Outside the imperial capital of the Star Luo Empire stood the Hell Spirit Cat Zhu Family's Duke's Mansion!
As one of the Star Luo Empire's foremost noble families, the Zhu Family occupied an extensive estate, with countless tall buildings and tight security. Almost no one dared approach.
At that moment, a harmonious atmosphere filled the mansion, and the family seemed perfectly amicable.
The Zhu Family's patriarch sat upright in the seat of honor, his expression placid; the Zhu Family Matriarch looked every bit the loving mother; Zhu Zhuyun stood to one side, her figure graceful.
The family of three appeared harmonious, but in truth, each harbored their own schemes.
Zhu Zhuyun deliberately brought up Zhu Zhuqing before her parents:
"Little Qing is far too rebellious. She refuses to be disciplined, and this time, she actually ran away from home. We can't even find her. As her older sister, I'm worried sick."
Mother Zhu nodded slightly:
"Yes, we've searched the entire Star Luo Empire, but we still haven't found that girl.
"She spends every day at home blaming heaven and everyone else. How could we, her parents, ever truly harm her?"
Hearing this, Father Zhu spoke flatly, his tone exceedingly cold:
"As a child of the Zhu Family, she can't even adapt to the family's rules. If she can't withstand this little pressure, she's truly unfit for anything important."
"Don't be angry, Father. It wouldn't be good to damage your health.
"I failed to discipline my younger sister properly. It's all my fault."
"What fault do you bear? You're the empire's future empress. Anyone else may be at fault, but not you. That girl simply causes too much worry."
After hearing her father's words, Zhu Zhuyun continued to feign concern, but inwardly, joy had already blossomed.
She was seven years older than Zhu Zhuqing, a gulf Zhu Zhuqing could never cross.
The position of crown princess belonged to her, the future position of empress of the Star Luo Empire belonged to her, and naturally, so did the position of Zhu Family head.
As for Zhu Zhuqing, she was nothing more than a discarded pawn of the family.
Their parents had always favored her. Even when she secretly tried to assassinate Zhu Zhuqing, they had never intervened in the slightest-in truth, they knew perfectly well.
Rumble!
Just then, the sky above the entire Zhu Family estate suddenly darkened. The terrifying pressure of a Ferocious Beast descended without warning, instantly enveloping everyone in the mansion.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack! Everyone, on guard!"
All the guards and stewards around the estate's perimeter immediately went on alert, releasing their Martial Souls to face the enemy. Yet beneath that terrifying pressure, every one of them instantly froze in place, unable to move, their Soul Power stagnant and impossible to circulate.
The arrivals were none other than Lin Yan, Zhu Zhuqing, and Zhu Zhuyou, who had ridden Kunpeng straight to the sky above the Zhu Family estate.
As the saying went, "One day, the great peng rises with the wind, soaring straight up ninety thousand li." It had taken them only half an hour to travel from Suotuo City to the sky above the Zhu Family estate outside Star Luo Imperial City.
This was no longer flying. It was practically traversing space.
Just as Lin Yan was preparing to use Kunpeng to show off properly, Kunpeng vanished on the spot without waiting for him to continue.
What the hell! What kind of pet did you give me? After all that, this divine beast is purely a means of transportation!
It disappears once we arrive? Then can I change the itinerary? If I change the destination to Heaven Dou Imperial City, will it show that we haven't arrived yet? Can I still ride it around for a bit?
Unfortunately, Lin Yan could only think about it. This system had no loopholes whatsoever for him to exploit.
Ugh, this is just unbelievable.
Still, speechless though he was, Lin Yan landed safely and calmly led Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyou toward the inner hall, ignoring the guards who had yet to react.
By then, Zhu Wei, Zhu Zhuyun, and the Zhu Family Matriarch, Dai Ya, were already hurrying outside.
After all, that terrifying pressure had left them unable to breathe as well. Although it had vanished in an instant, they were even more eager to learn what had happened.
As a result, they ran straight into Lin Yan's group.
Zhu Wei looked surprised at the three who had suddenly barged in, especially when he saw Lin Yan beside Zhu Zhuqing.
The moment this Soul Douluo-level expert saw Lin Yan, he found him unfathomable. Moreover, that terrifying pressure just now had also indicated that this person's identity was far from ordinary.
Whether he was friend or foe remained unknown. However, even if he had come with ill intent, Zhu Wei was unwilling to make an enemy of him unless theirs was a life-and-death grudge. It would be best to settle things peacefully if possible.
Zhu Zhuyun, meanwhile, focused all her attention on her younger sister:
This dear little sister of mine has only been out of the Star Luo Empire for a few days, yet she's already back, and who knows where she found this strange fellow.
What was that terrifying aura just now? Did it come from this mysterious person before us? Everything about this is strange.
She was someone being groomed as an empress, so she did not say much.
The Zhu Family Matriarch was adept at handling every side and saw further than the others. Her gaze remained fixed on Zhu Zhuyou beside Zhu Zhuqing.
As she studied Zhu Zhuyou's exquisite little face, she felt increasingly uneasy:
Why does this child look so much like Zhu Zhuqing? She even carries an incomparable air of nobility.
This child looks only six. She can't possibly be Zhu Zhuqing's child.
In that case, doesn't that mean she's Zhu Wei's illegitimate daughter, whom Zhu Zhuqing found and brought back as leverage?
That's right. That must be it!
At this thought, her face immediately turned livid.
Still, a family's dirty laundry must not be aired in public. Whatever happened now, she had to maintain the bearing of the Zhu Family Matriarch. She could not lose her temper and turn hostile in public. Everything else would have to wait until today's business was over.
After entering, Lin Yan said nothing, standing protectively in front of Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyou as he watched the three of them.
From beginning to end, he had not released the slightest aura. His whole approach was, I'll stay mysterious. You can do the guessing.
Zhu Wei's brows knitted tightly, his heart full of apprehension. Still, he dared not offend him and stepped forward to ask:
"May I ask who you are, sir, and what brings you to our Zhu Family?"
Lin Yan raised his head to look at Zhu Wei and spoke indifferently:
"Patriarch Zhu, I'm a merchant.
"Your second daughter, Zhu Zhuqing, ordered a customized Cultivation Package from me and incurred a debt she cannot repay. I've come specifically to collect that debt today."
"Collect a debt?" Zhu Wei's taut nerves immediately relaxed by more than half. So he had not come seeking revenge, but to collect a debt.
It was only a debt. Zhu Zhuqing had left the family not long ago. How much could she possibly owe?
A few thousand or tens of thousands of Gold Soul Coins at most. Even in the worst case, it could only be a few hundred thousand. That sum was a mere splash of water to them, not worth mentioning.
In short, any problem money could settle was no problem. Their Zhu Family had produced empresses for generations and was the wealthiest family after the Star Luo Imperial Family.
"So it's only a little matter like this." Zhu Wei spoke magnanimously.
"As long as you produce the Debt Contract, once we've verified it ourselves, we'll pay whatever is owed in full, without withholding so much as a fraction."
Seeing Zhu Wei's generous manner, Lin Yan was taken aback as well. He looked at Zhu Zhuqing, his gaze seeming to say, This is a little different from what you described.
Zhu Zhuqing merely smiled helplessly and gestured for Lin Yan to continue.
"I didn't expect you to be so generous. In that case, today's matter should be very easy to resolve."
With a casual wave of Lin Yan's hand, a Debt Contract appeared on the tea table in the middle of the reception hall, accompanied by a detailed account.
"The detailed account is here, and so is the contract. Have a look."
Before you continue