33: The debt collectors have come to collect the debt.

The former bearded leader had long since turned into ashes under the talisman treasure, leaving only him as the sole survivor.

Were it not for Lin Chengyuan backing him from behind, along with the resounding and terrifying reputation of the Black Wind Stockade, he wouldn't dare to be so presumptuous in the Family territory, even if he were given ten times the courage.

Between his rough fingers, a dark blue dagger, no more than three inches long, was nimbly flipping and spinning.

It was a First-Grade High Grade Magical Artifact purchased for hundreds of Spirit Stones—the dagger "scorpion tail." It was highly toxic; even if a Cultivator at the Late Stage Qi Refining were to have their skin grazed, the poison would immediately enter their internal organs, significantly reducing their combat effectiveness.

The blade reflected a chilling light that made one's heart palpitate, and with every rotation, it brought up a hint of a fishy, sweet, and cold poisonous aura, like a venomous snake silently flicking its tongue.

"Hiss—the evil stars from the Black Wind Stockade have come again!"

"What a sin. It's only been quiet for a few days? Lin Jingyu's Family really has hit rock bottom..."

"Sigh, paying debts is only natural. What else can be done?"

"Shut up, all of you! Keep your voices down! That 'scorpion tail' Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle has more lives on his hands than all the Cultivators we've ever seen! Don't bring trouble upon yourselves!"

Outside the picket fence, the neighbors were startled by the loud noise and fearfully poked their heads out to watch Lin Jingyu walk out.

The hushed discussions spread like a pot of boiling oil, filled with fear, numbness, and a hint of unspeakable pity.

"Look quickly behind that old locust tree... Isn't that the Third Elder? Why is he just standing there watching?" Someone with sharp eyes pointed at the hem of a gray robe peeking out from behind a gnarled old locust tree outside the courtyard.

"Hmph, are you stupid? Didn't you see the scene in the ancestral hall yesterday? Lin Jingyu insulted the Third Elder in public; he might as well have named him directly! The Third Elder probably wishes he would die immediately, so why would he appear to help?"

Someone nearby immediately spat in indignation, their voice dropping even lower.

Lin Jingxia's little face instantly turned as pale as paper, and she subconsciously prepared to step forward.

Lin Jingyu was one step faster; he gently nudged her with his arm, firmly shielding his sister behind him.

His footsteps were exceptionally steady as he stepped over the wood shavings scattered in the courtyard, heading toward the oncoming, almost tangible aura of Evil Qi.

On his face, a layer of expression interweaving panic and fear had appeared just right, and his voice carried a hint of imperceptible trembling, as if he were being suffocated by that Evil Qi:

"Chen... Senior Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle? The debt deadline for the Spirit Stones... isn't it still three days away? You... what is this..."

"Three days?!"

Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle grinned, revealing a mouthful of jagged yellow teeth. As his face twitched, several hideous scars appeared even more ferocious.

He stepped forward violently, and the poisoned dagger "scorpion tail" brought up a cold blue light, pointing directly at Lin Jingyu's face.

"When the Black Wind Stockade does things, is it your turn to question it, you Little Bastard? Today! It's goddamn today! I want to see the Spirit Stones!"

Spittle almost sprayed onto Lin Jingyu's face.

"Either obediently cough up fifty Spirit Stones, not a single cent less!"

He licked the blade of the dagger with a bloodthirsty tongue, his eyes filled with cruel pleasure, as if looking at meat waiting to be slaughtered on a chopping block.

"...Or..."

He deliberately drew out the tone, enjoying the potential fear of his prey.

"I'll do it myself, cripple your meager cultivation, break your limbs, and throw you into the South Mountain Mine like a dead dog, letting you dig until you die in the sunless mine tunnels!"

Subsequently, his lecherous gaze, like sticky venom, swept unscrupulously toward Lin Jingxia behind Lin Jingyu.

A disgusting grumbling sound came from his throat, and he pulled a lewd smile onto his face:

"As for this tender little sister of yours... hehe..."

