In the study, Lin Zhentian was sitting with three clan elders.
The three elders were all senior members of the Lin Clan — Lin Boyuan, Lin Zhonghai, and Lin Jichuan.
They were brothers of the same generation as Lin Clan Lin Li, the previous head of the Lin family. Their strength was not great, only at the Dou Huang Realm. They had retired behind the scenes for many years and rarely cared about family affairs.
A family, including Lin Li, has four Dou Emperor. If they were in the Jia Ma Empire, that would be enough to change the dynasty.
Unfortunately, this is in Central Plains, and they are just an ordinary family.
The fact that Lin Zhentian invited them here today shows that this matter is of great importance.
"Zhentian, is what you're saying true? Is the Yellow Springs Pavilion really going to target our Lin Clan?"
Lin Boyuan, with his white hair and beard, held a teacup, his brows furrowed.
"Absolutely true."
Lin Zhentian said in a deep voice.
"The leader of that team of assassins last night was Three-Star Dou Emperor from the Yellow Springs Pavilion."
They carry the Yellow Springs Iron Token; they are official assassins of the Yellow Springs Pavilion, not some imposters or petty thieves.
Fortunately, Brother Tang came to our aid, and my son and I were able to return alive, but he was seriously injured in the process.
" The Yellow Springs Pavilion..."
Lin Jichuan's expression was grave. "That's one of the Four Pavilions of Central Plains, with immense power. Offending them could have endless consequences."
"I know."
Lin Zhentian.
"But we didn't provoke the Yellow Springs Pavilion; they came to kill me first."
If it weren't for Brother Tang last night, I would have died in the wilderness.
So I called my uncles over today to discuss how to proceed.
"What other way can we deal with this?"
Lin Zhonghai had been silent all along, finally spoke.
He was thin, but his eyes were extremely sharp. He spoke:
"Since the Yellow Springs Pavilion has made its move, it won't give up easily. In my opinion, there are only two paths now: one is to bow down and beg for peace with the Yellow Springs Pavilion, and the other is to find a backer who can rival the Yellow Springs Pavilion."
"Bowing down to the Yellow Springs Pavilion?"
Lin Boyuan sneered.
" Yellow Springs Pavilion has an enormous appetite. It immediately demanded all of the Lin Clan's medicinal herb supply channels and also wanted to pay 80% of the profits as tribute every year."
If we agree, our Lin Clan will be nothing more than dogs of the Yellow Springs Pavilion —and that's already giving them face.
If they're in a bad mood, it's not impossible for them to wipe us out.
A draw? It's not that easy to draw a draw.
"Then there's only the second option left."
Lin Zhonghai looked at Lin Zhentian, "Zhentian, do you have any leads regarding your backer?"
Just as Lin Zhentian was about to speak, footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.
Lin Zhenshan pushed open the door and entered, a smile on his face, "Big brother, uncles, am I not late?"
Lin Zhentian glanced at him, his gaze darkening slightly.
For some reason, he felt that his second brother's attitude was a bit off today. But he couldn't quite put his finger on what was wrong.
"It's nothing." Lin Zhentian withdrew his gaze. "My uncles are here too, why don't you come and listen in?"
"Yes," Lin Zhenshan responded, sitting down beside him with the same smile on his face.
While the Lin Clan was discussing matters in their study, Xiao Yan sat in the Qingzhu Pavilion, his eyes deep in thought.
In the study, Lin Zhentian's meeting with the clan elders was nearing its end.
"Then let's do as Zhentian says."
Lin Boyuan stood up and stroked his beard.
"Send someone to the City Lord's Mansion and ask City Lord Chen to mediate. Tianbei City is under the jurisdiction of the City Lord's Mansion. No matter how arrogant Yellow Springs Pavilion is, it cannot disrespect the City Lord."
"Will it work?"
Lin Jichuan was somewhat worried.
"Although Chen Yuanzhou has a past with us, Yellow Springs Pavilion is, after all, one of the Four Pavilions... and he's a Nine-Star Dou Emperor..."
"We have to try, even if it's not enough," Lin Zhentian. "I'll go to the City Lord's Mansion this afternoon."
The three elders nodded and left one after another.
Only Lin Zhentian and Lin Zhenshan remained in the study.
