As Xiao Chen and the Qin familyâs people started to fight, Su Lin sped all the way directly towards the Li familyâs manor.
Standing at the entrance of the Li family manor, Su Lin hesitated slightly. This manor was really too large, much bigger than the so-called villas.
âThe Li family is just a first-rate family in Donghai, so how big must the estates of the major families in Jingzhou, Modu, and the Imperial Capital be? Wouldnât they occupy several hills?â
When Su Lin previously visited the Qin family, he only saw the main gate and didnât notice how large it was inside.
Now at the entrance of the Li family, he had no idea in which room Li Ziyu was.
After thinking for a moment, Su Lin released a hint of a Grandmasterâs aura. He knew if those people from that day were in the Li family, they would definitely come out to meet him.
Sure enough, a minute later, Su Lin saw the old man in the late stage of the Master level. He noticed a flicker of apprehension in the old manâs eyes, but thinking about the possibly complicated relationship between Su Lin and Li Ziyu, his wariness eased a lot.
âSu⦠Su⦠Suâ¦â
Li Wendao was somewhat troubled. Normally, calling Su Lin by his name wouldnât be an issue since Su Lin was such an influential figure, but Su Lin was a Grandmaster. It felt inappropriate to just call him by his name.
Other Grandmasters were simply addressed with their surname followed by âold,â but Su Lin was only eighteen. It couldnât be âOld Su.â
Seeing the old manâs conflicted expression, Su Lin sighed and said, âJust call me Su Lin.â
Hearing this, Li Wendao breathed a sigh of relief and asked, âAre you here to see the young miss?â
Su Lin nodded. âI heard she was confined, and no one answered her phone or messages. I was a bit worried, so I came to check on her. There are too many rooms in the Li familyâs estate. Do you know which one Li Ziyu is in?â
Li Wendao hesitated, unsure if he should tell Su Lin. Seeing his hesitation, Su Lin smiled and asked, âHow should I address you?â
âLi Wendao, just call me by my name.â
âLi Wendao, if youâre unwilling to tell me which room Ziyu is in, Iâll have to search one by one. If it causes a disturbance, itâll be troublesome. The Li familyâs Grandmaster probably isnât in the manor right now.â
âDo you think those good-for-nothings can stop me? Itâs better to just tell me directly. Iâll go have a chat with Ziyu and then leave. I wonât involve myself in other affairs of the Li family.â
Hearing Su Linâs words, Li Wendao felt more at ease. He knew Su Linâs words were just a verbal assurance, essentially meaningless, but it gave him some peace of mind.
Otherwise, Su Lin could truly ignore them and search on his own, causing a real mess. He was aware that Su Lin could defeat a Grandmaster in a few moves.
âThe young miss is on the third floor of the inner courtyard, the last room. Thatâs the familyâs confinement room. Sheâs there now.â
Su Lin nodded. âAlright, Iâll go find her. Keep an eye out for me~~.â
Li Wendaoâs expression turned strained. In the middle of the night, Su Lin came for a secret meeting with their familyâs young miss, and he was asked to keep watch. What was this situation?
Without waiting for Li Wendao to reply, Su Lin lightly tapped his foot and flew to the rooftop, then disappeared in a blink.
Li Wendaoâs pupils shrank. This was definitely ancient martial arts. National arts could achieve this too, but like a fired cannonball, it would leave a crater at the origin.
âThis must be the legendary lightness skill. No wonder he could defeat a Grandmaster at such a young age. He practices ancient martial arts,â Li Wendao muttered to himself before looking around to make sure no one was nearby, then returned to the manor.
Inside the Li familyâs confinement room, Li Ziyu was playing chess against herself. She had been there for a day. She had already prepared for the companyâs affairs, so she wasnât worried at all.
Unintentionally, she thought of Su Lin.
Thinking back to the initial encounters where Su Lin had outmaneuvered her several times, and later, when he displayed astonishing martial prowess, Li Ziyu realized Su Lin was truly an enigma. The information they had on him was just the tip of the iceberg. No one knew how formidable the real Su Lin was.
âWhy am I thinking of Su Lin?â she pondered.
âZiyu⦠were you just saying you missed me?â
Hearing the familiar voice of Su Lin, Li Ziyu was startled, then quickly turned around. She hadnât expected Su Lin to be standing behind her.
