The Unparalleled Sword Emperor Chapter 2723 - 2698: Innate Defect!

Tang Yuezhi's expression turned resolute, her stance firm, clearly unwilling to permit Lin Bai's departure.

Lin Bai inquired, "May I ask, Miss, the reason for this?"

Tang Yuezhi's reply was direct: "You cannot leave!"

A wry smile touched Lin Bai's lips. "And what if I insist on departing?"

Tang Yuezhi's demeanor shifted, a hint of coldness entering her gaze.

Lin Bai stated calmly, "I am formally resigning from the Guest Quarters. My intention is merely to inform the Tang Family, as I deem it rather discourteous to leave without prior notice!"

"However, if the Tang Family persists in impeding my path, then do not hold Lin Mou accountable for a lack of courtesy."

Lin Bai's resolve was unmistakable.

Even if the entirety of the Tang Family stood against him, he was determined to leave!

His resignation from the Guest Quarters stemmed solely from his belief that departing without a word was impolite!

"You!" Tang Yuezhi exclaimed, her voice laced with indignation. "Must you truly leave?"

Lin Bai nodded affirmatively. "Depart, I must!"

Tang Yuezhi pressed further, "And when do you intend to leave?"

Lin Bai's response was swift: "The sooner, the better!"

Gritting her silver teeth, Tang Yuezhi conceded, "Very well, wait a few days. Once I have conferred with the Guest Quarters management, you will naturally be permitted to depart! If you are set on leaving, our Tang Family will not forcibly detain you!"

A smile graced Lin Bai's face. "Thank you, Miss!"

With those words, Tang Yuezhi turned and departed Lin Bai's courtyard.

Tang Long followed in her wake.

Having been interrupted by Tang Yuezhi, Lin Bai's enthusiasm for his cultivation waned.

He checked on Ban Ye and Fatty, only to find neither of them present.

"Never mind, I shall go for a walk," he mused.

Lin Bai shook his head and exited the Tang Family estate, wandering through the vibrant thoroughfares of Black Water City.

"Have you heard?"

"The Dragon City Battle is imminent!"

"Truly? It seems the old City Lord's reign is nearing its conclusion!"

"Indeed, the Dragon City Battle will determine which clan shall assume dominion over Black Water City!"

"..."

As he navigated the bustling streets, Lin Bai overheard numerous cultivators discussing the forthcoming "Dragon City Battle" with great frequency.

However, Lin Bai paid little heed, as Black Water City was merely a transient stop on his journey. Having resolved to depart, he harbored no desire to entangle himself in the city's affairs.

Within Black Water City, Lin Bai ambled at a leisurely pace, absorbing the sights and sounds.

At this juncture.

Lin Bai found himself standing before a large, walled estate, situated in a less frequented district.

Few cultivators frequented this particular area, choosing instead to bypass this imposing residence.

Lin Bai cast his gaze upward, observing the plaque above the estate's entrance that bore the inscription: "Qian Family."

"So this is the abode of the Qian Family, one of Black Water City's Eight Great Clans?" Lin Bai glanced, lingered not, and resumed his walk.

Just as Lin Bai was about to move past the vicinity of the Qian Family estate.

Suddenly, a sound emanating from a dark corridor ahead captured Lin Bai's attention!

"Hurry it up, move faster, you useless oaf!"

"Hmph, you clumsy fool, you're only good for shoveling dung!"

"Quicker!"

"..."

From the shadowed passageway, a young man's stern voice echoed with urgency.

Lin Bai frowned and directed his gaze toward the source.

Sounds of wheels scraping against the ground reverberated from the dark corridor, accompanied by an unpleasant odor, reminiscent of demonic beast excrement...

Just then, a colossal figure emerged from the shadows, dragging a cart.

The figure stood approximately three meters tall, its body covered in powerful muscles, its hair unkempt.

Beneath the disheveled hair, an exceptionally unsightly face could be dimly discerned.

"It's him!"

"Beast!"

Upon a single glance, Lin Bai recognized the hulking individual.

This was none other than Beast, with whom Lin Bai had previously clashed in the Fighting Arena!

Lin Bai recalled Beast as the undefeated champion of the Fighting Arena, celebrated for his prowess.

Yet, Lin Bai had been unaware that within the Qian Family, Beast's standing was so diminished, reduced to hauling dung...

Lin Bai stood by the alley's edge, observing Beast as he pulled the cart past. Following behind him were four or five jeering young martial artists, wielding whips to lash at Beast's exposed back.

As if commanding a beast of burden, they completely disregarded Beast's humanity.

"Faster, faster! At this rate, when will you ever be out of the city!" the four young martial artists taunted, their whips striking Beast's back.

Despite Beast's formidable physique, he could not withstand the relentless assault; his back was now a tapestry of bloody wounds, his flesh torn!

Lin Bai murmured, "Killing would be far swifter. If you wished him dead, you could have easily accomplished it. Why subject him to such torment?"

As Beast laboriously pulled the cart past Lin Bai, the latter could not help but voice his disapproval.

The four young martial artists, with mocking grins, retorted, "We simply enjoy tormenting him. What business is it of yours? Who are you, boy? Don't obstruct our path!"

Lin Bai offered a smile, asking the assembled gentlemen, "Do you know the transgression he committed? I recall he was the undefeated general in the Fighting Arena, wasn't he? Such treatment seems undeserved for an undefeated general!"

The four young martial artists responded with laughter, "Haha, it's his fault for not being competitive; why did he lose to the Sword Demon? The elders of the Qian Family were furious, so we were tasked with supervising him to haul dung."

"Precisely, there's an abundance of Spirit Beast dung in the Qian Family that's difficult to manage; his natural brute strength is just right for the job!"

Lin Bai spoke in a neutral tone, "Victory and defeat are common occurrences in battles. A mere loss shouldn't warrant such a punishment, should it?"

The four young martial artists chuckled, "For other undefeated generals, a loss wouldn't be a significant issue. But Beast is different; his intellect is inherently low!"

"Tell him to do something, and he does it!"

"Now, telling him to haul dung, and isn't he doing it obediently!"

"He's called Beast, a true beast, and beasts are meant to haul dung!"

"Blame his own stupidity, his own foolishness. Possessing strength but being an idiot, ha-ha-ha!"

"Our cultivation isn't high, yet to bully the undefeated general of the Fighting Arena, it provides quite the pleasure in life!"

"Faster, Beast, faster! By dusk, if you haven't cleared the city, you'll have to consume this dung yourself!"

These four young martial artists urged Beast onward.

Beast pulled the cart, gradually moving away from Lin Bai.

He appeared not to recognize Lin Bai.

Lin Bai, observing Beast's retreating figure, gave a slight shake of his head.

The impression Beast left on Lin Bai was significant.

"Is someone with an inherent flaw destined to be bullied?"

"The Qian Family, you are the Qian Family of Black Water City, one of the Eight Great Clans, possessing power, prestige, and immense wealth!"

"Beast earned numerous merits and much glory for the Qian Family in the Fighting Arena!"

"Solely because his intellect is innately low, should he be subjected to bullying by you?"

Standing beneath the imposing, high-walled estate of the Qian Family, Lin Bai gazed for an extended period at the Qian Family's inscribed plaque.

Beast had already pulled his cart far into the distance.

At this precise moment, Lin Bai abruptly turned his head, his gaze fixed on the direction Beast had departed, and took a step forward...

A chilling killing intent began to surge through his entire being...