Chapter 397: The Lin Family's Dead End

The scene grew increasingly heavy, as if even the air had solidified into substance, oppressive enough to make one gasp for breath.

The appearance of the black-robed elder was like a haze shrouding the field, causing everyone's heart to leap into their throat.

The standoff between the government soldiers and the Lin Family clansmen escalated once more, swords drawn and bows bent, ready to strike at any moment.

In this tense atmosphere, the flame of Lin Zhong's life was rapidly extinguishing.

His aged face was covered in wrinkles, as if every inch of skin were telling the vicissitudes of time.

Those once-sharp eyes were now dim and lusterless, leaving only endless regret and unwillingness.

"Heh—heh—" Lin Zhong gasped with difficulty, every breath like squeezing the last bit of strength from his throat.

He struggled to open his mouth, wanting to say something, but could only watch his teeth fall out one by one,

just like his shattered dreams and desperate life.

His gaze slowly turned toward the Lin Family members behind him; that look held both apology and reluctance.

He had exhausted every means, even going so far as to consume a Forbidden Drug, yet he had failed to save the fate of the Lin Family.

"I... I'm sorry!" Lin Zhong's voice was weak and trembling, every word as if it had exhausted his entire body's strength.

His eyes were filled with guilt and self-reproach, "Patriarch... Lin Family... I... I tried my best..."

Before the words had even faded, his body, like withered wood that had lost its support, slowly collapsed to the ground.

At that moment, all the clamor seemed to go still, leaving only the heavy sound of Lin Zhong hitting the ground.

The clansmen of the Lin Family revealed expressions of shock and grief one after another.

They could not believe that this powerhouse, who had once spared nothing for the family, had actually fallen before them just like this.

Meanwhile, the government soldiers took the opportunity to stir, seemingly preparing to crush the Lin Family completely in one fell swoop.

"Sons of the Lin Family!" Lin Xiong's voice was resonant and powerful, instantly awakening the fighting spirit of the Lin Family members.

"Our Lin Family never bows to fate! Even if we face a desperate situation today, we will fight to the death!"

Under Lin Xiong's lead, the Lin Family members braced themselves; they gripped their weapons tightly, preparing to meet the coming battle.

The government soldiers hesitated slightly due to Lin Xiong's sudden appearance.

The black-robed elder stood quietly to the side, witnessing everything that was happening.

He did not make a move to stop Lin Xiong's actions, as if everything were within his grasp.

After all, the order he had received was simply to protect that foolish County Magistrate.

This was the shield the young miss had for facing the family; he could not be allowed to die so easily.

As for the rest, sorry, but not a single person present was his match.

After all, he was a Martial Artist of the Organ Refining Realm.

In this small county town located on the edge, what kind of formidable figures could there be?

Watching the scene that was sure to be a win, Liu Lao was thinking nonchalantly,

when he was suddenly interrupted by an indifferent voice: "It seems I have arrived just in time?"

A head of white hair, a set of black robes, and a strange, unsheathed Sword slung at his waist.

Behind him followed countless burly men dressed in black with red edges, the character "Hong" inlaid on their chests.

Everyone carried a blade and wore a fierce expression, among whom were many who were excited and curious.

When they came, everyone knew what this meant.

At the same time, they also knew that in this current world,

it was truly about to descend into chaos.

Everyone was prepared to fight with their lives.

The black-robed elder's pupils constricted, his gaze quickly locking onto that sudden white-haired man in black, as well as the menacing troop behind him.

A ripple could not help but stir in his heart, yet his face remained calm and indifferent.

His strength in the Organ Refining Realm made him confident, but the formation before him was clearly not to be underestimated,

especially that unsheathed Sword, which exuded a heart-palpitating chill.

"Who are you? Why interfere in this matter?" the black-robed elder asked in a deep voice, attempting to seize the initiative with his aura.

The white-haired man in black curled his lips into a faint smile, those deep eyes seemingly able to peer into the human heart. "Hong Sect, Wei Zhuang."

After the brief and powerful self-introduction, he slowly drew the strange Sword at his waist; the blade glowed with a faint red light, reflecting on his cold, stern face and adding a touch of mystery.

"As for why I interfere, it is only because you have moved against someone my Hong Sect intends to protect."

