family could do nothing but swallow their indignation.

Despite his growing displeasure, Su Qingshan had no choice but to answer with humility: “Yes, it happened as you said. Not long ago, due to a grave illness, I was at the very edge of death. Fortunately, I was saved by a master, and so I am able to live on.”

“A master?” Yun Feiyang sneered. “Who qualifies to be called a master? Let me tell you, only our clan’s teacher from the Southern Ridge Wolong Clan deserves such a title. Not just any random person can be called a master.”

His words left the Su family at a loss for a proper response.

Su Qingyi could no longer hold back and spoke up, “You can’t say that. The master truly is extraordinary. If not for his intervention, my father wouldn’t be alive today…”

“Well then, if this so-called master is so remarkable, why don’t you introduce us?” Zu Xingyu and Yun Feiyang exchanged another glance, their eyes brimming with undisguised contempt and ridicule.

A master, indeed.

In their minds, only their clan’s teacher had the right to such a title.

“Father, what should we do…” Su Qingyi looked uneasily at her father.

No matter how powerful, the Su family could never afford to provoke someone like the master, yet they also could not afford to offend the guests from the Southern Ridge Wolong Clan.

Caught between two perils—a dilemma with no easy answer.

Su Qingshan steeled himself and said, “Qingyi, you’ll escort them to the master. We cannot afford to cross the Southern Ridge Wolong. As for the master, I believe he is a reasonable man and won’t hold it against us.”

Whatever business the Wolong Clan had with the master was none of the Su family’s concern.

After considering for a moment, Su Qingyi saw no other choice.

The journey took about an hour. Su Qingyi drove the two disciples to the rural estate in Phoenix Township.

Upon getting out of the car, both Zu Xingyu and Yun Feiyang were startled by the purple mist encircling the estate.

“What is this? How could there be purple mist in such a remote countryside? This is strange,” Zu Xingyu muttered in surprise.

Yun Feiyang was equally astonished. “If our teacher were here, things would be much easier. Perhaps he would know what this purple mist signifies.”

Su Qingyi led the way in silence, listening as the pair spoke, saying nothing in response.

She knew well that disciples from martial clans were always haughty—her kindness would be met only with cold indifference.

Why bother inviting trouble?

“Hey, woman, this master your family is always praising—man or woman? How old is he?” Yun Feiyang asked, his tone flippant.

Though displeased, Su Qingyi swallowed her irritation. “The master is a man, about twenty-something—around your age.”

“Heh, around our age? That still doesn’t mean he’s qualified to be called a master,” Zu Xingyu scoffed.

Su Qingyi felt a blockage in her chest, unwilling to say another word.

Seeing the arrogance and insolence of these two, she was certain they would suffer greatly once they met the master—if the master was even willing to see them at all.

Soon, they arrived at the entrance of the estate.

Luckily, the purple mist was not thick that day, allowing for easy entry.

However, the master’s country manor was closed; the doors were tightly shut, and the establishment was not open for business.

“This is the place. Do you really wish to go in?” Su Qingyi asked with some hesitation.

She recalled the master’s warning: the circumstances of her father’s recovery must never be revealed. If this secret were exposed, the Su family would be wiped from the face of Eastern Capital.

She believed wholeheartedly that the master had the power to do so—erasing the Su family would be as easy as swatting a fly.

Zu Xingyu, noticing her guarded and anxious demeanor, asked, “Woman, are you alright? Why do you seem so scared?”

Of course she was afraid. This was the master’s estate, after all.

That mysterious and unfathomable figure—his very presence was like that of a god, compelling awe and reverence, with others surviving only by his grace.

“Hey, woman, I’m talking to you. Are you deaf?” Yun Feiyang called impatiently.

Just then, he knocked on the estate’s main gate.