Nine Heavens Martial Emperor

"I’m not busy anyway, so I’ll go with you and take a look." After a moment’s thought, Lin Hao decided to go along.

He and the Treasure Hunting Holy Hall were now partners, so it was only natural that he should help solve their problems.

This single sentence was enough to make Ninety-Three see Lin Hao in a new light.

He had already mentioned that their identities were quite shocking, yet Lin Hao hadn’t asked who they were. Instead, he immediately agreed to go and see for himself.

What did that prove? It proved that Lin Hao wouldn’t back down just because of their formidable backgrounds.

’Even someone like me would probably first ascertain their identities and weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether to intervene.’

’This young man is no ordinary person.’

Ninety-Three was moved to tears, thanking him profusely.

Without another word, he snatched the reins from Lin Hao’s hand and began leading his mount for him.

The esteemed Pavilion Master of the Treasure Hunting Pavilion, a man whose status in Red Beauty City surpassed even that of the City Lord, was now willingly leading a mount for Lin Hao.

This scene nearly made everyone’s jaws drop.

’No wonder he dares to disrespect the City Lord’s Mansion.’

A realization dawned on some of the onlookers.

"So, tell me, who are they?" Lin Hao asked after they had walked some distance.

In Lin Hao’s mind, there were only two kinds of people besides his family: friends and enemies.

When facing an enemy, Lin Hao would never back down because of their status, background, or Martial Dao Cultivation.

That was why he hadn’t asked earlier.

He was asking now out of sheer curiosity.

Ninety-Three gave Lin Hao a strange look before replying, "Three men and one woman. The men’s identities aren’t a major concern; they’re just young masters from some families in the Southern Border Prefecture studying at the four great sects. It’s the young lady who’s the trouble."

Only the Treasure Hunting Pavilion, with the backing of the Wenren family, could so casually dismiss disciples from the four great sects of the Southern Border Prefecture.

But for a single young lady to make even the Treasure Hunting Pavilion wary... that piqued Lin Hao’s curiosity.

He fixed Ninety-Three with an inquisitive stare.

Then Lin Hao heard him stammer, "She’s from the Lu... the Lu family of Celestial Jade City. Her name is Lu Diewu."

’The Lu family of Celestial Jade City... that’s Lu Dieyi’s family.’

Lin Hao finally understood why Ninety-Three had been so hesitant.

Lu Dieyi had broken off their engagement, and the news had spread all the way to the Heaven-Stepping Sect. It was no surprise that the Treasure Hunting Pavilion would know about it too.

"’It’s just the Lu family...’ Lin Hao started to say, but then he fell silent."

’Ninety-Three isn’t wary of the Lu family, but of the Five Great Divine Sects!’

A month ago, Lu Dieyi had joined the Proud Moon Sect, one of the Cangnan Empire’s Five Great Divine Sects. With her talent and beauty, she had likely already become one of the sect’s rising stars.

Lu Dieyi, Lu Diewu... their relationship was obvious.

Wenren Yuxin had publicly broken ties with the Lin family for his sake. If he provoked the Proud Moon Sect now on top of that, it would be truly unwise.

"Why did she come looking for the Treasure Hunting Pavilion?" Lin Hao asked.

Ninety-Three gave a wry smile. "For the Rejuvenation Blood Pill. Our Miss ordered that the Treasure Hunting Pavilion is not to sell any medicinal pills to the Lu family of Celestial Jade City or the Lin family of the Imperial City. Besides, I don’t even have that pill here to begin with."

"Interesting." Lu Dieyi had deliberately spread the news of their broken engagement throughout the empire to utterly humiliate him. Hearing that a member of the Lu family now dared to demand pills from the Treasure Hunting Pavilion, a murderous glint flashed in Lin Hao’s eyes.

’What they owe me will be repaid, sooner or later.’

’One day, I will march on the Proud Moon Sect and claim justice for myself.’

’But for now... perhaps it’s time to collect a little interest.’

The corners of Lin Hao’s mouth lifted into a wicked grin.

