West Creek Lin Clan, Guest Steward Xiao Fengru
Cloud Weight Lin Clan, Guest Steward Chang Ziheng
Flying Peak Lin Clan, Guest Steward Shi Zhan
North Light Lin Clan, Steward Lin Dahong
Lin Zhong handed over a visiting card with the details of the people who would be coming to Mind Cleansing Peak.
Interesting!
Lin Xun noticed several things after a single glance.
The West Creek, Cloud Weight, and Flying Peak branch clans were sending Guest Stewards. Although their status might seem high, they were ultimately outsiders.
Only the North Light Lin Clan had sent a proper member of the clan.
This alone told Lin Xun many things.Are these three branch clans trying to say that I do not have the qualifications for them to send important clansmen?
Lin Xun pondered.
Soon after, he asked, “Uncle Zhong, what do you think??
Lin Zhong solemnly said, “They are up to no good.”
Lin Xun acknowledged as iciness flashed in his black eyes. “Uncle Zhong, call Third Old Zhu over. If these ‘guests’ are indeed coming to cause trouble, it will be a good opportunity to see how capable Third Old Zhu is.”
Lin Zhong was slightly taken aback before he nodded and left.
……
On the first floor of Mind Cleansing Hall.
It was noon.
Lin Xun silently sat in the master’s chair while thinking about something.
Spirit Vulture had left with Xiaoke yesterday and had yet to return. Could a problem have occurred with the recruitment?
“Young Master, noon has passed.”
Lin Zhong reminded him.
Lin Xun chuckled. “Uncle Zhong, they’re testing my patience. Of course, we cannot cross out the possibility of them doing this on purpose. Regardless, I’m growing increasingly expectant towards their arrival.”
There was a smile on his face and his tone was calm, but his black eyes were not smiling at all.
Anyone could tell that Lin Xun was being ironic!
“Right, Third Old Zhu, what is your real name?”
Lin Xun turned his head and looked at Third Old Zhu.
Third Old Zhu flatly replied, “I don’t have a name.”
His towering figure with messy weed-like hair stood there with his eyes slightly closed, silent as a statue.
Lin Xun acknowledged and did not ask any further.
Third Old Zhu was the type of person that was silent as a rock and probing further would yield nothing.
Time passed, leaving noon further and further behind. Lin Xun’s expression remained unchanged, but Lin Zhong’s brows gradually furrowed together.
Footsteps suddenly sounded outside the hall.
“Apologies, I encountered some delays on the way. Thank you for waiting.”
An apologetic voice sounded, heralding the visitor’s arrival. Lin Xun raised his head and saw an appropriately dressed, portly, middle-aged man walk in.
Lin Zhong explained in a low voice, “Young Master, this is Lin Dahong. According to clan seniority, he is your clan uncle.”
Lin Xun remained seated. He looked at Lin Dahong and said, “Please be seated.”
Lin Dahong did not immediately seat himself but instead cupped his fists together in remorse and said, “We should not have been late. Our four clans had originally arranged to come together but the other three representatives ended up being delayed by some matters. I couldn’t wait any longer and decided to come first by myself.”
His sincere attitude surprised Lin Xun, causing his expression to soften substantially. At least the other party wasn’t showing a bad attitude for now.
Moreover, it had been clear from the visiting card that Lin Dahong was the only proper member of the Lin Clan among the four representatives. This subconsciously improved Lin Xun’s opinion of the North Light Lin Clan.
Lin Xun nonchalantly said, “Delayed by some matters? I feel that they’re doing this on purpose to show me where I stand.”
Lin Dahong merely smiled in response.
“Please be seated.”
Lin Xun looked deeply at Lin Dahong before inviting him to be seated again.
Lin Dahong smiled and cupped his fists together. “Thank you.”
He randomly picked one of the seats before stealthily observing Lin Xun.
Lin Zhong asked in a low voice, “Young Master, should we proceed?”
“Wait a while longer.”
Lin Xun waved his hand and said, “We’re still missing the other three representatives. Wouldn’t it be too boring without them?”
Lin Dahong’s eyes narrowed in thought.
He did not speak much after seating himself, and Lin Xun did not seem to wish to speak first either, making the atmosphere in the hall somewhat stifling.
It was not long before voices sounded outside the hall.
“It’s been more than ten years. Who could have imagined that Mind Cleansing Peak would become so run down? It truly pains my heart.”
“Who else can we blame but ourselves. If our three clans did not move out from Mind Cleansing Peak, how could we have allowed such a treasure land to fall into this state?”
“Brother Shi does not need to sigh. Our three clans might be able to return to Mind Cleansing Peak soon!”
Their conversation was unrestrained and sounded especially loud amidst the silent atmosphere.
Lin Dahong immediately looked at Lin Xun as if he wanted to see his reaction.
However, Lin Xun was motionless like a rock. His expression remained indifferent and there was even a faint smile on his lips.
Lin Dahong could not help but feel surprised. This young man…seems to be different from expected!