Seeing this, the County Magistrate's expression changed drastically; he had not expected that a small plan of his own would actually invite such great trouble.

And the dog-headed strategist beside him who had given him the idea had long since collapsed to the ground in terror.

The black-robed elder calculated inwardly,

Hong Sect?

Never heard of them!!!

How could the resources of such a small county town raise a fierce tiger?

However, looking at the newcomer's composed expression and the group of eager-to-fight men behind him, their strength was clearly not to be underestimated.

If he were to clash head-on today, it would be difficult to retreat unscathed,

not to mention that his primary mission was to protect the County Magistrate.

Thinking of this, he slowly withdrew the step he was about to take, his eyes flickering uncertainly.

"Hehe, Wei Zhuang, is it? Perhaps there is a misunderstanding regarding today's events.

We are merely acting under orders and have no intention of becoming enemies with the Hong Sect." The black-robed elder's tone softened, attempting to find room for maneuver.

Wei Zhuang sneered, the tip of his Sword tapping lightly against the ground, emitting a crisp sound—it was disdain for the black-robed elder's words.

"A misunderstanding? Before me, Wei Zhuang, there are never misunderstandings. Today, either I take the Lin Family away, or you leave your lives behind."

The atmosphere instantly froze; both sides stood in a standoff, with swords drawn and bows bent.

The burly men in black all around were restless, the Steel Sabers in their hands reflecting the afterglow of the setting sun, appearing exceptionally glaring.

Lin Xiong and the rest of the Lin Family could only look at each other in dismay at this moment.

This sudden helper,

was absolutely an unexpected turn of events.

As soon as Lin Xiong heard "Hong Sect," he knew whose handiwork this was.

But wasn't the Hong Sect also preparing to slip away in secret?

What on earth had happened?

Suddenly, Lin Xiong thought of something and gritted his teeth, saying, "Could it be that Wan'er sacrificed herself for the Lin Family??"

"Stupid, stupid, wouldn't this just lower our status for nothing??"

Others did not understand why Lin Xiong was suddenly so agitated.

But they could also see that the arrival of the Hong Sect was to help their side.

"Patriarch, what should we do now?" Lin Yi, who had sustained minor injuries, took the initiative to ask.

Lin Xiong took a deep breath, struggling to calm his emotions. He looked at Lin Yi, his eyes revealing determination: "Lin Yi, you immediately organize the clansmen and move toward the Hong Sect with all your might; there must be no mistakes."

Since the Hong Sect has intervened, there is still a turning point.

Our Lin Family can still be saved."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yi nodded quickly and turned to arrange for the clansmen.

Meanwhile, Wei Zhuang took the initiative to step forward and smiled: "Have you considered it yet?"

"Do you choose to fight or choose to let them go?"

Wei Zhuang's smile appeared exceptionally cold and stern in the afterglow of the setting sun.

His eyes revealed the ruthlessness and indifference of someone about to strike.

County Magistrate Liu watched the two sides confronting each other before him, especially noting that Liu Lao showed no signs of making a move, and he suddenly understood a little bit in his heart.

"Brother Wei Zhuang," County Magistrate Liu spoke slowly, his voice carrying a trace of imperceptible trembling,

"It seems that today's matter is no longer something we can control. But I ask Brother Wei Zhuang to consider the well-being of the common people and not lightly start a war."

Wei Zhuang raised an eyebrow, seemingly unconcerned by County Magistrate Liu's words.

"The common people? County Magistrate Liu, do you know that your life at this moment is hanging by a thread? Your choice will determine the fate of countless people."

County Magistrate Liu gave a bitter smile, looking at Wei Zhuang with a firm gaze. "Brother Wei Zhuang, as a County Magistrate, I naturally must prioritize the people."

"If, because of me alone, this place were to be plunged into misery and suffering, I, Liu, would rather die than allow it."

"Heh, you really are a good County Magistrate who cares about the people."

Hearing the subtext, Wei Zhuang could not be bothered to delay.

"Then please clear the way, Lord County Magistrate who cares about the people."

County Magistrate Liu gritted his teeth in his heart, but his expression remained as gentle as a spring breeze: "Haha, it's nothing, it's nothing. Men, clear the way."