Volume One: The Lonely Beta Test Chapter Ten: Master Lin's Debut Performance

Complaints aside, now that this "burden" had landed on his hands, Lin Feng had no choice but to carry it forward, no matter how uncomfortable it felt.

He stood up, gesturing for everyone to quiet down, and smiled, saying, "Just as Second Uncle mentioned, I survived this ordeal thanks to the intervention of an immortal. I have since become his disciple and learned a bit of Daoist magic. But to my shame, my master has yet to reveal his esteemed name to me."

Lin Feng paused here, adopting an air of mystery.

"Brother, from the moment you disappeared after the bandits attacked and the old fisherman returned you, it was only a few days. Afterwards, you were unconscious in bed—how did you manage to become the immortal's disciple?" Lin Qing asked, filled with curiosity.

"Haha, that's precisely the most wondrous part of this tale. Feng's coma resulted from his soul leaving his body during the calamity, and the immortal transmitted his teachings while protecting his soul. Moreover, except for Brother Han, everyone present has seen that immortal," Lin Zhen said proudly, stroking his goatee.

"We've all seen him? When?" Lin Qing asked excitedly, and the others turned their gaze to Lin Zhen, eager for his answer.

"Do you all recall, when we were helpless to revive Feng, a Daoist priest arrived, calling himself Master Fang Yuan..."

"Yes, yes, after he performed his ritual, Brother Feng woke up the next day. Could he be the immortal?" Lin Qing exclaimed in sudden realization.

Han Dang stroked his mustache, pondering, "Master Fang Yuan... The name sounds familiar. I’ve heard there lives a living immortal in Han, surname Zuo, given name Ci, courtesy name Yuanfang, who wanders the land as any common man."

"Immortal Zuo, courtesy Yuanfang—Yuanfang, Fang Yuan—it must be him!" Lin Zhen said excitedly.

"Or perhaps it was Immortal Yu," Lin De chimed in from the side.

...

Watching the lively discussion, Lin Feng was speechless. The story he had fabricated to fool them was now being elaborated upon so convincingly that even he was starting to believe it. Still, he was pleased with the outcome.

First, his standing among the family had soared, greatly enhancing his ability to command the Lin household. Second, the heated debate had clearly drawn Han Dang into their circle, strengthening their bonds and increasing the likelihood of winning him over.

Yet, amidst the hubbub, Lin Feng sensed something was missing. Turning slightly, he saw Teng Yan already seated nearby, smiling mysteriously. Glancing at Zhang Meng, he found him sprawled across the table.

He had no idea what Teng Yan had done to him, but Lin Feng, full of smiles, gave her a thumbs up.

"Since everyone is so delighted, after dinner I shall open your eyes with a spectacle," Lin Feng declared confidently.

"Excellent..." the crowd responded in unison.

Lin Zhen alone sipped his wine slowly, skeptical that Lin Feng could master the spell of riding clouds and summoning mists, the myriad transformations Zhang Meng had described, in such a short time.

Just what was Lin Feng up to? The question gnawed at him.

With a performance promised after dinner, everyone lost interest in the food, though they still ate enough to fill their bellies. Soon, the table was a mess.

Lin Feng excused himself early, claiming he needed to meditate in his room and asking for the items Zhang Meng and the others had purchased to be delivered there. He instructed the others to rest in the courtyard after the meal.

---

It was the height of summer, and after eating, everyone felt varying degrees of heat. The courtyard was the perfect place to cool off in the evening.

Apart from those at the meal, at least seventy or eighty more Lin family members crowded the courtyard, drawn by the news. Even "Zhang the Mouth," still unconscious, was carried to a stone bench at the edge to sleep off his drink.

Night had fallen fully, stars scattered across the sky, and the maidservants had already lit lanterns under the eaves, bathing the surroundings in warm red light.

About half an hour later, with anticipation thick in the air, Lin Feng's door opened. He pushed a square table out before the entrance, draped with a red silk cover about the size of a winnowing basket. In front of the cover stood an incense burner, with a wooden sword pressed beneath it.

Just as he signaled two maids to carry the table out, some curious souls rose to take a closer look.

Lin Feng quickly called out, "Everyone, please stay back. This is my first attempt at a ritual; there may be mishaps, and I wouldn't want anyone to be harmed."

At his words, the eager ones retreated, and everyone else moved even further away. Lin Feng then walked briskly around his setup, arranging something unknown.

He knelt before the table, respectfully bowed three times to its contents, then rose to address the crowd. "Thank you all for coming to witness my ritual. As my time with the immortal has been brief, I have not yet mastered the arts of flight, cloud-walking, or the other grand magic that require decades of practice. Tonight, I can only show you a few minor tricks. If anything goes awry, I beg you not to mock me."

He bowed deeply.

Lin Zhen, watching from afar, frowned, thinking: Ah, Feng, it was my fault for not handling things better earlier. You clearly aren't skilled yet, but to keep Han here, you'll attempt a ritual. Who knows what you'll have to sacrifice!

