Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?!-Chapter 270- Fourway [3]

The moment Lin Zhaoyue arrived with the peak-rank Saberfang, the battlefield itself seemed to freeze.

The Azure Phoenix Kingdom’s bombardment faltered for a heartbeat, their soldiers faltering at the sight of the massive pack of beasts.

And for the Fang estate, they were more shocked than the enemy’s attack just outside their barrier.

The gathered elders stood rooted to the ground, their faces looking pale. Fang Ra’s knees buckled, his complexion draining of color as though his very soul had left him.

He would have collapsed had Fang Long not reached out and caught him firmly by the arm.

"...Thank you," Fang Ra whispered hoarsely, leaning heavily on his fellow elder as his eyes flickered in disbelief toward the Saberfangs.

Fang Long simply gave a quiet nod, steadying him until the elder could stand on his own again.

Then Lin Zhaoyue’s laughter rang out, clear and unapologetic, as she leapt gracefully from the beast’s back.

Her robes flowed like water, her smile radiant, her tone as casual.

"The matriarch has returned home," she announced, sweeping a hand proudly toward the massive fanged beasts standing behind her. "And I’ve brought my pets."

Behind her, Xiao Pei and Du Juan dismounted quickly, landing lightly on the ground. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

At once, the Fang elders moved in unison, bowing deeply. Their voices rose together in a solemn chorus:

"Welcome back, Matriarch."

"Welcome back, Benefactor Pei."

"Welcome back, Family Guardian Juan."

The Saberfangs let out low, rumbling growls, their golden eyes sweeping over the gathered Fang clan.

Fang Chen swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry.

His palms trembled slightly as he clasped them together in front of him, forcing a respectful bow.

"M-Matriarch..." he began, his voice uneven, "may I ask... what is the meaning of this?"

His eyes flickered nervously toward the Saberfangs, then back to Lin Zhaoyue’s serene, smiling face.

Lin Zhaoyue’s lips curved into an unhurried smile, her tone soft, almost playful.

"Relax, Uncle Chen. They’re support. Nothing more. You need not fear them unless you give me reason to."

She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing faintly. "Oh, and tell me, have you done what I asked of you?"

Before Fang Chen could muster a reply, Fang Jingyi stepped forward, her voice clear though her expression remained tight.

"Yes, Matriarch. We’ve prepared everything for the Lin family to come and settle in Coldwind City, just as you instructed."

"Good. That’s very good." Lin Zhaoyue’s smile widened, genuine delight shining in her eyes.

Then her gaze swept across the elders. "Now... where is my husband?"

At once, the gathered elders shifted uneasily, exchanging loaded glances. No one spoke.

The silence was broken only by the distant clash of the Azure Phoenix Kingdom’s attack against the Fang barrier.

Finally, all eyes turned again towards Fang Chen...

"Elder Chen," one of the elders said with forced calm, "you should be the one to explain. You are the strongest among us."

"Yes," another added quickly, half-grimacing. "Elder Chen, your beloved nephew’s wife is asking where your nephew went."

Fang Chen’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he forced down a gulp.

Lin Zhaoyue’s eyes narrowed at once, suspicion glinting in her gaze.

Before he could stammer an excuse, Fang Jingyi stepped forward, her expression solemn. She let out a heavy sigh.

"Matriarch Lin," she said carefully, "our family was attacked in the days you were not here."

Lin Zhaoyue’s gaze sharpened instantly, like a blade drawn from its sheath.

"Our younger generations were struck at. Some of them... were even killed."

The words hung heavy in the air, and for a moment, the courtyard seemed to grow colder.

Lin Zhaoyue’s voice dropped, low and deliberate.

"And my husband...?"

Fang Jingyi swallowed hard, her hands tightening in her sleeves.

"He... could not arrive in time to save all of them. He took care of the intruders and as we prepare a funeral for the deceased, the intruders stike once more. Clan head had enough and made sure to kill everyone of them personally, starting with the interruptees. Afterward, he took Fang Mei with him and departed... to eradicate the entirety of the Feng Clan."

For a heartbeat, silence reigned. Then Lin Zhaoyue’s face lit up in a sudden smile.

"Ah! I wish I could go along too."

She laughed softly. "Well, what’s the problem? Why were you all so scared to tell me that?"

The elders glanced at one another, reluctant to speak.

Finally, Fang Jingyi’s voice wavered as she explained,

"Well... it has already been a full day since he left. And... there has been no message from him... We fear that he may have..."

Lin Zhaoyue blinked once, then let out a rich laugh that rolled through the courtyard.

"Is that all? You worry over a day? We cultivators can fight for years if we’re desperate! A day is nothing. Cheer up a little."

She turned toward the pack of Saberfangs behind her.

"Xiao Bai, pick a spot. Take your family there and wait for me."

At those words, Xiao Pei’s face drained of color. He burst out in panic, his voice cracking,

"Matriarch Lin! Xiao Bai is the Divine Ice Sect clan leader—in the name of the sect—"

Lin Zhaoyue spun her head toward him with a grin that was half-devilish, half-playful, her eyes gleaming like a predator’s.

"So what?" she drawled, lips curling higher. "My Xiao Bai is so white..."

N-nothing..." Xiao Pei stammered, his voice shrinking smaller with each passing second, like a candle flickering against a storm.

Before his panic could deepen, Du Juan slipped to his side, her hands looping around his arm with practiced ease.

Her voice was honey-sweet, her smile graceful, yet sharp enough to cut.

"Matriarch Lin, that’s a splendid naming choice. My husband is just a little slow, he couldn’t appreciate the beauty of it as quickly as I did."

Lin Zhaoyue’s lips curved into a delighted smile, her eyes gleaming with mock benevolence.

"No, no, it’s fine. Your husband is the sworn brother of my husband. There’s no way I’d amputate, smelt, or hang him over a personal opinion. It’s all good."

Her words were light, almost playful but the elders standing nearby paled, each syllable ringing with unspoken menace.