Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Wild Lin of Today

"Why can't I see your face? How am I supposed to know you're my grandfather?" After a brief recollection, Ruoxi voiced her doubt. What exactly had he been doing all these years, and why was his face still shrouded in darkness?

She didn't rush to approach him. Without even being able to discern his features, how could she be certain he was Lin Kuang? If he were someone else, what if he was pretending? And what if that internal energy harmed her?

Of course, considering the surroundings and the scene she had witnessed before, she wouldn't let her guard down—unless...!

"Whether you believe me or not, I am your grandfather! Here, this is something your father left for you." The man in black opened his palm, revealing a dark stone that sparkled beneath the sunlight.

He gave his hand a slight shake, and the stone bounced a few times in his palm before tracing a perfect arc as he tossed it to Ruoxi.

"Ah, I hadn't wanted to say it. Originally, I planned to tell you my name, then present you with what Lin Feng gave me!" the man in black sighed.

"This stone!" Ruoxi stared at the glittering stone, her heart filled with suspicion.

This stone was a family heirloom, passed down from one head of the family to the next. Her grandfather had given it to Lin Feng, her father, and now it was in her hands.

It was the object her father guarded with his life. In a few years, it would have been handed to her, and yet now, it had come to her prematurely.

Could it be that her father had entrusted her grandfather to give it to her for some reason? Or perhaps...!

At this thought, Ruoxi broke out in a cold sweat.

The man in black noticed the uncertainty on Ruoxi's face. He had originally exuded no aura at all.

If he remained perfectly still, one wouldn't even know where he was; yet now, without even trying, there was something intimidating about him.

It was an air of supreme confidence. Mo Shan's eyes lit up—he felt as if he had seen this aura before, though it was somewhat unfamiliar.

"My face was ruined in an important experiment. I can only conceal it with special means."

"Do you believe me now, girl?" The man's voice was deep and resonant.

"Ah, I understand!" Mo Shan's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He hurried over to Ruoxi and whispered,

"I think he might be the one who destroyed this little town—the culprit. Look at the dust on the ground, it's probably from his sword. He seems very suspicious!"

Mo Shan leaned in and spoke quietly to Ruoxi.

"What about your sword?" Ruoxi ignored Mo Shan's words and stepped forward.

"I ruined my face to forge this sword," the man in black replied, his tone tinged with sadness.

"Alright, I believe you. Can you remove the black mist from your face?" Ruoxi took another step forward, her Soul-Stirring Sword still lying on the ground, and spoke without a hint of caution.

"Very well! Such vigilance, little girl. I'll let you see my miserable state!"

The man in black paused, his voice trembling as if on the verge of tears, helplessness written across his face.

As soon as he finished speaking, his aura contracted, his presence subdued, and the black mist around him gradually dissipated, revealing his true appearance: half was astonishingly handsome, while the other half was distorted and scarred, a visage of utmost ugliness.