Chapter 131: A Scholar? A Warlord?

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire corridor fell into a momentary silence, lasting only a few seconds before erupting into a clamorous uproar.

“What’s going on? Did I mishear that?”

“Lord Gu Siye of the capital actually paid respects to that kid?”

“Lord Gu Siye even asked for forgiveness from a boy of just seventeen or eighteen?”

Everyone could hardly believe their ears; they were more inclined to think their hearing was faulty. Lingling and the others had been worried about Lin Le, fearing that Lord Gu Siye would strike him down without mercy, but no one expected Gu Siye to be so courteous to him.

Ni Fang’s beautiful eyes widened like copper bells, her shock plain to see. What? Mr. Lin actually knows Lord Gu Siye? And judging by Lord Gu’s demeanor toward Lin, he treated him as an equal. Even though Lin Le had made a name for himself in Haidong, compared to Lord Gu Siye, who stood at the heart of power in the capital of Huaxia, the gap was immense. What merit or ability did Lin Le possess to earn such favor?

Wait! A sudden flash of insight struck Ni Fang’s mind.

She suddenly recalled that Lord Gu’s ancestral home was said to be in Haizhou.

Indeed, the Gu family of Haizhou was one of the most prominent clans in all of Haidong. Lord Gu Siye had risen on the strength of his family lineage, combined with his exceptional talents and methods, to firmly establish himself in the capital.

And this Mr. Lin was also originally from Haizhou, now the underground overlord of the entire Haidong region. Could it be that even the Gu family’s sphere of influence was encompassed within his?

Ni Fang immediately concluded that Lord Gu’s acquaintance with Lin Le, and his courteous treatment of him, was likely related to this connection.

Ni Fang only arrived at this through her own network and insight; others did not consider such matters.

For example, Zhang Yang and Ding Jun.

At that moment, the two of them felt as if they had seen a ghost. They longed to slap themselves awake, wanting to confirm if this was some kind of hallucination.

They had been prepared to witness Lin Le’s demise at the hands of Lord Gu Siye, but never imagined such an outcome.

How could a destitute-looking youth like Lin Le know someone as exalted and legendary as Lord Gu Siye?

It was impossible—they were not even from the same generation, nor did they share the same status or identity. They had no conceivable connection. How could they possibly know each other? It defied all logic!

Moreover, Lord Gu not only knew Lin Le but actively showed him goodwill. This was even more inconceivable!

Who was Lord Gu Siye? A figure whom all the powerful sought to curry favor with, someone who could casually chat with the highest echelons of the capital.

And Lin Le? Merely a common high school student, clad in street-market garb, utterly unknown.

How could Lin Le possess any merit to attract the attention of the illustrious Lord Gu Siye?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

Zhang Yang and Ding Jun pounded their chests, overwhelmed with astonishment.

Yet all of this was unfolding right before their eyes, leaving them no choice but to believe it.

At this moment, Lin Le faced Gu Hanliang with an expression nearly devoid of emotion.

If anything, the only reaction was not to Gu’s identity, but to his appearance.

Lin Le had imagined that the formidable Lord Gu Siye—who could command Guān Tiānxióng’s submission, instill fear in Xiángzi, and carve out a realm in the capital, becoming renowned throughout Huaxia—would be tall, broad-shouldered, rugged, or bear a fierce, menacing countenance. At the very least, he wouldn’t appear as refined and scholarly as the man before him.

“Lord Siye, you’re… somewhat different from how I imagined,” Lin Le said evenly.

“Oh?” Gu Hanliang smiled wryly, intrigued. “In what way?”

“You seem more like a scholar than a formidable warlord,” Lin Le replied calmly, neither humble nor arrogant.

These words caused the crowd to gasp in disbelief, breaking into cold sweat for Lin Le.

They could not believe this youth dared speak to Lord Gu Siye in such a manner.

Lord Gu Siye was widely acknowledged as a formidable warlord, yet this boy had just reduced him to a mere scholar! It was as if he was courting death.

However, to everyone’s surprise, upon hearing Lin Le’s remark, Gu Hanliang did not grow angry but burst into hearty laughter.

“Ha ha ha, well said, well said. You’re only the second person to dare say that to me,” Gu Hanliang chuckled.

“Oh?” Lin Le looked intrigued. “Who was the other person who said that?”

“The other was my teacher,” Lord Gu answered.

“In that case, I’d like to meet this teacher of yours.”

“You probably won’t get the chance. I personally dismembered him into sixty-four pieces and fed him to my guard dogs. It’s quite amusing—the case remains unsolved to this day, ha ha ha…” Gu Hanliang’s face bore a smile as if recounting some trivial everyday matter.

The crowd’s expressions tightened; a chill ran down their spines.

Lin Le was slightly taken aback. He had not expected such bloodthirsty and brutal words to come so casually from the refined and kindly Gu Hanliang. Yet the manner in which he spoke of it made it seem almost inconsequential.

It made sense—Lord Gu Siye was a legendary figure in the capital and all of Huaxia, a warlord in the eyes of the world. He could not merely be a man of gentle manners.

Such effortless talk of killing and bloodshed in a casual tone was the hallmark of a true warlord.

This Lord Gu Siye was no simple man—he was undoubtedly far more formidable than his father, Gu Huaishan.

Meanwhile, the crowd also worried for Lin Le. Lord Gu’s words seemed like a veiled warning.

If the one who dared speak so of him before had ended up chopped into pieces and fed to dogs, wasn’t Lin Le’s fate already clear?

Amid their concern, Lin Le smiled lightly and said with calm amusement, “I hope my luck is better than that of your teacher.”

“Ha ha ha, Mr. Lin, you jest. My teacher abused his power to force one of my senior sisters into prostitution. I was merely delivering justice on behalf of Heaven. People like him don’t deserve to be compared with you,” Gu Hanliang replied, still wearing the appearance of a benevolent scholar.

The crowd’s tension did not abate.

Listening to Lord Gu Siye’s words was like riding a roller coaster, their emotions tossed about wildly. Even the onlookers found it terrifying, yet the youth before them remained composed and unshaken, which was simply unbelievable.

Gu Hanliang himself felt a hint of surprise.

He had recently called Haizhou, and from the elder Gu Huaishan, Gu Ya, Guo Zhao, and Guan Tianxiong, he had already heard much about Lin Le, leaving a deep impression.

Seeing him in person today was truly astonishing.

If not for witnessing it with his own eyes, even someone like Gu Hanliang would not have believed there existed such a sharp-minded youth.

More importantly, just days ago, Gu Hanliang had received an even more incredible piece of news from the elder: this very boy had reached the realm of transformation at the tender age of seventeen or eighteen!

When Gu Hanliang first heard this, he was stunned speechless for several seconds.

In fact, if those words had not come from the elder’s mouth, he would never have believed that such a thing was possible in this world.

This was already corroborated by the dozens of bodies lying sprawled across the corridor, making it impossible for Gu Hanliang to doubt.

A youth of that age, a master of the realm of transformation!

Such a person was nothing short of a celestial being.