Translator: Silavin
Qin Yichen was a person who knew how to be grateful. Therefore, he never treated Lin Aotian’s Family as outsiders. He always respected Lin Aotian as an Elder.
Seeing the weariness behind Lin Aotian’s smile, Qin Yichen felt uneasy.
Now, outside, news of Lin Aoqing offering a bounty to kill Lin Aotian had almost been made public knowledge. If Lin Aotian were to leave the Li Family, he probably would not make it ten steps before falling victim to Lin Aoqing’s men.
Once Brothers, but they were now seeking each other’s death. Lin Aotian’s feelings were understandable.
He did not even want to compete with Lin Aoqing for the position of Lin Family Patriarch. He did not believe he could manage the vast Lin Family well, and he even thought of Lin Aoqing as the best choice for the Lin Family.
However, these things were no longer important now. These two were destined to not coexist!
“Uncle Lin, it’s time for you to make a decision,” Qin Yichen sighed and said.
As he spoke, the smile on Lin Aotian’s face slowly froze.
[Indeed. I have to make a decision. My Brother wouldn’t let me go, even if I give my life, after I’m gone, Lin Aoqing wouldn’t spare my direct lineage either.]
“What should I do?” Lin Aotian took a deep breath before looking at Qin Yichen.
“The current situation, although not optimistic, hasn’t reached an irreversible point yet.” Based on the intelligence obtained from Ye Liangchen, Qin Yichen was clear about the situation of the Lin Family. “Although Lin Aoqing is now openly in charge of the Lin Family, he has yet to fully control the entire Family…”
“The news about you has been completely blocked by Lin Aoqing. Those assassins only know they are to assassinate the murderer who killed Lin Shijun. They don’t know your true identity. Otherwise, the Elders of the Lin Family would never allow Lin Aoqing to do this. I’m certain that the Old Master of the Lin Family and the Elders of the Family don’t know you’re still alive, let alone that you’ve come to Spreading Cloud City!”
Listening to Qin Yichen’s words, Lin Aotian’s expression became grave.
Now, he could not even leave the Li Family’s gates, let alone go to the Lin Family. Even if he sent out a message, it was uncertain whether it would reach his Father’s ears. It was very likely that if pushed to desperation, Lin Aoqing might harm the Old Master.
This was what Lin Aotian least wanted to see.
“Do you know how my Father is doing?” Lin Aotian still misses his Father.
“Don’t worry, Uncle. Although the Old Master of the Lin Family is seriously ill, it hasn’t reached the worst stage yet.” With the memories of his previous life, Qin Yichen knew that Lin Aoqing only took the position of Lin Family Patriarch a year later, so the Old Master of the Lin Family had at least a year left to live.
“Uncle, can you tell me why exactly the Old Master of the Lin Family fell seriously ill?”
Although Ye Liangchen had mentioned the Old Master’s illness, Qin Yichen felt there must be some hidden story.
Lin Aotian composed himself before slowly saying, “Over ten years ago, Father had a great battle with an enemy. Although he won by luck, he was severely injured. Since then, Father’s health has deteriorated day by day, and his injuries could not heal. Even after spending a great deal to invite an Alchemy Grandmaster from the Royal City, it only temporarily suppressed the worsening of his condition. Strangely enough, although Father’s initial injuries affected his internal organs, there were signs of healing at first. But after a few days, the wounds worsened, and since then, his condition has been deteriorating.”
Hearing this, Qin Yichen understood most of it.
After the Old Master of the Lin Family fell ill, Lin Aotian, the only direct Son of the Lin Family, was exiled. Connecting all this, there was only one person who benefited… Lin Aoqing!
[It seems that Lin Aoqing’s wild ambitions are not recent. The Old Master of the Lin Family had really raised an ungrateful Wolf!]
“Uncle, if you trust me, give me one of your tokens. I’ll sneak into the Lin Family to contact the Old Master and take a look at him.”
Actually, this matter was quite easy to resolve. As long as the Old Master of the Lin Family could stand up and take charge of the Family’s affairs, there would be no place for Lin Aoqing. The current predicament would be easily solved.
After all, the Old Master of the Lin Family was once the pillar of the Lin Family and the strongest expert in Spreading Cloud City. His remaining prestige was enough to intimidate a crowd of petty people.
“This…” However, after hearing Qin Yichen’s words, Lin Aotian’s expression became somewhat conflicted. After a long while, he sighed and said, “Little Chen, it’s not that Uncle doesn’t trust you, but for you to sneak into the Lin Family alone is too risky. Although I’ve been staying in the Li Family all this time, I still know some news from the outside. I���m afraid Lin Aoqing’s determination to kill you is no less than his desire to eliminate me…”
He said while shaking his head. He could never put Qin Yichen in danger because of his own affairs.
“Uncle, don’t worry. I have my ways to protect myself. Moreover, I might even be able to cure the Old Master’s injuries.” Qin Yichen naturally knew of his concerns. He just smiled lightly and spoke with confidence.
“What? You can cure my Father’s injuries? No… that’s impossible. Even the Alchemy Grandmaster from the Royal City couldn’t do it, how could you possibly…” Lin Aotian’s eyes first showed a glimmer of hope, but he soon shook his head in disappointment.
“Uncle, do you really think that so-called Royal City Alchemy Grandmaster is definitely better than me?” As he said this, a sense of prideful and unparalleled confidence suddenly surged from Qin Yichen.
These words deeply shocked Lin Aotian.
From Qin Yichen’s tone, he could tell that Qin Yichen did not take that Royal City Alchemy Grandmaster seriously at all.
He just remembered that the youth before him was no longer the small Alchemist Assistant from a month ago! This youth had grown into an existence beyond his reach!
…
Half an hour later, Qin Yichen, wearing a black robe, arrived at the front of the most remote tavern on the west side of Spreading Cloud City.
This tavern looked like it had a long history. The two faded doors were casually open. In front of the doors, weeds grew wildly, and among these weeds, there were two rather majestic Stone Lions. However, now these two Stone Lions had toppled over, one to the east and one to the west. Their upturned giant mouths seemed to be recounting their glorious past.
Above the tavern’s door hung a crooked signboard. This signboard already had several cracks, but if one looked carefully, one could still make out three large words written in a flowing style – ‘Yellow Crane Tavern’.