Forgiveness

"Lin Langtian?"

Upon hearing this name, both unfamiliar and familiar, the entire Lin Family hall instantly fell into an utterly silent atmosphere.

Lin Xiao and the others had never imagined that the owner of this Green Wood Spirit Pill would be Lin Langtian, the man who had once plunged the Qingyang Town branch into utter despair.

Lin Xiao's expression was also somewhat complicated. His initial joy had turned into profound conflict.

Beside Lin Xiao, upon hearing the name he had hated for years, Lin Dong unconsciously clenched his fists tightly, intense hatred flickering in his eyes.

However, when he saw Lin Xiao's recovered injuries and recalled the origin of the Green Wood Spirit Pill, he hurriedly asked the gray-robed elder before him.

"Elder Tao, what exactly is going on? Was the Green Wood Spirit Pill that helped my father recover his injuries given by Lin Langtian?"

As his words fell, an incomparably complicated expression surfaced on Lin Dong's youthful, handsome face.

When he thought that the man he had always deeply hated was actually the benefactor who had helped his father recover, his heart became even more conflicted.

After all, Lin Xiao's injuries had been inflicted by Lin Langtian, yet now they had been healed because of Lin Langtian. It left him utterly at a loss, not knowing what to do.

At this moment, Lin Zhentian and the others were also staring fixedly at Elder Tao, awaiting his answer.

Lin Langtian was the foremost member of the main clan's younger generation. Even though they had lived for most of their lives, they knew what kind of weight this name carried within the Great Yan Empire.

"That's right. Elder Langtian personally gave me this Green Wood Spirit Pill and instructed me to deliver it to the Qingyang Town branch, to help Nephew Lin Xiao recover from his injuries."

Seeing everyone's gazes turn toward him, Elder Tao did not keep them in suspense and nodded directly.

"So it really was him..."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiao's expression stiffened, and he let out a sigh.

He recalled the clan assembly from several years ago. Back then, full of high spirits, he had wanted to win his family a chance to return to the inner clan. Yet in the very first match of the assembly, he had encountered that youth.

He still remembered that Lin Langtian had been merely a teenager at the time, with a cold, arrogant expression, as though he regarded Lin Xiao as an ant.

As one of Qingyang Town's foremost geniuses at the time, Lin Xiao had naturally been extremely indignant.

However, just as he was preparing to let the main clan's genius witness the strength of the branch, what happened next became something he would never forget.

With just one move, he had been defeated by Lin Langtian.

Not only that, his body had been utterly ravaged, leaving him as good as crippled.

"Father..."

Seeing Lin Xiao's pained expression, Lin Dong knew that his father must have recalled those painful memories and hurriedly tried to comfort him.

"Nephew Lin Xiao, I understand your circumstances. Langtian was at fault in this matter. Had he not struck too heavily back then, your cultivation would not have been delayed for so many years.

"But you also know that the clan has always been rather lenient regarding matches at the clan assembly. Though your case was serious, it was not unique. Moreover, Langtian was young and hot-blooded at the time, so he did not know the proper measure of his actions.

"Now, Langtian has been promoted by the Clan Leader to Law Enforcement Elder, and he has recognized his past mistake. Thus, he specifically sent me here to apologize, in the hope that you can forgive his transgression from back then.

"Oh, and aside from the Green Wood Spirit Pill, Langtian also entrusted me with some items as compensation for what happened back then."

After saying this, Elder Tao took out a Universe Bag and a token from his robes, placed them on the table before Lin Xiao, and continued.

"This Universe Bag contains ten thousand Pure Yuan Pills. As for this token, it is Langtian's identity token. With it, your Qingyang Town branch can not only mobilize a portion of the main clan's resources, but even returning to the inner clan would be no difficulty.

"These gifts were specifically instructed by Langtian to be delivered into Nephew Lin Xiao's hands. He simply hopes that you can forgive his mistakes from back then."

"What!?"

As Elder Tao's words fell, Lin Mang's face immediately revealed a shocked expression.

"Ten thousand Pure Yuan Pills, and even a chance to return directly to the inner clan!?" Lin Mang said in delight upon hearing of Lin Langtian's compensation.

After all, throughout Qingyang Town and even Yan City, most people only used Yang Yuan Stones. Yang Yuan Pills were more valuable, and only the top powers in Yan City used them.

As for Pure Yuan Pills, they were even more precious. Ten thousand Pure Yuan Pills were more than enough to buy the entire Qingyang Town branch.

And that identity token representing Lin Langtian could allow their Qingyang Town branch to return directly to the inner clan. That was the hope of their family for three generations.

"Father, what sort of person is Elder Lin Langtian? Even he has admitted his mistake to us, and he has even helped Third Brother recover from his injuries. If we continue clinging to that matter, it will only make our Qingyang Town branch seem overly petty and ignorant of the bigger picture."

His gaze flickering toward the Universe Bag, Lin Mang smiled on his gaunt face.

"No. The humiliation my father suffered cannot be measured by mere Pure Yuan Pills!"

Hearing the implication in Lin Mang's words, Lin Dong immediately retorted, a trace of stubbornness flashing through his resolute black eyes.

"When adults are speaking, why is a child interrupting!" Lin Mang frowned slightly as he looked at Lin Dong. Just as he was about to say something, Lin Zhentian suddenly interrupted him with a wave of his hand.

At this moment, a complicated expression appeared on Lin Zhentian's aged face. Looking at Lin Xiao, he said, "You are the victim in this matter. Whether you choose to forgive him or not, your father will support you—even if the person we offend is Lin Langtian!"

"Father..."

Lin Xiao was slightly moved upon hearing this. He understood exactly what those words meant.

For his sake, Lin Zhentian was even willing to risk offending Lin Langtian, the Lin Clan's greatest genius!

He also knew that despite having been crippled for many years, he had always remained his father's most beloved son.

With that thought, Lin Xiao finally let go of the knot that had entangled his heart for years. He looked calmly at Elder Tao and said, "Let dust return to dust and earth return to earth. I can choose to let go of the grudges and grievances of the past.

"However, our Qingyang Town Lin Family has no need for this compensation. I hope Elder Tao will take it back and return it to its rightful owner."

"Third Brother..."

Hearing that Lin Xiao intended to return all these precious gifts, Lin Mang said anxiously. However, before he could finish, Lin Zhentian glared him into silence.

"Heh, Father, Elder Brother, Second Brother, I know what you are worried about. But rest assured, even without this token, our Qingyang Town branch of the Lin Clan can still return to the inner clan..." Seeing everyone's expressions, Lin Xiao said with a light smile.

"Hmph, return to the inner clan with what? With your restored strength? Unfortunately, you have already passed the age for participating in the clan assembly."

Seeing Lin Xiao reject such precious wealth out of stubborn pride, Lin Mang felt extremely displeased and spoke with some disdain.

Lin Xiao paid no heed to Lin Mang's mockery. He slowly turned his gaze toward the youth beside him, stroked his head, and said with firm confidence, "I may not be able to do it, but my son, Dong'er... can!"