An Uninvited Guest of the Lin Family

From the Chuyun Principality to the Heaven Dou Empire, Lin Qiuyu and Yang Dong had traveled for nearly a month and a half. Of course, that was because Yang Dong was still a child. If Lin Qiuyu had been alone, it would not have taken so long.

The Heaven Dou Empire was the strongest force in the region. The several surrounding principalities could all be considered its vassal states, and the only power capable of rivaling this behemoth was the Star Luo Empire.

However, Spirit Hall's influence had grown greater and greater over the years. Because Soul Masters were naturally allied with Spirit Hall, the support of countless Soul Masters had allowed Spirit Hall to surpass the Seven Great Sects led by the Clear Sky Sect. In many respects, even the two great empires were constrained by Spirit Hall.

Nuoding City lay in Fasnuo Province in the southwest of the Heaven Dou Empire. This city had been founded twenty years ago. Though it could not be considered a large city, it bordered the Star Luo Empire, and over the past decade or so, it had become one of the starting points for trade between merchants of the two empires.

That afternoon, a carriage traveled along the official road toward Nuoding City. Naturally, Lin Qiuyu and Yang Dong, mother and son, were inside. Their arrival drew no attention at all; they were no different from ordinary travelers.

"Go to the City Lord's Residence."

Lin Qiuyu's voice came from within the carriage. The driver was a farmer in his forties. Upon hearing her order, he guided the carriage toward the City Lord's Residence.

"It has been more than ten years since I returned. I never expected the changes to be so great."

Lin Qiuyu lifted the curtain and leaned her head outside, looking around as she sighed at how much things had changed.

"Is this the city where Grandfather lives? What's this city called?"

Yang Dong also peered outside curiously. Unless something unexpected happened, he would be staying in this city for several years. In other words, this would be the city where he lived from now on.

"It's called Nuoding City."

Lin Qiuyu drew her head back inside. She seemed to recall something, and after a sigh, she finally spoke softly.

What?

Nuoding City?

Yang Dong's body stiffened. He looked at Lin Qiuyu in disbelief and asked, "What city?"

"Nuoding City!"

Lin Qiuyu glanced at her precious son and repeated herself irritably.

"Now, Nuoding City's name has quite a story behind it. Your maternal grandfather has the character Nuo in his name, while your maternal grandmother has the character Ding in hers. That is why this city is called Nuoding City."

After hearing Lin Qiuyu's explanation, Yang Dong learned that Nuoding City had such an origin. In his memories, Nuoding City was Tang San's future stepping stone. He had never expected to come to this city as well.

"Madam, Young Master, we have arrived at the City Lord's Residence."

After the two chatted for a while, the carriage arrived at the City Lord's Residence in Nuoding City.

"Has the young lady and young master returned? The master has had me waiting here for quite some time."

The moment the carriage stopped, an elderly man in his fifties dressed in black appeared beside it and asked in a gentle voice.

"Uncle Ma, it's you. Where's my father?"

A long-unseen, relieved smile appeared on Lin Qiuyu's face. She led Yang Dong down from the carriage and spoke warmly to the man she called Uncle Ma.

"Dong'er, call him Grandpa Ma. Your mother and Grandpa Ma were very close when she was little."

Yang Dong obediently called him Grandpa Ma, making the old man, already past fifty, grin from ear to ear.

Butler Ma had followed Lin Nuo through half a lifetime of military campaigns and had no children of his own. He treated Lin Qiuyu as though she were his daughter. Just as he led Lin Qiuyu and Yang Dong into the City Lord's Residence, they heard a fierce argument.

"Uncle Ma, what exactly is going on?"

Lin Qiuyu's brows drew together, and an imposing aura of authority radiated from her without anger. After all, she was still an eighty-third-level Elemental Soul Douluo.

"Since you have noticed, Young Lady, this old servant will tell you the truth. People from Spirit Hall have come to the City Lord's Residence again. The master ordered that you must not interfere in this matter, so please pretend you heard nothing."

Butler Ma hunched his back and looked pleadingly at the woman before him.

Spirit Hall?

Lin Qiuyu froze at the name. She was no stranger to Spirit Hall, but she had never expected this behemoth to show up in her own home. Judging from Butler Ma's expression, Spirit Hall had clearly come with ill intent.

Yang Dong was equally stunned. Logically speaking, Spirit Hall at this point should not yet have become as utterly deranged as it would be in the future. So what could Spirit Hall possibly want from his maternal grandfather's home?

"Uncle Ma, take Dong'er back to his room to rest. I'll go take a look. Don't worry, Uncle Ma. Nothing will happen."

Lin Qiuyu spoke calmly. There was not the slightest fluctuation in her tone, yet the unquestionable authority in her voice made Butler Ma swallow the words that had reached his lips.

The young lady was, after all, an eighty-third-level Soul Douluo. How could someone like him, a Soul Master his entire life, dare argue with her?

Watching Lin Qiuyu leave, Butler Ma smiled at Yang Dong. "Young Master, shall we return to rest?"

"No! I want to see Grandfather too!"

Taking advantage of Butler Ma's inattention, Yang Dong ran toward the direction Lin Qiuyu had just gone. He quietly infused Soul Power into his legs, moving with an agility that did not resemble that of a six-year-old child at all.

"Young Master, come back!"

Butler Ma was old, after all. For the moment, he could only follow behind Yang Dong toward the reception hall.

Lin Family Reception Hall.

"Lord of Lin Nuo City, Nuoding City does not belong to you, Lin Nuo, alone. Our Spirit Hall is establishing a branch in Nuoding City for the people living around it. I advise you not to interfere in Spirit Hall's affairs in the future. Awakening children's Martial Souls can only be handled by Spirit Hall!"

Lin Nuo was also an elderly man past fifty. His lavish embroidered robes stirred without wind, and at this moment, he resembled an enraged lion, his eyes fixed on the middle-aged man leisurely drinking tea not far away.

Gu Liangong, the master of Spirit Hall Nuoding City Branch. His Martial Soul was the Attack Type Beast Martial Soul, Savage Ape. He was a forty-seventh-level Soul Ancestor.

Such cultivation was already considered quite high in a place like Nuoding City. Especially when Nuoding City's City Lord was only a Soul Master of a little over ten levels, Gu Liangong was even more fearless.

"Interfering in Spirit Hall's affairs? Since when has Spirit Hall been the only one on Douluo Continent allowed to awaken Martial Souls for others? Isn't Spirit Hall being far too domineering?!"

Lin Qiuyu appeared in the reception hall. She first looked toward Lin Nuo, then shifted her gaze to Gu Liangong.