Huang Long clutched his excruciatingly painful stomach, cold sweat streaming down his forehead, yet he continued to plead, trying to prove to his father that he was indeed still his son.
“Father, I haven’t been possessed! You’ve misunderstood, you’ve really misunderstood me! I’m your son, your own flesh and blood! How could I possibly be possessed by a demonic cultivator?”
The Huang Family Head gave a cold laugh.
“A mere demonic cultivator, possessing my son is one thing, but to still try and lie even after I’ve exposed you? I can’t be bothered with your nonsense.”
With that, the Huang Family Head directly stomped on Huang Long’s mouth, shattering all his teeth. Huang Long was utterly shocked. He strained to look up, but only saw the icy coldness on his father’s face. He seemed to understand something, his heart instantly sinking to the depths of despair.
‘I never thought I’d be abandoned. Is this my fate? Why?’
He struggled desperately, his mouth opening and closing with incoherent sounds. But pinned under his father’s foot, even if his cultivation hadn’t been crippled, he couldn’t have broken free, let alone in his current crippled state.
Lin Huanhuan and Bai Lingfeng watched this entire scene. Lin Huanhuan curled her lip.
‘This sacred cutting of ties was fast enough. If it had been any slower, I’d have had a reason to pursue the matter further. Then it wouldn’t have been so easily resolved.’
‘But thinking about it, it’s pretty normal. This Huang Long is, in the end, just a spoiled young master, not even a genius. His biggest identity is being the Huang Family Head’s son. Standing firm against me carries the risk of clan annihilation. Going that far for a spoiled young master is irrational, no matter how you look at it.’
‘This old fox, being able to grow his influence so large in Weiyang City… he does have some skill.’
Bai Lingfeng, however, was utterly stunned. What’s going on? The script shouldn’t be like this.
Normally, shouldn’t the Huang Family Head have been swayed by Huang Long, charging at him recklessly while shouting about protecting the family legacy or something, only to be conveniently killed in self-defense? Then he’d be taken for an investigation, eventually judged as acting in self-defense and released without charges.
That’s how it always was before. This time, he was already prepared for that scenario. So why was it different?
Bai Lingfeng turned to look and saw Lin Huanhuan standing there calmly, as if everything was within her expectations, looking completely confident of victory.
‘I see… it’s because they fear Huanhuan’s background, huh? Damn it, such bullies… Ah, forget it. But this time, I did borrow Huanhuan’s influence. I hope I won’t be labeled a pretty boy… Hmm, probably not.’
The Huang Family Head delivered another kick, knocking Huang Long unconscious. He then hurried forward, bowing obsequiously with clasped hands.
“Thank you, Miss Huanhuan, for exposing this demonic spy! This great kindness and virtue, my Huang family will never forget it!”
The Huang Family Head thought for a moment before speaking.
“After all, Miss Huanhuan and this young master went through some trouble dealing with this demonic spy. The Huang family is willing to offer seven thousand spirit stones as a token of gratitude for the two of you. It’s a small gesture, please accept it.”
Although the Huang family had many businesses in Weiyang City, with an annual income of over a thousand spirit stones, their expenses were also significant. The Huang Family Head’s own cultivation alone cost several hundred spirit stones a year. They also had to distribute resources to other family disciples and regularly pay a substantial tribute to the Lingyun Sect.
Taking out seven thousand spirit stones at once would truly strain the Huang family’s finances. So, this “token of gratitude” was indeed offered with full sincerity.
With things put this way, Lin Huanhuan could only nod in agreement.
‘It ended before I even had a chance to make a fuss… I’m a bit unused to this.’
The Huang Family Head continued, “As for this demonic spy, I will have someone take him to the Lingyun Sect later to await judgment. If the two of you are not at ease, you are welcome to follow and observe.”
“At ease, I naturally trust the Huang Family Head,” Lin Huanhuan nodded, revealing a meaningful smile.
The Huang Family Head left. As for the unconscious Huang Long, he was dragged away.
Bai Lingfeng wanted to say something, but Lin Huanhuan directly interrupted him in a low voice.
“Let’s talk somewhere else. This isn’t the place for a chat. Let’s go.”
As soon as the words fell, Lin Huanhuan transformed into a gust of wind and vanished on the spot. Bai Lingfeng nodded and similarly transformed into a streak of golden light, swiftly giving chase.
Seeing the most important figures all leave, the onlookers who had been suppressed by the heavy atmosphere finally breathed a sigh of relief. They exchanged glances and began discussing the events.
“To think that woman was Lin Huanhuan, the daughter of the Lin Family Head. No wonder the Huang family bent over backwards so quickly.”
“Of course. The gap between the Huang and Lin families isn’t just big; it’s like heaven and earth. If the Huang family had been any slower in admitting fault, they’d probably have been wiped out the next second. It’s just that Huang Long is a bit unlucky. Just for being blind and not recognizing her, he gets branded a demonic spy. He’s really in for it now.”
“I originally thought that young man in white was a powerhouse. Turns out he’s just a pretty boy. He seems quite interested in Lin Huanhuan, but she doesn’t seem to care much for him. Could he be a simp?”
“Maybe it wasn’t that bad at the time. Perhaps that guy wanted to use this to completely win over Lin Huanhuan and firmly latch onto the Lin family’s coattails. By the way, do any of you know that young man in white’s name?”
“I think I have some impression. Seems to be called Bai Lingfeng, and he’s a disciple of the Lingyun Sect…”
—
Meanwhile, Bai Lingfeng, who had followed Lin Huanhuan to a tavern in the outskirts, had no idea he had been so deeply misunderstood, with his background almost completely exposed.
If he knew, he truly wouldn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
As soon as they sat down in the private room, Lin Huanhuan spoke directly.
“Since things have come to this, let’s split the spoils.”
“Split the spoils?” Bai Lingfeng was slightly puzzled.
Lin Huanhuan quickly explained, “Didn’t that Huang Family Head just compensate us with seven thousand spirit stones? Since Huang Long tried to extort you first, of course we have to split it. I can’t possibly take it all, right?”
“This…”
Bai Lingfeng initially wanted to refuse outright. After all, if he had come alone, he absolutely wouldn’t have gotten any compensation. So, in his view, getting these spirit stones was purely because of Lin Huanhuan. She even helped him quickly resolve a troublesome situation. How could he possibly take a share of the stones?
But then he reconsidered.
‘Huanhuan and I are barely acquaintances. I thought she had a favorable impression of me before, but that doesn’t exist at all. I’ve been misunderstanding her all along.’
‘I don’t know if what just happened raised her opinion of me at all. If I refuse even this, won’t we have no connection whatsoever? No, I don’t want that…’
‘Forget it. For the sake of the long-term future, I’ll use these spirit stones to slowly compensate her later.’
Thinking this, Bai Lingfeng immediately smiled and nodded.
“Alright.”