From the outside, the Treasure Hunting Pavilion in Red Beauty City looked no different from the one in War Dragon City. As he walked up to the entrance, Lin Hao almost felt like he was back in War Dragon City.

BOOM!

Just as he reached the steps, the main doors of the Treasure Hunting Pavilion came flying out.

Someone had kicked the doors of the Treasure Hunting Pavilion clean off.

The massive doors flew toward Lin Hao like a falling mountain.

Lin Hao paid it no mind.

’My body is incredibly tough now. A mere door can’t harm me.’

Ninety-Three’s expression changed, however. He shot forward, positioned himself in front of Lin Hao, and caught the doors with one hand.

"Has your Pavilion Master retreated into his shell? Get him out here, or this young master will tear down the Treasure Hunting Pavilion!"

"That’s right, make him come out! We have to escort Diewu back to Celestial Jade City. Can a mere Pavilion Master like him bear the responsibility for any delays?!" 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"Hehe, I just want to see this Rejuvenation Blood Pill for myself and find out if it even exists."

Another voice chimed in. It sounded calm on the surface, but its intent was the most venomous. To question the Rejuvenation Blood Pill was to question the very credibility of the Treasure Hunting Pavilion.

"You three idiots are so loud! If you don’t help me find him this instant, I’ll throw all of you out!" a girl’s voice rang out, clear as an oriole’s song but laced with a bratty tone.

Just then, Lin Hao stepped forward. Behind him, Ninety-Three stood in the gateway, holding the Cloud-Stepping Beast’s reins in one hand and the heavy doors in the other.

"I gave you some leeway, but that doesn’t mean you can act with impunity! The Treasure Hunting Pavilion is not a place for you to run wild!" Ninety-Three slammed the doors onto the ground, producing a tremendous crash as they sank deep into the earth.

Ninety-Three was furious.

The doors of the Treasure Hunting Pavilion were its very face. To have them kicked down was a direct slap in the face. How could he not be enraged?

Ahead, the faces of the three young men and the young woman all changed.

"What are you so fierce for? It’s just a door. Chang Bao, Zuo Ming, Ma Peng, whichever one of you kicked it, put it back for me this instant!" Lu Diewu pouted as she ordered the young men beside her.

Lin Hao got a clear look at her.

Lu Diewu wore an ornate, colorful dress. She looked to be about fourteen, with features so exquisite she could have stepped out of a painting. She bore a strong resemblance to Lu Dieyi.

The three youths standing on either side of her were all around sixteen or seventeen, each with handsome features.

Even more shocking, their breathing was long and steady. If Lin Hao wasn’t mistaken, all three of them possessed a cultivation at the Peak of the Ninth Layer of the Blood Coagulation Realm.

One wore white, one black, and the third wore a green scholar’s robe.

"Don’t be scared. Who’s he trying to frighten? Your sister is a disciple of the Proud Moon Sect, after all," the youth in black sneered disdainfully.

"We’re also from one of the four great sects of the Southern Border Prefecture. I refuse to believe he’d dare lay a hand on us!" the youth in the green robe added.

And the other youth in white merely uttered two words: "Heh, heh."

Hearing their words, Lu Diewu nodded seriously. She then put her hands on her hips, wrinkled her small, delicate nose, and declared, "I take back what I just said. We’re not fixing the door."

Lin Hao watched coolly from the side, discerning the situation. ’Although this Lu Diewu is a bit of a brat, she’s clearly naive and inexperienced. It’s obvious she’s being used by these three.’

"Using a young girl like this, don’t you think that’s despicable?" Although Lu Diewu was a member of the Lu family, Lin Hao couldn’t bear to see her manipulated this way, so he spoke out coldly.

"Who are you?!" the three young men demanded in unison, their brows furrowing.

Lu Diewu, however, stared at Lin Hao, looking him up and down. Her beautiful eyes suddenly lit up, and she did something that stunned everyone.

"Brother-in-law!"

With an excited shriek, Lu Diewu flew through the air and pounced on him.

