True Solution of the Sword Dao

"So you’re resorting to desperate measures? This supposed allegiance can’t just be proclaimed to me alone, right?" Lin Fei said with a smile.

"Of course, now that the Liu Kong Sect is in a moment of crisis, whoever can save us, we will pledge our allegiance to them," Feng Biao responded naturally. "The strong are revered; this has always been a matter of course."

"I’m afraid this isn’t something I should handle," Lin Fei replied indifferently.

Feng Biao was startled, then suddenly realized. His expression changed.

"Are you saying... Chairman Xu Chang will personally arrange someone to accept our allegiance?"

"Naturally, otherwise why would he spread such big rumors without yet taking decisive action?" Lin Fei said indifferently.

"Then our master..."

"You think your master doesn’t know? He must have realized it long ago. But he is still posturing to drive up his price." Lin Fei stood up, "Alright, I don’t want to get involved in your affairs. Have there been any strange incidents in Coastal City lately?"

Feng Biao, enlightened by Lin Fei, immediately calmed down. His mood improved considerably, and he spoke much more relaxedly.

"Strange incidents? There have been a few indeed, like the inexplicable car explosion recently on Xi’an Road, with no cause found. Also, there are rumors of some mysterious foreigners who have arrived here, acting secretive all day; no one knows what they’re up to. Those are the peculiar things happening. The rest are just baseless, ridiculous rumors."

"Is that so?" Lin Fei’s eyes flickered slightly, "You can give me a detailed report later, can’t you?"

"No problem!" Feng Biao nodded. "Come on, let’s go down for food."

Lin Fei nodded.

Before leaving, Feng Biao took a deep look at Shuang’er, who was nestled beside Lin Fei. Discussing such critical secrets in front of a child like this meant she definitely couldn’t be an ordinary person.

************

The restaurant below the hotel was magnificent. The golden chandeliers bathed the entire dining area in a golden glow.

Feng Biao, accompanied by two waiters, led the group into a separate room. Unlike the crowded main dining area, this room had only a few round tables, each separated by screens. Waiters stood guard at intervals around the room.

"This is the special dining room for honored guests, this way," Feng Biao loudly directed them to a corner table.

After everyone settled, Lin Fei was still half-distracted, maintaining his composure, so he was entirely indifferent to the lavish surroundings. Moreover, he often visited even more beautiful and luxurious places in the Rainbow Hotel.

Lin You and Jiang Nan, however, seemed somewhat oppressed by the environment, appearing somewhat awkward and restrained. From the moment they entered the hotel, they became cautious, fearing any misstep would draw attention.

"Actually, you don’t need to be so tense; although it looks luxurious here, the gold and silver are just plated," Feng Biao whispered to Lin You and Jiang Nan. "The most expensive dish here is just over a thousand, we’re not really a high-level hotel, so relax."

Both Lin You and Jiang Nan were stunned. A table’s worth of food costing just over a thousand was similar to what they usually experienced in ordinary hotels, where they often dined without any stage fright.

Jiang Nan said with some confusion, "Brother Feng, don’t tease us, this place is so nicely decorated, and our accommodations are fully equipped; how could it possibly be so cheap?"

"No way around it, Coastal people can give up anything but face," Feng Biao made a helpless gesture, "so even if it’s just for show, we must present ourselves as upscale. Otherwise, no one would come."

"Is that so?" Lin You blinked, half believing, half doubting.

"Yes," Lin Fei said with a smile, "This place really isn’t a star-rated hotel." This was indeed true; Coastal areas and the inland still had significant differences, with Coastal people often having a perplexing sense of superiority. Thus, they attached great importance to appearances, believing their lifestyle and dining should be more upscale than other places. Even if some hotel dishes didn’t taste good, as long as the decor was nice, they didn’t mind. Eating out was all about keeping up appearances.

Indeed, when the dishes were served, they were much like what Lin You and Jiang Nan had seen before, and they believed what the two had said. However, what they didn’t know was that these dishes had been specially requested by Lin Fei for Feng Biao. Although their words were indeed true, it didn’t mean that this hotel was necessarily the same. Lin You and Jiang Nan didn’t realize that the sumptuous dishes they were enjoying had been crafted by a national-level chef specializing in homestyle cooking. The quality was naturally high.

