Chapter 299: Chapter 299: Hundred Flowers Hands
The ancient Lin Family.
Deep within!
A group of high-ranking powerhouses from the Lin Family had gathered, discussing the topic: "Lin Yuexin is back! She actually looted our family’s possessions and even killed many of our clanspeople!"
Traitor, vile woman, ungrateful backstabber—several vicious labels were instantly slapped onto Lin Yuexin.
A middle-aged Steward scoffed, "Let’s act!"
Was there any need to wait further?
Lin Yuexin had already completely betrayed the Lin Family. Now that she had even slain her own clanspeople, there was nothing more to be said.
Several high-ranking members all nodded, their expressions grim. "This must be dealt with. Otherwise, how will outsiders view our Lin Family?"
"Exactly!"
"I’ve already found out that she’s currently hiding in an ancient town. This is a good opportunity."
The meeting lasted about ten minutes before they reached a conclusion: eliminate the traitor.
In fact, even without this meeting, if Lin Yuexin dared to return, the outcome would be the same.
Many of the Lin Family’s high-ranking powerhouses knew this well. After all, some of the things they had done in the past were far from honorable. If Lin Yuexin returned and exposed them, what would become of their dignity?
Five Elders, ten Stewards.
At least thirteen of them had been promoted during those years, while the remaining two were holdovers from before. As for the previous group of people, those who weren’t dead were imprisoned; each suffered a fate more miserable than the last.
The main lineage had suffered even more. The eldest son was exiled, the second daughter had died tragically, and only the third daughter, Lin Yuexin, remained alive.
Actually, she never should have returned. If she had remained hidden within the Heavenly Phoenix Imperial Dynasty for her entire life, the Lin Family’s powerhouses would at least not have dared to enter the academy to kill her; they wouldn’t have dared...
"Let the Hidden Guards handle it," an Elder said.
The Lin Family’s Hidden Guards were known as the slaughterers in the shadows. Once they acted, a river of blood was sure to flow.
...
The weather was fine, the ancient town picturesque, accompanied by flowers and trees. A gentle breeze carried the vibrant essence of spring.
The plump older woman next door would look towards the courtyard every day, seemingly waiting for Chen Pingping’s return...
A group of young children also passed by from time to time, but they only glanced before scattering.
Today, the plump older woman came here again, but this time, she saw the hunched figure of an old man. She frowned and asked, "Are you looking for someone?"
"Yes!" The old man nodded. "Excuse me, is Lin Yuexin here?" He wasn’t certain, as the aura fluctuations he sensed were too faint to be sure.
The name puzzled the plump older woman. She shook her head. "I’m not sure. I only know a young man surnamed Chen lives here. There was a young woman with him before, but then she disappeared."
The old man smiled. "Thank you!"
Surnamed Chen, a young woman! This clue confirmed it for him: Lin Yuexin was here.
The old man was inwardly excited, his murky eyes glistening with tears as he muttered, "Family Head, I... I’ve found Miss Third."
After waiting a long time with no one appearing, he pushed open the gate of the small, bamboo-fenced courtyard and walked in.
Only as he neared the room could he clearly sense Lin Yuexin’s aura fluctuations.
She’s in seclusion.
The old man didn’t act rashly but waited patiently.
Suddenly, a clear breeze blew, and a vibrant surge of vitality emanated from the room. The flowers and grass in the courtyard grew rapidly, and even a withered tree began to sprout new life.
He froze, his body trembling. He gazed at the room, his eyes filled with a mixture of relief and sorrow. "Hundred Flowers Hands!"
This was the unique cultivation method of the main lineage, a technique hidden deep within their bloodline.
Tears of sorrow and joy streamed down the old man’s face. "Family Head, did you see? Miss Third has cultivated the Hundred Flowers Hands! She succeeded!"
The Vitality Power grew increasingly dense, spreading out from the courtyard in all directions.
Fortunately, Lin Yuexin came to her senses in time and retracted the Vitality Power. She pushed the door open and saw the old man.
"Miss Third," the old man’s voice trembled, tears already streaming down his face.
"Sir Qin," Lin Yuexin also choked up. "You’re still alive."
"Yes! I’m still alive."
"How is everyone?"
"They..." The old man hesitated before finally revealing the truth. "Back then, although we managed to escape, they never stopped hunting us. After three years of fleeing, almost everyone died on the road. I... I didn’t know what to do."
Recalling the tragedy from all those years ago, the old man was overcome with grief, his stooped figure trembling uncontrollably.
They had separated, and he didn’t know if anyone else was still alive. But he suspected the chances were slim.
By the time they separated, many had already died. Most of those still alive were injured.
He had remained in hiding ever since, until he heard that Lin Yuexin had returned to the Southern Land. He then tracked her here.
"It’s alright, Sir Qin. They must still be alive," Lin Yuexin consoled him. "The people of our main lineage are as tough as iron; no one can harm them."
"As long as you’re alive, Miss Third, that’s all that matters! As long as you’re alive!" The old man shook his head, unwilling to dwell on the past or recall those painful memories.
He grabbed Lin Yuexin’s hand. "Quick, we must leave this place! I heard before I came that the Lin Family has already begun to act."
"Don’t worry!" Lin Yuexin took a deep breath and smiled. "I’m very strong now, strong enough to protect everyone. This time, I won’t run."
"Miss Third!" the old man said anxiously.
"It’s really fine, Sir Qin. You have to believe me," she insisted.
"But!"
"I’ve reached the Emperor Dao Third Heaven." To prove her strength, she activated the Hundred Flowers Hands, and her immense Vitality Power surged out once more. "Look, I’ve also cultivated the Hundred Flowers Hands. This is a unique cultivation method of our Lin Family’s main branch, a treasure left by our ancestors."
She comforted the old man while simultaneously demonstrating her power.
Now that she had returned, she had no intention of leaving again.
Moreover, she had overcome her inner demons, and her strength had greatly increased—enough to face the powerhouses of the Lin Family.
"I don’t want to leave, and I won’t. I will protect everyone, and I will rescue my brother," Lin Yuexin declared, taking another deep breath.
Sigh! The old man shook his head and said no more, seeming to age years in an instant.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Suddenly, a strange wind swept into the courtyard.
Lin Yuexin became alert.
The old man also seemed to sense something. His heart lurched, and he quickly pulled Lin Yuexin behind him. "Don’t be afraid, Miss Third!"
He seemed to have forgotten that Miss Third had grown up, that she was now an Emperor Dao powerhouse, no longer the helpless little girl of the past. He also seemed to have forgotten that he himself was old, his vitality diminished, his Divine Soul withered. He likely couldn’t even defeat a First Heaven of Emperor Tao expert. Yet, his resolve to protect Lin Yuexin remained unshaken.
Watching his weathered back, Lin Yuexin choked back a sob. "Sir Qin, this time, let Yuexin protect you!"
Dozens of powerful Hidden Guards charged into the courtyard. Just as their killing intention flared, an Array activated...
BUZZ! BUZZ! BUZZ!
Beneath the Array, slashes of Sword Dao rained down, attacking indiscriminately.
The Hidden Guards’ faces paled. They wanted to retreat, but it was too late. They could only watch helplessly as the Sword Dao hacked into their bodies.
Fortunately, this Array wasn’t overwhelmingly powerful.
Soon, the Array’s power was exhausted. The dozens of Hidden Guards had all suffered injuries of varying severity. They exchanged glances, then looked towards their leader.
He was a man in his forties, also struck several times by the Sword Array. His face was pale as he spat, "Damn it! Which bastard set up this Array?"