Since the bell rang, Lin Jin managed to dodge two sneak attacks. It all happened so quickly in such a short span of time that his opponent almost succeeded in taking him down.
Such a situation had never happened before.
This showcased the advantages of martial artists. No one could top to their explosive strength in hand-to-hand combat abilities, and Lin Jin was perfectly aware of that. Although magic was powerful, it wasn’t as fast as a martial arts expert and speed was the key to victory.
Fortunately, Lin Jin still had his ‘coiled wire needle’ technique from the pulse-seeking collection. His quick reaction helped him fend off the two hidden weapons. Had Lin Jin failed, he would have been disabled on the ground right now.
He might even have lost his life.
However, Lin Jin smiled when he saw Xiao Huo suppressing the rich young master.
Martial arts experts were indeed strong, but no matter how they practiced, even if they were at their peak, they still couldn’t compare to higher-ranked beasts.
The inherent disparity in strength was just too big to ignore.
From strength to endurance, humans simply could not compare to beasts. The latter even had sharp teeth and claws, and also the ability to skillfully utilize their own attributes.
In terms of lethality and combat power, beasts had an overwhelming advantage on the battlefield.
Hence, the instant Xiao Huo seized the opponent, this battle was already over.
That rich young master was no doubt a talent in martial arts. He could probably win against some inferior Rank 4 beasts but surely not Xiao Huo.
Putting aside the fact that Xiao Huo was now a Rank 5 fire wolf, even at Rank 4, the young master couldn’t have defeated Xiao Huo by just relying on martial arts alone.
His martial arts could only help him last a little longer, but that was all.
Xiao Huo had grown to the size of a bull and his body was covered with radiant flames. The spike in the ambient temperature made the young master sweat buckets. Although his inner force was powerful that every action could cause a huge impact, against a creature at Xiao Huo’s level, there was nothing he could do to fight back.
After all, instant defeat was virtually guaranteed.
All of a sudden, a voice spoke up from another house in the yard.
“Where it is possible to forgive, one should spare them!”
The voice rippled with a certain strength, a certain rhythm that it felt as if there was a drum beating inside his head, causing him to mentally falter ever so slightly.
Xiao Huo felt the same. Once the voice stunned his mind, he paused briefly.
The rich young master who was being forced to his limits seized this opportunity to back away quickly. He retreated behind the corner of a wall where he heaved heavy breaths.
The fact that he was able to hold his ground against a beast on his own proved just how strong he was.
Another expert was here!
Lin Jin immediately turned to the other house, ignoring the young master. The latter’s energy was probably exhausted to the point where he could no longer walk, so there was no need to worry about him now.
What concerned Lin Jin was the person in the other house.
Right before that person spoke, neither Lin Jin nor Xiao Huo sensed his presence.
Suddenly, one of the doors opened, and out walked an old man.
Dressed in plain robes, he looked very much like the average old geezer one would find walking on the street. There was nothing special about his appearance, but this was all the more reason for Lin Jin to be on edge.
Apart from that, he did not sense the presence of a blood contract from the old man.
In other words, he did not have a blood-contracted pet beast.
“Master, please help me kill this person…” said the young master.
So this old guy was his master.
This must mean he was a martial arts expert as well.
No wonder.
To Lin Jin’s surprise, the old man simply snapped at the young master, “Shut up, insolent child. What do I always teach you? Have you forgotten my lessons?”
The young master tried to protest, “I haven’t forgotten what you taught me. This person is evil and for him to intrude this late at night, he clearly has ill-intentions…”
The old man sighed upon hearing this.
Paying the young master no heed, the old man saluted Lin Jin. “My name is Shi Yuandao, pleased to meet you!”
Maintaining a neutral expression, Lin Jin returned the salute.
He wanted to see what the old man had up his sleeve.
The fact that he could stun a person’s mind with just his voice proved how formidable an expert he was, which made Lin Jin incredibly wary. Though, being wary did not equate to being afraid.
Even if he was the saint of a legendary martial arts technique, Lin Jin wouldn’t fear him.
Martial arts may go back further back than immortal cultivation, it was never that influential to shake the world. This was because the shortcomings of martial arts practices were too obvious.
The entry requirements were low and the ceiling made it an insignificant artform.
Humans could strengthen their physiques and practice combat skills, but no matter how strong they got, there would always be a large disparity thanks to their inherent nature. This wasn’t something a human could physically overcome. As for going against magic users, the gap was even wider. Most spells borrowed forces of the universe, utilizing nature’s powers like wind, fire, lightning, and such. How could a mere mortal ever stand up to that?
However, the perks of fighting with martial arts were speed and explosive strength. The average blood contract friar might even be defeated by a martial arts expert if his reaction speed was not quick enough.
Lin Jin was currently on guard, ready to take on any tricks the old man planned to play.
However, the old man who called himself ‘Shi Yuandao’ did not plan on playing any tricks.
“How may I address you?” the old man asked.
“Lin Jin!”
Hiding his name was unnecessary as Lin Jin had nothing to fear. Instead, it was the young master who turned pale upon hearing his name.
As members of the Demonic Appraisal Association, they had just been discussing how to take Lin Jin down so it was surprising how the man suddenly showed up at night to finish them off.
This wasn’t a coincidence, right?
The young master felt a sense of dread.
A great sense of dread.
The old man said, “This disciple of mine has been practicing martial arts with me since he was a young child. Having shown me what he was capable of, I agreed to his wish to venture out into the world. Never would I have imagined that he would stray from the path of the righteous that soon. When I found him again, he was already deeply involved with the lawless. I planned to take him back for stricter education but Mr. Lin suddenly showed up here tonight. I hope that Mr. Lin can show him some mercy and give him a chance. At first light, I shall take him away and restrict him from ever committing such nonsense again.”
He had spoken with great sincerity.
But Lin Jin wasn’t easily fooled.
He shook his head in response. “Senior Shi, do you have any idea what evil deeds your disciple has committed? That aside, when he suddenly attacked me just now, why did you not stop him? It was only moments before his defeat did you choose to show yourself. Do I look like such a pushover to you?”
His words simply struck the old man dumb.
Lin Jin had hit the nail right on the head.
Indeed, Shi Yuandao had failed to respond immediately because to him, those who opted to infiltrate someone’s home so late at night wouldn’t be anyone decent. In other words, if his disciple killed the intruder, so be it.
To abruptly show up and stop the battle when he realized how formidable the intruder was, was rather shameless of him.
“You’re right, Mr. Lin. However, I had no idea who the intruder was so I didn’t stop him immediately. Still, enmities are best resolved rather than deepened. Both my disciple and I are at fault here so I pray for forgiveness from Mr. Lin. In return for your mercy, I am willing to do something for you to express our gratitude.”
