Returning to the present, Ling Luoyi turned over and looked at the empty room.
She had completely merged her soul with the original host's body, naturally possessing the original host's memories. Through the original host's memories and her own investigations over the past few years, she had a general understanding of what had happened back then.
Ten years ago, the Tianwu Kingdom's power structure was primarily based on five great aristocratic families and the royal family, with other families and forces playing supporting roles.
The five great aristocratic families were the Ling family, Kong family, Qi family, Xiao family, and Wei family.
The combined strength of the five great aristocratic families was slightly stronger than the royal family, making the royal family quite wary of them. However, because the five great aristocratic families kept each other in check, the royal family was content with the situation, and Yun Yuan City maintained a superficial peace.
Other families were divided into first-rate, second-rate, third-rate, and insignificant small families. Other forces included branches of major guilds, the Liuyun Pavilion, and similar organizations.
At that time, the Ling family was the foremost among the five great aristocratic families, though the gap between them and the other families was not significant.
The Wei family, also one of the five great aristocratic families, ranked only fifth. Consequently, they harbored deep resentment and joined forces with other families to attack the Ling family.
Due to the ferocity of their assault and the Ling family's lack of preparedness, the Ling family suffered a crushing defeat within two days.
The Ling family sustained countless casualties. Ling Jue and his wife, from the Ling family's eldest branch, were tragically killed. Ling Qi and his wife, from the second branch, were severely injured and had not yet recovered. Ling Xuan and Ling Yan and his wife, from the third and fourth branches respectively, suffered setbacks in their cultivation. Ling Jin, from the fifth branch, had his cultivation crippled and his legs broken.
Half of the ten elders died. The Grand Elder lost his left hand. The Second Elder's dantian was destroyed. The Fifth and Sixth Elders had their legs severed. The Ninth Elder's foundation was ruined. Countless disciples also perished.
Even the Ancestor and the five Grand Elders sacrificed themselves to protect the younger generation's escape.
The Ling family's cultivation resources were plundered clean, and their shops were also seized.
Because the original host had gone missing, after the Ling family had temporarily stabilized, the Ling family head, along with Ling Xuan, Ling Yan, and some hidden guards, set out to search for the original host and Ling Luoran. They left everything to Ling Qi and his wife, the Third Madam Li Ziya, the Fourth Madam Yao Yuxin, and the housekeeper Uncle Liang. They have not returned since.
From then on, the Ling family stopped recruiting new disciples and gradually declined to its current state.
Among the participants, the Wei family, as the mastermind, now led the five great aristocratic families, with a gap of one first-rate family separating them from the second-ranked Kong family. The Yin family, from a first-rate family, ascended to become the fifth of the five great aristocratic families. Other families also benefited significantly, with second-rate families becoming first-rate and third-rate families becoming second-rate, all of whom rose by stepping on the Ling family.
The Yuan family, who visited today, was a third-rate family back then and is now a second-rate family.
Although only a second-rate family, they were still beyond the current Ling family's ability to resist.
The original host's death occurred when she was fleeing with the six-year-old Ling Luoran, pursued by enemies. To protect Ling Luoran, the original host deliberately exposed herself to draw the pursuers away and fled into the Luoxia Forest.
Cornered at the edge of a cliff, she was caught up to and struck by several swords. Knowing there was no escape, she jumped off the cliff herself, where she then encountered me.
Ling Luoyi smiled at this thought. She had two objectives for returning this time: first, to avenge the original host, and second, to satisfy her curiosity about the Ling family. In the original host's memories, the Ling family was characterized by filial piety, harmonious marriages, fraternal affection, twin blossoms, and shared destinies. However, after much consideration, she felt it was best to interact with them and then decide how to "take care" of them.
The second objective was not urgent. She would be staying here for some time, so she had plenty of opportunities to understand them.
As for the first objective, she had promised the original host to avenge her. They had lived for an extra ten years, and now it was time.
She mused that ten years had passed, and they should have lived long enough.
So, little lambs, are you ready? The wolf is coming!
