"Hmph."
The man snorted coldly, his eyes flickering as he said, "That's correct. I am."
Chen Changxuan's expression shifted slightly as his gaze moved to Lin Mohe, then to Lin Moqin behind him, and he asked, "Although my Chen family has grievances with the Lin family, it's ultimately a personal feud. As a Purple Mansion cultivator of Qingyang Sect, are you here today to interfere in the internal affairs of Yu County?"
Lin Mohe stood with his hands clasped behind his back, expressionless as he hovered in the air. Calmly, he replied, "I was raised in Qingyang Sect and have long since severed ties with the Lin family. I have no connection to them."
"I am not here today to trouble you on behalf of the Lin family, but for another matter."
"Five years ago, the soul lamp of Zuo Younian, a deacon of Qingyang Sect, extinguished. We searched for years without finding the culprit, but now I've been informed that Zuo Younian's Whiteblade Dustbreaker Saber is in your possession."
"I have come at the command of Qingyang Sect to investigate this matter thoroughly."
As he spoke, a cold glint flashed in Lin Mohe's eyes.
"Now tell me, how did you kill my sect's deacon and take his treasure?"
"So that's what this is about," Chen Changxuan exhaled, visibly relaxing. "That Zuo Younian had already fallen into demonic corruption and massacred over eight thousand members of the Chen clan."
"Such a heinous crime could not go unpunished. We could not rest until he was slain."
His voice dropped as he fixed his sharp gaze on Lin Mohe.
"Would Qingyang Sect protect such a deranged individual?"
"What? Zuo Younian committed such atrocities?" Lin Mohe's pupils contracted in shock.
Realizing he had lost his composure, Lin Mohe composed himself and said coldly, "Empty words mean nothing. Show me proof."
Fortunately, the elder patriarch was meticulous in his actions. Evidence had been preserved—an artifact recording the horrific scene of corpses strewn across Pingling Town and Zuo Younian's dying words.
After reviewing the evidence, Lin Mohe had no grounds to act further. He snorted coldly, his expression darkening.
"Although Zuo Younian committed unspeakable acts, he was still a member of Qingyang Sect. His treasures must be returned to the sect."
Chen Changxuan, visibly upset, retorted, "Zuo Younian slaughtered eight thousand of my clan. His remaining possessions should serve as compensation for the Chen family."
"That is reasonable," Lin Mohe conceded, clasping his hands behind his back.
"But the Metal Element Divine Thunder is a secret technique of Qingyang Sect, and the Whiteblade Dustbreaker Saber is one of our three great life-bound artifacts. They cannot be allowed to remain outside the sect."
"Here's the deal: hand over the Metal Element Divine Thunder technique and the Whiteblade Dustbreaker Saber, and the rest of his possessions can serve as your compensation."
The elder patriarch clenched his fists, his eyes filled with unwillingness. These two treasures were the most valuable among Zuo Younian's belongings. Without them, the remainder was of little use. The only reason they hadn't reported the matter earlier was to keep these items.
Seeing the elder patriarch's anger rising, Elian gently pulled him back, shaking his head. He then addressed Lin Mohe.
"I'll return the Whiteblade Dustbreaker Saber and the jade slip containing the Metal Element Divine Thunder."
Lin Mohe accepted the saber and jade slip, inspected them briefly, and prepared to leave.
At that moment, Lin Moqin spoke up.
"I have something to say."
The group turned to look at him.
Lin Moqin glared at Elian, his teeth clenched.
"The Chen family has recklessly endangered Yu County by maliciously annexing our Spirit Apricot Mountain. I demand they return it."
"Hmm?" Lin Mohe's eyes shifted slightly, glancing at Elian and the elder patriarch without commenting.
Chen Changxuan's face twitched, veins bulging as he suppressed his anger. Finally, through gritted teeth, he said, "I agree to your demand, but my Chen clan will need time to withdraw from Spirit Apricot Mountain."
Lin Moqin wanted to say more, but Lin Mohe interrupted him. The Purple Mansion cultivator nodded and said, "You have seven days."
After Lin Mohe and his party left, Chen Changxuan gritted his teeth in frustration.
"This Qingyang Sect has made us suffer another loss."
"When under another's roof, you must lower your head," Elian said calmly. Having lived in this world for nearly thirty years, he understood deeply that might makes right.
Since Qingyang Sect had sent Lin Mohe, they would not leave empty-handed. Avoiding disaster by giving up the treasures was already the best outcome.
He glanced at the disappointed Chen Changxuan and offered some comfort.
"Patriarch, don't be too disheartened. The spiritual vein of Spirit Apricot Mountain has already degraded and is far less valuable than before. As long as we transplant the Spirit Apricot Tree, we won't suffer much of a loss."
"As for the Metal Element Divine Thunder, I've already mastered it. Later, we can purchase a blank jade slip from Tianxu Mountain and record the technique ourselves."
Hearing this, Chen Changxuan's mood improved slightly.
After the degradation of Spirit Apricot Mountain's vein, its value had plummeted. The mountain was far from the Chen family and too close to the Lin family. Rather than expend effort guarding it, it was better to abandon it.
By the time the Lin family returned triumphantly to Spirit Apricot Mountain, only to find a mere high-grade first-rank spiritual vein remaining, their reaction would be worth seeing.
Still, the loss of the Whiteblade Dustbreaker Saber, a top-grade second-rank artifact, was unfortunate.
…
Meanwhile, Lin Mohe and his party flew off into the distance.
Lin Moqin looked at Lin Mohe, seemingly wanting to say more, but the Purple Mansion cultivator cut him off.
"This is the last time. Go back and tell Lin Mocheng that I am not his servant and have no obligation to clean up his mess."
"This… I understand," Lin Moqin stammered, hastily apologizing before leaving in embarrassment.
After he left, a man beside Lin Mohe couldn't help but speak.
"Master, he is still your kin."
Lin Mohe shook his head, his expression indifferent.
"Since the day they sold me to Qingyang Sect at the age of seven, they ceased to be my kin."
He recalled vaguely that he began to remember things at age six. By seven, he had been sent to Qingyang Sect, growing up there and losing all connection to the Lin family.
"I should have recused myself from this matter," Lin Mohe said suddenly. "Do you know why the sect chose me to handle this?"
The group beside him paled slightly.
"Could it be…?"
"The Sect Leader is considering selecting one of the Purple Mansion elders as a direct disciple to inherit the sect. Those waiting for me to make a mistake are plentiful."
Lin Mohe's voice trailed off as he glanced back toward the Chen family's direction.
"In a little over twenty years, the beast tide will erupt. Qingyang's two provinces will need to fend off the Earth Lion Demon King—a daunting challenge."
"The Sky Python Demon King of Sky Python Lake is no less formidable. Bianzhou region and Tianxu Mountain must contain it, or we will face attacks from both sides."
"Yu County must not fall into chaos. The Chen family had better not make any rash moves."
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D