298: Chapter 297: Don’t Intimidate People with Clan Rules!
298: Chapter 297: Don’t Intimidate People with Clan Rules!
The speaker was the Third Elder from Lin Xuan’s lineage, who at this moment decisively stood up to support Lin Xuan.
Actually, Lin Xuan’s expulsion was entirely a conspiracy.
At that time, the Clan Leader was in seclusion, Lin Xuan’s father had disappeared, and the Great Elder had taken control of the Elder Council, banishing Young Master Lin Xuan from the clan.
Afterward, although the people of Lin Xuan’s lineage were furious, they were unable to find Lin Xuan’s whereabouts, and gradually, the incident began to calm down.
Now that Lin Xuan had returned, naturally, his clan members would not let the matter rest.
His cultivation was so high that no one could match it other than the Clan Leader.
“That’s enough, Ye’er.” The usually silent Great Elder suddenly spoke, “Today is a great day for our Lin Family.
Let’s not let these minor issues interfere with our spirits.”
“Lin Xuan, you’ve temporarily regained your status as a Disciple of the Lin Family, and you may participate in the family assembly.”
“But only if you secure the first place can you return to the clan.
Otherwise, you will be expelled once again.
Do you have any objections?” the Great Elder said indifferently.
“What do you mean by first place?
Lin Xuan clearly did nothing wrong.
Why would you dare to expel him!” Second Master Lin said angrily.
“It’s alright, Uncle,” Lin Xuan pulled at Second Master Lin’s sleeve and shook his head slightly.
The current situation was very unfavorable for Lin Xuan’s lineage; his grandfather was in closed-door cultivation, and the Great Elder, through various means, almost controlled the entire Sword Pond Prefecture.
Moreover, the Great Elder had recently advanced to the Spirit Transformation Realm, his strength now exceptionally formidable.
“Since you are a Disciple of the Lin Family, you should obey the family rules.
You can’t deny that, right?” the Great Elder said lightly.
“Of course,” Lin Xuan nodded.
“According to family rules, you must not cause trouble unnecessarily, much less kill the innocent indiscriminately!”
“Yet, you’ve attempted to assassinate Lin Feng multiple times on the Floating Island and even used despicable means to kill Meng Yan, a disciple of the Earth Fire Sect.
Do you realize your crimes!” the Great Elder suddenly berated harshly.
The crowd’s expressions changed drastically as they stared intently at Lin Xuan.
He was the top figure on the Hidden Dragon List, the object of adoration for countless young Martial Artists.
And now, the idol in their hearts had died, murdered by a disciple of the Lin Family.
If this weren’t handled well, it could certainly lead to a Sect conflict!
If two top forces were to wage war, the repercussions would be massive.
Lin Xuan’s expression turned grim; he hadn’t anticipated that the old man would play this card against him.
He had just acknowledged his status as a Lin Family disciple, and as one, he had to follow the family’s rules.
Furthermore, Meng Yan was indeed killed by him.
If he resisted or refused to agree to the family rules, then the Great Elder would have the opportunity to expel him once again in front of everyone!
And by that, he would truly lose the chance to enter the Family’s Ancestral Land.
“You old fox, that move was particularly cunning!” Lin Xuan clenched his teeth in rage.
Second Master Lin and others were also shocked, casting inquiring glances at Lin Xuan.
However, when they saw Lin Xuan’s expression, they confirmed that the event had indeed taken place.
Otherwise, given Lin Xuan’s temperament, he would have denied it immediately.
At that moment, an elder of the Earth Fire Sect suddenly stood up, with a fierce look on his face, he said, “Great Elder Lin, this young man is the murderer who killed Meng Yan.
Please, Elder Lin, make a decision and hand him over to the Earth Fire Sect for punishment!”
“No way!” Second Master Lin shouted.
If they handed the person over, he was certain to be tortured to death.
“Lin Zheng, the facts are already clear.
Are you still trying to protect this murderer!” Lin Ye sneered dismissively.
“Where’s the evidence?
You can’t just make baseless accusations!” the Third Elder said in a deep voice.
“Exactly, present the evidence.
Otherwise, we will not let you take Lin Xuan away!” the Fifth Elder also agreed, and several other elders stood by Lin Xuan’s side.
The other elders were all siding with the Great Elder, showing how thoroughly the Great Elder’s influence had permeated the Sword Pond Prefecture.