After the meal, Lin You sat in a tall-backed chair and quietly wiped her mouth with a napkin.

"The food was very good." She found the meal quite satisfying.

"That’s how it is here; the grade might not be high, but the taste is top-notch. That’s mainly how we attract customers," Feng Biao unabashedly stretched the truth.

Lin You smiled sweetly and said, "Thank you for the hospitality, Brother Feng."

"It’s nothing, it’s nothing. It hasn’t cost too much," Feng Biao waved his hand and smiled.

Lin You glanced at the black cat, Feil, squatting on the table’s edge, leisurely tearing into a strip of dried fish, thoroughly enjoying itself.

"Feil, when do we start?" she imagined speaking to the black cat in her mind. This was a unique way of communication between them.

"Wait, someone will contact us in a little while," the black cat gestured with its paws, indicating it was currently busy.

After everyone had eaten, they sat down, and the waiter brought a fruit platter and some dried fruits. They took a brief rest. When the black cat finished eating, they all stood up together.

"All right, Little You, let’s first drop by Aunt’s place to notify her, and then we can come back," Lin Fei said to Lin You.

"Yeah." Lin You also knew that this was basic courtesy, unavoidable, even if her aunt and others were not the nicest people. After all, they had indeed sent Lin Yang to the train station to pick her up.

"Then Jiang Nan and Shuang’er can stay at the hotel and wait for us to come back," Lin Fei organized everything. Jiang Nan had no objections, but Shuang’er reluctantly tugged at Lin Fei’s clothing hem.

"Shuang’er, be good, I’ll come back soon," Lin Fei said softly.

Shuang’er looked steadily at Lin Fei for a while, then slowly nodded.

"Let’s go."

Lin Fei and Lin You left the hotel together. Feng Biao offered to take them, but Lin Fei declined. With their aunt’s temperament, it would be hard to explain Feng Biao’s presence; they were not as easily fooled as Lin You.

Lin You followed behind Lin Fei, watching her hail a cab from the roadside. The black cat lay lazily in her arms.

"Before we contact them, Little You, I need to ask you a question," Feil’s voice sounded in Lin You’s ear.

"What question?"

"For what reason did you initially keep your Psychic identity a secret from your family?"

"For what reason?" Lin You suddenly looked puzzled; she only initially kept it a secret because she was afraid of being discovered by her family. But she had never considered why she feared her family discovering it. Now that Feil had mentioned it, she felt confused herself.

"Many Psychics actually choose to keep their abilities secret from their family and those close to them. Mostly out of fear of getting their family involved, worried for them, scared for them, so they take on all the pressure by themselves. Of course, the naturally formed unspoken rules of secrecy in the Inner World also play a significant role," Feil explained.

"What unspoken rules?" Lin You sensed a deeper meaning in Feil’s words.

"These rules mean that anyone who knows about the Supernatural World, regardless of having Combat Power or not, is considered part of the Inner World. This doesn’t involve violating any explicit rules set by major organizations. Anyone of the Inner World must abide by the rule of survival of the fittest. It means..."

"It means, if I tell them about Psychic matters, my enemies wouldn’t hesitate to act against them, right?" Lin You suddenly felt heavy-hearted.

"So, whether you let them know about your situation is entirely up to you," Feil’s voice was also somewhat grave.

"Naturally, I won’t let them know," Lin You smiled wryly, "but hasn’t there been previous instances of Psychics attacking ordinary people before?"

"That’s only a very small portion, and most Psychics follow the rules. The Inner World is immense, far beyond what you imagine, both in scope and power. Once you no longer keep it a secret from your family, I assure you, dozens of families or Mercenary Corps would immediately come to capture your family members to threaten you," Feil’s voice grew stern.

"Is that so?" Lin You could no longer muster a smile, only silence.

"So, be careful."

"Does Lin Fei count as one?"

"He could at most be considered a beginner enthusiast in martial arts. He won’t be counted as part of the Inner World as long as it doesn’t deal with Psychic abilities. Don’t worry about that."

Lin You quietly watched Lin Fei standing ahead. Hearing Feil’s answer, her expression unknowingly relaxed.

"What’s wrong, Little You?" Lin Fei finally hailed a cab, turned around, and saw Lin You staring blankly at him.

"No, it’s nothing," Lin You forced a smile and got into the car.