Chapter 381: The Return of Lin Xiong

During the Lin Family's clan meeting, every clansman expressed their own views.

But in Lin Wan'er's eyes, it was nothing more than the conservative faction who were reluctant to part with the family business,

and the radical faction who wanted to take advantage of her youth.

"Quiet!"

Lin Wan'er's voice was cold and clear, yet at this very moment, not a single person in the entire family dared to ignore it.

Just because a figure had appeared outside the door where everyone was deliberating.

Lin Wan'er took the initiative to step forward and said, "Father, didn't you have business that required you to be away for half a month?

Why have you returned at this time?"

The tall and burly Lin Xiong possessed a natural authority; looking at the scene as noisy as a vegetable market before him, he laughed instead of getting angry: "Argue, keep arguing!

Isn't it just that you want the Lin Family's assets?

Whoever wants to stay, stand out!"

Seeing the silence in the room, Lin Xiong cut through the Gordian knot.

"For the sake of our shared clan and lineage, I will give you one last chance.

Those who want to prepare to leave before the Red Lotus Sect rebels arrive, come with us so we can look out for one another.

Those who want to look after the family property, stay behind and wait for the Red Lotus Sect to bestow their 'favor' upon you;

who knows, they might even grant you a lifetime of wealth and glory!

Now, I have finished speaking; who is leaving, and who is staying?"

Seeing that someone in the crowd could not help but want to speak, they were pulled back by the person next to them.

Lin Xiong instead called out by name: "Lin Zhou, I see you have something to say; if you want to say it, then say it. What are you afraid of?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhou's body trembled slightly, his gaze swept quickly over the surrounding clansmen, and finally, he gathered his courage,

stood up, and said: "Patriarch, we do not covet the family assets, it is just that the Red Lotus Sect's power is immense,

and even if our Lin Family is united as one, it is difficult to contend with them.

If we move the whole family, I fear we will encounter misfortune on the road, that is why..."

Lin Wan'er frowned slightly and interrupted: "Uncle Lin Zhou, that is incorrect. Although the Red Lotus Sect is strong,

are we not avoiding a direct confrontation with them?

Since Father has returned early, he must have a countermeasure; how can we be cowardly before the battle even begins?"

Lin Xiong nodded in approval, his gaze revealing a trace of gratification: "Wan'er is right.

I returned early this time precisely because I heard news of the Red Lotus Sect, which is why I hurried back.

Yesterday at noon, the Red Lotus Sect rebels already captured Qingyang County.

I only found out after encountering refugees who had fled.

It is estimated that in no more than two days, the Red Lotus Sect will be at our gates."

Once these words were spoken, the deliberation hall was immediately filled with discussion; the faces of the crowd were either shocked or suspicious, all unable to hide the terror in their hearts.

In every war, the armies of both sides use the local wealthy families as supply depots.

If you don't want to be a dog, they just kill you;

if you want to be a dog, you must hand over your family assets to ensure your safety.

How could the pampered Lin Family members accept this?

Lin Xiong gently raised his hand to signal for silence, then slowly walked into the hall, his gaze like a torch: "Everyone, the Red Lotus Sect rebels are rampant, and we local wealthy families are definitely already on their list.

The current plan, of course, is to leave.

Tomorrow, the clan elders will meet with the major merchants to sell off one-third of the family assets.

We only have half a day, so we can use that as a cover; we only want gold notes, no silver notes.

The remaining young people will each carry a portion of loose gold and silver,

leave the city in batches, and gather at the Yanghe Shop ten miles outside the city."

Lin Xiong continued: "However, the prerequisite for all of this is that our Lin Family must be united as one; everyone must have their hearts set on the same goal and exert their strength in the same direction.

Only then can we stand firm in this storm and remain unviolated."

At this time, an elderly clansman, Lin Yi, stood out, his voice steady: "Patriarch, we are willing to follow your arrangements; whether we fight or leave, the Lin Family will definitely be united as one."

"Good!" Lin Xiong shouted in approval, a sense of heroism welling up, "Since everyone has made up their minds, then perform your respective duties.

Lin Zhou, you lead a group of people to start packing up valuables and prepare to evacuate at any time;

the rest of you, strengthen the guard to ensure the family's safety.

Wan'er, come with me."

Following Lin Xiong's instructions, the atmosphere in the deliberation hall instantly became tense yet orderly,

and every clansman found their place and began to get busy.

