173: This is unacceptable (large chapter)

"The people from the Star Protection Hall have left?"

Upon learning this, the entire Du Family felt as if they had been struck by a heavy blow.

Originally, after inviting the Star Protection Hall, they had fantasized that the Lin Family would soon come to admit their mistakes with their tails between their legs, and that Chen Qingxuan would also take the initiative to return the star vein to curry favor... they never expected that the Star Protection Hall would leave without a word?

What was the situation?

At this time, Du Sheng said with a serious expression, "Patriarch, do you think that brat's background... could it be that even the Star Protection Hall is helpless against him?"

Whoosh—

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone couldn't help but gasp.

They all looked toward Du Futian.

Facing everyone's burning gazes, Du Futian felt a bit embarrassed, but he still hardened his heart and denied it, "Impossible. Even if he truly has a background that reaches the heavens, given that I saved Li Xing's father back then, the Star Protection Hall couldn't possibly sit idly by... Besides, how could a tiny Lin Family get to know such a person?"

"Then why did they leave so suddenly?"

"This..."

Du Futian fell silent.

To be honest, he was also completely confused now... What on earth had happened?

Although he knew Chen Qingxuan was difficult to deal with, he still didn't believe he would make even the Star Protection Hall wary. After all, that was the power that constrained the entire Star River Ruins.

"Everyone, please remain calm. I'm sure something went wrong within the Star Protection Hall, and they left in a hurry just now. Since they already promised to help us seek justice, they will surely keep their word."

Du Futian decided to soothe his clansmen first, which was also a way to maintain his own face.

"Yes, the Patriarch is right. They did indeed leave very quickly this time."

"And there were no sounds of fighting inside the Lin Family just now; it's impossible that they left because they were afraid of that brat."

"He's just a youth, how could he possibly make the Star Protection Hall afraid!"

Everyone chimed in... The Star Protection Hall.

After Li Xing returned, he immediately informed his father, Li Erhe, of the situation.

"What? Someone from a higher domain?" Li Erhe's face showed shock as he pressed, "Are you sure? Which domain is he from?"

"I didn't dare ask... that kid's pressure was too strong." Li Xing said with lingering fear, "Just meeting him, we felt like we were being locked onto by someone in the shadows. If we had said one wrong word... I'm afraid we would have been instantly obliterated!"

"Xing'er... are you sure he wasn't just posturing?" Li Erhe felt suspicious. Although he knew his adopted son's strength, his logic still couldn't make sense of it;

Why would someone from another domain come to the Star River Ruins?

And get involved with a small Family?

"Father, I'm certain." Li Xing patted his chest and guaranteed, "Setting aside his composure in front of us, for a youth in his teens to dare charge into the Du Family to kill someone right in front of Du Futian—if he were from our Star River Ruins, how could such a Prodigy be unknown?"

"And Father, you also know that old fox from the Du Family. You've owed him a favor, and he's been nagging about it for decades, yet now he uses it because of a youth... it's clear he knows the other party has a significant background and wants to use us as his blade!"

Li Xing said convincingly.

"This..."

Li Erhe's brows furrowed, unable to deny it.

Finally, he sighed softly, "Du Futian, that old fox, is usually so cautious in his actions. How did he end up offending someone from above?"

Li Xing speculated, "I heard that the Lin Family has recently built many nameless statues in Dragon City, and they are spreading to the surrounding areas... it should be under that youth's instructions."

"Statues?"

Li Erhe's eyes suddenly lit up.

The next moment, he suddenly slapped his thigh, "It matches up, it all matches up!"

Li Xing asked in confusion, "Father, what matches up?"

Li Erhe looked at his son, "Rumor has it that a certain Immortal is vastly powerful and controls all sorts of mysterious methods. He especially loves building statues to be worshipped by people, and occasionally, he bestows Divine Abilities upon others through the statues..."

Li Xing was greatly shocked, "Is Father saying... he might be the descendant of some Immortal?"

"Shh!" Li Erhe made a silencing gesture and said in a low voice, "If those statues are truly extraordinary, then it can be confirmed... he was indeed ordered to the Lower Realm to build statues... he comes from a true Upper Domain!"

"Father, no need to verify... I've already tested it." At this point, Li Xing mentioned that he had worshipped a statue out of curiosity, "I don't know if it was the effect of the statue... but anyway, last night, I managed to lift Junior Sister up."

"Truly?"

"Yes... truly."

Whew—

Li Erhe took a heavy breath, "It matches... the loop is closed... it seems his background is some Immortal... no wonder he doesn't take our Star Protection Hall seriously."

Li Xing said in horror, "Father, this matter is too big. Let's go inform the Hall Master quickly?"

"No!"

Li Erhe shook his head in refusal, his eyes gleaming;

Such an opportunity is not something the Hall Master can handle!

...The Du Family.

