#381 - Chapter 381 Lin Xiong Returns

During the Lin family's clan meeting, each member voiced their opinion.

However, in Lin Wan'er's eyes, they were nothing more than conservative factions unwilling to part with the family's wealth,

and radical factions who saw her youth as an opportunity to take advantage.

"Silence!"

Lin Wan'er's voice was clear and cold, yet at this moment, no one in the entire family dared to ignore her.

Simply because a figure had appeared outside the door where everyone was gathered.

Lin Wan'er took the initiative to step forward and said, "Father, weren't you supposed to be away for half a month?

Why are you back at this time?"

The tall and sturdy Lin Xiong exuded authority without anger, looking at the noisy scene before him as if it were a marketplace, he laughed instead of getting angry, "Quarrel, continue quarreling!

Isn't it all about wanting the Lin family's wealth?

Whoever wants to stay, step forward!"

Seeing the silence in the room, Lin Xiong made a swift decision.

"For the sake of being of the same clan and lineage, I'll give you one last chance.

Those who want to prepare to leave before the Red Lotus rebels arrive, follow us together, so we can look after each other.

Those who want to take care of the family property, stay here and wait for the Red Lotus to show you kindness,

maybe they'll even bestow upon you a life of wealth and glory!

Now, I've finished speaking, who will leave, and who will stay?"

Seeing that some people in the room couldn't help but want to speak, but were pulled back by those beside them.

Lin Xiong instead pointed out, "Lin Zhou, I see you have something to say, say it if you want to, what's there to be afraid of?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhou's body trembled slightly, his gaze quickly swept over the surrounding family members, and finally, he mustered his courage,

stood up and said, "Clan Leader, we are not greedy for the family's wealth, it's just that the Red Lotus Sect has immense power,

even if our Lin family is united, it would be difficult to contend with them.

If we were to move the entire family, we fear encountering unforeseen events along the way, that's why..."

Lin Wan'er frowned slightly, interrupting, "Uncle Lin Zhou, that's not right.

Although the Red Lotus Sect is strong, we are not directly confronting them, are we?

Since Father has returned early, he must have a plan to deal with it, how can we be timid before the battle?"

Lin Xiong nodded in approval, a hint of relief in his eyes, "Wan'er is right.

The reason I returned early this time is because I heard news about the Red Lotus Sect, so I hurried back.

Yesterday at noon, the Red Lotus rebels had already captured Qingyang County.

I only found out after encountering fleeing refugees.

It is estimated that in just two days, the Red Lotus will be at our doorstep."

As soon as these words came out, the discussion hall was filled with chatter, everyone's faces were either shocked or doubtful, all unable to conceal the fear in their hearts.

Every time there is a war, both sides' armies will take the local wealthy households as supply depots.

If you don't want to be a dog, you will be killed directly,

if you want to be a dog, you have to hand over your family property to ensure safety.

How could the pampered Lin family members accept this?

Lin Xiong gently raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet, then slowly stepped into the hall, his eyes like torches, "Everyone, the Red Lotus rebels are rampant, our local wealthy households are definitely already on their list.

The best plan now is of course to leave.

Tomorrow, the elders of the family will meet with major merchants to sell one-third of the family property.

There is only half a day, so we can do some cover-up, we only want gold notes, not silver notes.

The remaining young people should each carry a portion of scattered gold and silver,

leave the city in batches, and gather at Yanghe Post ten miles outside the city."

Lin Xiong continued, "However, the premise of all this is that our Lin family must be united, everyone must have the same goal, and exert their strength in one direction.

Only in this way can we gain a firm foothold in this storm and not be violated."

At this time, an older family member, Lin Yi, stood up, his voice steady, "Clan Leader, we are willing to follow your arrangements, whether we fight or leave, the Lin family will definitely be united."

"Good!" Lin Xiong shouted loudly, a surge of heroism arose spontaneously, "Since everyone is of the same mind, then let's each perform our duties.

Lin Zhou, you will lead a group of people to start packing valuables and prepare to evacuate at any time;

the rest of you, strengthen your defenses to ensure the safety of the family.

Wan'er, come with me."

With Lin Xiong's instructions, the atmosphere in the council hall instantly became tense and orderly,

every family member found their place and busied themselves.

