Chapter 40: Encountering Bai Yan Once Again

In the hotel lobby, many people turned in astonishment at an unexpected scene—a young boy was aiming a gun at a young girl’s head.

The crowd immediately began to murmur among themselves, but few dared to step forward.

The tense atmosphere hung in the air for a moment, until a young man emerged from the gathering.

“My friend, treating a lady this way is rather impolite, don’t you think?”

Lin Huang couldn’t be bothered to respond. He didn’t even spare the man a glance.

“Hey, I’m talking to you!” The young man’s expression soured when Lin Huang ignored him.

“This has nothing to do with you,” Lin Huang replied, finally turning his head to glance at him. The man’s face was twisted with anger, his composure entirely gone.

In that instant, Lin Huang knew the man’s so-called chivalry was nothing but pretense. He’d only stepped forward because the gun was pointed at a beautiful girl; had it been an unattractive one, he would never have feigned such righteous indignation.

“You’re committing violence in public—of course this concerns me!” the young man declared, his tone full of moral fervor. The crowd nodded in agreement, preparing to denounce Lin Huang together.

“You talk a good game. But really, it’s because you think she’s pretty. If it were someone ugly, you wouldn’t be playing the hero,” Lin Huang exposed the truth.

The young man’s face flushed with embarrassment, and he immediately tried to defend himself, “I’m only seeking justice. No matter who it was, I would have stood up!”

“Stand wherever you like. Just don’t get in my way,” Lin Huang said, unwilling to waste another word.

“You’re quite arrogant, aren’t you...” At that moment, another figure stepped from the crowd—a striking young man in a scarlet trench coat, distinguished and handsome.

Hearing the voice, Lin Huang turned his head again. It was Bai Yan, whom he’d met once before atop the mountain. Lin Huang’s first impression of Bai Yan had not been favorable, and their gazes collided, neither willing to yield. “What, do you have a problem with me?”

“You’re not even worth my effort,” Bai Yan replied coldly.

With a wave of his hand, he summoned a giant demon with the head of a lion, standing nearly five meters tall, exuding an air of power and menace. Its massive lion head nearly touched the hotel lobby’s ceiling, and the golden mane around its neck gleamed strikingly under the chandelier’s light. In its right hand, it gripped a massive blade, and the instant it appeared, a chilling aura of bloodlust filled the air.

“Lionhead, throw him out,” Bai Yan commanded, pointing at Lin Huang.

Lin Huang only watched in envy for a moment before reacting. He summoned White. “White, cut off that lion-headed beast’s arms!”

White immediately entered battle mode, crimson wings unfurling from his back.

Only then did the crowd realize that the white-haired boy who’d suddenly appeared was also a summoned beast. Excitement shone in many eyes; it was rare enough to see one summoner, but now there were two—and a fight about to break out. This was unprecedented.

Some quickly activated the recording function on their Emperor’s Heart Rings, eager to film the battle and upload it online.

But before White could act, a woman’s voice thundered from the edge of the crowd: “What do you think you’re doing?!”

Yi Yeyu leapt over the onlookers, landing in the center of the fray. With a single blow, she sent both the lion-headed demon and White flying.

“What in the world is going on here?” Yi Yeyu demanded, looking straight at Lin Huang.

Lin Huang holstered his Grayhawk 17, about to explain, but the girl spoke first, making herself out to be the victim. “Examiner, while you were away, he bullied me. Thankfully, this summoner intervened to save me.”

She mentioned only Bai Yan, not even glancing at the young man from before.

“Lin Huang, your explanation.” Yi Yeyu’s face was full of suspicion, but she didn’t immediately believe the girl’s story.

“She insisted on leaving. I told her not to, but she wouldn’t listen, so I had to use force to make her stay. Then Bai Yan arrived and attacked me without asking questions. I had no choice but to defend myself.” Lin Huang summed up the matter in just a few sentences.

“Is that true?” Yi Yeyu turned to the girl, her expression stern. She trusted Lin Huang more.

Seeing Yi Yeyu’s look, the girl didn’t dare maintain her lie.

“The hotel must have surveillance. If you don’t believe me, have a look,” Lin Huang added.

The girl’s face went pale. “It was my fault. I should have waited more patiently...”

“Bai Yan, you acted without knowing the facts. You’re at fault as well. Apologize!” Yi Yeyu demanded.

“I refuse. The weak don’t deserve respect. When he surpasses me, then we’ll talk,” Bai Yan replied, shooting Lin Huang a glance before turning to leave.

Yi Yeyu scowled, but she held back her anger. She turned to the girl and the boy she’d just brought in. “It’s dangerous outside the base these days. The two of you will follow Lin Huang’s instructions and help him manage the others. No one is to leave the base. I’ll explain everything once everyone’s here.”

The pair nodded quickly, not daring to protest.

“You did well. If you run into troublemakers again, you’re permitted to use force. However badly you injure them doesn’t matter—just don’t kill anyone!” Yi Yeyu instructed Lin Huang, shooting a warning glance at the other two before summoning the Green Wood Gate and leaving.

After Yi Yeyu departed, the boy and girl beside Lin Huang remained silent.

Lin Huang recalled White, then turned to them. “I’ll take you to register your rooms. Afterward, you can return by yourselves; I need to stay here and wait for the others.”

The three went to the front desk to complete their registration. The girl returned to her room, but the boy lingered.

“I remember your name is Lin Huang, right? I never expected you were a summoner,” the boy introduced himself. “I’m Shen Qiang, also a candidate for the reserve hunter assessment.”

“Hello,” Lin Huang nodded.

“To my knowledge, the hunter assessment is rarely suspended. You came back early, so you might know something—why was it suddenly called off?” Shen Qiang asked curiously.

“I’m not sure. I only heard there was some unusual monster activity near the base. The details will have to wait for the chief examiner to explain,” Lin Huang replied, keeping the truth to himself.

“Is that so? I saw the examiner ask for your help; I thought maybe you knew some inside information.”

“No, it’s just that there aren’t enough staff, and I happened to return early, so I got drafted,” Lin Huang explained.

“Short-handed? Do you need my help?” Shen Qiang asked, not out of genuine goodwill, but because he hoped helping might earn the examiner’s favor and a good impression for his assessment.

“No need for now. As long as you don’t leave the base, you’re already helping,” Lin Huang said, feeling helpless. He knew troublemakers like the girl from before were unlikely to be in short supply.

“Not even the level-one wild zones nearby?” Shen Qiang pressed.

“No,” Lin Huang shook his head. “If you’re really bored these days, check out the flea market, or find something else fun to do within the base.”

“So as long as we stay inside, we’re free to do whatever?” Shen Qiang asked tentatively.

“As long as you don’t leave the base, I won’t interfere, no matter what you get up to,” Lin Huang replied with certainty.