Chapter 382: How Daring of These Youngsters! (Sixth Update!)

"He's my father's second uncle, Lin Hai. I call him Second Granduncle. His branch of the family has flourished greatly, producing many martial artists scattered across various third-rate sects. Some have also joined the Water Transport Guild, the Pharmacy Guild, and even the Mining Guild."

A hint of gravity and wariness appeared in Lin Zhen's eyes:

"Right now, many of the Lin Family's businesses have supervisors who are descendants of his branch."

Yang Ling could see it clearly now—this Lin Hai's attitude toward Military Officer Mo and the others was clearly out of the ordinary.

Hospitality to the point of being excessive.

"There's a huge hidden danger within the Lin Family itself. If Lin Hai's branch is prospering like this, then Lin Baoshan's main branch, which holds the majority of resources, is bound to invite resentment and covetousness."

"The setup against Lin Hua might very well have been orchestrated by internal family members."

"But they wouldn't dare make a big scene about it, nor would they dare expose their true intentions so openly."

"Everything is because Lin Zhen is the Chief Disciple of Flying Dragon Mountain."

Yang Ling glanced at Lin Zhen.

If this man weren't the Chief Disciple of Devour Heaven Palace's Flying Dragon Mountain, an Upper Sixth-Rank expert,

and hadn't already survived the life tribulation,

he estimated that Lin Baoshan's main branch would definitely have been swallowed up by now.

After all, standing right behind Lin Hai at this moment were two Lower Sixth-Rank experts.

"Elder Lin Hai."

Military Officer Mo's eyes lit up, and he stepped forward with a smile to exchange pleasantries with the man before bringing up the matter of Lin Hua.

Lin Hai: "Rest assured, I'll make sure Baoshan handles this properly."

With that said, Lin Hai led his several sons and a crowd of grandsons and granddaughters slowly over to stand before Lin Baoshan:

"Baoshan, Lin Hua did strike a bit too hard this time. Since Instructor Wang and Military Officer Mo have personally come to your door, they must want this matter resolved privately.

Our Lin Family can't be too overbearing either. Whatever compensation is due, we should pay it."

Lin Baoshan's expression was somewhat gloomy. After a few moments of silence, he looked toward Wang Yaozu:

"Instructor Wang, what is your intention?"

"My disciple was severely injured. I have no other demands—I simply need a rare exotic herb or flower capable of healing his wounds."

Wang Yaozu's expression was indifferent.

Military Officer Mo smiled bitterly: "Rare exotic herbs and flowers are far too difficult to come by..."

"Military Officer Mo, I'm not asking for anything excessive. The reason I made this trip personally is that I don't want my disciple to die from this.

He has talent. Rising to Sixth-Rank in the future is well within his reach."

Wang Yaozu said.

After a pause, he glanced sideways at Lin Baoshan and Lin Hai:

"If my disciple dies like this, then today's matter becomes a grudge between the Star Observation Academy and your Lin Family.

I will no longer be the one handling it. What will step forward is our academy's 'Research Hall,' the department that deals specifically with external affairs."

The faces of Lin Baoshan and his wife shifted slightly. The Research Hall of the Star Observation Academy sounded ordinary enough by its name, but they knew full well that it was where the academy's most formidable martial artists gathered.

Those martial artists had even been on the battlefield!

"Instructor Wang, please calm down. There's no need for things to go that far."

Lin Hai quickly forced a laugh, then turned to Lin Baoshan and said in a serious tone:

"Baoshan, you absolutely must handle this properly, or it will affect every aspect of our Lin Family's business."

"Cousin, since Lin Hua was the one who caused this mess, we ask you today to give us an explanation. Whatever it takes, Instructor Wang must be satisfied."

Lin Hai's several sons and daughters also spoke up one after another at this moment.

They held extremely important positions within the Lin Family as well.

If not for Lin Zhen's existence, the core of some of the Lin Family's mining operations would already be in their grasp.

Lin Hai's group of grandsons and granddaughters looked somewhat gleeful at the misfortune, staring at Lin Hua and Lin Zhen with assessing eyes.

Lin Hua's face flushed red with anger, and his heart was filled with overwhelming guilt.

If it weren't for his own stupidity, how could his parents be in such a dilemma today!?

"Baoshan, don't we still have that Crimson Ghost Ginseng in our Lin Family?"

Lin Hai spoke slowly as he saw Lin Baoshan remaining silent:

"This is a sacred martial medicine. As everyone knows, every sacred martial medicine carries healing properties."

"Why not compensate Instructor Wang with the Crimson Ghost Ginseng, so he can first go save his disciple?"

