55: Kneel down!

"Oh, Hei Yi, you're saying that Lin Yi's parents were kidnapped, but this time he only sought the Tower Master's help and didn't come to me, is that right?"

Inside a pavilion on the top floor of Wanxiang Tower, two men were currently playing a game of chess.

Among them, a man who looked to be in his twenties and was handsome to the point of being sinister asked a black-clothed servant below.

"Yes! Vice Tower Master Chen."

The black-clothed servant replied respectfully:

"Vice Dean Zhao Haihong of Dongshan Martial Academy only sent one letter to our Wanxiang Tower, and it was specifically addressed to the Tower Master; he did not ask me to deliver it to the Vice Tower Master."

"Heh! It seems this Lin Yi has a problem with me!"

The handsome, sinister man smiled indifferently upon hearing this, a sinister and dangerous light flashing in his eyes.

"Does he think my strength is insufficient to deal with that insignificant Lu Chong? Or does he simply know about the time I blocked his contract promotion and has developed hostility toward me?"

As he spoke, the handsome, sinister man looked at the ordinary-looking middle-aged man in purple sitting opposite him and smiled.

"Brother Zhou, since this Lin Yi has a problem with me, then don't involve yourself in this matter. Let me contact this Lin Yi to resolve this grudge. What do you think?"

"Hmm? You'll be the one to contact him?"

Hearing this, the purple-clothed middle-aged man's brow furrowed slightly, but thinking of Chen Jiangping's terrifying potential—even having hope of a Breakthrough beyond the First Rank—he eventually nodded.

"Alright! Since Brother Chen, you wish to step forward, then I'll leave this matter to you."

"However, Lin Yi is a Genius of our Wanxiang Tower after all; don't make things look too ugly."

"Rest assured, Brother Zhou! I know what I'm doing."

The handsome, sinister man smiled smugly, then waved his hand, signaling the black-clothed servant to go and notify Lin Yi... "What! The Dongshan Prefecture Lord said my talent isn't high and simply refused to see me?"

"The Head of the Lin Family said I'm just a junior and didn't even bother to inform the Lin Family Old Ancestor."

"And the Tower Master of Wanxiang Tower also didn't agree, but instead, Vice Tower Master Chen Jiangping wants to meet with me?"

In the courtyard where Zhao Haihong lived at Dongshan Martial Academy, Lin Yi's expression instantly became incredibly ugly upon hearing the reply from the messenger Zhao Haihong had sent.

Of the three First-Rank Masters, not one was willing to see him. Instead, Chen Jiangping, with whom he had some history, suddenly took the initiative to request a meeting.

But Lin Yi was no fool. Knowing Chen Jiangping's personality, how could he not guess that Chen Jiangping had ill intentions in asking him to come this time?

But even if he knew, what of it? Did he have a choice?

"Fine!"

Thinking of this, Lin Yi took a deep breath and then spoke directly to the messenger:

"Since Vice Tower Master Chen wants to see me, then Senior Brother, take me to see the Wanxiang Tower envoy now. I will follow him immediately to meet Vice Tower Master Chen."

"Lin Yi, you can't go!"

As soon as Lin Yi finished speaking, Zhao Haihong's expression changed, and he immediately tried to dissuade him.

"That Chen Jiangping is a perverse and wicked person; he previously forcibly suppressed your Genius contract promotion."

"This time, you didn't even write to him, yet he took the initiative to invite you. This is clearly a case of the weasel paying a New Year's visit to the chicken—he's up to no good."

"If you really go to see him this time, I'm afraid that in the end, not only will you fail to get what you want, but you'll also suffer a major loss!"

"Dean, I know."

Hearing this, Lin Yi gave a helpless, bitter smile.

"But now my parents are trapped in Qingfeng Stockade, their lives hanging by a thread, and the three First-Rank Masters of Dongshan Prefecture have all explicitly rejected me."

