The Li family, a top family in Jicheng, was wiped out overnight, causing a huge uproar.
Rumors in the marketplace were rampant. Some said they were attacked by fierce beasts, others that they had offended a powerful individual and were annihilated in anger, and some even suggested it was Lin Fan’s senior brother.
In short, the rumors, a mix of truth and falsehood, became unreliable. The citizens merely discussed it during their leisure time, not too concerned about the truth.
For most people, the Li family’s demise brought a sense of relief, even secret curses of "serves them right!"
The poor rarely show much sympathy for the rich. Even if a rich person had helped you, they would mock you when you were down.
Even more so for a family like the Li family, known for their arrogance and bad reputation. If they were wiped out, it would be considered polite if people didn't dance on their graves.
"Serves the Li family right for being wiped out. They were always arrogant and overbearing. This is karma."
"Heaven is watching. It’s not that retribution doesn't come, just that the time hasn’t arrived!"
"Isn't it strange? The Li family apologized to Lin Yu one moment, and the next they were wiped out. Could it really be Lin Yu?"
"Unlikely. Lin Yu wouldn't go as far as to wipe out a whole family. The repercussions would be too great, and he’s not capable of it anyway."
"Enough, enough, let's stop talking and play cards!"
Meanwhile.
Various major powers received the true intelligence, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads, their hearts filled with apprehension.
The Liu family.
The patriarch of the Liu family paced back and forth in his room, deeply worried.
"Investigate immediately if any of our younger generation are arrogant and overbearing. Any such family disciples are to be brought back to the family for strict discipline."
"Also, do not disturb Lin Yu, nor spread any bad news about him. There might be hidden reasons behind the Li family's annihilation. Lin Yu’s backing is still strong."
"Go quickly."
On the other side.
Bai Qianlang, the patriarch of the Bai family, paused with his hand mid-air as he looked at the intelligence report.
He exclaimed in surprise, "The Li family was just wiped out like that?"
At this moment, his father walked in and said, "I got some information from an acquaintance in the Enforcement Department. Apparently, the Li family secretly colluded with the Netherworld, attempting to revive their third young master who had passed away. Senior Brother Zhou Yang of the Supreme Academy discovered this and, in a fit of rage, annihilated the entire clan."
Bai Qianlang was astonished, "Such a fiery temper!"
The elder patriarch of the Bai family nodded, feeling a deep respect for Zhou Yang. Such a righteous indignation, who hasn't felt it in their youth?
It's just that with age, one's temperament becomes more mellow, and actions are guided by profit rather than one’s true heart.
"Indeed, much like the Sword God senior in the past. It’s a pity he fell into the hands of the Enforcement Department. Whether they will handle this justly remains to be seen."
The elder patriarch of the Bai family sighed. The Enforcement Department wielded great power, and its inner workings were incredibly complex. It was hard to say if someone would use this incident to damage the Sword God’s reputation.
Bai Qianlang asked doubtfully, "Father, can the Enforcement Department twist facts like that?"
He was not old, only in his thirties, unlike the elder patriarch who was in his sixties or seventies and had richer experience.
The elder patriarch of the Bai family said, "When Senior Sword God was young, he offended countless prodigies. They were not as powerful as him then, but these people have now climbed to high positions. Do you think they would use this matter to attack Senior Sword God?"
"Senior Sword God guards the Netherworld and has turned the tide in countless battles. He is a top-tier expert of the human race and is beloved by the people."
"However, his opponents are not ordinary people. If they truly joined forces against him, they couldn't defeat him, but they could ruin his reputation."
"A disciple wipes out a family due to resentment, how can the master's reputation remain intact?"
Bai Qianlang was startled and quickly understood the logic, but he still couldn't believe such darkness existed. He frowned, "They wouldn't dare to be so bold, would they?"
"Who knows?" the elder patriarch of the Bai family sighed.
Both fell into silence, holding pessimistic views on the subsequent developments.
At that moment, a servant arrived outside the door and knocked on the doorframe. Hearing the sound, they said, "What is it?"
"Elder, Master, someone named Lin Yu is here to see you."
As the words fell, both were stunned.
