139: The Lin family's "trouble"

Yao Delong had no desire to appreciate the prosperity; the urgent matter was to find the Lin family, where his Junior Sister Lin Qingyao resided.

His gaze swept over an imposing three-story restaurant on the street, with carved beams and painted rafters.

Guests filled the establishment, and a gilded plaque bearing the characters "Drunken Immortal Residence" hung at the entrance.

Restaurants and tea houses have always been the fastest places for news to circulate.

"Let's go, first fill our stomachs, and then inquire about some news."

Yao Delong said to Xin Yuelan and then walked towards the Drunken Immortal Residence.

Xin Yuelan silently followed, her mind racing with calculations:

'Canglan City! Finally, a place with many eyes and ears! I must find an opportunity quickly, even if it's just to send a simple signal...'

The Drunken Immortal Residence was bustling with noise.

The first-floor hall was filled with all sorts of diners, including travel-worn merchants,

fierce-looking mercenaries, and well-dressed local Cultivators.

Yao Delong's attire as a Yin Yang Sect Core Disciple immediately attracted many gazes.

There was awe, curiosity, and even admiration flashing in the eyes of some female Cultivators.

He paid no attention to this, walking directly to a private seat by the window on the second floor.

Xin Yuelan followed closely, her fox demon mask and silent demeanor also drawing many probing glances.

After ordering some signature dishes and wine, and waiting for the waiter to diligently serve them, Yao Delong casually tossed out two Low-Grade Spirit Stones and asked:

"Waiter, I'm new to this esteemed place and would like to inquire about a location. Do you know where the Lin family residence is in Canglan City?"

The waiter took the Spirit Stones, his smile widening, and he quickly bowed, saying:

"Oh, Immortal Senior, you're asking about the Lin family? They are one of the most prominent cultivation families in our Canglan City!

They are in Qingyun Ward in the east of the city, occupying a vast area. There are two ten-foot-tall white jade Qilin statues guarding their entrance, very easy to find!"

"Oh?"

Yao Delong picked up his teacup and took a sip, then continued to ask,

"How is the Lin family doing recently? Are they still well?"

His tone was calm, as if it were just a casual greeting.

Hearing this, the waiter's previously eager smile instantly froze, then turned into a heavy sigh, and he lowered his voice, saying:

"Immortal Senior, you ask about the Lin family's recent situation? Alas... it's common knowledge that the Lin family is in a complete mess and riddled with trouble!"

Yao Delong's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, his eyes sharpening:

"Oh? What trouble?"

"I heard..."

The waiter looked left and right, lowering his voice even further, with a touch of exaggeration from street rumors,

"It's a branch of the Lin family that offended an incredibly powerful noble! They are currently being blocked at their main gate by the personal guards of the Marquis of Zhenbei's Estate!

That spectacle, tsk tsk, full of Killing Intent, the entire Qingyun Ward is under martial law, ordinary people dare not even approach!"

"Marquis of Zhenbei's Estate? Blocking the gate?"

Yao Delong's brows furrowed instantly, and an ominous premonition surged in his heart.

A branch family? Junior Sister Lin Qingxue is from a branch of the Lin family!

"Do you know the specific reason? And who is involved?"

The waiter shook his head, looking helpless:

"This humble one truly doesn't know, I only vaguely heard people gossiping,

it seems... it seems the cause was a Young Miss from the branch named Lin Qingyao?

As for what exactly happened, someone of my status couldn't possibly know the inside story."

"Lin Qingyao?!"

Yao Delong's heart sank abruptly, and the knuckles of his fingers gripping the teacup turned slightly white.

It's most likely his Junior Sister's family! Being blocked by the Marquis's army? This is no small matter!

"Thank you for the information."

Yao Delong suppressed the urge to rush to the Lin family immediately, tossed out another Spirit Stone, and said in a deep voice:

"Check, the rest is for you as a tip."

