Chapter 2: A Bunch of Trash — How Dare They Think They Can Destroy My Lin Family!

At the same time, inside the Lin Family's great hall.

The Lin Clan members, led by the Lin Family's Elder Lin Hai, stood ready in battle formation, their eyes fixed intently on the uninvited guests opposite them.

In Ziyun City, apart from the Lin Family, the other three of the Four Great Families were the Qin Family, the Yang Family, and the Wang Family.

Yet today, the clan leaders of those three great families had gathered here together.

Behind the three clan leaders, a dark mass of clan members all held sharp blades in hand, the atmosphere grim and murderous.

After sweeping a glance around, Elder Lin Hai's face darkened as he secretly thought: Could the news have leaked?

But the matter of the Clan Leader's dantian shattering was known only to himself and the Second Elder — there shouldn't possibly be a third person who knew.

Or could it be that the three great families had learned the Lin Family had discovered a Spirit Stone mine a few days ago and wanted a share of the spoils?

After pondering for a moment, he still had no clue, and decided to play it by ear.

Thinking of this, he asked in a deep voice: "Three clan leaders, you've brought your men to surround my Lin Family — surely you're not trying to start a war?"

"Hehe, Elder, please don't misunderstand. We heard the Lin Family has newly obtained a mine, and to prevent anyone from harboring ill intentions, the three of us have brought our men here today to protect your Lin Family!"

From the three great families' ranks, the Qin Family's clan leader Qin Shan, who stood at the forefront, said with a smile.

So they had set their sights on that mine!

Lin Hai frowned, thought briefly, and said: "If that is the case, then this old man thanks the three clan leaders for your kind intentions. However, the Lin Family has sufficient guards, so the three of you needn't trouble yourselves."

"I won't see you off!"

Hearing this, Qin Shan's face chilled, and he said coldly: "Elder, there's no need to be in such a rush to send people away, is there?"

"Exactly — this hardly befits the Lin Family's way of treating guests!" The Yang Family's clan leader Yang Mingxuan stepped forward and said.

The Wang Family's clan leader Wang Yunfei said not a word, but a cold glint flashed through his eyes, and a faint killing intent spread out.

Seeing this, Lin Hai's brow furrowed even deeper, and he asked: "Do the three clan leaders have any other business?"

"The three of us still have important matters to discuss with your clan leader. Please trouble the Elder to announce us!" Qin Shan took a sip of hot tea and said unhurriedly.

Hearing these words, Lin Hai cupped his hands in a salute and said: "Three clan leaders, what a coincidence — our clan leader has not returned since yesterday. When he does come back, I will certainly send someone to inform the three of you."

"Oh?"

Qin Shan feigned surprise and said: "Are you certain the Lin Clan Leader is simply not at home, and not afraid to come out and meet the three of us?"

"Qin Clan Leader jests. Our clan leader has always been a gracious host — if he truly were at home, how could he refuse to see the three clan leaders?" Lin Hai said slowly.

"Hahahaha!"

Looking into Lin Hai's eyes, Qin Shan suddenly burst into laughter for no apparent reason.

Just as everyone stood stunned, he abruptly withdrew his smile and said coldly: "But I heard that your clan leader's dantian shattered three days ago?"

With Qin Shan's words, the atmosphere in the entire great hall instantly erupted into an uproar.

"What? The Clan Leader's dantian shattered!"

"Impossible! I don't believe it!"

"That's not right! The Clan Leader is clearly at the Back Mountain — so why does the Elder say he hasn't returned yet?"

"Could it be… something really has happened to the Clan Leader?"

"Hard to say. And when have the three great families ever dared to act so brazenly on a normal day? Now they've even brought so many clan members with them, weapons in hand — it's obvious they want to stir up trouble!"

"Stop trying to shake people's hearts here. I trust the Clan Leader!"

"…"

"Silence!"

Seeing the Lin Family members whispering endlessly, full of all manner of suspicions, Lin Hai immediately roared.

The clan members, seeing the Elder angered, sensibly shut their mouths.

But the seed of doubt had already been sown, and quite a few people were struck with fear.

Because the Clan Leader was the very sky above them — once something happened to the Clan Leader, the entire Lin Family would be finished!

