Chapter 196: When poor, no one visits in the bustling city; when rich, distant relatives appear in the deep mountains

The news of Lin Feng wiping out the Haoran Sect spread far and wide.

No one in the Western Six States was unaware of it.

Li Zhangxiao had already received the news; he had previously sought out Lin Feng and hinted at his desire for the Lingxiao Treasure Lands.

After all, the Lin Family was based in Leiling Province; if they didn't pay tribute to this Governor, they would likely face endless trouble in the future.

When Lin Feng saw Li Zhangxiao, a playful smile couldn't help but curl at the corner of his mouth.

"When poor, no one visits in the bustling city; when rich, distant relatives appear in the deep mountains."

"Once you get rich, all kinds of monsters and demons will be jealous," Lin Feng smiled faintly.

Elder Lin Hai smiled helplessly: "Clan Leader, we probably still have to give the Governor some benefits; after all, our Lin Family lives in Leiling Province, and having a relationship with the Imperial Family will make us safer."

Hearing this, Lin Feng pondered in his heart.

He knew the secrets of the Lin Clan and even more about the Crown Prince of the Imperial Family using Blood Demon Stones.

This meant that the people of the Imperial Family were definitely not as simple as they appeared on the surface.

"I'll go meet him." Lin Feng tidied his clothes and stepped toward the Ziyun City gate.

At the city gate, Li Zhangxiao was waiting calmly.

Ziyun City had already been assigned to the Lin Family.

Even the City Lord, Shen Ao, was almost becoming a member of the Lin Family.

"Governor!" Shen Ao flew out of Ziyun City anxiously, his face full of flattery.

Li Zhangxiao glanced at Shen Ao indifferently and didn't speak.

"Governor, Shen Ao of Ziyun City failed to welcome you from afar today," Shen Ao said hurriedly, reaching out to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.

In the past, a small Ziyun City could never have hosted the Governor of Leiling Province.

Now, thanks to the Lin Family, Li Zhangxiao had come in person.

"Stand aside!" Li Zhangxiao said irritably, a flash of red light appearing in his eyes.

Shen Ao wasn't qualified to stand beside him.

He had come specifically to see Lin Feng this time.

After waiting for a moment, he saw Lin Feng's figure appear.

A smile immediately appeared on Li Zhangxiao's face as he stepped forward: "Clan Leader Lin, long time no see."

This scene made Shen Ao feel ashamed.

Lin Feng smiled calmly and said politely: "Governor, your visit to my Lin Family truly makes it shine!"

"Please come in?" Lin Feng reached out, but Li Zhangxiao waved his hand to refuse.

"Clan Leader Lin, I heard that your Lin Family has been very prominent recently, not only obtaining thirteen Lingxiao Treasure Lands but also defeating the Haoran Sect; it is truly admirable!" Li Zhangxiao's tone carried a hint of envy.

Lin Feng smiled slightly and said nonchalantly: "Governor, you flatter me; my Lin Family just did what we had to do."

"The Haoran Sect acted perversely and attempted to snatch the Lingxiao Treasure Lands from my Lin Family, so I had no choice but to wipe them out."

These words were light and airy, but they made Li Zhangxiao's expression stiffen slightly.

"The Lin Family's way of doing things is truly fierce," Li Zhangxiao said.

"In this environment, if you want to strengthen your family, you have to be ruthless; Governor, you won't mind, will you?" Lin Feng laughed it off.

The two went back and forth, seemingly chatting, but in reality, both were testing the other's bottom line.

Lin Feng knew clearly that Li Zhangxiao's arrival was for the Lingxiao Treasure Lands.

But he had no intention of handing them over.

Moreover, Lin Feng also took this opportunity to see what Li Zhangxiao's stance really was.

If he was the Crown Prince's man, the Lin Family would have to be careful.

"Clan Leader Lin is truly imposing, but since I've come this time, I'll speak directly."

Seeing this, Li Zhangxiao simply opened the skylight and spoke clearly.

"I think it will be difficult for the Lin Family to control thirteen Lingxiao Treasure Lands for a while; how about splitting half of them for my Imperial Family to control?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Shen Ao on the side was stunned.