Facing the Patriarch, who possessed the greatest strength in the clan, no one dared to say a word of "no."

When it came to life and death, no one felt they could face a war alone and escape unscathed.

Lin Wan'er followed Lin Xiong as he walked quickly toward the study, feeling somewhat uneasy inside.

After Lin Wan'er closed the door, just as she was about to ask a question, Lin Xiong spat out a mouthful of old blood.

Lin Wan'er was just about to go out to call for help, but was grabbed by Lin Xiong: "Don't call anyone, I'm fine."

Lin Wan'er hurriedly stepped forward to support Lin Xiong's swaying body, her eyes full of worry and confusion: "Father! What has happened to you? Why are you suddenly like this?"

Lin Xiong breathed with difficulty, his face as pale as paper, with dried blood still remaining at the corners of his mouth.

He struggled to force a smile and comforted her: "Wan'er, don't be afraid, Father is fine."

Lin Wan'er's heart became increasingly panicked; previously, Lin Xiong had gone to buy that Tiger Bone Pill to break through to the Lian Xue Realm,

Lin Wan'er had already experienced that fear of being isolated and helpless, with no one to rely on, once before.

Now that Lin Xiong was already a Bone Refining Martial Artist, how could he have suffered such a serious injury?

Was it really so dangerous outside the city of Qingxi County nowadays?

Moreover, the threat of the Red Lotus Sect was imminent, and for Father to fall ill at this time was undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire for the Lin Family.

"Father, don't speak for now, I'll go call a doctor right away!" Lin Wan'er said as she turned to leave, but she was held back by her sleeve by Lin Xiong.

"Wan'er, there's no need. This illness cannot be cured by an ordinary doctor. Sit down and listen to Father." Lin Xiong's voice was weak yet firm, as if he had exhausted all his strength.

Helpless, Lin Wan'er could only sit down with tears in her eyes, her gaze locked firmly on Lin Xiong's face, afraid of missing a single word.

"Wan'er, Father knows that for the sake of the Martial Dao realm, Father has already lost far, far too much.

But I also hope you can understand,

as the helmsman of a family, one must have both strategy and martial strength,

and only by using both can one go further.

I originally thought the Bone Refining Realm was already quite good,

but I didn't expect that on this trip out, I would accidentally run into Red Lotus Sect bandits pursuing fleeing refugees, and there were experts among them.

I clashed head-on with the opponent once before I managed to escape back.

Only then did I realize that the frog at the bottom of the well was actually myself.

I am asking you one thing now, and you must tell me the truth."

Looking at Lin Xiong, whose expression was serious yet filled with expectation, Lin Wan'er held back her sorrow and nodded.

"How did you know that the Red Lotus Sect rebels would soon be at the city gates?"

This was the only doubt in Lin Xiong's heart. As a Bone Refining Martial Artist at the Bone Refining Initial Stage,

he had been beaten into such a state after venturing outside the county city,

yet his daughter, who stayed deep within the home, could know about things a thousand miles away?

Facing Lin Xiong's eyes filled with hope, Lin Wan'er said bluntly: "It was Cheng Feng; Cheng Feng brought me this news."

"It's him?" Lin Xiong was somewhat surprised, but he also felt it was within reason.

He knew his own daughter; she didn't come into contact with many people, and among them, there were no outstanding figures,

only Cheng Feng, whose character was good and who could get along well with his daughter,

and he was also the Sect Master of the Hong Sect.

Although he had already stepped down, how could Lin Xiong, who had watched the rise of the Hong Sect, not know the inside story?

Lin Xiong muttered: "So it was him; then I can rest easy."

Watching Lin Xiong lost in thought, Lin Wan'er became even more worried about his health.

"Father, then what about your injuries now..."

"It's fine, I know what I'm doing; how could I not know my own body?

Tomorrow morning, we will go to the Cheng Mansion to pay a visit."

"Ah? A visit? That's not necessary, is it..."

Seeing his daughter's blushing and coy demeanor, how could Lin Xiong not understand Lin Wan'er's feelings?

He laughed: "That boy is getting a bargain.

Just a moment ago you said you had someone you liked; could it not be him?"

Facing Lin Xiong's teasing, Lin Wan'er acted coquettishly and protested at the right moment.

She pouted: "Father~"

Lin Xiong laughed heartily, coughing every now and then, the bloodstains on his chest appearing particularly conspicuous.