Mainland Martial Arts

Inside the room, the aroma of tea wafts from an exquisite blue and white porcelain tea set, adding a touch of homeliness to the quiet space. However, beneath this seemingly peaceful atmosphere, a subtle tension and strangeness are hidden.

Gao Jinghao raised his hand, motioning Lin Feng to sit down. A perfectly composed smile graced his face, his enthusiasm tinged with caution. His gaze lingered on Lin Feng for a moment, then quickly shifted away, as if deliberately avoiding something. "Mr. Lin, you must be tired after all this traveling. Rest for a moment." His voice was gentle, clearly audible in the quiet room.

Lin Feng nodded slightly, scrutinizing Gao Jinghao's face for a moment before slowly taking his seat. He sat upright, exuding a vigilant aura, as if ready to respond to any unexpected eventuality.

Gao Jinghao personally poured tea for Lin Feng, steam rising and the fragrance wafting everywhere. He took a sip, cleared his throat, and his expression gradually grew solemn. "Mr. Lin, there are some things you may not remember." His voice was low, with a hint of nostalgia. "Six years ago, your close friend Xu Tian suddenly lost control in Lingyuan City, unleashing the terrifying power of a Grandmaster. The scene was completely shattered, and the entire city was plunged into panic." A hint of fear flashed in his eyes, as if he had returned to that chaotic scene.

"At that time, I and the masters in the city tried our best to barely seal his power." Gao Jinghao sighed slightly, a look of fatigue appearing on his face, "But you came just as things settled down. You insisted on taking Xu Tian away, but the situation at the time really didn't allow it. You also understand that the people are watching, and you have to give everyone an explanation." His eyes were fixed on Lin Feng, trying to catch a hint of familiar response from the other's expression.

"But you are too powerful. After a fight, I knew I was no match for you." Gao Jinghao lowered his head slightly, a helpless expression on his face. "You said you would repay me this favor in the future, and you also told me not to tell this to anyone. In order to give an explanation to the people in the city, I had to find a scapegoat, destroy his appearance, and let him be executed in place of Xu Tian." His voice trembled slightly, as if he felt guilty for his actions back then.

"This matter has been weighing heavily on my heart all these years." Gao Jinghao raised his head, his eyes full of expectation, "Now that you're back, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Mr. Lin, look at this favor..." He paused, his eyes revealing a hint of eagerness.

Lin Feng listened quietly, his brow furrowed slightly, his eyes filled with confusion and thought. His fingers tapped the tabletop rhythmically, his mind racing, trying to find a glimmer of familiarity in Gao Jinghao's narration. But his mind remained blank; he had no recollection of the past.

Lin Feng looked at Gao Jinghao. His story sounded reasonable, and Gao Jinghao's admission that he had been defeated made it difficult for Lin Feng to determine its authenticity. But if it was true as Gao Jinghao said, then this debt of favor must be repaid. After a moment's thought, Lin Feng spoke in a low but steady voice: "I'm sorry, I really can't recall such a thing. But if it is true as you say, and I owe you a favor, please tell me, what can I do for you?" Lin Feng's eyes were honest, yet a little wary, as he looked directly at Gao Jinghao.

Gao Jinghao wore a warm yet measured smile, but his eyes roamed over Lin Feng as if examining a rare treasure. "Mr. Lin," he began, his voice as gentle as jade, "How dare I trouble you with anything? I've long admired your name, and heard you wield a divine weapon. I'm genuinely curious if I could have the honor of glimpsing it." Even as he spoke, his fingers trembled slightly, betraying his inner excitement and greed.

Gao Jinghao had long heard that Lin Feng possessed the Star Blade, a blade ranked third in the weapon rankings, renowned throughout the martial arts world and coveted by countless. Now that Lin Feng had lost his memory and remembered nothing of his past, Gao Jinghao saw this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He imagined himself wielding the Star Blade, dominating Lingyuan City and the entire martial arts world, and his desire grew ever stronger.

Lin Feng sat in the guest seat. He was tall and muscular. Although his face was a bit tired and confused, his eyes revealed an innate determination. Hearing Gao Jinghao's request, he was slightly startled, and a trace of doubt welled up in his heart. However, he had always been generous and open-minded. Without much hesitation, he turned around and took down the Star Blade from his back.

The handle of the Star Blade was simple and heavy, engraved with mysterious patterns, and shimmered with a faint metallic luster under the sunlight. Lin Feng gently placed the knife on the table with a dull sound. "Look," he said simply, his voice low and magnetic, like a distant thunder.

Gao Jinghao suppressed his inner excitement, his hands trembling slightly as he reached for the Star Blade. A smile spread across his face as he said again, "Thank you, Mr. Lin. I will never forget your kindness." He slowly picked up the Star Blade, his fingers gently stroking the handle, feeling the cool, smooth touch as if caressing his own dreams.

Then, he took a deep breath and slowly unsheathed the Star Blade. "Hiss!" Gao Jinghao gasped, his smile froze instantly. His eyes widened in disbelief. The peerless blade he had been waiting for was now only its hilt and scabbard, the blade itself missing.

"This... what's going on?" Gao Jinghao finally came to his senses and looked at Lin Feng in confusion, with a hint of panic and disappointment in his voice that was hard to conceal. "Mr. Lin, why doesn't your knife have a blade?" He stared at Lin Feng closely, trying to find a flaw in the other's expression, suspecting that this was a trap set by Lin Feng deliberately.

Lin Feng looked at Gao Jinghao's shocked expression with a calm expression. He shook his head slightly and said, "I don't know either. In my memory, it just doesn't have a blade. It must have been lost before I lost my memory." Lin Feng's tone was sincere, but his eyes were confused, as if he was also full of doubts about the blade's incompleteness. He tried hard to search his mind for memories of the Star Blade, but he saw only a blank, which made him feel a little frustrated.

Gao Jinghao pondered, finding Lin Feng's words hard to believe. He frowned, a hint of suspicion on his face, and pressed on, "Mr. Lin, if this knife has no blade, why do you keep it with you? It's truly puzzling." Gao Jinghao's voice tinged with doubt, convinced that Lin Feng was hiding something. In his opinion, anyone who kept carrying a broken weapon must have a hidden secret.