Bai Qianlang looked at his father. The elder patriarch of the Bai family nodded, "Please invite Young Master Lin to wait in the living room. Remember to treat him well."
The servant bowed, "Yes, Elder!" and then slowly withdrew.
After the servant left, they looked at each other.
Bai Qianlang said, "Is this Lin Yu expecting us to intervene and save him? We don't have that much power."
After all, it was a massacre, and the victim was the Li family, a top family in Jicheng. They couldn't get involved.
The elder patriarch of the Bai family pondered with a frown, "If he is truly asking for our help, we will refuse first. If he still insists and we truly cannot refuse, we will agree, and then stall. We should try not to get involved in this matter, but also not offend Lin Yu. You go to the living room quickly and do as I say."
"Alright, Father."
In the living room.
Lin Yu took a sip of clear tea, but it did not alleviate the turmoil in his heart.
His senior brother wiping out the Li family was partly his responsibility.
Earlier, he had asked his senior brother to eliminate the Li family patriarch because the patriarch, having witnessed his son’s death before his eyes, would likely harbor deep hatred. This was to eliminate future trouble.
However, he hadn't expected the Li family to collude with the Netherworld, attempting to revive their deceased third son, which enraged his senior brother. His senior brother, who had guarded the Netherworld for years, naturally couldn't tolerate such an act and, in a fit of rage, slew all his enemies.
While cruel, the act was also satisfying.
Colluding with other realms, especially the Netherworld, was an act of treason and betrayal of the human race. Anyone who discovered it deserved to be executed.
If the reason for this was clarified, his senior brother should be fine. He had come here hoping to use the Bai family's channels to inquire about his senior brother’s situation.
Furthermore, he hoped they could offer some assistance, as he also had some personal matters to attend to.
"Young Master Lin, you are here. I was busy and only managed to come now. Please forgive me, do not blame me." Bai Qianlang, dressed in a blue robe, gracefully cupped his hands in apology and walked over with a slight limp.
Lin Yu quickly rose and bowed, saying, "Uncle, there is no need. I should be the one apologizing for disturbing you."
Bai Qianlang was slightly taken aback by the term "Uncle." This Lin Yu seemed upright, but unexpectedly shrewd. He was already trying to build connections.
However, he was friends with Xiao Sa, so calling him Uncle was not wrong.
"May I ask why Young Master Lin has come?"
"It's nothing much, just came to visit you, Uncle. Oh, right, Uncle, I brought you some gifts. Please accept them."
Lin Yu produced a check and placed it on the table, slowly pushing it towards Bai Qianlang.
Bai Qianlang was slightly surprised but not particularly concerned. Even if he were given money, how much could it be?
He wasn't someone who had never seen money before.
However, as he glanced down and saw the exorbitant figure, he was startled and almost cried out.
Good heavens, this Lin Yu was truly generous.
"This money is just a deposit. If you can help my senior brother get out of trouble, there will be a gift ten times the deposit afterward."
This statement made Bai Qianlang's breathing quicken.
He thought to himself: This Lin Yu, having just obtained a large sum of wealth, is so generous, all for the sake of saving his senior brother whom he has known for only a few days. This young man is loyal and righteous, truly admirable.
Lin Yu called out, "Uncle, Uncle!"
Bai Qianlang came back to his senses, smiled apologetically, and then remembered his father's words. They couldn't help with this matter. He gritted his teeth and refused, "It's not that I don't want to help, but we simply cannot intervene. Let alone our Bai family, even the City Lord's mansion cannot intervene. Young Master Lin, I hope you can understand."
Lin Yu felt somewhat disappointed upon hearing this. He knew the Enforcement Department had immense power and that external forces could hardly interfere, but he hadn't expected them to be so untouchable.
Since the Bai family couldn't help, he would have to seek help from someone else. This trip was also to resolve his inner regret.
"Uncle, I have one more matter I wish to ask your assistance with."
"What is it? Please speak freely."
"The Li family had gifted me a lot of assets. I wish to sell them all. Could you possibly help me?"
Bai Qianlang was relieved upon hearing this. This was not a major issue for him. He nodded, "Our Bai family has an auction house. You can list them for auction at our Bai family auction house. What do you think, Young Master Lin?"
"As you say, Uncle. I shall take my leave!"