46: Chapter 46 The Eve of the Storm

"What is going on here? Who is causing a disturbance?"

The Law Enforcement Team leader scanned the chaotic interior of the Danxiang Pavilion and asked in a deep voice.

Upon seeing this, the manager of the Danxiang Pavilion hurriedly stepped forward, about to report exactly what had just happened.

However, before the manager could speak, a middle-aged man in a silk robe with a sharp appearance walked quickly out of the crowd. He took the initiative to cup his hands and smile at the Law Enforcement Team leader: "Captain Wang, you've come just in time!

It's just a small matter, a minor trifle!

It's just some outsiders who don't know the rules; they drank too much, are causing a scene here, and wanted to extort some money from the Ye Family shop."

As the middle-aged man spoke, his gaze swept over the men causing the disturbance, seemingly unintentionally, but with a warning in his eyes.

His words were understated, directly characterizing a premeditated disturbance as a common drunken dispute!

Ye Tian's eyes narrowed suddenly, and he stared at the middle-aged man.

He felt this person looked familiar, and after a quick mental search, he soon remembered.

This man had appeared in the VIP seats at the Ye Family's ancestral sacrificial ceremony; he was one of the people standing behind the Lin Family head, Lin Batian!

He was a Lin Family Steward!

"So that's how it is!"

Ye Tian realized everything in an instant!

Everything was indeed orchestrated by the Lin Family in secret!

The goal was to ruin the Ye Family's reputation and create trouble!

And this Lin Family Steward had clearly been hiding in the crowd to monitor the situation. Seeing that things were about to be exposed, he immediately jumped out to confuse the issue, attempting to downplay the incident!

Law Enforcement Team Captain Wang listened to the Lin Family Steward's words, looked at the scene, frowned slightly, then turned to the men causing the disturbance and sternly demanded: "Is what he says true? Why are you causing trouble here?!"

The man, having been glared at by the Lin Family Steward and seeing the Law Enforcement Team arrive, dared not tell the truth.

He quickly followed the lead, nodding and bowing with a fawning smile: "Yes, yes, yes... this gentleman is right!

It was our own greed that blinded us; we just wanted... just wanted to extort some drinking money and disturbed you, my lords!"

The few men behind him also quickly agreed, not daring to utter a single word about the Lin Family.

Ye Tian watched from the side, sneering inwardly.

What a Lin Family!

They act so insidiously and despicably, sending lackeys to cause trouble, and the moment things go wrong, someone immediately comes out to clean up the mess and distance themselves completely!

Truly the behavior of cowards!

He knew that without concrete evidence pointing to the Lin Family, he couldn't take them down based solely on his own guess and that one look from the Lin Family Steward.

Forcibly exposing them might instead lead to them biting back, claiming the Ye Family was framing them.

Captain Wang of the Law Enforcement Team saw that both sides' "stories matched," so he waved his hand impatiently: "Since it is a drunken disturbance, according to city regulations, for disrupting the order of the market, confiscate their belongings and detain them for three days! Take them away!"

Several Law Enforcement Team members stepped forward, handcuffed the men, and took them away from the scene.

The Lin Family Steward saw this and a smug smile appeared on his face. He cupped his hands to Captain Wang and the Ye Family manager: "Just a small misunderstanding, glad it's resolved, glad it's resolved. I shall take my leave."

After speaking, he turned to leave, but as he passed by Ye Tian, his footsteps paused slightly. He glanced at Ye Tian with a cold, sinister look, his eyes full of warning: Kid, meddling in other people's business won't end well for you!

Ye Tian remained expressionless, choosing to ignore him completely.

This level of threat was meaningless to him.

The disturbance seemed to have subsided, and the onlookers gradually dispersed, but the Danxiang Pavilion manager and some discerning people around knew clearly that this matter was by no means as simple as it appeared on the surface.

Ye Tian didn't say anything more. He handed the Materials that needed to be exchanged to the manager to process. After receiving the corresponding Spirit Stones and a few bottles of Medicinal Pills to assist with his Cultivate, he headed straight back to the Ye Family.

Upon returning to the Family, Ye Tian did not go back to his own courtyard, but went directly to the residence of the Second Elder, Ye Wenshan, to report what had happened in the market today.

After listening, the Second Elder's expression was grave. He pondered for a long time before slowly saying: "The Lin Family... they really are starting to lose their patience and resort to these underhanded tactics.

They want to strike at us first through commerce and reputation, creating chaos."

He looked at Ye Tian with approval: "You did the right thing by not acting impulsively at the time.

The Lin Family is powerful and has deep roots in the city; without concrete evidence, we can't do anything to them.

However, by exposing their tricks in public today, you effectively slapped them in the face. You must be doubly careful of the Lin Family's schemes in the future."

Ye Tian nodded: "This Disciple understands, Elder, please rest assured."

The Second Elder sighed: "The tree wants to be still, but the wind will not cease. It seems the waters in Luo City are becoming increasingly muddied.

You should go back and focus on your Cultivate. As for the Family, we will strengthen our defenses."

Coming out from the Second Elder's place, Ye Tian looked up at the sky in the direction of the Lin Family, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

He did not fear these little tricks from the Lin Family.

