Marvel: The other side of the double-passing door is Devouring the Stars

Chapter 496 Cultivation Mission!

After injuring Lin Feng, he panicked. If Lin Feng returned alive, he would definitely cause them trouble. Sun Hao suggested throwing Lin Feng deep into Fog Island and letting the monsters deal with him. He was blinded by greed and agreed.

"How could I be so stupid?" Zhao Yunfei said, clutching his head in anguish. "If it had just been about getting a bigger share of the money, I could have just apologized and that would have been it. Now... now I'm a laughingstock in the entire martial arts world, and I've been expelled from the family..."

Four hours later, the hovercar landed at the entrance of the Lin family manor in Kyoto.

Zhao Yunfei got out of the car and looked at the magnificent manor gate in front of him, his legs began to feel weak again. He took a few deep breaths, forced himself to calm down, and then walked towards the guards at the gate.

“I…I am Zhao Yunfei,” his voice trembled, “I have come to apologize to the Lin family.”

The guards sized him up, their faces showing disdain. Clearly, they had also seen the videos on the martial arts forum.

“Wait,” the guard said coldly, then picked up his communicator to report.

A moment later, the guard said, "Go in. Old Master Lin is waiting for you at the main house."

Zhao Yunfei walked into the manor, each step feeling as unsteady as if he were stepping on cotton. He walked through the long, tree-lined path and arrived at the main gate. Two martial artists stood at the entrance, exuding the aura of a third-tier stellar-level warrior, looking at him as if he were an ant.

"Go in."

Zhao Yunfei pushed open the door and entered the living room.

Four people were seated in the living room. At the head of the table sat an elderly man with silver hair, exuding an imposing aura; this was Lin Tianxiong. Beside him sat Lin Fenghai, his face grim. On the other side sat Lin Feng and a young man.

Zhao Yunfei recognized the young man at a glance—Luo Wen!
His heart sank. Rowan was still here!
"thump!"

Zhao Yunfei knelt down on the ground, his forehead pressed against the cold floor.

"Mr. Lin, Mr. Lin, Lin Feng, and... Senior Luo..." Zhao Yunfei's voice trembled, "I, Zhao Yunfei, know I was wrong! Please, sirs, have mercy and spare my life!"

Silence filled the living room.

After a long pause, Lin Tianxiong finally spoke, his voice icy: "Zhao Yunfei, do you know what you've done?"

"I know...I know..." Zhao Yunfei kowtowed repeatedly, "I betrayed my promise, I was greedy and treacherous, and I even tried to kill Lin Feng...I'm not human...I'm a beast..."

"You do have some self-awareness," Lin Fenghai sneered. "Since you know you're a beast, what do you think should be done with you?"

"I...I'm willing to compensate!" Zhao Yunfei hurriedly said. "I still have my share of that thousand-year-old Blood Lotus, I'll hand it all over! In addition, I'll compensate Lin Feng five million as compensation for emotional distress! Please, everyone, spare my life!"

"Five million?" Lin Feng sneered. "I was almost eaten by a monster on Fog Island, and I'm only worth five million?"

"Ten million! Ten million!" Zhao Yunfei quickly changed his tune, "I'll pay ten million! As long as you spare my life, I'm willing to pay any amount!"

"Money?" Lin Tianxiong finally spoke. "Do you think this is about money?"

Zhao Yunfei looked up and saw Lin Tianxiong's cold gaze, which frightened him so much that he lowered his head again.

"My grandson almost died on Kirishima," Lin Tianxiong said, emphasizing each word. "If it weren't for young friend Luo passing by, Lin Feng would already be monster excrement. How much money do you think could make up for that?"

"Mr. Lin... I was wrong... I was really wrong..." Zhao Yunfei was already crying, his face covered in snot and tears. "Please have mercy..."

"I originally intended to cripple your cultivation and then throw you into Fog Island," Lin Tianxiong said coldly, "to repay you in kind. To let you taste what it's like to be hunted by monsters."

Zhao Yunfei's body trembled violently, and he almost fainted.

“However…” Lin Tianxiong changed the subject.

Zhao Yunfei, as if grasping at a straw, raised his head: "But what? Please enlighten me, Mr. Lin!"

“Young friend Luo said, ‘It’s better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester,’” Lin Tianxiong glanced at Luo Wen. “Although you’ve done wrong, you also know fear. As long as you can sincerely repent, there’s no need to push you to the brink.”

Zhao Yunfei was stunned. He hadn't expected that it would be Luo Wen who saved him.

"Senior Luo... Senior Luo..." Zhao Yunfei turned to Luo Wen and kowtowed several times. "Thank you so much for your great kindness and virtue, Senior! Your noble character is beyond my ability to repay!"

Rowan looked at him calmly without saying a word.

“However,” Lin Tianxiong continued, “a mistake is a mistake, and there must be punishment. Otherwise, wouldn’t everyone be able to break their promises and just apologize in the end?”

“Please speak, Mr. Lin,” Zhao Yunfei said quickly, “I will accept whatever punishment is imposed upon me!”

