Chapter 393: I Am His Teacher

"Where is this?"

The Tianwu Royal Palace was vast and sprawling. After walking for a while, Lu Chong became disoriented, dazzled by the numerous identical buildings. Dodging several patrols, a tall structure appeared before him. Three large characters were emblazoned on it: Library!

"So this is the Kingdom's Library..."

The Tianwu Kingdom Library was renowned for its extensive collection, housing books from across the land and encompassing all knowledge from the thirteen surrounding kingdoms. He had long heard of its fame. Many young people considered entry for reading to be the greatest honor and reward. He never expected that after winding through the palace, he would end up here.

"There's no formation..."

Lu Chong cautiously looked around, surprised. Places holding such knowledge were usually covered by defensive formations; without a special token, entering would trigger an attack, leaving no escape. But outside the library, there was no spiritual energy fluctuation, no sign of any defense. Had someone deactivated the formation?

"Hurry, he must be inside...""Don't let him escape! Surround the area!"

As he pondered, a series of footsteps and voices echoed from the courtyard outside. "They're catching up..." Knowing there was no time to think, Lu Chong darted straight for the library, quietly pushed open the door, and slipped inside. He had no other choice. If he went out, he would surely be caught. He could only hope they would be hesitant to search too aggressively, respecting the library's sanctity.

Rows of books stood tall. Large luminous pearls embedded around the room illuminated the library brightly, leaving no trace of dimness inside. Knowing someone might be inside, Lu Chong cautiously moved forward. Just as he was about to find a hiding spot, he heard rapid footsteps ahead. He looked up.

He saw a figure sprinting frantically through the library, like a madman. People usually came to the library to quietly read or search for books. Running... what did that mean? Running so fast, you couldn't even make out the book titles... What was going on?

"Is that... Teacher?"

As he wondered who this frantic person was, his eyes fell upon the person's profile, and he was startled. It was his teacher, Zhang Xuan! Why was his teacher here instead of teaching at school? Completely bewildered, Lu Chong couldn't understand what was happening.

"Why are you here?" Zhang Xuan was happily collecting books when he noticed someone hiding to the side. He initially thought it was Mo Yu or someone from the royal family, but he never expected it to be... the student who had gone out for revenge. He couldn't help but walk over.

"Didn't you go for revenge? Could it be..." He paused, then suddenly raised an eyebrow: "Your enemy is... the Tianwu Royal Family?" You said you were going for revenge, but you ended up in the royal palace. Could it be that your enemy is the royal family? Is that why you were afraid of implicating me and kept silent? It's highly possible! Only the royal family would likely make him so wary, even resorting to feigning muteness.

If that were true, he'd be in a difficult position. Firstly, his relationship with Mo Yu was good. The Tianwu Royal Family had also given him several spirit stones and shown him various courtesies... Furthermore, Mo Tianxue and the others didn't seem like villains who would commit evil deeds or arbitrarily slaughter other families. Even if they wanted to do something like that, with power in their hands, it would be easy to fabricate a charge; there would be no need for stealth! Could there be some misunderstanding between them?

"I..." Lu Chong hesitated, about to speak, when he heard rapid footsteps approaching. Moments later, the library door creaked open.

"Search carefully! He must be inside!" With a loud shout, a group of people rushed in. The two stood behind a row of bookshelves, obscured from view. The newcomers didn't immediately spot them, but given their determined search, it was only a matter of time before they were found.

Knowing escape was impossible, Lu Chong didn't panic. Instead, with resolve, he knelt down, kowtowed several times, his eyes reddened. "Please forgive your unfilial student, I cannot serve you anymore. If there is a next life, Lu Chong still wishes to be your disciple!" If there was anyone he felt he had let down the most, it was this teacher. If he died, he could reunite with his parents and relatives. But this teacher had sacrificed so much for him, painstakingly helping him improve his strength, yet received nothing in return...

Teacher, I'm sorry! Teacher, I've disappointed you! Teacher, if there's a next life, I still wish to be your student, to serve you until old age, never leaving again... Gritting his teeth, he launched himself straight out. The moment he appeared, he immediately drew everyone's attention. A tracking mouse squeaked, pinpointing its target.

"He's here, after all! Nowhere to run!"

A sneer, and an elder from the Lin family stepped forward. Whoosh! With a move, his aura suppressed the surroundings, revealing his cultivation even before striking. He was a Master Mid-stage expert. Knowing he couldn't retreat, Lu Chong didn't hesitate. His Poison Body circulated to its limit as he charged forward.

