The suddenness of the events caught the Lin family clan members off guard, necessitating a gathering to discuss their course of action.
Lin Fengxuan now occupied the seat of honor, a position no one disputed.
"As things stand, our immediate priority is to properly arrange Father's funeral," Lin Fengxuan stated gravely, looking at everyone. "As for Lin Cangyun, we will discuss him later."
"Indeed, Father's funeral is the most important matter now. I second that!" someone eagerly chimed in as soon as Lin Fengxuan finished speaking.
"Precisely! I agree as well!"
"This is how it should be!"
…
Subsequently, the majority voiced their opinions.
However, their words were laced with a palpable urgency, as if they feared Lin Fengxuan might decide to apprehend Lin Cangyun first.
Lin Fengxuan observed their expressions and understood their underlying concerns perfectly.
It wasn't for any other reason than Lin Cangyun's current status as a Martial King.
If they were to oppose him directly, could the Lin family withstand the retribution of a Martial King?
"Alright! Everyone, go and make the arrangements!"
Ultimately, the assembly dispersed, each with their own hidden agendas.
"Zihong, come with me!"
Once everyone had left, only Lin Fengxuan and his two sons remained in the grand hall.
"Father, I have something..." Lin Zifeng began as Lin Fengxuan prepared to depart.
Lin Fengxuan, however, waved his hand, interrupting him. "We'll talk about it later. For now, you need to behave yourself!"
Without waiting for Lin Zifeng's reply, Lin Fengxuan left.
Seeing this, Lin Zihong didn't say much. He knew his younger brother, who was prone to causing trouble, wouldn't have anything important to discuss.
It was likely just trivial matters like petty fights. Therefore, he paid it no mind.
What the father and son didn't know was that failing to hear Lin Zifeng out that day would be their greatest regret, and an indelible source of sorrow.
…
"Zihong! You've never disappointed me since you were young. So, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the current state of the Lin family!" Lin Fengxuan asked as he walked ahead, hands behind his back.
His tone was devoid of any discernible emotion, as if the death of Lin Cangpan had not significantly impacted him.
Lin Zihong, hearing this, simply followed Lin Fengxuan silently, not rushing to answer.
After a long pause, Lin Zihong finally spoke, his tone remarkably similar to Lin Fengxuan's, lacking strong emotion. "It's common knowledge that the Lin family pursues profit. But to continue doing so blindly as we have today is no longer wise."
"Oh? Elaborate!" Lin Fengxuan chuckled lightly without turning his head.
"Now, everyone knows who caused Grandpa's death. In the eyes of others, Lin Cangyun's appearance signifies the inevitable division of our Lin family! Therefore, those with ulterior motives will undoubtedly find ways to exploit us. By then, our pursuit of profit will have fractured our unity, leaving us with nothing." Lin Zihong shared his perspective.
"Hahaha! Excellent!" Lin Fengxuan was greatly pleased by Lin Zihong's words. He turned with a smile. "It's good that you can see this far!" He then patted his son's shoulder and continued, "It seems there are some things I can let you know now!"
"Things?" Lin Zihong looked puzzled.
"No rush! Come with me. I'll take you to meet someone, and it will also serve as a gift from me," Lin Fengxuan said cryptically, heading towards his study.
Before long, they arrived at a study.
"Go inside! The person I want you to meet is in there," Lin Fengxuan said with a mysterious smile.
Lin Zihong, filled with questions, pushed open the door.
What greeted his eyes was a figure cloaked in fiery red!
…
Concurrently, Lin Zifeng returned to his room.
His expression was now exceedingly grim. Scattered around him were torn papers and various discarded items.
Clearly, the room had been subjected to a destructive outburst.
"Why is he always ignoring me? Why?" Lin Zifeng roared, his eyes bloodshot. "You wanted the Lin family to ally with the Nangong family, so I desperately pursued Nangong Qianyu. Didn't you see what I did?"
"Bang!"
As he spoke, another porcelain object shattered into countless pieces.
Lin Zifeng panted heavily, his heart still consumed by rage.
"Oh? Is that so? Others may not have seen it, but I have."
At this moment, a strange voice suddenly echoed in the room.
"Crash!"
Before Lin Zifeng could react, an invisible force slammed into him, sending him crashing into the debris.
"Ah!"
The violent impact and the piercing pain of the shards embedding themselves in his body caused Lin Zifeng's wretched cries to reverberate through the room.
Outside, however, all remained calm and silent.
Upon closer inspection, one might have noticed a faint white barrier enveloping the room, making it impenetrable.
"Wh-who is it!"
Enduring the intense pain, Lin Zifeng frantically scanned the room with terrified eyes.
"Our young master Lin is truly forgetful, doesn't recognize me?"
At this moment, directly in Lin Zifeng's line of sight, a phantom figure shimmering with white light began to solidify in a bizarre manner.
"You... you're Ye... Ye Ming!"
Seeing the familiar figure, Lin Zifeng's eyes clearly conveyed disbelief. "Are you... are you... a human or a ghost!"
Had the Night Ghost killed Ye Ming, and was he now back for revenge?
This was Lin Zifeng's only thought at that moment.
"Hahaha! Whether I am human or ghost, I don't know, but I can assure you that you will certainly become a ghost!" Ye Ming said coldly, a signature sinister smile gracing his lips.
Hearing this, Lin Zifeng's back went cold, and a primal fear of death instantly gripped his heart. "Ah! No... no! You can't kill me. I am the second young master of the Lin family. The Lin family will not let you go if you kill me."
"Oh? R-right! I promise you, as long as you leave Nangong Qianyu, everything between us will vanish. From now on, we'll mind our own business, okay!" Lin Zifeng hastily offered his utmost sincerity in a desperate bid to be spared.
In his mind, by showing such deference, Ye Ming would have no reason to continue opposing him. After all, with the Lin family backing him, Ye Ming could not possibly completely sever ties with him.
Good heavens! Was he being confident, or simply ignorant? Even in this dire situation, he dared to demand Ye Ming leave Nangong Qianyu.
Upon hearing this, Ye Ming couldn't help but laugh in anger. Without another word, he strode towards Lin Zifeng.
Two chilling white lights flickered in his eyes.
It seemed Ye Ming was preparing to use the "Ming Soul Technique."
As Lin Zifeng watched Ye Ming approach him step by step, an suffocating sense of impending death washed over him. Just as he was about to beg for mercy, he saw the alluring glow flickering in Ye Ming's pupils.
The next second, the light in his eyes began to dissipate, gradually becoming vacant and lifeless, filled only with a desolate stillness.