Unlike the panic-stricken atmosphere in the Duan and Zhou families, Chen Lin's home was exceptionally lively at this time.
First, the clan patriarch and elders from the various branches came to visit one after another in the morning.
Then, at noon, someone delivered the deed to the residence where Chen Lin's family currently lived to Chen Lin.
That afternoon, the other two households sharing the courtyard with Chen Lin's family—Zhang Guihua's family and another collateral branch of the Chen Clan—were persuaded to leave the small courtyard.
By sunset that day, the two families had moved out with the help of a group of people, and the previously chaotic, cramped little courtyard suddenly became much more open and bright.
Especially Zhang Guihua's terrified and ingratiating manner before she left made Chen Lin too lazy to continue nitpicking with her in the future.
The departure of the two families left kind-hearted Chen Hongbo and Song Qiaoyun feeling somewhat embarrassed.
After all, although their family had not been particularly close to the other two households, they were still members of the same Lineage. What the clan had done was, more or less, rather coldhearted.
But the two families had already moved away, and even after learning about it, they could not say much more.
After dinner, Chen Lin's family rarely went out together for a walk.
"Brother, does the courtyard we live in now belong to our family from now on?" Chen Lan asked excitedly, tugging at Chen Lin's sleeve with her little hand.
"Mm." Looking at his younger sister's excited expression, Chen Lin said gently, "From now on, you can plant all the medicinal herbs you like in the courtyard to your heart's content. No one will pull them out again. After some time, I'll find you an apothecary to take as your master. You can freely do whatever you like, and you won't need to toil for the family's livelihood anymore."
Father Chen and Mother Chen were also filled with relief and gratification.
They had never dreamed that this day would arrive so quickly.
Familiar neighbors along the way greeted Chen Lin's family one after another.
"Old Chen! What happened in your courtyard? Why did those two families move away in such a hurry? There wasn't a single sign beforehand."
"Yeah! Big Sister Song! What happened in your courtyard? Why didn't your family move out?"
The neighbors from the same alley surrounded Chen Lin's family, asking curiously.
"Hahaha, it's nothing, nothing! The clan arranged new places for those other two families to live, so they moved out!" Though Chen Hongbo was delighted inside, there was not the slightest hint of boasting in his words.
"Old Chen, keep hiding it if you want! I heard it from Third Chen of your Chen Clan. He said your Chen Lin has already passed the War God Temple's assessment and joined the War God Temple. Because of A Lin, the Chen Clan Patriarch even rewarded this courtyard to your family. Once you make it big, you can't forget us neighbors!"
"Ah! Old Chen, is that true? If A Lin really joined the War God Temple, you have to throw a banquet to celebrate! This brings glory to the ancestors—you can't be stingy!"
"Old Chen's son is truly amazing. He actually passed the War God Temple's test and joined the War God Temple. That's no simple feat!"
"Exactly! Even if my kid got into the middle academy of the martial institute, I wouldn't have the confidence to let him take the War God Temple's entry test. A Lin from Old Chen's family is really something!"
"Who was it that said a few days ago that he hadn't gotten into the martial institute and was finished? Take a look! Did he fail to get into the martial institute? He simply never bothered to get into the martial institute!"
"If I had a son that capable, even if I worked myself to death right now, I'd die content. Old Chen has finally turned things around—he's ridden his son's good fortune to great luck!"
"If my child could be even half as capable as A Lin from Old Chen's family, I'd be satisfied!"
As the news spread from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred, the surrounding streets and alleys soon learned that their neighborhood had produced a warrior from the War God Temple.
At the same time, Chen Lin became the idol of many youths nearby. They too yearned for the day when they could be like Chen Lin, bring glory to their family name, and help their families escape poverty and hardship.
"A Lin, not bad! You accomplished something huge without making a sound. You had such good news and didn't even tell me—I'd say that's a little unbrotherly!" Zhang Shan complained to Chen Lin, pretending to be dissatisfied.
"Hahaha! It was all luck, luck! I never expected to pass the War God Temple's entry test either. It really was luck!" Chen Lin said with a smile, waving his hand in explanation.
"Tch! Who would believe it was luck? Without some real ability, even luck as vast as the heavens wouldn't get you through. That strength test alone required seven hundred jin—who knew how many people's dreams it shattered! And you're telling me it was luck? You're being so humble it's almost ridiculous!" Zhang Shan said, looking at Chen Lin with a resentful expression.
"Uh..." Chen Lin shook his head with a bitter smile, yet he very much agreed with Zhang Shan's words.
After all, no matter how good one's luck was, without strength, it was all for nothing. This world was ultimately one where strength reigned supreme.
"May I ask if you are Young Master Chen Lin?"
Just as the family and their neighbors were chatting merrily, a voice calling out in inquiry immediately drew everyone's attention.
A luxuriously designed carriage had stopped before them. A young man in white stepped down from it with a smile plastered across his face, followed by someone Chen Lin knew well.
"Brother Zhou?" Chen Lin ignored the young man in white and first greeted the familiar Zhou Le. Only then did he look at the young man in white and ask, "And this is?"
"Brother Chen, this is my elder brother. He recently did something particularly foolish, and he hopes to speak with you to see whether the matter can be settled privately," Zhou Le explained with a bitter smile.
"Your elder brother wouldn't happen to be called Zhou Feng, would he?" Chen Lin asked, a flicker passing through his eyes.
"This foolish elder brother is indeed Zhou Feng. I wonder whether Brother Chen has the time for us to find a place and have a proper talk?" Zhou Feng invited apologetically.
Chen Lin looked at the white-robed Zhou Feng until Zhou Feng's calves trembled slightly and panic filled his heart.
He could not help but panic. According to what his cousin had told him, Chen Lin was now a member of the War God Temple and might even become a distinguished Demon Slayer Envoy in a few days.
It would be one thing if no evidence was found of someone plotting against a member of the War God Temple and a future Demon Slayer Envoy, but once evidence was found, forget the Zhou Family—even the lord of Nanqing City would not be able to bear the consequences.
There was no helping it. That was the War God Temple's prestige. Who told them that the world's strongest expert was seated within it?
Seeing the expectant expressions on the two men's faces, Chen Lin pondered for a moment before nodding. "All right. I happen to have something I want to discuss with your elder brother as well."
"Thank you, Brother Chen!" Zhou Le immediately clasped his hands in delight and thanked him.
Zhou Feng, who had been standing beside them with a placating smile, also revealed delight in his eyes upon hearing this.
After bidding farewell to the curious neighbors, family, and friends, Chen Lin and Zhou Le's group went to a rather elegant teahouse nearby.
The few of them sat facing one another in the tea room.
"Brother Chen, please have some tea!" Zhou Le picked up the teapot and poured Chen Lin a cup. With a face full of shame, he said, "It is truly embarrassing. We had barely become acquainted when something like this happened. I honestly don't know how to face you."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Feng lowered his head in shame, nearly burying it beneath the tea table.
Chen Lin took a light sip from his teacup, then looked at Zhou Feng without saying a word.
Seeing this, Zhou Le hurriedly kicked Zhou Feng beneath the table.
Zhou Feng immediately came to his senses. He quickly stood, refilled Chen Lin's cup, then forced a stiff smile onto his face. "Brother Chen, I had my younger brother bring me here this time specifically to apologize to you. I was the one in the wrong in this matter. Whatever you need, just name it—I absolutely guarantee I will satisfy it. I only hope Brother Chen will spare me and not pursue my mistake!"
Before you continue