63: A storm is brewing

A storm is brewing.

Lin Family Manor, study room.

Lin Haige sat behind the large sandalwood desk, his face so gloomy it seemed water could drip from it.

The butler stood respectfully to the side, not daring to breathe loudly.

On the desk lay an ordinary wooden box with no markings.

Next to it was a crumpled note.

"Patriarch..." the butler's voice was low, "This was... sent by the Yao Family, they said it was... their return gift to you."

Lin Haige didn't speak. After a long while, he slowly reached out and lifted the lid of the box.

A strong smell of blood mixed with decay instantly filled the air.

Inside the box was a head, its eyes wide open in death!

It was none other than the leader of the Axe Gang, "Fierce Tiger," who had been missing for many days!

His eyes were wide open, and his face was frozen in the terror and unwillingness he felt before death.

The cut on his neck was smooth, indicating the swiftness and ruthlessness of the person who had acted.

"Ho..."

Lin Haige let out a low gasp from his throat.

He suddenly grabbed the note next to him and unfolded it again.

There were only a few words on it, written with a flamboyant and extremely overbearing brushstroke.

— Old Lu, my Yao Family is protecting him, understand?

Understand?

This word was like a loud slap, hitting Lin Haige's face hard!

"Yao! Tian! Xiao!"

He gritted his teeth, enunciating each word, crushing the note to pieces!

Paper scraps fluttered down from between his fingers.

"Too much bullying!!"

Bang!

He slammed his fist on the desk, and the hard sandalwood groaned under the pressure.

On one side of the study, a figure appeared silently.

It was Cao Yun.

She looked at the head in the box, her face even paler, with a hint of lingering fear in her eyes.

Fierce Tiger... was dead!

The Yao Family's methods were more ruthless and extreme than she had imagined!

They didn't even spare the body, directly sending the head to their doorstep!

This was a demonstration! This was a warning!

It was also a silent intimidation to her, the one who had slipped through the net!

"President..."

Cao Yun was no longer as arrogant as before, her tone filled with caution.

"Yao Tianxiao is warning us!"

"He now treats that kid, Lu Yuan, like a treasure! It will probably be difficult for us to directly act against him!"

Lin Haige's chest heaved violently, the anger in his eyes almost erupting.

But he was, after all, a formidable figure who controlled a powerful faction, and he forcibly suppressed his turbulent emotions.

"If we can't act directly..."

"Then we'll act in a different place!"

Cao Yun's eyes lit up: "President, do you mean..."

"The Jiangcheng Card Master Rookie Competition is coming soon," Lin Haige's eyes flashed with a calculating cold light. "All of Jiangcheng's attention will be focused there."

"In such a highly anticipated place, letting him lose his reputation..."

"Or even... die accidentally in the arena, who could say anything?"

"By then, even if Yao Tianxiao wants to investigate, he won't find any leverage!"

"Moreover, the cards dropped by the deceased must first be temporarily kept by our Card Master Association."

"Brilliant!" Cao Yun clapped her hands, the venom on her face turning into excitement. "Accidentally killing someone on the arena is too normal! By then, we just need to..."

Lin Haige looked towards the corner of the study, where his son, Lin Dong, was standing.

"Dong'er!" Lin Haige said in a deep voice.

"Dad!" Lin Dong suddenly looked up.

"In this Rookie Competition, spare no effort!"

"Kill Lu Yuan!"

"I will prepare a trump card for you!"

"A trump card... enough to restrain, and if used well, even crush a gold card!"

A hint of pain flashed in his eyes, clearly indicating that the trump card came at a considerable cost.

"I want Yao Tianxiao to know that my Lin Family is not someone anyone can threaten!"

"I want that Lu Yuan to regret coming into this world!"

Lin Dong trembled all over, a fanatical light bursting from his eyes.

A trump card that could restrain a gold card?!

He seemed to already see Lu Yuan kneeling before him, wailing in pain and begging for mercy!

"Dad! Don't worry!"

Lin Dong's voice was a little hoarse from excitement.

"I will! I will not let you down!"

"I will... kill Lu Yuan!"

"Hehehe..."

Cao Yun let out a sinister laugh, adding at the opportune moment.

"President, having powerful cards alone isn't enough."

"To ensure foolproof success, I have... a little something here."

She pulled out an inconspicuous small porcelain bottle from her bosom.

"This is [Source Power Dissipation Powder]."

"Colorless and odorless, only a tiny amount needs to be mixed into food or drink."

"It can make the Source Power circulation within a Card Master's body sluggish and chaotic."

"And even... during a Source Power outburst, it can directly lead to damage to the Source Power core! Causing a drop in cultivation realm!"

Lin Haige looked at the porcelain bottle, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

"Good! Very good!"

He didn't hesitate.

"A two-pronged approach!"

"As long as there's an opportunity, use it on him!"

"Ms. Cao, after this is done, my Lin Family will certainly not treat you unfairly!"

Cao Yun's face showed a satisfied smile: "Thank you, President."