Before coming to Mind Cleansing Peak, Lin Dahong had asked around about Lin Xun. Lin Dahong had heard about how Lin Xun had stirred up a huge fuss on the first night he returned to Mind Cleansing Peak and beat up several of the West Creek Lin Clan younger generation members.
There was also the incident of how an elite younger generation West Creek Lin Clan member was stripped naked and humiliated when he tried to seek justice for his fellow clansman.
Lin Dahong had thought that Lin Xun was a violent and impulsive youngster but soon realized he was wrong after observing Lin Xun’s behavior.
Interesting!
A slight change occurred in Lin Dahong.
Two men and a woman swaggered into Mind Cleansing Hall as if they owned the place. The men were dressed in fine embroidered clothes and the woman had clearly taken the time to doll herself up.
They stopped chatting when they entered and looked toward Lin Xun. They did not bother hiding the disdain in their eyes upon seeing that he was just a simple-looking young man
The woman immediately said, “You’re the wild child that appeared out of nowhere?”
She wore a white dress and her long hair was coiled into a bun on her head. Although she gave off an air of elegance, her words were sharp and overbearing.
The fact that she openly ridiculed Lin Xun right after entering the hall meant that they were clearly here to cause trouble!
The woman was the Guest Steward from the West Creek Lin Clan, Xiao Fengru.
Lin Zhong’s expression immediately darkened.
Before he could speak, one of the other men chuckled and said, “Fengru, don’t get angry with a young’un, we’re here for formal business.”
He had a thin figure and triangular eyes that glimmered with intelligence. He was called Shi Zhan and was from the Flying Peak Lin Clan.
“That’s right, let’s not delay any further. Everyone’s time is very valuable so it would be best to settle things as soon as possible.”
The other man nodded in agreement. He had a cold, haughty expression and his voice sounded gentle yet dangerous, like a viper’s. His name was Chang Ziheng and he came from the Cloud Weight Lin Clan.
“Fine, let’s get down to it.”
Xiao Fengru agreed.
Not once had they shown any respect to Lin Xun since entering the hall. Even while conversing, they did not at any point ask for his opinion or give him any chance to interject.
Without knowing the circumstances, someone would probably think they were the owners of Mind Cleansing Peak instead and Lin Xun was a petty criminal awaiting his trial.
This made Lin Zhong’s expression turn increasingly stormy. Just as he was about to say something, Lin Xun stopped him with a smile. “Let them continue.”
Lin Dahong, who had been watching from the beginning, suddenly felt an unexplainable chill as his eyelids jumped.
This youngster is way too composed!
Lin Dahong knew that he would not feel good if he was on the receiving end of such disdain instead. After all, if Lin Xun was indeed Lin Wenjing’s flesh and blood, he would indeed be Mind Cleansing Peak’s only legitimate successor.
Of course, that was only in name.
Regardless, Xiao Fengru, Chang Ziheng, and Shi Zhan were ‘outsiders’ compared to Lin Xun!
They were not clan members. Instead, they were people from the Lin Clan’s subsidiary factions!
Hence, this behavior was too much.
Even if the other clans wished to make things difficult for Lin Xun, there was no need for them to let outsiders ridicule him, right?
Lin Dahong immediately concluded that the West Creek, Cloud Weight, and Flying Peak Lin Clans had sent these three representatives to cause trouble!
While such thoughts were swirling in his head, Xiao Fengru suddenly sneered after hearing Lin Xun’s words. “Kid, stop acting like you’re something in front of us! If you obediently cooperate, we will not make things difficult for you. If you don’t, don’t blame us for showing no courtesy!”
Lin Xun smiled and asked, “So how should I cooperate?”
Xiao Fengru frowned. The fact that Lin Xun could still smile at such a time made her feel disgusted and frustrated.
“It’s very simple. Our four clans have already decided that we will return to Mind Cleansing Peak tomorrow. All of Mind Cleansing Peak’s affairs shall become our responsibility.”
Xiao Fengru finally revealed their motive.
There was no room for compromise or discussion. Whether he listened or not did matter. The decision had already been made and all he needed to do was follow instructions!
“Of course, since you are a member of the Lin Clan, our four clans will not make things difficult for you as long as you comply. We will allow you to stay in Mind Cleansing Peak and even treat you well such that you will never need to worry a day in your life.”
Xiao Fengru arrogantly raised her chin like a queen who was giving a command. “These conditions are already very generous and we do not even seek your gratitude. We only hope that you remember that Mind Cleansing Peak is not something a hairless brat like you should even think about owning!”
Lin Zhong’s entire body trembled in anger. This was a clear threat and ridicule!
What did they take the Young Master for?
What did they take the Lin Clan’s direct bloodline for?
The most detestable part was that these humiliating words had been said by an outsider! This was far too vile!
Lin Xun could not help but narrow his eyes.
Just as Lin Dahong was sure that Lin Xun could no longer tolerate this and was going to shoot back, he suddenly smiled faintly and looked at Lin Dahong.
“Do you also share their opinion?”
The sentence made Lin Dahong’s heart tighten as his expression changed slightly.