The family head, though young, had been unanimously chosen by them, and as such, deserved their full respect in front of outsiders.
Seeing the elders' disheveled state, Zi Linling suppressed a smile and said, "Four elders, you have worked hard!"
She had long known that Ye Lingyuan's aura was not something ordinary people could withstand.
For the four elders to have endured for over an hour was indeed a great hardship.
"No hardship! No hardship!" Zi Yangshang replied, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
"Yes, yes, His Highness the King of Hell rarely visits the Zi family. As elders, it is our duty to accompany him! Our duty!" Zi Yangchun said with a wry smile.
For others, accompanying someone was just a matter of spending some time.
But for cultivators like them, time was the least lacking commodity. After all, at their late stage of the Yuan Transformation realm, their lifespans extended over nine hundred years, provided they weren't killed.
However, accompanying the King of Hell was not merely a matter of spending time. A single misstep could prove fatal. For instance, the feeling of not daring to breathe too heavily just moments ago was more unbearable than facing death.
Zi Yangbei and Zi Yangqiu remained silent, but the resentment in their eyes was no less apparent.
Zi Linling nodded and looked at Ye Lingyuan, a playful smile gracing her lips. "Ye Lingyuan, you're quite in a hurry."
Ye Lingyuan withdrew his outward pressure, a faint smile on his face. "This King has no choice but to be in a hurry, doesn't he? Who told you, Lin'er, that your charm is so irresistible!" His deep voice carried a hint of unspoken complaint. The implication was clear: if he didn't act quickly, he didn't know how many rivals would appear.
Zi Linling, being exceptionally intelligent, understood his unspoken meaning. She smiled gently, "The feeling is mutual!" In terms of attracting admirers, Ye Lingyuan was no less capable than she was.
The mutual teasing between the two left the four elders so astonished that their eyeballs almost popped out.
Ye Lingyuan's lips curved upwards. "Lin'er, aren't you going to inspect the betrothal gifts?"
Zi Linling's eyes twinkled, her smile undiminished. "Does His Highness the King of Hell have any secret savings?"
Ye Lingyuan replied indulgently, "Of course... not! This King will have to rely on Lin'er to support him in the future."
Zi Linling scoffed, "Well... that depends. I don't support useless people!"
Ye Lingyuan smiled. "This King is a useful person."
"How do you prove it?" Zi Linling asked, her eyes full of amusement.
"No need to prove it! Of course..." Ye Lingyuan's smile deepened, a roguish glint in his eyes. "If Lin'er wishes to prove it, it's not impossible. However, is Lin'er sure... she wants to prove it here?" As he spoke, his gaze, filled with unspoken meaning, swept over the four elders present.
Even with her inherent innocence, Zi Linling understood the suggestive undertones of his words. But she, the Ghost Hand Poison Doctor, was not one to be easily led. Feigning ignorance, she nonchalantly replied, "Alright! As you say!"
Ye Lingyuan was finally stumped by her. Truly, a person with no shame was invincible! However, being the King of Hell, he quickly regained control.
"Lin'er... are you sure?"
"Family Head, this is not appropriate!" Zi Yangshang's old face flushed red. He was advanced in age and had seen much in his life, but he couldn't help but understand Ye Lingyuan's suggestive remark.
"Family Head, this is against the rules!" Zi Yangchun was also anxious. He held great optimism for Zi Linling, but he didn't want to see her "stray from the right path."
"Family Head, please show some self-respect!" Zi Yangbei's expression turned grim. He dared not say much regarding Ye Lingyuan's open flirtation with Zi Linling. But if Zi Linling agreed, it would bring disgrace upon the Zi family.
"Family Head, this..." Even the usually taciturn Zi Yangqiu couldn't help but speak. Their Zi family was a prominent lineage; how could the family head be so frivolous...
Zi Linling's sharp gaze swept over the four elders. Hmph! Even before anything had happened, they were trying to interfere with her decisions. Even if it was well-intentioned, she wouldn't allow it. Besides, did they really not trust her character and judgment?
Hit by Zi Linling's gaze, the four elders felt as if needles were pricking their eyes. It seemed this young girl was not as simple as they thought. They lowered their heads, no longer daring to utter another word.
Zi Linling then nodded towards Ye Lingyuan and said with feigned seriousness, "Yes! I killed Xie Lianhua yesterday, and the Hundred Flowers Palace has completely fallen out with us, so..."
Upon hearing this, the four elders simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, it wasn't what they had imagined.
A flicker of helplessness appeared in Ye Lingyuan's eyes. His Lin'er was too good at playing games; didn't she know such dramatic pauses could frighten people to death?
"Lin'er, you're doing this..."
Zi Linling raised her eyebrows, feigning confusion. "What's wrong with me doing this? Didn't you say you wanted to prove it on the spot?"
The four elders rolled their eyes internally. Prove? You two vipers are certainly skilled at playing games, but you nearly scared our old lives away. Honestly, when you flirt, please don't scare us old folks.
Zi Linling cast a knowing glance at the four elders, who lowered their heads further. She thought to herself, "It serves you right to be scared to death! Who told you to meddle in other people's business? Not only did you meddle, but you dared to think so lowly of your own family head."
Ye Lingyuan said with a sigh, "Lin'er is quite adept at using people."
Zi Linling replied shamelessly with a smile, "A wise person seizes every advantage! Why be a fool and not use a powerful backer? I'm not stupid, why wouldn't I use you, a great backer?"
Ye Lingyuan was left speechless, a mixture of amusement and exasperation on his face. His Lin'er always spoke the truth. He said indulgently, "Since Lin'er has said so, this King, your backer, must live up to his name, right? I've already sent someone to deliver the message."
"Oh? So quickly?" Zi Linling was somewhat surprised. In terms of speed, none could claim the first position if the King of Hell wasn't there.
Ye Lingyuan nodded. "Yes! I told them to wait for Lin'er's arrival at the Hundred Flowers Palace with peace of mind, and that no one is to leave." Of course, the message was delivered with great tact and a significant threat. Preventing people from the Hundred Flowers Palace from leaving was to stop them from seeking trouble with the Zi family. However, they were to await Zi Linling's arrival and any trouble she might bring. The world knew that the King of Hell's words could not be defied. Ye Lingyuan's method of delivering the message was particularly unique: he had men stationed at all crucial routes leading to the Hundred Flowers Palace, allowing entry but not exit.
The four elders were secretly astonished. The reason they had endured the oppressive aura of Ye Lingyuan for over an hour, waiting here, was to discuss the matter of the Hundred Flowers Palace with Zi Linling. They had simply not expected Ye Lingyuan to have already made arrangements.
Zi Linling was also somewhat surprised. She had initially planned to gather her subordinates to cause some trouble for the Hundred Flowers Palace. Now, it seemed unnecessary. This was for the best, as she could focus on resolving the internal and external troubles of the Zi family first. Without asking when Ye Lingyuan had made his move, she simply smiled sweetly and said, "It seems His Highness the King of Hell is not only useful, but extremely effective!"