Chapter 4: The Evil Slave
He suddenly waved his hand, intending to push Li Lin aside and directly storm into the courtyard to bring Xiao Lan out
However, even though Xiaolan knew that she would suffer in the past, she would rather choose to endure the suffering than let him be humiliated by Li Cheng
A bowl of mixed grain noodles, accompanied by a few pieces of pickled vegetables, is currently the best meal for Li Lin. He understands that this is the utmost effort that Xiao Lan could muster to prepare this food for him. Although he does not particularly enjoy such coarse fare, he still pretends to relish it, taking large bites and swallowing it down in just a few moments.
Within a clan, there are their own clan rules, and the status of the master is a benefit that must be ensured by these rules. Even the most destitute master remains a master and should not be subjected to arbitrary humiliation by any servant. It is evident that today, Li Gui has overstepped his bounds. Such an attitude, not only towards someone like Li Lin, but even towards the lesser branches of the family, is already quite excessive.
Li Gui was taken aback for a moment, but soon revealed a look of disdain, coldly snorting and saying: "Our Second Young Master wants your Xiao Lan, why would we need the hand order from Fourth Uncle? Besides, in this Li family, for such a trivial matter, does it even warrant troubling Fourth Uncle? Do you think you are worthy?"
Just as he began to speak, an old man happened to walk to the other side of his courtyard wall, likely passing by, and he suddenly heard Li Lin reciting these lines of poetry. The old man immediately stopped in his tracks, closed his eyes to savor the words for a moment, and suddenly opened his eyes, revealing a look of complete astonishment. He was about to go around the courtyard wall to find Li Lin when, at that moment, a burly servant with a fierce expression strode into view before Li Lin's courtyard door.
Now that the second young master has spoken, Xiao Lan must come with me! I will ask you once more, will you give it or not?
Although Xiao Lan was worried, seeing how Li Lin treated her made her feel warm inside. She quickly agreed and turned to go out, starting to busy herself with cooking for Li Lin. Recalling how Li Lin had gently patted her bottom just now, she suddenly felt her face heat up a bit.
Before Li Gui could react, Li Lin swiftly turned to the side, gripping Li Gui's wrist tightly with both hands, and hoisted Li Gui's arm onto his shoulder. With a powerful thrust of his back against Li Gui's side, Li Gui's robust body, akin to that of a bear, was suddenly lifted off the ground as if riding on clouds. In the blink of an eye, Li Lin executed a very ordinary shoulder throw, sending Li Gui flying, only to be heavily slammed onto the steps in front of the door.
Within the void of his inner body, there floated a mere twenty or so strands of fine golden aura. This was not the soul power commonly found in living beings or souls, but rather the divine power possessed by deities. Although it appeared unremarkable, it was far more refined than soul power.
A trace of pain flashed in Li Lin's eyes; Xiao Lan had no idea of the fate that awaited her when she was taken to Li Cheng. This was not merely a matter of enduring some hardship, but rather one that would cost her life, and a very tragic death at that
Looking at the meager divine power of less than twenty strands lingering in the inner court, Li Lin felt a sense of helplessness. If he had a bit more divine power now, he could easily refine his skin and internal organs, and even greatly enhance his bones. Although it would not make him immortal, at the very least, he could achieve a body of bronze skin and iron bones.
Upon seeing Li Gui extend his hand, Li Lin immediately displayed a furious expression, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. With a twist of his wrist, he seized Li Gui's outstretched wrist.
Hmph! What do you think you are? Just a worthless piece of trash, thinking of yourself as a master? Even a dog from the Li family would be stronger than you. What a big shot you think you are! Hmph! Since you refuse to listen to reason, don't blame me for being rude. Step aside, I will go in and take that lowly maid away!" As Li Gui spoke, he walked towards the courtyard gate, completely disregarding Li Lin who was blocking his way. Since you refuse to listen to reason, don't blame me for being rude. Step aside, I will go in and take that lowly maid away!" As Li Gui spoke, he walked towards the courtyard gate, completely disregarding Li Lin who was blocking his way
The old man slightly furrowed his brows, yet did not step out to stop Li Gui's audacity; instead, he continued to remain hidden behind the tree, quietly observing Li Lin's movements.
The old man hiding behind the tree originally intended to step forward and stop Li Gui, but upon seeing Li Lin suddenly act in anger, emanating an indescribable aura of danger, he immediately halted his steps.
At the same time, Li Gui, whose wrist was being held by Li Lin, suddenly felt that something was amiss. A chilling aura emanated from Li Lin, causing a wave of coldness to surge from the depths of his heart. This sensation was one of extreme danger, one he had only experienced when facing powerful opponents in the past. However, the intensity of that feeling was nowhere near as overwhelming as it was now, and the hair on his body stood on end.
Suddenly, he began to recite aloud: "Boiling beans burn the bean stalks, the beans weep in the pot! We are born of the same root, why must we hasten to harm each other?" His voice was filled with a sense of grief and indignation, evoking a wave of sorrow in the listeners
Li Lin displayed an expression of deep anguish and sighed, saying: "Why does Second Brother press me so relentlessly? I, Li Lin, have never shown him any disrespect in my daily conduct. Now that he cannot harm me, he still seeks to harm my maidservant!"
With this alone, Li Lin felt he could not repay Xiao Lan. He took a deep breath, pretended to be angry, lightly patted Xiao Lan's bottom, and feigned anger, saying: "You are my maid, how can you be bullied by others at will? If that were the case, how would I, as your young master, be able to face myself? Everything is on me, you need not worry! From now on, whoever dares to bully you, I will take their life! Alright, I am hungry now, go get me something to eat, I want to see who else can bully us two!" Everything is on me, you need not worry! From now on, whoever dares to bully you, I will take their life! Alright, I am hungry now, go get me something to eat, I want to see who else can bully us two!
