147: The insidious Liu Chengcai

Liu Chengcai felt his mind in a chaotic whirl, an overwhelming surge of ecstasy intertwined with extreme bewilderment, nearly robbing him of his ability to think.

A narrow escape from death? A heaven-defying turnaround!

This was simply a divine intervention!

The Patriarch... the Liu family's Patriarch actually possessed such extraordinary means, able to invite an inner disciple of the Qinglan Sect to come to their rescue?

This... this was truly a new hope after a difficult situation!

The humiliation and venom that Lin Jingyu had trampled into the mud within his chest ignited like dry tinder doused in oil, instantly bursting into a frenzied flame of revenge.

He sprang up from the ground, like a cannonball shot from a barrel, carrying a pungent odor of snot and tears, and lunged desperately towards Xu Shousheng.

"Senior! Senior, you've finally arrived! You must uphold justice for our Liu family!"

Liu Chengcai clung to Xu Shousheng's leg like a drowning man grasping at a final straw, his snot and tears mixing with the dust on his face, smearing Xu Shousheng's trousers. His voice was hoarse and shrill, like the cry of a night owl.

"The Lin family... that group of heartless bandits from the Lin family! They... they took advantage of our misfortune, ransacking our entire Liu family clean. Spirit stones, magical artifacts, elixirs, storage bags... they didn't leave us a single item! We... we came with sincere hearts, bearing generous gifts to forge an alliance, but they... they repaid kindness with enmity, with hearts as venomous as snakes!

Senior, you must act on behalf of Heaven, severely punish these villains, and bring us justice!"

As he wailed, he secretly raised his eyes, his resentful gaze like a poisoned knife, fiercely gouging at Lin Jingyu and Lin Lingshan, his heart filled with twisted satisfaction.

The tables have turned; this time, let's see how your Lin family dies!

The smile on Xu Shousheng's face instantly froze, and the corner of his eye twitched uncontrollably.

The sticky, warm sensation on his leg made his stomach churn, and a strong wave of nausea rose to his throat.

He suppressed the urge to kick this "human ornament" away on the spot, took a deep breath, and barely maintained the composure on his face.

His gaze shifted to the Lin family members, whose faces were ashen and whose anger was almost erupting, especially the leader, Lin Lingshan.

"You're spouting utter nonsense!"

Lin Lingshan's hair stood on end, his eyes blood-red, like an enraged bear. A thunderous roar shook the air, making it hum.

His clenched fists bulged with veins, and his knuckles cracked, as if he was about to pounce and tear Liu Chengcai to shreds at any moment.

"Twisting right and wrong! Slandering with false accusations! Liu Chengcai, did a dog eat your conscience? It was clearly your Liu family, with your wolfish ambitions, colluding with that old dog Lin Chenghai, intending to devour my Lin family whole, sucking our very marrow dry!

Truly a scoundrel, daring to do but not to admit!

Did the two ounces of flesh in your crotch get fed to wild dogs along with your dignity? Or are all you Liu family men born spineless cowards?"

He was trembling with rage, his chest heaving violently, a surge of wild vital energy surging and roaring within him.

However, a hint of imperceptible worry flashed deep in his eyes, and he subconsciously glanced at Lin Jingyu. An inner disciple of the Qinglan Sect—this was a formidable force!

Could the Lin family... truly withstand this?

If it really came down to it, they would have to use their last trump card.

However, even if they could overcome this immediate crisis, under the Qinglan Sect's wrath, none of the Lin family would likely be spared.

Lin Jingyu stood on the scorched earth, his figure appearing slightly thin, the bloodstains on his clothes like blooming red plum blossoms.

His gaze, however, was as sharp as an eagle's, fixed intently on Xu Li, who stood on the flying sword, his green robes immaculate.

The name and deeds that had briefly appeared on the information panel were now as clear as a brand: a true prodigy, capable of fighting above his rank as easily as eating and drinking, a protagonist-level figure blessed with great fortune.

The sword intent, hanging above his head and almost piercing his soul, was even sharper, more dominant, and purer than when Grand Manager Feng Xixi of Miaoling Pavilion unleashed her full power.

Just being remotely targeted made him feel as if he had thorns in his back, his vital energy churning.

He clearly realized that if Xu Li truly intended to act, everyone present, including Patriarch Lin Lingshan, would probably not be able to withstand even a single move.

But he could not retreat! Not an inch!

Once he retreated, once he showed weakness, the banner of the "Thunder Cultivator Senior," painstakingly constructed with Lin Chengyuan's life and a Thunder Fiend Talisman, would instantly collapse.

Without this intimidating facade, the jackals of Black Wind Village would immediately retaliate, the Liu family would add insult to injury, and the Lin family would be doomed in an instant!

Meeting Lin Lingshan's gaze, which held both inquiry and worry, he nodded imperceptibly, his eyes as deep as an abyss, conveying a firm signal to "stay calm."

"Robbery?"

Lin Jingyu stepped forward, stopping a few paces in front of Xu Shousheng.

His voice wasn't loud, even a little hoarse from his injuries, yet each word was clear, like the clash of metal, carrying an undeniable ringing force that instantly suppressed Liu Chengcai's wailing.

"Daoist Liu, your words are mistaken. When has my Lin family ever engaged in such banditry? We merely observed that several distinguished guests from the Liu family 'accidentally' left some personal belongings on my Lin family's territory.

Out of neighborly goodwill, we did not accuse you of carelessly discarding items and kindly collected them on your behalf.

To avoid offending the eyes of our distinguished guests, and to prevent defiling this land.

This matter, Fourth Master, you saw clearly and distinctly just now; you can testify."

He finished calmly, his gaze shifting to Gong Yunyu, whose expression was constantly changing, his eyes deep, carrying a silent warning and reminder:

Don't forget that thunderbolt that turned to ashes just now, and don't forget that existence you absolutely cannot provoke!

The smile on Xu Shousheng's face seemed to deepen a bit. He idly twirled a green jade thumb ring on his hand, his gaze slowly turning towards Gong Yunyu, carrying a benevolent sense of pressure:

"Oh? Fourth Master, is what young friend Lin said truly so? Were the Liu family's items 'left behind and discarded'?"

The pressure instantly descended like an invisible mountain, heavily pressing down on Gong Yunyu's shoulders. He felt his scalp tingle, and his back was instantly drenched in cold sweat.

At this moment, Lin Jingyu continued to add calmly:

"If your Liu family intends to use the prestige of the two Qinglan Sect inner disciples to force our Lin family to hand over spirit stones to you,

Then your wishful thinking is quite mistaken.

How could the two Daoist friends from the Qinglan Sect be deceived by your few sweet words?

Furthermore, that Thunder Cultivator senior is also an elder of the Qinglan Sect. By that logic, my Lin family is also a part of the Qinglan Sect..."

His words were ostensibly meant to draw closer to the two inner disciples of the Qinglan Sect.

In reality, his intention was to remind the Fourth Master of Black Wind Village that the person behind him was much more powerful than the person behind the Liu family.

You should see clearly before speaking.