Lin Tianxiong and Lin Fenghai exchanged a glance, then said, "First, hand over all the Thousand-Year Blood Lotuses you stole and return them to Lin Feng."

"Yes!" Zhao Yunfei replied without hesitation.

"Secondly, you must compensate Lin Feng with 20 million yuan as damages for emotional distress and medical expenses."

"Yes!" Zhao Yunfei gritted his teeth and agreed. Twenty million was a lot of money for him, but as long as he could save his life and cultivation, it was worth it.

"Third," Lin Tianxiong paused, "you must publicly apologize on the martial arts forum, admitting your mistakes. Furthermore, this apology post must be pinned to the top for a year, so everyone can see it."

Zhao Yunfei's face was grim. A public apology meant his reputation was completely ruined. But he had no choice but to nod: "Yes... I accept."

"Fourth," a cold glint flashed in Lin Tianxiong's eyes, "you must accept three strikes from my palm, Lin Fenghai. This is your punishment for attempting to kill my grandson."

Zhao Yunfei's body stiffened. Lin Fenghai was a sixth-level Stellar-level martial artist, while he was only a third-level Stellar-level martial artist. Three full-force palm strikes, while not crippling his cultivation, would definitely leave him severely injured, at least for several months.

But he gritted his teeth and agreed, "Yes... I accept."

“Alright,” Lin Tianxiong nodded, “Feng Hai, let’s get started.”

Lin Fenghai stood up and walked to Zhao Yunfei. His eyes were filled with rage—this beast had almost killed his son!

"Are you ready?" Lin Fenghai asked coldly.

“Yes…” Zhao Yunfei closed his eyes, his body tense.

"Snapped!"

The first palm strike landed squarely on Zhao Yunfei's chest. Zhao Yunfei felt a sharp pain in his chest and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Snapped!"

The second palm struck Zhao Yunfei on the back. Zhao Yunfei fell forward, his spine trembling, and his vision blurred.

"Smack!" The third blow landed on Zhao Yunfei's abdomen. Zhao Yunfei cried out, vomiting a mouthful of blood again, and curled up on the ground, convulsing in pain.

Lin Fenghai withdrew his hand, coldly staring at Zhao Yunfei on the ground: "Consider these three slaps as interest paid on Xiaofeng's behalf. Remember this: if you dare to do such a thing again, I, Lin Fenghai, will show no mercy!"

Zhao Yunfei lay on the ground, covered in blood, too weak to even answer. He could only nod slightly to indicate that he had heard.

Lin Tianxiong watched this scene without expression. He turned to Luo Wen: "Young friend Luo, what do you think of this approach?"

Luo Wen nodded: "Mr. Lin handled the matter fairly. He punished the offender without completely eliminating them, leaving them a way to reform."

"That's good," Lin Tianxiong said. "Someone, take Zhao Yunfei away for treatment. Then have him sign an apology statement and post it on the martial arts forum today."

Two martial artists entered, lifted the unconscious Zhao Yunfei, and dragged him out.

After Zhao Yunfei was taken away, the atmosphere in the living room became more relaxed.

"Young friend Luo," Lin Tianxiong said with a smile, "thanks to your persuasion, otherwise I might have crippled that kid's cultivation in my anger."

“Mr. Lin, you flatter me,” Luo Wen said. “Although Zhao Yunfei has done wrong, his crime does not warrant death. He has already been expelled from the family, his reputation is ruined, and his future path in martial arts will be fraught with difficulties. These punishments are enough to teach him a lesson.”

“The senior is right,” Lin Feng said from the side. “Seeing how terrified he was, my anger has subsided considerably. As long as he behaves himself from now on, this matter will be over.”

Lin Fenghai nodded, "Mr. Luo's magnanimity is admirable."

Just then, the butler rushed in: "Master, the Zhao family has sent someone, saying they want to offer apologies to the Lin family."

"Oh?" Lin Tianxiong raised an eyebrow. "Let them in."

A moment later, two people entered the living room. The one in the lead was a middle-aged man in his forties, exuding the aura of a fourth-tier stellar-level being. Behind him followed a young man carrying a brocade box.

“Mr. Lin,” the middle-aged man bowed respectfully, “I am Zhao Ping, the second steward of the Zhao family. I have come to apologize to the Lin family on the orders of the head of the family.”

"An apology?" Lin Tianxiong sneered. "Why didn't Zhao Tianxing come in person?"

Zhao Ping looked embarrassed: "The patriarch said that Zhao Yunfei's actions were too much for him to bear in front of Elder Lin. Therefore, he asked me to convey his apologies. In addition, the patriarch has prepared a small gift as a token of his remorse."

He gestured for the young man behind him to step forward and open the brocade box.

Inside the brocade box was a piece of emerald green jade, radiating a warm luster, clearly a priceless treasure.

“This is a naturally formed spirit jade,” Zhao Ping said. “It can help martial artists cultivate, calm their minds, and stabilize their spirits. It’s worth about thirty million. The patriarch said this is a small token of the Zhao family’s appreciation to the Lin family, and he hopes Elder Lin will accept it.”

