CHAPTER 289: CHAPTER 289: A HEARTLESS AND RUTHLESS PERSON

The prior apprehension turned into immense excitement, Lin Shuo exchanged a glance with the elders of the family; as long as the visitor wasn’t here to seek revenge against the Lin Family, being able to associate with such a grand figure could really lead the Lin Family to prosperity!

"Wow! Just what kind of great figure did the Lin Family invite this time? Could it be that those two demon cultivator seniors are merely subordinates?"

"I’ve never heard of them being acquainted with demon cultivators before? Did they specifically take advantage of the grand celebration to show off and let us witness it?"

"Probably, that overwhelming pressure just now was terrifying!"

"Tsk-tsk, did they intentionally invite demon cultivators to put on a show for us? The Lin Family has been clamoring about forming an alliance with ambitions of becoming the alliance leader, it’s probably for creating a momentum."

"To be able to find two demon cultivator seniors to create momentum, Lin Shuo does have his capabilities..."

......

The guests who had already settled in the villa discussed among themselves, all hiding inside their rooms, peeking out the windows. The request was for the Lin clan to welcome collectively, which had nothing to do with them, so naturally, they had to avoid.

After waiting for a while, a sudden black cloud appeared on the horizon!

To give Wan Mingchuan the face of returning to the Lin Family, Yun Mo deliberately used the secret technique of the Ice-winged Eagle tribe, enlarging his form more than threefold, exchanging flight speed for an oppressive aura.

In shock and silent amazement, the "black cloud" flew over swiftly, and when it got closer, everyone could finally see clearly that it was indeed a massive ice-blue eagle-like demon beast!

Central Province had long suffered from frequent harm by demon beasts, especially such eagle-like demon beasts, which were simply the most terrifying hunters, appearing stealthily in the night, with even divine statues unable to avert the inevitable calamity in many places.

Seeing the more colossal and ferocious demon beast today, even the faces of the Lin clan cultivators became serious, afraid the mount might be fiercely unruly; if it casually opened its mouth to devour a few people, who dared to stop it? Who could resist it?

Demon cultivators don’t reason with humans!

"Brother Mo, thank you for your effort." Wan Mingchuan stroked the feathers on his head, leaning down to speak softly: "Prior investigations suggested the Lin Family has numerous treasures and cultivation technique manuals, I’ll keep an eye out for any wind element techniques for you."

Yun Mo slightly turned his head to glance at him, replying in equally soft voice: "As the direct disciple of Mr., your every action in the Lin Family represents him, don’t tarnish Mr.’s reputation for petty gains."

Jiang Yuan also nodded: "Yun Mo’s cultivation technique is something I need to consider; wind element might not be the best fit. Mingchuan, focus on yourself even if you return to the Lin Family, recognize your lineage without being distracted, and strive to enhance your strength as soon as possible."

"Yes, Master, I understand." Wan Mingchuan obediently replied, finding himself somewhat afraid to meet his gaze.

For some reason, Master had exuded an inexplicable aura of authority ever since earlier, making him hesitant to even breathe more than necessary, while sitting beside him.

Jiang Yuan had long anticipated the issue that he did not possess any spiritual power, which could not directly manifest combat prowess like Xiao Bai, thus somewhat undermining his presence; after all, he was Mingchuan’s teacher.

Therefore, he set his sights on titles, using some faith value to elevate the "Role Model" title directly to Level Five, after equipping it, it added 500 points to authority value.

"Please, senior, land on the mountain peak!" Lin Shuo, after gaining Hu Zhile’s consent, activated a magical treasure and flew into the air, bravely leading the way ahead.

Yun Mo’s enormous body silently sliced through the sky above the Lin Mansion, casting a colossal shadow, finally landing steadily at the grand celebration plaza atop the main peak under the gaze of everyone.

After letting Mr. and little Chuan descend, Yun Mo swept his gigantic wings, transforming into a human form, and obediently followed Jiang Yuan, casting an icy gaze around.

"That’s not a demon beast, it’s a demon cultivator!"

"Oh my god, what kind of person can subdue a noble demon cultivator as a mount?!"

"Look at that young man, why does he resemble the Lin Family patriarch?"

