88: Lin Ruofu: Fan Xian! You want to eat my Lin family's

Chapter 88: Lin Ruofu: Fan Xian! You want to wipe out my Lin Family? (33, Please subscribe!)

“Uh!”

Lin Gong let out a muffled groan, and Wang Qinian, who was outside the room, suddenly opened his eyes.

“Something’s happening!”

This exclamation startled more than a dozen experts who were meditating in the courtyard.

Wang Qinian kicked open the door and immediately saw Lin Gong lying stiffly on the bed.

Blood was still gushing from his heart, and the scene was eerily quiet!

Wang Qinian and Xie Bi'an, both Rank Nine experts, couldn't help but feel their legs go weak.

If the assassin had been a little more ruthless, not a single one of the dozens of people inside and outside the room would have survived!

The Lin Manor guards rushed into the room and found that Lin Gong had completely stopped breathing and was dead.

“Second Young Master! Second Young Master!”

Lin Ruofu and Lin Gong had both underestimated the power of a Great Grandmaster; a Great Grandmaster and a Rank Nine expert were worlds apart!

They thought that surrounding him with one or two hundred experts would at least make the Great Grandmaster retreat.

But for Wu Zhu, he could even kill all of these experts.

Lin Ruofu looked at his son’s corpse with a blank expression, tears welling up in his eyes, his heart in turmoil.

He had only just managed to achieve his current power and status, and Lin Gong was his only heir.

Lin Dabao was born mentally challenged, and Lin Wan'er, with her royal status, could not return to the Family.

With Lin Gong's death, he felt that all the struggles of his first half of life had turned into a castle in the air, and the Family Legacy had become a rootless tree.

After examining the body, the coroner from the Ministry of Justice also changed his expression dramatically.

“Prime Minister, Second Young Master’s wound is much cleaner than the guard’s wound from last night.”

“The weapon entered the body as if a steel knife sliced through tofu; bones and muscles offered no resistance to the weapon.”

“With such astonishing power and speed, the one who struck was very likely a Great Grandmaster!”

Lin Ruofu gritted his teeth and said, “Invite the coroner from the Supervisory Council to take a look as well, lest they say that I, who oversees the Six Ministries, am unfair in examining the wounds.”

Regarding Lin Gong’s assassination, Emperor Qing ultimately assigned the Supervisory Council to investigate, and all speculations about the killer pointed to a Great Grandmaster.

Fan Manor.

In the study, Fan Jian said solemnly, “Lin Gong is dead.”

Fan Xian looked shocked, as if he couldn't believe it at all. “Is that so?”

Fan Jian continued, “It happened last night, he died under the protection of over a hundred experts from the Ministry of Justice, the Garrison Division, and the Dragon Guard Manor.”

“The assassin came and went without a trace, killing with a single blow. The Ministry of Justice and the Supervisory Council have already determined it was the work of a Great Grandmaster!”

This was the first time Fan Xian clearly understood Wu Zhu’s abilities, so he was truly very shocked.

“Father… the power of a Great Grandmaster is terrifying!”

Fan Jian stared into Fan Xian's eyes, finding that Fan Xian was genuinely surprised and not faking it, so his tone softened considerably.

“Has Wu Zhu been to the capital recently?”

Fan Xian asked in confusion, “Does this have something to do with Uncle Wu Zhu?”

“Since we parted in Danzhou, I haven’t seen him in a long time.”

In Fan Jian’s heart, he had already basically concluded that Wu Zhu was the one who acted. Seeing that Fan Xian was pretending well, he didn't ask any more questions.

As soon as Fan Xian stepped out, a servant reported that both the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Lin had invited him to their residences for a talk.

Needless to say, this was all about Lin Gong’s death.

Only then did Fan Xian realize that everyone believed he was involved in Lin Gong's death.

No need to say more, there must be an insider in the Supervisory Council. The news that he continuously interrogated the courtesan and might have learned about the mastermind had long spread and was known to everyone.

The direct mastermind behind the assassination was Li Yunrui, and the Crown Prince was aware and tacitly approved.