Li Zhangxiao's appetite was truly huge!

He asked for half as soon as he opened his mouth!

Lin Feng's gaze turned cold, and his brows furrowed.

"Clan Leader Lin, don't worry, my Imperial Family won't take your Lin Family's things for free; if you give me seven Lingxiao Treasure Lands, I will give your Lin Family 40% of the various spirit treasures and medicinal materials mined in the future."

"This will count as your Lin Family collecting rent, and in the future, if anyone dares to covet the Lingxiao Treasure Lands, I, the Governor, will come forward to solve it."

Li Zhangxiao smiled faintly; on the surface, his proposal gave the Lin Family plenty of face.

But in reality, it was a lion's opening of the mouth.

Out of thirteen Lingxiao Treasure Lands, he wanted seven, and nominally, the Lin Family could collect rent, but they would only get 40%.

Why?

"Is this the Crown Prince's idea?" Lin Feng asked, frowning.

Li Zhangxiao nodded with a smile and continued: "The Crown Prince and I are like brothers; I won't hide it from you, Clan Leader Lin, the Crown Prince and I are brothers born of the same mother, and the suggestion for your Lin Family to collect rent was also proposed by the Crown Prince."

At this point, Lin Feng understood.

The Crown Prince intended to use this to test the Lin Family's attitude.

Although Li Zhangxiao had also set his sights on the Lingxiao Treasure Lands before, he only wanted one; now that the Crown Prince had spoken, he wanted seven directly.

This was scraping flesh off the Lin Family.

If the Lin Family submitted, it meant the Lin Family was controllable, and the Crown Prince could safely use the Lin Family as a puppet.

If the Lin Family didn't submit, then the potential risk of the Lin Family was not small, and the Crown Prince would probably close the net.

After a moment of silence, Lin Feng had already made up his mind.

"Clan Leader Lin, it's settled then; give the map of the seven Lingxiao Treasure Lands to me!" Li Zhangxiao smiled faintly; he didn't think the Lin Family dared to refuse.

At this moment, Lin Feng also revealed a smile.

Shen Ao, who was familiar with Lin Feng, immediately retreated three miles.

Things were getting serious!

Lin Feng's gaze was obscure as he looked at Li Zhangxiao: "Governor, we've had a pleasant conversation today; when you come to Ziyun City in the future, the Lin Family will definitely host a banquet to entertain you."

"But for now, I still have some matters to attend to, so please go back!"

Li Zhangxiao's expression sank: "Clan Leader Lin, what do you mean by this?"

"See the guest out!" Lin Feng said coldly.

"Clan Leader Lin, could it be that I didn't make myself clear?" Li Zhangxiao pondered: "This is the Crown Prince's intention; back on Dragon Island, the Crown Prince took good care of your Lin Family, and now you intend to betray the Crown Prince's good intentions?"

Looking at Li Zhangxiao's face, a trace of disdain flashed in Lin Feng's eyes.

"This Clan Leader will personally go to the Capital to thank the Crown Prince, but you—you are not worthy!"

As Lin Feng's voice fell, the atmosphere became tense.

The Lin Family had made a name for themselves in the Western Six States, and even the entire Daqian Dynasty, which was reasonable, and no one would think there was a problem.

But now, Lin Feng was opposing the Imperial Family.

This was a great crime!

"Lin Feng, are you sure you won't give them to me?"

Li Zhangxiao's gaze turned cold, and blood-colored light emerged in his eyes.

Although this scene was fleeting, Lin Feng captured it keenly.

This guy had used a Blood Demon Stone!

When the ancient aristocratic family, the Lou Family, was destroyed, Li Zhangxiao probably did something to deceive Lin Feng.

"Governor Li, I already know the secret of the turmoil in the Lin Clan a hundred years ago; back then, the Imperial Family framed the Lin Clan because of the Blood Demon Stones, right?" Lin Feng laughed out loud.

"Perhaps the Crown Prince also gained something from it? You Imperial Family members did the deeds, and let the Lin Clan take the blame."

"With all this, do you think I should make it public?" ===== CHAPTER 197 =====