Chapter 41: Meeting Mingde Again

“It seems you’re not going to be reasonable.”

Li Tan narrowed his eyes.

“I’ve always been reasonable. Just answer my questions honestly, and I won’t make things difficult for you.”

Li Tan sneered inwardly. How could he not know about the hidden intentions in Lin Ge’s heart? Even if Lin Ge had reasonable excuses to dodge the issue, he would still be accused of fabricated crimes. The outcome of this trial had little to do with what Li Tan had done; ultimately, it would depend on whether Lin Long or the Second Elder would back down. Given the current situation, the Second Elder, who seemed to have his own agenda, was unlikely to yield.

“Li Tan, at least pick the right time to be willful.”

Lin Long tightly gripped his teacup, his tone carrying a hint of threat.

“Xiao Tan, if you’ve been wronged, you can always come to me. I’ll help you resolve it as long as it’s not excessive. Please behave yourself now,” Gu Lin gently advised.

“You stubborn idiot, do you think this is still your Li family home where you can do whatever you please?” Lin Cui shouted angrily. The Second Elder’s gaze toward Li Tan also became more meaningful, as if contemplating something unknown.

Li Tan knew the situation all too well and had no desire to waste time here. If only he had even mid-stage Late Foundation Cultivation, he would dare to openly defy these people. But unfortunately, he didn’t.

As a useless person without any cultivation, his only weapon was his spiritual attack, which consumed too much energy. It was impossible to use it against so many people from the Lin family; at best, it would only be enough for him to escape.

So, escaping was Li Tan’s last resort.

Once he escaped from the Lin family, after the auction house matter was resolved and his dantian issue fixed, all current difficulties would be resolved effortlessly.

“I’ve said everything I needed to say. What can I do if you refuse to believe me?” Li Tan said helplessly.

“You, a useless person without the slightest cultivation, managed to beat Lin Yuan, a Late Foundation mid-stage cultivator, to this extent with just one hand. Don’t make me laugh.”

Lin Ge coldly remarked.

“Yuan, tell everyone what happened that day.”

This was essentially slapping himself publicly. Lin Yuan was reluctant at first but quickly obeyed after receiving a glare from Lin Ge. He described the incident as Li Tan provoking him unreasonably, forcing him to fight back, which led to the current situation.

Li Tan couldn’t be bothered to defend himself, while Lin Cui argued on his behalf. Eventually, both sides’ accounts were set aside for later discussion, and the issue returned to the beginning.

“Did you hear that? Regardless of how it started, Li Tan’s actions are factual and must be severely punished; otherwise, how can we maintain family discipline?”

Lin Ge declared indignantly.

Lin Long rubbed his forehead, closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again.

“Li Tan, this is your last chance. Tell us the truth honestly.”

“As long as it’s not something against heaven and earth, we won’t blame you,” Gu Lin added.

Li Tan scanned everyone from left to right, his eyes flashing with determination as he coldly spoke.

“If I refuse to speak, what are you going to do?”

“Dare to be arrogant again, you—” Lin Ge started, but was immediately interrupted by Li Tan.

“Kill me?

Or break my legs again?

Haha, you must have misunderstood something.”

The Second Elder frowned.

“What do you mean?”

Li Tan slightly lifted his head, his eyes turning icy.

“Although I married into the Lin family, I’m still the eldest son of the Li family. Have you forgotten that the Li family still exists?”

“Outrageous!”

Lin Ge slammed the table and stood up.

“You’re the one being outrageous!”

Li Tan stared directly at him.

“I’ve already clearly explained everything that needed explaining. Yet you twisted my words and ignored them completely. You keep accusing me of violating family rules, but in reality, it’s you who disrespects the family discipline.”

“You’re the one being judged. Who gave you the right to speak?”

The Second Elder’s eyes blazed, and instantly, the entire hall erupted into chaos.

No one had expected Li Tan to say something so shocking—it was like lighting a lantern in a toilet, asking for death.

However, after just a brief commotion, everyone unconsciously held their breath. Not only the Second Elder and Lin Ge, but also Lin Long, whose face was so dark it seemed about to drip water.

“Dad.”

Lin Cui’s expression turned grim. After calling Lin Long twice without getting a response, she turned to Li Tan but hesitated, unsure what to say.

She had always been the center of attention, but this was the first time she encountered such an embarrassing situation.

Meanwhile, Li Tan, the one who triggered everything, had prepared for all possibilities. Whether it was due to heaven’s jealousy or not, things were indeed taking the worst possible turn.

In his fury, Lin Long ordered Li Tan to fend for himself. With a wave from the Second Elder, guards with Late Foundation high-stage and even peak-stage cultivations entered the hall one after another, their weapons pointed directly at Li Tan.

“Li Tan, you must pay for your actions. Forget about Yuan’s matter for now; assaulting my father and the family head is already a serious crime.”

Lin Ge approached Li Tan step by step, a sinister grin spreading across his face as if his scheme had succeeded.

“You’d better surrender quietly.”

Li Tan snorted coldly, a dagger falling into his hand as his spiritual energy surged.

The atmosphere in the hall became extremely tense, like a powder keg ready to explode at any moment.

“Surrender quietly?

Sorry, I have no interest in that. One last warning: if you try to lay a hand on me, think carefully about the consequences first.”

“Hahaha, you really think because Li Zhen is the family head you can do as you please? How naive, so naively cute.”

Lin Ge, finally relieved after his previous frustration, eagerly looked at Li Tan and gave the guards the order to attack.

Just as the situation reached a flashpoint, a servant rushed in hurriedly with a family genealogy scroll.

“Family Head! Family Head! The city lord’s son has arrived!”

Everyone in the hall immediately stopped what they were doing.

Lin Long quickly stood up and tidied his appearance. The Second Elder said to detain Li Tan first before also standing up.

However, before they could go out to greet the guest, a handsome young man in white robes leisurely walked in.

“Brother Mingde greets all seniors.”

“Quickly, prepare a seat!”

Lin Long shouted while rushing out, his mouth still moving nonstop.

“I’m deeply sorry for not welcoming you properly, Young Master Ming. Please forgive us.”

The Second Elder and others also repeatedly apologized for not greeting him properly, clearly showing their unusual respect for Mingde, despite him also lacking cultivation.

This mainly stemmed from their fear of the City Lord’s Mansion. Although they claimed to be one of the three major families, compared to the official City Lord’s Mansion, they were completely inferior.

To put it bluntly, if they were too disobedient, the Lord of Linjiang City could send a letter, and the next day, experts would come to clean house.

Therefore, they were eager to flatter the Young City Lord Mingde, let alone mock him.

Mingde strode forward, directly bypassing the crowd trying to show their favor, and stopped behind Li Tan, respectfully bowing.

“Brother Li, it’s been just a day, but it feels like three autumns. I’ve missed you so much.”

Instantly, a strange atmosphere filled the hall once again.