âNot bad!â laughed Li Hao as he looked at the inner city again. It was very big. Although he had a few mirror shards, it would be difficult for them to cover the entire inner city.
Of course, the meeting tomorrow wouldnât take place throughout the inner city. It might just be in a small location, so the mirror fragments would be able to cover that much ground. If not, heâd brought the void chain. It would be a chance to test its abilities.
The group walked forward; the guards of the inner city were much stronger and were at least Sunflares. Chen Zhongtian took out a medallion without another word. The sight of it made the guards respectfully give way.
He alighted from his donkey to explain to the rest, âThis is a medallion that the city previously gave to all of the major factions. Itâs to prevent their subordinates from inadvertently offending heavyweights. Mine was given to the Inspectorate, and itâs only natural for the Inspectorate to send someone to observe their cabinet formation. All factions will likely have representatives in attendance tomorrow.â
Li Hao inclined his head and put on his cloak. He couldnât be bothered to disguise his face, so a hooded cloak would serve his purpose. Many people on the street were dressed thus.
Chen Zhongtian didnât put on a cloak, but his entire being turned younger. He seemed much younger than his son, Chen Yao, and there was quite a debonair around him. Granted, the donkey that he led detracted from his suaveness.
The two didnât purposefully isolate their voices from the crowd. Regular people couldnât hear them and itâd take someone stronger than Li Hao to eavesdrop.
âDo we go to the Lin family right now or...?â asked Chen Zhongtian. âWe can find a good hiding spot first if we want to be more cautious and then decide how to take action tomorrow.â
âItâs fine!â Li Hao shook his head. âSince Lin Hongyu dared invite us, Iâll let her know that Iâm bolder than she thinks! Itâs fine if sheâs sincere about casting her lot in with me. If this is a ruse just to lure me here, Iâll play right into it! Going straight to her will push her off balance instead.â
Chen Zhongtian raised an eyebrow to himself. Li Hao was sometimes overly careful, such as when he handed the Wind and Cloud Pavilion. He was at times uncommonly daring, such as this moment. Was he not afraid of being besieged by powerhouses?
The young man naturally wasnât afraid. The talented were intrepid! Heâd made many preparations for this trip, the two puppets were the most conspicuous example. Although he might not use all of his arrangements, they were immensely capable. For example, he carried a good sum of energy bombs at the moment and could take out half of the city with him if they detonated.
......
The Lin family, city lord manor.
The manor was an exceedingly large complex located at the center of the inner city. It was the Lin familyâs territory. A group of old men standing beneath Lin Hongyu were discussing something in the main hall.
They glanced at her from time to time, with one grumbling, âHongyu was too impetuous. She shouldâve proposed it to us first if she was going to build a cabinet. We needed to be prepared so we could occupy more seats within the cabinet. Now look at thingsâthere isnât enough time and this has caused such a great hubbub. All sides are prepared with everything they have, but weâre not ready yet. Isnât this outright handing over our authority?â
âThatâs right. Hongyu, you shouldâve discussed something as monumental as this with the family before coming to a decision.â
âQuite right. Also, why has Milord Redwood sealed off the entrance lately? I wanted to exchange for some Water of Life so I can take another step forward in my cultivation, but was mystified by the closed door. Do you know the details of the situation, Hongyu?â
â......â The old men exchanged words with each other, some with dissatisfaction, some with complaints. Everything had been too rushed this time and they didnât have enough time to prepare. Theyâd wanted to increase their strength, but the redwood tree suddenly refused to see anyone. No one could trade for Water of Life.
Lin Hongyu sat above everyone, leaning against her chair and propping up her chin with one hand. She silently watched the discourse beneath her and smiled when the old men finished grumbling.
âElders, family seniors, there is no use in complaining about any of this now. What Iâd like to know is where the familyâs ultimate weapon is?â
Someone frowned at her response and an old man with whitening hair objected, âThat is the weapon that holds our fortunes together. It will naturally be given over to you when you are stronger. For now... the Lin family elders will keep it for safekeeping.â
âThere are even seven element Arcanus on the rankings from the Wind and Cloud Pavilion now,â Lin Hongyu smiled. âI am only a peak six elements. How am I supposed to stand against them without a single trump card? The elders are truly... short-sighted!
âWill I treat the family poorly when Iâm strong? How much of the weaponâs strength can you guys bring to bear? Do you have fancies of overthrowing me? Doggedly holding onto it will weaken the Lin family. I would be able to contend against seven elements otherwise. You are as stubborn as a donkey!â
âLin Hongyu!â shouted the white-haired elder. âIs this how you talk to your seniors?â
âThen how should I talk to you?â Lin Hongyu laughed lazily. âMy potential is greater than everyone and my strength is stronger than even you lot of antiques. None of the other eleven families dare resist my authority as city lord. They have to do so quietly to themselves even if they do.
