34: It's like anyone can't act.

Had Lin Jingyu not known the truth beforehand, he might have been fooled by this "honest Elder" appearance.

A cold sneer formed in his heart, nearly freezing into frost.

Old fox! What a convincing performance!

Inside the Ancestral Hall yesterday, the two had already become as incompatible as fire and water, nearly life-and-death enemies.

If they had truly met in a deserted place, he would have definitely struck to kill Lin Jingyu.

Yet today, he could still put on such a show; this hypocrisy and endurance were truly "admirable."

This scene left many surrounding Lin Family Clansmen, who were unaware of the truth, looking at each other with complex expressions.

Their impression of the Third Elder actually increased quietly and invisibly.

"Look, the Third Elder really doesn't hold a grudge! Lin Jingyu called him an old dog yesterday, yet he's still willing to step forward..."

"Yeah, he even used his own Spirit Stones to fill the Family's deficit, even losing the money for his grandson's wedding... Truly, sigh, I misjudged him before..."

"This is the responsibility a Family Elder should have!"

...

The subtle discussions reached Lin Chengyuan's ears; deep within his cloudy old eyes, a trace of imperceptible smugness and a smile of being in control flashed by.

The corner of his mouth curved upward almost imperceptibly.

Everything was under control!

His sharp gaze flicked toward Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle, passing an obscure signal.

It was time to deal the final blow to this kid and completely crush his dignity!

Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle, understood perfectly, the cruel grin on his face growing wider!

He retracted his dagger, skillfully spinning it between his fingers with a "whoosh" sound as it cut through the air.

Stepping forward until he was almost touching Lin Jingyu's face, spit flying as he spoke:

"Kid! Did you hear that? The Third Elder is benevolent and willing to vouch for you!"

He paused deliberately, enjoying the prey's potential fear and struggle.

"But the rules of I, Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle, cannot be broken!"

He extended a withered finger, nearly poking Lin Jingyu's nose, his voice suddenly rising with extreme humiliation:

"Want me to grant an extension? Fine!"

"Kneel! Kneel before me! Kowtow! Three loud ones! I want to hear the sound!"

He suddenly spread his legs, pointing at his crotch, a malicious joy flashing in his eyes:

"Then! Crawl through my crotch!"

He lifted a muddy, worn-out beast-hide boot, thrusting it under Lin Jingyu's eyes, the surface still stained with unknown filth.

"Finally! Lick these shoes clean for me! Lick them until they shine!"

Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle, burst into wild laughter, his voice sounding like the screech of a night owl:

"Hahaha! As long as you do it! I, Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle, will be merciful today and give you another three days!"

Of course, this was merely a cat-and-mouse game.

Even if Lin Jingyu really did it, he would immediately go back on his word and find new ways to humiliate him.

Ultimately, when the other party completely broke down, he would work with Lin Chengyuan to force him to sign that already prepared death contract of indenture that would doom him forever!

From then on, Lin Jingyu would be a dog at Lin Chengyuan's feet, to be summoned or dismissed at will!

Lin Jingxia was so scared her small face turned pale and bloodless, her tiny hands clutching her brother's sleeve so tightly her nails almost dug in.

She didn't understand!

Her brother clearly had fifty Spirit Stones in his robe! Why was he pretending to be at the end of his rope and unable to pay the debt?

This was practically dancing on the thinnest wire at the edge of a bottomless abyss!

What if he completely enraged this brutally cruel Black Wind Stockade Cultivator and he really struck to kill in a fit of rage?

Lin Jingyu clearly felt his sister's fear.

He gently squeezed his sister's cold little hand back, the warmth from his palm conveying silent reassurance and absolute confidence.

Signaling her: Stay calm, the good show is yet to come.

Then, he took a deep breath.

His shoulders seemed unable to bear the immense pressure, sagging instantly, and his entire spirit seemed to be drained away in a flash.

His face was suddenly filled with extreme panic, helplessness, and despair, his voice trembling violently as if he might cry at any moment:

"Third... Third Elder... Is there... really... no other way at all? Please... think of something... I... I..."

His body was hunched like a shrimp, almost curling into a ball, appearing incredibly humble and pitiful.

His tone carried a hint of a desperate sob:

"Lord Chen... Does... does your word... truly count? If... if I do as you say... can you... can you really give me a few more days?"

Seeing Lin Jingyu's cowardly appearance, Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle's disdain reached its peak.

Count? What if it didn't? What could a mere trash at the Qi Refining Second Layer do to change anything?

With his nostrils flared toward the sky, he let out a sneer, his posture arrogant to the extreme:

"Hmph! I, Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle, mean what I say! Cut the crap! Do it now! Otherwise... hmph hmph!" He shook the "scorpion tail" in his hand.

Still trying to make a final struggle? Laughable!

In Lin Chengyuan's cloudy old eyes, the cold, triumphant joy of his impending success was almost overflowing.

The hand stroking his beard trembled slightly as he suppressed his inner ecstasy, his face showing even more pity and a perfectly timed "helplessness":

"Child, it's not that I'm unwilling to help, it's just... sigh! Since Fellow Daoist Chen has spoken, you should just do as he says. Enduring a moment's humiliation for a few days of peace is also... a temporary measure."

He was laughing wildly in his heart: Stamp him down! Stamp even harder! Let this little beast rot completely in the mud!

Lin Jingyu's body shook even more violently.

"Then, bring out the Promissory Note first, and I will do as you say."

Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle, gave a disdainful smile; this Promissory Note was forged anyway, so he could have as many as he wanted.

With a slap on his Storage Pouch, a glowing Contract Paper appeared in his hand, clearly showing the signatures and thumbprints of the Original Host's parents.

"See? The Promissory Note is here. Now hurry up and kowtow to me."

Under Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle's unrestrained and cruel gaze, amidst the held breath and stagnant air of the watching villagers, and at the very moment Lin Chengyuan's cold, triumphant smile reached its peak—

Lin Jingyu's hand, which had reached into his robe, moved!

It wasn't pulled out slowly, but like a long-dormant venomous snake, it suddenly struck!

"Clatter—!"

A crisp sound, louder and more heart-trembling than the sound of the door being kicked open just now!

A heavy coarse cloth bag was held high by him, as if he were throwing a giant boulder!

Then, he turned the bag upside down, pouring out the contents that filled it to the brim!

Like the Heavenly River flowing backward, or like falling stars!

Fifty Low-Grade Spirit Stones broke free from the bag's constraints, falling rapidly.

Under the reflection of the rising sun, they refracted a dazzling and colorful brilliance.

Rolling onto the cold, hard Bluestone Slabs, they collided, bounced, and spun, producing clear, pleasant, and continuous tinkling sounds like jade beads falling onto a plate.

This sound was infinitely amplified in the extreme silence.

Like the most beautiful movement of music, yet also like the loudest slap to the face!

The entire small courtyard, along with all the peeking villagers outside, as well as Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle, and Lin Chengyuan who were right there...

Time, It was as if everything was frozen in time.！