Wandering Cultivation

Lin Yiqing's expression darkened completely at the sight.

This Lin Family is truly a nest of snakes and rats. It seems the suppression of other clansmen isn't just Lin Mang's personal agenda!

He had not expected Lin Shan to dare come knocking on his door; it was sheer audacity. What angered him even more was that among those present, Lin Xia clearly possessed the status and ability to step forward and uphold justice, yet she chose to condone the behavior.

"Slap!"

A crisp sound rang out, and the faces of everyone present immediately filled with shock and astonishment.

Lin Shan had been sent sprawling to the ground by a heavy slap from Lin Yiqing, half of his face reduced to a bloody, mangled mess.

"Ah, it hurts, it hurts so much! Save me, brother!"

Lin Shan was dazed for a moment before letting out a heart-wrenching wail, snot and tears streaming down his face as he clutched his ruined cheek.

"You bastard, you're courting death!"

"Low-grade second-tier martial art, Eight Desolations Palm!"

Lin Hong flew into a rage, his figure lunging forward instantly. A faint, pearly-white glow shimmered on his palm; clearly, he had stepped into the sixth stage of the Body Tempering Realm and had already birthed an Origin Power Seed within his body.

With this stance, using Origin Power to fuel his martial art, it was obvious he intended to kill Lin Yiqing in a single strike.

"First-tier martial art, Through-Back Fist!"

Since the other party had moved to kill, Lin Yiqing held nothing back. Origin Power surged through his meridians, and waves of formidable force erupted in an instant.

"Bang!"

Accompanied by the low, muffled thuds of the Through-Back Fist, a white-clad figure was sent flying, crashing heavily into the ground and rolling several times before coming to a stop.

"Pfft!"

With a violent spray of blood, Lin Hong fell completely unconscious. His arm was visibly shattered from the collision, jagged bone spurs piercing through his skin—he was clearly severely wounded.

"Lin Hong actually lost."

Seeing this, Lin Xia stood outside the circle, her expression one of disbelief as she murmured to herself.

One had to know that Lin Hong was a figure capable of competing with her for the title of the Lin Family's top genius. She never imagined he would be defeated by another's fist in a single move.

"What 'noble direct line' and 'inferior branch'—it's utterly nauseating. We are all clansmen of the same Lin bloodline. Furthermore, for this Lin Family to establish a foothold in Qingyang Town, from my grandfather down to my parents, how many lives have our branch sacrificed? Is this the bullying we get in return? Do you not feel ashamed before our ancestors?"

Looking at the defeated Lin Hong and his brother, Lin Yiqing felt a lingering indignation and could not help but mock them.

He truly felt it was unjust. His branch had been implicated by Lin Zhentian and exiled here to establish a branch family, yet after several decades, their numbers had withered to this extent.

Many clansmen had even been reduced to the status of servants. What kind of logic was this?

"Cousin Yiqing, you should leave quickly. Second Uncle is extremely protective of his own. You've severely injured both Lin Hong and Lin Shan; I fear this will cost you your life. You must flee at once!"

Lin Dong stepped forward, his expression complex as he spoke.

He understood Lin Yiqing's grievances, but Lin Mang held an extraordinary position in the Lin Family. Not only did he wield significant power, but he was also one of the three Heaven Origin Realm experts in the family. The disparity in their strength and status was simply too vast.

Rather than waiting for an unfair verdict, it was better to leave early and avoid disaster.

"Hoo, thank you for the warning, Cousin Lin Dong. I have my own plans!"

Exhaling a breath of pent-up frustration, Lin Yiqing cupped his fists in gratitude. Just as he turned to leave, a sharp, feminine cry rang out.

"No, you cannot leave!"

Lin Xia stepped forward quickly, spreading her arms to block Lin Yiqing's path.

A flicker of hesitation crossed her face before it turned resolute. "You have severely injured Lin Shan and Lin Hong. This matter requires an accounting!"

"What kind of accounting do you want? Didn't you see the entire process?"

Lin Yiqing looked at her with a cold expression. He had not expected that even with the facts laid bare, Lin Xia would still demand an explanation from him.

"Changfeng, go notify the Law Enforcement Team! We don't know the reason for your dispute; only by involving the Law Enforcement Team can we convince everyone. I believe the Law Enforcement Team will handle this impartially!"

Lin Xia was determined to have the Lin Family's Law Enforcement Team handle the matter, but Lin Yiqing knew that the team was controlled by her father, Lin Ken, and that Lin Ken and Lin Mang were half-brothers.

He could not be certain if the Law Enforcement Team would be truly fair.

"You saw it yourself. This was Lin Shan and Lin Hong bullying clansmen for no reason. I only fought back in self-defense. What wrong have I committed? Must I simply bow my head and wait for death?"

Lin Yiqing asked indignantly. In the end, they were all birds of a feather.

They were brothers by blood, tied by kinship, while he was just a lonely, distant relative. Did he really need to wonder how they would choose?

"Sister Lin Xia, move aside! This was an unprovoked disaster for Cousin Yiqing; Lin Shan and Lin Hong brought this upon themselves! If you need evidence, I am willing to stand up and testify for him!"

At the critical moment, Lin Dong stepped forward and spoke righteously.

He could not sit idly by. If someone had to step up to uphold justice, he was willing to be that person.

"You... sigh, forget it."

Lin Xia, anxious and wanting to say more, finally let out a sigh and stepped aside.

"Thank you, Cousin Lin Dong!" Lin Yiqing cupped his fists from a distance, then turned and strode away. The lackeys on the side had long since been frightened out of their wits; no one dared to step forward to stop him.

Returning home, Lin Yiqing couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy. He had known years ago that he would leave one day, but he hadn't expected it to be so soon.

The Lin brothers were merely the fuse. If they dared to bully even Lin Dong, who was also Lin Zhentian's grandson, what hope was there for a dispensable clansman like himself?

The internal conflicts within the Lin Family had reached an irreconcilable point; in fact, Lin Zhentian's direct bloodline had already become the de facto main branch.

Whether in terms of resources or even status and standing, they had already surpassed the other clansmen. Since he was unwilling to bow his head, leaving became the only choice.

The unprovoked bullying from Lin Shan and Lin Hong was merely a trivial reflection of the overall situation within the entire Lin Family.

Did the others not know of the brothers' daily conduct? It was nothing more than indulgence and the fear to speak out.

Moreover, staying here offered no way to obtain more resources; even the path for advancement had been completely blocked.

"Creak."

After stowing away several boxes containing spiritual herbs, putting the family's precious valuables into his Universe Bag, and strapping on his Refined Iron Dagger, Lin Yiqing cast a glance around the dilapidated bluestone courtyard before him, taking in everything one last time. With a sorrowful expression, he closed the gate, turned, and walked away with quick strides.

After walking several meters, he still could not help but look back.

This place, where he had lived for thirteen years, had witnessed his departure after having already seen off his grandfather and parents.

From here on out, he would be a wanderer at the ends of the earth.

"Enough. From this day forward, the sky is high and the waters are wide for the bird to fly; I shall walk my own path!"

"Why must one be buried in their hometown? Every mountain in this life is a place to rest!"