Nine Heavens Martial Emperor

"Young man, how did you know I wouldn’t?" The woman released Lin Hao and asked, her curiosity piqued.

As she spoke, her smile was captivating, and she had once again become the Madam.

Lin Hao just smiled, his expression inscrutable.

In truth, ever since he broke through to the Elemental Realm, Lin Hao’s Spiritual Sense had been growing at a frightening pace.

If the woman had possessed true killing intent, Lin Hao would have sensed it when she was eavesdropping on them earlier.

And though she had appeared to be radiating killing intent afterward, Lin Hao could tell it was just a bluff—a test.

Had he backed down, he would have truly been in mortal danger.

Seeing Lin Hao’s expression, a flicker of annoyance crossed the woman’s face, but it was instantly replaced by a smile.

"It’s as I said before. Agree to one condition, and we will see you safely into the Saint Institute. Rest assured, this matter will cost you nothing and put you in no danger."

The woman, as if terrified Lin Hao would refuse, quickly added the last part.

"How far is the Saint Institute from here?" Lin Hao suddenly asked a completely unrelated question.

The woman froze. Though she didn’t understand his reasoning, she still answered, "Once you’re on the main street outside, it’s one thousand one hundred and twenty-one meters to the Saint Institute."

Lin Hao lowered his head and muttered something under his breath before looking up. "Thanks. It’s not that far. I don’t need your help."

This time, the woman was genuinely enraged.

"’Aren’t you just planning to disguise yourself to slip past them? Let me tell you, if you refuse my offer, I guarantee that no matter how you change your appearance, they will find you!" the woman threatened.

Lin Hao shook his head and showed her the door. "I’m tired. I won’t keep you."

"You!" The woman flared with rage, but her eyes flickered with a thought, and she spun around and left.

’This brat has no idea what he’s up against. I’ll wait until he’s backed into a corner tomorrow, then I’ll make my move. I refuse to believe he won’t agree then!’

As he watched the woman retreat into the distance, Lin Hao’s eyes narrowed. He whispered, so quietly it was almost inaudible, "I never planned to wear a disguise. Since you’re looking for me, I might as well just show up! Tomorrow, I’ll make you all understand—I, Lin Hao, have come to collect a debt!"

If the woman had heard him, she would surely have thought Lin Hao was insane.

He was merely at the Elemental Realm. To think he could stand alone against two great families—or even the entire empire? Did he really think he was Cang Yan?!

Only after the woman had completely vanished from sight did Lin Hao snap out of his reverie and shut the door.

Then, Lin Hao stood completely still, his expression growing heavy.

He remained like that for a long time before finally letting out a long, heavy breath.

"Need my help?" the turtle egg asked, emerging from Lin Hao’s robes as if just waking up.

This was the first time the turtle egg had offered to help of its own accord. It had sensed a malevolent aura from Lin Hao, one he had never displayed before.

"Keep an eye on things outside. Don’t let anyone get near this room." Lin Hao tossed it back, then deftly pulled several items from his spatial ring and began to tinker with them...

’A dignified divine turtle like myself, reduced to being a doorman? How tragic!’ The turtle egg rolled its eyes.

But it also knew something was very wrong with Lin Hao, so it wisely held its tongue. Muttering under its breath, it dutifully stood guard.

Time slipped by, and only when the sky had grown completely dark did Lin Hao stop his work.

"There. All done." Lin Hao dusted off his hands, his voice filled with excitement.

"This divine turtle is exhausted. I’m going to rest a bit," the turtle egg grumbled upon hearing Lin Hao, quickly burrowing under the covers.

Lin Hao simply ignored it, opened his door, and stood out in the hallway.

Mist Rain Tower had three floors in total, and Lin Hao was on the top one.

Night had fallen, and the entire Mist Rain Tower was buzzing with activity.

Looking down from his vantage point, Lin Hao could see that the tower was teeming with people.

Shouts, melodious laughter, music, and the clanging of metal... all these sounds mingled together.

It was a world of decadent luxury.

"Have you got a death wish, appearing so openly like this?!" The Madam materialized like a ghost not long after Lin Hao stepped out, grabbing his arm.

"Tonight is the debut of our Mist Rain Tower’s premier Courtesan, and members of the four great families will all be present. If you won’t accept my help, then you should stay put in your room."

Lin Hao paid her no mind and headed straight for the stairs.

"Oh? Just hearing the word ’Courtesan’ gets you all stirred up, doesn’t it? Men are all the same!" The woman blocked his path again.

Lin Hao found this secretly amusing and shot back, "What’s a Courtesan but an informant who sells her skills but not her body? Comparatively speaking, I’m far more interested in the members of the four great families."

"No, you’re mistaken. Our Mist Rain Tower’s Courtesan sells her body, not her skills," the Madam replied with a deadpan expression.

"What?!" Lin Hao’s eyes flew open.

’She sells her body but not her skills? What kind of Courtesan is that?’

"And here I thought Young Master Lin could truly remain unfazed even if a mountain collapsed before him," the Madam said, delighted by his reaction.

His composure this afternoon had nearly driven her mad.

Lin Hao realized he’d been had, and his expression immediately returned to normal.

"I’m not lying. Our Courtesan truly sells her body, not her skills. How about I let you go see for yourself? Who knows, maybe she’ll take a liking to you."

Before Lin Hao could say another word, the Madam had already pulled him into a room and, without explanation, began working on his face.

A few moments later, she held a bronze mirror up to his face.