But what Fan Xian didn’t know was that the Second Prince, whom he had initially ruled out as a suspect, was actually also an insider.

Although there was no concrete evidence, Fan Xian was the biggest suspect in Lin Gong’s death.

Just as he was hesitating which house to visit first, the Imperial Guards suddenly arrived, actually asking Fan Xian to have an audience with His Majesty.

Fan Jian heard the news and also walked out of the study, “Well, now you don’t have to choose, just go see His Majesty.”

Fan Xian felt inexplicably nervous. This was an audience with His Majesty, the Emperor of Great Qing!

But why would the Emperor want to see him now? It wasn't time for the Martial Champion to have an audience yet.

With a nervous heart, Fan Xian thought of answers to all kinds of questions along the way.

He had to make sure his answers were flawless. Since Wu Zhu said his existence couldn't be exposed, he definitely had to cover for Wu Zhu.

But Fan Xian didn’t know the past between Emperor Qing, Fan Jian, Chen Pingping, and Wu Zhu. With Lin Gong dying under the protection of a large number of experts, all these people concluded that Wu Zhu was the one who acted.

They also didn't want Wu Zhu's affairs to be exposed to the world, so they all tacitly cooperated with Fan Xian's act.

After meeting Emperor Qing, Fan Xian skillfully knelt down, which touched the old Emperor Qing somewhat.

“Rise. You’ve been in the capital for quite some time, and there have been many twists and turns.”

Fan Xian stood up and replied, “Your Majesty, with the national war imminent, assassins are rampant, and I just happened to encounter them.”

Emperor Qing stared at Fan Xian and said, “Aside from the Niulan Street assassination, all other assassins could have been silently executed, but the Supervisory Council and the Dragon Guard Manor drove them into the open.”

“The assassins in the Imperial Palace some time ago were driven into the Imperial Palace by the Shadow Guard of the Dragon Guard Manor.”

Fan Xian said in shock, “What, was Prince Yong trying to assassinate Your Majesty?”

Emperor Qing shook his head, “No, I hinted for him to do so. Can you guess why?”

After thinking for a moment, Fan Xian guessed, “Your Majesty is building momentum for the national war?”

Emperor Qing nodded, “Indeed, but using assassins as an excuse to start a war is indeed a bit crude.”

“Fortunately, several recent incidents have intentionally or unintentionally helped me build momentum! Do you know which incidents?”

Fan Xian felt that Emperor Qing was testing his insight.

“A Northern Qi assassin tried to assassinate me in broad daylight, Cheng Jushu was discovered to be a spy and was beheaded in the street!”

Emperor Qing added the last point, “The Holy Maiden of Northern Qi openly infiltrated near the capital and abducted the Northern Qi spy captured by the Supervisory Council’s Director!”

Fan Xian mumbled, “How come I seem to have encountered all of them!”

Emperor Qing’s voice suddenly rose considerably, “The Martial Champion’s audience this year is canceled. I shall confer an official position upon you today.”

“You won the Youth Martial Arts Debate, and you captured the Northern Qi spy Si Lili, for which you are meritorious. I hereby appoint you as Assistant General of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices!”

At Eunuch Hou's hint, Fan Xian reluctantly knelt down, “This subject thanks Your Majesty for your grace. May I ask Your Majesty, what rank is this official position?”

Emperor Qing answered readily, “Eighth rank!”

After Fan Xian rose, disregarding Eunuch Hou’s repeated reminders, he began to play with Emperor Qing’s bow and arrows, and in front of Emperor Qing, he dry-fired the strong bow several times.

First, he openly asked about the rank of the bestowed official position, then he casually played with His Majesty’s belongings. Fan Xian’s actions scared Eunuch Hou almost to the point of wetting his pants.

Emperor Qing narrowed his eyes, suppressing the anger in his heart. If this boy weren't his son, he could be beaten to death for the crime of great disrespect right now.

Fan Xian was playing with the bow and arrows when Emperor Qing suddenly said, “How did Lin Gong die?”

Fan Xian was prepared and immediately replied, “Your Majesty, I truly do not know!”

