Rise of The Demon General

Amon kept his expression flat. All space rings looked alike but he somehow knew that the space ring on the table was the one he had hidden in the courtyard. He kept silent and didn't answer Madam Lin's question.

"I know this housing complex. I will know if a piece of furniture is moved or if a stone is turned. I will also know if someone had dug the ground even if it was hidden by a layer of grass," Madam Lin said when Amon didn't say anything.

She pushed the space ring to Amon. "If you need something for safekeeping, you can always come to me. There is no need for you to hide it in the ground. Someone else might accidentally find it."

Amon's hand went near the ring but didn't touch it.

"I never look into the ring. Whatever you keep inside, I respect your secrecy," Madam Lin said.

Amon looked at her. 'Is she telling the truth?' He wondered.

Madam Lin didn't say anything more. So, Amon grabbed the ring. His consciousness entered the ring. Everything was there.

"Nothing is missing, right?" Madam Lin asked.

"I'm sorry, mother, it's just some personal things I need to keep safe as I cannot bring them into the secret dimension," Amon answered.

Madam Lin nodded. "Next time just come to me, don't hide it in unsafe places."

"Yes, mother," Amon said. He was still wondering if Madam Lin had truly not checked inside this ring. But if she did, it didn't make sense for her to just leave them. There were just too many valuables inside. Valuables that would make even Lin Weida forget his manner if he found out.

"Get some rest, you must be tired already," Madam Lin said and stood up.

"Thank you, mother, for your concern," Amon said.

"That's what a mother does," Madam Lin patted Amon's head. She then left.

Amon watched her leave. His instinct told him that she was telling the truth, but could that be the case?

*

The next morning, Madam Lin came to visit again when Amon was inspecting his alchemist apparatuses. They had been left alone for a while. He was checking and cleaning them to make sure they were still viable to be used.

"Good morning, mother," Amon greeted when Madam Lin entered.

"Good morning. You didn't tell me yesterday that you get the first ranking in the secret dimension," Madam Lin said.

"It's not worth mentioning," Amon said, acting humble. Yet, he truly didn't consider the ranking as a big deal. He then remembered Lin Weida had promised him something if he got into the top ten, so he asked. "Can I meet the clan head? I have a deal with him in case I get to the top ten in the finals."

"You can call him grandpa," Madam Lin said.

"I don't think he will like that. He didn't think of me as a family member, not like mother," Amon returned.

Madam Lin sighed. She didn't continue the issue. "Let's go. I will bring you to him now," she said.

It won't be easy for a lowly clan member like him to meet the clan master, that's why Amon took the opportunity when he was with Madam Lin. Madam Lin obliged and brought Amon to her father's abode.

Lin Weida's housing complex was surprisingly more modest than Lin Bubai's. Even Madam Lin's one was better. Lin Weida's complex only consisted of a single small house with a courtyard. There didn't seem to be any maids around.

"Little Xi, what brings you here today?" Both Madam Lin and Amon heard Lin Weida's voice but they didn't see the person anywhere. The voice sounded as if they came from everywhere.

Amon didn't detect any presence nearby. This must be voice projection delivered using aether.

Madam Lin bowed in the direction of the house. Amon followed suit. Madam Lin then uttered, "Father, Lin Mo wished to meet with you."

The door to the house opened. From inside the house, Lin Weida, who was in a cross-legged sitting position, floated out. His eyes were closed. He floated slightly above the two before opening his eyes and gazing down.

Acting as if such a deity, Amon scoffed in his mind.

"Lin Mo, I heard about your exploit in the competition. Very good, very good. You have brought much honor to this clan," Lin Weida said. "Tell me, what are you looking for me for?"

'This geezer is acting as if he doesn't remember his promise to me,' Amon thought. Since that was the way, Amon didn't feel the need to be courteous. "I want to enter the Lin Tome Chamber."

"Lin Tome Chamber?" Lin Weida asked with a questioning tone.

'Heh,' Amon snickered inwardly. He then said with a pretending cute manner, "Grandpa is very forgetful. Did you forget already that you promised me the gift of entering the Lin Tome Chamber if I perform well in the White Cloud Tournament?"

Lin Weida's one eyebrow lifted as he stared at Amon. He then laughed. "Hahaha. You are right. I did forget. Now that you reminded me, I have remembered. Come, I will bring you there now." He floated down and walked past Amon and Madam Lin. He then stopped. With his back to Amon, he said, "Oh, another thing, Lin Mo."

"Yes, grandpa?" Amon asked.

"Don't call me grandpa," Lin Weida said without turning back. He then continued walking.

Madam Lin sighed again hearing the exchange, while Amon snickered in the open this time. The two then followed after Lin Weida.

They soon arrived in a structure not less impressive than the clan mission center. It was the last of the three largest buildings that were visible outside the estate, the one with nine floors. However, it was much less bustling compared to the clan mission center. This was because only certain people were permitted to enter this building.

"I will wait outside," Madam Lin said. Outside the Lin Tome Chamber was a large beautiful garden, she went and sat on one of the benches around this garden.

'So, even Madam Lin is not permitted to enter as she wished?' Amon thought.

Two guards were guarding the entrance, Amon's instinct told him that these guards were much stronger than him. They should be at least at the transformation stage.

When he entered the lobby, there was an old man at the reception. This man had long white hair and a long white beard. His demeanor was like an otherworldly man currently having a brief visit to this world. He smiled amiably when Lin Weida entered.

"Weida, what brings you here today?"

Lin Weida gave the old man a polite salute. "Uncle, I am bringing a member who had done a great accomplishment for the clan. He will be entering this tome chamber to select one book inside." To Amon, he simply introduced, "This is the steward of our Lin Tome Chamber. You have better show him respect."

'Uncle?' Amon thought. This geezer was older than Lin Weida? This meant his cultivation should be at least the level of Lin Weida as well, the spirit stage of the Martial realm. His instinct did blare when he entered this lobby, telling him not to approach the old man behind the reception desk.

"I see. May I know what is his accomplishment?" The old steward asked.

"He is the first ranker to the White Cloud Tournament," Lin Weida answered.

"Oh? Lin Xi's adopted bastard?" The old steward said curtly.

'Heh,' Amon again snickered inwardly. This old man was straightforward, or maybe he simply didn't care if Amon felt offended or not. Amon also didn't truly care. They could look down on him for all he cared. As long as they didn't hinder his progress, he wouldn't bother to try to change their opinions of him.

"He is not officially of our clan. I can't let him go up more than the second floor," The old steward said.

Lin Weida turned to Amon and said with a shrug, "You heard the man. You can only look for books on the first and second floor."

Amon nodded. "Am I free to roam around? Or will someone be escorting me?"

"As long as you didn't go to the third floor, you are free," Lin Weida replied.

"I can only allow you two hours inside, though," The old steward said. "Pick a book and come out here before the time limit. If I have to go in to find you, you will regret it."

"I believe our agreement has been concluded, I will leave you here then," Lin Weida said. He flew out immediately without waiting for Amon's reply.

"Go in. Your time inside starts now," the old steward said. "Just because there was no one escorting you, doesn't mean no one is watching. If you dare to try to sneak to the third floor, you won't be let off with just a scolding."

Amon felt a heavy pressure on him then. The old steward must have released his aura to intimidate him. Amon maintained a flat expression. He nodded and walked in without a word. The old steward watched Amon walk past him.

'Hm, he is as I have heard… Is he truly just a fifteen years old kid?'