Lin Hao saw that his reflection had completely changed.

After a moment of stunned silence, Lin Hao’s hand shot out like a bolt of lightning, reaching for the Madam’s face.

Now, Lin Hao had every reason to suspect the Madam was wearing a Human Skin Mask herself.

However, his hand grasped at empty air.

"Young Master Lin, I wish you the best of luck," the Madam’s voice called from the doorway.

Lin Hao’s eyes narrowed. He was about to remove the mask, but after a moment’s thought, he decided against it.

Stepping out the door, Lin Hao ran right into Ling Xiao and Yang Peng.

Lin Hao gave them a meaningful look, and the two departed at once.

As Lin Hao descended to the second floor, he casually glanced toward the room where he’d overheard the conversation that afternoon.

The second-floor hallway was now filled with tables. One such table was set up right outside that very room, and four young men were seated around it.

Lin Hao’s expression turned cold at the sight of them.

He had no goodwill to spare for Lin Wu’s lackeys.

After a single glance, Lin Hao nonchalantly shifted his gaze to the center of the Mist Rain Tower.

A high platform now stood in the center of the hall, rising slightly above the second floor. On it, women in white gauze veils were singing softly and dancing gracefully.

Lin Hao lost interest after a single glance and turned his attention to observing the surrounding crowd.

As he scanned the crowd, something interesting caught his eye.

A chubby young man seemed to be going around asking people for money.

The strange thing was, he seemed to succeed with everyone he asked.

Before long, the chubby young man made his way over to Lin Hao.

"Brother, spare some coin?" He held out his hand to Lin Hao, acting as if they were old friends.

The young man’s face was round and wreathed in a wide smile that squeezed his chubby cheeks together.

"A shakedown?"

"Get out of here! Do I look like that kind of person? I am a young master of the Wenren family. I just forgot to bring any money with me today." The chubby young man stared at Lin Hao, beaming.

Lin Hao was taken aback. "The Wenren family? As in, one of the four great families?"

"The one and only!" The chubby young man puffed out his chest and thumped it loudly. Then, he leaned in conspiratorially. "You want to get into the Saint Institute, don’t you? Lend me some money, and I’ll get you in."

A thought struck Lin Hao.

’Could Wenren Yuxin have sent this chubby kid to find me?’

’Of course, there’s also the possibility that he’s from the Lin or Hu family, sent for the same reason.’

"Do you take me for a fool?" Lin Hao waved a hand dismissively. "I heard the entrance examination is incredibly strict this year. There are no back doors!"

"AHEM..." The chubby young man’s embarrassment vanished as quickly as it appeared. He leaned in conspiratorially again. "Lend me the money, and I’ll introduce you to my cousin."

"You’re nuts. Why would I want to meet your cousin?"

"My cousin is Wenren Yuxin! One of the four great beauties of the capital, as famous as the princess herself!" The chubby young man’s eyes were wide as he stared intently at Lin Hao.

"The four great beauties of the capital? What the hell is that? Not interested." Lin Hao waved his hand in annoyance.

Just then, the gentle performance on the central stage concluded, creating a momentary lull in the noise.

Lin Hao’s dismissive remark rang out in the sudden silence, sounding particularly jarring.

Countless pairs of eyes snapped in Lin Hao’s direction.

"Who is that? What nerve!"

"He’s obviously an outsider."

"He’s done for. He probably won’t leave Mist Rain Tower alive."

Whispers and murmurs rippled through the crowd.

The chubby young man ducked his head, about to make a run for it.

"Insolent whelp! You dare cause trouble in Imperial City! Wenren Feiming, halt! Isn’t it time you repaid the money you owe me?"

"What damn mutt is this, daring to badmouth the four great beauties of our capital!"

From the table Lin Hao had noticed earlier, two young men shot to their feet. The first rebuked Lin Hao before spotting the chubby young man and instantly changing his target. The other slammed his hand on the table, his murderous gaze locked on Lin Hao.

"Oh, now, Young Master Hu, Young Master Lin, please calm yourselves. The Courtesan will be out any moment. There’s no need to get angry with him." The Madam reappeared, intercepting the two young men.

The corners of Lin Hao’s lips curled into a sinister smile.

’People from the Hu and Lin families.’

’So what? They had pissed him off.’

Especially the one from the Lin family. Lin Hao stared at him as if he were already a dead man.

The temperature in Mist Rain Tower plummeted, and the hall fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Countless eyes widened, the gazes fixed on Lin Hao a mixture of awe, shock, and pity.

The young man from the Lin family shuddered and instinctively took a step back.

Lin Hao’s eyes were like those of a hibernating beast that had just awoken, ready to choose its prey and devour it. It was terrifying.

The Madam’s expression changed drastically. She knew who Lin Hao was, and the look in his eyes filled her with horror.

’This is Imperial City! For him to unleash his killing intent so openly... what incredible audacity!’

The chubby young man, Wenren Feiming, also sensed that this was no ordinary confrontation. He whispered to Lin Hao, "Don’t do anything rash. One of them is a young master of the Hu family, and the other is from the Lin family. That’s Lin Bing—he’s Lin Wu’s own cousin."

The hall was deathly quiet. Though Wenren Feiming had whispered, many people still heard him.

Lin Bing’s face flushed crimson with rage. "You’re courting death!"

’To think that I, a proud young master of the Lin family, was actually frightened into retreating by a mere glare! If I don’t get my dignity back, how can I ever show my face in Imperial City again?!’