Lin Chen was slightly surprised.He had thought Xie Tu came looking for trouble, but unexpectedly, the man was here to apologize.
There was no deep hatred between them. As for the earlier conflict involving his "second wife," Lin Chen had already taught him a lesson. The fact that Xie Tu was still alive only meant his luck was extraordinary.
"Forget it. Let's call it even."Lin Chen lifted the monkey wine on the table and drained it in one gulp. The flavor was indeed remarkable.
But while Lin Chen let the matter slide, Xie Tu didn't get up."Mr. Lin, the money the Liang family gave me—I've donated it all. From this day on, I have no ties to the Liang family. Please… take me as your disciple!"
He bowed his head hard against the floor, the kind of gesture that said plainly—if Lin Chen refused, he would keep kowtowing until he bled.
Murong Qingcheng and He Ling were stunned.This was Xie Tu, a Seventh Heaven Grandmaster! And yet he was humbling himself to take Lin Chen as his master?
Those who came with Xie Tu never imagined this trip was for such a purpose, let alone that he would lower himself so far.But only Xie Tu knew how terrifying that slap from Lin Chen had been—it was a crushing blow, the kind only a Great Grandmaster could deliver.
In this young man before him, he saw hope—the hope of stepping into the Great Grandmaster realm.
"Mr. Lin, as long as you take me as your disciple, I'll do anything for you!"He pressed his head to the floor again, the impact leaving a shallow dent in the wooden boards.
Lin Chen set down his cup, smiling lightly."Our grudges are settled, but as for taking disciples—no.""Not to mention my sect's rules—just your age and talent… it won't do."
The words were calm, but they hit Xie Tu like a hammer.White hair hung over his face, despair filling his eyes. If he couldn't break through to Great Grandmaster, his lifelong revenge would be impossible. Yet he had no way to refute Lin Chen's judgment.
Still, the chance was right here before him—how could he just let it slip away?
"Mr. Lin!" Xie Tu drew a deep breath, his eyes fixed on him. "I know the Liang family's secrets! Whatever you want to know, I can tell you—every last one of them!""As long as you take me in, I'll go through fire and water without hesitation! From this moment on, my life belongs to you!"
Lin Chen considered for a moment, then finished his wine and turned his gaze on Xie Tu."If you really know some hidden matters, that would make things much easier."
"All right. I can give you a chance. Breaking through to Great Grandmaster… is not impossible."
Xie Tu's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Three tasks. Complete them, and I'll grant you the status of a registered disciple."Lin Chen raised three fingers.
"Done! Whatever they are, I'll see them through!"
"Before we get to the first task, let me talk about your problem."Lin Chen's gaze sharpened. "That day when I struck you and cut off your breath, you should know the reason, don't you?"
Xie Tu's face twitched, but he didn't dare hide it."You're right. You saw it at a glance—my damaged heart meridian. I'd been using my inner force to suppress it, but your palm shattered that control, and I nearly couldn't breathe again."
Lin Chen nodded. "You advanced too aggressively, let your fire run out of control, and left yourself with hidden injuries. You may have reached the Seventh Heaven, but your foundation is flawed. Even against a Sixth Heaven Grandmaster, you might lose.""That's probably why the Liang family thought their so-called Special Squad could take me down."
Xie Tu was stunned—Lin Chen had laid his condition bare as if reading it from a scroll.
Lin Chen then took out a small porcelain bottle, tipped a pill into his hand, and flicked it toward Xie Tu.The pill was round and lustrous, with a faint herbal fragrance that filled the loft, refreshing the mind.
Xie Tu had traveled far and wide and seen countless treasures, but never anything like this—not even in the outer realms. A pill like this would drive Grandmasters into a frenzy.
"Take it," Lin Chen said.
Xie Tu cradled the pill with trembling hands, then swallowed it in one motion.
At once, a stream of power spread through his dantian and gathered at his heart meridian.His eyes widened in joy—the damaged meridian was mending rapidly, and even old injuries were healing on their own.
This was no ordinary remedy—this was a miracle.In Xie Tu's eyes, Lin Chen was now a supreme existence.
"Mr. Lin, this pill… it's unbelievable!"He bowed deeply, this time out of true respect. "From this day forward, my life is yours!"
Lin Chen smiled faintly. "We'll see how you perform."He poured a cup of monkey wine and handed it to Xie Tu, who took it with both hands and drank it in one gulp.
"Now—tell me everything you know about the Liang family."
Xie Tu straightened like a servant before his lord. "Yes. I will hold nothing back."