Chapter 380: Eldest Brother

“Yes!”
Liang Tianhan replied firmly, his gaze toward Lin Dong turning fierce. Though he was also a young master of the Liang family, he was an illegitimate child. Due to his lack of natural talent, his status within the family could never compare to Liang Mushan’s.
Liang Mushan had said that if he failed to sever the opponent’s limbs within a hundred moves, he would have to face punishment from the family. Liang Tianhan didn’t dare resist at all. Thus, his only option was to desperately complete this task. He would rather endure two sword strikes than face the punishment imposed by Liang Mushan.
The spiritual sword was raised, and spiritual energy surged violently from his dantian. Under this relentless assault, Lin Dong, still smiling beneath his hat, was forced back several steps.
Liang Tianhan was overjoyed and planned to attack Lin Dong from a distance, following Liang Mushan’s advice. Suddenly, a cold snort sounded: “Brother Liang, you really think you’re so mighty. My brother Wuqian hasn’t done anything wrong. I hope you can overlook his mistakes.”
Turning his head, he saw Hua Wuyue standing with his hands behind his back about ten meters away. Behind her, the young ladies of the Hua family were hurrying over.
In their last battle, although Liang Mushan had lost, it was only by a narrow margin. His fear of Hua Wuyue had diminished significantly. So, unshaken by her mockery, his cold expression remained unchanged.
“Brother Hua, you’re overreacting. Actually, I should be the one asking you to show mercy to my worthless younger brother.”
Hua Wuyue glanced at Liang Kunlong, the sixth young master of the Liang family, who lay on the ground like a dead pig, and said casually, “It’s just children playing. Wuqian made a mistake. I’ll teach him a good lesson when I get back.”
Liang Mushan’s gaze sharpened as he weighed the pros and cons.
“Brother Liang, today is the day for all the major families to showcase their skills. It might not be appropriate for us to fight here, right?” Hua Wuyue reminded him.
Liang Mushan came back to his senses. As Hua Wuyue said, before hunting the Hundred-Winged Bird, if both sides started fighting, although they would control themselves and avoid things going out of control, bloodshed would still occur. By then, their strength in competing for the Hundred-Winged Bird would be inferior to that of other families.
Hunting the Hundred-Winged Bird was a temporary competition among the major families to test the talents and strengths of their younger generations. It wasn’t worth falling behind over such a trivial matter.
“You’re right, Brother Hua. It’s just children playing. Please take him away. Let’s meet again when it’s time to hunt the Hundred-Winged Bird,” Liang Mushan said indifferently.

Hua Wu Yue glanced at Niu Hong and Liang Ru, her gaze pausing briefly on Lin Dong before she turned to Hua Wu Qian and said, “Wu Qian, go home. Hunting the Hundred-Wing Birds isn’t something you should get involved in. If danger arises, I might not be able to rescue you in time.”
Hua Wu Qian suppressed his urge to argue with Hua Wu Yue and turned around, saying, “Brother Lin, boss, Xiao Ru, let’s go!”
“Second Young Master Hua, I didn’t say they can go too,” Liang Mu Shan said coldly.
Hua Wu Qian froze and turned to look at Hua Wu Yue.
Hua Wu Yue shook her head indifferently. She could tell that Lin Dong, wearing a hat, was quite strong—at least he was a warrior. Given Liang Mu Shan’s personality, he certainly wouldn’t intervene personally. As long as Liang Mu Shan didn’t step in, even if the Liang family’s descendants attacked together, several of them could still be injured.
Since this would weaken the Liang family’s strength, he had no reason to stop them.
Seeing Hua Wu Yue’s attitude, the corner of Lin Dong’s mouth, almost level with the brim of his hat, lifted slightly. He had already decided to tell Qiao Tian Hao later to go all out when teaching Hua Wu Qian a lesson.
“Hua Wu Yue, are you going to help or not?” Hua Wu Qian demanded angrily.
“Don’t you even know how to address your elder brother?” Hua Wu Yue glared at him.
“If you won’t help, get lost! Don’t think I don’t know—you’ve seen me all along.” Hua Wu Qian said resentfully, “You clearly saw Liang Kunlong causing me trouble, but you ignored it. How can you be my elder brother?”
“Wu Qian, how dare you speak like that?” A coquettish voice came from behind Hua Wu Yue. The eldest daughter of the Hua family and several younger descendants had all arrived.
“How dare you be my seventh sister?” Hua Wu Qian retorted angrily.
“Wu Qian!”
“How dare you be my fourth sister?” Hua Wu Qian’s gaze met those of the Hua family’s daughters fearlessly.
For a moment, the eldest daughters of the Hua family were speechless.
“I told them not to interfere. It’s just a child’s argument. I doubt Liang Kunlong would dare to be harsh on you,” Hua Wu Yue said coldly. “If I don’t teach you a lesson now, you’ll still dare to get involved in the chaos around the Seventh-Level Spirit Birds next time.”
“That’s why I say you’re not fit to be my elder brother!” Hua Wu Qian laughed. “My elder brother is Niu Hong. No matter who causes me trouble, he’ll stand by me. What’s the point of worrying about some stupid family interests or reputation? If you want to teach your own brother, go home and do it slowly. Letting pets teach your brother—your brother really isn’t worth much.”
Hua Wu Yue remained silent.