Seeing Li Ziyuâs incredulous look, Su Lin smiled, âSurprised?â
Li Ziyu quickly recovered, shaking her head, âNot exactly surprised, but itâs unexpected. Yet, it does fit your style.â
Su Lin smiled. âI heard you were confined, so I came to check on you. I didnât expect to hear someone mentioning they missed me.â
Li Ziyuâs face flushed slightly, not very noticeable. She looked at Su Lin and said, âI was just wondering if you would continue to pursue Xiao Chen. He left in the afternoon, and I donât know where he went.â
Su Lin smiled. âBeing confined, yet still managing to keep a grip on family affairs, Ziyu, youâre indeed not simple.â
Li Ziyu smiled softly and looked at Su Lin. âCompared to you, what am I? You are the truly remarkable one. A Grandmaster at eighteen, even in the Imperial Capital, that would be extremely rare.â
Su Lin shook his head seriously and said, âYouâre wrong about that. The scarcity of Grandmasters in Donghai only shows the lack of resources here. I can guarantee you, once we go to the Imperial Capital, youâll see Grandmasters everywhere.â
âUs?â
Faced with Li Ziyuâs puzzled look, Su Lin smiled and said, âOf course, âus.â Donât forget, weâre partners.â
After saying this, he sat down next to Li Ziyu, very close to her. Su Lin smiled and asked, âWhen do you plan to make your move? Do you need help?â
Li Ziyu thought for a moment and shook her head, âI havenât decided on any action yet. If everything goes as planned, I wonât need help. But Iâm worried Xiao Chen might get involved. If it comes to seizing power, Xiao Chen will definitely side with my grandfather, and then there will be a violent struggle.â
âDo you want me to help you then?â
Li Ziyu shook her head, âAlthough Iâve decided to break with my grandfather, I donât want to kill him. After all, heâs still my grandfather.â
âHehe, Ziyu, you might not want to kill him, but he might not hesitate to kill you. Iâve heard that the daughters of the Li family are all pretty, and your father is quite prolific. If your grandfather really marries someone off to Xiao Chen, heâs likely to discard you.â
âIâd be happy if he decided to marry off someone else other than me.â
Su Lin scoffed, âZiyu, you still donât understand your grandfather. If you canât be of use to him or bring him benefits, but instead pose a great threat, he wouldnât hesitate to kill even his own son or daughter.â
âThe power youâve shown in the Li family has already exceeded his expectations by far. I think your grandfather is already wary of you.â
Hearing Su Linâs words, Li Ziyu felt a jolt in her heart and then fell silent.
âYouâve thought about the possibility of what I said, right? If he really intends to arrange a marriage alliance with someone else other than you, then he will definitely make a move against you.â
âFrom the moment you chose to resist, you were already on a path with no other options.â
Su Linâs words were harsh but realistic, and Li Ziyu knew he was right. âDo we really have to go that far?â
Su Lin nodded, âBefore you showed your strength, there was room for negotiation. Now, your grandfather will not negotiate with you. You can only move forward.â
Li Ziyu looked at Su Lin helplessly, then hugged his arm and leaned on him, âIf it comes to that, I wonât be happy, Su Lin. Please donât intervene unless itâs absolutely necessary, okay?â
Su Lin, following her gaze to her flawless neck and thin dress, reined in his wandering thoughts and nodded, âOkay! I wonât intervene unless itâs absolutely necessary.â
âSu Lin⦠Thank you.â
Su Lin smiled, âWhy thank me? When you take control of the family, youâll have to repay me. Xiao Chen might bring more major families into the fray; youâll have to stand in front for me.â
âSure! Weâll take him down together.â
Hearing Li Ziyuâs emotionless words, Su Lin laughed, âAlright! Letâs take him down together.â
After a while, Su Lin heard some commotion downstairs. Li Wendao arrived, leaping up the stairs and said anxiously, âSu Lin, you should leave quickly. The family head has suddenly returned with two Grandmasters.â
âTwo Grandmasters? Were they out fighting?â Su Lin was surprised.
âItâs unclear, but itâs definitely not safe to stay in the Li familyâs manor any longer.â
Su Lin nodded, bid farewell to Li Ziyu, and then effortlessly flew away.
Watching Su Linâs skillful departure, Li Wendao envied him.
After Su Lin disappeared, Li Ziyu turned to Li Wendao and asked, âWhat exactly happened?â
âXiao Chen and some unidentified individuals started fighting in the morgue. The family head has gone to rescue them, and theyâre heading back now.â
Li Ziyu frowned, âFighting again, truly a harbinger of trouble. Wherever he goes, trouble follows.â
âDo you know which faction those people belonged to?â
Li Wendao shook his head, âItâs hard to say. They are all ruthless independents wanted by the authorities.â
âWhoâs behind this? Whatâs going on with Xiao Chen? Why does Su Lin want him dead, and why are assassins and the Qin family also after him? What did he do?â
Li Wendao was clueless, thinking, âIf you donât know, how would I? We martial artists spend our days thinking about cultivation and breakthroughs, not these matters.â
Realizing she was speaking to the wrong person, Li Ziyu let him go.