Emperor Qing didn't give Fan Xian a chance to breathe, speaking very quickly, “But, in the capital city, only you have a reason to kill him!”

Fan Xian’s reaction was also swift, “I have no enmity with Second Young Master. He didn't want Princess Yichen to marry me, but for that reason… I wouldn’t need to kill him!”

Emperor Qing seemed not to hear, continuing, “If Lin Gong died by your hand, then the imperial marriage between you and Wan'er is off. You don't have to force it.”

When Fan Xian decided to assassinate Lin Gong, he had already prepared to give up this imperial marriage.

Just as he was about to say, “It can only be so,” he noticed Emperor Qing’s fierce gaze fixed on him!

Fan Xian instantly realized that if he said that, it would be tantamount to indirectly admitting he killed Lin Gong.

Emperor Qing’s words were full of traps!

Cold sweat suddenly broke out on his back, and Fan Xian quickly said, “Lin Gong’s death has nothing to do with me. Why should the imperial marriage change?”

Emperor Qing suddenly smiled, “You react quite quickly, don’t you? The imperial marriage between you and Wan'er will, of course, not change. I was just speaking casually.”

After leaving the Imperial Palace, Fan Xian then went to the Prime Minister’s Residence.

Going there would certainly mean trouble, but not going would only make him appear guilty.

Lin Ruofu’s face remained gloomy when he first met Fan Xian.

With Li Chang'an’s note as a reminder, coupled with Lin Ruofu’s own judgment, he had already concluded that the one who killed Lin Gong was the expert by Fan Xian’s side!

After Fan Xian paid his respects to Lin Ruofu, Lin Ruofu began to speak to himself.

“My eldest son, you just saw him in the courtyard. He suffered a severe illness when he was young and now only has the mind of a child.”

“My daughter also contracted consumption when she was young. Although she miraculously recovered later, she will always be a Royal Princess and cannot return to her ancestral Family.”

“All the future hopes of the Lin Family, the pressure of the Lin Family’s Legacy, rested on Gong’er.”

Fan Xian felt that the atmosphere between them was a bit strange, and he also felt that Lin Ruofu’s state was not normal.

Because Lin Ruofu seemed not to see Fan Xian at all, and kept talking to himself.

“After I entered officialdom, I rose and fell three times, yet I never despaired, even when imprisoned.

Until last night, with over a hundred experts guarding him in layers, Gong’er was still killed!”

“Fan Xian, you have a marriage engagement with Wan'er. If you can successfully complete the marriage, the Lin Family’s assets and connections will be handed over to you, and I will naturally fully support your official career.”

Although he knew that the marriage engagement with Lin Wan'er was basically off, and Lin Wan'er would never agree, no matter what.

But to continue covering for Wu Zhu, Fan Xian still had to pretend to be unaware of Lin Gong’s assassination plot.

Fan Xian cupped his hands and said, “Prime Minister, I haven’t thought about any of that. I simply like Wan'er as a person, and it has nothing to do with her status.”

When Fan Xian looked up, he saw Lin Ruofu had walked right in front of him, his eyes filled with murderous intent!

“Fan Xian, the Niulan Street assassination… was Gong’er’s doing.”

Fan Xian’s acting erupted again, his eyes showing shock and fear.

“How could it be Second Young Master! Could it be… Prime Minister, you wanted to kill me!”

Lin Ruofu was almost face to face with Fan Xian, his eyes blazing with fury, and his voice suddenly rose.

“That’s right! It was I who wanted to kill you!”

Fan Xian retreated repeatedly in fright, “I don’t know how I offended the Prime Minister, and why does the Prime Minister want to kill me!”

Lin Ruofu suddenly stretched out both hands and grabbed Fan Xian’s neck!

The entire process was too sudden, and the two were so close that Fan Xian was caught off guard and was firmly grabbed by the neck by Lin Ruofu!

Lin Ruofu had completely lost his gentle and refined scholar image, becoming violent and deranged!

He stared fiercely into Fan Xian’s eyes, cursing loudly, almost roaring and shouting!

“Fan Xian!”

“You killed my son! And you still want to scheme for my daughter!”