"By the will of... Disciple Lin Feng, three incense offerings, three invocations to the ancestor, come to my shrine!"

Lin Feng lit three sticks of incense, chanting calmly as he knelt and bowed three times, each bow followed by placing a stick in the burner. His demeanor was solemn, deeply devout—a true Daoist, except for his short hair, which made him appear neither monk nor priest, somewhat comical.

Lin Zhen was dumbfounded, thinking: Feng’s growth amazes me; who would have thought our family would produce such talent? Truly, a blessing for the Lin clan.

Everyone watched Lin Feng’s every move with bated breath, afraid to miss a moment.

Whether by coincidence or genuine divine intervention, as Lin Feng finished the last incense offering, a sudden gust stirred the air, the silk cover danced atop the table, and the three columns of smoke, previously rising straight, blew directly into Lin Feng’s face, making his eyes and nose stream.

He had to endure it, cursing inwardly: Pretending to summon spirits is not a game for just anyone.

"Look, the wind’s picking up over there!" someone shouted.

"Yes, it was calm a moment ago. Brother Feng’s magic is extraordinary!" Lin Qing exclaimed excitedly.

Others pointed at Lin Feng, marveling aloud.

Lin Zhen pressed his hands down, "No noise, do not disturb the spirits!"

He was more excited than anyone, but his steady temperament kept him composed. Now, afraid the crowd would disrupt Lin Feng's ritual, he naturally took on the role of Lin Feng's guardian.

"Cover the heavens, quickly extinguish the lanterns!" Lin Feng shouted urgently. The maids, startled, froze.

"Do as the young master commands!"

---

Lin Zhen, after shouting, darted about, jumping up to blow out each lantern. Lin Feng had wanted the lights extinguished to hide certain things, but Lin Zhen, fully taken in by Lin Feng’s performance, was so anxious that he looked like a child, hopping from lantern to lantern with earnest urgency, nearly making Lin Feng laugh aloud.

In a few breaths, every light in the courtyard was out. Now, only faint starlight outlined the silhouettes of the people.

Seeing the moment was ripe, Lin Feng took a horn-like tube from beneath the cover, knelt, and pressed it to his mouth: "Disciple Lin Feng, performing a ritual to peer into heaven, ancestor’s protection, power to the sword!"

His words rang clear and forceful, each syllable booming like a bell. Such a voice could not belong to any ordinary man; now, everyone believed Lin Feng was possessed of supreme magic, their hearts thundering with each word, children hiding fearfully behind their elders.

"My goodness, whose voice is louder than mine? Disturbed my dreams! I’ll teach you a lesson!" Zhang Meng, roused by the commotion, shouted angrily.

Lin Zhen tiptoed over, swiftly wrapped an arm around Zhang Meng, clamped a hand over his mouth, and twisted him to face Lin Feng. He whispered fiercely in his ear, "Quiet!"

At that moment, a red candle flared atop Lin Feng’s table. In its glow, Lin Feng rose slowly, right hand gripping the wooden sword, left holding something unknown, both pressed to his chest. Then he stomped his right foot hard on the ground:

"By the will of... call and answer, summon and bring peace, the ancestors of the altar descend, the master shows his power. With a hundred thousand troops and steeds, a hundred thousand generals and spirits, let thunder rise from all four corners!"

With the final phrase, Lin Feng thrust his sword to each direction. Each group of people recoiled, afraid of being struck by his power, waiting for thunder with bated breath—the courtyard was silent as the grave.

But after the four thrusts, nothing happened for a long while, and the tension eased, disappointment showing on many faces. Lin Feng knelt, bowing low to the ground.

"Perhaps Brother Feng’s cultivation is still shallow, his magic insufficient?" a young boy standing with Lin Qing asked.

"It can’t be. Didn’t you hear Brother Feng’s voice, so mighty it was like a heavenly god?" another replied.

"Lin Brother, this is bad. It must be that Zhang Meng’s shouting disturbed Lin Feng, broke his concentration, caused a mistake—he might now be suffering divine punishment," Han Dang said anxiously to Lin Zhen.

"Feng, are you alright?" Lin Zhen shouted urgently, but Lin Feng did not respond, only stood, gripping his sword tight.

Lin Zhen prepared to rush forward, but Han Dang stopped him, "Lin Brother, such divine matters are not for us mortals to interfere with! Listen, the young master still seems to be chanting—if we barge in, we might only disrupt him further!"

"Ah!" Lin Zhen sighed, "Third Brother, if anything happens to Feng, I can’t be blamed for putting brotherhood above all else."

"Second Brother, I..." Zhang Meng was now terrified.

Before his eldest brother left on his journey, he had entrusted Lin Feng to their care. Not only had they failed, they nearly let Lin Feng drown at sea. Yesterday, he barely escaped death, and today, thanks to Zhang Meng’s drunken antics, Lin Feng was again in peril, and Zhang Meng was powerless to help. If Lin Feng suffered any harm, how could he face their eldest brother upon his return? Thinking this, Zhang Meng slumped to the ground, as if his soul had fled.