Longevity Martial Arts: I have a Mysterious Water Snake Avatar-Chapter 216 - 206 Hong Yuan’s Deterrence, The Revival of the Mysterious Jade Pendant
A gaze closely followed the group of Elders.
The owner of this gaze was none other than the Lin Family Ancestral Patriarch, who had previously crossed paths with Hong Yuan.
Another conflict? he sighed. How many times has it been now? Sigh...
The Lin Family Ancestral Patriarch sighed helplessly. Just as he was about to close his eyes, he suddenly spotted Hong Yuan and his eyes widened in an instant.
He exclaimed in surprise, "How could it be this fellow!"
In the hall, Hong Yuan thoughtfully glanced eastward, toward the exact location of the Lin Family Ancestral Patriarch’s courtyard.
「Meanwhile, inside the reception hall.」
Lin Bu Jing turned pale as he saw the smiling Great Elder and the other Elders approaching.
If this matter were to spread, these Elders would certainly embellish the story, turning the peaceful annulment of a marriage contract into a one-sided repudiation, he thought, filled with rage and panic. If that were the case, what prestige would Father have left to manage the family!?
Above the reception hall, Hong Yuan placed his hand on Le Congsheng’s shoulder, signaling him to stop the words he was about to speak.
The atmosphere in the hall grew silent, abruptly becoming as still as the grave.
"Indeed, we don’t know what brings our esteemed guest here, but we will certainly not shirk our duty."
"Exactly! Our Clan Leader is immersed in cultivation and neglects his duties; he probably can’t be of much help."
"That’s right. It’s different with our Great Elder—he possesses unparalleled insight into the current situation and is sure to achieve success immediately!"
"But we still don’t know what our esteemed guest requires?"
Several Elders spoke in succession, trying to take the matter into their own hands.
Even if they didn’t succeed, they wanted to foil the plans of the Clan Leader, Lin Zhan.
Hong Yuan slightly raised his eyebrows. After some thought, he still felt he should show some respect to Lin Zhan and his son.
From the intelligence I’ve gathered, the internal strife within the Lin Family is quite fierce, but I hadn’t expected it to be this outrageous; it has already crossed the line!
Lin Zhan’s complexion turned grim. "Great Elder, this is my private matter and unrelated to you all. I hope you will withdraw."
"Heh, the Clan Leader is the head of our family. The Clan Leader’s matters are major family concerns," said Lin Pingxin, the Fifth Elder, with a look of disdain and a casual, dismissive tone.
"Exactly. When brothers unite, their strength can cut through metal. Speak up about the matter; perhaps we can all lend a hand to resolve it more quickly..." Lin Pingnian, the Fourth Elder, chimed in, his presence oppressive.
Seeing the Great Elder and others still relentlessly pressuring him, Lin Zhan clenched his fists. Light red True Essence overflowed from his Aperture, faintly forming the phantom of a cluster of green Strange Fire behind him.
Lin Family’s fourth-tier Cultivation Technique: Fire Lion Roar!
Observing Lin Zhan’s reaction, the Great Elder’s face became grave. He shouted, "Lin Zhan, cease this at once! Remember the oath you swore before the Ancestral Patriarch; you are the Lin Family’s Clan Leader!"
Lin Zhan stiffened. The True Essence around him gradually dispersed, and he slumped back into his chair.
Beside him, Le Congsheng, seeing Lin Zhan unable to handle the situation, narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "This matter is unrelated to any of you. Please withdraw."
The Fourth and Fifth Elders of the Lin Family glanced at Le Congsheng, sneering and speaking vaguely, yet they refused to leave.
They didn’t take Le Congsheng seriously at all!
This group of old foxes was acutely aware of the prestige of the Phoenix Creek Sect. If an Elder or a True Disciple of the Phoenix Creek Sect were leading the group, they would obediently depart.
But as for the commands of a mere cultivation Disciple? Sorry, but you simply don’t qualify to command a mid-sized family!
A hint of anger flashed in Le Congsheng’s eyes as he looked towards Hong Yuan, seeking his help.
"Tsk tsk, just a cultivation Disciple. What can he do?" Lin Pingxin, the Fifth Elder, sneered.
You may be a Disciple of the Phoenix Creek Sect, but we also have our connections with the Phoenix Creek Sect, Lin Pingnian, the Fourth Elder, thought with amusement.
"A cultivation Disciple... My daughter Lin Yin is almost a True Disciple already," the Great Elder said, patting his black robe and reclining calmly on the wooden chair.