But these peaceful days were likely coming to an end.

After the Danxiang Pavilion incident, the atmosphere in Luo City became noticeably tense.

Between the Ye Family and the Lin Family, although the pattern of the three major families coexisting was still maintained on the surface, anyone with discernment could feel that beneath that layer of hypocritical peace, undercurrents were surging.

Within the Ye Family compound, the number of patrolling guards was doubled, operating day and night without pause.

All Family Disciples were required to travel in groups when going out and were repeatedly warned to be extra careful and cautious.

The Clan Chief, Ye Qingtian, personally issued orders to strengthen the defenses of various properties and key routes.

These actions naturally could not be hidden from the Lin Family's spies.

Lin Mansion, the Great Hall.

The Clan Chief, Lin Batian, sat high in the main seat with a gloomy expression, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the rosewood armrest.

Below, the core Elders and stewards of the Lin Family were lined up on both sides, each with a grave expression.

"Speak up, everyone."

Lin Batian spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of suppressed anger, "You must all know about the Ye Family's recent movements.

Defenses are tight, Disciples are confined; hmph, Ye Qingtian is clearly guarding against our Lin Family!"

He swept his gaze over the crowd and said coldly: "It seems our previous little tricks have already alerted the Ye Family.

Coupled with Yan Laosan from the Black Cloud Stronghold, who has been pressing us harder and harder recently, questioning when we will make our move so they can coordinate from the inside and out.

Everyone, what are your thoughts on this?"

The Grand Elder, an emaciated old man sitting at the head of the left side, pondered for a moment before saying: "Clan Chief, that the Ye Family is on guard is within expectations.

Ye Qingtian is not a fool; although our dealings with the Black Cloud Stronghold are secret, it's hard to guarantee that no wind has leaked out.

It was an inevitable move for him to strengthen defenses."

He paused and changed the subject: "However, guard or no guard, it is a fact that the Ye Family is strong on the outside but weak on the inside.

The Family is suffering from a lack of successors; apart from Ye Qingtian and Ye Wenshan, there isn't much top-tier combat power.

As for the younger generation, they originally counted on Ye Long, but now he has become a useless person.

Although that Ye Tian has emerged with exceptional talent, his wings are not yet fully grown, and he will hardly achieve anything great."

An Elder with a fleshy face on the right side chimed in: "The Grand Elder is absolutely right!

The Ye Family is like a grasshopper in late autumn; they won't be jumping for much longer!

Our Lin Family has strong troops and sturdy horses, and we have the Black Cloud Stronghold as a hidden blade; why should we be so timid?

In my opinion, it's better to strike first while they are still unsteady, catching them off guard!"

"Do not be reckless!" another, more steady Elder objected, "The Ye Family has operated in Luo City for hundreds of years; their Foundation still remains.

Ye Qingtian's cultivation at the Yuan Condensation Second Layer cannot be underestimated, and the Clan Protection Array is even more troublesome.

If we attack by force, even if we win, our Lin Family will surely suffer heavy losses. Wouldn't that just let the Chen Family reap the benefits?"

"Then are we just supposed to wait like this?" the fierce Elder said with dissatisfaction, "Wait for the Ye Family to Cultivate that Ye Tian?

Wait for Ye Qingtian to find outside help?"

The hall immediately erupted into an argument, with the pro-war faction and the cautious faction each holding their own views.

Lin Batian listened to the arguments of the crowd, his mind already made up.

He raised his hand to stop the argument and said in a deep voice: "If the Ye Family wants to guard, let them guard!

But our plan must absolutely not stop!"

He stood up and walked to the sand table of Luo City in the center of the hall, pointing his finger at several important properties and resource points of the Ye Family.

"No matter how strict the Ye Family's defenses are, they cannot cover everything! Pass on my orders!"

"First, continue to increase the intensity of harassment against the Ye Family's peripheral industries! Especially their mines and medicinal gardens; have the people from the Black Cloud Stronghold visit them more often, making the Ye Family run themselves ragged!"

"Second, secretly contact those disgruntled Elders and stewards within the Ye Family. Promise them heavy rewards; win over those who can be won over, and for those who cannot... create rifts within them!"

"Third!" Lin Batian's finger pointed heavily at a remote area on the sand table where the Ye Family compound bordered the Black Cloud Mountains, "This is where the Ye Family's defenses are relatively weak.

Have Yan Laosan prepare an elite force, ready to act at any time!

Once the time is ripe, this will be the Breakthrough point for us to tear open the Ye Family's defensive line!"

A hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes: "As for that Ye Tian... this boy is growing too fast; keeping him is a future disaster!

Find an opportunity, have the experts from the Black Cloud Stronghold, or the death squads we have secretly cultivated, ensure his elimination!

Remember, do it cleanly and neatly; do not leave any handles!"

"Yes! Clan Chief!"

The Elders responded in unison.

They had been waiting for this day for too long!

Lin Batian looked around at everyone, his tone grim: "Everyone, success or failure, it all rests on this one move!

As long as we annex the Ye Family, this Luo City will be the world of my Lin Family!

By then, you will all be meritorious ministers who expanded our territory!"

"We will strictly obey the Clan Chief's orders!"