Chapter 159: A Tearful Farewell to the Xie Family

Beside him, Gongshu Ye watched the scene before him, his entire being overcome with shock. Lin Le's strike that had just shattered the villa was astonishingly powerful—so formidable that even with his own master-level body, a single cut like that would likely have been fatal or at least left him severely wounded.

It became clear that during their previous encounter, Lin Le had held back. Had he truly intended to kill, he could have unleashed his divine weapon much earlier, and Gongshu Ye would have surely been defeated, perhaps even lost his life. At this moment, Gongshu Ye felt a surge of relief, thankful that he had not stubbornly insisted on a life-or-death battle with Lin Le—otherwise, the outcome would have been grim.

Yet, what puzzled Gongshu Ye was the sword Lin Le had suddenly wielded—it was no ordinary weapon. As an expert in the inner sect’s martial arts, Gongshu Ye’s knowledge far exceeded that of the average person. He had heard that within the inner sect Taoist tradition, there existed masters of profound Daoist magic, capable of wielding enchanted artifacts and manifesting mighty supernatural powers.

From Lin Le’s strike, Gongshu Ye had sensed a strange and unprecedented power, unlike anything he had ever encountered. A startling thought flashed through his mind: Could this youth before him truly be a master from the inner sect Taoist tradition?

If so, it was extraordinary indeed. Although inner sect Taoists were usually reclusive and elusive to the common folk, Gongshu Ye had heard tales of their deep cultivation—masters who were almost godlike in their abilities.

In martial arts, beyond external and internal strength and transcendence, there existed a mysterious realm called the “Mysterious Realm.” Achieving this level meant one could transcend martial arts itself and enter the Way through it. Grandmasters of the Mysterious Realm were legendary, mythic beings—martial artists revered by all, the highest pinnacle of martial cultivation.

Whether such a realm truly existed remained a mystery, with only a few ambiguous rumors of breakthroughs. Even Gongshu Ye had never witnessed a genuine grandmaster of the Mysterious Realm. However, he had heard that the inner sect Taoist masters possessed power comparable to these mythical grandmasters.

That was a realm believed only to exist in legends! The thought alone sent a thrill coursing through Gongshu Ye’s veins—it was the ultimate aspiration he had pursued his entire life.

Could Lin Le really be one of these inner sect Taoist masters, endowed with power rivaling the grandmasters of the Mysterious Realm? Gongshu Ye could scarcely believe it.

Meanwhile, Xie Jiuling, his face etched with shock, gazed at the villa Lin Le had just cleaved in two. He could not help but sigh inwardly—if only such a martial artist had been in service to the Xie family earlier, how much better off they would have been.

After a long moment of astonishment, Xie Jiuling finally regained his composure and looked at Lin Le, speaking calmly, “Rest assured, Qiushan is my daughter. I, Xie Jiuling, will protect her well. From now on, if anyone dares to offend Qiushan again, I will have them expelled from the Xie family. Is that understood?”

The members of the Xie family lowered their heads, replying weakly, “Understood.”

In truth, even without Xie Jiuling’s warning, none of them would dare trouble Xie Qiushan again. None wished to suffer the same fate as the villa, cleaved asunder by Lin Le’s sword.

“Are you satisfied now?” Xie Jiuling asked Lin Le.

Even Xie Jiuling did not realize how much more courteous his tone had become.

“That’s acceptable,” Lin Le replied lightly.

Turning then to his mother, Xie Qiushan, the fierce and godlike expression he had worn moments before softened into warmth.

“Mom, I’m leaving now. Will you see me off?” Lin Le smiled, a stark contrast to his previous arrogant and domineering demeanor.

“Of course,” Xie Qiushan finally smiled, the tension in her heart easing.

From the beginning, her heart had been tightly wound with worry. Seeing her son’s supernatural prowess now, she finally felt at peace. She knew her son was truly capable—no one in this world could bully him anymore.

Together, mother and son walked along the tree-lined path toward the parking lot, chatting as they went.

“Xiao Le, where did all these incredible abilities come from?” Xie Qiushan asked, curious about her son’s newfound power.

“Do you really want to know? I can tell you everything,” Lin Le answered openly. Before his mother, he kept no secrets—not even about the matter of the Lingxiao Emperor.

But Xie Qiushan shook her head with a smile. “Forget it. I don’t really want to know. As long as you’re safe, that’s enough for me.”

In the past, she would have pressed for answers if strange things happened to her son. But now, she understood that he had grown up and no longer needed her worry.

“Alright then. I hope you can be well here with the Xie family, so your father and I can rest easy,” Lin Le said, guessing that his mother remained with the Xies for her own reasons. Since she did not wish to elaborate, he did not ask further.

Hearing this, Xie Qiushan felt a pang of bittersweet emotion.

“Don’t worry. Your grandfather seems strict, but he’s not as harsh as you think. After your recent upheaval, your uncle, aunt, and Xinglong will surely be more restrained,” she said with a smile.

“That’s good. Mom, remember, if anyone in the Xie family dares to bully you again, tell me. I won’t let them off easily!” Lin Le declared firmly, a steadfast protector.

“I will,” Xie Qiushan replied, comforted.

For a mother, nothing was more joyful than seeing her son succeed.

“I know you must endure some hardship here for now, but I promise, soon I will fulfill my vow and raise the Lin family to stand equal with the Xies. Then, I’ll come and take you home!” Lin Le said earnestly.

Xie Qiushan was taken aback. Honestly, she had little hope before, but hearing these words now, she felt certain—she firmly believed her son could do it.

“I believe in you!” she said resolutely.

Lin Le’s face broke into a radiant smile at his mother’s confidence. In his heart, he vowed to strive with all his might—for her, for their family.

Unconsciously, they arrived at the parking lot.

“Mom, I’m leaving now,” Lin Le said, reluctant.

“Be careful,” Xie Qiushan cautioned.

Lin Le dared not linger longer, fearing he might break his promise and forcibly take his mother back to Haizhou.

He started the car and drove a few meters before suddenly remembering something. He quickly slammed on the brakes.

“Mom, remember what you promised—next monthly exam, I’ll make the top five!” Lin Le called out, leaning his head back.

“Good luck!” Xie Qiushan responded, clasping her hands and cheering.

Seeing his mother’s endearing gesture, Lin Le smiled, but once inside the car, tears streamed down uncontrollably.

“Mom, Xie family, wait for me!”

With that thought, Lin Le drove off without hesitation, never once glancing back in the rearview mirror, leaving the grand Xie estate far behind.