"Patriarch, Li Xing has returned to Dragon City... and he came with an Elder."

An Elder reported urgently.

"They're back?"

Du Futian was stunned for a moment;

Then, he immediately thought of something, "Could it be that my old brother has come in person? Haha, I said there's no need to doubt the Star Protection Hall's way of doing things. Quickly invite them in—no, I will go to welcome them personally."

At this time, the Elder added, "But Patriarch, they didn't come to our Du Family... they went straight to the Lin Family."

"Went to the Lin Family?" Du Futian blinked, then smiled in realization, "It seems it really is my old brother. He probably feels that since he hasn't sought justice for my Du Family yet, he's embarrassed to see me first!"

Du Sheng inquired, "Patriarch, then should we go to welcome them?"

"No matter."

Du Futian smiled and waved his hand, saying solemnly, "My old brother is naturally self-reliant and values face above all. Since he feels he should deal with the Lin Family first before catching up with me, I cannot ruin his plan. We shall just wait for the good news here at the Du Family."

"Yes, the Patriarch makes sense."

Du Sheng nodded in agreement.

At this moment, the entire Du Family seemed to have been injected with chicken blood.

"I really didn't expect an Elder of the Star Protection Hall to come in person."

"It seems we really overthought things that day. I thought the Star Protection Hall would be wary of that kid... Haha!"

"That's just your ignorance. Back then, our Patriarch saved an Elder of the Star Protection Hall with a spirit returning pill. How could they possibly ignore us?"

"That's true. No favor is greater than the favor of saving a life. They can't just return ten spirit returning pills to our Patriarch and call it even, can they?"

Everyone became excited again.

On the other side.

Inside the Lin Family's main hall.

Facing the visiting father and son, Chen Qingxuan didn't waste words after arriving, "I wonder how your Star Protection Hall's investigation is going?"

"Father, look... he's not afraid of us at all." Li Xing said via secret transmission.

Li Erhe sized up Chen Qingxuan;

Now seeing him in person and feeling that calm and composed temperament on Chen Qingxuan, he was even more convinced of the guess in his heart.

After all, how could an ordinary youth make it so he couldn't detect any aura of his Realm?

He must have powerful means on him.

He is definitely not from the Star River Ruins!

Thinking of this, Li Erhe feigned composure and said, "Young Master Chen, we have mostly cleared up the investigation of this matter. It was mainly because the Du Family violated the spirit of the contract and even destroyed the statues. Everything is their own doing and has nothing to do with you or the Lin Family."

"Oh?"

Lin Tang blinked in disbelief;

Has the Star Protection Hall always acted... so fairly?

Chen Qingxuan showed a satisfied smile, "Then I've troubled you all."

"No trouble, no trouble... it's all our duty." Li Erhe said with a face full of smiles.

"Elder Li, those words are incorrect. Not everyone can hold their ground like you all." Seeing that the other party was very reasonable, Chen Qingxuan also opened up, "To be honest, before you came, I had heard many rumors about the Star Protection Hall. Initially, I suspected you would side with the Du Family, and I even prepared to wipe out the Star Protection Hall for it. Now it seems I was shallow, haha."

Wipe out the Star Protection Hall?

Hearing these words, Li Erhe's head buzzed.

Li Xing was so scared his legs went soft, "Father, he's so fierce... he smiled so happily when he talked about wiping us out... is he someone who got into trouble in the Upper Domain and was sent down by his Family for training... I heard many Immortals punish their descendants who made mistakes like this."

"Cough cough!"

Li Erhe also became a bit unsettled.

Although he had seen many great storms, he had never seen someone so arrogant.

In the entire Star River Ruins, who would dare say such a thing?

Encountering the strange looks from the father and son, Chen Qingxuan realized his slip of the tongue, "That... my words might have been a bit rash, please don't misunderstand... actually, I am a very reasonable and easy-to-talk-to person."

"Ah, yes, yes, yes!"

The father and son nodded like chickens pecking rice.

The next moment, Li Erhe said with a face full of fawning smiles, "Speaking of which, our Star Protection Hall still has many shortcomings that need to be corrected. We have been improving over the years. If there's anywhere we're not doing well enough, I hope Young Master Chen can give us more guidance... we will definitely listen to suggestions actively and rectify them immediately!"

"I wouldn't call it guidance, but I do have some suggestions."

Chen Qingxuan was very straightforward;

Facing such a humanized law enforcement team, to be honest, he was still very supportive and admiring in his heart, "For example, that day when Deacon Li came to investigate the situation with me—in our world, investigators would hang a... a sound-image stone on their chest to leave a record. You understand what I mean, right? It's to facilitate subsequent reviews and ensure the investigation process is open and transparent."

"I understand, I understand. Young Master Chen's words are profound!"

Li Erhe quickly pulled out paper and pen and squatted on the ground to start recording on the spot.

