The atmosphere inside the Lin Family's meeting hall was heavy and oppressive.
All the elders were present, seated in strict order, while Lin Cangyuan, the Lin family head, sat at the highest seat. His gaze was sharp, but all eyes slowly shifted toward Second Elder Lin Shenyu.
Lin Shenyu stepped forward, cupping his hands respectfully. His voice was calm—too calm, filled with quiet confidence.
"Family Head, you have surely heard by now," Lin Shenyu said.
"Our young lord is not alone. The Yan family's young lord is also involved."
A faint stir ran through the hall.
"This means one thing," he continued coldly.
"The Fang family has offended two families at the same time. If we rush in alone and apply pressure, we will not last even a moment."
Lin Shenyu paused, letting his words sink in.
"That is why," he said slowly,
"we must wait."
His eyes gleamed.
"We wait for the Yan family to make the first move. The moment they act, we follow—standing beside them."
A few elders exchanged glances.
"In this way," Lin Shenyu continued,
"we can crush the Fang family without sacrificing too many of our own people.
Not only will our young lord be safely retrieved, but we will also form a stronger connection with the Yan family."
Silence filled the hall.
Then—
Lin Cangyuan's expression changed.
The anger that had twisted his face earlier slowly faded, replaced by satisfaction… pride… and ambition. His posture straightened.
A low murmur spread among the elders.
"Well said!"
"With Elder Lin Shenyu among us, how could the Lin family ever fall?"
"Even the greatest danger can be turned into opportunity."
Voices of praise echoed through the hall.
Lin Shenyu stood quietly, head slightly lowered, but deep in his eyes was a calculating light—
Just then, the sound of measured footsteps echoed through the meeting hall.
A guard clad in a deep blue robe stepped inside, his presence calm yet oppressive, as if the air itself had grown heavier with his arrival. Without haste, without arrogance, he walked to the center of the hall and stopped.
The murmurs died first.
Then the shifting of robes ceased.
Even the elders who moments ago were praising Lin Shenyu fell silent, their expressions stiffening as an unspoken pressure settled over the hall.
When the blue-robed guard finally spoke, his voice was neither loud nor threatening—yet every word struck like a blade.
With that single announcement, all calculations, all hidden schemes, and all carefully laid plans quietly came to a standstill.
It was as if fate itself had pressed a pause upon the Lin family.
*************
The dazzling lights of the market slowly faded behind them, replaced by a heavy, oppressive silence. The Fang Family manor stood ahead—its towering walls built of dark stone, massive pillars rising like sentinels, and faint crimson lanterns casting a dim glow that made the night feel even heavier.
Fang Lin adjusted the flute secured at his waist and came to a halt. Beside him stood Vren, still gripping the sword he had bought at the market. It was clearly not suited to him, yet he refused to let go, holding it as though releasing it would mean surrendering something far more important.
As they neared the gates of the manor, two familiar figures stepped forward from the shadows.
Wei Shun was already waiting, his hands clasped behind his back. His expression was calm, but a trace of concealed worry flickered in his eyes. Standing beside him was Ling'er—her face composed, yet her fingers unconsciously tightened around her robe, as if she sensed the storm that had yet to arrive.
This was no coincidence.
Their presence here was proof that the night was far from over—and that the true complications were only beginning.
Wei Shun stepped forward and cupped his fists respectfully.
"Young Master Fang Lin, I hope the two of you enjoyed your walk through the city…"
His words paused for a brief moment before his tone shifted.
"The Family Head wishes to speak with you immediately."
Nearby, Ling'er remained where she was. She turned her face away with a slight pout, clearly displeased, her gaze fixed stubbornly in the opposite direction as if refusing to acknowledge Fang Lin's presence.
Fang Lin's expression did not change in the slightest.
"Oh…" he said calmly.
"So it has finally come to this."
Without another word, he turned and began walking forward.
Fang Lin led the way, with Vren following close behind, still gripping his sword tightly, while Wei Shun fell in step beside them. Together, the three figures passed through the towering gates of the Fang Family manor, disappearing into the shadows within—
The white cloth was still wrapped around Ling'er's forehead. Though she appeared calm on the surface, she spoke lightly,
"Fang Lin, are you really taking that little boy with you as well? He must be exhausted after wandering around all day… It would be better to send him to his lineage elders."
Before Fang Lin could respond, Wei Shun stepped forward sharply, his voice cold with anger.
