Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?!-Chapter 271- Fourway [4]

Xiao Pei swallowed hard, clutching Du Juan’s arm like a drowning man clings to driftwood, his chest rising and falling in quick shallow breaths.

She gave him a soft squeeze, grounding him with that small touch of reassurance.

Lin Zhaoyue, meanwhile, stretched a little while arching her back, her arms unfurling.

A mischievous glint danced in her eyes as she declared, "Alright then. I’ll take a short break... before I raid the capital later."

Her tone was lighthearted, almost casual, yet the elders froze as Lin Zhaoyue’s casual words sank in.

Fang Chen nearly stumbled back a step, his face pale as paper.

"R–raid the capital...? As in... the Qin Capital?" His voice cracked, disbelief lacing each word.

Fang Jingyi pressed her lips together, her eyes flashing with alarm.

"Matriarch... the capital is not some border fortress. That is the seat of the Qin royal family. To march there openly—"

"—is suicide!" Fang Sun blurted out, forgetting all formality in his panic.

His fists trembled at his sides.

Even Fang Yin, who was usually carefree and detached, had to steady her breath before speaking.

"Matriarch Lin, please reconsider. The Qin capital houses not just the royal guard, but also sect envoys and probably court cultivators from across the kingdom. To provoke them directly—"

Lin Zhaoyue turned slowly, stretching her arms once more as though she had all the time in the world.

Her smile widened, lazy yet edged with something sharp.

"What are you all so afraid of?" she asked lightly, tilting her head. "The capital? The royals? Or... me?"

Her Saberfangs let out a low growl in eerie unison, their eyes gleaming like lanterns.

A shiver rippled down the elders’ spines and not one of them dared to answer her directly.

Finally, Fang Jingyi clasped her hands together and bowed low.

"We... worry for the safety of the clan and you, Matriarch."

Lin Zhaoyue chuckled, waving a hand dismissively.

"Worry not. As long as my husband breathes, no royal, no sect, no kingdom under the heavens can touch a hair on the Fang family’s head. And I... well, I’ll enjoy giving them a little reminder of that truth."

Boom!

The barrier of the Fang estate suddenly shuddered once more from another heavy strike as ripples of light racing across its surface.

With a faintly annoyed sigh, Lin Zhaoyue rose into the sky, her robes fluttering as her presence alone pressed against the battlefield.

Her voice, clear and resonant, thundered across the fields, amplified by her qi until every soldier could hear it.

"Soldiers of the Azure Phoenix Kingdom! You’ve already claimed Coldwind City—so why are you so hell-bent on attacking the Fang Family barrier? Do you take us for tortoises, hiding in our shell all day? Trust me, if we shed this barrier, all you’re getting is bloodbath."

A hush fell over the enemy ranks.

Then, parting the sea of soldiers, an elder appeared, his frame was aged with years but still carrying the carved lines of a seasoned warrior. His eyes were calm steady, and his steps were slow and deliberate.

"You must be the renowned Lin Zhaoyue of the Fang family," he called out in the Qin language, his voice booming with authority. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Lin Zhaoyue arched a brow, a trace of amusement flickering across her face.

"Well, well. Didn’t expect the fossils of the Azure Phoenix Kingdom to be learning Qin language."

The old man did not bristle. If anything, his lips curved into a faint smile.

"Hoho. Didn’t expect the Matriarch of the Fang family to have a sense of humor."

"Oh, because I ought to pay it back," Lin Zhaoyue snapped back with a lazy smirk, her tone dripping with mockery. She gestured at the soldiers battering the barrier. "Your army’s antics had been like clowns performing in a courtyard after all. Sigh... you’re trying to empty the ocean with a cup. It’s useless and futile."

The general’s eyes sharpened, but his calm didn’t waver.

"But it works nonetheless, little by little we are going to chip you down. Still, we can both make this easier. Swear fealty to the Azure Phoenix Kingdom, and perhaps we may elevate the Fang family to the rank of Duke."

Lin Zhaoyue threw back her head and laughed, the sound sharp and fearless, rolling across the battlefield like thunder.

She flashed a grin down at him.

"Who are you trying to fool? It would be your kingdom’s greatest honour if our Fang clan became a duke under your reign. How about this? You bow and kneel before me... and call me Empress. I’ll consider sheltering the Azure phoenix kingdom if you do."

The old general’s expression finally hardened. He shook his head slowly.

"Looks like the conversation can’t be continued. Very well."

He turned back to his men, his voice ringing out like a commandment.

"Bring in the formation masters! We’re going to tear down the Fang Family barrier and fortify Coldwind City before the Qin Army arrives."

Lin Zhaoyue hovered in silence for a moment, her gaze cold, her smirk fading into something unreadable.

With one last glance, she descended back toward the ground, her robes cutting through the air like streaks of silk.

"Matriarch Lin?" The Fang elders looked up nervously.

Lin Zhaoyue waved a hand airily, her smile as carefree as a spring breeze.

"Relax, it’s going to be fine. Honestly, I want to see how they even plan to crack the barrier and conquer us. Good luck to them, trying to bring down the Fang estate while four Saberfang beasts at the Nascent Soul Realm are lounging in our yard."

She stretched languidly, arms arching above her head, a yawn slipping from her lips.

With a lazy flick of her sleeve, her body lifted into the air.

Her voice drifted down, soft but carrying, as she flew toward the eastern side of the Phoenix Soul Pavilion.

"I already gave them their warning. Husband, you can’t blame me when there’s a massacre tomorrow."

She chuckled under her breath, vanishing into the night sky.