Off Course Objective Acquired
That’s a classic method–Threatening and harming their family or clan is nearly guaranteed to result in the protagonist showing up out of nowhere… Bonus point if he has a little Alrinir he cares for. And if his Vals are dead, then it would essentially make him and her orphans within the clan
The system rambled as Edrick approached and kicked down the door without hesitation, inviting himself inside the rather shabby residence. Not that it was a terrible place unfit for a human to live in–Far from it, but compared to the luxury that even a servant clan could enjoy under the rule of a great clan? This might as well be poverty.
Anoteros did not waste any time introducing himself as confused people appeared in the entrance hall. Thus, it did not take long before the entirety of this lesser clan was kneeling in front of him. Even their elders and patriarchs were like specks of dust compared to him. They barely had access to proper methods of cultivation after all… If anything, it was a bit pathetic that they even pretended to be a cultivation clan at all. They were probably the weakest of the bunch amidst this nest of worms.
“Sir, I swear that none of us knows where Linfeng is! This little brat has been keeping his recent increase in strength a secret from all of us. He has gone out of control!”
“Sure, sure… Is anyone here directly related to him?”
Everyone instantly pointed their fingers at a single person present: A young woman with petite proportions.
“...M-Me… I am his…”
“His Alrinir, right? How nice. Why don’t you come over here?”
Edrick beckoned her to him with his finger. The girl was obviously scared, but couldn’t deny a great noble…
Edrick grabbed her shoulder when she got close, moments before making a silent gesture at Xiaolie.
His maid proceeded to lead every member of the clan outside, into the open. Anoteros stood a distance away, still holding onto Linfeng’s Alrinir tightly–Too tightly... She squirmed in discomfort as his large, rugged fingers dug into her flesh.
“Pay close attention”
Xiaolie turned her weapon artefact into a sabre and proceeded to behead the closest lesser clan member, sending their head rolling perfectly to her master’s feet. A crowd had already formed in the distance. They all gasped, stepping back... Not wanting to get involved in this.
“You know where your Alrin–Linfeng–Hides, don’t you? Tell me, and my Xiaolie will stop slaughtering your fellow clan members… And if you don’t care about them, then she’ll move on to the other clans here, and if you still don’t feel like talking…”
He leaned in close to her face.
“...I’ll break you in bed and make you nothing more than a breeding sow. Unless you want that, speak. There is nothing more valuable than your own safety, right? The individual has to go before the group, and all others in such a drastic situation, wouldn’t you agree?”
He could feel her trembling in terror in his grasp. It had been a while since he had played with a fearful, unwilling one… This was exciting. She'd better talk quickly, else Anoteros might just decide to have his fun early.
“I… I…”
“Mmh…? Are you going to speak or not?”
Xiaolie was already on the verge of making another head roll.
“Let go of her, you pig!”
A loud voice rang out, and a figure appeared over a nearby hill behind the clan’s residence.
“Well, if it isn’t the man of the hour”
“Let go of Fingmi, or else-”
“Oooh… I am very scared. Why don’t you come down and back up your words with some actions? Your Alrinir is all mine right now, I can do whatever I want with her…”
“Bastard!”
Linfeng descended from the mountain, facing Anoteros with a distinct lack of fear in his eyes and posture. The protagonist had crystal blue eyes, just like his Alrinir, brown hair, and a rather strong build. He stood at one meter and eighty-two centimeters tall, with muscles that Edrick could tell had been built through sheer physical effort rather than focused muscular training.
The young man was rather good-looking, but definitely had the edge of a country bumpkin to him, unlike his Alrinir, who was a more refined beauty, the likes of which was unlikely to go unclaimed for long…
“Who the hell are you?”
“Linfeng! Watch your tone! This is Sir Edrick Lucien Anoteros–Also known as Zixuan Elt! He is an Elt! A direct descendant of a great clan!”
The patriarch shouted with all of his might, but Linfeng only frowned darkly.
“What the hell do you want with me?”
“Are you really unaware? It would seem that you are not very knowledgeable about the world around you”
“Stop looking down on me and explain yourself!”
“What an uncouth peasant… You little fool, you claimed that you were going to become the city lord by marrying Jania Oie, didn’t you?”
“Yes, and?”
“She’s my wife”
“Ah…”
Linfeng blinked a few times, certainly realising that he had–In fact–Fucked up quite severely.
“I came here with the intent to break both of your arms, but…” Edrick grabbed Fingmi’s chin “...I think I’ll allow you and your clan to live after all. I’ll just take her with me”
“In your dreams! Unhand her right now!”
“Linfeng…”
“Fingmi!”
A head rolled in between the two parties.
“I don’t know how much you care about your clan, but just as a heads up, my Xiaolie is going to continue killing them if you don’t comply”
“I won’t let you take her away, no matter what! Fight me like a man, you sleazy bastard!”
Anoteros smiled. He pushed the protagonist’s Alrinir back, the girl falling on her backside.
“If you insist”
Edrick snapped his finger, and the rest of the clan’s massacre picked up pace. Heads were sent flying all over the place. The worms tried to wriggle away as they realised that they were truly all done for, but none were able to escape Xiaolie. All met their doom with the edge of her sabre.
“Die, you bastard!”
Linfeng charged at the noble. The attempt was somewhat laughable. There was no technique to be seen. Linfeng merely punched as an untrained fool would, but it was undeniable that his strike was imbued with unnatural force.
Great Script Detected
‘Lesser One’s Awakening’
‘There you are… A great script’
‘There is indeed no way I can kill you today, Linfeng–But I can harm your script’
Edrick dodged the blow with ease before countering by elbowing his opponent directly in the face. He followed his assault by swiping at the protagonist’s feet, taking him to the ground, before kicking him in the head and stepping down onto his neck.
He was barely even a nascent protagonist. He barely had any strength to speak of just yet. Nonetheless, the scion could feel it–There was something standing between him and the ability to kill this young cultivator.
“You are getting lucky today, Linfeng”
With another kick, the protagonist’s vision went black.