"That’s right! Could it be that child? The Lin Family’s legitimate eldest son born from Lin Shuo and Senior Ouyang’s daughter! Wasn’t it said that he had been missing for years? How did he suddenly return?"

"Being associated with such a figure, the Lin Family is truly going to soar this time!"

......

Lin Shuo was stunned when he first saw Wan Mingchuan, he resembled him far too much! Even though they hadn’t met for many years, he looked more like himself in his youth than his two sons who had been by his side all these years!

Was any evidence even necessary?

The father and son stood together, and anyone could tell that they were undoubtedly blood-related!

"Lin Patriarch, I am Mingchuan’s master. My surname is Jiang, like the ginger root." Jiang Yuan greeted him warmly.

Xiao Bai, Hu Zhile, and Yun Mo had already laid the groundwork of aura adequately, so there was no need to be overly aggressive himself. But the +500 authority bonus was not something to be trifled with for Lin Shuo; merely glancing at him made Lin Shuo’s lips dry from tension.

No demon energy, not even spiritual energy, he should be a human cultivator. Jiang clan? He had never heard of a Jiang clan with such formidable prowess anywhere!

Lin Shuo was momentarily uncertain, especially since the aura from the other party was neither oppressive nor the result of an exceedingly high realm bringing abyss-like terror, but more... reminiscent of the teacher he feared most during his academy days.

Clearly strangers, yet standing before him felt like standing before a teacher when guilty, lacking the courage to speak loudly.

"I greet Mr. Jiang, would everyone please move to the hall for conversation." Lin Shuo responded respectfully, glancing at Wan Mingchuan with a complex expression and softly asking: "Child, I—I am your father! Where is your mother? Of all these years, the whereabouts of you two have remained unknown, where exactly did you go?"

"Let’s discuss it in detail later." Wan Mingchuan had imagined countless scenarios for the meeting, but only now did he realize that sentimental connections and the ties of blood aren’t present; facing this unfamiliar man, he felt no emotional fluctuation at all.

Because when they briefly flew over earlier, he saw clearly two boys not much younger than himself, holding Lin Shuo’s arms one on each side with closeness and resembling demeanor, evidently sons fathered from Lin Shuo’s remarriage.

That meant that shortly after his mother’s demise and his grandfather taking him away to raise, Lin Shuo remarried.

Why approach someone so cold-hearted and callous who couldn’t even guard his lost family for a year?

Recalling that when his grandfather’s wife and child died, despite being in the prime of life and having hunting skills, he didn’t agree to remarry despite many introductions.

It’s not necessary to bitterly endure for half a lifetime, but couldn’t he wait for just one or two years?

The distance between the two places was indeed far, but not insurmountable; if he had patiently searched, he might have discovered the anomaly at Wangting Mountain, learning of his mother’s demise;

He might have found the deserted island, sparing himself years of suffering and instead growing up enjoying a wealthy life akin to these children dressed in bright clothing.

Having no warmth left in his heart, Wan Mingchuan’s demeanor was plainly indifferent.

Upon entering the hall and seeing the bustling Lin clan composed of seniors and juniors, he simply felt it was too noisy.

After brief introductions on both sides, Wan Mingchuan took out the Phoenix Cloud Hairpin from his storage bag to display: "This is my mother’s relic, inside is recorded the process of us being attacked. My mother killed two of the pursuing cultivators, and now I want to know which foe committed the offense. I need to avenge my mother’s death."

"The attack back then was from a branch that committed errors and were expelled from the family, aiming to hijack your mother and you to threaten me." Lin Shuo responded somewhat vaguely: "After investigating the situation, I have already executed them all."

Madam Lin also smiled: "Indeed, the massacre on Lin Family slope was known to all. Your father has avenged your mother, so let go of this matter completely.

You are young, do not let it taint your character, lest it impedes your future cultivation.

Your father has greatly missed you and your mother through the years, but helplessly couldn’t find a trace of news. Now that you are back, it’s good. Coincidentally tomorrow is the family celebration, join your peers in the family to pay tribute afterward I will have the courtyard where you once stayed tidied up, with all entitled treatment equivalent to the children within the family."

Having put on the demeanor of the head matriarch, she then changed the topic and asked: "I heard earlier that you are tutored by Mr. Jiang, how long have you been cultivating now? Is the cultivation technique you are working on progressing smoothly?"