The study door was open, and three people were sitting inside.
In the very center sat an old man in a grand chair. He had a full head of white hair but was still very energetic. His face bore a six-point resemblance to Lin Zhentian —he was none other than Lin Li, the former head of the Lin Clan.
Chen Yuanzhou was sitting next to him, and Xiao Yan was sitting opposite Chen Yuanzhou.
Lin Li looked at Xiao Yan and picked up his teacup:
" Brother Tang, I have been in seclusion for many years and have not been involved in clan affairs. This time, I was able to save the Lin Clan entirely thanks to your help."
In this old man's honor, I offer you a cup of tea instead of wine.
Xiao Yan also picked up his teacup. "Elder Lin, you're too kind."
"Last night, you not only repelled Protector Blood Hand Yin Li and his group, but also saved the lives of over a hundred members of my Lin Clan. I will never forget this kindness."
Lin Li put down his teacup, his voice hoarse, but his tone left no room for argument.
"From this day forward, as long as you remain in Tianbei City, you are free to use the Lin Clan's pills, medicinal herbs, and manpower."
Just as Xiao Yan was about to decline, Lin Li raised his hand to stop him:
"There's no need to refuse. Although the Lin Clan's business is small, they still have some wealth accumulated over hundreds of years."
I won't ask where you're going next or what you're going to do.
But since you're staying at my house now, don't stand on ceremony with this old man."
Even with Xiao Yan's strong personality, he was somewhat moved by the Lin Clan's complete trust in him.
He had met loyal people before, but the Lin Clan, from Lin Zhentian to Lin Wan'er to Lin Li, had shown him, a stranger of unknown origin, almost no reservations. He admired their decisiveness.
He paused for a moment, then nodded. " Tang San will remember Elder Lin's kindness."
Lin Li smiled, then suddenly changed the subject:
"Of course, I also have a favor to ask."
"I've been in seclusion for years, and my cultivation has been stuck at the Seven-Star Dou Huang bottleneck for ten years, unable to find a breakthrough. Brother Tang was able to kill Yin Li, who was also Seven-Star Dou Huang, all by himself. I would like to learn a thing or two from you—I dare not offer guidance, but only a friendly exchange."
Xiao Yan returned Lin Li's gaze without any formality. "In that case, I would like to request your guidance outside the city tomorrow, Elder Lin."
Lin Li's eyes flashed with a sharp light when he heard his quick agreement. "Good!"
Chen Yuanzhou hadn't said a word until now, then he gently tapped the table:
"Now that we've finished discussing the Lin Clan's affairs, it's time to talk about Tianbei City."
Elder Lin, you've been in seclusion all these years and are unaware of what's happening outside—after the Han Clan was purged, the positions of the three major powers in Tianbei City have become vacant."
Lin Li picked up his teacup. "What does the city lord mean?"
" The Lin Clan has taken over."
Chen Yuanzhou's words were concise and to the point.
"My city lord's mansion gives business to the Lin Clan, but on one condition— the Lin Clan must help me stabilize the medicinal herb and cultivation resource market in Tianbei City."
Several Magical Beast strongholds outside the city also need to be cleared regularly.
"These things are too much for one person in my city lord's mansion to handle. Your Lin Clan will provide the manpower and resources, and the profits will be split 50/50. You and Lin Zhentian can discuss the specifics of the split."
Lin Li nodded without hesitation. "Okay."
Chen Yuanzhou looked at Xiao Yan and continued:
"Furthermore, if the Yellow Springs Pavilion sends anyone again, they certainly won't do it openly."
He took out a gold-embossed invitation from his pocket and placed it on the table:
"At the beginning of next month, the Wind Lightning Pavilion Northern Province Branch will hold the ' Wind Lightning Trial '. If you can pass the trial, you will become a nominal guest elder of the Wind Lightning Pavilion."
This invitation wasn't issued by the Wind Lightning Pavilion; I used some old connections to get an admission slot.
"Take this. Even if you fail the trial, with this invitation, the Wind Lightning Pavilion will protect you for a while."
Xiao Yan took the invitation and glanced at it. The words were embossed in gold, and the front was printed with the thunder emblem of the Wind Lightning Pavilion. On the back was a line of small characters. "The holder of this invitation is an honored guest of the Wind Lightning Pavilion Northern Province Branch."
He looked up at Chen Yuanzhou: "How much favor does this invitation require?"
Chen Yuanzhou smiled but didn't answer directly, only saying, "I'll repay the favor later."
Xiao Yan remained silent for a moment before placing the invitation into his Storage Ring.
Chen Yuanzhou didn't know the extent of the cost, but he did know that a Nine-Star Dou Emperor was still willing to pave the way for him under pressure from the Yellow Springs Pavilion. This favor was far more valuable than the guest elder tokens he had received before.
