Conflict

"Mysterious Tiger Gang?"

Hearing this name, Lin Langtian frowned slightly.

Even some third-rate faction he had never even heard of dared to provoke the Lin Clan? Were they courting death!?

"Steward Lin, you have been stationed in the Imperial Capital for many years and are responsible for gathering intelligence here for the clan. Do you know anything about this Mysterious Tiger Gang?"

With his brows tightly furrowed, Lin Langtian turned his gaze toward the plump steward beside him, Lin Tao.

Although this place was the Lin Clan's foothold in the Imperial City, it was in fact also an intelligence-gathering station. Not only did Lin Langtian know this, even the Imperial Clan was aware of it.

However, all the great clans and factions did the same thing, so the Imperial Clan clearly could not forbid it.

"Reporting to the Law Enforcement Elder, I know a little about the Mysterious Tiger Gang." Hearing Lin Langtian's question, Lin Tao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and replied respectfully.

The clan's outstanding younger generation had been injured. If the clan truly pursued the matter, then as the chief person in charge of the Imperial Capital, he would bear considerable responsibility as well.

"Oh? Then what is the background of this Mysterious Tiger Gang, that they dare not even put my Lin Clan in their eyes?" A chilling glint flashed through Lin Langtian's dark eyes as he asked in a deep voice.

"This... I do not know what confidence the Mysterious Tiger Gang has. As far as I know, even within the entire Imperial Capital, the Mysterious Tiger Gang is merely a second-rate gang." Lin Tao spoke cautiously.

"However..." At this point, Lin Tao seemed to recall something and lowered his voice. "There are rumors that Huang Yin, the Mysterious Tiger Gang's leader, has close ties with the Huangpu Clan, one of the Four Great Clans.

According to the rumors, Huang Yin's original surname was Huangpu. He was expelled from the Huangpu Clan after making a mistake, then changed his name to Huang Yin. He later established himself in the Imperial Capital and founded the Mysterious Tiger Gang."

"The Huangpu Clan?"

Hearing that name, Lin Langtian froze. Then, as if he had realized something, his expression darkened immensely. "Huangpu Ying!"

At this point, he had roughly figured out the whole story. This most likely had something to do with Huangpu Ying!

Understanding also dawned in Lin Ke'er's beautiful eyes. She immediately clenched her silver teeth and said angrily, "Does Huangpu Ying intend to start a war with my Lin Clan!?"

She had also been present at what happened at the auction and knew of Huangpu Ying's hidden hostility toward Lin Langtian.

But she had not expected Huangpu Ying to resort to such despicable tactics, using the Huangpu Clan's peripheral forces to bully Lin Ya and the others from afar.

He had truly cast aside all shame!

Hearing the name Huangpu Clan, Lin Tao immediately fell silent in fear, cold sweat continuously beading on his forehead.

This involved two great powers of the Great Yan Empire. How could a minor figure like him possibly bear such a burden?

Yet the more he feared trouble, the more trouble came looking for him.

"Steward Lin, how many men does the Lin Family have in the Imperial City?" Lin Langtian asked in a deep voice.

Lin Tao was stunned for a moment before replying softly, "Reporting to the Law Enforcement Elder, since Lin City, the Lin Clan's main headquarters, is not far from the Imperial City, every successive Clan Leader has been extremely cautious about placing forces within the Imperial City.

Therefore, our Lin Clan does not have many men in the Imperial City. The strongest among them is merely me, at the initial stage of the Form Creation Realm."

"You..." Lin Langtian frowned slightly. He had not expected the Lin Clan's strength in the Imperial City to be so weak.

Not only had they not established any affiliated forces, but their strongest person was merely a Form Creation Realm expert.

But on second thought, it made sense. How could one allow another to sleep soundly beside one's bed? Compared to the other great clans, Lin City, where the Lin Clan was based, was far too close to the Imperial City.

If the Lin Clan extended its sphere of influence into the Imperial City as well, how could the Imperial Clan rest easy? They might even take measures to suppress the Lin Clan.

The Lin Clan's higher-ups throughout the generations had also considered this point. To avoid arousing the Imperial Clan's suspicions, they had deliberately kept the Lin Clan's presence in the Imperial Capital weak.

"Law Enforcement Elder, why don't we send a message by flying eagle and ask the clan to dispatch experts to destroy the Mysterious Tiger Gang?" Lin Tao suggested carefully.

"Distant water cannot put out an immediate fire. Besides, this is the Imperial Capital. Even if the Imperial Clan allowed the Lin Clan to slaughter freely, I fear the Huangpu Clan behind the Mysterious Tiger Gang would not stand idly by."

Hearing Lin Tao's suggestion, Lin Langtian shook his head.

Clearly, Huangpu Ying was not merely a brainless lapdog. Though he had resorted to such sinister methods, he had also perfectly exploited the Lin Clan's weakness.

