All those present were members of the Lin family, so it was self-evident who Li Tan’s elder brother was referring to.
Li Tan was also taken aback. He hadn’t expected Mingde to arrive at such a critical moment.
However, it was clearly not a bad thing.
Therefore, he put away his dagger, turned around, and nodded slightly to signal his acknowledgment.
Mingde looked around, observing the astonished crowd, and asked,
“What’s going on with Brother Li?”
At that moment, the second elder hurried over.
“Master Ming, what a pleasant breeze brings you here,” he started to say, but was interrupted by Mingde.
“Who might you be?”
“I am the second elder of the Lin family, Lin Suifeng.”
After introducing himself, the second elder stepped aside as Gu Lin approached. She slightly bowed her body.
“Master Ming, it’s such an honor to have you visit our humble home. May I ask what brings you here?”
“I need to speak with Brother Li.”
Mingde nodded lightly, then pointed in confusion at Li Tan and the several guards wielding clubs at his side.
“Uncle Lin, what’s happening here?”
“This…” Lin Long and his wife exchanged glances, both turning their eyes toward the second elder.
Lin Long spoke up.
“You should ask them for the answer.”
The second elder’s expression immediately turned grim as he cautiously asked,
“I wonder what relation you have with Li Tan, Master Ming?”
“Brother Li has done me a great favor.”
Mingde explained briefly.
This sent a jolt through Lin Suifeng’s heart, making him instantly feel that something was amiss.
Why would Li Tan be connected to Mingde?
He was completely confused.
Looking at Mingde, then at Li Tan’s calm expression, Lin Suifeng felt a sense of unease and said,
“Master Ming must have mistaken someone. How could this Li Tan be your benefactor?
He’s merely a good-for-nothing.”
Hearing the word “good-for-nothing,” Mingde showed slight displeasure.
“Do you think I can’t recognize my own savior? Elder Lin, do you think I’m already too old and senile?”
“Your savior!”
Lin Suifeng exclaimed in shock, followed by everyone in the hall widening their eyes in disbelief.
“Forgive my boldness, but Li Tan is just an unskilled nobody who can’t cultivate. With so many experts at the City Lord’s mansion, how could he possibly be your savior? There must be some misunderstanding!”
Lin Suifeng quickly replied.
Mingde frowned, casting a displeased glance at Lin Suifeng.
“Absurd! Brother Li managed to do something incredible with his bare hands. How could he possibly lack cultivation?”
“This Li Tan definitely has no cultivation. If Master Ming has any doubts, feel free to ask around. Everyone present can testify that he is indeed the good-for-nothing Li Tan from the Li family.”
“The Li family?”
Mingde was surprised. His eyes flickered toward Li Tan, who remained calm as if he were merely strolling through a marketplace, and soon his confusion turned into anger.
“Do you think I’m an idiot?”
At this moment, Lin Ge stepped forward, bowed, and quickly explained.
“This man is the Li Tan who married into our Lin family. He has undergone various tests and indeed possesses no cultivation at all.”
Mingde looked toward Li Tan, hesitating slightly as he asked,
“Brother Li, what’s going on here exactly?”
Li Tan’s gaze swept from left to right before he spoke calmly.
“What they said is entirely true. I am indeed the good-for-nothing Li Tan from the Li family.”
Mingde’s heart trembled. After a while, he finally accepted this reality and spoke in disbelief.
“Then, didn’t you say you had a connection with the Lin family?”
“I married into the Lin family, so naturally I have a connection.”
“I see,” Mingde fell into thought.
Lin Suifeng wanted to speak but dared not, and others like Lin Long felt the same. They looked at Li Tan, whose demeanor now seemed somewhat mysterious.
“Disappointed?”
Li Tan asked.
“No, I’m just too surprised. But aside from that…”
Mingde’s gaze shot back toward the guards who had intended to capture Li Tan.
Remembering Lin Long’s earlier words, his visibly displeased look shifted back to Lin Suifeng.
“Elder Lin, shouldn’t you explain?”
Lin Suifeng’s eyelid twitched. He glanced at Lin Ge, who understood and spoke up.