"How dare you address the Young Lord by his name so casually? Do you have no sense of respect?"
Startled, Ling'er instinctively stepped back.
Why is this new servant acting so fiercely loyal? she thought.
Someone never spoke like this before when I called Fang Lin by his name…
Fang Lin raised a hand, stopping Wei Shun with a simple gesture.
"There's no need," he said calmly, his gaze steady.
"Don't think too much about it. She will learn soon enough."
Then his eyes shifted toward Ling'er.
"You're right. Vren must be tired," Fang Lin continued.
"You may take him with you. Place his sword in my room."
Turning his head slightly, Fang Lin looked at Vren.
"Vren, you don't mind, do you?"
Without the slightest hesitation, Vren nodded eagerly.
"Of course not, Big Brother. Besides, no one in our lineage has ever used a sword."
With that, Vren happily followed Ling'er away, his footsteps light as the two figures disappeared into the manor's inner paths.
Rukhan Lineage members don't use swords… Fang Lin thought.
Then how did Vren's brother wield one? And more importantly—where did he obtain it?
Before the thought could deepen, Wei Shun's voice interrupted him.
"Young Lord Fang Lin… were you thinking about something?" Wei Shun asked cautiously.
"Did I say something wrong in my anger?"
Fang Lin shook his head lightly.
"No, no. You didn't make any mistake."
After a brief pause, he continued in a composed tone,
"The truth is, Ling'er has been my personal servant since childhood. That's why she behaved that way. There was no ill intent behind it."
Yet even as his words settled the matter, Fang Lin's gaze drifted inward once more—
Wei Shun stepped forward, gesturing respectfully for Fang Lin to proceed ahead.
As he followed half a step behind, a thought surfaced quietly in his mind.
So… he already has a personal servant from long ago, Wei Shun realized.
That means becoming his personal servant myself just became far more difficult.
His expression remained calm and obedient, yet deep inside, a faint pressure settled in his chest—
As they moved through the long corridor, Fang Lin spoke without slowing his steps,
"What about those bound men?"
Wei Shun quickly came back to his senses and answered,
"Following the elder's orders, I didn't throw them into any holding cells. I placed them in a separate room instead. They're still restrained, but I made sure they were treated properly and given food."
Fang Lin gave a faint nod, then asked in a low voice,
"Did you see my brother?"
Wei Shun's expression turned serious.
"Yes. Young Master Fang Qing had already arrived before us. But… by the time he reached the manor, his condition had worsened."
Fang Lin said nothing. He only tilted his head slightly, acknowledging the answer.
"I see. That's fine."
In this manner, they soon arrived outside the Family Head's chambers.
The meeting hall had already been dismissed before nightfall, which was why the Family Head had chosen to meet them privately instead.
Wei Shun hesitated for a moment before finally voicing the question that had been weighing on his mind.
"Young Lord Fang Lin… may I ask you something?"
His tone was careful, respectful. "Why did you spare your brother, Fang Qing, yet refuse to give him the pill? This confusion has stayed with me for quite some time."
Fang Lin did not stop walking.
A faint smile appeared on his lips as he continued forward, his steps unhurried.
"The answer to that question…" he said calmly, "…I believe the Family Head would also like to hear it."
He paused briefly before adding, "So I'll explain it there—properly."
Inside his mind, Fang Lin sighed.
Lingyi asked the same thing…
It seems everyone is curious about the reason behind my choice.
Without another word, the two of them stepped into the chamber together, the door closing softly behind them.
At that moment, the guard clad in a blue robe and wearing a mask stepped forward, blocking their path.
For a brief instant, Fang Lin's eyes met the guard's.
Just one glance—
sharp, silent, and filled with unspoken recognition.
The two of them bowed at the same time, their movements perfectly restrained.
As they straightened, the masked guard leaned in slightly and spoke in a voice so low that only Fang Lin could hear it.
The moment the words reached his ears—
Fang Lin froze.
Shock flashed across his eyes, disappearing just as quickly as it came, buried deep beneath his usual calm.
Without waiting for a response, the guard turned and walked away, his figure soon vanishing into the shadows of the corridor as if he had never been there at all.
Wei Shun hurried forward, lowering his voice.
"Young Master… that guard had already come earlier," he said.
"He was delivering a message from the Patriarch."
Fang Lin did not answer immediately.
His gaze lingered on the empty corridor, his fingers slowly tightening beneath his robe.
Fang Lin thought, "Why would that guard tell me something like this?"