âBut you old fats only know to complain from day to night, concealing and hiding all the treasures, and sucking all the blood out of the family. So what if the ultimate weapon is in your hands? Senior elder, can you be the city lord? Would you dare accept the position if I gave it to you?â
The old man flew into a fury! The other elders' jaws slackened as well. As curt as Lin Hongyu may have been in the past, she wouldnât be so direct as she needed to rely on the Lin family. But here she was, openly mocking them today!
She was running absolutely wild!
âLin Hongyu, are you rebelling against the family?!â
âYou show a complete lack of decorum and respect!â
âIâve long said that a woman cannot be the head of the household! You all didnât believe me, now look at her. Is there any respect for the rules around here?â
âThank goodness we didnât give her the familial weapon. Would there be a place for us otherwise?â
â......â The group erupted with outrage, while some took Lin Hongyuâs side and attempted to mollify the general resentment.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âHongyu is doing this for everyone and the familyâs good. You see it too that seven elements has appeared on the Arcanus Ranking. Hongyu is feeling the pressure as Li Hao prowls on the sidelines with the City of Supernaturals in his sights. In my view, Hongyu stands a chance against the Skystar Commander Office and seven element Arcanus if she gets to wield the family weapon...â
âPah! That Li Hao is a little brat wet behind the ears, he wonât dare provoke us! The joint efforts of the twelve families will easily keep him in line. Those Silver Moon barbarians will only come to their deaths if they dare bother us! I say you guys are trying to throw us out and wield the reins of power only in your hands...â
Lin Hongyu couldnât be bothered with a retort. What bullshit reins of power? The Lin family couldnât see further than their own nose! She wouldâve obtained the ultimate weapon long ago if it wasnât for her own family getting in the way. She mightâve brought the other eleven families to heel a long time ago. But instead... these old things hem and haw, refusing to bring it out to her. Even though sheâd led the Lins to these heights and the head of the twelve families, that did not change their stance. They were afraid that sheâd seize control of the family!
It would be fine if times were as before. Lin Hongyu wouldnât be in a hurry and she would be confident of standing against any enemy. But now? Seven element Arcanus had appeared, yet the family still took the same stance!
In that case, donât blame me for showing you no mercy!
She couldnât be bothered engaging them any further. It was time for these Lin antiques to awaken from their daydreams of dominating the land. How could a family that didnât support its own geniuses hope to conquer the world? And they wanted to build a sacred land on par with Tranquil Star... Dream on!
She wouldâve lost her mind a long time ago if she didnât constantly remind herself that they were one family. Lin Hongyu felt that she had herself to blame as well, because she lacked the decisive impulses of being a dictator. How would any of these old fogeys be afraid of her, given that? They levied the rules of the family on her and being of the same blood at every possible occasion.
Her eyes widened when she suddenly sensed something. The surge of aura was very familiarâthe guy was incredibly bold! Lin Hongyu could scarcely believe it! Sheâd thought that Li Hao would come, but she hadnât known that he would be so daring as to come openly.
She swiftly rose and walked outside, ignoring the bickering elders.
âWeâre not finished here, Lin Hongyu, where are you going?!â
âGet back here!â
âHow impudent! Sheâs completely out of control!â
......
Outside the door.
âIsnât Lin Hongyu the head of the Lin family?â laughed Li Hao. He could hear the exhortation coming from inside.
âThese ancient aristocracies sometimes have a lot of rules,â chuckled the alert Chen Zhongtian. âItâs said that those that can trace their roots back to the ancient civilization have a horrifying amount of family rules.â
âBy ancient civilization... do you mean us?â Li Shengzhang asked with a strange expression. âDo we have a lot of rules?â
â......â Li Hao started.
âWe do have rules, but we often set them aside as well,â Li Shengzhang continued in a soft voice. âShowing respect for our elders and loving the young is a virtue, but when it comes to actual work, itâs the capable who are revered and the mediocre who fall in line. Take this family, for example. If such a genius had appeared in one of our families, one that possessed both strength and ability, then the family would unequivocally support them. The family would expend everything to support the geniusâ rise.
âThe Human King is a prime example. Supreme Zhang felt that the Human King would do a better job than him, so he voluntarily abdicated his position and stepped behind the curtains. It was a peaceful transition of power.
âOur voice at the table is as loud as our ability. Those without ability to their name should retire from the heart of power, even if they are a family elder. They can enjoy their twilight years. If they truly find themselves with too much time on their hands, they can take up a teaching position to nurture the new generation for the family and humanity.â
Li Hao nodded. This was a good mindset to have. Of course, he didnât feel much either way because he was the only one left of the Lis. There was no one to curtail his actions. As for his teacher, he could still do whatever he wished. Yuan Shuo never commanded the young man to do anything, forced him to action, or created a set of rules for him.
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