Chapter 280: Sleeping on Spears and Waiting for Dawn

Zhao Fengnian, the External Affairs Elder of the Zhao family, never imagined that the Lin family would actually know about this matter so clearly.

Then it was very obvious: among the two captured individuals, at least one had betrayed the Li family, and the most likely candidate was Li Dening, who had just reached Foundation Establishment. As for the Clan Leader Li Youzong, he believed it was impossible for him to have betrayed the family.

But the issue raised by Lin Qinglong, the Lin Clan Leader, was something they absolutely could not admit to. This was no longer a matter of disrupting balance and tacit understandings; it had already crossed certain bottom lines of the cultivation world. Therefore, they could only use a "Spring and Autumn brush technique" (euphemistic language) to cover it up. Thus, he began to argue: "Our two families did indeed take action against the Lin family's Foundation Establishment cultivators, but not a single hair on the Lin family's Qi Refining cultivators was harmed!"

Li Youwang, the Great Elder of the Li family, worried about further escalating the conflict, hurriedly spoke up: "Senior Lin, this time our two families were indeed misled by some incorrect guidance.

That is why these unfortunate events occurred, and we have already paid a heavy price. Now we have realized the reason for our mistake!

This time, our two families have even invited Senior Shi Fuding, the Clan Leader of the Shi family, to come forward and mediate, and we have come to the Lin family with full sincerity.

We simply wish to offer our apologies to the Lin family, end the hostile state between us, and restore the relationship the three families once had!"

The other members of the Lin family finally understood: the three people opposite them had come to seek peace. The Clan Leader and the two grandfathers exchanged glances and instantly reached a tacit understanding.

The Sixth Grandfather instantly entered his role, his face full of indignation as he spoke: "For the sake of your own interests, your two families broke the balance and tacit understanding that all families in Pingyang Prefecture have worked hard to maintain.

Now that you can't beat us, you invite people over to talk about peace, apologies, and restoring relationships? How could there be such a good thing? What about the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Lin family who were killed by you? What about their families? All the clansmen of the Lin family have been sleeping on spears and waiting for dawn, not daring to relax for a single moment during this time. What about the time they wasted and the energy they consumed?"

Zhao Fengnian and Li Youwang exchanged glances. Hearing the meaning behind the words of the Lin family's Sixth Elder, both men understood: they wanted compensation and benefits. Since there was this intention, there were the inherent conditions for peace talks.

This actually made them feel a bit more at ease. Finally, Li Youwang spoke: "Everyone, please rest assured, we really have come with great sincerity this time! We are prepared for the issues Senior Lin just mentioned, but the mountain gate is really not a suitable place for conversation. Shall we find a formal place to discuss this in detail?"

Shi Fuding also spoke up at this moment: "That's right! Since the Zhao and Li families have been emphasizing that they came with sincerity.

In my opinion, we should first find a suitable place to have a good talk. Perhaps we can achieve a result that satisfies all three families, who knows!

Besides, a bunch of us crowding here at the mountain gate is not a solution either!"

The Clan Leader considered it for a moment and then said: "Alright then! Out of respect for the Shi family being our neighbors for hundreds of years.

And since there haven't been any major conflicts between the two sides all along, I will give Fellow Daoist Shi some face! Let's go to the Lin family's Council Hall to talk!"

After speaking, he raised his hand and cast a spell onto the Great Array. The clouds and mist in front of them immediately split open, revealing a passage leading directly to Nine Peaks Mountain.

Subsequently, the Clan Leader and the two grandfathers flew in first. The other three exchanged glances and followed them inside.

The conversation outside the mountain gate had been heard very clearly by everyone on duty inside the Protective Mountain Array. Since the three people on the other side had come to seek peace, theoretically, there shouldn't be any danger.

However, even so, Lin Zhangqing's father still gave instructions to the others on duty, and then pulled Lin Zhangqing along.

The two of them arrived near the family Council Hall; in fact, this place was right next to the Family Square.

The father and son found a suitable spot near the Council Hall and sat down. Lin Zhangqing took out his tea set and began to brew Green Jade Spirit Tea.

In his view, since the three of them had entered the interior of the Lin family, and it was while the Lin family was prepared, they wouldn't be stupid enough to take action here. So, nine times out of ten, they were just putting on a show.

