Chapter Fifteen: Apprenticeship, Like Home

“Would you be willing to become my last disciple?”

Even Jiang Zixun’s delicate face was filled with astonishment upon hearing those words.

The old man, who had never taken on disciples in his lifetime, was actually willing to accept a final disciple?

With a thud, Lin Yin knelt on both knees. Facing this life-saving benefactor before him, despite the past life being different from the present, his heart was filled solely with gratitude. This prince of the royal family who dared to betray his house without hesitation bowed directly before Master Jiang, his voice resolute and strong: “Master, I, your disciple, pay my respects!”

Right and wrong, debts and grievances, he understood them all clearly.

Yet never having bowed to a master was his regret from the previous life.

The sudden commotion even surprised the old man. He looked at Lin Yin’s slightly trembling shoulders and thought the young man might be too excited. Smiling warmly, he settled back in his grand chair and accepted Lin Yin’s tea as a gesture of respect.

“Today, I, Jiang Shang, formally accept the young friend Senyang as my disciple…”

“Master, my original name is Lin Yin,” Lin Yin suddenly interrupted softly.

Jiang Shang was momentarily taken aback. Wasn’t Senyang the original name?

Jiang Zixun’s beautiful eyes narrowed slowly.

Lin Yin — so it was you! The prodigy who had burst onto the scene from the Third Martial School!?

“Very well.” The old master smiled indulgently, showing no offense. “Then why no longer use the name Senyang?”

Lin Yin lowered his gaze, a flicker of reluctance in his eyes. He answered, “Using an alias in the guarded district is necessary — too many ears and eyes. I didn’t want the Lin family from the imperial capital to find me. But here, you treat me sincerely; naturally, I do not wish to hide anything from you.”

“The Lin family from the imperial capital?” The old man’s surprise was evident as he laughed softly. “No wonder you could fight above your rank — a prodigy from the great Lin family of Daxia.”

Jiang Zixun’s eyes sparkled with the thrill of having found a treasure as she gazed at Lin Yin.

Well, young man, you’re actually a hidden scion of a great family.

“But I have severed ties with the Lin family entirely,” Lin Yin proceeded to recount his ordeal in calm tones, as if narrating someone else’s story.

As he spoke, the initial sparkle in Jiang Zixun’s eyes faded, replaced by a mixture of sympathy and admiration.

She reached out and gently touched Lin Yin’s chest. “Does it still hurt?”

When Lin Yin finished his story, the old master’s eyes darkened with a somber intensity. He gently stroked Lin Yin’s head and said in a deep voice, “If that is the case, from now on, this old man stands by your side! Whatever storms the world may bring, I, this old fellow, will shield you from them all!”

“Whatever storms the world may bring, I, this old fellow, will shield you from them all…”

At that moment, Lin Yin, who had spoken so calmly about cutting flesh to repay his father, suddenly felt as if a tender spot had been touched. His nose tingled with emotion. He took a deep breath, suppressing the vulnerability, and stood tall with a confident smile: “If the storm comes, then I shall cut it down.”

Watching Lin Yin’s forced strength and confidence, Jiang Zixun felt a surge of heartache. But being a girl not good at expressing feelings, she turned and went into the kitchen, cutting many precious fruits and preparing a steaming nourishing soup.

This was the first time in two lifetimes that Lin Yin had tasted a soup made by someone else — made by Jiang Zixun.

In that moment, Lin Yin felt a clear warmth here — a teacher who treated him like family, and an “older sister” willing to stay up late to cook for him.

Night had deepened.

The old master insisted Lin Yin stay overnight. Lin Yin wanted to refuse, but the old man puffed his beard and glared: “What! I have only you as a disciple — one disciple is like half a son. This place is half your home; why not stay here? Do you want to betray me too?”

Laughing heartily, Lin Yin knew the master was not reopening old wounds but expressing care through teasing. So he accepted and stayed the night.

In the night, Lin Yin lay on the soft pink bed in the room next to Jiang Zixun’s. A faint fragrance lingered at his nose, outside the window twinkled stars and distant birdcalls. He slept peacefully.

“He’s asleep,” Jiang Zixun whispered upon hearing his soft breathing, then turned away contentedly and walked to the backyard.

“Yes,” the old master, clad in pajamas, reclined in a bamboo chair. Beneath his graying brows, his twilight tiger eyes gleamed coldly. He took out his phone and quietly dialed a number: “Tell those kings and princes in the royal court that I, Jiang Shang, have withdrawn from Jixia and will guard the frontier forever. If anyone dares to cause trouble again, I won’t hesitate to slaughter my way through both the royal court and Jixia!”

“Old man, was it really the royal court and Jixia people who poisoned you?” Jiang Zixun’s eyes brimmed with worry. “So sinister and vile. If Lin Yin hadn’t noticed, who knows how long they would have kept it from us.”

“They saved you and then saved me. Such a debt is higher than the blue sky. Even if grandpa dies someday, you must always remember this gratitude!” The old master stared seriously at Jiang Zixun.

“Absolutely!” she replied decisively, without hesitation.

“Hmm, he is… a child who has endured great hardships, yet he is a hidden dragon in the depths,” the old master gazed at the starry sky and sighed softly, as if speaking to himself. “I hope that in my lifetime, I can protect him until the day the hidden dragon emerges from the depths…”

Then a cold light flashed through the old master’s eyes.

The Lin family of the Daxia imperial capital, is it? If you dare trouble my disciple again, I won't mind visiting in person to have a face-to-face talk with Lin Wu Wang!

The next morning.

At the break of dawn, Jiang Zixun came knocking.

“Lin Lin, are you up yet?”

“I’m awake.”

“Then I’m coming in.”

Opening the door, Jiang Zixun paused slightly. Lin Yin was sitting cross-legged on the balcony, his back like an angel’s wings spread wide, bathed in the first light of dawn. A pure, youthful aura radiated from him. Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly tossed over a fresh set of clothes.

“Once you’re up, hurry and come eat breakfast. The old man is already waiting by the door, and he’s half-naked—not afraid of catching a chill!”

With that, Jiang Zixun hurried away.

Lin Yin was silent for a moment, then donned the soft new clothes. A warm smile curved his lips.

Indeed, warm light could cause a broken body to grow flesh and blood anew.

Though the breakfast was simple, he ate with utmost seriousness.

This gave Jiang Zixun, who had prepared the meal, a deep sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Hands on her hips, she smiled like a contented kitten with eyes half-closed.

“Zixun…sis, thank you for breakfast!” Lin Yin looked back with a warm smile before heading out. “I live next door. If you have any questions about techniques or training, come find me!”

Next door?

Jiang Zixun’s beautiful eyes widened slowly. “You’re at number 18! We’re neighbors!?”

“Hey! You’re only telling me now, you rascal!”

“Slow down, slow down…”

Watching Lin Yin’s small figure run off, Jiang Zixun smiled helplessly. It seemed fate was truly at work.

At the entrance.

“Master.”

“Let’s go. Today I’ll thoroughly test your foundation.”

The old master led Lin Yin to the Tianhe City martial artists’ base.

Just arriving at the gate, Lin Yin’s presence drew countless surprised looks.

By the time Lin Yin reached the testing base, many registered martial artists from Tianhe City were already assembled around him.