Chapter 26: The Visitors Mean No Good!

"Lin Xuan! How dare you sneak out!"

Lin Zhengshang hadn't even arrived yet, but his voice startled Lin Xuan into jumping.

The little girl hid straight behind Lin Feng and stuck out her tongue at Lin Zhengshang.

"Clan Leader, I heard about what just happened—Lin Xuan didn't cause you any trouble, did she!" Lin Zhengshang said with an awkward smile.

He only had one precious daughter, whom he doted on every day.

The entire Lin Family spoiled Lin Xuan, treating her as the Lin Family's young lady.

It was just that Lin Zhengshang's doting had gone too far—he actually wouldn't let her leave the house.

"I didn't cause any trouble, Dad, you think too highly of me." Lin Xuan stuck out her tongue, popping Void Spirit Pills as she complained.

Lin Feng also waved his hand with a smile, not minding at all.

But Lin Zhengshang's pupils contracted as he looked at the Void Spirit Pill.

"This... this is actually a Five-Star Pill, the Void Spirit Pill? You wretched girl, spit it out right now!"

Lin Zhengshang's face was full of astonishment.

The Void Spirit Pill was a Five-Star Pill.

Put it on the market to sell, and it'd fetch at least seven or eight hundred Spirit Stones a piece.

Lin Xuan was popping them one after another—every single one she ate was a Spirit Stone.

As the one who managed the Lin Family's finances, Lin Zhengshang's face was full of heartache.

"Giving them to her is fine too—aren't pills meant to be eaten?"

Lin Feng smiled and stopped him; the things were given by the system anyway, so it'd be a waste not to eat them.

The Lin Family wasn't short on this bit of Spirit Stones.

"Third Elder, you're being far too strict in your discipline. If Little Xuan'er never leaves the house, aren't you afraid she'll go stir-crazy?" Lin Feng asked with a smile.

Lin Xuan, seeing someone back her up, immediately agreed: "Exactly! Exactly! Even a donkey has to be taken out for a walk!"

"What nonsense are you spouting, you girl!"

It was the first time Lin Zhengshang had ever heard someone compare herself to a donkey.

Then he sighed, his face showing difficulty.

"It's not that I don't want to let Lin Xuan leave the house, but every time she goes out, she causes trouble."

"Besides, her appearance..."

Lin Zhengshang frowned helplessly—a daughter too beautiful was also a troublesome thing; every faction had their eyes on Lin Xuan.

After a pause, Lin Zhengshang said in a serious tone: "Clan Leader, people from Kong City's Liu Family have come. This trip of theirs is for Lin Xuan."

"Kong City's Liu Family?"

Lin Feng was taken aback at the words; his eyes flashed, for he knew this Liu Family very well.

There were quite a few large cities around Ziyun City, among which Kong City's Liu Family had a good relationship with the Lin Family.

When the Lin Family first rose to prominence, they had received the Liu Family's help.

The two families' forebears were on good terms, and they passed down an ancestral teaching to form a brotherly alliance.

Therefore, Lin Feng attached great importance to the Liu Family's arrival.

"This time, they brought gifts, saying they came to propose marriage."

Lin Zhengshang spread his hands, his eyes full of displeasure.

"No! I won't marry!"

Hearing yet another marriage proposal, Lin Xuan immediately grabbed Lin Feng's sleeve.

She said through gritted teeth: "If you want to marry, Dad, you go marry! I want to cultivate within the clan. I won't be a tool for an alliance marriage!"

Seeing this, Lin Feng roughly understood what was going on.

Although the Liu Family was on good terms with them, a marriage alliance still required Lin Xuan's consent.

Besides, the Lin Family hadn't fallen to the point of needing marriage alliances.

"Let's go take a look at the situation first."

Lin Feng took Lin Xuan by the hand and hurried toward the Lin Family.

At this moment, inside the Lin Family's Front Hall, an old man and a young man sat upright and proper.

The old man was Kong City Liu Family's Elder Liu Xun, and the young one was Liu Xun's grandson, Liu Yao.

"Grandpa, didn't we bring too many betrothal gifts?"

Liu Yao, dressed in a purple robe, had a flash of displeasure in his brows.