"You're asking for death!" With a chuckle, the Lin family elder clenched his fist and threw a punch. Before the fist landed, its power arrived, like a fierce gale pressing down, making breathing difficult and tensing every muscle. As a family of formation masters, the Lin family had accumulated powerful cultivation techniques and martial arts over countless years, rivaling even the Tianwu Royal Family. The elder was using one of their famous fist techniques: Great Sun Blazing Sky! This fist technique was fierce and brutal, carrying the sensation of a scorching sun. Once unleashed, it was as swift as thunder, making it impossible to resist. Let alone someone of the same cultivation, even a Master Late-stage expert would have to temporarily avoid its edge, not daring to contend with it. It seemed this man was determined to capture Lu Chong, unleashing his strongest move from the start.

Knowing it was a death sentence either way, Lu Chong didn't dodge. His eyes reddened, and he threw himself forward. With a loud bang, the elder's palm struck Lu Chong, while Lu Chong's shoulder simultaneously hit the elder's chest. The Lin family expert spat out a mouthful of blood, flew backward, and blacked out, falling unconscious. Lu Chong, however, only staggered back two steps, forcefully swallowing the blood that rose to his mouth. His Master Mid-stage cultivation was different from regular cultivators, relying entirely on his physical body. Although the opponent's Great Sun Blazing Sky was fierce, striking him only caused intense pain, without damaging his foundation.

With a successful strike, having defeated a Master Mid-stage expert, Lu Chong let out a grunt, his body taut like a drawn bow, and continued to charge outwards. Staying here would not only mean his death but also implicate his teacher. The only thing he could do now was break through the encirclement and escape as far as possible. Even dying outside would be better than here.

"Stay right there!" Unnerved that their family's Master expert was knocked unconscious with an unknown fate, Lin Hui's face turned ashen. With an angry roar, he blocked the way. He hadn't moved before, but the moment he did, his cultivation was instantly revealed: this Third Elder Lin Hui was actually a Master Peak expert! Moreover, the sheer volume of his magnificent *qi* was no less than Mo Tianxue's, likely placing him among the top in his cultivation level. "As expected of the seventh-ranked expert among the kingdom's top ten..."

Mo Yu, standing to the side, her pupils constricted. The Tianwu Kingdom had ranked Master Peak experts based on their achievements. This Elder Lin Hui, though not widely known within the Lin family, possessed formidable strength that should not be underestimated! He was strong enough to be ranked seventh. Even if the super genius Mo Hongyi fought him, it would likely take more than a hundred moves to defeat him completely. "This assassin is probably finished..." She turned to look at Lu Chong. Although she had attended Zhang Xuan's class, she had never seen Lu Chong there and naturally didn't recognize him. However, seeing how young he was, she couldn't help but be shocked. "A Master Mid-stage at sixteen or seventeen years old..." Even Mo Hongyi's talent couldn't compare to this! "When did such an expert appear in the kingdom?" And with such strength at such a young age, his future was undoubtedly limitless... What kind of conflict could have driven such a promising talent to ruin his own future by ambushing Lin Lang and getting involved with the Lin family? Thinking this, she couldn't help but glance at her father nearby, realizing Mo Tianxue also looked completely bewildered.

In fact, Mo Tianxue was the most frustrated among them. If this were someone he had sent, it would be one thing; he would accept it even if it meant a complete fallout. But the key was... where did this person come from? And how did he end up in the royal palace, hiding in the library? Now, even if he tried to explain, the Lin family probably wouldn't believe him. It was possible a major conflict was unavoidable.

While the two were shocked, Elder Lin Hui's palm had already descended. Whoosh! His large hand descended from the air, and abundant *qi* immediately sealed all of Lu Chong's escape routes. Against the previous elder, he could charge head-on. But against this one, the difference in strength was too vast. Before even exchanging blows, he felt all his strength suppressed, unable to move. Crack! Under immense pressure, his body weakened, about to collapse. In attacks between experts, the difference is often minuscule. If he couldn't hold on, he would not only be injured, but his previous injuries would also worsen, leaving him with no ability to resist.

"It's over..." Feeling the immense pressure, no longer able to bear it, a hint of despair appeared in Lu Chong's eyes. He had thought that even if it meant fighting to the death, he would escape further, not implicating his teacher. But he hadn't expected this elder's strength to be so overwhelming, completely irresistible.

