Unstoppable Martial Arts: Starting from Fist Technique Deduction
Chapter 344 - 112: Torment

Chapter 344: Chapter 112: Torment

Xu Ling deeply gazed in the direction Lin Yuan had left, and after a while, he and several others completely disappeared into the dense forest.

Two days later.

Xu Ling and the others returned to Baiyan City, dust-laden from their travels.

When they arrived at Baiyan City, it was clear that the city now carried an indescribable silence compared to the prosperity of Changle Village.

Too many low-level martial artists died in Changle Village at the hands of the demon sect. Even though these low-level disciples were weak in terms of acupoint realm, in Baiyan City, they held quite a status even in the condensing yuan realm.

In some respects, these individuals were the backbone of Baiyan City’s stable population structure.

But now, with thousands of martial artists dying like this, it has dealt a destructive blow to the entire ecology of Baiyan City.

Without these martial artists maintaining the ruling order, the previously hidden rebellious forces, led by the Qu Xiang Sect, are now active everywhere in Baiyan City. Many wealthy and powerful people have been robbed to varying degrees. Some entire families have even been wiped out.

In this situation, Baiyan City and the three martial academies are powerless, after all, without people, it is difficult to restore the former order.

For a time, Baiyan City became even more chaotic.

Fortunately, the upper layers remained stable, and the middle class needed time to slowly recover, allowing people to gradually fill in.

At this moment, Xu Ling returned to Baiyan City with everyone.

Standing by the bustling city gates, Xu Ling felt a tinge of unreality in his heart.

"Have we returned?"

Xu Ling walked numbly along the street. At this time in Baiyan City, hawkers were still peddling, the crowded streets full of people shoulder to shoulder, and scene after scene familiar to him constantly appeared before his eyes.

But he did not feel fortunate to have survived a catastrophe; instead, his heart was experiencing immense turmoil.

"You leave, I’ll handle the rest!"

"Lin Yuan is here, who dares to act recklessly?"

"Do I, Lin Yuan, need to ask for your permission to act?"

The noise and clamor outside had nothing to do with him. Over the past few days, the scenes of Lin Yuan kept recurring in his mind.

He kept recalling Lin Yuan’s words, how he resolutely stood in front of him, sacrificing his life to let him go first.

"Perhaps, Junior Brother Lin, still has a sliver of hope under Lin Yuan."

Walking down the street, Xu Ling still clung to a faint hope.

And the disciples behind him, sensing Xu Ling’s melancholic return, naturally understood the reason. Thinking of Lin Yuan’s mountainous silhouette, they, too, felt weighed down.

Xu Lin returned to the martial academy with the group and parted ways with many disciples.

After Xu Ling returned, he quickly washed up.

Sitting in his garden, looking at the picturesque surroundings, the pleasant scenery and fragrance, he still felt a silence within.

"Junior Brother Lin still has family here. I wonder how they are doing? Have they been bullied?"

"Moreover, they should be informed of Junior Brother Lin’s situation."

Thinking of this, Xu Ling stood up, opened the courtyard door, called for a carriage, and headed towards Lin Yuan’s small courtyard.

Before long, the carriage arrived at the entrance of the small courtyard.

"Master, we’re here!"

The driver softly reminded, jolting the dazed Xu Ling.

He lifted the curtain and gazed from a distance at the plaque of the Lin family courtyard.

At this moment, a petite maid was accompanying a young woman in a dress from the house.

"Miss, I wonder how long it will be before the master returns this time?" the maid asked softly, accompanying the young woman, "This time he has been gone for almost three months. There’s been no news; one wonders how the master is doing."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Lingshan paused, turned, and glanced outside. Seeing the carriage parked by the roadside from a distance, confirming it was not the person she missed, she finally shook her head, "Senior Brother will naturally return when it’s time."

"Oh," Xiaoyun answered softly, turning to accompany Zhu Lingshan back into the courtyard, "I was hoping the master would bring back osmanthus cake for me."

Their voices reached Xu Ling’s ears, causing a sudden surge of guilt within him.

He had intended to inform Lin Yuan’s family of the situation immediately.

But upon seeing the two women, he hesitated.

Especially when Zhu Lingshan’s gaze turned towards his carriage, he felt as if all strength was drained from his body. That pair of gentle eyes, he truly did not know how to face them.

He didn’t know how to express what had happened.

Lin Yuan, to save him, lured away the enemy and was killed by the demon sect?

And he followed Lin Yuan’s order, leaving him behind to flee alone?

Thinking of this, Xu Ling, strong his whole life, felt powerless against that gaze.

Even if she said nothing, did nothing, and completely did not blame him, he still didn’t know how to face it.

"Let them continue waiting. It might be cruel, but it isn’t hopeless!"

Xu Ling clenched his fists, closing his eyes tightly, a face full of remorse.

He had vaguely heard about the deep affection between Lin Yuan and his lover. If he told them the truth, perhaps she would seek to join him in the afterlife.

And that definitely wouldn’t be what Lin Yuan wanted.

"Junior Brother, just rest easy. As long as I, Xu Ling, still draw breath, I won’t let your sister-in-law suffer any disgrace." Xu Ling took a deep breath, suppressing that grief.

"Head back."

After resting for a while, Xu Ling spoke softly.

With his voice falling, the driver immediately drove the carriage back to his own courtyard.

Listening to the clopping of the horse’s hooves, Xu Ling still held onto a glimmer of hope in his heart.

"Junior Brother Lin is extraordinarily gifted; maybe he can escape even under the Ling Yuan realm."

Inside the carriage, Xu Long’s large frame was curled up, hunched in the seat. This man, over seven feet tall, now wore a desolate expression on his face.

The next day, as the red sun rose, a tall young man was already standing on the city walls.

Xu Ling stood high up, looking into the distance, hoping to see that familiar silhouette on the horizon.

But as time passed, more and more disciples returned to the martial academy, yet the figure he sought was not among them.

The second day, the third day.

For five consecutive days.

Xu Ling continued to stare dazedly at the vast, endless forest in the distance.

Until now, five days have passed.

The peak of returning disciples to Baiyan City had passed, now reaching its end, with almost no more disciples returning.

At this point, having not returned likely meant a complete disappearance, dying at the hands of the demon sect.

As the sun set, with the sky almost too dark to see faces, Xu Ling still gazed dumbly ahead.

The young man he awaited had never appeared.

"Junior Brother Lin, have you truly fallen like this?"

The man’s eyes were moist, murmuring softly.

Xu Ling picked up a wine jug, taking a deep swig of the strong liquor.

As the fierce liquor entered his mouth, he felt an unmatched sense of comfort, invigorated by the surging vigor within his veins.

But after swallowing that draught of firewater, Xu Ling just felt his head spin.

"This wine, why the hell is it so bitter!"