The Liu Family had recently run into some trouble, their strength greatly diminished, so they urgently needed help.

But Liu Yao had also heard that the Lin Family's Third Elder's daughter was as beautiful as a fairy, so he took this as a perfect excuse to make use of the opportunity.

"Without putting down heavy capital, how can we get our hands on the dowry?"

Liu Xun picked up his tea cup and took a sip, a shrewd calculation surfacing on his old face.

Although the Liu and Lin families had been on good terms for generations, when facing life and death, any ally or brother could be sold off.

The Liu Family was in imminent peril and could only reverse their fortunes through the Lin Family.

"When we get there, remember to keep a low profile, and don't show that wastrel side of yours from Kong City." Liu Xun warned.

As they spoke, Lin Feng, holding Lin Xuan's hand, stepped straight into the Front Hall.

Liu Yao caught sight of Lin Xuan at a glance; he was as if struck by lightning, unable to react for a long time.

A fairy!

Liu Xun kicked him, which finally brought him back to his senses.

"Elder Liu, I didn't expect you to come in person this time—it's truly a great honor." Lin Feng said with a faint smile.

The Liu Family were not enemies, so he naturally treated them with due courtesy.

"Lin Clan Leader!"

Liu Xun cupped his hands in greeting, but there was little respect in his eyes.

The Lin Family letting a yellow-haired whelp serve as Clan Leader — truly laughable.

It was only when Lin Zhengshang entered that Liu Xun finally showed a trace of a smile.

He watched him step past Lin Feng and walk up to Lin Zhengshang, saying excitedly, "Third Elder, you've finally returned."

The corner of Lin Feng's mouth twitched — he had actually been ignored.

"Elder Liu, discuss whatever matter you have with our Clan Leader!" Lin Zhengshang dared not overstep, and hurriedly said.

At this point the atmosphere in the Front Hall chilled somewhat, and Liu Xun gave an awkward smile.

He turned to face Lin Feng and said at once, "Lin Clan Leader, this old man has come to discuss the matter of a marriage alliance with your Lin Family."

"My grandson Liu Yao — talented and upright in conduct — has today sent betrothal gifts, wishing to wed the Third Elder's daughter Lin Xuan."

"See which date suits you, and let our two families settle it quickly."

Bringing up a marriage alliance the moment they step through the door, and even wanting to set a date.

This leaves the Lin Family no chance to refuse at all!

Lin Feng's brow furrowed — the Liu Family had come with ill intent!

"The matter of the marriage alliance, I see no need to discuss it for now. Little Xuan'er says she won't marry." Lin Feng said lightly.

Hearing these words, Liu Yao stepped forward, somewhat angrily saying, "Won't marry? A matter of a parent's command and a matchmaker's word — how can she simply say she won't marry and leave it at that?"

"Quite right. Such a matter is not one a junior can decide." Liu Xun's old eyes flashed, and he promptly echoed.

If she refused to marry, how would they still obtain aid from the Lin Family?

"I haven't agreed either!" Lin Zhengshang shrugged his shoulders and said.

"Exactly, exactly — even my father hasn't agreed!" Lin Xuan hurriedly said.

She looked toward Liu Yao.

Liu Yao's looks were passable, but his exploits in Kong City had long since spread — this fellow was nothing but a wastrel.

On ordinary days he bullied men and dominated women often enough.

Once married over, she would be bound to suffer bullying.

"It seems this is not a matter of a parent's command, then the marriage alliance need not be discussed."

Lin Feng smiled, a hint of displeasure in his eyes.

Seeing the Lin Family's attitude was like this, Liu Xun and his grandson immediately grew anxious.

"What do you mean?"

"Our two families are a brotherly alliance — Lin Clan Leader, are you going back on your word?"

Liu Xun's eyes showed displeasure, his tone quite cold.

"It's not that I'm going back on my word." Lin Feng shook his head. "It's that you're unworthy!"

At these words, Liu Xun and his grandson were instantly furious, and were just about to speak when they heard Lin Feng continue, "If you've come for Lin Xuan's sake, then please leave!"

"So long as Lin Xuan does not agree, no one can take her away!"

When the words fell, Lin Feng rose to his feet, hands clasped behind his back, his expression proud.