235: Chapter 235 Gloom, Secret

The night was like ink, with thick clouds veiling the moon.

Inside a quiet guest room deep within the Lin Family residence, incense burned in a golden burner, and a faint fragrance drifted in the air.

Although Chen Ran had left the meeting hall, the people of the Lin Family did not leave him waiting in vain.

Instead, he was led to a guest room to rest.

The room was furnished with extreme refinement; the sandalwood furniture emitted a faint, lingering fragrance, famous calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls, and even the carpet on the floor was a top-grade wool rug tribute from the Western Regions, feeling soft and plush underfoot.

On the small tea table nearby sat a cup of freshly brewed tea, steam rising from it, with the aroma of the tea permeating the room.

He picked up the teacup, blew away the foam on top, and took a leisurely sip.

"Tsk, these great families really know how to enjoy life; even the tea served to guests is countless times better than the Advanced goods sold outside."

This pot of tea was much better than what he usually ordered at teahouses, clearly quite expensive.

Chen Ran mused that perhaps he should stock up on some more from the Lin Family.

The precious tea he had brought back last time had long since been completely consumed.

These precious teas were blended with who knew what kind of rare medicinal herbs; if an ordinary person consumed them long-term, they could achieve abundant Qi and blood, with a calm mind.

Perhaps this was why the disciples of great families, even if they didn't love practicing martial arts, still possessed a certain Realm.

Just by accumulating the effects of their daily diet, their cultivation could be several times ahead of ordinary people.

Chen Ran withdrew his attention and looked out the guest room window at the lush greenery.

The meeting on the Lin Family side had ended, but no one had come to take him away yet; he assumed there were still matters to ask him about.

However, what he was more concerned about now was what kind of person this Cao Yong was, and just how strong his power was.

To know oneself and the enemy is the only way to win every battle.

Although he had great confidence in his current strength, one must be careful to sail the ship for ten thousand years; he didn't want to capsize in a ditch.

Just as he was pondering, a sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

At this moment, his Divine Soul, spread out outside, stirred slightly, detecting a very light sound of footsteps coming from outside the courtyard.

The footsteps were neither hurried nor slow, landing without a sound; clearly, the person approaching had formidable cultivation and a steady Heart-Nature.

"Brother Chen, have you rested?"

A gentle and calm young man's voice pierced through the night and rang out outside the door.

Chen Ran slowly opened his eyes, a faint glimmer flashing in the depths of his pupils before it was instantly suppressed. He brushed his wide sleeves, stood up, and pushed open the door.

Outside the door stood a young man dressed in a cyan long robe.

The youth had a tall figure and a handsome face; between his brows, he resembled Lin Wan by seven or eight parts, yet he lacked that liveliness and arrogance, possessing instead a depth and reserve honed by experience. The night breeze brushed against his hem, adding a touch of otherworldly aura.

However, perhaps because there had been too many things happening recently, his expression carried a faint trace of gloom.

This person was none other than the eldest son of the Lin Family, Eldest Brother Lin Xiu.

"Eldest Brother Lin, your presence is an honor; please forgive me for not welcoming you properly." Chen Ran bowed slightly.

Eldest Brother Lin Xiu let his gaze linger on Chen Ran for a moment. Seeing that his breath was steady, his expression normal, and there was absolutely no sign of fear, a look of surprise couldn't help but flash across his eyes.

"Brother Chen, you are too polite." Eldest Brother Lin Xiu smiled slightly and stepped into the room. "I am already aware of today's events. That you were disturbed is truly due to my lack of proper protection."

"Eldest Brother Lin, you are too kind." Chen Ran led Eldest Brother Lin Xiu to sit at the table, picked up the purple clay teapot, and poured him a cup of clear tea.

Eldest Brother Lin Xiu took the teacup, his fingertips stroking the warm, smooth porcelain wall, and sighed softly: "Although those people hid their appearances, Brother Chen must surely have an idea who the mastermind is. The Lin Family will definitely investigate this matter to the end; we will never let you suffer this grievance in vain."

Chen Ran sat upright opposite him, listening quietly.

Eldest Brother Lin Xiu paused slightly, his gaze narrowing, and his tone carried a note of earnestness: "However, I have a favor to ask. Regarding the attack last night, I hope Brother Chen will keep it from Waner for now and not let her hear even a whisper of it."

"Lin Wan?" Chen Ran raised an eyebrow slightly.

"That girl Waner is upright by nature, but her temper is too fierce. Previously, relying on the Family, she rarely suffered any hardship." Eldest Brother Lin Xiu shook his head with a bitter smile, his brows revealing a sense of helplessness and doting,

"If she finds out that you were nearly ambushed because of her, given her temper, I fear she would be brandishing a blade first thing tomorrow morning and charging directly to the other party's doorstep to demand an explanation."

In Chen Ran's mind, the image of Lin Wan, rushing about like a whirlwind and hating evil, surfaced, and he deeply agreed.

Back when he was still a Jailer, he had often relied on Lin Wan to arrest criminals, whom he would then record in the heavenly book of prison suppression.

At that time, he had even almost gotten himself killed while investigating the Official Silver Case.

In this treacherous capital, with such a straightforward personality, if she didn't have the protection of the great tree that is the Lin Family, she would have long since been smashed to pieces.

"Eldest Brother Lin, your concerns are very correct." Chen Ran nodded slightly and agreed, "I will keep my mouth shut about this matter; I will never let her get dragged into it."

Seeing that Chen Ran agreed readily, Eldest Brother Lin Xiu's tense expression relaxed slightly, and he picked up the teacup to take a light sip.

The fragrance of the tea curled up, diffusing between the two of them.

Chen Ran put down his teacup, looked straight at Eldest Brother Lin Xiu, and asked, appearing casual:

"However, there is one thing I do not understand. Does that eunuch from the Inner Cabinet, Cao Yong, really have such heaven-reaching influence? Even the Four Great Families, with their profound foundations, find it difficult to keep him in check?"

Once these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room suddenly froze for a moment.

The smile on Eldest Brother Lin Xiu's face gradually faded, replaced by a look of gravity.

He set down the teacup and tapped his knuckles lightly on the table, emitting a dull sound.

"If we speak solely of martial Dao combat power, Cao Yong is indeed a thorny figure." Eldest Brother Lin Xiu spoke slowly, his voice low,

"He is a genuine Innate Realm powerhouse. Looking across the entire Great Wei, those who can step into this Realm are all magnates."

"But my Lin Family has a Legacy of a hundred years and profound foundations; there are also Innate Realm Martial Artists within the clan. If we were to truly tear off the mask and clash head-on, the Lin Family naturally would not fear a mere eunuch."

Eldest Brother Lin Xiu changed the subject: "However, what truly makes people wary is not his cultivation, but the person himself."

Chen Ran listened quietly, not interrupting.

"Cao Yong's background is quite mysterious." Eldest Brother Lin Xiu looked out at the thick, dark night outside the window, as if recalling something.