Chapter 76: The Death of Lin Sui Feng

“That wretch really has a strong life force to survive. The heavens must have gone blind.”

“Exactly. It would have been better if that wretch had died, then the young mistress wouldn’t have to face so much criticism.”

“Who could say otherwise? What can that wretch do besides causing trouble? I just don’t understand why the head of the family would allow him to marry into our household.”

At that time, Li Tan listened silently, feeling deeply upset. He desperately wanted to shout that they were the real wretches, but in the end, he didn’t utter a single word.

Because what those people said was true—he was indeed a complete wretch.

Returning to reality, Li Tan looked at the disheveled Lin Ge with an unfamiliar sensation stirring in his heart, a strange bitterness rising within him.

He stopped in front of Lin Ge, and everyone within his sight lowered their heads and took half a step back.

He smiled faintly, saying nothing, and finally turned his gaze back to Lin Ge.

“I am the eldest son of the Lin family. If you dare lay a hand on me, no one will let you off!”

Lin Ge screamed hysterically.

Li Tan pretended not to hear, raised his right foot, gathered his inner energy, and then brought it down hard on Lin Ge’s abdomen.

At that moment, however,

“Stop!”

A furious roar echoed. Lin Long stormed in furiously, followed closely by Gu Lin and Lin Cui.

“Li Tan! Let him go now!”

Lin Long stared directly at Li Tan. When his peripheral vision caught sight of Lin Sui Feng’s corpse, his heart was overwhelmed with complex emotions—anger, confusion, suspicion, and more.

Although he had always been at odds with Lin Sui Feng, they were still family. Now that Lin Sui Feng was dead, how could he not be furious?

“Xiao Tan, what are you doing?”

Gu Lin looked at Lin Sui Feng’s corpse with horror on her face. However, based on the current situation, she didn’t ask questions directly. Lin Cui, however, wasn’t as cautious as Gu Lin. Although her mind was in chaos, she still asked directly.

“Li Tan, did you kill Lin Sui Feng?”

Li Tan nodded without hesitation, admitting it outright.

Lin Long’s expression darkened, barely suppressing the urge to kill Li Tan on the spot.

“Let go of Lin Ge immediately, or face the consequences!”

Li Tan looked amused.

“Consequences?

I’d like to see what kind of consequences there will be.”

With that, Li Tan stomped down, and Lin Ge’s ear-piercing scream was so intense it startled birds off the trees.

“You’re asking for death!”

Lin Long was furious, his eyes wide with rage, as if he wanted to devour Li Tan whole.

But Li Tan wore a nonchalant expression, as if nothing concerned him, speaking casually.

“I merely crippled his cultivation. Why the fuss?”

“Do you even consider me anymore?”

Lin Long questioned angrily.

Without hesitation, Li Tan replied,

“I do.”

Lin Long laughed bitterly.

“Good. You’re really good!”

Lin Cui realized Lin Long was completely enraged and feared for Li Tan’s safety. However, when she tried to intervene, she couldn’t find any valid reason to do so, and could only stand there anxiously. Gu Lin was similar, although she made some effort, urging him to think carefully before acting.

But Lin Long clearly wasn’t listening anymore.

In truth, Lin Sui Feng’s death was actually beneficial to him. What enraged him was Li Tan’s arrogant attitude.

To the powerful, face (reputation) always seems particularly important.

“This is so noisy. Be quiet.”

Li Tan kicked the weeping Lin Ge again, knocking him unconscious, and then said to Lin Long,

“I merely crippled his cultivation. Why the fuss?”

“Do you even consider me anymore?”

Lin Long questioned angrily.

Without hesitation, Li Tan replied,

“I do.”

Lin Long laughed bitterly.

“Good. You’re really good!”

Lin Cui realized Lin Long was completely enraged and feared for Li Tan’s safety. However, when she tried to intervene, she couldn’t find any valid reason to do so, and could only stand there anxiously. Gu Lin was similar, although she made some effort, urging him to think carefully before acting.

But Lin Long clearly wasn’t listening anymore.

In truth, Lin Sui Feng’s death was actually beneficial to him. What enraged him was Li Tan’s arrogant attitude.

To those in power, face (reputation) always appears particularly significant.

“This is so noisy. Be quiet.”

Li Tan kicked the weeping Lin Ge again, knocking him unconscious, and then said to Lin Long,

“What do you think of yourself compared to Lin Sui Feng?”

Just like Lin Ge moments ago, Lin Long suddenly realized an issue.

Who killed Lin Sui Feng?

First possibility: Li Tan killed him. That would mean Li Tan must be at least an advanced expert. Lin Long might not even be his match. He immediately dismissed this possibility.

Second possibility: Someone else killed him. That person must be close to Li Tan and currently nearby.

Lin Long decisively chose the second scenario, so he cautiously looked around.

Li Tan roughly understood his thoughts and mocked,

“Head of the Lin family, no need to look. You won’t find them.”

Lin Long glared at Li Tan angrily.

“Have you considered the consequences of your actions?”

Li Tan kicked Lin Sui Feng’s corpse casually and said slowly,

“I didn’t kill Lin Sui Feng merely because of our previous conflicts. The real reason is none of your business. Head of the Lin family, you should already know who benefits most from his death. Is it wise for the Lin family to make two more enemies for the sake of a dead man?”

Lin Long calmed down slightly and looked at Li Tan with a serious expression.

Li Tan’s words were skillfully put, clearly explaining the pros and cons of offending him. Especially the phrase “two enemies” indirectly confirmed Lin Long’s suspicions.

Lin Long found himself increasingly unable to understand his son-in-law. In the past, he had seen Li Tan before, and back then Li Tan was undeniably a wretch. But why had he become so strange in just a few days?

The reason was something he would never figure out, no matter how hard he thought.

“Now that there’s nothing else, everyone may leave. I have other matters to attend to.”

Li Tan knew the situation was under control. He withdrew his gaze from Lin Long and walked away casually. The guards looked at each other, hesitant to move without Lin Long’s command.

In no time, Li Tan had disappeared.

Lin Cui stood there, staring at the direction Li Tan left until Gu Lin patted her shoulder, snapping her back to reality, and they left together with Lin Long.

A few subordinates were left behind to handle the aftermath—some carried Lin Ge to the family physician while others dealt with Lin Sui Feng’s corpse.

Following Lin Long’s instructions, Lin Sui Feng’s body was to be carefully preserved for a funeral at a later date. If outsiders inquired about the cause of death, they must answer, “Old wounds flared up, complicated by a sudden cold.”

At the same time, in a dark room, three people were present. All wore thick black robes that blended into the darkness. One sat while the other two knelt.

Clack.

The teapot lid was placed back on. The seated figure coldly spoke,

“Both of you are at the mid-stage of Xiantian (advanced cultivation). How could you fail to handle a mere late-stage mortal brat?”

The two kneeling figures trembled, instinctively slamming their heads against the floor simultaneously, creating a crisp sound, while pleading,

“We know our mistake. Please grant us another chance, my lord!”

“If my guess is correct, they are the ones who destroyed the inn base. Moreover, the woman’s strength surpasses the man’s. Then what use do I have for you two?”

The seated man raised the hand holding the teapot. The two kneeling figures felt their strength drain, their faces turning pale.

However, the seated man suddenly lowered his hand again.

“Hmm, perhaps you still have some use. Fine, I’ll give you one more chance. Listen well—”