’Brother-in-law?!’

Lin Hao was so stunned by the address that his reaction was a beat too slow.

By the time he came to his senses, Lu Diewu was already clinging to him like a koala.

Lin Hao was dumbfounded by this sudden development.

’Who goes around randomly claiming people as their brother-in-law these days?’

’Even if she is Lu Dieyi’s sister, Lu Dieyi broke off our engagement. We have nothing to do with each other anymore. There’s no way Lu Diewu doesn’t know that.’

’Besides, this is the first time we’ve ever met. Why is she being so intimate?’

Lin Hao was utterly baffled.

"Brother-in-law, I heard all about what you did in War Dragon City yesterday! You were so cool!" Lu Diewu exclaimed. Then, she couldn’t help but plant a loud SMOOCH on Lin Hao’s cheek.

The corners of the three youths’ mouths twitched simultaneously, and they glared at Lin Hao with murderous intent.

As for Lin Hao, a tingling numbness spread through his body, leaving him frozen in place.

It was the first time a girl had ever kissed him like that. Her warm, soft lips sent a jolt like electricity through him.

And so, for the first time, the fearless Lin Hao, who was afraid of neither heaven nor earth, actually blushed.

In that moment, he completely forgot about his feud with the Lu family.

"Get off me," he said. Being gawked at like this was deeply uncomfortable.

"Okay," Lu Diewu agreed, hopping down from Lin Hao. She stood beside him, gazing at him with stars in her eyes.

"Lu Dieyi is your sister?" Lin Hao asked, clearing his throat.

Lu Diewu nodded her head like a chick pecking at grain.

The thought of Lu Dieyi instantly brought Lin Hao back to his senses. His expression turned cold. "A month ago, she went to War Dragon City to break our engagement, and the entire empire knows about it. What’s the matter? Did Lin Wu dump her already?"

"Brother-in-law, what are you talking about?" Lu Diewu asked, confused.

"Shut up! I am not your brother-in-law!" Lin Hao suddenly roared.

Lu Diewu flinched, her eyes welling with tears. "You... you yelled at me?"

She looked so pitiful it would stir pity in anyone’s heart.

"So you’re that Lin Hao, the one Miss Lu broke her engagement with?" the youth in black suddenly interjected, a gloating look on his face.

Lin Hao was now in a foul mood. He sneered, "And what are you supposed to be?"

"I’m not a thing! My name is Chang Bao, and I’m an Inner Sect Disciple of the Sanqing Sect," the youth in black said proudly, completely missing the double meaning of his own words.

In the past, the Heaven-Stepping Sect, Danling Sect, Zhengyang Sect, Sanqing Sect, and Mingjian Manor were collectively known as the Five Great Sects of the Southern Border Prefecture.

Now, the Heaven-Stepping Sect had fallen into decline, but the other four sects were more prosperous than ever.

The status of an Inner Sect Disciple of the Sanqing Sect was indeed something to be proud of.

Even Lin Hao’s heart skipped a beat. ’It seems the gap between the Heaven-Stepping Sect and the other four great sects is pretty wide.’

’An Inner Sect Disciple is already at the Ninth Layer of the Blood Coagulation Realm. What about their Core Disciples?’

PFFT...

Hearing his response, Lu Diewu couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter, the tears that had been welling in her eyes finally spilling over.

"You!"

Chang Bao finally realized his mistake and flew into a rage.

He was about to strike but was held back by another.

"Lin Hao, I have to admire your nerve," the youth in the green robe stepped forward, sneering at him. "You’ve offended the Zhengyang Sect and the capital’s Lin family, and now you dare to provoke us as well."

"And what are you supposed to be?!" Lin Hao shot back.

A murderous glint flashed in the green-robed youth’s eyes, but he restrained himself. "My name is Ma Peng, from the Danling Sect! And he is Zuo Ming, the son of the Manor Lord of Mingjian Manor!"

"I don’t care who you are," Lin Hao said, his expression unchanged. "Get lost before I lose my temper."