Seeing this, Chen Qingxuan reached out to help him up, feeling overwhelmed by the favor, "Eh, Elder Li, there's no need for this. I'm just giving a few simple suggestions... no need to be so serious, right?"

"Young Master Chen, those words are incorrect." Li Erhe looked up and said with a sonorous and forceful tone, "This is a suggestion that concerns the entire Star River Ruins. Nothing concerning the common people is a small matter; they are all big matters. How can I not be serious?"

"Ah, this..."

Chen Qingxuan scratched his head;

At this moment, he looked like a helpless child as he made eye contact with Lin Tang... Is this the cold and heartless Star Protection Hall you spoke of?

They clearly have the common people in their hearts!

Li Xing then said from the side, "If Young Master Chen has any other suggestions, please feel free to say them. We will definitely record them seriously."

"Alright!"

Chen Qingxuan gave in.

Although he was a bit overwhelmed by the favor, he couldn't resist the father and son's warm invitation, so he began to give suggestions to the Star Protection Hall based on his own experience.

To be honest, this could be considered a good thing.

There was no reason to refuse!

"Does Young Master Chen have any more suggestions?"

"No more, no more."

Chen Qingxuan waved his hands repeatedly.

He had talked until his mouth was dry and he needed to drink tea to moisten his throat.

Only then did Li Erhe rise from his squatting position, handed the notebook to Chen Qingxuan, and said, "This is the summary I've made, please have a look, Young Master Chen."

"No need to look." Chen Qingxuan smiled bitterly and shook his head. He truly hadn't expected that one day, his words would be recorded in a notebook for study.

If someone didn't know better, they would think he was the governor of the Star River Ruins.

Formalism at its finest.

Li Erhe, however, tucked the notebook away like a treasure and promised, "Young Master Chen, rest assured. After I return, I will follow your deployment requirements to carry out collective study and discussion, to strengthen the ideological foundation of the Star Protection Hall, and to implement a more humanized policy... resolutely carrying out your important speech."

"..."

Chen Qingxuan felt his vision go dark;

The next moment, he forced a smile and said, "Let's deal with the matter between the Du Family and the Lin Family first, shall we?"

"Of course!" Li Erhe said solemnly, "In a moment, I will personally go to the Du Family to announce the results of the handling. I wonder if Young Master Chen has time to go along?"

"No problem, you all wait a moment."

Chen Qingxuan didn't refuse, and first let the father and son wait outside.

After they left.

Chen Qingxuan looked at Lin Tang with a complicated expression, "I said the Star Protection Hall is very reasonable... you were so worried at first, why bother?"

"Emm... I haven't dealt with the Star Protection Hall before either." Lin Tang bit her lip. At this moment, she also felt that her initial worry was just her scaring herself.

"Forget it." Chen Qingxuan changed the subject and said, "Prepare some spiritual items. I'll give them to them on behalf of the Lin Family later. It'll be good to help the Lin Family build some rapport with the Star Protection Hall."

Lin Tang was momentarily stunned, "Is that okay? I see how much they care about the people... they surely won't accept it, right? What if it backfires and makes them think we aren't good people?"

"Naive."

Chen Qingxuan lectured, "Look at how he speaks in sets; this kind of person is sharper than anyone. Even if he doesn't accept it... you can't not send it!"

"True, I'll listen to Young Master Chen."

Lin Tang agreed with a smile.

A short while later.

After leaving the Lin Family.

Chen Qingxuan handed a storage ring to Li Erhe.

"This is?"

"This was entrusted to me by the Lin Family to be handed over to Elder Li. They hope Elder Li can handle the matter of the star vein... fairly and justly."

Before Li Erhe could speak;

Li Xing took the lead and said with a compensatory smile, "Oh, Young Master Chen, you're being too formal. This is all our duty..."

"Xing'er."

Li Erhe interrupted his son's words.

Then, he accepted the storage ring with a smile, "Then many thanks to Young Master Chen. Rest assured, I will definitely handle this matter fairly and justly."

"Mm!"

Chen Qingxuan smiled knowingly.

Unexpectedly, the next moment, Li Erhe didn't put away the storage ring. Instead, he fished out another storage ring from his person and smilingly handed both storage rings to Chen Qingxuan at the same time.

"?"

Chen Qingxuan looked like he was questioning his life.

What the hell?

Before he could speak, he saw Li Erhe say with a face full of flattery,

"Young Master Chen has just arrived at the Star River Ruins; we should naturally fulfill our duties as hosts. Here are some local specialties of the Star River Ruins. I hope Young Master Chen will accept them, just to experience the local customs of our Star River Ruins."

"?"

Chen Qingxuan was dumbfounded.

Before he could open his mouth to refuse, he saw Li Erhe directly stuffing the storage rings into his arms,

"Eh, eh, eh, this won't do... this won't do!"