“What do you have to say for yourself?”
Li Tan sat down on the chair casually.
Lin Long tightened his grip slightly on the teacup before relaxing again. “What exactly is going on between you and Cui’er?”
Li Tan countered, “What do you mean by ‘exactly’?”
Lin Long gripped the cup more tightly, producing a faint creaking sound. “Just when did the two of you meet?”
Li Tan replied without hesitation, “On the night of the wedding yesterday.”
Lin Long, somewhat angered, slammed the teacup onto the table with a clinking sound. “Tell me the truth.”
Li Tan gave him a cold stare. “That is the truth.”
Lin Long’s face turned dark instantly, his expression so grim it seemed about to drip with gloom. “Don’t test my limits of tolerance.”
Sunlight from the setting sun slanted in, transforming the previously dim room into a golden glow.
Li Tan said helplessly, “I already told you the truth. What can I do if you don’t believe me?”
The teacup in Lin Long’s hands was crushed into powder as an aura of an innate master surged outward like a tide. “Still daring to hide things from me. Who gave you the nerve to act recklessly in the Lin household!”
“If the head of the Lin family has suspicions, please present evidence first. Although my Li family has declined, we are still one of the three major clans.”
Li Tan remained unmoved, his expression unchanged.
Lin Long’s expression changed slightly. Indeed, even a centipede with a hundred legs does not stiffen in death. Although the Li family had suffered heavy losses from the invasion of the demon clan, they remained one of the most powerful forces in Linjiang. If Li Tan were to come to harm over such a matter, how could Li Zhen possibly let it slide?
It would trigger a terrifying chain reaction.
“Hmph, we’ll shelve this matter for now. Don’t think I’ll let it go so easily.”
As the head of the Lin family, Lin Long, after weighing his options, reluctantly made a compromise and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
As soon as he left, the room felt empty. Li Tan’s expression softened slightly as he muttered, “If only I had the full strength of my former power, would I be constrained like this?”
After speaking, he remained silent for a long time.
“Ah, delays can lead to change. I must resolve the issue with my dantian before things spiral out of control.”
Having nowhere else to go, Li Tan decided to simply close his eyes and rest. As dusk approached, the limping butler finally came in from outside. Traces of blood remained at the corner of his mouth, and his clothes were disheveled—it seemed he had just endured a beating.
“My young master, you summoned me?”
When the butler noticed Li Tan, a flash of anger appeared in his eyes, but he quickly assumed a humble demeanor.
Noticing the butler’s fleeting anger, Li Tan sneered slightly. “I need a quiet house, the fewer disturbances the better.”
The butler gave a slight nod. “There are plenty of houses available. When would the young master like to move in?”
Li Tan thought for a moment. “The sooner the better.”
“Then, my young master may follow me right away.”
“The butler suggested as he bowed slightly.”
“Fine.”
Li Tan followed the butler to a courtyard overgrown with weeds.
There was an old, dilapidated house in the courtyard. The bricks, tiles, and walls were covered in moss and vines. The gate was open, revealing a dusty interior. Moreover, the main hall had an ominous memorial tablet placed inside.
“This was the place where the late master’s concubine took her own life. Many people avoid staying here due to superstition, so it has gradually fallen into disuse. Though it’s very quiet, there’s something I must mention.” The butler appeared hesitant, as if struggling to speak.
“If there’s a problem, just say it.”
Li Tan urged.
After a moment of hesitation, the butler spoke. “All the servants who stayed here before ended up mentally disturbed the next day, saying the concubine’s ghost haunts this place.”
Li Tan scoffed. “It doesn’t matter. This place will do.”
He had stepped onto the throne of the Human Emperor, slaying countless talented and powerful rivals. If the dead could become ghosts that haunt the living, his life would have been taken long ago.
The butler standing behind Li Tan couldn’t help but show a fleeting expression of disdain before quickly suppressing it. “Young master may look around. I’ll go find someone to clean up.”
“No need. You can leave if you have nothing else to do.”
Li Tan stood by a dry well in the courtyard, looking around.
“Then, my young master can come find me if you need anything.”
The butler took a couple of steps back, paused, and hesitated for a moment before asking, “By the way, my illness…” Li Tan had completely forgotten about this trivial matter and replied offhandedly, “Come find me tomorrow night.”
“Yes!”
Hearing this, the butler was slightly pleased and slowly walked out of the courtyard. However, as soon as he turned around, his gaze turned cold once more.
As for Li Tan, he was well aware of the steward’s ulterior motives, but he paid no heed. He had already offered multiple chances. If the steward refused to seize them, then he could serve as a whetstone for his blade.
He walked into the main hall of the house.
A memorial tablet was placed on the table at the front. It read: “The beloved concubine Jiang Xin of Lin Gui Nian.”
On both sides were two already yellowed and peeling couplets, the handwriting was brilliant, but it was unknown who had written them.
The floor was covered with white cloth everywhere. Lifting it immediately caused dust to fly, revealing furniture that was still as good as new underneath.
However, there was something strange. The memorial tablet of the woman named Jiang Xin was very clean and slightly oily, as if someone often touched and wiped it.
“The name Jiang Xin seems familiar, as if I’ve heard it somewhere before.”
Li Tan gazed at the memorial tablet, pondering for a while but couldn’t recall. Then he stopped thinking about it and entered the inner room through the side door.
The inner room was almost the same as the outside, except for an added bed.
Walking on the wooden floorboards made a tapping sound. Li Tan walked around the room and then removed the white cloth covering the furniture one by one. When he pulled off the white cloth on the wall, he stopped in surprise.
Underneath the cloth hung a fairly nice portrait of a woman.
“This must be Jiang Xin in the painting.”
Li Tan reached out and gently touched the painting. He looked at it for a couple more seconds and then stopped paying attention. He had a lot of things to do and had no interest in exploring the romantic affairs of the Lin family from decades ago.
After looking at a few more things, Li Tan sat down on the wooden bed. For some reason, the bed felt a bit cold, as if there was a big ice block underneath.
Li Tan reached out and knocked on the bed frame a few times. Then he bent down slowly, peering into the dark space beneath the bed.
Drip. It was the sound of dripping water, but it was unclear where it came from.
In any case, there was nothing under the bed.
“Why is it so cold?”
Li Tan pinched his chin, pondering for a moment before raising his eyebrows in realization.
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