Golden Scale Path, Lin Mansion.

A magnificent estate spanning half a street sat here. The main entrance was exceptionally wide, its threshold deliberately sawed low. The two great doors were made of ironwood sheathed in a thick layer of brass, glinting brilliantly in the sunlight.

The doors were densely studded with fist-sized bronze nails that glinted with a cold, metallic light.

At the entrance squatted two man-high dragon turtle statues. On their backs, they carried Treasure Basins, symbolizing the carrying of wealth into the home and stability as firm as a mountain.

"We’re here, Junior Su." Lin Wanzhu led Su Yu up the steps.

The guards at the entrance, greatswords hanging at their waists, immediately straightened their backs and greeted them in unison.

The two stepped into the mansion. The first thing they saw was not pavilions and verandas, but a massive bluestone square. Huge refined iron scales were embedded in the ground, and the air was filled with a mixed aroma of spices, medicinal herbs, and animal hides.

"HUFF! HUFF!"

A travel-worn caravan had just arrived. A dozen or so massive, cyan-armored Cyan Armored Bulls snorted clouds of white vapor as they pulled small mountains of cargo to a slow halt.

These Cyan Armored Bulls had no fur, their bodies covered in thick, cyan-gray bone plates that were impervious to blades and spears. The two horns on their heads were thick and curved like battering rams, possessing considerable combat prowess.

Even more impressively, a single bull could pull over ten thousand pounds of cargo and travel hundreds of miles a day.

Su Yu watched these Exotic Beasts with great curiosity, gaining a new appreciation for the Lin Family’s resources.

Seeing Su Yu’s curiosity, Lin Wanzhu seized the opportunity to point at the caravan. "My Lin Family rose from humble beginnings, relying on countless trade journeys like this between the major cities. If you’re interested, Junior Su, you could join the Lin Family in the future, or perhaps take up a nominal position for now to see the world outside."

Su Yu knew she was inviting him. He neither refused nor immediately accepted, simply saying, "Thank you, Senior Sister. If I have the chance, I would certainly like to experience it."

A nominal position with the Lin Family would surely come with generous compensation, but it wouldn’t be as easy as with the Yang Family. After all, traveling the trade routes was fraught with all sorts of dangers.

Especially in these chaotic times, with strange phenomena and rampant bandits.

The two continued on, passing through the bustling front courtyard and a long, covered corridor. The clamor gradually faded, replaced by the shouts and grunts of martial arts practice.

The Martial Arts Arena in the central courtyard was wide and flat.

Over a hundred Lin Family disciples and elite guards were training.

"This is the Lin Family’s Martial Arts Arena. You can practice here from now on."

As the two stepped into the Martial Arts Arena, some of the nearby Lin Family disciples and guards stopped what they were doing and bowed respectfully.

"Sister Lin!"

"Second Master!"

Lin Wanzhu held a high position in the Lin Family. One reason was her strength at the Flesh Refining Realm; another was that she controlled a portion of the family’s finances, making her the family’s second-in-command.

"Mm, you may continue. Lin Dong, Lin Jing, come over here," Senior Sister Lin instructed.

Immediately, a young man and woman approached at her call.

The man was in his early twenties, dressed in green robes. He had a handsome, calm face and a reserved aura.

The woman, however, was far more fiery.

She was about eighteen or nineteen, dressed in a tight, leopard-print short top that revealed a slender yet powerful waist. Below, she wore a leather skirt that barely covered her thighs, leaving her long, firm, and wildly beautiful legs completely exposed. On her feet were a pair of deerskin boots.

"Sister Lin." The two bowed respectfully.

Lin Wanzhu nodded and introduced them to Su Yu. "This is Lin Dong, and this is his sister, Lin Jing. They are my cousins from a branch family. Both are now at the Martial Artist Realm and will be participating in the Martial Examination a month from now."

After introducing the pair, she gestured to Su Yu. "This is Su Yu, my junior from the martial arts hall. He has excellent comprehension and exquisite saber skills, and he will also be taking the Martial Examination. For the next month, I will personally instruct the three of you. You should all get to know one another."

Both of them sized up Su Yu with curiosity.

Lin Dong merely gave him a polite glance before looking away.

’It’s just... I’m a little curious. This is the first time Sister Lin has ever brought a junior from the hall home. I wonder what’s so special about him.’