“Master Ming, you might not know, but Li Tan has a vile heart. Over a trivial matter, he broke my younger brother’s right leg. Therefore, according to our family rules, we captured him here for a hearing.”
“Brother Li…” Mingde looked at his side in confusion, while Li Tan, half mocking, replied,
“What trivial matter? Was it when he, as a cultivator, tried to kill me with full force? That truly was a minor matter.”
Lin Ge’s face turned slightly grim as he rebuked,
“Don’t spout nonsense.”
“Enough.”
After hearing Li Tan’s words, Mingde roughly understood the situation. Naturally, he trusted Li Tan’s character and solemnly stated,
“I now understand the matter clearly. Since you claim that Brother Li has a vile heart, please provide evidence. Lord Lin, what’s your opinion?”
Lin Long’s gaze swept between Li Tan and Lin Suifeng, his words and actions now more cautious.
“This matter should be clarified with the people involved.”
Lin Cui hesitated briefly before adding,
“I can testify that what Li Tan said is the truth.”
“Therefore, you were in the wrong first. Brother Li had no choice but to defend himself. Let’s end this matter here.”
Mingde declared.
“No, my younger brother’s injury is minor. The main issue is that Li Tan might have used some evil methods to harm people.”
Lin Ge quickly responded, which was the approach they had previously debated to frame Li Tan.
“On what basis do you claim that Brother Li used evil methods?”
Mingde countered.
“Because Li Tan is merely an ordinary person, yet he defeated my younger brother, who is at the middle stage of the Foundation Building realm. Now, when asked how he managed it, he refuses to speak. Isn’t that suspicious?”
Lin Ge pointed at Li Tan.
Li Tan was about to speak but Mingde interjected first.
“Although I don’t know how Brother Li managed such an unbelievable feat, you’re overthinking. He definitely didn’t use any evil methods.”
“Why not?”
“If he were such a person, how could he have saved me?
Let’s end this here. Please don’t harass Brother Li any further.”
As Mingde finished speaking, Lin Ge unwillingly said,
“But—” Mingde cut him off decisively.
“That’s enough. You’re implying that Brother Li is part of an evil sect. Therefore, I will personally vouch for him again. If he misbehaves or his background proves unsavory, I will take full responsibility.”
With this statement, Mingde completely silenced Lin Ge. Lin Suifeng’s face darkened, and for a fleeting moment, his eyes flashed with a barely perceptible sinister gleam. However, he quickly resumed his usual meek demeanor.
He respectfully said,
“Since Master Ming has spoken thus, we will let the matter of Yuan rest. I also believe that Li Tan is indeed an upright person.”
“Let’s go!”
Lin Suifeng shouted and led the way out.
But Lin Yuan stopped them.
“We can’t just let this go. Li Tan, he—”
“Silence! You attacked a member of our clan without cause. Today, I will uphold justice, even if it means punishing my own kin. Guards, seize him and imprison him for trial!”
Lin Ge turned and slapped Lin Yuan to the ground. The guards who had previously aimed to capture Li Tan now ferociously dragged Lin Yuan away.
Initially, Lin Yuan screamed and shouted, but soon he was unable to utter a sound.
“Master Ming, we’ll take our leave.”
Lin Ge departed.
“Pardon the commotion. I’ll prepare tea to entertain you, Master Ming. Please have a seat and rest for a while. My daughter has long admired you.”
Gu Lin smiled.
Mingde immediately shook his head.
“No need. I only came to find Brother Li. These incidents were purely accidental.”
Li Tan said,
“It seems everything is settled now. I’ll take my leave first.”
Without hesitation, Li Tan walked toward the exit, and Mingde followed closely after exchanging a brief greeting.
“Wait!”
Lin Cui suddenly shouted.
“Any more business?”
Li Tan turned back with a cold expression.
“No,” Lin Cui hesitated, eventually saying nothing, only looking at Li Tan with an indescribable expression.
Soon after Li Tan left, Lin Long’s smile quickly faded as he solemnly said,
“Yesterday, a spy reported seeing Li Tan near the area of the Fallen Immortal Domain. Mingde said that Li Tan had done him a favor, which must have occurred during that time.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage