Eternal Swordmaster
Chapter 128 - 123 Trouble Part 2

Chapter 128: Chapter 123 Trouble Part 2

"Granny Yu was a Foundation Establishment expert, how could she just... so easily..."

"That’s the truth. I was there at the time, and saw with my own eyes how two elders from the Holy Court attacked her from both sides. Elder Yu gave her life to cover for everyone’s escape, desperately delaying them..." Huang Songzi said, also sighing deeply.

"Alright, Junior Brother Lin, I won’t beat around the bush any longer. Let’s speak frankly. The fact that your manor deliberately lowered its production would’ve already provoked others if Elder Yu hadn’t covered for you. Now that Elder Yu has passed away, the Sect dictates that you must increase production," Huang Songzi stated.

Lin Xin fell silent. Huang Songzi was outright tearing off the pretense.

"You must produce a thousand Talisman Swords each year to be handed over to the Sect. Additionally, eighty percent of the profits from your Talisman Swords will go to the Sect!" Huang Songzi said indifferently.

"Eighty percent!?" Lin Xin’s eyes narrowed further. "Senior Brother, are you sure you’re not joking?"

"This is no joke, nor a request or a negotiation. This is an order," Huang Songzi’s expression turned indifferent as well, "You’ve made money for so long, it’s time to be content. The Sect has nurtured you for so long; it’s time for you to repay your dues."

Lin Xin’s anger turned to mocking laughter.

"Senior Brother, this is coercion..."

"Originally, the Sect wanted you to stay at the headquarters and focus solely on forging Talisman Swords for the Sect. However, it was through my elder’s efforts that you were given the chance to remain at Spirit Heart Villa. Otherwise, they were prepared to replace you with another Suppressor for the Villa," Huang Songzi said slowly, "You understand what I mean, right?"

Lin Xin took a deep breath. He knew that if he didn’t agree, not only would the manor change ownership, but he himself might be forcibly kept at headquarters, reduced to a mere Talisman Sword maker, and potentially never allowed to leave the Sect for the rest of his life.

He was well aware of the Talisman Makers’ experiences; the more valuable they were, the more tightly they were controlled and monitored.

"I understand..." he forced down the rage and murderous intent in his heart; he knew that if it came to blows, not to mention whether he could defeat Huang Songzi, even if he killed him, stronger and more powerful elders from the Sect would take action. He could leave, but the manor couldn’t, his parents couldn’t, Lingling couldn’t... nor could his close friends and senior brothers.

"Junior Brother is a smart man..." Huang Songzi said with satisfaction, "You don’t have to worry about me taking a cut from this; someone else will make contact with you later. You just need to have a detailed talk with them."

Lin Xin clenched his fists, nodding slowly.

Huang Songzi threw something to him.

"This is a Talisman Token, only available to our own people. From now on, you are a Steward of the Sword Hall. Rest assured, as long as you do your job well, my mentor will not mistreat you."

Lin Xin could barely muster thanks. Catching the Talisman Token, he had already roughly guessed who was behind Huang Songzi.

Clearly, the one so boldly threatening him already held an absolute advantage within the Sect.

"Senior Brother!" Suddenly he called out to Huang Songzi, who was about to leave.

"Is there anything else, Junior Brother?" Huang Songzi’s attitude was amiable as he turned back after completing his task.

"Elder Yu... I recall she had a family, how are they now?" Lin Xin asked in a somber tone.

"After the incident, Elder Yu’s family also suffered a tragic fate. Demon Path fiends secretly infiltrated and killed twenty-three people, after which a great fire turned their residence to ashes. Alas... by the time our Sect’s elders arrived, it was already a step too late... what a pity, such a pity..." Although his words seemed mournful, his tone carried a chilling edge, making Lin Xin feel a crushing weight in his heart.

What Demon Path fiends, what secret infiltration, everything was but a pretext!

This was the Sect’s major purge. Defiance meant meeting such an end! This was a blatant show of intimidation directed at him!

"Is there anything else you want to ask?" Huang Songzi looked intently at Lin Xin.

"I’m heading off, Senior Brother, take care," Lin Xin said, trying to keep his voice even.

"Alright, Junior Brother, be safe," Huang Songzi laughed heartily and turned to leave.

Lin Xin sat on his horse, silently watching him go until he completely disappeared from sight.

"Giddy up!"

He fiercely slapped the horse’s rump, turned its head around, and galloped toward the direction of Granny Yu’s family home.

******************

Several days later.

Great Song, Wansong City.

A large manor on the outskirts had been burned to charred ruins, and the surroundings were desolate and quiet without even a mourner in sight.

Lin Xin led his horse, walking alone amongst the charred remnants of what used to be a grand and spacious garden. Now, traces of a rampant fire were everywhere, and the ground was scorched black.

Some burnt clothes and ashes remained, but all the bodies were gone, having clearly been dealt with already.

Suppressing his grief, Lin Xin walked through the courtyard, trying to find some trace of the murderer, but after a full circuit, he couldn’t find anything; the culprit had been too thorough.

Upon leaving the Yu residence, he looked out onto the streets where life bustled as usual, as if the fire that ravaged this manor had no effect on anyone else.

Coming up empty-handed, he led his horse to buy some dry food and water before slowly leaving the city.

Following the road out of town, he looked out over the vast wild grasslands, feeling an immense emptiness. Granny Yu had always seemed to be a strict teacher to him. Even after he lost his potential, she never completely abandoned him but remained caring for the manor. Over the years, he understood that Granny Yu wasn’t the sort who cared about wealth. She didn’t look after him simply because of the generous gifts he sent yearly. Yet, he never imagined that after her last trip out, she would have departed this world so soon.

As he walked, a scruffy little beggar suddenly bumped into him.

"Kind Sir, please, give me something to eat," the little beggar pleaded with bright, shining eyes, holding a broken clay bowl.

Lin Xin tossed him some Copper Coins and was about to leave when his eyes caught sight of how the garments underneath the beggar’s tattered exterior were entirely different.

He took another glance at the beggar’s neck; despite the dirt, one could faintly discern a hint of delicate, fair skin.

"All right, all right, off you go. I’m not in the mood to deal with you," he said, feigning impatience, with a tightness in his heart.

The small beggar’s eyes reddened but they forced themselves to hold back the tears, blinking and quickly running off.

After walking a short distance, Lin Xin, feeling the subtle gaze on him disappear, casually tied his horse to a post by the road and quickly snatched up his pack to return.

Soon, in a hidden corner outside the walls of Wansong City, he found the little beggar who had begged from him earlier.

"Uncle!" The little beggar burst into tears and threw themselves into his arms the moment they saw him.

"Are you Xiao Dou?!" Lin Xin was initially doubtful just from the voice, but now he was even more certain that this little beggar was one of the surviving children from the Yu household.(To be continued... If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)