Inside the study, the atmosphere of conspiracy grew thicker.

The flames of revenge burned fiercely in the eyes of the three.

A deadly trap targeting Lu Yuan was being quietly laid... Night had fallen deeply.

Lu Yuan returned to the old residential area he had been away from for several days.

Looking at the familiar stairwell and the slightly old environment, a warm feeling surged in his heart.

No matter how many storms he had weathered outside, this was his true haven.

He gently knocked on the door.

The door was quickly opened.

"Xiao Yuan?!"

His mother, Lin Zhihui, was stunned when she saw him, then her eyes burst with joyful light, and she pulled him inside.

"You child! Why didn't you say you were coming back sooner!"

She chided him while looking him up and down, her hands constantly patting him, as if to confirm that he was safe and sound.

In the living room, Old Lu also came out at the sound.

Seeing his son, his usually stern face also showed concern.

"It's good you're back, it's good you're back."

He walked over and patted Lu Yuan's shoulder heavily, his eyes slightly red.

The terrifying scene at the warehouse last time was an indelible nightmare for these ordinary parents.

Although people from the Yao Family came to comfort them afterward, they knew that their son must have experienced dangers they couldn't imagine.

These past few days, they couldn't eat or sleep, constantly worrying about Lu Yuan.

"Dad, Mom, I'm fine."

Lu Yuan looked at his parents' haggard faces and bloodshot eyes, a pang of sadness in his heart.

He held his mother's hand and then looked at his father.

"It's all over, don't worry."

Lin Zhihui's eyes reddened, and she pulled him to sit on the sofa.

"It's good you're fine, it's good you're fine... You don't know, your dad and I these past few days..."

"Alright, the child just came back, why talk about all this." Old Lu interrupted his wife, but his voice was also choked with emotion.

He poured Lu Yuan a cup of hot water.

"How's school... is it alright?"

"Hmm, it's good." Lu Yuan nodded, "I'm preparing for a competition recently, so I might be a bit busy."

He didn't mention winning the class competition, nor did he mention the grievances between the Lin Family and the Yao Family, or the thrilling battle that led to the Black Water Gang's demise.

Some things were better left unknown to his parents, lest they worry unnecessarily.

The family of three sat together, chatting about everyday things.

Under the lamplight, there was a long-lost warmth and tranquility.

Lu Yuan looked at the white hairs quietly appearing at his parents' temples, and at this small home, not spacious but full of life.

A thought became incredibly clear in his mind.

"Dad, Mom."

"Let's... move."

"Move?"

Old Lu and Lin Zhihui were both stunned.

"Why move when everything is fine?" Lin Zhihui asked, puzzled, "Isn't it nice living here?"

"Yes, the neighbors are familiar, and it's convenient to buy groceries." Old Lu agreed.

Lu Yuan looked at them and said seriously: "It's... not safe here anymore."

He didn't explicitly state the connection between the warehouse kidnapping and this place, but his parents instantly understood.

Their faces suddenly turned pale.

Lin Zhihui's hand subconsciously gripped Lu Yuan's arm.

"Then... then where do we move to?" Her voice trembled.

"I've already found a place." Lu Yuan patted his mother's hand reassuringly, "Yujing Garden in Jiangcheng New District, the security is the best in the city, and the environment is good too."

"Yujing Garden?!" Old Lu exclaimed, "The housing prices there... Xiao Yuan, you..."

He knew that high-end community was a famous rich area in Jiangcheng; ordinary people might not even be able to afford a toilet there after a lifetime of struggle.

"You don't have to worry about the money."

Lu Yuan interrupted his father.

"I'm no longer the child you used to worry about."

He smiled, looking at his parents' surprised eyes.

"Believe me, I already have the ability to give you a better life and a safer environment."

He didn't take out the black card with ten million yuan, nor did he elaborate on his current strength and opportunities.

He simply stated a fact in the calmest tone.

"Starting tomorrow, you won't have to go to the factory for work."

"Rest well for a while, and then, we'll move to our new home."

Old Lu and Lin Zhihui exchanged glances, both seeing shock and doubt in each other's eyes, as well as... unbelievable excitement.

Their son... had really grown up?

Where did he get the confidence to say such things?

But looking at Lu Yuan's increasingly mature face, their worries were unconsciously replaced by trust.

Perhaps... their son really had an unexpected encounter they didn't know about!

They no longer... had to worry about him... "Good... good..." Lin Zhihui murmured, tears streaming down her face, this time, they were tears of relief.

"I'll listen to you, I'll listen to you."

Old Lu nodded vigorously.

"Mom and Dad trust you."

Outside the window, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse.

Inside the house, the lamplight was warm.

Lu Yuan looked at the wrinkles on his parents' faces gradually smoothing out, his heart filled with peace.

The meaning of becoming stronger was not just for himself.

It was also to protect the people around him, to keep them away from danger and let them enjoy happiness.

This home, he must protect with all his might.

【Ding!】

【Identity: Earth Human (Hidden) Activation: 24%】

【Talent Advancement Condition Activation: 14%】