Chapter 23: If You Don't Mind, Yan Wishes to Become Your Righteous Son

Chapter 23: If You Don’t Mind, Yan Wishes to Become Your Righteous Son

The night was as cool as water.

Su Chen had just entered the Lin Family Fortress when he sensed someone tailing him.

He quickened his pace toward a secluded alley, but his pursuer followed at the same unhurried speed.

Soon, Su Chen stopped and turned around. The follower was none other than Zhu Yan.

“Benefactor?”

Seeing Su Chen, Zhu Yan called out hesitantly.

Though Su Chen still wore his signature one-armed disguise, his disguise skills had improved dramatically from before.

If Zhu Yan hadn’t seen Su Chen in this outfit before, he wouldn’t have recognized him.

Su Chen nodded and asked, “You’ve heard the news, I assume?”

At these words, Zhu Yan’s expression turned solemn. He immediately knelt and kowtowed, saying gratefully, “Thank you, Benefactor, for avenging me. I can never repay this kindness. If you don’t despise me, I wish to become your Righteous Son and serve you for life.”

Su Chen: “……”

The already quiet atmosphere grew even more silent after Zhu Yan’s declaration.

Su Chen hadn’t expected Zhu Yan to say such a thing upon their reunion.

He felt a cold sweat. This was absurd.

He was barely twenty—how could he suddenly have a son this big?

Though it was the title of “Righteous Son,” it still felt awkward.

Clearing his throat, Su Chen rejected Zhu Yan without hesitation: “No need. We simply helped each other. There’s no need for such formalities.”

“Benefactor, you killed my enemy and avenged my Zhu Clan. This grace surpasses the sky itself. To me, you’re like a Rebirth Parent. This gesture barely expresses my gratitude…”

“Enough! Stand up!”

Su Chen coldly interrupted Zhu Yan’s flowery words.

Zhu Yan’s face flickered with surprise but he reluctantly rose.

“Yes, Benefactor.”

Seeing Su Chen’s expression, he dared not speak further, standing obediently like a child.

“Where’s the Medical Secret Manual?” Su Chen asked.

“Here.” Zhu Yan quickly pulled out a thick book and handed it to Su Chen.

Su Chen flipped through it briefly before tucking it away.

As he turned to leave, Zhu Yan spoke again: “Benefactor, wait a moment.”

“What now?”

“Benefactor, please accept this money!”

Zhu Yan took out a stack of silver notes and offered them with both hands.

“Hm?”

Su Chen paused, surprised. Hadn’t this guy claimed to have no money before?

As if reading his mind, Zhu Yan chuckled: “This is all thanks to you, Benefactor.”

“What do you mean?”

“After you killed Zhao Kuo, I heard you needed funds. So when Zhao’s household fell into chaos, I sneaked in and took some silver taels…”

Zhu Yan scratched his head, looking slightly embarrassed.

This small sum couldn’t fully express his gratitude.

Su Chen stared at him for a moment, then nodded: “Fine. I’ll take it.”

After a pause, he asked, “Now that your revenge is complete, what’s next?”

“Me? I’ll probably leave White Stone City.” Zhu Yan pondered.

His original plan had been to serve Su Chen as a Righteous Son, but that was rejected.

He hadn’t decided his next move yet.

“Oh, right! Benefactor, you no longer need to visit the Misty Rain Pavilion. The Lin Family Fortress has shut it down.”

Suddenly remembering, Zhu Yan smacked his forehead and told Su Chen.

“Shut it down?” Su Chen frowned.

Zhu Yan nodded: “Yes. I just found out today. The reason is unclear.”

Seeing Su Chen’s silence, Zhu Yan added, “Benefactor, White Stone City is getting more chaotic. I heard bandits are raiding outside the city. If you stay, be extremely cautious.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. You too.”

Su Chen nodded, still thinking about the pavilion’s closure.

“Alright, I’ll take my leave first.”

After a moment, Su Chen said goodbye and walked away.

“Benefactor, after leaving White Stone City, I’ll head to Big Feng City…”

As Su Chen’s figure receded, Zhu Yan suddenly remembered something and shouted.

Then he knelt again, kowtowing three times before rising and departing.

After parting with Zhu Yan, Su Chen passed the Misty Rain Pavilion. True to Zhu Yan’s word, its gates were locked tight.

As night deepened, Su Chen found an inn in the Lin Family Fortress and checked in.

In his room, he looked at the nine silver notes Zhu Yan gave him—each worth ten taels, totaling ninety. Even with his own savings, he had less than a hundred taels.

“Looks like I still need to find ways to earn more money to upgrade my Iron Thread Fist!”

After securing the silver notes, Su Chen lay in bed and fell asleep.

The night passed uneventfully.

At dawn, a new day arrived.

After washing up and breakfast, Su Chen headed back to the city.

On the way, he passed a forest. Seeing the sturdy trees, an idea struck him.

He struck a tree as thick as a bowl’s rim. The trunk shook violently, leaving a five-centimeter-deep palm imprint.

“I wonder how strong I’ve become? Probably strong enough to take on ten Zhao Kuos!”

Satisfied with his handiwork, Su Chen guessed his strength with a smile.

But then he recalled Zhao Kuo’s Turtle Shell Art, which seemed more advanced. At his current level, he might not dominate Zhao Kuo completely.

At this thought, his smile faded. He flicked his sleeve and left without looking back.

Half an hour later, Su Chen returned to White Stone City, paid the entry fee, and entered.

As usual, he changed clothes in a secluded spot before heading home.

Soon after returning, he heard a knock.

Creaking the door open, he saw two men clearly dressed as gang members, though he didn’t recognize them.

“We’re from the Long River Gang. Starting today, every household must pay twenty coins as Protection Fee.”

“Didn’t the Blood Robe Gang already collect this?” Su Chen frowned.

He’d never heard of the Long River Gang.

“Stop wasting words! The Blood Robe Gang was wiped out by us. Their territory is ours now. Hurry up—don’t waste our time!”

The man impatiently snapped, glaring at Su Chen.

“What are you doing?”

Before Su Chen could act, a voice rang out. Li Mo approached.

“Hong Martial Arts Hall!”

Seeing Li Mo’s uniform, the two gang members’ faces changed.

“You dare collect Protection Fees from our Hong Martial Arts Hall disciple? Do you even know death when you see it?”

Li Mo stepped forward, scolding them furiously.

Instead of anger, the two men smiled awkwardly: “Apologies, Senior Brother! We were reckless.”

“Scram!”

Li Mo snorted coldly.

“Yes, yes!”

The two fled, fearing Li Mo might change his mind.

After they left, Li Mo turned to Su Chen. His stern expression melted into a resentful look.

“Er, Senior Brother Li Mo.”

Su Chen awkwardly rubbed his cheek, recalling how he’d stood Li Mo up last time.

“Junior Brother Su, next time you face such a situation, just reveal your Martial Arts Institute disciple identity. They wouldn’t dare target Hong Martial Arts Hall’s Protection Fee.”

Li Mo waved a hand, then turned serious:

“I came to inform you—Master wants to see you.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end