But now that his daughter was actually about to leave him for a perilous place like the Purple Sun Sect, he felt that Xu Yang’s cautious nature was actually a fine quality.

He might not achieve greatness, but he would certainly outlive others.

To a father, that was more important than anything.

"I’m not asking you to form an alliance with her. I only hope that if she’s about to do something reckless, you’ll talk her out of it or give her a word of caution. And if it’s within your power, it would be best to lend her a hand."

Asking his own disciple for a favor for the first time, Lin Cheng looked a little uncomfortable.

Xu Yang considered this for a moment, then rose and cupped his fist. "I can agree to your request, Master. So long as it is within my power, I will help look after Senior Sister Lin Wei and ensure her safety. But if she refuses to listen to reason, or if a situation would endanger my own life, please forgive me, for I will be powerless to help."

Lin Cheng had treated him well. As long as it was within his power, he was willing to repay this debt of gratitude.

"Good!"

Only then did Lin Cheng break into a smile. "I know I’m putting you in a difficult position. Don’t worry, I’ll tell her to listen to your advice."

"And I won’t take advantage of you. I’ll help look after your younger sister from now on. When you get back, tell her to come find me if anyone bullies her."

"When she comes of age, I’ll bring her here and teach her Martial Arts."

"Thank you, Master!" Xu Yang cupped his fist again.

With Lin Cheng’s promise, he could finally stop worrying about Xu Qing’s safety.

He had been racking his brain over who he could trust to secretly watch over her, but now he no longer needed to. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Lin Cheng waved his hand. "Alright, you may go."

When night fell, Xu Yang returned home under the cover of darkness and told Xu Qing what Lin Cheng had said.

He had already arranged with Xu Qing that after he left, she would move in with their maternal uncle’s family.

His uncle or the Qiu Family could handle any small problems, and for anything they couldn’t resolve, she was to find Lin Cheng.

The next day, he saw Lu Ren outside Weiyuan Hall for the first time in a long while.

He looked somewhat dispirited. The high-spirited vigor he once had was gone, replaced by a hint of resilience and restraint.

Of course, that might have been because Lu Ren hadn’t seen him yet. If he had, Lu Ren might have lost his composure.

Lu Ren hadn’t noticed his arrival because, at that moment, a figure was kneeling before him at the entrance of Weiyuan Hall, clutching his hand and pleading, "Lu Ren, only you can save me."

"With your reputation as a Dragon Ascending Genius, you just have to say a single word to save me! I’m begging you, I don’t want to die..."

The man sobbed as he spoke, refusing to let go of Lu Ren’s hand.

Xu Yang glanced over and was instantly amused.

This was none other than Luo Dehu, Lu Ren’s first and foremost lackey.

He hadn’t seen him in almost a year. To think that their reunion would be Luo Dehu kneeling and begging Lu Ren...

"What’s going on with Luo Dehu?" Xu Yang asked Zhang Hong, curious.

Zhang Hong whispered, "He joined the Great River Gang. Apparently, he was short on cash and sold some of the gang’s secrets. Now the Great River Gang has found out and put out a kill order on him. He’s here begging Lu Ren to save his life."

Xu Yang was a little surprised. He had only seen Qian Jiaxing around, so he’d assumed only Qian Jiaxing had joined the Great River Gang. He never expected Luo Dehu to be a member as well.

"He’s so naive," Zhang Yong said.

They knew exactly what kind of person Lu Ren was.

Once a timid and shy young man, he had, under Luo Dehu’s influence, gradually become just as snobbish, a bootlicker who stepped on the weak to curry favor with the powerful.

Luo Dehu had turned Lu Ren into this kind of person, yet now he fantasized that Lu Ren would help him in his time of need. It was pure delusion.

Sure enough, Lu Ren flatly refused Luo Dehu’s request.

"No, Lu Ren! Only you can save me! We were friends once! You can’t be so heartless..."

Rejected by Lu Ren, Luo Dehu immediately became frantic and started speaking recklessly.

Lu Ren’s expression turned cold. "Keep pestering me, and the Great River Gang won’t have to do a thing. I’ll kill you myself, right here and now."

Lu Ren unleashed a powerful aura, and Luo Dehu’s face went white with fear. He immediately let go.

’He’s just a useless person. Why would I ever stick my neck out for someone useless, even if it only took a single word?’

Turning around, Lu Ren walked straight into Weiyuan Hall.

Luo Dehu sat on the ground, his face ashen. But then he saw Xu Yang and his two companions. A flicker of hope appeared in his eyes, and he scrambled over to kneel before Xu Yang.

"Xu Yang, save me! I’m begging you! I was blind before, I never should have offended you! Just save me, and I’ll be your slave for life, I’ll do anything to repay you..."

"Get lost!"

Xu Yang gave Luo Dehu a cold look. The fact that he didn’t kick the man while he was down was a testament to his self-control.

His falling out with Lu Ren and the severing of his ties with Qian Jiaxing and the others were basically all Luo Dehu’s doing.

This was the guy who had tried to suck up to Lu Ren by stepping on him, which led to that whole series of events. The Huang Family had played a good hand so poorly, and Luo Dehu deserved most of the credit for that.

Seeing Xu Yang pay him no mind and turn to leave, Luo Dehu gritted his teeth, caught up to him, and whispered, "Save me, and I’ll tell you something that concerns you."

"Not interested!" Xu Yang remained unmoved.

"The Great River Gang has been secretly investigating you! Guan Xiaojie has repeatedly asked me and Qian Jiaxing about what you do at the Martial Arts Hall," Luo Dehu said urgently. "If you don’t believe me, you can ask Qian Jiaxing!"

Xu Yang’s interest was piqued. He was somewhat interested in this news, and he had long suspected that Guan Xiaojie might be after him.

However, Luo Dehu had already blurted out the information, so there was no need to ask for details. He immediately strode away.

"Just get lost. You offended Xu Yang plenty back when you were sucking up to Lu Ren. The fact that he hasn’t killed you already shows great magnanimity. And you expect him to save you?"

Zhang Yong sneered and walked into Weiyuan Hall with Zhang Hong, soon disappearing from Luo Dehu’s sight.

Despair washed over Luo Dehu’s face. In his efforts to suck up to Lu Ren, he had offended everyone but him—Xu Yang and Zhang Yong included. The only one he hadn’t crossed was Zhang Hong, but Zhang Hong clearly had no intention of helping him, and didn’t have enough influence to matter anyway.