If it weren’t for his daughter, Lin Yin, being accepted into the Phoenix Creek Sect and having such a promising future, he wouldn’t have become the Great Elder, nor would he dare to contend with the main family line.
Hong Yuan’s right hand reached into his sleeve. After a moment’s wait, the sound of rushing wind indeed came startlingly from outside.
"Young friend, wait!"
The Lin Family Ancestral Patriarch flew in hastily from the courtyard, even crashing through the reception hall’s screen.
He was clad in a gold-silk black robe, his hair completely white. His two eyebrows, long and curved, draped down to his waist, giving him a peculiar appearance.
"Ancestral Patriarch!"
"Ancestral Patriarch, what brings you here?"
The Lin Family’s Great Elder, Fourth Elder, and the others looked shocked. They hastily bowed in homage, their previous arrogance nowhere to be seen.
The Lin Family Ancestral Patriarch smiled apologetically at Hong Yuan. Then, under the astounded gazes of Lin Zhan and his son, he raised his withered right hand high towards the faces of the Fourth and Fifth Elders.
"This slap is for your arrogance."
SLAP!
The Fifth Elder, Lin Pingxin, was sent flying backward, smashing a wooden chair.
"This slap is for your ignorance, for having eyes yet failing to recognize Luopo Mountain."
SLAP!
The Fourth Elder, Lin Pingnian’s, left cheek instantly swelled high, and tears welled in his eyes as he stumbled to the side.
"This slap is for your poor management of your subordinates, allowing them to commit misdeeds!"
SLAP!
The Great Elder, Lin Pingtian, who had taken half a step back, spat out a mouthful of old blood and tumbled ignominiously to the ground.
SLAP! SLAP!
A series of sharp slapping sounds echoed one after another in the hall.
The Great Elder and the others were all smacked away by the Lin Family Ancestral Patriarch, who then vanished into thin air.
Lin Zhan, his son, and Le Congsheng felt a surge of satisfaction, a silent, implicit understanding seemingly established between them.
Yet, amidst this newfound unspoken agreement, all three simultaneously glanced at Hong Yuan.
Their gazes held reverence, admiration, and for one, even burgeoning affection...
Jiang Nai’s eyes rippled like water, her face radiant as a peach blossom. She gazed delightedly at Hong Yuan, once again captivated by his capabilities!
Meanwhile, Hong Yuan, sitting steadfastly in the carved wooden chair, allowed a slight smile to touch his lips. To be old yet not die is to be a cunning rogue, he thought. And this old rogue certainly adapts quickly. Indeed, a fifth-rank veteran Martial Artist always has a few tricks up his sleeve.
「...」
After the Great Elder and the others were driven away, the atmosphere became much more relaxed.
Le Congsheng cupped his fists and said, "Clan Leader Lin, regarding the marriage contract established by the older generation, which severely neglected the wishes of the children involved, we... hope it can be peacefully dissolved."
Once the words were spoken, Le Congsheng felt a great sense of relief.
With Tang Baiwei’s expectant gaze upon him, Lin Zhan nodded with a smile. "Peaceful dissolution. I agree. Isn’t that right, Bu Jing?"
"Yes!" Lin Bu Jing affirmed decisively.
He was a person who clearly distinguished between gratitude and grudges, and he cared nothing for unearned benefits given as charity. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
Hong Yuan and the other Phoenix Creek Sect Heavenly Talents had shown him and his son sufficient respect; they were not the sort to be ungrateful.
Under Tang Baiwei’s joyous gaze, the yellowed marriage contract was torn apart. The reconciliation document was then signed with the names of Lin Zhan, his son, and the couple, Le Congsheng and Tang Baiwei.
It was also at that moment that Lin Bu Jing recognized Tang Baiwei.
He was stunned to discover that the Heavenly Talent with an aura as vast as the ocean—Hong Yuan—was not the one Tang Baiwei held dear to her heart.
As they were departing, Lin Bu Jing mustered the courage to ask Hong Yuan, "Excuse me, may I know your name, please?"
Hong Yuan glanced at Lin Bu Jing’s chest, his gaze seemingly penetrating his clothes to the Jade Pendant beneath.
"My name is Hong Yuan. I look forward to our next meeting."
Watching the departing convoy of carriages, Lin Bu Jing murmured Hong Yuan’s name repeatedly to himself.
Just then, the Jade Pendant on his chest began to glow and grow warm, causing him to instinctively grasp it.
An old and majestic voice resonated in his mind.
"Heh heh, little one, it seems you need help, eh?"