However, to hunt the sheep, one must first understand the environment.
She had some understanding of Yun Yuan City's current situation. The current five great aristocratic families were the Wei family, Kong family, Qi family, Xiao family, and Yin family. The Ling family was now an insignificant small family, and trying to destroy the Wei family seemed like trying to catch fish by climbing a tree.
But it didn't matter. She was no longer the same person who had arrived here ten years ago.
She would not let anyone who participated back then off the hook.
The Wei family, the Yin family, the Yuan family...
A chilling glint shot from Ling Luoyi's eyes, her left eye tinged with scarlet. Coupled with the smile on her lips, she appeared both dangerous and captivating.
*
Lanxue Hall.
Ling Qi's second wife, Bai Jingzhi, sat at the desk, reviewing the Ling Mansion's recent expenditures. She said with concern, "Master, how much confidence do you have in what Luo'er said today?"
Ling Qi neatly arranged the IOUs from the past few years. Hearing her words, he replied, "I don't know where Luo'er has been these past few years, nor how she grew up. I don't understand the current Luo'er at all, but I believe Luo'er hasn't changed for the worse. She is still Luo'er."
"I'm not saying Luo'er has changed for the worse. I'm just a little worried. Luo'er said she wants to restore the Ling family to its former glory, even surpass it. If she fails, will it be a blow to her?"
"The people of the Ling family are not easily discouraged. Even if Luo'er doesn't succeed, the Ling family won't be worse off than it is now. It's just that I worry about how Luo'er has been living outside these past few years. Has she been bullied? But she just returned, and I'm not her parents, so it's not appropriate for me to ask her about private matters."
Bai Jingzhi looked at Ling Qi and sighed. Indeed, they were only uncle and aunt, and it was inappropriate to ask certain questions. But without asking, they were very worried.
"Alright, tomorrow I'll have Chen'er ask. He is Luo'er's elder brother, so it will be more convenient for him than for us."
Ling Qi put away the IOUs and continued, "By the way, let's not mention the IOUs tomorrow. She's just a young girl and probably doesn't have much to exchange at the Liuyun Pavilion for money. Remember this."
"I remember everything, don't worry."
*
Xiuzhu Courtyard. This was Ling Jin's courtyard.
Ling Jin sat in his room, looking at the thriving bamboo in his courtyard.
"Master, it's getting late. You should rest," his personal attendant, An Yi, advised.
An Yi had served Ling Jin since childhood and grew up with him, sharing a closer bond than other attendants.
"An Yi, it's been ten years."
An Yi's heart trembled, understanding Ling Jin's implication. "Master, it's all in the past. Eldest Miss has also returned. You've written to the Family Head today, and soon the Family Head, Third Master, and Fourth Master will all return. The Ling family will get better and better."
"Yes, the Ling family will get better and better." Ling Jin paused. "An Yi, if eldest brother and sister-in-law knew Luo'er had returned, they would be able to rest in peace, even in the afterlife, wouldn't they?"
"They would. Eldest Master and Eldest Madam would surely be happy knowing Eldest Miss returned home safely."
"But Luo'er returned home without her parents waiting for her. She must be sad."
"Master, but Eldest Miss still has her grandfather, several uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters. They are all waiting for her return."
"An Yi, how much confidence do you have in what Eldest Miss said today?"
"Master, as long as the Ling family is united, what is there to worry about?"
"Yes, there's nothing to worry about." Ling Jin remained seated, showing no reaction.
"Master, please rest. You can see Eldest Miss tomorrow. If Eldest Miss sees you haven't rested well, she'll be worried." An Yi, true to his role as someone who had served Ling Jin since childhood, knew what he was worried about even without being told.
After all, the Eldest Master and Eldest Madam had sacrificed themselves for him back then...
"Is that so?" Ling Jin turned and stared at An Yi.
"Of course. Eldest Miss is very filial. If you rest early, you can have breakfast with Eldest Miss tomorrow."
"Alright, let's go rest."
An Yi quickly pushed the wheelchair towards the bed.