The change in Lin Dahong’s expression was seen by Lin Xun, giving him a faint idea of the answer.
He did not push the issue. After all, it was clearly impossible to make Lin Dahong openly declare his stance at this juncture.
At the very least, Lin Dahong's current attitude was already relatively good because it meant the North Light Lin Clan did not share the same view as the other three.
"Young man, stop wasting time. We don't have the patience to indulge you."
Xiao Fengru icily snorted.
"If you're smart, you should understand how generous our conditions are. I advise you not to do anything foolish."
Shi Zhan was expressionless.
"My young friend, if you agree to the terms, kindly sign this contract."
With a flick of his finger, Chang Ziheng tossed a document to Lin Xun's feet as if he was throwing change to a beggar. It was an act of pure humiliation.
"How dare you!"Lin Zhong's eyes bulged in anger. Unable to hold himself back any longer, he scolded, "You people…what kind of attitude is this?"
Xiao Fengru disdainfully said, "Old man Zhong, you're just a guard dog. Do you have any qualifications to speak?"
"Don't kick up a fuss. On account that you've looked after Mind Cleansing Peak for many years, our four clans might throw you some bones when we move back here."
Chang Ziheng laughed mockingly.
Shi Zhan murderously threatened, "Old slave, I'll take your worthless life if you dare to speak again!"
Lin Xun's eyes narrowed as he looked toward Lin Zhong. The other man’s expression rapidly changed, veins bulging in his forehead as his face turned red in anger.
Unexpectedly, Lin Zhong ultimately did not lose control. His expression turned extremely dim, giving off an indescribable aura of bitterness and sorrow.
Lin Xun sighed. White Casanova Shen Jinglun, your name once shook the Forbidden City sixty years ago…what happened to you?
Xiao Fengru's, Chang Ziheng's, and Shi Zhan's expressions turned increasingly pleased when they saw this.
"Heh, this old slave is surprisingly tolerant."
"That's what makes him a good guard dog."
These venomous words made Lin Dahong's heart twist in his chest as his expression turned extremely strange.
It seemed like pity yet also anger.
"Kid, I'll ask you one last time. Do you agree or not?"
Xiao Fengru seemed to have lost her patience and pushed Lin Xun for an answer.
Shi Zhan and Chang Ziheng also looked at Lin Xun.
The atmosphere grew suffocating. The document glaringly sat at Lin Xun's feet. It felt as if all he needed to do was nod and the storm would be over.
Nodding was easy but would Lin Xun actually agree?
Lin Dahong's heart could not help but tighten as he looked toward Lin Xun.
Time seemed to stop for a moment.
The fifteen-year-old had been nothing but calm since the beginning. Even at this juncture, he did not reveal even a sliver of emotion.
His handsome and defined face gave off a sensation of stability and composure that did not match his age.
However, in the trio’s eyes, it looked more like the face of someone who was waiting for death after being forced into a dead end!
In fact, they were already fantasizing about the generous rewards they would receive after returning with the signed contract!
The more they thought about it the more excited and impatient they became.
The prolonged lack of response from Lin Xun made Xiao Fengru speak again in a shrill voice. “Kid, you…”
Before she could finish, an unforeseen event occurred!
Lin Xun suddenly raised his head and revealed a faint smile before lightly waving his hand.
It was a simple nod and a simple raise of the hand.
However, the meaning behind these two actions was completely different.
Xiao Fengru, Shi Zhan, and Cang Ziheng were taken aback, unable to understand what Lin Xun’s actions meant.
However, their bodies soon turned rigid as dreadful, ice-cold killing intent instantly enveloped them.
The frightening killing intent seemed to reach deep into their hearts and made their blood freeze. Their souls trembled as unprecedented panic and despair rapidly suffocated them!
Their expressions changed drastically as they finally took notice of the mountain of a man to Lin Xun’s left, whose slightly shut eyes had now opened.
The man had been as silent as a statue, making it all too easy to overlook his existence. The instant he opened his eyes, however, torrential killing intent swallowed them as if they were in the presence of a primordial beast awakening from a deep slumber.
The terrifying killing intent made them feel as if an endless army was charging out from a sea of corpses and blood, causing the air to wail and space to crumble.
“This…”
“Heaven Ascension stage expert!”
“What terrifying killing intent!”
Xiao Fengru, Shi Zhan, and Chang Ziheng involuntarily shrieked. From the information they were given, Lin Xun and Lin Zhong should be the only inhabitants of Mind Cleansing Peak. How could they have possibly anticipated that the silent, towering man would be an incomparably terrifying Heaven Ascension stage existence?
Boom!
Killing intent rammed into the trio like a charging, armored cavalry unit.
Although it was only for a split second, they felt a stabbing pain in their souls which nearly caused their minds and hearts to crumble. It felt as if an invisible, divine mountain was crushing their bodies.