Wang Yaozu's eyes narrowed slightly.

Military Officer Mo also looked toward Lin Baoshan.

Lin Hai's sons and daughters wore slightly strange expressions as well.

The vast courtyard suddenly fell into complete silence.

Lin Baoshan was silent for a few moments, then looked at Lin Hai with a faintly mocking expression:

"Second Uncle, I was planning to use that Crimson Ghost Ginseng to refine Vital Qi Age Defying pills, prepared for Zhen'er.

So that when he breaks through to Lower Fifth-Rank, his foundation will be ample!"

Lin Hai glanced at Lin Zhen and let out a sigh:

"I know this is a difficult situation. We'll just have to search for another Vital Qi Age Defying pill for Zhen'er at a later time.

There are actually quite a few rare exotic herbs and flowers that can increase Vital Qi. As long as we have enough time, our Lin Family can find a way to obtain them."

Lin Baoshan was so angry he laughed.

Yang Ling also found it laughable.

Three Vital Qi Age Defying pills meant 9,000 points of Vital Qi!

If they were replaced with other rare exotic herbs and flowers, how long would it take to accumulate 9,000 points of Vital Qi?

If Lin Zhen lost those three Vital Qi Age Defying pills, it would be equivalent to slowing down his progress toward Lower Fifth-Rank.

Even though he could still advance to Lower Fifth-Rank early without filling his Vital Qi to the max, it would affect his combat power at Lower Fifth-Rank in the future.

"The branch family plans to use this method to weaken the main branch's strength. They already know that Lin Zhen is the core of the main branch. This is what they call a precision strike."

Yang Ling mused inwardly.

Before Lin Baoshan could speak, Yang Ling had already stepped out from the crowd, waving his hand dismissively at Lin Hai:

"The Crimson Ghost Ginseng has already been sold to me by Uncle. You all can forget about getting your hands on it."

The Crimson Ghost Ginseng was sold to this fellow!?

Lin Hai was taken aback, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face.

One of his sons subconsciously barked out:

"Who are you!?"

"Yang Ling, personal disciple of the Devour Heaven Palace Master. And you are?"

Yang Ling looked at the man, his gaze burning like torches.

The moment the man heard Yang Ling's background, he immediately gasped sharply, his eyes darting nervously, and he didn't dare state his name at all.

Personal disciple of the Devour Heaven Palace Master!?

Lin Hai's expression changed drastically.

Wang Yaozu also looked shocked and uncertain—since when did the Devour Heaven Palace have a personal disciple of the Palace Master?!

Military Officer Mo's gaze toward Yang Ling had already gained a new layer of gravity.

This man was the personal disciple of a Fourth-Rank Grandmaster. That identity was entirely different from Lin Zhen's!

"I asked who you are."

Yang Ling continued to stare at the man.

"I... I am Lin..."

The man squeezed out a forced smile on his face.

"You can't even speak properly. What could you possibly be in charge of?"

Yang Ling cut him off, shaking his head at Lin Zhen.

A trace of amusement flickered in Lin Zhen's eyes as he cupped his fists:

"Senior Brother Yang, my uncle here has never seen a Palace Master's personal disciple like yourself before. He's probably just intimidated."

That man felt deeply humiliated, his face turning bright red.

Lin Hai looked at Lin Baoshan and his wife, then at Yang Ling. A sharp glint flashed through his eyes before being quickly suppressed.

"Baoshan, you sold our Lin Family's Crimson Ghost Ginseng to an outsider?"

Lin Hai spoke slowly.

Lin Baoshan smiled ambiguously: "It's true that this Crimson Ghost Ginseng belongs to the Lin Family, but the mine vein used to trade for it came from my main branch's own resources.

It has nothing to do with your side, Second Uncle. I can sell it to whoever I want.

Besides, the price Nephew Yang offered was one I simply couldn't refuse."

Military Officer Mo and Wang Yaozu's hearts sank slightly.

This was getting difficult to handle.

"Your Lin Family is going too far."

Wang Yaozu spoke slowly.

"You're forty or fifty years old, and you only broke through to Lower Fifth-Rank not long ago, right?"

Yang Ling looked Wang Yaozu up and down, a look of pity on his face:

"With that kind of talent, no wonder you came running to the Lin Family to squeeze out some benefits. Whether you can even advance to Upper Fifth-Rank in your lifetime is questionable."

"How dare you be so arrogant, you little brat!"

Wang Yaozu's fury surged to his head, his eyes turning red on the spot!

[Sixth update delivered. Keep the reviews and five-star ratings coming! I'm going to keep grinding!!!]