Mainland Martial Arts

Chapter 431 The Li Family Comes to Apologize

Cao Ling stood up, a look of concern in her eyes. She grabbed some food and water from the campfire and walked toward Lin Feng. Her steps were light and firm, like a messenger approaching a lone hero. She wore a red cape that stood out against the night, a corner of which fluttered gently in the wind, like a burning flame.

"Lin Feng, the desert nights are cold. Would you like to warm yourself by the fire?" Cao Ling walked over to Lin Feng and whispered softly. Her voice was gentle and sweet, like a clear spring in the desert, trying to break Lin Feng's loneliness. Her eyes were filled with anticipation. She tilted her head slightly, looking at Lin Feng's profile, hoping for a response.

Lin Feng didn't even glance at her. He simply said, "No, I like to be alone." His voice was low and cold, as if it were part of the cold night wind, without a single ripple. His eyes were still fixed on the night sky, as if searching for something in the endless darkness. He was completely unconcerned with Cao Ling's arrival and concern.

Cao Ling bit her lip slightly, a look of disappointment on her face. She wanted to say something, but seeing Lin Feng's indifferent expression, she swallowed her words back. She gently put down the food and water and turned to leave.

At this moment, a black crystal coin suddenly appeared in front of her, emitting a soft light. Cao Ling looked at the black crystal coin in surprise, her eyes full of confusion.

"Thank you for the food and water these days." Lin Feng's voice sounded in her ears, still so indifferent, but with a hint of gratitude.

Cao Ling turned to look at Lin Feng, only to see him still sitting there motionless, like a sculpture. She sighed slightly and picked up the black crystal coin, as if something had suddenly dawned on her.

"If nothing goes wrong, we'll reach Lingyuan City the day after tomorrow," Cao Ling said, her voice tinged with anticipation, her eyes gleaming with hope. She stared at Lin Feng for a moment, then, seeing he showed no reaction, turned and slowly walked back to the camp. Her eyes held a hint of loss and helplessness, and her steps seemed heavy, as if she were burdened with an unspoken emotion.

Back by the campfire, Cao Ling sat down silently, her eyes still revealing her concern for Lin Feng. Her hands unconsciously fiddled with the black crystal coins in her hands, but her thoughts had already drifted away.

After Cao Ling left, Lin Feng turned his attention to the sword in his hand. The sword gleamed with an icy cold light in the moonlight, like his most loyal companion. His eyes revealed a hint of determination, and he thought to himself, "If I could master a few powerful sword techniques, perhaps I could defeat a Ninth-Rank Grandmaster. And these boxing techniques and martial arts still need to be refined. Otherwise, my current strength may not be enough to withstand future battles." His eyes revealed a desire for power, and he gripped the hilt tightly, as if drawing strength from it.

Then, Lin Feng slowly closed his eyes and began to practice. His breathing became even and deep, and the power of the surrounding heaven and earth seemed to be summoned by something, drifting into his body bit by bit. A faint glow surrounded his body, as if a mysterious connection had been established between him and heaven and earth.

Cao Xun, watching this scene from a short distance away, couldn't help but stare wide-eyed, a look of immense shock on his face. He knew full well that absorbing the power of heaven and earth was extremely difficult for a warrior. Even a trace of it, if not properly controlled, could damage the meridians, and in severe cases, even endanger his life. Yet, Lin Feng was able to absorb the power of heaven and earth so effortlessly, continuously, bit by bit. This made him realize that Lin Feng was no ordinary person.

"Who the hell is this boy? He possesses such astonishing abilities!" Cao Xun exclaimed inwardly. A hint of awe and envy lingered in his eyes as he began to plot how to win over Lin Feng. He realized that if he could gain his favor, or even simply work under him, it would bring him endless benefits and glory.

The morning sun filtered through the thin clouds, casting strands of light on the quaint streets of Lingyuan City, casting a faint golden outline on this weathered city. Xu Tian, ​​Chen Yu, and Chen Xiner slowly woke up in their rather sparsely furnished rooms in the inn. A night of tossing and turning hadn't eased their spirits in the slightest. Worry about General Li Hua's whereabouts and speculation about the deeper meaning behind the Li family's actions yesterday weighed heavily on their hearts like a heavy stone.

After a quick tidy up, the three of them headed downstairs and into the inn's lobby. The lobby was already buzzing with activity, with diners either chatting and laughing loudly or tucking into their meals. The waiters, like nimble swallows, bustled between tables and chairs, carrying steaming hot meals. The sounds of shouting and laughter blended together, creating a vibrant scene filled with the atmosphere of everyday life.

Xu Tian and the others found a vacant seat and sat down. They had just called the waiter to order breakfast and were about to pick up their chopsticks when the door to the inn was flung open. Li Zhi and a group of people filed in, each holding an exquisitely crafted gift box. The silken fabric shimmered in the morning light, instantly capturing the attention of everyone in the hall. For a moment, the bustling lobby fell silent.

Li Zhi was wearing a dark grey brocade robe with delicate cloud patterns embroidered on the corners. His hair was neatly tied back with a jade hairpin. Although he tried hard to maintain a humble smile, that smile was like a thin layer of ice, unable to completely cover up the cunning light that flashed in the depths of his eyes.

He walked steadily to the table of Xu Tian and the other two and bowed slightly. The people behind him also bent down and bowed in unison, shouting in unison: "Sir, I apologize for what happened yesterday. Please forgive our mistake." His voice was loud and clear, and it echoed for a long time in the suddenly quiet hall, attracting the attention of the diners around him, with expressions of surprise, curiosity, or confusion on their faces, and the sound of whispers came one after another.

Xu Tian was startled, then quickly stood up. His posture was as straight as a pine tree, and his eyes revealed a hint of doubt and vigilance, like the cold stars twinkling in the night sky, tightly locking onto Li Zhi's every move, as if he wanted to use his sharp eyes to penetrate his appearance and see through the real purpose behind this sudden apology.

Chen Xiner also stood up gracefully. She was dressed in a moon-white silk dress, the hem of which fluttered gently, like a lily blooming at night. Her eyes were clear and bright, as if she could see through everything in the world. She gently tugged at the corner of Xu Tian's clothes and whispered softly, "Xu Tian, ​​since the Li family has come to apologize, we should accept their apology." Her voice was soft and gentle, yet it carried an unquestionable firmness, like a clear mountain stream, gurgling but containing endless power.