Soon after, the trio were forced to their knees with a groan!
Third Old Zhu had not moved an inch from start to end. All he had done was open his eyes and release his killing intent!
Hiss!
Lin Dahong could not help but gasp as his scalp turned numb.
Forcing three Spirit Sea cultivators to kneel with only killing intent?
How terrifying!
Although Lin Dahong had witnessed the power of a Heaven Ascension expert before, Third Old Zhu made them all look weak in comparison.
The perfect manner and ease in which he used his near corporeal killing intent was a feat that few could achieve in the Heaven Ascension stage!
Where did Lin Xun find such an expert?
Horror filled Lin Dahong's heart.
Lin Xun was somewhat surprised. He had called Third Old Zhu over to gauge his capabilities, but Lin Xun had not expected that Third Old Zhu would be able to force the trio to their knees without any resistance.
How could Lin Xun not be shocked by such astonishing power?
Advanced Heaven Ascension stage!
Moreover, he was not just any ordinary advanced Heaven Ascension expert but one who had been tempered by blood and fire on the battlefield!
All of this made Lin Xun finally realize how frightening Third Old Zhu’s foundations were.
At the same time, Lin Xun noticed Lin Zhong’s body tense imperceptibly like a lion reacting to danger by instinct.
It seemed that Lin Zhong was on guard against Third Old Zhu!
However, Lin Zhong relaxed substantially when he saw that Third Old Zhu’s killing intent was only directed toward the trio and did not affect Lin Xun. Despite this, Lin Zhong’s body remained tense.
As someone rich in battle experience, Lin Xun could naturally catch all of these subtle changes.
“Abominable! Little bastard, you dare to go against us? Do you wish to die?”
“Don’t think for a second that having the help of a Heaven Ascension expert will allow you to do whatever you want. You’re playing with fire!”
On the ground, Xiao Fengru, Shi Zhan, and Chang Ziheng’s roared with enraged expressions. Being forced to kneel made them feel utterly humiliated and caused their expressions to turn incomparably ugly.
They did not believe that Lin Xun would dare to kill them. It was precisely because of this that their attitudes remained arrogant despite being forced to their knees.
Lin Xun smiled, rose to his feet, and casually said, “Third Old Zhu, keep a close eye on them. You may kill whoever dares to stand up without seeking my permission.”
Third Old Zhu silently nodded.
The trio’s expressions changed once more. Would he…actually dare to kill us?
While uncertainty was plaguing their hearts, Lin Xun walked forward.
He bent over slightly and gazed at the kneeling trio. “We agreed to meet at noon but you guys arrived late on purpose to challenge my patience. This is your first offense.”
“After entering the hall, none of you bowed to greet me and instead acted as if you owned the place. You openly ridiculed me and did not bother restraining yourselves from start to end. That is your second offense.”
As Lin Xun recounted the recent events, the trio inwardly breathed a sigh of relief as they secretly sneered.
What a childish young man, does he intend to mete out punishment on us?
What a joke!
They were from the Lin Clan’s subordinate factions. It was not a hairless kid’s place to judge them!
In their view, the more Lin Xun talked about these nonsense reasons, the more it proved that he did not dare to carelessly act against them!
In fact, they were already planning on finding a chance to teach him an unforgettable lesson in the future!
Lin Xun continued his monologue, "Despite knowing I am the master of Mind Cleansing Peak and the Lin Clan's sole successor, you three have committed the grave offense of going against your superior. You tried to force me to give up my authority and make me sign this contract that would betray the will of the ancestors. That is your third offense."
“Humiliating Uncle Zhong, displaying terrible behavior and horrible conduct. That is your fourth offense."
“Despite being Branch Clan Guest Stewards, you repeatedly challenged my dignity and ignored the clan rules. That is your fifth offense.”
At this point, the smile on Lin Xun’s lips disappeared as cold ruthlessness flashed in his black eyes.
He softly said with a slight pause after each word, “Any one of these offenses gives me sufficient reason to sentence all of you to death!”
Xiao Fengru and the others had already been forced to their knees but Lin Xun did not use the opportunity to humiliate or mock them back. Neither did he use any cruel methods to take revenge. He calmly acted according to the clan rules and not once displayed any anger. It felt very bizarre.
However, it made Lin Dahong's entire body turn cold as he experienced a never-before-felt oppressiveness.
A fearless maniac wasn’t scary but a calm, indifferent, and cruel abnormality was!
That was Lin Xun’s current image in Lin Dahong’s heart.
However, Xiao Fengru and the others had clearly yet to realize this. After hearing everything, they became increasingly certain that Lin Xun would not dare to kill them. Otherwise, why would he need to list so many reasons?
Xiao Fengyu sneered and said, “Kid, you talk too much. Kill us now if you have the balls. If you don’t, hurry up and release us!”