Twin Dimension Yin-Yang Mirror: Attaining immortality through the martial path
Chapter 138 - 126 Hanyang Bleeding, The Butler and the Adopted Son_2

Chapter 138: Chapter 126 Hanyang Bleeding, The Butler and the Adopted Son_2

Cold Sun Breath, Blood-Dripping Saber Technique, One Slash to Part the Sea, Slash Water into Abyss.

The ultimate coldness converged in the saber techniques. Practiced to the extreme, it could even develop the Extreme Cold Sword Intent. Whether in the Jianghu skirmishes or on the battlefield, it was a top-notch skill for self-defense and protection.

The Family Head, Lin Zhongguang, began practicing the Wave Subduing Blade in his early years, but eventually felt it was not quite suitable for him due to its need for innate talent and technique, and switched to practicing one of the Seven Laws, the Hanyang Bleeding Sword. As a result, his saber technique achieved great success, and from then on, he became known as Guangyun’s Number One Blade.

With this blade deployed, it naturally possessed a strange attribute—attacking vital points and meridians, crushing people’s wills, very hard to defend against.

"Of course, this is a promise from the Family Head himself, could it be that you do not trust the Family Head?"

Lin Sanfu raised his white eyebrows, emitting a heavy aura of authority that made Lin Ziqi’s stature shrink slightly, his forehead breaking out in cold sweat as he hurriedly said, "This subordinate was just overly excited for a moment, there was no doubt about the Family Head’s intentions."

Merely from the aura, Lin Ziqi felt suppressed to the point of being unable to exert even 30% of his strength, which made him more fervent in his heart right away.

"May I ask what instructions you have for me, Steward?"

Lin Ziqi felt a weight lift off his chest, his eyes looking towards the heroic young man on the red horse, with undisguisable envy in the depths of his eyes.

The messages had all been delivered already.

But wanting to achieve merit meant not sitting idly by but, on the contrary, actively showcasing oneself; otherwise, if he couldn’t present any impressive achievements, even if he was adopted by the Family Head, many people would not accept him.

"There are naturally no instructions. Considering your long-standing involvement with Qingyang City, you are surely much more aware than we are. If you have any suggestions, feel free to speak up. Young Master Xiao there will owe you a favor if you handle this matter well."

Right then, Lin Sanfu, without hiding anything, explained Lin Xiao and the origin of those five hundred soldiers.

The Qingyang City Magistrate was assassinated, the Red Lotus Bandit Army was eagerly eyeing from one side, and with the Prefectural Government being occupied with plotting significant issues, they found themselves somewhat unable to intervene. Thus, the Lin Family saw an opportunity to step in and grabbed this advantage.

Under Lin Xiao’s command, there were one hundred trusted aides, the elite of the Lin Family’s guards, and the other four hundred were county guards.

By coming to Qingyang City to assume the Magistrate’s position, consolidating the army, and resisting the Red Lotus Bandits while coordinating with the prefectural governor’s actions, they were involved in a big chess game concerning Jiangzhou.

However, these secrets need not be mentioned to Lin Ziqi for the time being.

He was not yet qualified to participate.

"Young Master Xiao."

As he saw Lin Xiao riding over, Lin Ziqi hurriedly greeted him with a bow.

This person, within the Lin Residence, was considered legendary among the Guardian House Servants.

His achievements were not the topic of discussion.

Only his cultivation practices.

When Lin Ziqi first began learning martial arts, he grew up hearing of the fame of the Two Heroes of the Lin Clan and the Three Heroes of the Lin Clan.

The Two Heroes of the Lin Clan need no further mention; these were the legitimate sons born of the family matriarch, figures high above in the clouds.

These protectors, even if they wanted to get close, had to queue up, hardly finding an opportunity to show their diligence.

But it was different with the likes of Lin Kuang, Lin Xiao, and Lin Jingyu, the three adopted sons, who similarly climbed up from among the Guardian House Servants.

In the end, valued by the Family Head, perfected unique skills, capable of standing on their own; outside, they were figures of repute...

These people were Lin Ziqi’s aspirations.

Sometimes, he too wanted to catch the eye of the Lin Family’s higher-ups like the young man before him, to fight battles across lands and establish illustrious merits.

In times of peace, the exceptional qualities of these adopted sons hadn’t stood out.

Now, as he looked at the chaos across the province and prefecture, the thick smoke of war everywhere, the Lin Family’s adopted sons could obtain the Prefectural Governor’s recognition, command a county’s military affairs alone, and hold a line of defense...

And what about him?

He still lived day-to-day, receiving orders, accomplishing nothing.

Following a forsaken Third Miss, he wasn’t even sure when someone would declare him a scapegoat to be killed and thrown into the wilderness to feed wolves.

Thinking of all that had happened and looking at Lin Xiao’s majestic appearance.

Lin Ziqi involuntarily felt a wave of inferiority, and at the same time, streaks of discontent surged within him.

"There is something I wish to say, although I’m not sure if it is appropriate to speak."

His eyes flicked uncertainly, deciding to take a risk and speak out.

Risk was, after all, inherent in the pursuit of wealth and rank.

Otherwise, his careful efforts these days would have been like making wedding clothes for others.

"Speak up, you brought the news, and no one knows the situation in Qingyang City better than you. If it’s really as you say, no one can deny you the credit."

Lin Xiao’s tri-edged double-sided sword slightly trembled in his hand, his true qi circulated, and a cold light lingered on the blade tip, intimidating to the point of raising eyebrows.

It made Lin Ziqi shiver involuntarily.

He couldn’t help but look up in horror at Lin Xiao.

He noticed the other’s eyes were indifferent, with a hint of an indistinct smile.

Thus, he understood that this person had first promised benefits while also warning him at the same time.

After all, the affairs of Qingyang City were numerous and complicated, and there were still some matters for which his help would be needed. It wouldn’t do to overstep.

With this thought, Lin Ziqi felt greatly relieved.

In control of the situation, he smiled and said, "Since County Magistrate Tian Shouyi’s death, the City Guards have already disintegrated. Both the Cavalry Commander and the Infantry Commander lack the authority to control the troops."

"If Young Master Xiao has his sights on the City Commandant position, he just needs the approval of County Magistrate Li, and there should be no obstacles..."

"As for the Red Lotus Rebel Army, from what I see, they are not a concern for the time being. Ever since the Fiery Flame Divine Envoy led the army in attacking the city, it seems like all the major households in the county sensed the crisis, contributing money and food.

Even several masters from different families joined forces with the county soldiers. A mere three to five thousand bandits can’t shake Qingyang City."

After briefly discussing the military situation inside Qingyang City.

Lin Ziqi shifted his tone, his expression becoming grave.

"The only concern is not someone else but our own Qingyang Lin Family, that is, the Third Miss."

"Miss Huaiyu?"

A glint of intense emotion briefly passed through Lin Xiao’s eyes before disappearing.

"Yes, the Third Miss. Observing her usual way of doing things, it’s very hard for her to abandon her own thinking, and indeed, she harbors deep animosity towards the main family.

To make her submit to an arranged marriage, unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless we control a weakness she cannot afford to compromise on..."

A flicker of cold light appeared in Lin Ziqi’s eyes, and without waiting for the other two to digest the underlying meaning of his words, he continued, "Although the Third Miss seems indifferent on the surface, she treasures the Ninth Miss dearly. No personal desires or her prospects in martial arts can compare to the importance of her younger sister’s safe upbringing."

"Are you suggesting that we take control of the Ninth Miss to force Miss Huaiyu to submit?"

This time, not only did Lin Xiao look at Lin Ziqi with more interest, but so did Lin Sanfu.

This person...

"If I remember correctly, when you were about to die of cold and hunger in the snow, wasn’t it the Third Miss along with Lady Bailin who saved you and raised you back at the residence?"

Lin Xiao asked in a deep voice, suddenly posing the question.

"Indeed, the Third Miss and Lady Bailin have shown deep kindness and favor to Ziqi, but those are small favors. Conversely, if Ziqi ignores and allows the Third Miss to stray into error, it will bring great misfortune, potentially causing the Lin Family to suffer setbacks, or even collapse. That is truly losing sight of the greater righteousness."

Lin Ziqi became more articulate as he spoke, "Even if Lady Bailin were still around, she certainly wouldn’t want to see her daughter stubbornly pushing the entire Lin family into the fire pit."

This point made some sense.

Initially, the Lin Family had arranged for Lin Huaiyu to marry Fang Yu, a true disciple of the Cloud Water Heavenly Sect, as a concubine. Had this never been mentioned, it would have been fine.

However, the matter had been settled.

Fang Yu had already sent servants to fetch the bride, yet the Third Miss ran away ignoring everything, and at the least, this was an affront to Fang Yu’s dignity.

On a larger scale, wasn’t this making an enemy?

Although the Lin Clan was strong, it was merely a family of regional renown.

In Guangyun County, they might be considered extremely formidable, but up against a true disciple of the Cloud Water Heavenly Sect, they were indeed unimpressive.

Spreading this news might even lead to masters in the Grand Circulation or Gang Qi Realm aligning themselves against the Lin Family in Guangyun to curry favor.

At that time, even if Family Head Lin Zhongguang were made of iron, how many nails could he possibly hammer?

From prosperity to decline, or even annihilation, all were possible.

Hence, Lin Huaiyu must marry, and no one could prevent it.

Even if it meant forcibly binding her and delivering her to the bed of the true disciple Fang Yu..."