Lin Dong's Relief

After seeing Elder Tao off, the Lin Family branch in Qingyang Town fell into tranquility once more.

Yet amid this calm, most people in Qingyang Town likely never expected that in just one day, the Lin Family's Third Master, who had once been crippled, would not only fully recover from his injuries but also seize the opportunity to break through into the Lesser Origin Core Realm!

As an outsider family in Qingyang Town, the Lin branch family possessed considerable strength, but locally, it could not be considered an unrivaled power.

After all, everyone knew that Qingyang Town's three major forces were the Lei Family, the Xie Family, and the Mad Saber Martial Arts School.

The Lei Family and Xie Family were native families of Qingyang Town with deep foundations, while the Mad Saber Martial Arts School, though established not long ago, had likewise risen rapidly.

Only the Lin Family, after Lin Xiao was crippled, had its momentum of growth abruptly cut short and could only rank beneath the three major forces.

But from this day onward, the Lin Family's circumstances would change completely.

Because the Lin Family now had a Lesser Origin Core Realm expert!

Why was the Lei Family called the strongest family in Qingyang Town? Was it not because it had five Heavenly Yuan Realm experts? Yet before an Origin Core Realm expert, that was simply not worth mentioning!

A family with an Origin Core Realm expert could not only dominate all of Qingyang Town, but also establish a foothold in Yan City and claim a share of its spoils.

This also signaled that before long, Qingyang Town would undergo a complete reshuffling of power.

Thus, even though Elder Tao had left, the influence Lin Langtian had brought to the Qingyang Town branch family was silently changing something...

This was not merely an increase in the Qingyang Town branch family's strength, but also a subtle transformation in people's hearts...

On a small hill behind the Lin Family estate, the area had once been desolate and rarely visited. However, when a family moved here several years ago, they brought a little life to the place.

That family was none other than Lin Xiao's family of four.

Although he had recovered his strength and become the strongest person in the family, Lin Xiao clearly had no intention of changing residences. Instead, he chose to return to his shabby yet warm little home.

"Father..."

On the way home, Lin Dong's expression kept shifting. At last, he could no longer hold back and spoke.

"Do you... want to ask why I forgave Lin Langtian?" Lin Xiao stopped as well, looking at the youth behind him whose face was full of conflicted emotions.

"Mm." Lin Dong nodded first, then said resentfully, "That man crippled you for years. He ruined you, and he ruined our whole family.

Why forgive him? Just because he healed your injuries?"

Lin Xiao was stunned for a moment. Then, as though recalling something, he looked toward the setting sun at the foot of the mountain and murmured, "To be honest, I do not quite understand why Lin Langtian specifically had Elder Tao bring me healing pills.

In my impression, Lin Langtian was an extremely proud and cold person. He was immensely talented and outstandingly strong, but he had always regarded those of the branch families as ants and never acknowledged that branch family members were part of the Lin Clan.

That was why I was so shocked when I learned that the Green Wood Spirit Pill had been sent by Lin Langtian. But do not think your father is so shallow. A single Green Wood Spirit Pill is not enough to buy my dignity."

"Then why did you forgive Lin Langtian, Father? Could it be... you were afraid he would retaliate against our Qingyang Town Lin Family?"

After hearing Lin Xiao's words, the lofty image of his father became even more firmly established in Lin Dong's heart, and he continued asking.

Shaking his head, Lin Xiao said, "Since he could send me a Green Wood Spirit Pill, it shows that Lin Langtian's view of the branch families has changed.

Now that he is the Law Enforcement Elder, I do not believe he would retaliate against our Qingyang Town branch family."

"Then why exactly? Isn't Lin Langtian the person you hate most, Father?"

"No. Other than Lin Langtian, there is someone else I hate even more." Lin Xiao shook his head.

"Oh? Who is it?" Lin Dong was taken aback and hurriedly asked.

Lin Xiao did not answer directly. Instead, he walked to the foot of the mountain, found a large rock, and sat down beside Lin Dong. Looking at the sunset on the horizon, he slowly said,

"You should know the history of our Qingyang Town branch family, Dong'er. Although I grew up in Qingyang Town, under your grandfather's influence, I too deeply longed to return to the main clan.

It could be said that Father, your First and Second Uncles, myself, and even the entire branch family all shared the greatest wish of leading the family back to the main clan.

Among the brothers of the family, I had the greatest talent, so Father placed the highest hopes on me. I did not disappoint Father or the family either, becoming the youngest Heavenly Yuan Realm expert in Qingyang Town.

Back then, I was high-spirited and full of confidence. I believed I could achieve a good ranking at the Lin Clan's gathering and lead the family back to the main clan."

As he spoke, a trace of youthful vigor appeared on Lin Xiao's weathered face, as though he had returned to his younger days.

"Mm-hmm, Father will always be the best."

Lin Dong hurriedly nodded. In his heart, his father had always been an indomitable man.

Ruffling Lin Dong's little head, Lin Xiao said with a bitter smile, "Unfortunately, reality always deals people a cruel blow. When I entered the clan gathering full of confidence, I encountered that man in my very first match."

"It was Lin Langtian!" At the mention of that name, hatred still flashed in Lin Dong's eyes.

Seeing the hatred in Lin Dong's eyes, Lin Xiao shook his head and said calmly, "You know what happened afterward, Dong'er. With only one move, I was defeated by Lin Langtian. Then I returned to the family in a daze.

Although being crippled was difficult for me to accept, what hurt me even more was that the hope of the family returning to the main clan had been completely shattered in my hands."

As he spoke, pain gradually appeared on Lin Xiao's face. "I failed Father's cultivation and expectations. I let down the family's earnest hopes for me.

So from that day onward, I hid in the back mountain like a rat. Even though Father and everyone else did not blame me, I still sealed myself away here for years without leaving.

Because... the person I hated most was myself!

I hated my own incompetence. I hated my own weakness. I hated that I could not bring the family the good news of returning to the main clan.

So, Dong'er, do not be too stubborn. Even if I had never met Lin Langtian, your father would still have been a failure..."

"Father..."

Seeing this, Lin Dong hurriedly stood up. With a resolute expression and a voice that rang like a struck bell, he said, "Father, you are not a failure. In Mother's heart, in Qing Tan's heart, you will always be our pride!"

"Dong'er..." Lin Xiao was stunned upon hearing this, then seemed to think of something and smiled. "Yes, I still have Liu Yan, Dong'er, and Qing Tan.

Dong'er's talent surpasses even mine. I believe that at the clan gathering several years from now, you will surely bring us good news!"

"Mm, I will!"

Lin Dong nodded with incomparable resolve. Then he looked toward the distant horizon, where he seemed to see a figure.

He had held that figure in his mind for years, hating and cursing him through countless days and nights.

But now, the hatred he once felt toward that figure had vanished, and his gaze gradually became calm.

Lin Langtian, even if the hatred between us has been resolved, I will still defeat you at the clan gathering.

Because... this will be the final settlement of the grievances between us over these past years...