Su Yu smiled and offered a word of praise.
The spirited-looking boy before him was none other than the Lin Family’s young master, Lin Xiaotian.
After not seeing him for a year, the kid had changed quite a bit. He’d shot up in height and his frame was much sturdier. He was already beginning to show the sharp aura of a young Martial Arts practitioner.
"Hehe, that’s only because Big Brother taught me so well back then!"
Lin Xiaotian smoothly stood up and leaned close to Su Yu’s ear. He lowered his voice, his face beaming with excitement. "Big Brother! You’re incredible now! Everyone in the Outer City is talking about your amazing deeds! When I go out with my friends, all I have to do is mention that Su Yu is my big brother. Even those arrogant guys who usually walk around with their noses in the air have to call me Brother Xiaotian!"
Hearing this, Su Yu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He flicked the boy’s forehead, producing a crisp THWACK.
"OW!" Lin Xiaotian cried out, clutching his forehead.
"You’re just a kid who hasn’t even grown all his hair yet. Instead of staying home to study and practice your martial arts, you’re out here trying to be a big shot?" Su Yu scolded him with a helpless laugh.
The commotion here quickly attracted the attention of the other Lin Family disciples on the training grounds.
When the crowd got a clear look at the tall, imposing figure standing before Lin Xiaotian, a wave of suppressed gasps rippled through them.
"Gods! It’s Lord Su! Commander Su Yu!"
"It’s really him! It’s unbelievable. Lord Su doesn’t look much older than me, but he’s already become the Vice Commander of the Public Security Bureau!"
"Sigh... comparing yourself to others is just asking for misery. If I had even a tenth of Lord Su’s talent, I wouldn’t have to worry about being unable to break through to the Martial Artist realm in my lifetime!"
The gazes of the young disciples were filled with fervent adoration and deep reverence as they looked at Su Yu.
Just as the crowd was buzzing with discussion, it parted. A feisty woman dressed in fiery red, tight-fitting leather, holding a crimson whip, strode over with purpose, her slender waist swaying with explosive power.
"Hey... um, Lo... Lord Su!"
This woman was none other than Lin Jing, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time. She had originally intended to greet him casually like before, with a hearty slap on the shoulder.
But the moment the words left her mouth, she instantly realized that the smiling young man before her was no longer the ordinary boy who had participated in the Martial Examination alongside her.
A master at the Late-stage of the Flesh Refining Realm, the number one genius of Black Stone City, Commander of the Public Security Bureau...
The weight of these heavy halos of prestige pressed down on her, causing the name "Su Yu" to get stuck in her throat, replaced by a somewhat distant honorific.
Seeing this little spitfire, who usually feared nothing under the heavens, now acting so flustered and uneasy, Su Yu couldn’t help but feel the urge to tease her. The corner of his mouth quirked into a half-smile as he bantered:
"What’s this? Our little pepper, Young Miss Lin, why are you being so reserved today? Could it be that after not seeing me for so long, you’ve become shy just from looking at this handsome face of mine?"
"Pah! You wish! Are you asking for a beating? Su Yu, you bastard! You think you can flirt with me just because you’re a Commander now!"
As she spoke, she habitually raised her hand to slap him on his broad chest.
Su Yu smiled faintly. His right hand shot out like a bolt of lightning and caught her wrist.
"Now that’s more like the fiery Young Miss Lin I remember!" Su Yu released her hand and changed the subject with a smile. "By the way, where is Brother Lin Dong? I don’t see him out here training today."
Her wrist caught, Lin Jing was both embarrassed and annoyed. She couldn’t help but shoot him another glare before replying irritably, "My brother took a team out on the Linyuan City trade route. He probably won’t be back for another month."
"Ah, that’s a real shame. I was thinking that since it’s been so long, I’d find you two siblings for a few good drinks. I suppose we’ll just have to wait for Brother Lin to return, and then we can drink until we drop."
Su Yu smiled and exchanged a few more pleasantries with Lin Jing and Lin Xiaotian. Then, under Lin Jing’s complicated gaze, he continued deeper into the rear courtyard.
Lin Jing didn’t turn around until his figure had completely vanished. Her thoughts were in turmoil.
’You’re such a big shot now, yet you don’t put on any airs at all, still teasing me like that.’
’Hmph, just wait until my brother gets back. I’ll make sure you get dead drunk!’
...
In a quiet, self-contained courtyard in the rear of the Lin Family estate.
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.
Su Yu stood before the wooden door and knocked gently.
"Come in!"
Su Yu pushed the door open and entered.
The room was elegantly furnished, and the scent of sandalwood smoke drifted through the air. His Senior Sister, Lin Wanzhu, was sitting primly at a rosewood round table.
Today, she wasn’t wearing the complicated dresses of a young lady, but had changed into a form-fitting blue martial robe.
Her slender waist, which could be encircled by a single grasp, was cinched tightly by a simple jade-colored belt, making her full, proud chest seem ready to burst forth.
The moment she saw Su Yu enter, a fiery glint appeared in her eyes.
Ever since Su Yu had left for the perilous Golden Waterway, her heart had been stuck in her throat for days.
After receiving a formal visit card from the Su Mansion’s steward last night, she had her suspicions, and felt both delighted and anxious.
"Ah Yu, you’re here. Quick, sit down."
Lin Wanzhu suppressed her emotions, stood up, and poured Su Yu a cup of freshly brewed hot tea.
The boiling water steamed in the white jade teacup, releasing a curling fragrance that made her exquisite and ethereal face look all the more captivating.
Su Yu smiled slightly. Instead of taking the seat opposite her, he walked straight to Lin Wanzhu’s side, pulled over the heavy rosewood chair, and sat down right next to her.
At such a close distance, a unique, orchid-like fragrance belonging to his Senior Sister instantly filled Su Yu’s nostrils.
"Senior Sister, I came today because I have some good news to tell you in person." Su Yu tilted his head slightly, his gaze fixed directly on her beautiful eyes.
Hearing this, Lin Wanzhu’s heart skipped a beat. Though she was desperate to know, she feigned a calm and unhurried demeanor.
She lifted her teacup, gently skimmed the foam from the surface with the lid, and asked with feigned composure, "Oh? And what good news would that be?"
Su Yu’s five senses were exceptionally keen.
There was no hiding the rise and fall of her chest from his eyes.
He chuckled softly, then suddenly extended his powerful right arm. He wrapped it around Lin Wanzhu’s slender waist, pulling her gently into his embrace.
Amidst Lin Wanzhu’s stunned and shy gaze, Su Yu leaned close to her ear and whispered softly:
"Senior Sister, it’s the Dragon Tendon you wanted. I got it for you!"
Hearing this unmistakable promise, Lin Wanzhu’s tense body suddenly trembled. She shot her head up, her cool, beautiful eyes staring into Su Yu’s.
"Ah Yu... you... are you telling the truth?!"
Su Yu said no more. He simply swiped his right hand over his Storage Ring.
A stream of light, as brilliant and white as jade, flashed past.
A Great Tendon, as thick as a thumb, appeared on the rosewood table.
Sunlight streamed through the window lattice and into the room. The Dragon Tendon was translucent and jade-like, and from within it, faint traces of mysterious, dark golden light shimmered!
"Ah Yu, I... I don’t know how to thank you!"