His father, Lin Maosheng, glanced at him but didn't say anything. The two of them coming here to keep watch, although it was to be safe, both knew that peace talks involved a lot of content and definitely couldn't be explained in a few words.

Therefore, it would take at least several hours, and might even take several days. So, he didn't stop Lin Zhangqing's tea-brewing behavior; instead, he was happy to enjoy it.

"Dad! Have some tea!" Lin Zhangqing sent a cup of Green Jade Spirit Tea to his father. His father nodded, took a sip, and was a bit surprised, unable to help asking: "You brat, do you usually drink such good Second-Grade Spirit Tea?"

Lin Zhangqing suddenly realized that he seemed to have never given his father Green Jade Spirit Tea. He would have to find an opportunity to give him a box next time.

However, he couldn't tell the truth now, so he hurriedly said: "Of course not! This spirit tea is spoils of war I captured. It's rare to have tea with you, Dad! I took it out for you to taste."

His father listened and nodded: "What is the name of this Second-Grade Spirit Tea? It's really good. Do you have any more? Take it out and let me see."

"It seems the name should be Green Jade Spirit Tea! There's only this little bit left!" Lin Zhangqing replied, then took out the box of Green Jade Spirit Tea he was using and handed it to his father to check.

Unexpectedly, after his father looked at it, he put it directly into his own storage bag and then said to Lin Zhangqing: "You brat are only at the First-Grade, you don't need to drink Second-Grade spirit tea. I'll help you drink this, consider it your filial piety to me."

Lin Zhangqing was left between laughter and tears. He had originally wanted to find an opportunity to give his father a complete box, but he didn't expect him to swipe that half-box himself.

"Fine, fine, it's my filial piety to you! I have some spirit fruit here, it goes perfectly with the spirit tea!" After speaking, Lin Zhangqing took out the box of spirit fruit he had picked in his inner space.

His father was quite pleased to see the spirit fruit, and didn't forget to instruct Lin Zhangqing to leave some for his mother and aunt.

Subsequently, the father and son began to chat idly, though of course, their main attention was still on the Lin family Council Hall! Unexpectedly, they sat there for half a day. By the time the sky turned dark, the Clan Leader and the two grandfathers had finally sent the three people out of the family's Protective Mountain Array.

It seemed the result should be quite good; otherwise, the Clan Leader wouldn't have personally sent them away. Otherwise, he would have at most let his grandfather or the Sixth Grandfather send them off.

Now that there was a result, Lin Zhangqing and his father didn't need to wait here anymore. After packing up their things, the two of them went straight home.

Before long, his grandfather also returned. In fact, with the three families coming, most of the Lin family knew about it within a few hours.

Including his aunt and mother, everyone wanted to know how the final talks went and what results were secured for the family.

However, his grandfather signaled to finish the spirit meal first, so everyone could only temporarily suppress the curiosity in their hearts.

Today's spirit meal was still very rich! His mother and aunt knew that the family had things to do today, and several people in the family were participating! So they prepared it more richly, including the Eight Treasures Chicken Soup that Lin Zhangqing loved very much, which was considered a reward for them.

After finally waiting for everyone to finish the spirit meal, his aunt was the first to be unable to hold back and asked: "Dad, how did the talks go? What was the result?"

His grandfather said with a face full of smiles: "It's not bad! Regarding the matter of your Fourteenth Brother being seriously injured and falling, the Zhao and Li families compensated your Fifth Uncle's family with 60,000 Lower-Grade Spirit Stones. This matter is considered settled!"

His father heard this and couldn't help but let out an "Ah!", then said: "Just this little bit of spirit stones, and we're letting those two families off like this?"

His grandfather glared at him and said: "You didn't finish listening and you're already making a fuss. You're already a father who has reached Foundation Establishment, learn to be more steady in the future!"

Subsequently, he ignored him and continued: "What I just said was that the matter of Maoxiang is settled, not that the family's matter is settled. Listen clearly.

This time, the two families are compensating our family with Yunshan County. This way, our family will have four counties of territory, and we will be able to obtain more resources in the future.

Moreover, within one month, the two families will move all the mortal clansmen out of Yunshan County, guaranteeing that not a single household related to them will be left behind.

In the future, when our own mortal clansmen settle down, marry, and start families, there will be more places and ranges to choose from."

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 281 =====