Goodbye, Teacher! Goodbye, my benefactor!

As his heart stirred, and he was about to give up and die under the opponent's palm, he suddenly felt his body lighten. He was grabbed from behind and casually flung out, flying dozens of meters with a 'whoosh!', dodging the attack. Lin Hui's powerful palm strike landed where Lu Chong had just stood, kicking up a cloud of dust. With his strike missing, everyone finally noticed that a young man had appeared in front of Elder Lin Hui at some point, and it was he who had grabbed Lu Chong and thrown him.

"Who are you? How dare you obstruct my Lin family's arrest? Are you tired of living?" Lin Hui's face was ashen, his eyes narrowed as he glared, radiating intense killing intent.

"Don't be hasty, this is a misunderstanding..." Seeing the two sides confronting each other, Mo Tianxue hurried forward. President Liu was here reading, invited by his daughter. He certainly wouldn't know what was happening outside, nor that this was an assassin. He probably thought the young man was being bullied and thus couldn't help but intervene. Thinking this, he approached and introduced them: "Elder Lin Hui, this is the new President of the Physicians Guild, Liu Cheng! President Liu, this is... the Lin family's Third Elder, Lin Hui!"

"Liu Cheng?" Hearing the introduction, Lin Hui snorted coldly, showing disdain: "You're that new president of the Physicians Guild who solved nineteen difficult ailments? I respect your status, so step aside immediately, and I won't pursue what just happened. Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite!" What President Liu? He might have some fame, but in reality, his cultivation isn't high enough, he can't even pass the official professional examination. His title as president is just a nominal one. Why would I fear a nominal president when I don't even fear a true one?

Zhang Xuan had thought Lu Chong's enemy was the Tianwu Royal Family, which would have been troublesome. Hearing it might be the Lin family, he immediately relaxed. He looked up, a slight smile playing on his lips: "And if I don't?"

"President Liu..." Hearing this, Mo Tianxue nearly fainted from fright. He rushed forward: "The Lin family young master was assassinated, and Elder Lin Hui is arresting the culprit... that young man was him. You... you really shouldn't get involved!" His intentions were good. The Lin family was one he wouldn't even dare to offend. Although this person before them was the President of the Physicians Guild, he held no real power until his strength reached a certain level. There was no need to antagonize them! Besides, their pursuit of an assassin had nothing to do with him. It was better to avoid trouble when possible. Why argue with them? Why invite trouble upon himself?

"My friend, I appreciate your good intentions. I'll take responsibility for my actions; I was the one who hit Lin Lang. I'll go with them, it has nothing to do with you..." Lu Chong took a step forward, gritting his teeth. If he admitted their relationship, not only would he die, but his teacher would also surely find it difficult to escape. The only course of action now was to distance himself. If he died, he died, but he absolutely couldn't let his teacher get into trouble. If that happened, he, as a student, would never be able to atone for it, even in death.

"Zhang Xuan, don't argue with them. The Lin family... they're quite troublesome!" Fearing he didn't understand the situation, Mo Yu quickly transmitted a message to him, feeling puzzled at the same time. Since she'd known him, this guy had never been someone who liked trouble. Why was he acting for someone he didn't even know?

"Still not moving? What, does President Liu want to stand up for an unrelated person and oppose our Lin family?" Seeing everyone's reactions, Lin Hui smirked coldly. As a member of the Lin family, he had this confidence. As long as their name was mentioned, even close relatives would abandon someone, let alone a stranger. This President Liu was young and successful, which was why he was showing off. Once he understood their identity, he probably wouldn't have the guts. He was just a nominal president of a first-tier kingdom's guild. Before the Lin family, he was nothing and could be easily crushed!

"Yes, my friend, don't create conflict with the Lin family for an unrelated person like me..." Lu Chong said.

"Shut up! Did I give you permission to speak?" Understanding his student's intention, Zhang Xuan frowned and rebuked him. Then he turned to Lin Hui and the others: "I apologize, but the assassin you're talking about happens to be someone I know. He is my student, and I... am his teacher!"

"Teacher, you..." He never expected his teacher to admit it directly. Doing so meant openly opposing the Lin family for his sake. Lu Chong trembled, his eyes immediately reddened, and he could no longer hold back his tears, which instantly streamed down his face.