Lin Zhenshan left the Lin residence at 3:45 AM.
He slipped out through the back door, changed into an inconspicuous gray robe, and put on a straw hat that covered most of his face.
After leaving the house, he didn't walk down the main street, but instead turned into a secluded alley. He wandered around the alley for a while, and finally stopped in front of an inconspicuous house.
The house looked no different from the surrounding residences, with gray walls and black tiles, and two extinguished lanterns hanging at the entrance.
Lin Zhenshan looked around to make sure no one was following him before stepping forward and knocking on the door three times—two short knocks and one long knock.
After a while, the door opened a crack from the inside. A gaunt old man glanced at him, said nothing, and simply turned slightly to the side.
Lin Zhenshan slipped into the courtyard, and the gate closed silently behind him.
The gaunt old man led Lin Zhenshan through the courtyard and into the main hall.
The furnishings in the main hall were extremely simple, consisting of only a table and a few chairs. An oil lamp sat on the table, its wick flickering with a ghostly green flame, casting an eerie glow over the entire hall.
A man dressed in a black robe sat behind a table, his back to the door, looking at something.
"Reporting to the messenger, Lin Zhenshan has brought new news," the gaunt old man said in a low voice.
The man in black robes did not turn around, but merely raised his hand.
The gaunt old man bowed and withdrew.
Lin Zhenshan forward, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Envoy."
"Speak," the black-robed man's voice was low and hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing against bones, making one feel uncomfortable all over.
"I've found out more about that Tang San."
Lin Zhenshan lowered his voice, "After he returned to the manor with my elder brother last night, he stayed in the Qingzhu Pavilion in the backyard. I sent people to keep an eye on him outside, and he didn't go out all night. He must be recuperating."
The man in black robes finally turned around.
The green light of the oil lamp shone on his face, revealing a pale and thin features.
His eyes were deep-set, his cheekbones were high, and his eyes were like two bottomless dry wells, radiating a chilling aura.
"How are your injuries?" the man in black asked.
"It must be serious," Lin Zhenshan. "When he came back last night, he was covered in blood, weak, and his meridians were damaged. Although he took some medicine, it will take at least ten days to half a month to recover from such injuries."
"What is his true strength?"
Lin Zhenshan hesitated for a moment:
"It should be... around the Five-Star Dou Emperor."
Yesterday, he killed Han Chi. Although it was a battle beyond his level, he relied more on his Earth Tier Dou Technique.
When Han Chi died, he was also seriously injured. Therefore, I speculate that his true cultivation level was not far from Han Chi's, and might even be slightly weaker.
The man in the black robe tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a soft, rhythmic sound.
"The Five Emperors of the Dou Emperor..." he muttered to himself, a glint of cunning in his eyes, "Such a person couldn't possibly have no background. Have you investigated his history?"
"No results found."
Lin Zhenshan shook his head. "I searched through the list of young powerhouses within a thousand miles of Tianbei City, but there was no one who matched his characteristics."
This person seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. He called himself Tang San, but this name had never been heard of in the Northern Region.
" Tang San..."
The man in black robes pondered the name, then suddenly chuckled.
"If he is truly only Five-Star Dou Emperor, then he is nothing to fear. Once the Dharma Protector arrives, he will be easily captured."
"Guardian?" Lin Zhenshan's eyes lit up.
" The Northern Province Headquarters has received the message."
The man in black robes said calmly:
"The Grand Master of You Fan personally ordered the dispatch of Protector Blood Hand."
Protector Blood Hand is Seven-Star Dou Huang who has followed the Grand Master for many years. His Blood Hand Seal is incredibly powerful, and he has killed no fewer than twenty Dou Emperor.
Lin Zhenshan gasped, then a look of joy appeared on his face. " With Protector Blood Hand personally taking action, Tang San is surely dead!"
"Not Protector Blood Hand."
The man in black robes looked at him, a sinister smile curving his lips.
"The Grand Master sent a total of seven people this time— Protector Blood Hand was the leader, along with two Four-Star Dou Emperor and four Dou Wang."
With such a lineup, even if Tang San had extraordinary abilities, he wouldn't be able to escape. Once he's dead, your position as the eldest brother will be yours."
The light in Lin Zhenshan's eyes was almost overflowing.
He had waited far too long.