"Qin Clan Leader, one can eat food carelessly, but one cannot speak carelessly!"

"You say our clan leader's dantian shattered — do you have proof?"

Lin Hai forced himself to appear calm, but his heart was already shaken to the core.

The thing he had feared most had still come to pass.

But how had Qin Shan learned of it?

Could it be… the Second Elder!

He instinctively looked toward the Second Elder, and just as he was about to speak, he saw the Second Elder, without any warning, hurl a fist at him!

"Second Elder, you—!"

"Bang!"

Caught completely off guard, Lin Hai was sent flying, and when he hit the ground, he spat out a mouthful of old blood, his vitality withering.

All of this happened in a flash; every Lin Clan member present was stunned.

"Elder!"

The first clan member to react hurriedly went to help Lin Hai up, then looked at the Second Elder Song He with an expression of disbelief and asked in a trembling voice: "Second Elder, why have you done this?"

Another clan member also asked, his face full of indignation: "Second Elder, striking the Elder without distinguishing right from wrong like this — aren't you afraid of the Clan Leader's punishment?"

"Hehe, the Clan Leader's punishment? How naive!"

The Second Elder Song He suddenly laughed, his sinister face appearing even more frigid at this moment.

Like winter ice shrouded by dark clouds, radiating a chilling cold that made one's heart tremble.

"Let me tell you the truth! The Qin Clan Leader was right — Lin Feng's dantian did indeed shatter three days ago."

"And this matter was told to me and the Elder by Lin Feng himself."

"Elder, am I right?"

At this point, the smile on Song He's face grew even wider, and a flicker of smugness welled up in his eyes.

"So it really was… cough, cough… you who informed on us… The Clan Leader treated you well, why would you do such a thing?" the Elder asked, his face full of fury.

Hearing this, Song He gave a cold snort and said, "You ask me why? Fine, I'll let you die an informed man!"

"I toiled for the Lin Family for decades, with countless merits, yet just because I'm an outsider elder, my monthly stipend is nearly twenty percent less than yours!"

"And this is what you call treating me well?"

"But Clan Leader Qin promised me a monthly stipend twice as high as what I had before — tsk, tsk… it's hard not to be tempted!"

At this point, Song He's face had nearly twisted out of shape.

"But back when you were being hunted by your enemies and had nowhere to turn, it was the Clan Leader who stepped in to save you — have you forgotten all that?" Lin Hai retorted, forcing himself to speak.

"A life-saving grace, I naturally wouldn't dare forget, but these decades of service are more than enough to repay the favor I owe Lin Feng!"

"Don't worry, after Lin Feng dies, I'll see to a proper burial for him — hahahaha!" Song He laughed wildly.

"You… pfft!"

Overcome by rage, Lin Hai once again spat out a mouthful of fresh blood; in an instant, his face turned deathly pale.

"Is today truly the day Heaven intends to destroy my Lin Family?"

"Whoosh!"

At this moment, the Lin Family clan members present felt as though the sky was about to collapse.

They could hardly believe it.

They could hardly imagine that the Clan Leader, who had once been so high-spirited and had single-handedly suppressed the Three Great Families, had truly had his dantian shattered!

And they had never expected that, at this critical moment, the Second Elder would commit such a treacherous act!

"Song He! You traitor!"

"You ungrateful wretch! You'll never die a good death!"

"You bastard! So ungrateful!"

"……"

Some clan members couldn't help but curse him outright, but all they got in return was even more disdainful mockery from Song He.

"Curse me! Go on! After today, you won't have the chance!"

Seeing the situation, Qin Shan immediately sent a voice transmission to Yang Mingxuan and Wang Yunfei: "Enough probing — let's move!"

The three exchanged a glance, the corners of their mouths curving into a conspiratorial smirk.

"Elder Song, don't waste any more time — go take Lin Feng's head. Leave the rest here to us!"

"Today, the Lin Family will be destroyed!"

The moment Qin Shan finished speaking, the aura of the Martial Dan Realm Sixth Layer erupted from him.

The great battle was about to begin!

But just at this critical moment, a voice imbued with commanding authority suddenly rang out.

"A bunch of trash like you — and you think you're fit to destroy my Lin Family!"