Lin Tianxiong looked at the spirit jade, then at Zhao Ping, and remained silent for a moment.

"Zhao Tianxing certainly knows how to handle people," he said calmly. "I'll accept this gift."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Lin!" Zhao Ping breathed a sigh of relief. "Furthermore, the patriarch also said that Zhao Yunfei has been expelled from the Zhao family. From now on, his actions are none of the Zhao family's concern. If he offends again, the Lin family can deal with him as they see fit, and the Zhao family will not interfere."

“I understand,” Lin Tianxiong nodded. “Go back and tell Zhao Tianxing that this matter is over. But he had better discipline his own children to prevent such disgraceful incidents from happening again.”

"Yes, yes, yes," Zhao Ping nodded repeatedly, "I will definitely pass on the message. Then I'll take my leave."

After Zhao Ping left, Lin Tianxiong looked at the spirit jade and sneered, "That old fox Zhao Tianxing sent such a valuable gift because he's afraid we'll hold a grudge."

“The Zhao family is, after all, a prominent family in Donghai City,” Lin Fenghai said. “Zhao Tianxing also needs to save face. Sending gifts as an apology is a way of showing his attitude.”

"Who cares about his attitude?" Lin Tianxiong handed the spirit jade to Lin Feng. "Xiao Feng, this spirit jade is for you. Consider it compensation for what you've been through."

"Thank you, Grandpa," Lin Feng said, taking the spirit jade and feeling the energy within it. His eyes lit up. "This spirit jade is of very high quality and will be very helpful for my breakthrough to the fourth rank of the Stellar level."

Luo Wen watched from the sidelines, nodding inwardly. The Lin family had handled this matter by giving the Zhao family face, gaining tangible benefits, and establishing the image of the Lin family as not to be trifled with. Lin Tianxiong's ability to establish himself in Kyoto was indeed well-deserved.

“Young friend Luo,” Lin Tianxiong turned to Luo Wen, “this matter is all thanks to you. If you hadn’t testified, the Zhao and Sun families might not have been so honest.”

“Mr. Lin, you’re too kind,” Luo Wen said. “I only said a few words; the Lin family is the one who truly handles the matters.”

“You’re too modest,” Lin Tianxiong shook his head. “A student of Blood King Luo, a member of the Virtual Universe Company—with those two identities, how could the Zhao and Sun families dare to object? To be honest, if you hadn’t intervened, this matter would have been nothing more than a wrangling between the two families, dragging on for a year or two without a resolution.”

Rowan smiled and said nothing more.

Just then, the butler came in again: "Master, the Sun family has arrived as well."

"Oh? The Sun family?" Lin Tianxiong narrowed his eyes. "Let them in."

The visitor was an elder from the Sun family, a fifth-tier Stellar-level expert. His attitude was even more respectful than that of the Zhao family members, bowing as soon as he entered.

"Mr. Lin, I am Sun Zheng, an elder of the Sun family," he said. "The Sun family is deeply ashamed of what that unfilial son, Sun Hao, has done. The patriarch specifically sent me to apologize and bring a gift as compensation."

He gestured to the person behind him to present the gift box.

The gift box was opened, revealing a golden pill inside, emitting a rich medicinal fragrance.

“This is a ‘Gathering Yuan Pill’,” Sun Zheng said. “It can help a Stellar-level martial artist improve their cultivation and strengthen their foundation. It’s worth approximately forty million. The family head said this is compensation from the Sun family to the Lin family, and he asked Elder Lin to accept it.”

Lin Tianxiong looked at the Gathering Yuan Pill, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

The Gathering Yuan Pill is a coveted elixir for Stellar-level martial artists, capable of accelerating cultivation and solidifying their foundation. Such a pill is extremely rare and valuable on the market, so the Sun family's decision to offer it demonstrates their considerable investment.

“I appreciate the Sun family’s sincerity,” Lin Tianxiong said, accepting the pills. “This matter ends here. But you also need to give Sun Hao an explanation.”

"The patriarch has made his decision," Sun Zheng said, "Sun Hao will be confined to the Sun family compound for three years, during which time he is not allowed to leave. Furthermore, his apology post on the martial arts forum will be pinned to the top for a year. After three years, if he wants to remain in the martial arts world, he must personally come to the Lin family to apologize."

“Okay,” Lin Tianxiong nodded, “Let’s leave it at that.”

After Sun Zheng left, only the Lin family and Luo Wen remained in the living room.

Lin Tianxiong looked at the Gathering Yuan Pill and the Spirit Jade in his hand, a smile appearing on his face: "Xiao Feng, although you suffered a loss this time, every cloud has a silver lining. Not only did you meet a benefactor like Young Friend Luo, but you also obtained these two treasures. All things considered, you still made a profit."

Lin Feng nodded: "Grandpa is right. If it weren't for this, I wouldn't have been able to meet Senior Luo. This opportunity is more precious than anything else."

Luo Wen stood up: "Mr. Lin, now that things are settled, I should take my leave. I still have cultivation tasks to complete on Fog Island."

(End of this chapter)