"Shui Lü has taken the position of the Shui family's young master?" This news was indeed shocking. After all, the previous Shui family patriarch had abandoned his eldest son due to his mediocre talent, choosing instead his youngest. Now that Shui Lü had returned and managed to unseat Shui Lin, it seemed incredible.
The old master of the Shui family, as shrewd as a monkey, had spared no effort in cultivating Shui Lin. What could have prompted him to abandon the Shui Lin he had meticulously nurtured and instead choose Shui Lü, whom he had long given up on?
"Investigate further. We must find out how Shui Lü managed to unseat Shui Lin in such a short time!"
"Will the changes in the Shui family affect us?" the Fifth Elder asked with doubt.
"The Five Great Families have always been in constant contention. The Shui family poured all their resources into cultivating Shui Lin, and his excellence is beyond question. Yet, in such a short period, they reached a consensus to replace him. This indicates that Shui Lü possesses abilities Shui Lin cannot surpass, or perhaps he did something that forced the Shui family patriarch to name him the young master," the First Elder frowned. "It might have an unfavorable impact on us, especially since strange incidents have been happening within the family recently, making me uneasy."
"First Elder, aren't you worrying unnecessarily?" the Fifth Elder said dismissively. "Our Jin family is backed by the Heavenly Sword Sect, which boasts an expert at the Nascent Soul stage. Currently, across the entire Cang Xuan Continent, only the Heavenly Sword Sect has such a powerful cultivator."
"That is the strength of the Heavenly Sword Sect, not ours," the First Elder said slowly. "The Jin family relying on the Heavenly Sword Sect makes us a subordinate family, which goes against the original intentions of the great families."
"If becoming a subordinate family to the Heavenly Sword Sect can make the Jin family the foremost among the great families, then it's not a bad thing."
The First Elder glanced at the Fifth Elder and sighed silently. "Alright, go and investigate this matter quickly. I must also report this to the Patriarch."
"Understood."
After the Fifth Elder left, the First Elder slumped back into his chair, looking weary.
"Father."
"Did I make a mistake?" The First Elder's voice seemed to age ten years in an instant. "If only the eldest young master..."
"Father, since a choice has been made, there's no turning back. Besides, even if the eldest young master is alive, he's become a cripple. A cripple cannot lead the family to prosperity. We can only press forward on this path."
The entire Jin family was in turmoil as they searched for the culprit who had bombed the Patriarch's main courtyard, scrutinizing everyone.
Meanwhile, Xiao Man, the instigator, acted as if she knew nothing. If Jin Feng hadn't been certain that the bombing of the Patriarch's courtyard was linked to Xiao Man, he might have believed her to be innocent.
"Feng'er, why are you staring at the disciples of the Alchemy Hall like that?" the Second Elder asked curiously.
"I wasn't looking at them," Jin Feng retracted his gaze, replying indifferently.
The Second Elder glanced at the Alchemy Hall disciples walking by. "I heard that Lan Xiao was recently recruited by the Third Elder. She has excellent talent and is greatly favored by the Third Elder, though her personality is a bit too lively and draws too much attention. In the Jin family, such a temperament can lead to trouble."
Jin Feng couldn't help but steal a glance at Xiao Man, thinking to himself, 'This is not just drawing trouble, this is a troublemaker!' If you knew she was the one who blew up the Patriarch's courtyard, your eyes would surely pop out.
"Your expression suggests you disagree?"
"I wouldn't dare!" Jin Feng withdrew his gaze and walked back.
"Jing Song," the Second Elder called out to Jing Song.
Jing Song was on his way to deliver the pills refined this month. Concerned for Xiao Man's safety, he had kept her close, especially after the Patriarch's main courtyard was bombed last night, making Jing Song even more worried about Xiao Man.
"Disciple greets the Second Elder."
"Are you delivering pills to the various halls?"
"Reporting to the Second Elder, yes," Jing Song took the box from Xiao Man and presented it to the Second Elder with both hands. "This is the Inner Affairs Hall's quota of pills for this month. Please accept it."
The Second Elder took it and handed it to Jin Feng. "There's no need to count. I heard your hall recently accepted a new disciple."
Jing Song, who had been relaxed, subconsciously stepped in front of Xiao Man upon hearing the Second Elder's words, shielding her completely.
The Second Elder's expression flickered with surprise for a moment, then he smiled. "You rascal, do you think I would harm her?"
"Second Elder, please forgive me. My junior brother is shy," Jing Song quickly explained.
Jin Feng couldn't help but let out a scoff upon hearing this. Xiao Man shy? Don't be ridiculous, she was anything but shy! Su Dan Novels Network
"Jing Song, I should meet the new disciple too, so that as fellow disciples, we won't accidentally step on each other's toes out of unfamiliarity," the Second Elder said softly. Although the disciples of the Alchemy Hall had low cultivation levels, they were quite united, their camaraderie far exceeding that of disciples from other halls.
"Senior Brother," Xiao Man pushed Jing Song aside and bowed. "Disciple Lan Xiao greets the Second Elder."
The Second Elder stared at Xiao Man for a long time, his gaze falling on her index finger. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and he then produced a thumb ring, slipping it onto her index finger to conceal the seven-leaf pattern.
"This is my first meeting, and as an elder, I'm giving you a small trinket to play with. Try not to take it off," the Second Elder said softly.
Xiao Man looked at the thumb ring on her index finger. It was actually a protective artifact. She had never met the Second Elder before, and this was their first encounter. Why would he give her a protective artifact?
"Disciple thanks the Second Elder."
"No need for thanks. Jing Song, in the future, you can let the junior disciples deliver pills. There's no need for you to personally escort them. The estate has been unstable recently, and your cultivation levels are not high. It's best to avoid moving around too much," the Second Elder advised Jing Song.
"Disciple obeys."
The Second Elder cast another glance at Xiao Man and, with Jin Feng, returned to the Inner Affairs Hall.
"Feng'er, come in with me." The Second Elder stopped Jin Feng as he was about to leave and entered the inner chamber.
"Is there something?"
"Have you investigated the identity of this Lan Xiao?" the Second Elder asked softly.
"Why would I investigate her?" Jin Feng said dismissively.
"What is her relationship with the eldest young master?"
Jin Feng's expression changed. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"The seven-leaf pattern on that child's finger is not something anyone can have. Do you really think my old eyes are failing me and I can't even recognize this?" the Second Elder said softly. "Rumor has it that the eldest young master escaped from the Land of No Return. Is it true?"
"I don't know, but Jin Yao did go to Wuji City, so it should be true."
"Do you have any news of the eldest young master's whereabouts?"
Jin Feng shook his head. "I didn't dare to use Jin family members to investigate, so I hired people from outside. However, there's still no news. Also, Jin Yao is looking for the eldest young master's whereabouts."
"The fact that he's looking means the eldest young master is safe," the Second Elder took a deep breath. "Have you asked Lan Xiao?"
"She's very guarded, and... " Jin Feng frowned. "Grandfather, for the moment, I can't tell if she's friend or foe."