Facing the Clan Leader, who was the strongest in the clan, no one dared to say "no."

When it came to life and death, no one would think that they could face a war alone and emerge unscathed.

Lin Wan'er followed Lin Xiong quickly towards the study, feeling a little uneasy inside.

After Lin Wan'er closed the door, just as she was about to ask a question, Lin Xiong spat out a mouthful of blood,

Lin Wan'er was about to go out to call for someone, but was grabbed by Lin Xiong, "Don't call anyone, I'm fine."

Lin Wan'er quickly stepped forward to support Lin Xiong's swaying body, her eyes full of worry and confusion, "Father! What's wrong with you?

Why did you suddenly become like this?"

Lin Xiong gasped for breath with difficulty, his face as pale as paper, with traces of undried blood still on the corner of his mouth.

He forced a smile, comforting, "Wan'er, don't be afraid, Father is fine."

Lin Wan'er's heart became even more flustered, before, Lin Xiong went to buy the Tiger Bone Pill to break through the Blood Refining realm,

had already let Lin Wan'er experience the fear of being isolated and helpless, with no one to rely on.

Now that Lin Xiong was already a Bone Refinement martial artist, how could he suffer such serious damage?

Was the outside of Qingxi County so dangerous now?

Moreover, the threat of the Red Lotus Sect was imminent, but Father fell at this time, which undoubtedly added fuel to the fire for the Lin family.

"Father, don't talk first, I'll go call the doctor!" Lin Wan'er said, turning to leave, but was stopped by Lin Xiong grabbing her sleeve.

"Wan'er, there's no need.

This illness, ordinary doctors can't cure it.

You sit down and listen to Father," Lin Xiong's voice was weak but firm, as if he had exhausted all his strength.

Lin Wan'er had no choice but to sit down with tears in her eyes, her eyes fixed on Lin Xiong's face, for fear of missing a single word.

"Wan'er, Dad knows that for the sake of martial arts, Dad has lost too much.

But I also hope you can understand,

as the helmsman of a family, one must have both strategy and martial power,

only by doing both can one go further.

I originally thought that the Bone Refinement realm was already good,

but I didn't expect that on this trip, I accidentally encountered the Red Lotus Sect's bandits chasing fleeing refugees, including experts,

I fought with the opponent and only managed to escape back.

Only then did I realize that I was the frog at the bottom of the well.

I'm asking you a question now, and you must tell me the truth."

Looking at Lin Xiong with seriousness and expectation, Lin Wan'er suppressed her grief and nodded.

"How did you know that the Red Lotus rebels would be at our doorstep soon?"

This was the only doubt in Lin Xiong's mind.

As a martial artist in the early stage of Bone Refinement,

he was beaten up after venturing outside the county seat,

how could his daughter, who stayed at home, know about things thousands of miles away?

Facing Lin Xiong's hopeful eyes, Lin Wan'er said directly, "It was Cheng Feng, Cheng Feng brought me the news."

"It's him?" Lin Xiong was a little surprised, but he also felt it was reasonable.

He knew his daughter well, she didn't have many contacts, and there weren't any outstanding figures among them,

only Cheng Feng, who had a good character and could talk to his daughter,

and was also the master of the Hongmen,

although he had stepped down, how could Lin Xiong, who watched the rise of Hongmen, not know the inside story?

Lin Xiong murmured, "So it's him, then I can rest assured."

Seeing Lin Xiong lost in thought, Lin Wan'er was even more worried about Lin Xiong's body.

"Dad, then your injury now..."

"It's okay, I know what I'm doing, don't I know my own body?

Tomorrow morning, let's visit Cheng's residence."

"Ah? Visit? Is that necessary..."

Seeing his daughter's blushing face and coy demeanor, how could Lin Xiong not understand Lin Wan'er's intentions,

he smiled and said, "Making it cheap for that kid,

you just said you had someone you liked, isn't it him??"

Faced with Lin Xiong's teasing, Lin Wan'er acted coquettishly at the right time.

She said娇嗔, "Dad～"

Lin Xiong laughed loudly, coughing twice from time to time, the bloodstains on his chest were particularly conspicuous.