“What? They want us to annul the engagement? And they’re demanding the entire betrothal gift be returned?!”
At the Lin residence, Patriarch Lin Zhen shot to his feet after hearing the report from the steward who had just returned.
“That’s right. The Qin Patriarch said they will come in person tomorrow, and not a single spirit crystal can be missing…” The steward bowed his head. After a moment, he added hesitantly, “Patriarch, I feel that Young Master Qin has changed a lot since his return. He seems much stronger than before. Perhaps we should reconsider—”
“Shut up!” Lin Zhen slapped the table, cutting him off. “That cripple Qin Chuan? How strong can he be? His bloodline was stripped and his dantian destroyed! How could my daughter possibly marry trash like him?”
“Exactly! The Qin family is already declining, and now they’ve made that cripple their successor. He’s completely useless—what is there to fear?” scoffed one of the elders beside him.
“The Qin family is just a minor house—why should we fear them?”
“Not to mention that good-for-nothing Qin Chuan, even if Qin Zhantian stood before me, I’d still make him suffer!” another elder chimed in.
The hall of Lin family elders erupted with mocking words, clearly showing no regard for the Qin family.
The steward sighed softly but said no more. He quietly turned and left.
“Father, we’ve already spent most of the betrothal gift from the Qin family. If Qin Chuan really dares show up tomorrow, what should we do?” A graceful and beautiful young woman walked out from behind the hall.
She had, of course, heard the news about the Qin family’s response.
“Don’t worry, Yiyi. Our Lin family is no longer what it once was. Outsiders are calling us the fourth great family in Guiyun City now. Even if the Qin family wants to confront us directly, we’ve got nothing to fear!” Lin Zhen said with a cold laugh.
“Besides, didn’t you say that the Young Master of the Azure Thunder Sect has arrived in Guiyun City? With the relationship you share, I doubt the Qin family would dare act recklessly. In Guiyun City, the Qin family may be something, but in the greater Qianyang Empire, they’re just a speck of dust compared to a giant like the Azure Thunder Sect!”
Hearing this, Lin Yiyi’s heart finally settled, and her expression softened.
“That’s right! All of this is Qin Chuan’s fault. He’s already a cripple and should have accepted his fate. If he dares come tomorrow, we should break his legs!”
“Exactly!” Lin Zhen laughed darkly and nodded in agreement.
At this moment, a tall, middle-aged man stood up with a frown. “Patriarch, our Lin family may have grown in recent years, but it was entirely because of the Qin family’s support. To speak frankly, if we truly go head-to-head with the Qin family, we may not be their match—unless someone from the Azure Thunder Sect is present.”
The one speaking was Lin family’s Chief Protector, Dong Hu, who had already reached the 2nd stage of the Profound Master Realm.
Hearing this, Lin Zhen paused, then turned to Lin Yiyi.
“Yiyi, as Elder Dong said, just to be safe, can you reach out to the Young Master of the Azure Thunder Sect?”
Biting her lip, Lin Yiyi hesitated. After learning he was in Guiyun City, she had tried to contact him several times, but it was like tossing a rock into the sea—no response at all.
“The Young Master of the Azure Thunder Sect, Duan Qianqi, pays his respects to Patriarch Lin!” A loud voice suddenly came from outside.
Immediately, a handsome young man with sharp brows and star-like eyes strode in confidently, followed by an expressionless elder in black robes.
“I didn’t realize the Lin Patriarch was in the middle of important matters. I hope my sudden visit doesn’t offend,” Duan Qianqi said with a smile and a cupped fist. Despite his words, he showed no trace of apology.
“Not at all! It is an honor for our Lin family to receive the Young Master. How could we ever be offended?”
Lin Zhen quickly left his seat and personally welcomed Duan Qianqi. “Young Master, please take the seat of honor.”
“Mm.” Duan Qianqi didn’t hesitate and immediately sat at the head of the table.
Seeing this, Lin Zhen gave Lin Yiyi a meaningful look. She understood and quickly took tea from a servant, offering it respectfully.
“Young Master, please enjoy some tea.”
As Lin Yiyi approached, Duan Qianqi’s eyes lit up. Today, she wore a light blue gown that hugged her curves and showed off her smooth, fair legs.
“So bouncy…” While accepting the tea, he gave her a light slap on the backside, clearly enjoying the touch.