’Still, for Sister Lin to value him so highly, he must have some real skill.’

In contrast to Lin Dong’s composure, Lin Jing’s eyes showed undisguised curiosity, even a hint of provocation. If Lin Wanzhu hadn’t been there, it seemed she would have already challenged Su Yu to a duel.

Lin Wanzhu naturally knew her younger cousins’ temperaments and didn’t mind. She even fanned the flames, saying, "Junior Su is someone I have high hopes for. His skills are impressive, so you two should learn from him."

Before Lin Jing could get riled up, she added, "Alright, you two can go back for now. Su Yu just arrived today. I’ll get him settled in, and you all can train together tomorrow."

With that, she led Su Yu toward the rear courtyard.

Behind them, Lin Jing held her breath, then stomped her foot in frustration and punched her brother in the chest.

Lin Dong’s mouth twitched, but he was helpless against his sister.

"Brother, Sister Lin looks down on us too much! That Su Yu looks about our age. How can she just assume he’s stronger than us when we haven’t even fought?"

Although Lin Dong said nothing, he watched them leave with a look of scrutiny and doubt.

...

The rear courtyard, a guest room.

The environment here was quiet and serene, with an antique charm. There were even dedicated servant girls, making the conditions far better than at the martial arts hall.

"Su Yu, you can stay here. If you need anything, just tell the maids."

Lin Wanzhu had just finished speaking, before Su Yu could even reply.

"BANG!"

The door behind them was kicked open.

"Aunty! Aunty! Look what I caught!"

A seven or eight-year-old boy shot in like a cannonball.

He was cute and handsome but covered in splatters of mud. In his left hand, he clutched a turtledove whose eyes were rolling back, while his right hand gripped a black, sticky, disgusting lump of something.

The sight of the boy gave Lin Wanzhu a headache. The next moment, he had already thrown himself at her, and the black lump in his hand indeed left several handprints on her skirt.

It was the first time Su Yu had ever seen Senior Sister Lin look so exasperated, and he couldn’t help but laugh to himself.

"Xiaotian, you’re not studying again? You went out catching birds instead?"

This child was Lin Wanzhu’s nephew, the only son of the Lin Family Patriarch, named Lin Xiaotian. He was at a rambunctious age, constantly causing trouble—climbing roofs, chasing dogs, and catching birds. Few people could control him.

Hearing the word "studying," the boy pouted. "Studying is boring! Catching birds is way more fun! I’m not gonna study!"

Lin Wanzhu’s chest heaved with anger. She grabbed his ear, about to spank him.

Seeing he was about to get a beating, Lin Xiaotian immediately burst into tears and clung tightly to his aunt’s leg. "Aunty loves Xiaotian the most! Don’t hit me, Aunty!"

Seeing him like this, Lin Wanzhu’s heart softened, and she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Xiaotian’s mother had passed away early, and she had always treated him like her own son. Unconsciously, she had spoiled him.

Sighing helplessly, Lin Wanzhu could only instruct a nearby servant girl, "Alright, alright, take him to wash his hands first."

"No! I won’t wash! This dog poop doesn’t even stink!"

"What!"

"What was that thing?!"

Lin Wanzhu’s face went pale. Her body abruptly vanished from the spot; it seemed she had gone to clean herself up.

Seeing Lin Wanzhu disappear, Lin Xiaotian instantly became smug again. He scrambled up from the floor, wiped his hands carelessly on his clothes, and sized up Su Yu with curiosity.

"Who are you? What are you doing in my house?"

Su Yu continued to unpack his things, not wanting to bother with the little brat.

Annoyed at being ignored, Lin Xiaotian tossed the half-dead turtledove aside, pulled the black lump out of his pocket again, and smeared it all over his hands.

Then, with a sneaky grin, he raised his hands and charged at Su Yu.

How could Su Yu let him succeed? He turned, and a large hand pressed precisely onto Lin Xiaotian’s forehead.

Lin Xiaotian’s charge came to an abrupt halt.

"Hey, you! How dare you lay a hand on the great Lord Xiaotian! Taste my Dogshit Turtle Fist!"

His short arms flailed wildly like a windmill, but because they were so short, they always remained a couple of inches away from Su Yu’s body.