"Brother, do you really think Chen Yuanzhou can help us stop Yellow Springs Pavilion?" Lin Zhenshan asked with concern.
Lin Zhentian rubbed his temples, looking exhausted.
"To be honest, I'm not so sure either. Although Chen Yuanzhou is Nine-Star Dou Emperor, if the Yellow Springs Pavilion is just a branch, the city lord's influence might still be useful, but if someone from the Northern Province headquarters comes, then things might be different."
"Then..." Lin Zhenshan hesitated, "Should we go and ask Father to come out of seclusion?"
Lin Zhentian remained silent for a while.
His father, Lin Li, was the previous head of the Lin Clan and Seven-Star Dou Huang.
Ten years ago, after passing the position of family head to him, he went into seclusion and rarely concerned himself with family affairs.
Unless the Lin Clan faces annihilation, Lin Li generally will not leave seclusion.
"Wait a minute." Lin Zhentian shook his head. "Things haven't gotten to that point yet. I'll go see the city lord first and see what he has to say."
"Alright." Lin Zhenshan nodded and stood up. "Then you go ahead with your work, brother. I'll go check on the shop."
Lin Zhentian waved his hand.
Lin Zhenshan turned and walked out of the study, the concerned expression on his face vanishing the moment he turned away.
A slight, almost imperceptible sneer curled at the corners of his lips.
The city lord is taking action?
Chen Yuanzhou is indeed Nine-Star Dou Emperor, and can be considered a top expert in the Tianbei City.
However, the Yellow Springs Pavilion sent Protector Blood Hand Yin Li this time, who has Dou Zong powerhouse backing him up, not to mention the Yellow Springs Pavilion Yellow Springs Venerable is famous throughout the continent.
Even if Chen Yuanzhou intervenes, the Protector Blood Hand won't give him any face.
Moreover, the person the Protector Blood Hand was looking for was not the Lin Clan, but Tang San.
As long as Tang San's life is handed over, the Lin Clan will be safe.
At least, it's safe for Lin Zhenshan.
All he needs to do now is to keep Lin Zhentian calm before the Protector Blood Hand makes a move, and prevent him from becoming suspicious.
Once Tang San dies, Lin Zhentian will lose his backer, and things will be much easier from there.
As for Lin Wan'er...
Lin Zhenshan narrowed his eyes, but did not stop walking.
Once he becomes the head of the family, whether Lin Wan'er lives or dies will depend on her performance.
Inside the Qingzhu Pavilion, Xiao Yan stood up and stretched his limbs.
Although his Soul Power had not fully recovered, after a night of meditation and the nourishment from that bowl of fire ginseng soup, the injuries to his meridians had healed by about 50-60%.
Although not yet at his peak, he can already use most of his Soul Skill without any problems in battle.
Moreover, he felt that his Soul Power had made a breakthrough in this battle, and if he calmed down, he should be able to break through again.
With his current cultivation level of 54 Soul King, plus his Heavenly Flames Martial Soul, he should have no problem fighting against anyone below the Six-Star Dou Emperor.
With the addition of Soul Bone Skill and Earth Tier Dou Technique, Radiant Heaven World-Burning Spear, it's not impossible to kill Peak Dou Emperor even if the opponent is of a higher level.
Xiao Yan took a deep breath, held his breath, and focused his consciousness into his body. His Soul Power flowed slowly through his meridians like a tide, washing away the hidden injuries left from last night's fierce battle.
The internal injuries I sustained last night when I killed Han Chi were not fatal, but they were still quite severe.
Han Chi's chilling palm strike penetrated his body, leaving more than ten dead spots in his meridians where cold energy had accumulated. If these spots were not completely cleared, his Soul Power would feel stagnant when circulating in these areas during battle.
Xiao Yan activated his Heavenly Flames Martial Soul, transforming it into the raging Green Lotus Core Flame. He suppressed the temperature of the flames to an extremely low level, turning them into wisps of warm water that seeped deep into his meridians.
The Green Lotus Core Flame is of a strong Yang nature, which is the nemesis of Yin and cold forces.
Wherever the flames passed, the stubborn chill, like ice and snow meeting the blazing sun, hissed and turned into white mist that rose from the pores.
Inside the Qingzhu Pavilion's room, wisps of white mist rose, and a faint chill filled the air.