Hua Wuqian sneered and said, “If my elder brother were in your position, with your strength, he would surely draw his sword and wipe out every last member of the Liang family. Only after that would he think about anything else. Hua Wuyue, can you do that?”
“I didn’t expect you to be so loyal!” Lin Dong laughed as he put his arm around Niu Hong’s shoulder. He was growing increasingly interested in Niu Hong—his interest was now almost on par with that for Hua Wuyue.
“Brothers, right? If we’re being bullied, we must fight hard. If we can’t win, it’s better to find a wealthy and powerful family to be reborn in,” Niu Hong said with a grin.
“That’s a good point,” Lin Dong said, glancing at Hua Wuyue in approval. “The two of you are indeed closer than real brothers.”
“And Xiao Ru too,” Niu Hong added.
“That’s right, it should be the three of you,” Lin Dong said, patting Niu Hong’s shoulder and smiling. “Work hard. You don’t even need to be born into a wealthy and powerful family. I believe in you—you’ll surely be more successful than any clan leader.”
Niu Hong didn’t know that Lin Dong was the boss of his boss, so he was skeptical but didn’t dare argue and could only laugh awkwardly.
“Brother Hua, it’s time you made a decision,” Liang Mushan said calmly.
“Wuqian is right. As the elder brother, how can I just watch my younger brothers get bullied?” Hua Wuyue suddenly smiled, his gaze fixed on Liang Kunlong, who was being rescued by the Liang family’s men. “Brother Liang, how about we forget about those Hundred-Winged Birds and determine here who among our younger generations is stronger?”
Hua Wuqian was stunned, while Liang Mushan frowned tightly, staring intently at Hua Wuyue, trying to figure out whether he was bluffing to scare them off or truly had such an idea.
Hua Wuyue’s indifferent expression made it impossible for anyone to discern his true thoughts.
Liang Mushan opened his palm, and a pale blue spiritual sword appeared in it.
“Brother Hua, since you say so then…”
Hua Wuyue watched Liang Mushan quietly, saying nothing.
“Then, goodbye, Hundred-Winged Birds!” Liang Mushan waved his spiritual sword and shouted, “Go back!”
The Liang family’s men turned their horses around in unison.
Liang Mushan glared at Lin Dong and said coldly, “Give me your name and address!”
Fearing that Lin Dong might really give his name and address and cause trouble, Niu Hong quickly shouted, “If you want us to stay, fine! But who do you think you are?”
“I promise I won’t leave Lingnan City within a day!” Liang Mushan stared coldly at Niu Hong. “You won’t see the sun the day after tomorrow.”
“Let’s see what you can do!” Niu Hong retorted fiercely.
“Let’s go!” Liang Mushan pulled the reins sharply and spurred his horse forward.

“Brother Lin…” Niu Hong looked at Lin Dong with an apologetic expression.
“It’s okay!” Watching Liang Mushan’s retreating figure, Lin Dong shook his head smilingly.
“Fortunately, Brother Lin’s identity hasn’t been exposed, so it shouldn’t be a big problem.” Niu Hong said resentfully, “Let’s set fire to the Liang family’s house tonight and leave the city right away. Then we’ll see how arrogant the Liang family can still be.”
“Boss!” Hua Wuqian grew anxious, wanting Niu Hong to take him along but not daring to say so, so as not to let Hua Wuyue make arrangements in advance.
Niu Hong pretended not to hear, turned to look at Lin Dong, and said, “Brother Lin, how about we lay in ambush on the main road first? With Brother Lin’s strength and our three of us helping, maybe we really have a chance to capture the Hundred-Winged Bird.”
Lin Dong nodded.
“You three, follow us. Without my permission, no one is allowed to leave on their own,” Hua Wuyue ordered in an unyielding tone before shifting her gaze to Lin Dong, hesitating for a moment.
Taking along a few kids was just adding extra burdens, but bringing along a warrior of unknown identity was like bringing an unknown danger.
The brief hesitation passed quickly. Hua Wuyue bowed slightly and said indifferently, “See you later.”
“We didn’t say we’d follow you,” Niu Hong suddenly said.
Hua Wuyue frowned, hesitating for a moment.
Lin Dong knew she was worried that he would drain the Hua family’s strength. He found it amusing—there was no way any major family could hope to capture the Hundred-Winged Bird.
“Brother Lin, shall we go?” Niu Hong asked.
Lin Dong waved his hand immediately. “Let’s go!”
Niu Hong and the other two nodded and followed Lin Dong toward the city gate.
After leaving the city, they walked while chatting. The thirty-mile journey wasn’t long nor short, and it wasn’t until nearly noon that the four of them reached their destination. By then, Lin Dong also had a general idea of Niu Hong and the others’ backgrounds.
Niu Hong and Liang Ru were both orphans who had grown up begging with some old beggars on Wanma Street. In their teens, at Liang Ru’s suggestion, the beggars began to leave the city to gather wild fruits and catch rabbits to sell in the city. With Liang Ru’s organization, the beggars, old and young alike, gradually saw their lives improve. In just two or three years, they saved more than ten taels of silver. Soon after, the group transformed by renting a shop and opening a cloth store.

At first, due to low capital, the cloth shop only had coarse cloth and plain clothes, so business was not good. But on snowy days when people went out to beg for a few coins, running a shop meant working harder than anyone else. Seeing poor sales, Liang Ru came up with an idea: one person stayed to watch the shop while the others took cloth to the streets, asking passersby if they wanted to buy it. After deducting expenses, they could still earn dozens of coins per day, which motivated them to work even harder. Gradually, the business grew from small to large and became more prosperous. Unfortunately, this good fortune didn’t last long. Once the cloth shop became successful, it attracted the attention of the thugs from Wanma Street. As the demand for protection money kept rising, Niu Hong could no longer tolerate it. When Hua Wuqian, thin as a bamboo pole, was bullied by those thugs, he finally lost control, grabbed a kitchen knife, and fought fiercely, knocking out several of them. From then on, there was fleeing, retaliation… In an effort to make business better for the cloth shop and other stores on Wanma Street, they inadvertently replaced those thugs. It wasn’t until half a year ago that they were subdued by a large group of thugs sent by Wang Liuzhi.