Conflict

"Mystic Tiger Gang?"

Hearing that name, Lin Langtian's brows furrowed slightly.

Even some third-rate force 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 years and are responsible for gathering intelligence here for the clan. Do you know anything about the Mystic Tiger Gang?"

With his brows tightly drawn, Lin Langtian turned to the plump steward beside him, Lin Tao.

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

However, every major clan and faction did the same thing, so the Imperial Family clearly had no way to prohibit it.

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

Outstanding members of the clan's young 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 no small share of the responsibility.

"Oh? Then what is the Mystic Tiger Gang's background, to dare disregard the Lin Clan?" A murderous glint flashed through Lin Langtian's Black Eyes as he spoke in a deep voice.

"This... I do not know what gives the Mystic Tiger Gang such confidence. As far as I know, even in the entire Imperial Capital, the Mystic 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 Mystic 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, established himself in the Imperial Capital, and founded the Mystic Tiger Gang."

"The Huangpu Clan?"

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

By now, he had roughly grasped the full story. This was most likely connected to Huangpu Ying!

Understanding dawned in Lin Ke'er's Beautiful Eyes. She immediately clenched her Silver Teeth and shouted angrily, "Is Huangpu Ying trying to start a war with our Lin Clan?!"

She had also been present at what happened during the auction and knew that Huangpu Ying secretly harbored hostility toward Lin Langtian.

Yet she had not expected Huangpu Ying to resort to such despicable means, remotely directing the Huangpu Clan's peripheral forces to bully Lin Ya and the others.

He truly had no shame at all!

Upon hearing the name Huangpu Clan, Lin Tao immediately became as quiet as a cicada in winter, cold sweat constantly beading on his forehead.

This concerned two of the Great Yan Empire's great powers. How could a mere nobody like him possibly bear such a burden?

But 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, "In reply to the Law Enforcement Elder, since Lin City, the Lin Clan's main headquarters, is not far from the Imperial City, the Clan Leaders of every generation have been extremely cautious about placing forces within the Imperial City.

Thus, the Lin Clan does not have many people in the Imperial City. I am the strongest among them, and I am only at the Minor Accomplishment of Shaping Realm."

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

Not only had they not planted any Vassal Force here, but even their strongest person was merely a Shaping Realm expert.

But on second thought, it made sense. How could one allow another to sleep soundly beside one's bed? Compared with the other major clans, Lin City, where the Lin Clan was based, was simply 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 Family rest easy? They might even take measures to suppress the Lin Clan.

The Lin Clan's high-level members throughout the generations had also considered this. In order to avoid arousing the Imperial Family's suspicion, the Lin Clan had maintained only a weak presence in the Imperial Capital.

"Law Enforcement Elder, how about we send a message by flying eagle and request the clan to dispatch experts to wipe out the Mystic Tiger Gang?" Lin Tao suggested cautiously.

"Distant water cannot put out an immediate fire. Besides, this is the Imperial Capital. Even if the Imperial Family allowed the Lin Clan to slaughter freely, the Huangpu Clan behind the Mystic Tiger Gang would likely not stand by and watch."

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

Clearly, Huangpu Ying was not merely a brainless simp. Though he had resorted to such underhanded tactics, he had also struck precisely at the Lin Clan's weakness.

"Brother Langtian, then what about Lin Chen and the others..." Lin Ke'er asked, lightly biting her red lips.

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

Lin Tao hurriedly replied, "The Mystic Tiger Gang is considered second-rate in the Imperial Capital. Its strongest member is its leader, Huang Yin, who is at the major accomplishment of the Qi Shaping Realm. However, he once fought a Half-step Creation Realm expert to a draw.

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

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

"Oh, major accomplishment of the Qi Shaping Realm..." Hearing Lin Tao's account, Lin Langtian immediately focused on Huang Yin's cultivation.

His hand slowly clenched as Lin Langtian said coldly, "Steward Lin, gather everyone in the residence and head for the northern district.

As for Huang Yin, leave him to me!"

Deep within the northern district of the Imperial Capital lay a Gravel Square. The area around it was lined with prosperous shops, where one could find all manner of spirit medicines, weapons and armor, martial arts manuals, and even Demon Crystals.

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

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

One group was entirely clad in yellow. A faint Fierce Qi drifted from their bodies, and the sharp, tense atmosphere was especially intense.

The people present also recognized this group.

The Mystic Tiger Gang—a fairly well-known gang in the Imperial Capital that controlled several streets in this part of the northern district.

This street was now within the Mystic Tiger Gang's territory.

As for the other group, they were quite young. Judging by their attire, they seemed to be members of the Lin Clan.

Seeing this, many people were greatly surprised. Did the Mystic Tiger Gang actually dare to provoke members of the Lin Clan?

"Little miss, spend one night with our gang leader. Otherwise, none of you will be leaving today." At the head of the yellow-clad group, a sharp-faced man stared lecherously at Lin Ya's curvaceous figure.

"Spend the night with 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 Lin Ya of the Lin Clan.

"Damn it! We are members of the Lin Clan! If you truly anger our Lin Clan, your Mystic Tiger Gang will be utterly wiped out!" Lin Chen roared beside Lin Ya. He looked somewhat disheveled as well, clearly having gone through a fight earlier.

"The Lin Clan..." Upon hearing the name of this overwhelmingly powerful family, the yellow-clad group fell into slight disorder. The reputation of the Four Great Clans was no joke within the Great Yan Empire.

"Hmph, you few are merely borrowing the Lin Clan's name. Yet you still dare to argue!"

From among the yellow-clad group, a Middle-aged Man dressed in an extravagant yellow robe slowly stepped forward and snorted coldly.

This man was Huang Yin, the Mystic Tiger Gang's leader, a peak Qi Shaping Realm cultivator.

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

"Attack. Capture these people impersonating members of the Lin Clan!" Huang Yin narrowed his eyes slightly, recalling the instructions of the person behind him as he gave the cold order.

"Yes, Gang Leader!"

After exchanging looks, although the Mystic Tiger Gang members did not truly believe anyone would dare impersonate one of the Four Great Clans, they did not dare disobey their gang leader's command.

Watching the Mystic Tiger Gang members charge straight at them, the expressions of Lin Chen and the other three turned slightly grim. Being outnumbered was always a disadvantage.

Swoosh!

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

The Mystic Tiger Gang members hurriedly dodged, but the gust was so terrifying that it sent them stumbling in every direction.

"Who is it?!"

This sudden interference caused Huang Yin to frown. He turned his gaze and saw a figure slowly approaching.

The man wore a green shirt and stood with his hands behind his back. As a light breeze swept past, his long hair fluttered in the wind, giving him an exceptionally carefree bearing. Faintly, an air of superiority and pride naturally radiated from him. Combined with his handsome features and extraordinary temperament, he was truly striking.

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

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

"Lin Langtian!"