Xu Yishan originally wanted to clash with Lin Feng and teach this kid a lesson. If it were anyone else sitting in front of him, Xu Yishan wouldn’t have missed the opportunity for such a demonstration. But Lin Feng was the exception...

After all, he believed Lin Feng was the best candidate to be his future grandson-in-law!

Pity the parents’ hearts worldwide. Xu Jing’s parents had already passed away in an accident, making Xu Yishan the person who cared most about Xu Jing in this world. He favored Lin Feng, naturally striving to bring Lin Feng and Xu Jing together, refusing to let impulse affect their union...

Moreover, for someone nearing eighty, overcoming impulses wasn’t a problem. Xu Yishan merely took a deep breath and let a smile appear on his face.

Bai Yuanshan also looked at Lin Feng with a bit of surprise. He hadn’t expected Lin Feng to be so bold, and Xu Yishan to actually yield to him. This was unusual, as Xu Yishan was famously hot-tempered, easily flaring up, yet here he was, holding back...

"Old Xu, Mr. Bai..." Lin Feng poured another cup of tea to ease his dry throat, casually greeting the two elders before smiling and asking, "You didn’t call me over just to have tea, did you..."

"I didn’t call you here just for tea..." Xu Yishan grumbled discontentedly before waving his hand, signaling Bai Yuanshan to speak.

"Ahem, Lin Feng, we called you over because we wanted to ask about the new Martial Hall... When is it opening? Is the opening ceremony something you want us to prepare?" Bai Yuanshan raised his head, his gaze profound as he looked at Lin Feng, speaking calmly.

Hearing Bai Yuanshan’s words, Lin Feng’s eyes narrowed, a hint of discontent flickering in his heart...

According to Ning Fuxun’s intent, this new Martial Hall was originally a gift to the Hong Sect with fifty percent of its shares belonging to them. As the Sect Leader of the Hong Sect, Bai Yuanshan asking Lin Feng about the Martial Hall’s matters was quite reasonable...

However, what annoyed Lin Feng was that Bai Yuanshan was asking whether the Hong Sect should prepare the opening ceremony, which was conflicting!

Because in the terms negotiated between Ning Fuxun and the Hong Sect, the Hong Sect only held dividends, shares, and didn’t have the right to intervene in the operations of the new Martial Hall!

Yet Bai Yuanshan posed such a question...

If Bai Yuanshan was merely asking unintentionally, it would be fine, but if he had ulterior motives! Lin Feng knew that either Bai Yuanshan was doubting his ability, or he wanted to regain control over the Martial Hall. In any case, it wasn’t a good sign...

Lin Feng recalled Ning Fuxun’s secret instructions to him, saying to make the new Martial Hall the largest Hong Sect place in Jiangzhou City. Lin Feng once thought it wouldn’t be that difficult. Now, though, it seemed that even a Martial Hall that hadn’t opened yet had caught Bai Yuanshan’s attention. Fulfilling the agreement per Ning Fuxun’s requirements wouldn’t be so simple!

"Mr. Bai, that’s very considerate of you..." Lin Feng shook his head and spoke calmly, "Since Mr. Ning entrusted me with this, I will certainly strive to make it right... The Martial Hall is opening on the eighth of next month. I’m having people meticulously prepare for the opening ceremony, and I don’t think there will be any issues! If there’s a need for assistance or cooperation, I’ll inform Mr. Bai!"

Bai Yuanshan’s face froze. He was an old hand, naturally hearing the strong sense of caution in Lin Feng’s words, and he was at a loss...

"Haha... interesting, really interesting!" Xu Yishan looked at Lin Feng with great appreciation and said blandly, "Lin Feng, you certainly didn’t let me down, your audacity isn’t small; even the Hong Sect’s Sect Leader had to back down before you!"

"Haha... I just spoke the truth, Mr. Bai shouldn’t blame me..." Lin Feng clasped his hands towards Bai Yuanshan, his expression calm as he spoke.

"However, Lin Feng, don’t get too proud just yet..." Xu Yishan suddenly spoke in a cold tone, "Since that Ning kid is letting the Martial Hall bear our Hong Sect’s name, things must follow our Hong Sect’s rules. At least one-third of the staff in the Martial Hall must be our Hong Sect brothers; only then can it be considered a Hong Sect place, do you understand?"

"I naturally know this condition..." Lin Feng nodded, agreeing with Xu Yishan. In fact, he had already asked Zhu Xiuyue to arrange for this, leaving positions for Hong Sect brothers in less important roles.

"Besides... as the hall master, you must also join our Hong Sect!" Xu Yishan looked at Lin Feng and added another statement.

"I, join the Hong Sect? Is there such a rule?" Lin Feng was stunned for a moment, he had never heard of this requirement before and couldn’t help but be a bit surprised.

"Of course..." Xu Yishan nodded solemnly, "Otherwise, when our twelve hall masters meet, how can an outsider be present? Naturally, you can join the Hong Sect later, but when you do, that’s when you can officially be the thirteenth Hong Sect hall master. You should think it over..."

"So, is there any procedure or process for me to join the Hong Sect?" Lin Feng curiously asked, since he had joined the Qingzi Sect previously, he was not opposed to temporarily acting as a Hong Sect hall master to achieve his goal.

"Procedure?" Xu Yishan pondered for a moment, then turned to Bai Yuanshan, "Little Bai, should we take the opportunity to squeeze a few million out of this kid first?"

Lin Feng’s face turned black... This old man Xu was really vicious, even discussing extortion right in front of him, was that really appropriate?

Bai Yuanshan also awkwardly chuckled, ignoring Xu Yishan’s nonsense, and instead spoke to Lin Feng, "Lin Feng, if you want to join now, there’s naturally no procedure needed. With me and Old Xu here, as long as we both agree and notify the other hall masters within the sect, the process won’t be too complicated..."

However, Bai Yuanshan’s eyes flickered with a trace of worry. What he didn’t say was that someone like Lin Feng, skipping the usual ranks to directly become a hall master, could potentially be targeted and ostracized even if he joined the Hong Sect!

It was surprisingly that simple... After hearing Bai Yuanshan explain the process, Lin Feng’s face showed joy as he smiled and said, "Alright, I’ll apply to join now then, what do you two think..."

Xu Yishan’s eyes showed a trace of a peculiar look, smiling as he looked at Lin Feng, "Kid, you agreed just like that without considering if this might be a trap? Sometimes, applying to join properly in front of other hall masters might benefit you more!"

"There’s no need to think it over..." Lin Feng heard Xu Yishan’s reminder but felt no concern, "I’ll join now!"