"Under these circumstances, if I don't go to Chen Jiangping, who else can I turn to?"

"I also know Chen Jiangping has ill intentions, but at this point, even if there's only a sliver of hope, I have to try!"

"Fine! In that case, I'll go with you."

Seeing this, Zhao Haihong also spoke up.

"After all, I am still the Vice Dean of Dongshan Martial Academy and was once a Transmitting Merit Elder of the Heavenly Mountain Sect."

"With me present, no matter how arrogant Chen Jiangping is, he shouldn't dare to go too far."

"Good! In that case, thank you, Dean."

Lin Yi nodded gratefully. Afterward, he went with Zhao Haihong and the messenger to find the Wanxiang Tower envoy, and under that envoy's guidance, they arrived at a tea room on the first floor of the Wanxiang Tower's Prefecture City Branch.

"Greetings, Tower Master Chen!"

Outside the tea room, seeing the sinister and bewitchingly handsome young man before him, Lin Yi felt a wave of discomfort at first sight for some reason.

However, to save his father and mother, he still cupped his hands in greeting.

"Are you Lin Yi?"

Hearing Lin Yi's words, Chen Jiangping lightly picked up a teacup and took a sip, then stared at Lin Yi with his sinister eyes, a half-smile on his face.

"Correct! I am Lin Yi."

Lin Yi nodded.

"I wonder if Tower Master's invitation for me to come here means you are willing to save my father and mother?"

"Heh, naturally I am considering saving your father and mother; otherwise, I wouldn't have specifically called you here."

"However, even ordinary people know to bring gifts when asking for a small favor, yet you come here empty-handed for a life-and-death matter like saving your parents. Not only that, but you still act so casually after seeing me."

"Hmph! Is this your attitude when asking for help?"

Chen Jiangping snorted coldly, his sinister face instantly covered in frost.

"In response to Tower Master."

Hearing this, Lin Yi's heart sank slightly, and he quickly explained:

"Lin Yi was desperate to save them and came in a hurry, so I indeed didn't prepare any gifts. I wonder what the Tower Master desires? Just say the word, and Lin Yi will certainly do his best to obtain it for the Tower Master!"

"Even if I can't get it now, once I grow stronger in the future, I will definitely risk my life to help the Tower Master get what he wants to repay your great kindness."

"Ha! Risking your life? Sounds nice!"

Chen Jiangping smiled coldly.

"I've heard too many promises like yours in my life, but the results prove that you people are completely full of it. You clearly agree to everything beforehand, but as soon as the matter is settled afterward, you immediately go back on your word. Do you think I'll believe you?"

"Furthermore, you're just a piece of trash who only reached Extreme Strength Major Achievement at fifteen; it's almost impossible for you to even become a First Rank in this lifetime. Meanwhile, I am about to Breakthrough to the First Rank and am a true Prodigy with hope of reaching beyond the First Rank in the future!"

"With just you, what do you have to repay me?"

"Then what does Tower Master Chen want?"

Lin Yi looked up, his sharp eyes fixed steadily on Chen Jiangping.

"Tower Master Chen didn't specifically call me here today just because he was bored and wanted to lecture me, did he? Whatever your requirements are, just say them directly!"

"Hahahaha! Speaking with a smart person is indeed worry-free and effortless! Truly, a word to the wise is sufficient!"

Chen Jiangping laughed loudly, a look of mockery flashing across his sinister face, and then he smiled at Lin Yi.

"Lin Yi, to be honest, a piece of trash like you really has nothing on him worth my scheming."

"But I've had a hobby since I was young, and that is that I particularly enjoy seeing the scene of those 'high and mighty' geniuses in others' eyes kneeling and groveling before me, begging for mercy."

"How about this! Kneel down before me right now, kowtow three times, and shout three times: 'I beg Tower Master Chen to show mercy and save my parents.'"

"If you do that, I'll step in to save your parents. How about it?"