"This master will enjoy her well for a few days first and let her taste true 'pleasure'!"

He licked his chapped lips, the lustful light in his eyes intensifying.

"Once I'm tired of playing, I'll sell her to the Ten Thousand Flower Pavilion! With looks like this, she'll definitely fetch a good price! Hahaha!"

Such vicious and vulgar words, such dignity-trampling threats, were simply like using feet covered in filth to repeatedly trample on the Lin Family's face, and then spitting a few mouthfuls of phlegm on it!

Many of the watching Lin Family Clansmen were shaking with anger, their eyes instantly bloodshot and turning red.

A surge of blood rushed to their heads.

However, when the venomous, snake-like gaze of Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle swept coldly over them, the spirit that had just risen in the Lin Family Clansmen was like being doused with ice water.

It was extinguished instantly.

The pressure from the Grand Elder yesterday, like a collapsing mountain, had long since completely crushed their already fragile backbones.

They would never... be able to straighten them again.

One by one, under the sarcastic and threatening gaze of Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle, they lowered their heads in shame and fear.

Before the words had even faded!

A fierce light surged in the eyes of Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle; his patience had run out!

That poisoned "scorpion tail" dagger turned into a deadly, dark blue, poisonous ray, carrying a piercing shriek through the air. Like a venomous snake locking onto a throat, it viciously stabbed straight at Lin Jingyu's lower abdomen Dantian!

Of course, he wouldn't strike directly; he was only trying to scare the tender-faced kid in front of him.

It was also so that Lin Chengyuan could appear at the perfect moment to save the situation.

A chilling murderous intent instantly enveloped him, causing Lin Jingyu's back to tense up, his hair to stand on end, and a layer of fine goosebumps to break out on his skin.

He had no way to dodge this strike.

However, he was not afraid in the slightest.

A Bandit Cultivator like Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle, who had just been scared out of his wits, could not possibly kill someone in front of the entire Lin Family without any scruples.

This was different from coming to the door to demand Spirit Stones.

If news of this got out, the Lin Family wouldn't be able to survive in this area; there would be even more Cultivators acting unscrupulously against the Lin Family.

Even if it were just for the face of the Liu Family, who were about to become "allies."

The Grand Elder would personally take action to kill Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle.

Furthermore, the Black Wind Stockade would have no reason to seek revenge; they would at most come over to demand some compensation.

Suddenly!

"Wait, don't strike! Fellow Daoist Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle, show mercy—!"

A shout that was anxious yet carried deliberate authority rang out like timely rain.

Just then, from behind the old locust tree outside the courtyard, the Third Elder, Lin Chengyuan, walked out quickly with a face full of "shock and rage."

He rushed into the courtyard in a few steps, and with a well-timed flick of his wide gray robe sleeve, he blocked the strike.

The dark blue dagger brushed past the hem of Lin Jingyu's garment, bringing with it a fishy wind.

Lin Chengyuan "happened" to block the space between Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle and Lin Jingyu.

His face was filled with "heartache," and he looked at Lin Jingyu with "anxious" and "helpless" eyes, his voice loud and clear to ensure everyone inside and outside the courtyard could hear:

"Jingyu! How can you be so reckless, child! Paying debts is natural and right! How can you keep delaying it!"

He sighed heavily, appearing incomparably "regretful":

"Sigh! It's a pity. The day before yesterday, the Family suddenly encountered difficulties in turnover, and I used all fifty Spirit Stones of the betrothal gift I had saved for my grandson's wedding to fill the gap! Now... sigh! I am truly strapped for cash and am powerless to help!"

He slapped his chest violently, looking righteous and ready to sacrifice himself:

"...But! As the Third Elder of the Lin Family, how can I sit idly by and watch a clansman suffer?"

"Today, I will risk this old face of mine to vouch for you to Fellow Daoist Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle! I beg you to grant us some more time!"

"I stake my reputation on it! I will never let Fellow Daoist Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle be troubled! The Spirit Stones will definitely be delivered in full!"

His words were sincere, his posture compassionate.