Caught off guard and groped in front of everyone, Lin Yiyi’s face darkened, but thinking of his status and what she stood to gain, she quickly replaced her expression with a sweet smile and said coyly, “Young Master, be careful. The tea is hot.”
Seeing her flirtatious eyes, Duan Qianqi nearly melted, sipping the tea and grinning, “Good tea!”
Then he turned to Lin Yiyi. “Yiyi, I haven’t thanked you for your generous gift yet. I’ve just been too busy these days, but I’ll be sure to repay you double in the future.”
Joy flickered in Lin Yiyi’s eyes, though she still responded modestly, “This is what I should do. Just knowing the Young Master remembers me already makes me feel honored.”
“Mm.” Duan Qianqi nodded with satisfaction.
Watching them flirt, Lin Zhen cleared his throat loudly. He had seen Duan Qianqi’s wandering hand just now and felt displeased, but the thought of clinging to the Azure Thunder Sect made it all worth it.
At this moment, Duan Qianqi turned to Lin Zhen and smiled, “By the way, Patriarch Lin, what were you discussing earlier?”
“Ah, it was about that Qin Chuan…” Lin Zhen’s face lit up and he quickly recounted the entire engagement situation, adding his own embellishments.
The elders also chimed in, speaking ill of Qin Chuan.
“That Qin Chuan is truly shameless! Lin Yiyi already rejected him, but he still refuses to let go. He’s like a toad lusting after a swan!”
Duan Qianqi narrowed his eyes and said coldly, “Don’t worry, Patriarch Lin. I’ll be at your residence tomorrow. I’d like to see what tricks this Qin Chuan thinks he can pull!”
Lin Zhen was overjoyed. With Duan Qianqi’s assurance, all worries vanished.
The Lin family elders were also ecstatic. With the Azure Thunder Sect behind them, they no longer feared the Qin family and might even surpass them in the future. Get faster updates on g.com.
After a brief moment, Duan Qianqi stood up and said, “Patriarch Lin, I have some other matters to handle. I’ll return tomorrow as promised.”
“Very well, very well!” Lin Zhen and the elders quickly stood and escorted him to the door.
At the entrance, Lin Zhen smiled and said, “Young Master, from now on, you needn’t call me Patriarch Lin. Since things with Yiyi are moving forward, if you don’t mind, you can call me Uncle Lin.”
“Uncle Lin!” Duan Qianqi smiled without hesitation.
“Haha… good lad!” Lin Zhen laughed heartily at his response.
As they walked away from the Lin residence, Duan Qianqi’s smile vanished. He turned to the elder behind him and asked, “Elder Mo, what did you find out?”
“Young Master, it’s been confirmed. That rumor was spread by the Qin family’s former Grand Elder. It seems he had a falling-out with Qin Chuan and wanted to use us to get rid of him.”
“I see.” Duan Qianqi sneered. “Just a pathetic scheme—dogs biting dogs. But that old man must be truly worthless if he couldn’t even deal with someone like Qin Chuan.”
He spat on the ground disdainfully.
“Then, Young Master, should we still go to the Lin family tomorrow?”
“Of course we’re going! Why wouldn’t we?” Duan Qianqi chuckled coldly. “This is going to be a good show. I left that cripple alive just so I could watch the so-called genius of Guiyun City fall from grace!”
“Then…” Elder Mo hesitated to speak.
Seeing this, Duan Qianqi raised an eyebrow and laughed. “You’re thinking about Lin Yiyi, aren’t you?”
Elder Mo nodded.
“Relax. I would never truly want that used-up tramp,” Duan Qianqi said with contempt. “I’m the Young Master of the Azure Thunder Sect—why would I want a woman like that? She’s just a toy. Something to play with for a while.”
…
Time passed quickly, and the next day arrived.
At the first light of dawn, Qin Chuan emerged from the space of the Heaven and Earth Spirit Furnace and headed straight for the Lin family.
Today was the day he had promised to annul the engagement!
“Haha… So Young Master Qin came all by himself? Don’t tell me no one in the Qin family was willing to support you?”
From afar, the two guards at the Lin family gate exchanged glances and burst into laughter when they saw Qin Chuan walking alone.
Normally, they wouldn’t have dared mock anyone from the Qin family—especially not its Young Master.
But times had changed. With the Azure Thunder Sect backing them, they no longer feared the Qin family.