He had to rush to Qingyun Ward at once!

The waiter happily took the Spirit Stones, thanking him repeatedly.

Yao Delong abruptly stood up and whispered to Xin Yuelan beside him, "Let's go!"

His figure already swept towards the stairs like the wind. A strange glint flashed in Xin Yuelan's eyes beneath her mask, and she quickly followed.

Marquis of Zhenbei's Estate? Lin family? It seems there's a big show to watch, perhaps... an opportunity to fish in troubled waters?

Meanwhile, in Qingyun Ward, east of the city, at the Lin family branch residence.

The once imposing vermilion-lacquered main gate was now in ruins.

The two heavy door panels lay askew on the ground, covered in traces of sword slashes and axe hacks, and even several clear fist prints!

The plaque bearing "Lin Residence" above the door was also hanging crookedly, on the verge of falling.

Dozens of soldiers, clad in dark black heavy armor, exuding a stern aura and with icy cold eyes, stood like iron statues.

They surrounded the entire residence impenetrably, their long spears like a forest, glinting coldly, blocking all prying gazes.

The air was filled with a strong smell of blood and an extremely oppressive Killing Intent.

Inside the courtyard of the residence, in the reception hall.

The atmosphere was even more tense, almost congealed into ice.

Lin Chengzong, Lin Qingxue's father and the patriarch of this branch, stood in the hall.

The forced smile on his face was uglier than crying, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

He spoke to a young man seated at the head of the table, his voice betraying obvious guilt and a false show of bravado:

"Ling... Nephew Ling, this... what is the meaning of this?

Even if you are the Marquis's Heir, with noble status, to destroy my manor's gate and injure my guards like this is a bit... a bit too much, isn't it?"

Seated at the head of the table was precisely the Marquis of Zhenbei's Heir—Ling Xiao!

His posture was as straight as a pine, dressed in a dark black fitted suit, covered by dark gold soft armor, his face resolute, with features as sharp as if carved by knife and axe.

At this moment, he did not look at Lin Chengzong, but merely lowered his eyes to look at his distinct, calloused hands.

Those hands had slain countless Devil Heads during the invasion of demonic Cultivators in the Northern Border.

Hearing Lin Chengzong's words, he slowly raised his eyes.

His gaze was as cold as ten thousand years of ice, and as sharp as if it could pierce through one's heart!

"What meaning?"

Ling Xiao's voice was not loud, but every word was like a knife, carrying the Killing Intent of war, striking hard at the hearts of every Lin family member in the hall.

"Uncle Lin, you ask me what meaning?"

He suddenly stood up, his tall figure exuding immense pressure, his gaze like lightning, piercing directly at Lin Chengzong:

"My father, the Marquis of Zhenbei! To guard the Northern Border and block the invasion of demonic Cultivators, he fought for seven days, burning his Origin, and is now critically wounded, his life hanging by a thread!

Only the Nine Revolutions Infant Returning Pill can save his life!"

"A seventh-tier High Grade Medicinal Pill, the Nine Revolutions Infant Returning Pill!"

Several suppressed gasps sounded in the hall, and Lin Chengzong and his wife Xia Ling's faces instantly turned pale.

Ling Xiao's gaze swept over their terrified faces, and a chillingly cold smile curved his lips as he continued:

"Qingyao and I have been Dao Companions for five years! In these five years, through your daughter Lin Qingyao's hands,

the Spirit Pills, Magic Treasures, rare treasures... that flowed into your Lin family's treasury, Uncle Lin, tell me,

is the value of those things enough to buy more than half of Canglan City?!"

"Now, my father's life hangs by a thread, desperately needing a life-saving item!

My Marquis's Estate's treasury is already empty from supporting the Northern Border war! I, Ling Xiao, am not here to 'borrow' today, but to 'demand'!

To demand back the blood that your Lin family has sucked from my Marquis's Estate these past years! This debt, your Lin family, must repay!"