He did not refuse. The Wind Lightning Pavilion was one of the most powerful forces in Central Plains, and he needed to continuously grow stronger, so he solemnly clasped his hands in greeting:
"I am deeply grateful and cannot express my thanks."
"There's no time to lose."
Chen Yuanzhou stood up and said to Xiao Yan:
"Hehe, Brother Tang, I'll keep it in mind."
I'll give you three days to recover from your injuries and reorganize your equipment.
The people from the Yellow Springs Pavilion won't be able to reach Tianbei City within these three days. On the fourth day, you will set off for the Wind Lightning Pavilion, and Elder Lin and I will cover your retreat.
Lin Li also stood up. "Don't worry about Tianbei City. With the city lord and the Lin Clan here, unless Dou Zong comes, they won't let Yellow Springs Pavilion harm a single hair on your head."
Xiao Yan looked at the two of them, then at Lin Zhentian, who was standing guard outside the study.
He was not unaware of Chen Yuanzhou's high regard for and attempts to win over the Lin Clan, but the sincerity of this attempt was so profound that even though he saw through it, he could not refuse.
He even had a vague feeling that, in this game, his earlier move to kill the assassins from the Yellow Springs Pavilion was the one that truly suited Chen Yuanzhou's wishes.
"Three days later, Tang San will naturally head to the Wind Lightning Pavilion."
Chen Yuanzhou nodded, patted him on the shoulder, and turned to leave.
Lin Zhentian then slowly walked into the study, bowed deeply to Xiao Yan, and said, " Brother Tang, take Wan'er with you."
Xiao Yan frowned slightly.
"Let me finish speaking."
Lin Zhentian straightened up, his voice low and almost pleading, and said:
"I received word that the Yellow Springs Pavilion not only intends to deal with you this time, but also to take the entire Lin Clan down with them."
The second son has already confessed in prison—he submitted a list of everyone in the Lin family to the Yellow Springs Pavilion six months ago, including mine, the clan elders' names, and... Wan'er's."
Xiao Yan looked at Lin Li. Lin Li was slowly sipping his tea, and after a moment he slowly spoke:
"I am nearing the end of my life, and I will remain here in Tianbei City. If the Yellow Springs Pavilion comes, I will simply fight to the death with these old bones."
Lin Zhentian spoke slowly, but with an unyielding resolve:
"If you don't take her with you, I'll send her somewhere else."
But Wan'er only trusts you. Last night, when she came back from the Qingzhu Pavilion, I asked her if she was scared, and she said no, saying that as long as Young Master Tang was there, nothing would happen—she had never said this to anyone else before.
Footsteps sounded outside the window, light and shuffling, then stopped at the door. There was a soft knock on the door—not with knuckles, but with the palm of the hand.
Xiao Yan recognized the knocking sound. Yesterday morning, Lin Wan'er had knocked on the door of the Qingzhu Pavilion in the same way.
He turned and opened the door. Lin Wan'er stood outside, holding the familiar food box in her hand, from which ginseng soup wafted.
There was a small patch of ash on her forehead, and a few dried bloodstains on the cuff of her shirt—not hers, but splattered from when she hit Yin Li last night.
"Young Master Tang," she said, handing the food box forward, "Today's soup is ginseng soup."
Xiao Yan took the food box but didn't drink it.
The two stood facing each other at the study doorway. Lin Wan'er didn't say anything more, just quietly looked at him.
Xiao Yan glanced down at the soup in the food box, then looked up at Lin Wan'er.
Pack your things, we're leaving in three days.
Lin Wan'er neither thanked her, nor cried, nor said anything more.
She simply nodded vigorously, then turned and ran out of the study.
The footsteps were light and hurried, sounding less like walking and more like the sound of something finally breaking free after being suppressed for too long.
Xiao Yan turned around, carrying the food box, and glanced at Lin Li and Lin Zhentian.
Lin Zhentian watched his daughter run off into the distance, his eyes slightly reddening.
Xiao Yan prepared to return to the Moon-Embracing Pavilion to continue his healing.
He still owes Lin Li a sparring match, and his body needs to recover to a state where he can fight at full strength within the next two days.
He descended halfway down the steps from the study, then lowered his head and took a sip of the ginseng soup. It was the same recipe as yesterday, with a rich ginseng flavor and piping hot broth.
Lin Zhentian's voice came from behind. " Brother Tang, how do you plan to take care of her?"
Xiao Yan paused slightly, but didn't turn his head.
"Take care of her like a younger sister."
The study was quiet for a moment. Then Xiao Yan continued walking towards the Moon-Embracing Pavilion, his figure gradually disappearing at the end of the corridor.
Lin Li put down his teacup, glanced at Lin Zhentian, and a meaningful smile appeared on his aged face.
Lin Zhentian leaned against the door frame, watching the direction they had gone, his expression complex.