Upon hearing this, Li Gui was immediately enraged. In his view, even though Li Lin was the third son of the family head, he considered this son to be a worthless individual despised by everyone. The fact that he had managed to survive in the clan until now was already a blessing from the heavens. The second young master was clearly the outstanding talent of this generation and was likely to succeed the family head in the near future. When he demanded the maid of this worthless individual, no one would speak up for Li Lin, making it entirely reasonable to bully him. They had done such things many times before, and Li Lin had never dared to utter a word in protest.
Li Gui, upon hearing this, immediately burst into laughter, his face full of flesh quivering slightly as he bared his teeth in a sinister grin. He rolled up his sleeves and continued to advance while shaking his head and sneering: "Oh! The useless one is actually getting angry today! How rare! Haha! I want to see how you, this useless one, will be impolite to me! Get out of my way, and stop embarrassing yourself here!" Haha! I want to see how you, this useless one, will be impolite to me! Get out of my way, and stop embarrassing yourself here!
The old man's face involuntarily revealed a look of anger. He was aware that Li Lin held a low status within the clan due to his background and was never taken seriously. However, he was still a member of the clan, holding a position akin to that of a master, yet he was humiliated in such a manner by a mere servant. This should not be the situation that arises within the Li family
As he spoke, he suddenly channeled a trace of divine power into Li Gui's arm. Although Li Gui possessed great physical strength, at that moment, his arm felt as if it had been struck by an electric shock, a tingling and piercing sensation instantly coursing through his body. He immediately fell into a state of paralysis, unable to exert even the slightest bit of strength.
Enough with the nonsense! I have no patience to waste words with a useless person like you! Now let Xiao Lan come out and hand her over to me, otherwise, don't blame me for being rude to you!
Today, this fellow seems to have either taken the wrong medicine or lost his mind, as he boldly rejected the Second Young Master's request without giving him any face. Since that is the case, he no longer wishes to waste words with Li Lin.
While Xiao Lan was tidying up the dishes, Li Lin examined the divine power remaining within him. Zhou Yuan was truly disappointing, having only brought him such a meager amount of divine power, which was hardly sufficient.
A flicker of anger flashed in Li Lin's eyes, but he quickly concealed it well. Standing with his hands behind his back in front of the door, he said to Li Gui: "Since it is Second Brother who is requesting Xiao Lan, I should not refuse. However, Xiao Lan has served me since childhood, and it has been several years now. The exchange of servants within the clan should be under the authority of Fourth Uncle. So I ask you, do you have Fourth Uncle's order?"
Li Lin stood in front of the door, arms outstretched, and angrily exclaimed: "How outrageous! Is there no sense of propriety left? Even though you are a subordinate of my second brother, you are still a servant of the family. How dare you be so disrespectful to me? Step back! Otherwise, do not blame me for being impolite!"
After listening to Li Gui's words, Li Lin slightly straightened his seemingly frail body and said with a stern face: "So you mean to say that you do not have the hand order from my fourth uncle? In that case, I cannot hand Lan'er over to you! Lan'er is my maid, and even if my fourth uncle were to speak, he must consult my opinion. As long as Lan'er does not make a mistake, and as long as I do not agree to give her to someone else, then no matter who it is, they cannot forcibly take her away!"
Li Gui does not regard Li Lin at all. Although he is merely a household servant, he holds a relatively high status among the servants. Despite Li Lin being nominally the third son of the head of the family, everyone in the Li family knows what his true standing is. Therefore, Li Gui does not care about offending Li Lin, which is why he speaks very rudely.
After examining the divine power present in his body, Li Lin instructed Xiao Lan not to step out of her dilapidated courtyard for the time being, and then he walked towards the courtyard gate
He - Tu - Shu originally did not take Li Lin seriously, but suddenly Li Gui tensed all his muscles, his arms wanting to exert force to break free from Li Lin's control. However, at this moment, Li Lin was unyielding, roaring, "You are going too far! Since it has come to this, today I will teach you, this wicked servant, a lesson on behalf of Second Brother! Let you understand what rules are!"
Under normal circumstances, even if Li Gui were to have his wrist controlled by someone, he would have a hundred ways to free himself from such control. However, today, even Li Gui himself could not understand why, after being grasped by Li Lin, he immediately felt a complete numbness throughout his body, unable to react in any way. He was thus violently thrown by the frail Li Lin and heavily slammed onto the ground, unfortunately landing poorly, with his waist striking precisely against the first step of the bluestone platform at the entrance.
However, the old man remained silent, still standing behind the tree, quietly observing the developments of the situation
What he needs most at present is to quickly acquire more divine power, and he already has a preliminary plan for how to obtain it.
The old man circled around the wall and looked towards Li Lin's small courtyard from behind a tree. First, he saw Li Lin standing with his hands behind his back, holding a bean stalk. Then, he noticed Li Gui's face filled with arrogance as he strode up to Li Lin from behind, accompanied by several servants of the second young master, Li Cheng. He shouted loudly: "You little waste, my second young master has ordered you to hand over that wretched maid, Xiao Lan, to me so that I can take her back. Now, let Xiao Lan come out!"
This technique is somewhat similar to the Daoist body-refining methods, primarily used by deities with divine status to transform the bodies of their loyal followers. However, it is now being employed by Li Lin to enhance his own physique, and it seems that the results are quite satisfactory.
After stepping out of the courtyard, he casually picked up a bean stalk from a pile of autumn harvest straw stacked outside the door. Closing his eyes, he spread his consciousness in all directions, and instantly, the entire scene of the Li family courtyard appeared in his mind.