NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Must Be Eliminated
Chapter 26: Must Be Eliminated
"Lin Langtian!"
The crowd gasped, recognizing the young man with a handsome, commanding presence. Even in the imperial capital, Lin Langtian's reputation as a top talent among the younger generation of the Great Yan Empire was well-known. Several young women even looked on with starry-eyed admiration.
Among the yellow-clad group, Huang Yin, the middle-aged leader, narrowed his eyes, his face growing serious. Although he had the support of the Huangpu Clan, facing Lin Langtian, the foremost talent of the Lin Clan, still made him feel intense pressure. However, recalling the promises made by Huangpu Ying, who had assured him of help in rejoining the Huangpu Clan, Huang Yin quickly steeled himself. Lin Langtian may have a powerful reputation, but he was still just a young man.
"So, you must be Lin Langtian, the Lin Clan's top talent. May I ask why you attacked members of my Xuan Tiger Gang?" Huang Yin asked, trying to gain the upper hand.
Lin Langtian didn't even bother to respond; he barely looked at Huang Yin, keeping his focus elsewhere. Although Lin Langtian now had a different soul, he had inherited some of the original's traits, including a quiet but powerful pride. This pride emerged unconsciously whenever he dealt with lesser figures.
Huang Yin paused, momentarily thrown off by Lin Langtian's indifference. Embarrassment tinged with anger flickered across his face. As leader of the Xuan Tiger Gang, he was a respected figure in the capital, and Lin Langtian's disregard was enough to make him seethe.
"Are you all right?" Ignoring the members of the Xuan Tiger Gang, Lin Langtian turned to Lin Chen and the others.
"Brother Langtian, thank goodness you're here! These thugs had the audacity to raise their hands against members of the Lin Clan—they act as if there's no law!" Lin Chen and the others, seeing Lin Langtian, felt as though their backbone had arrived, expressing their indignation and relief.
In particular, Lin Ya recounted her grievances to Lin Langtian, her delicate features and fair complexion showing a tearful, pitiful expression that would make anyone feel sympathetic.
"Oh, so they really are from the Lin Clan? It seems I made a mistake," Huang Yin said with a mock apologetic tone. "I thought these young people were impersonating members of the Lin Clan to scam people. I only wanted to protect the honor of the Lin Clan by taking them to your residence to confirm their identity. I apologize for troubling you, Young Master Langtian. It was an honest mistake on my part."
Seeing the Lin Clan publicly embarrassed like this, Huang Yin felt his objective had been met, so he quickly saluted Lin Langtian with a smile, preparing to withdraw.
Lin Langtian's expression darkened at Huang Yin's audacity. The man's shamelessness was truly unmatched.
"Who said you could leave?" Lin Langtian said coldly.
As his words fell, a sound of heavy footsteps suddenly echoed across the square. A large group of people surged forth like a flood, surrounding the members of the Xuan Tiger Gang.
Upon seeing the approaching figures, people realized that each one bore an emblem with two green embroidered trees on their chest—a symbol unmistakably belonging to the Lin Clan, one of the Four Great Clans of the Great Yan Empire.
Huang Yin looked surprised as he found himself surrounded. However, upon recognizing the group's leader as the Lin family steward, Lin Tao, his lips curled in disdain. He had agreed to harass a few of the Lin family's younger members not only because Huangpu Ying's offer was enticing but also because he knew the Lin Clan's standing in the empire very well.
The group may have looked formidable, but their biggest weakness was the lack of a truly powerful overseer.
Feigning a smile, Huang Yin said, "This is all a misunderstanding. I've already admitted my error, Young Master Langtian. Besides, I'm not one to shirk responsibility as a respected figure in the capital. How about I offer five thousand Pure Yuan pills as a small gesture of goodwill to help cover the young masters' medical expenses?"
As he spoke, Huang Yin took out a bag, ordering one of his men to present it to Lin Chen and the others.
Five thousand Pure Yuan pills could purchase a mid-grade spiritual treasure, and to an outsider, it might even look like a genuine attempt to make amends. However, Lin Chen, Lin Ya, and the others didn't accept it, looking to Lin Langtian for guidance instead.
Lin Langtian's eyes narrowed. If he had been his former self, he might have accepted the money to preserve peace, but not now. If he let this go, both his and the Lin Clan's reputation would suffer.
"You think five thousand Pure Yuan pills is enough to buy the honor of the Lin Clan?" Lin Langtian's voice was calm, yet a hidden storm lurked beneath his words.
"Oh, so Young Master Langtian is saying I need to raise my offer?" Huang Yin asked, feigning confusion.
Lin Langtian sneered, unwilling to continue the verbal dance. "What does the Lin Clan law say is the punishment for those who disgrace us?"
Lin Ke'er, understanding his intention, answered firmly, her blue eyes flashing with anger, "Death!"
The word reverberated across the square, turning the atmosphere cold. A murderous aura surged, chilling everyone to the bone.
Huang Yin's face twisted slightly, a nervous smile flickering as he stammered, "Young Master Langtian, you're taking this too far. This matter…"
But before he could finish, Lin Langtian cut him off, taking a step forward as a powerful energy surged from within him.
"No need for further words. As an Enforcer Elder of the Lin Clan, my duty to uphold the law extends beyond our own ranks. Today, the Xuan Tiger Gang must be destroyed!"