150: The dust has settled

"Haha, a misunderstanding, this is a misunderstanding!"

Xu Shousheng was, after all, an old fox, reacting with astonishing speed. He instantly adjusted his expression, bowing repeatedly to Lin Jingyu and Qin Yue, his smile as bright as a blooming sunflower.

"Just now, Xu Mou was blind and failed to recognize Shopkeeper Qin and Fairy Yun! I never expected Fellow Daoist Lin to be such a profoundly talented young prodigy!

A young prodigy! This Xu Mou was reckless, utterly reckless! I deeply offended and clashed with Fellow Daoist Lin and the two fairies just now. It was truly a sin! I beg for your forgiveness."

Lin Jingyu naturally didn't press the matter, returning the bow with clasped hands:

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all, two Fellow Daoists. If I am fortunate enough to visit Qinglan Sect someday, I will certainly pay my respects."

Xu Shousheng turned to Qin Yue and Yun Momo with a beaming smile, his tone utterly sincere:

"Shopkeeper Qin, Fairy Yun, today's matter was purely a misunderstanding! Another day, Xu Mou will surely prepare a generous gift and visit Miaoling Pavilion to apologize."

Having said that, his gaze sharpened, and he abruptly turned to Liu Chengcai, who was still dazed and immersed in immense disappointment and resentment. He lowered his voice, speaking with an undeniable command:

"What are you still standing there for? Waiting for the Lin Family to serve dinner? Gather your men and come with me now!"

Liu Chengcai was startled awake by the low growl, seeing Xu Shousheng's mirthless eyes, then glancing at Lin Lingshan, who was glaring from the Lin Family's side, and the unfathomable Lin Jingyu.

And that Fairy from the Yun Family, whose status was clearly even more noble. He felt a chilling coldness shoot from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.

All his hatred, unwillingness, and flames of revenge were instantly extinguished, leaving only boundless fear and a desire to escape.

He awoke as if from a dream, scrambling to gather the other members of the Liu Family, who were equally pale as death, and scurried after Xu Shousheng, fleeing in panic from this land that had just brought them immense humiliation and loss.

Meanwhile, Gong Yunyu, who had been hiding in the corner, trying his best to minimize his presence, had keenly seized the best moment to escape the instant Xu Shousheng started smoothing things over and Xu Li invited Lin Jingyu.

While everyone's attention was drawn to those 'important figures,' he signaled his subordinates.

Dozens of Black Wind Stockade bandits retreated silently and as quickly as the ebbing tide to the village entrance, then, like startled rabbits, they plunged into the depths of the mountain forest without looking back, disappearing without a trace.

It wasn't until the people from the Liu Family and Black Wind Stockade had vanished from sight, and the invisible immense pressure overhead completely dissipated, that Lin Jingyu's taut nerves finally relaxed.

A strong sense of weakness and churning Qi and blood suddenly surged to his throat. He grunted, forcibly swallowing the metallic sweetness that had risen, feeling his vision dim.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, and bowed deeply to Qin Yue, his movements slow and solemn, his voice carrying genuine exhaustion and the gratitude of one who had survived a great calamity:

"Jingyu... thank you, Sister Yue, for your timely assistance! If not for Sister Yue's righteous words and thunderous presence, today... today my Lin Family would likely have faced utter annihilation! For this kindness, Jingyu and all of the Lin Family are eternally grateful!"

Qin Yue, however, turned to avoid his bow, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief and deep meaning, her gaze falling on Yun Momo, whose cheeks were flushed with excitement and shyness. She chuckled softly:

"Why thank me? I was merely borrowing another's prestige, basking in Momo's glory. If not for our little ancestor from the Yun Family here.

My humble reputation as the Third Manager of Miaoling Pavilion and the Qin Family wouldn't be enough to suppress the sharp sword of an Inner Disciple of Qinglan Sect."

Her words clearly indicated that what truly made Xu Li and Xu Shousheng wary and retreat was the 'Yun Family' behind Yun Momo.

"If you want to thank someone, you should properly thank our Momo. For example, 'for such great kindness, I have no way to repay..."

Yun Momo's ears turned crimson at Qin Yue's words, like ripe cherries.

She stamped her foot, both shy and anxious, secretly glancing quickly at Lin Jingyu's pale yet still handsome profile, her heart pounding. Then she pouted at Qin Yue, playfully chiding:

"Oh, Sister Yue! Don't talk nonsense..."

Then she turned to Lin Jingyu, her clear eyes holding lingering worry and a hint of affection she hadn't even noticed herself.

"Brother Jingyu, you saved my life. If you're going to be so distant, I won't talk to you anymore."

Lin Jingyu looked at the young girl's flushed cheeks and the lingering worry in her clear eyes, feeling the undisguised closeness and protection in her words.

A warm current quietly flowed into his weary, cold heart. A sincere, albeit tired, smile appeared on his face as he said loudly:

"Alright! I'm also a member of Miaoling Pavilion, so we're family. I won't stand on ceremony!"

His gaze swept over the chaotic scene, where the smell of smoke still lingered, and he gestured to Qin Yue and Yun Momo, inviting them.

"This place is filthy, and the scent of blood hasn't dispersed. It's truly no place to entertain guests. Why not move to my humble abode? Allow Jingyu to offer a cup of clear tea as a small token of my appreciation."

His gaze simultaneously fell on Lin Lingshan, who was watching from not far away, and a clear voice transmission entered the latter's ear:

"Patriarch, I'll leave the cleanup and purging of the family to you. I'll take the two of them back to the small courtyard first."

Lin Lingshan's tense body finally relaxed completely. He nodded heavily, looking at the departing figures of Lin Jingyu, Qin Yue, and Yun Momo, his eyes filled with the wild joy of surviving a calamity.

And an indescribable excitement, as well as infinite aspirations for the future.

With today's thrilling experience, the reputation of Senior Thunder Cultivator, and the connections made with the noble daughter of the Yun Family and the Shopkeeper of Miaoling Pavilion... these things combined were enough to establish the Lin Family's name.

From now on, the people of the Lin Family could walk with their heads held high.

Coupled with the numerous Spirit Stones and resources obtained today.

The rise of the Lin Family was just around the corner!

All of this was Lin Jingyu's doing.

Without him, the Lin Family would probably no longer exist.

He composed his constantly fluctuating emotions.

Lin Lingshan suddenly turned around, his gaze like two drawn steel blades, carrying a chilling aura of slaughter.

He fiercely swept over the few cronies of the former Grand Elder, who were slumped on the ground, ashen and utterly despairing. His voice, like it came from the icy Hell, was decisive and filled with undeniable authority:

"Take them down! Seal their spiritual power and throw them into the dungeon! Guard them strictly! Their fate will be decided after the clan meeting! Clan rules are strict; traitors will not escape death!"

A murderous aura, accompanying his words, once again permeated the air. The gates of reckoning slammed shut after the crisis was resolved.

Lin Jingyu had given these people a chance, but they didn't seize it.

So, they couldn't blame the clan rules for being merciless.

Lin Xuan stood by, his eyes filled with fanaticism and bewilderment.

The Lin Family's crisis of annihilation was resolved just like that.

Even an Inner Disciple of Qinglan Sect was sent away.

This was simply unimaginable!