"Brother Langtian, what about Lin Chen and the others..." Lin Ke'er bit her red lip lightly.

"How strong is the Mysterious Tiger Gang?" Lin Langtian narrowed his eyes slightly.

Lin Tao hurriedly replied, "The Mysterious Tiger Gang is considered second-rate within the Imperial Capital. Its strongest member is its leader, Huang Yin, who is at Qi Creation Stage Great Perfection. However, he once fought a Half-step Creation Realm expert and remained undefeated.

There is also a deputy leader, Cao Kun, a Low-level Talisman Master with quite a reputation in the Imperial Capital.

As for Origin Core Realm higher-ups, there are roughly seven or eight. The remaining ordinary gang members at the Heavenly Yuan Realm and Earth Yuan Realm number nearly a hundred."

"Oh, Qi Creation Stage Great Perfection..." Hearing Lin Tao's account, Lin Langtian immediately focused on the strength of Huang Yin, the gang leader.

His hand slowly clenched as Lin Langtian said coldly, "Steward Lin, gather everyone in the residence and head to the North District.

As for Huang Yin, leave him to me!"

Deep within the North District of the Imperial Capital lay a Crushed Stone Square. The area around the square was lined with thriving shops, where one could find all kinds of spirit medicines, weapons, armor, martial arts manuals, and even Demon Crystals.

This was considered one of the more high-end areas within the trading district. Most of those who came here possessed some status within the Great Yan Empire.

At this moment, quite a few people had gathered around the outskirts of the square, watching two groups facing each other inside.

One group was entirely dressed in yellow, with a faint murderous aura drifting from their bodies. The sharp tension in the air was especially intense.

Those present quickly recognized this group.

The Mysterious Tiger Gang, a relatively well-known gang in the Imperial Capital. In this part of the North District, they controlled several streets.

And this street was currently within the Mysterious Tiger Gang's territory.

The other group, meanwhile, was very young. Judging from their clothing, they seemed to be members of the Lin Clan.

Seeing this, many people were greatly surprised. Did the Mysterious Tiger Gang truly dare to lay hands on members of the Lin Clan?

"Little girl, spend one night with our gang leader. Otherwise, none of you will be leaving today." At the front of the yellow-clad group, a sharp-faced man leered at the curvaceous Lin Ya.

"You want me to accompany your gang leader?"

Opposite the yellow-clad group stood a woman in a purple dress, her face flushed red with anger. Her pretty face was filled with fury.

This woman was none other than Lin Ya of the Lin Clan.

"Damn it! We are members of the Lin Clan! If you truly provoke the Lin Clan, your Mysterious Tiger Gang will be completely wiped out!" Lin Chen shouted angrily from beside Lin Ya. He looked somewhat disheveled, clearly having gone through a fight earlier.

"The Lin Clan..." Hearing the name of this immensely intimidating great power, the yellow-clad group became somewhat unsettled. The name of the Four Great Clans was no empty boast in the Great Yan Empire.

"Hmph, you few are merely using the Lin Clan's name without authorization, yet you still dare to argue!"

A middle-aged man dressed in an extravagant yellow robe slowly stepped forward from the yellow-clad group, his bearing extraordinary as he snorted coldly.

This man was the Mysterious Tiger Gang's leader, Huang Yin, at Qi Creation Stage Great Perfection.

Hearing Huang Yin's words, Lin Chen's face darkened. Faced with such an unreasonable Mysterious Tiger Gang, even as geniuses of the Lin Clan, they were angered to the point of nearly coughing blood.

"Attack. Capture these people impersonating members of the Lin Clan!" Huang Yin narrowed his eyes slightly. Remembering the instructions of the person behind him, he snorted coldly.

"Yes, Gang Leader!"

After exchanging glances, although the Mysterious Tiger Gang members did not really believe anyone would dare impersonate one of the Four Great Clans, they still did not dare defy their gang leader's orders.

Watching the Mysterious Tiger Gang members charge straight at them, Lin Chen and the other three looked somewhat grim. Being outnumbered was always a disadvantage.

Swoosh!

However, just as those Mysterious Tiger Gang members reached Lin Chen and the others and were about to attack, a terrifying gust of force suddenly swept toward them.

The Mysterious Tiger Gang members hurriedly tried to evade, but the gust was so terrifying that it sent them reeling in all directions.

"Who!?"

The sudden interference made Huang Yin frown. He turned his gaze, only to see a figure slowly approaching.

The man wore a green shirt and stood with his hands behind his back. A light breeze stirred his long hair, giving him an exceptionally carefree air. Faintly, an aura of superiority and pride naturally emanated from him. Combined with his handsome features and temperament, he was truly striking.

Moreover, the powerful aura faintly seeping from beneath his green shirt made it clear that such bearing was no mere empty show.

Upon seeing him, many people recognized him and cried out in alarm.

"Lin Langtian!"