Even among Lin Xuan’s own lineage’s elders, quite a few spoke in his favor.
“You want evidence?” the Great Elder said in a deep tone.
“I will show you the evidence.”
“No need,” Lin Xuan said indifferently.
The crowd was puzzled, all casting their baffled gazes towards Lin Xuan.
Even Second Master Lin and Great Elder Lin’s eyes flickered with confusion.
“I killed the man,” Lin Xuan stated slowly, as if he were speaking of an insignificant triviality.
He really killed him!”
“Meng Yan was a Half-step Fusion Spirit Warrior!
How could he possibly kill him!” The crowd exclaimed in shock, and the martial artists below were even more abuzz with discussion.
They had come to watch the Lin Family’s martial competition, unaware such an explosive situation would arise.
“Impossible!” Second Master Lin and others immediately dismissed the idea, not belittling Lin Xuan but because Meng Yan was simply too outstanding.
Even six months ago, Lin Feng was not certain he could kill Meng Yan, let alone Lin Xuan.
Moreover, they had investigated Lin Xuan’s cultivation, but found nothing unusual.
Of course, they did not know Lin Xuan possessed a secret technique that allowed him to conceal his cultivation, and his black cloak also helped mask his aura.
Second Master Lin and Great Elder Lin were even more puzzled.
They had planned to present some equivocal evidence, and then force Lin Xuan into confessing through intimidation and threats.
As long as Lin Xuan resisted, it would mean his doom.
However, they had not expected things to go so smoothly, without even the need to use the prepared evidence.
“What an idiot!” Second Master Lin thought in delight.
“Now that he has confessed, matters will be easier.
Elder Meng, I leave him to you.
Do with him as you please, whether to beat or to kill; Sword Pond Prefecture will not intervene,” Great Elder Lin said slowly.
“Hold on!” Lin Xuan called out sharply, “The conversation is not over yet, Great Elder seems to be in a bit of a hurry!”
“You have already confessed, what more is there to say!”
“That’s right, the Lin Family doesn’t need a failure like you!”
I killed Meng Yan, the top name on the Hidden Dragon List, and you call me a failure?” Lin Xuan scoffed.
“Fourth Elder, please tell me, what isn’t a failure?
To live over a hundred years, with cultivation still stuck at the early stage of the Spirit Fusion Realm—is that not a failure?”
“You, you…” Fourth Elder trembled with rage, “Insolence, sheer insolence!”
“Fourth Elder, I’m afraid it’s not your place to call the shots here!” Second Master Lin retorted with a cold smile.
“Xuan’er, speak your mind.
If the sky falls, your second uncle will support you!”
“That’s right, and us few old bones too.
Don’t worry, we won’t let you be confusedly taken away by them.”
“Second Uncle, esteemed ancestors, rest assured, I will clarify everything,” Lin Xuan responded slowly.
“That day on Floating Island, I acquired some things, and was subsequently ambushed by a group, Meng Yan included.”
“They sought to kill for treasure, but ended up slain by my hand.”
“I ask everyone to judge fairly, if someone is trying to kill me, am I not allowed to defend myself?”
The crowd below erupted into a cacophony; most people found themselves agreeing with Lin Xuan after hearing his explanation.
“Killing for treasure and getting killed instead, what’s wrong with that?”
Surrounded by attackers, isn’t one allowed to fight back?” Liu Yang and others led the boisterous support.
On the grandstand, Second Master Lin chuckled, “So it was the disciples of the Earth Fire Sect who wanted to rob and kill.
Elder Meng, your sect is quite bold, daring to bully my nephew!”
“Do you think Sword Pond Prefecture lacks people?”
“No, that’s not…” Faced with the formidable Second Master Lin, Elder Meng grew panicked as this was not his territory.
“Second brother, this is just this kid’s side of the story, it can’t be trusted!” Second Master Lin exclaimed coldly.
“Lin Xuan, I advise you to tell the truth about the assassination of Meng Yan!”
“What I said is the truth.
It’s a pity Lin Feng wasn’t there at the time, otherwise, he’d have been cut down together!” Lin Xuan’s voice was ice cold.
“How dare you!” Second Master Lin raged.
Great Elder Lin’s expression also changed slightly, with a flickering cold gleam in his eyes.