NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Lin Xiao’s Recovery
Chapter 12: Lin Xiao's Recovery
In the Lin family's main hall, Lin Zhentian smiled slightly as he looked at the elderly man in gray beside him.
"Hehe, old friend, with your busy schedule, what brings you to our Lin family branch here in Qingyang Town?" Lin Zhentian asked with a warm smile.
Lin Zhentian and this elderly man had been friends for many years. In their youth, they'd gone on missions together for the main branch and had known each other for decades. But while his friend had found success within the main branch, Lin Zhentian himself had been sent to remote Qingyang Town to establish a branch family.
"Why, Zhentian, are you suggesting I'm not welcome?" the elder, called Tao Lao, said with a chuckle.
"How could that be? Your esteemed presence brings honor to our humble branch," Lin Zhentian replied heartily, then gestured to two middle-aged men nearby. "These are my sons, Lin Ken and Lin Mang."
Turning to his sons, Lin Zhentian continued, "This is my old friend Tao Lao. Show your respects."
Lin Ken and Lin Mang glanced at each other, and sensing the old man's formidable aura, bowed respectfully, "Greetings, Tao Lao."
"Come now, there's no need for that. Your father and I have been close friends for many years," Tao Lao said kindly.
As they exchanged pleasantries, Tao Lao's gaze sharpened, and he asked, "Zhentian, I hear you have three sons and that the youngest is the most talented. Where might he be?"
A shadow crossed Lin Zhentian's face, and he sighed. "You know the story, my friend, and you even saw Xiao'er at the family gathering years ago. Since that incident, Xiao has hidden away, seldom appearing in public. I hope you'll understand."
Lin Zhentian's expression grew increasingly somber as he thought about his youngest son. He had once pinned his hopes on Lin Xiao to restore their family's status within the clan. But in that fateful family tournament, all those dreams had come crashing down in a single moment.
One blow.
In a single move, the son he had regarded as his family's greatest hope was defeated in front of everyone—during the first match, no less. Years of nurturing, years of faith, all shattered within seconds.
And when Lin Xiao returned to Qingyang Town, bearing the scorn and ridicule of others like a defeated animal, the pain of it left Lin Zhentian reeling. Though years had passed, the wound had yet to heal.
Tao Lao knew well the pain his old friend carried. He sighed but then remembered his true purpose. With a faint smile, he said, "Old friend, I'm here precisely because of Lin Xiao. Please call him here. I assure you, this is good news for your family."
"Oh?" Lin Zhentian and his sons looked at Tao Lao in surprise. Could it be that the main branch had finally noticed their disgraced branch family and sent someone to show concern?
Though still skeptical, Lin Zhentian trusted his friend. He motioned for his eldest son to fetch Lin Xiao.
As they waited, time passed slowly, and two cups of tea later, several figures entered the hall.
"Father, Tao Lao, I've brought Third Brother and… Dong'er."
Stepping aside, Lin Ken revealed the two figures behind him. On the left stood a man of about thirty or forty, with a slim build and sharp features, though his face was pale and weary, hinting at lingering injuries. He was Lin Zhentian's third son, Lin Xiao. Beside him was a young boy, around fifteen or sixteen, with a delicate, youthful face. But what set him apart were his dark eyes, carrying a maturity and steadiness far beyond his age.
Entering the hall, Lin Xiao and Lin Dong respectfully bowed to Lin Zhentian.
"Lin Xiao, Dong'er, come and meet my friend from the main branch, Tao Lao," Lin Zhentian introduced, gesturing to the gray-robed elder.
Hearing that this elder was from the main branch, both Lin Xiao and Lin Dong exchanged uneasy glances, but they still bowed courteously and said, "Greetings, Tao Lao."
Lin Xiao looked at Tao Lao thoughtfully, then with a self-deprecating smile, added, "I believe we met years ago at the family gathering. You may not remember me now, as I am but a 'cripple'…"
"Father…" Lin Dong's heart clenched as he heard his father's bitter words, his face filled with pain.
Lin Xiao dismissed his son's concern with a weary wave, his expression resigned.
"Now, now, there's no need for such talk," Tao Lao reassured them, casting a lingering glance at Lin Dong. He then took out a fragrant, deep-green pill about the size of a dragon's eye.
"This is the Green Wood Spirit Pill. It will heal Lin Xiao's injuries," Tao Lao announced with a warm smile.
"What!?" Lin Zhentian was stunned, slamming his hand onto the table as he stared in disbelief.
Lin Xiao and Lin Dong looked equally astonished, their faces alight with hope.
"Tao Lao, can this pill really cure my father's injuries?" Lin Dong asked, the usual calm in his voice replaced by urgency.
Lin Dong knew his father had been left stagnant due to his injuries. Though Lin Xiao tried to mask his bitterness, Lin Dong could see that the man who was once a shining figure in the family had slowly become a shadow of himself. Seeing his father's decline had pained him deeply, and he harbored a fierce grudge against Lin Langtian, the one responsible.
But now, with a glimmer of hope, Lin Dong's heart filled with joy.
"Yes, you must be Lin Dong," Tao Lao replied, holding out the pill to the young man. "It'll only take one try to find out. Surely, you don't think I'd harm your father?"
Lin Dong's face showed hesitation, but after a moment, he handed the pill to his father, saying, "I trust you."
Lin Xiao smiled faintly and, without hesitation, swallowed the Green Wood Spirit Pill. He ruffled Lin Dong's hair, but as he turned to speak, his face suddenly turned fiery red, as if he were burning from within.
"Father!" Lin Dong shouted, panic rising as he saw the color rush into Lin Xiao's face.
Lin Zhentian and the others watched anxiously as Lin Xiao's temperature climbed, his face reddening further until, with a sudden convulsion, he spat out a mouthful of black, foul-smelling blood.
"Brother, are you alright?" Lin Ken asked, rushing to steady him.
Lin Xiao gasped for air, the red fading from his face, replaced by a healthier, rosy hue.
"My wounds…"
Lin Xiao looked down at his hands in wonder. He could feel the injuries that had burdened him for years easing, as the medicinal power of the pill soothed his internal injuries. For the first time in ages, his body pulsed with a familiar vitality.
And then, as if a dam had burst, his internal energy surged, propelling him from mid-Heavenly Yuan Level to late-stage and finally, all the way to the Small Yuan Dan Level.
"Brother, your strength…" Lin Ken said, overjoyed.
Lin Mang, the second brother, couldn't hide the envy in his eyes as he witnessed Lin Xiao's sudden advancement.
"Haha, my old friend, thank you," Lin Zhentian said, his face lighting up with relief and pride. Seeing Lin Xiao, his most talented son, renewed and reinvigorated filled him with satisfaction.
"Thank you, Tao Lao," Lin Xiao said gratefully, his voice filled with emotion. The Green Wood Spirit Pill had not only healed his injuries but also given him a second chance at life.
Beside him, Lin Dong's youthful face beamed with joy. He turned to Tao Lao, bowing deeply, his voice full of sincerity, "Tao Lao, I may not have the words to express my gratitude, but I will remember this kindness forever!"
Tao Lao chuckled, "Don't thank me; this pill is far beyond my means."
"Oh?" Lin Zhentian asked, puzzled. "Then, old friend, this Green Wood Spirit Pill came from…"
Lin Xiao, Lin Dong, and the others waited expectantly.
With a knowing smile, Tao Lao replied slowly, "The one who provided this pill is none other than… Elder of Law, Lin Langtian."
(End of Chapter)