Lin Feng's words were simple, but they carried the weight of absolute conviction. He saw himself not as an individual, but as the future pillar of his family. There was no resentment, only acceptance and resolve.
Lin Zhen's face broke into a wide, relieved smile. The last trace of worry vanished from his heart. "Good! Very good! With you here, Feng'er, the future of our Lin Clan is brighter than I ever dared to hope!"
The atmosphere in the side hall was one of familial unity and shared purpose. It was in this moment that Lin Yun, who had been quietly observing and processing everything, felt a question bubbling up. The political undercurrents of the day were complex, and one figure stood at the center of it all.
He looked around at his family and then asked, his voice curious, "Grandpa, Father... what kind of background does City Lord Su actually have? He doesn't seem like an ordinary city lord. The way he spoke, the authority he carries... and his familiarity with Big Brother's master..."
He let the question hang in the air. Lin Canghai and Lin Zhen exchanged a glance. It was a topic that involved powers far beyond Fortune City, and they were hesitant to explain it fully to the previously disengaged Lin Yun.
Before they could formulate a careful response, Rong Yanan's clear, melodious voice filled the room. She had been listening quietly, but now she chose to speak.
"Since little brother is curious, I can shed some light on the matter," she said, setting her teacup down. All attention turned to her.
"City Lord Su's full name is Su Chongliu," she began, her tone informative and detached, as if discussing the weather. "He is a direct descendant of the Su Clan, one of the four major clans within the Great Han Capital City itself."
A ripple of understanding, mixed with a touch of awe, passed through the Lin family elders. They knew City Lord Su had a powerful background, but the specifics were a closely guarded secret.
Rong Yanan continued, her words painting a picture of high-stakes capital politics. "The Su Clan's influence is vast. To solidify their position, the previous eldest young lady of the Su Clan was married into the Han Royal Clan. She is now one of the current emperor's favorite concubines, granting the Su Clan significant influence within the imperial court."
She looked around the room, ensuring everyone was following. "Su Chongliu, while a direct descendant, is likely from a secondary branch or is not the primary heir. He was sent here, to a prosperous but ultimately 'outer' city like Fortune City, to accumulate achievements and build his own reputation. Governing a city successfully, especially if he can foster exceptional talent from that city, is a solid political credit."
Her gaze then settled meaningfully on Lin Feng. "The Profound Convention is not just a competition for young cultivators. It is a stage for the political factions within the capital to compete for influence. The major sects and academies in the capital are all aligned with different noble clans and royal factions."
She delivered the final, crucial piece of the puzzle. "If Su Chongliu can successfully send a 'good seedling'—a talented representative like Junior Brother Lin Feng—to a major institution like the Profound Sky Academy, and do so under the banner of the Han Royal Clan's faction that his Su Clan supports... the political achievement for him would be substantial. It would be a feather in his cap, proving his ability to identify and nurture talent, greatly boosting his standing when he returns to the capital to compete for a higher position."
Lin Yun nodded slowly as the entire picture came into his mind.
He looked at his elder brother, who sat with such unshakable calm. A knot of concern tightened in his stomach. He understood the benefits for the clan, but he couldn't shake the feeling of unease.
"Big Brother," Lin Yun began, his voice hesitant but sincere, breaking the contemplative silence. "I understand that this is good for the clan. But... are you really okay with this? Becoming a... a pawn in City Lord Su's political game?"
He gestured vaguely, struggling to find the right words. "He's using your talent to climb higher himself. What if his demands conflict with your own path? What if he asks you to do something... against your principles? You're so talented, Big Brother. Do you really have to be someone else's chess piece?"
The question, born from a younger brother's genuine worry, hung in the air. Lin Canghai, Lin Zhen, Lin Wanrou, and Mu Qiuxue all glanced at each other.
There was no anger in their expressions, only a complex mixture of sadness, understanding, and a touch of pity. It was the concern of someone who had been sheltered, who had not yet faced the harsh realities of the world beyond the clan's walls.
Lin Feng looked at his younger brother. Instead of taking offense, a gentle, almost pitying smile touched his lips. It was the smile of an experienced elder brother looking at a naive younger sibling.
"Yun'er," Lin Feng said, his voice calm and patient. "You are still young. You have never ventured outside Fortune City alone, so it's natural that you don't fully understand how this world works."
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze intent, as if imparting a crucial lesson.
"In this world, might makes right. It is the fundamental, unchangeable law," Lin Feng explained, his tone matter-of-fact. "The resources of the world—the spiritual veins, the rare herbs, the powerful techniques, the territories—are not unlimited. They are all occupied and controlled by those who have the bigger fists."
He gestured around the opulent side hall. "Our Lin Clan might look powerful here in Fortune City. But outside? Beyond these walls? We are weak. We are nothing but a slightly larger fish in a very small pond. The true powers, like the Su Clan or the Sky Sword Sect, could crush us without a second thought if they truly wished."
His words were a cold splash of reality for Lin Yun.
"If our Lin Clan wants to step further, if we want to not just survive but thrive, if we want to ensure our lineage lasts for a thousand more years, we cannot rely on ourselves alone," Lin Feng continued, his voice gaining a steely edge. "We must find connections. We must form alliances. We must attach ourselves to a larger power and use that connection to secure more resources, more protection, more influence for our own clan."
He looked directly into Lin Yun's worried eyes, his smile softening. "So, thank you for your concern, Little Brother. I am touched that you worry for me. But this is what I have to do. It is the responsibility I bear as the future leader of this clan."
Then, a flicker of that familiar, unshakable confidence returned to his eyes. "And do not misunderstand. I am not planning to become a mindless pawn, to be sacrificed at another's whim."