From childhood to adulthood, he could never compare to his eldest brother. His eldest brother was the eldest son of the main wife and was born to be the heir to the family head.
And what about him? Born out of wedlock, the second son, he could only eke out a living in his elder brother's shadow.
After growing up, the eldest brother inherited the position of family head and became a prominent figure in Tianbei City.
And what about him? He works as an assistant to his older brother, earning a meager monthly allowance, and can't even hold his head high in public.
On what grounds?
Why should that good-for-nothing be the head of the family?
For many years, Lin Zhenshan had been looking for an opportunity.
This time, the Yellow Springs Pavilion's move against the Lin Clan presents him with his opportunity.
He voluntarily pledged allegiance to the Yellow Springs Pavilion, handing over the Lin Clan's medicinal herb supply channels and even providing Lin Zhentian's travel route—it was thanks to him that the masked Dou Emperor was able to intercept and kill Lin Zhentian so accurately that night.
He just didn't expect that Tang San would suddenly appear out of nowhere.
"Envoy, that Tang San..." Lin Zhenshan licked his lips, "When will Protector Blood Hand arrive?"
"Just in the last two days," the man in black said.
"Once Protector Blood Hand arrives, report the exact location of the Qingzhu Pavilion and Tang San's daily routine. Leave the rest to the Protector. Also—"
He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze sharpening:
"You'd better be sure the information you're giving is true. If Tang San's strength is more than just Five-Star Dou Emperor, the consequences... you can't afford to bear them."
Lin Zhenshan's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said:
"Rest assured, envoy, everything I have said is true."
Tang San was indeed seriously injured in his battle with Han Chi yesterday.
Even with his cultivation at the Five-Star Dou Emperor, he can only unleash 30-40% of his strength at most now.
With the Protector Blood Hand's cultivation level of Seven-Star Dou Huang, dealing with a heavily injured Tang San is more than enough.
"That would be for the best." The man in black robes withdrew his gaze. "Go on, and report back immediately if there are any new developments."
Lin Zhenshan nodded repeatedly, bowed, and left the main hall.
The moment he stepped out of the courtyard, he let out a long breath.
The first rays of dawn were faint, casting a hazy, gray light into the alleyway.
Lin Zhenshan took off his straw hat, looked up at the sky, and a smile appeared on his lips.
After tonight, nothing will be able to stand in his way anymore.
When Lin Zhenshan returned to the Lin residence, it was already broad daylight.
He slipped in through the back door, changed his clothes, and transformed back into the smiling, cheerful Second Master of the Lin Clan.
Walking along the corridor, I ran into the butler.
"Second Master." The steward bowed slightly.
"Hmm." Lin Zhenshan waved his hand casually. "Where's my older brother?"
"The master is in his study, discussing matters with several elders of the clan."
"Oh? What are you discussing?"
"This..."
The butler hesitated for a moment, then whispered.
"They are discussing how to deal with the Yellow Springs Pavilion. Last night, that Senior Tang killed one of the Yellow Springs Pavilion's assassins. The Yellow Springs Pavilion suffered a loss and I'm afraid they won't let this go easily."
Lin Zhenshan's face turned grave, and he nodded. "You're right, the Yellow Springs Pavilion is indeed a big problem. I'll go to the study to take a look."
He strode towards the study, then stopped after a couple of steps and turned back to ask the butler:
"By the way, how's Brother Tang doing? Is his injury any better?"
"I don't know." The butler shook his head.
" Senior Tang is staying at the Qingzhu Pavilion and has instructed that he not be disturbed. This morning, Miss went to deliver breakfast and returned saying that Senior Tang didn't look well and was probably still recovering from his injuries."
"Then you'll need to rest and recuperate properly."
Lin Zhenshan said with concern, "Go and tell the kitchen to prepare more nourishing medicinal herbs and send them to Brother Tang. He saved my brother; we can't neglect him."
The butler bowed in agreement and turned to make the arrangements.
As Lin Zhenshan watched the butler's departing figure, the concerned smile on his face gradually faded.
You don't look too well? Still recovering from your injury?
Very good.
The more this was the case, the easier it was for the Protector Blood Hand to take action.
When Tang San dies, Lin Zhentian will lose his biggest backer. At that time, he can deal with his older brother however he wants.
Lin Zhenshan suppressed his excitement, composed himself, and walked towards the study.