Was Lin Yun a Long-Lost Member of the Lin Family?

"My dear nephew, I knew from the start you had the bearing of a dragon or phoenix. You haven't disappointed me."

Yang Mingyou beamed and bowed obsequiously to the man before him.

Sitting quietly across from him was none other than Lin Yun!

Yang Xiaoran sat in Lin Yun's lap, her arms around his neck, her eyes full of adoration.

Lin Yun lifted his teacup and took an unhurried sip without saying a word.

Yang Xiaoran nestled against him and said coyly, "Lin Yun, I never imagined you were from the Lin Family. I knew you wouldn't let me down."

Lin Yun pinched her thigh and grinned wickedly. "I told you I'd find a way. Don't worry, Xiaoran. One day, I'll make that bastard Li Yao kneel before you."

Yang Xiaoran let out a soft squeak and gave Lin Yun's chest a playful thump. "Lin Yun, you're awful."

Yang Mingyou watched them flirt, then rubbed his hands together and interrupted. "Well, my dear nephew, what about our Yang Family?"

Lin Yun set down his teacup and glanced at him. "Keep gathering it."

"Keep gathering it?" Yang Mingyou froze. "My dear nephew, we've nearly gathered One Hundred Thousand Spirit Stones. Are we really giving them to that little bastard Li Yao?"

"What's the rush?" Lin Yun sneered. "Just keep gathering them, then spread the word that you have enough."

Yang Mingyou's eyes lit up. "You mean...?"

"When he comes to collect, that'll be the day he meets his end."

A cold smile curled Lin Yun's lips.

Yang Xiaoran's eyes brightened, and she clapped her hands. "Lin Yun, that's brilliant! Li Yao will never expect us to set an ambush at home!"

Lin Yun stroked her head. "Li Yao thinks being a Martial Saint's grandson makes him something special? My Lin Family has guarded the northern frontier for three generations. If it comes to a fight, who's afraid of whom?"

Yang Mingyou's face flushed with excitement. "Exactly! With the Lin Family behind us, why should we fear Li Yao?"

Lin Yun waved a hand. "Enough. Head back and do as I said."

Yang Mingyou nodded repeatedly and led Yang Xiaoran out.

The door to the secret chamber closed. Lin Yun sat alone, tapping his fingers lightly against the table.

"Li Yao, no one has ever dared slap me. Just you wait," he muttered, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

Meanwhile, at Li Family Manor, Li Yao sat in his room with a letter in hand, reading it with keen interest.

The letter had come from a Li Family spy. It laid out everything that had happened with the Yang Family, down to every word Lin Yun had said.

When Li Yao finished reading, his lips curved slightly. "Interesting."

Li Wenbin's face was full of indignation. "Lin Yun and the Yang Family must be tired of living. Young Master, just give the word, and I'll tear their home apart. I guarantee the Yang Family will never get back on its feet."

"Now, don't rush. In a big forest, you'll find every kind of bird. If they want to play, we'll play along."

Li Wenbin grew anxious. "Young Master, this is no joke! If Lin Yun really brings in experts from the Lin Family, we'll have trouble on our hands!"

"Trouble?" Li Yao rose and patted Li Wenbin on the shoulder. "Uncle Bin, tell me: whom has my Li Family ever feared?"

Li Wenbin paused.

Li Yao went on, "My father is a Martial Emperor, my grandfather is a Martial Saint, and three generations of my family have protected this country. What storms haven't we weathered? What is the Lin Family to us?"

"But, Young Master..."

"Enough." Li Yao waved him off. "I know what you're worried about. Trust me, I know what I'm doing."

Li Wenbin wanted to say more, but seeing how confident Li Yao looked, he swallowed his words.

Li Yao walked to the window and gazed into the night. "If Lin Yun wants to play, I'll give him a proper game. Let's see what tricks he has up his sleeve." Li Wenbin looked at him and sighed. "Young Master, you've changed."

"Changed?" Li Yao turned toward him. "How?"

"In the past, you'd have rushed over to beat them up the moment something like this happened," Li Wenbin said. "Now you're thinking it through and even using strategy."

Li Yao laughed. "That's not strategy. It's turning their own scheme against them."

He paused, then added, "Besides, I may be arrogant, but I'm no fool. If Lin Yun dares set a trap, I'll turn it against him and see who ends up the unlucky one."

Li Wenbin felt considerably more at ease.

"Then what do you plan to do, Young Master?"

"Nothing special." Li Yao shrugged. "Let them keep gathering Spirit Stones. Once they have enough, I'll go collect."

"But..."

"What are you afraid of?" Li Yao cut him off. "If Lin Yun can call in help, why can't I? Does the Lin Family have experts while the Li Family has none?"

Li Wenbin's eyes lit up. "You mean...?"

"Bring me a few experts later," Li Yao said. "I want to see what tricks Lin Yun can pull."

Li Wenbin nodded. "All right. I'll see to it now."

He turned to leave, but Li Yao stopped him. "Oh, and Uncle Bin, don't bring too many. That would spoil the fun."

Li Wenbin paused, then laughed. "Young Master, you're getting better and better at this."

"Of course." Li Yao grinned. "What's life for if you can't have a little fun?"

Li Wenbin said nothing more and left.

Li Yao was alone in the room.

He went to the table, picked up the letter, and read it again, a faint smile on his lips.

"Lin Yun, a long-lost member of the Lin Family?"

"Interesting," he murmured.

Then he tore the letter to pieces and threw them in the trash.

"The second round of the Martial Arts Tournament is tomorrow." He stretched. "I should get to bed early and save my strength."

"As for the Yang Family, I'll close the net once they've gathered enough. Maybe I can even catch Lin Yun and get something from the Lin Family in exchange."

The more he thought about it, the wider his smile grew.

"Interesting. Very interesting."

He murmured the words to himself.

When Li Yao woke early the next morning, the sun was already high.

He got up, washed, changed into clean clothes, and went downstairs for breakfast.

Li Wenbin was already waiting at the dining table.

"Young Master, I made the arrangements last night," Li Wenbin said. "I've brought in three Martial King-level experts, ready to follow your orders at any time."

"Three Martial Kings?" Li Yao raised an eyebrow. "That'll be enough."

He sat down, picked up his chopsticks, and popped a steamed bun into his mouth.

"Oh, Uncle Bin, the second round of the Martial Arts Tournament is today. Come with me."

"All right." Li Wenbin nodded.

After breakfast, Li Yao wiped his mouth and stood.

"Let's go. Time to head to school."

He walked out the front door and got into the car. It rolled slowly out of the Estate and headed toward Imperial Capital University.