“You killed my Lin Family’s heir, and you still expect me, the Prime Minister, to promote you in your official career, and you still want to inherit the Lin Family’s assets and connections as my son-in-law!”

“Fan Xian! Your acting is excellent, but how could it deceive me, the Prime Minister!”

“You are such a despicable person! Do you want to wipe out my Lin Family and claim all its Legacy?!”

Fan Xian was grabbed by the neck by the crazed Lin Ruofu and pinned against the wall.

“Fan Xian, don’t you have a Great Grandmaster by your side? I’m going to kill you now, why isn’t he showing himself?!”

Fan Xian was afraid that Wu Zhu, hiding in the dark, might actually believe it, so he immediately activated his Overbearing True Qi and easily pried open Lin Ruofu’s hands.

But Lin Ruofu was too deranged. Fan Xian’s face was flushed red from the grip, and deep red marks were left on his neck!

“Cough, cough, cough! Prime Minister! What’s wrong with you, Prime Minister!”

“I don’t understand anything you’re saying. How could I possibly kill Second Young Master!”

“And how could I have a Great Grandmaster by my side? If I had a Great Grandmaster, how could I have almost died on Niulan Street!”

Lin Ruofu looked at Fan Xian with cold eyes, then pointed at the door and said coldly, “Get out!”

“Get out of the Lin Manor! As long as I, Lin Ruofu, am here, there is no way Wan'er will marry you!”

“Even if my Lin Family truly dies out, I will not let you, my enemy, benefit from it!”

“Either you kill this old man now, or get out of the Lin Manor!”

Fan Xian and Lin Ruofu caused such a commotion that the entire Lin Manor knew about it, and the news quickly spread throughout the capital city.

In Prince Yong’s Residence, Li Chang'an also received this news.

“Tsk tsk tsk, Fan Xian’s Prime Minister father is completely gone, it seems.”

In the original plot, Lin Ruofu, without any clear evidence, had already guessed that there was a Great Grandmaster-level expert by Fan Xian’s side.

Moreover, the current situation was even clearer. Lin Ruofu had been an official his entire life, so how could he be fooled by Fan Xian?

In the original plot, Fan Xian was said to have six fathers: his biological father Emperor Qing, his adoptive father Fan Jian, his godfather Chen Pingping, his Master Fei Jie, his uncle Wu Zhu, and his father-in-law Lin Ruofu.

These six fathers helped him resolve many issues, allowing him to eventually become the Great Qing’s most powerful official, capable of influencing court affairs and the entire realm.

However, in their final battle, Emperor Qing actually did not lose.

It was Emperor Qing himself who wanted to lift Wu Zhu’s blindfold, and then he was directly obliterated by the laser eyes, only then did Fan Xian have the last laugh.

Jing Ni continued, “Your Highness, Chen Pingping has returned to the capital, just in time for the Crown Prince’s forced entry into the Supervisory Council.”

In the original plot, the Crown Prince wanted to force his way into the Supervisory Council, using his status as heir apparent to guarantee Si Lili’s life, so that she would reveal the truth that Fan Xian had already learned that Lin Gong was the mastermind.

At that time, Zhu Ge and Yan Ruohai couldn’t stop the Crown Prince. Fortunately, Chen Pingping arrived in time and used a small trick to block the Crown Prince.

“Was it Chen Pingping who stopped the Crown Prince?”

Jing Ni smiled playfully, “No, Chen Pingping stayed two streets away from the Supervisory Council and never came forward to stop him.”

“Because Fan Xian returned in time and told everyone to make way for the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince himself backed down…”

Li Chang'an suddenly thought of the crux of the matter, “The courtesan Ruo Wei didn’t know anything about Lin Gong, so Fan Xian wasn’t afraid of the Crown Prince breaking into the Supervisory Council to see her.”

“Fan Xian wasn’t afraid of the Crown Prince looking for Ruo Wei at all, but a prince entering the Supervisory Council is a provocation to Emperor Qing, so it’s normal for the Crown Prince to back down himself.”

Now it seems that the blame for Lin Gong’s death still falls on Si Gu Jian.