Promise

The hunt in Green Sun Town is held every three years. It is a grand and bustling affair, drawing spectators even from outside the town who come to join in the excitement.

Speaking of this hunt, Lin Ge was reminded of the three top powers in Green Sun Town: the Lei Clan, the Xie Clan, and the Mad Blade Martial Hall.

The Lei Clan and the Xie Clan are native families of Green Sun Town, possessing deep foundations built over dozens of generations. The Mad Blade Martial Hall, however, was founded only a few decades ago, yet it has developed rapidly, rising to prominence and commanding a strength that makes the Lei and Xie clans wary, daring not to underestimate them in the slightest.

The hunt is jointly organized by these three major powers, with the purpose of putting the younger generation of their respective factions to the test.

Of course, this is also a different form of competition between the major powers.

Whoever can stand out during the hunt will bring immense benefits to the family they represent.

Therefore, all the major powers in Green Sun Town place great importance on this hunt.

To achieve good results in the hunt, the participants are naturally the cream of the crop from their respective families, making it easy to foresee just how brutal the competition will be.

The Lin Clan is the strongest family beneath these three major powers, but in previous years, their results in the hunt have been unsatisfactory, inviting mockery from many.

Lin Zhentian attaches great importance to this upcoming hunt; he intends for not only Lin Dong and Lin Hong to participate, but he is also preparing to have Lin Ge join the ranks.

With Lin Ge's participation, Lin Zhentian is confident that the Lin Clan can break into the top three, and perhaps even taking first place is not entirely impossible.

Because the Lei Clan and the Xie Clan are native powers, they are extremely exclusionary toward the Lin Clan and the Mad Blade Martial Hall. In recent years, they have used grand events like the hunt to continuously suppress the Lin Clan and the Mad Blade Martial Hall, aiming to curb their development and bolster the strength of the Lei and Xie clans!

Although Lin Zhentian is aware of the Lei and Xie clans' schemes, he is powerless to stop them. After all, the younger generation of the Lin Clan is far inferior compared to those of the Lei and Xie clans, so even though he knows their intentions, he has no choice but to swallow his pride.

But this time is different. Lin Ge's appearance has given Lin Zhentian great confidence that the Lin Clan can stand out among the various powers this time and deal a heavy blow to the prestige of the Lei and Xie clans.

"I understand. I will participate."

Lin Ge has a vague impression of this matter, though he cannot recall the specific strength of the geniuses from the Lei and Xie clans. However, he is confident that no matter who the opponent is, they could never be a match for him.

Lin Zhentian nods slightly, a smile appearing on his lips once more.

The fact that Lin Ge agreed suggests that his resentment toward the Lin Clan is not particularly deep, and there is still hope for reconciliation.

"There is one more thing I hope you will agree to, Grandfather."

After hesitating for a moment, Lin Zhentian finally cannot suppress the expectation in his heart and speaks up.

Here it comes!

Lin Ge had already guessed Lin Zhentian's thoughts: he wants him to participate in the Lin Clan's family gathering, reach the top ten, and allow the Lin Clan to re-enter the Inner Branch.

"I believe you have heard others speak of the Lin Clan's past to some extent, so I will not dwell on it further. I only hope that you can lead the Lin Clan back into the Lin Clan Inner Branch and fulfill the dream of my life. Can you do that?"

After speaking, Lin Zhentian looks at Lin Ge with anticipation. The hope in his eyes is so intense that Lin Ge finds it hard to refuse.

The old man has spent decades striving to enter the Lin Clan Inner Branch. He had originally pinned his hopes on Lin Dong's father, only for him to be eliminated in the first round, leaving the old man heartbroken and afraid to hope for it again.

But Lin Ge's appearance has once again given the old man hope. He feels that what Lin Xiao failed to accomplish for him, this grandson will surely be able to achieve!

Lin Ge does not rush to answer the old man's plea, instead looking at him calmly, a flash of complex emotion crossing his eyes.

Ever since being expelled from the Inner Branch, Lin Zhentian has been working toward returning, and he has not given up even now. This persistence moves Lin Ge.

However, the matter of rejoining the Lin Clan Inner Branch is something Lin Dong will be able to help him achieve in the future, so it is not convenient for him to intervene.

Yet, Lin Ge cannot bring himself to be so heartless as to refuse outright, so he replies: "At the next family gathering, the Lin Clan will certainly be able to go to the Inner Branch."

Lin Ge did not promise Lin Zhentian that he would be the one to do it, but he did not refuse either; he simply stated a fact that would come to pass in the future.

Lin Zhentian does not understand the true meaning behind Lin Ge's words. Thinking that this is Lin Ge agreeing to his request, he cannot help but shed a tear.

"Thank you, Grandfather."

Lin Zhentian speaks with great sincerity, but Lin Ge feels a twinge of guilt, knowing that it will not be him, but Lin Dong, who brings the Lin Clan into the Inner Branch.

Out of this guilt, Lin Ge's attitude slowly softens, no longer as cold as it was moments ago.

Lin Zhentian notices the change in Lin Ge and a flash of joy appears in his eyes, believing that Lin Ge is gradually accepting the Lin Clan, which makes him quite emotional.

After a few moments of casual conversation, Lin Zhentian departs.

Lin Ge watches Lin Zhentian's retreating figure, the warmth in his eyes vanishing in an instant.

On the other side, Lin Zhentian, having left the bamboo forest, encounters Lin Ken, who is waiting outside.

"Father, how did it go?"

As Lin Zhentian's right-hand man, Lin Ken enjoys his full trust, so he had known about this matter for a long time.

Seeing Lin Zhentian emerge alone with an unreadable expression, he feels puzzled and quickly steps forward to ask.

Lin Zhentian glances at his eldest son, a smile gradually appearing on his face as he says, "He agreed."

"That is good."

Hearing this answer, Lin Ken breathes a sigh of relief as well.

Lin Zhentian's dream of rejoining the Inner Branch has become an obsession. As his eldest son, Lin Ken has long wanted to ease his father's burden, but lacking the necessary strength, he had pinned his hopes on his younger brother, Lin Xiao—only for him to be defeated in a single move and fall into despair ever since.

After Lin Xiao's failure, Lin Ken had thought there was no hope left in this lifetime, but Lin Ge's appearance has given him hope once more. Thus, he is genuinely happy from the bottom of his heart that Lin Ge agreed to this.

"It is just that I found he seems to harbor great resentment toward the Lin Clan," Lin Zhentian says with a sigh, recalling the coldness in Lin Ge's eyes during their initial conversation.

Hearing this, Lin Ken looks back on the past and says, "It is only natural for him to feel resentment after we ignored the child for so many years. As long as we treat him well in the days to come and let him feel the warmth of family, I believe this resentment will naturally fade away."

Lin Zhentian finds Lin Ken's words reasonable and cannot help but nod. "I hope that day is not too far off. Let us head back now."

Lin Ken nods, and together with Lin Zhentian, they disappear beyond the bamboo forest.