Once the last guest had departed and the gates were closed, the public facade fell away. The smile on Lin Zhen's face faded, replaced by a leader's concern. He immediately turned to the Second Elder, Lin Ling'er's father, who had been waiting anxiously nearby.
"How is Ling'er?" Lin Zhen asked, his voice low and serious.
The Second Elder's face was pale with worry, but he managed a grateful bow. "Thank you for your concern, Patriarch. The healers have stabilized her. The injury to her dantian is severe... but they believe it can be fully recovered with time and the right resources. It will just be a long and painful process."
A flicker of cold anger passed through Lin Zhen's eyes, but he nodded. "Good. Spare no expense. Use the best pills, the best healers. I want her fully recovered. The Ji Clan will pay for this."
The Second Elder bowed deeply again, his heart filled with a mixture of grief and gratitude, before hurrying off to check on his daughter.
With the immediate concerns addressed, Lin Zhen's gaze swept over his core family members. "Feng'er, Wanrou, Yun'er. Follow me to the side hall. Canghai, Qiuxue, Young Lady Rong, please join us as well."
The group moved to a quieter, more private side hall. The grandeur of the main avenue was replaced by an intimate solemnity. Once they were seated and servants had served tea, Lin Zhen began.
He first turned to Rong Yanan and offered a deep, respectful bow from his seat. "Young Lady Rong, on behalf of the entire Lin Clan, I thank you for your timely assistance today. Your presence was the key that turned the tide."
Rong Yanan, who had been sitting with her usual ethereal calm, offered a gentle smile and a slight shake of her head. "There is no need for thanks, Patriarch Lin. Protecting my junior brother is my duty. My master would have my head if I let anything happen to him."
Her words were light, but they carried the weight of her master's formidable reputation.
Lin Zhen nodded, the gratitude clear in his eyes. He then turned his attention to the other side of the room. His gaze landed on Lin Yun.
The atmosphere in the room shifted subtly. All eyes were now on the youngest son, the one who had, against all odds, delivered the first shocking victory of the day.
"Yun'er," Lin Zhen began, a complex expression on his face—part pride, part profound curiosity. "You... surprised everyone today. This old grandfather of yours always thought you were... carefree. I never imagined you had such skill hidden away."
He leaned forward slightly, his eyes sharp and discerning. "That movement technique you used. It was unrefined, yes, but its foundational principles were exceptional. Your anticipation, your timing... it was not something one learns by accident. Where did you learn it?"
This was the moment Lin Yun had been anticipating. He had rehearsed the lie in his mind. He adopted a slightly embarrassed expression, just as he had with his elder siblings.
"I... I found an old, damaged jade slip in a corner of the academy library," he said, keeping his gaze lowered respectfully. "It was mostly broken, but there were fragments about a movement technique and a fist technique. I've just been... practicing them in secret."
The silence that followed was heavy. Lin Yun could feel the weight of their collective gaze. He didn't need his Heavenly Eyes to know that no one in the room believed him. The story was too flimsy, the coincidence too perfect.
Lin Feng's expression was unreadable. Lin Wanrou looked skeptical but concerned. Lin Canghai and Mu Qiuxue exchanged a glance filled with parental worry and confusion. Rong Yanan simply watched him with a faint, curious smile, as if he were an interesting puzzle.
Lin Zhen held his gaze for a long moment. He could press the issue. He could demand the truth. But he saw the determination in his grandson's eyes, and he also saw the result. This "untalented" grandson had fought with courage and intelligence, defending the clan's honor when it mattered most.
Sometimes, the result was more important than the secret.
A slow smile spread across Lin Zhen's face. He decided to let it go.
"Is that so?" he said, his tone light and accepting. "Well, it seems you have a knack for finding treasures, Yun'er. That is a talent in itself."
He leaned back in his chair, his demeanor becoming that of a benevolent patriarch. "Your performance today has earned you the right to more resources and support. From now on, if you need a sparring partner to practice your... found techniques, you have my permission to ask any disciple in the clan. No one will refuse you."
It was a significant offer. It meant Lin Yun would have access to training partners far above his previous station, allowing him to improve his practical combat skills rapidly.
Lin Yun felt a wave of relief. He had passed this first, crucial test. He bowed deeply. "Thank you, Grandpa. I will not waste this opportunity."
Satisfied with Lin Yun's response for now, Lin Zhen's gaze softened as it shifted to his eldest grandson. The pride in his eyes was unmistakable, a deep, unwavering belief that had been vindicated today.
"Feng'er," Lin Zhen began, his voice filled with warmth and approval. "Your performance today was beyond my expectations. To have reached the Nascent Soul Realm in secret and to have handled that arrogant Jian Zihan with such composure... you have brought immense face to our clan."
He paused, his expression turning slightly more solemn. "There is one matter I wish to discuss. About the Profound Convention. City Lord Su named you as Fortune City's representative, and I accepted on your behalf without consulting you first."
He looked directly at Lin Feng, his gaze searching. "Do you blame this old man for committing you to such a path? The competition will be fierce, and the attention will be immense. It will not be an easy road."
All eyes turned to Lin Feng. He had remained silent through most of the meeting, his demeanor as calm and unshakable as a deep mountain lake. He met his grandfather's gaze without hesitation.
"There is no blame, Grandfather," Lin Feng said, his voice steady and sure. "I am a member of the Lin Clan. My strength is the clan's strength. My future is the clan's future. If competing in the Profound Convention and achieving a good result benefits the clan, then I will not refuse. It is my duty and my honor."