Chapter 194: Chapter 194

When Su Lin and Li Ziyu arrived at the Qin family’s residence, Song Zhiming in Jingzhou had thoroughly gathered all the information about Su Lin. Holding a thick stack of documents, his gaze was dark and unreadable.

With the information provided by Xiao Chen, he had to admit that Su Lin was mysterious and powerful.

However, Song Zhiming didn’t care; having weathered ups and downs in Jingzhou for decades, he had seen too many geniuses fall and too many mysterious figures meet their end at his hands.

Though this was a cross-provincial operation, he wasn’t the least bit worried about losing, for he had always won. “Notify everyone, we leave for Donghai tomorrow~!!”

His confidant, Song Chunsheng, was somewhat shocked, “Master, are you going personally?”

Song Zhiming nodded, “I will go personally. This time, I’m not just seeking revenge for Xiao Cheng, but I also want to find my second brother and settle things once and for all. That thorn has been in my throat for twenty years; I don’t know when I’ll be able to remove it.”

Song Chunsheng realized that Song Zhiming’s main goal was the brother he had been missing for twenty years. Avenging Song Juncheng was just an excuse.

He knew better than to voice these thoughts. One could guess the master’s intentions, but to speak them out loud was forbidden. After all, if you’re too smart and see through people’s intentions, why would they keep you around?

“Master, who will you bring on this trip?”

Song Zhiming was silent for a moment before speaking, “Apart from those who absolutely need to stay, bring all the grandmasters. Call those two old fellows out of seclusion too. Also, ask a few other families for some people.”

“How many people do you think are appropriate, Master?”

“Let’s go with ten, plus those two old fellows to make thirty grandmasters, along with two ancient martial arts grandmasters. Bring all the martial arts masters too. Even if Donghai is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, we will level it,” Song Zhiming said disdainfully.

Song Chunsheng nodded, “I’ll arrange it right away.”

“Good, we must leave tomorrow morning and aim to arrive in Donghai before dawn.”

“Understood, Master.”

After Song Chunsheng left, Song Zhiming nodded in satisfaction. Looking at Song Juncheng’s corpse, he waved his hand, and the lid of the Xuanbing coffin automatically closed over Song Juncheng’s ice coffin.

His precise control of internal energy revealed him to be an ancient martial arts grandmaster of a high caliber, already at the peak of great completion.

This was Song Zhiming’s biggest secret, unknown to anyone but himself. He had always only trusted in his own strength, knowing that true power comes from oneself, not from the external support of family retainers.

“My dear brother, this time I will personally come to Donghai to bring you home.”

The next day, Su Lin got up early, changed into a set of loose clothes, and stood waiting for news by the window.

Like Song Zhiming, Su Lin had also thoroughly researched Song Zhiming, especially his true strength and character.

This was a man who would retaliate for any slight, so Su Lin knew he would make arrangements immediately. While Su Lin was lost in thought, his phone in the bag rang.

“Hello, boss, the Song family has already boarded their private jet and is expected to arrive in Donghai in two hours.”

Hearing Luo Sihai’s words, Su Lin was not surprised and said, “Find out which airport their private jet is landing at. That shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

“No problem, boss.”

“Good! Notify the Li and Qin families that we can start moving.”

“Got it, boss!!”

After giving a few more instructions, Su Lin hung up the phone, turned around, and saw Lin Xiaowan staring at him with big, questioning eyes: “Su Lin, are the Song family arriving today? Don’t try to deceive me; you know I have other ways to find out the truth.”

Lin Xiaowan bit her lip, her face showing stubbornness. She knew Su Lin too well; the more critical the situation, the less likely he was to let them know, choosing instead to silently resolve everything by himself.

Once everything was settled, he would mention it casually during a happy gathering, downplaying how difficult the process had been.

Every time Su Lin faced a problem, she felt useless for not being able to help. Now that she had finally become a master, she still couldn’t help, but Su Lin had allowed her to seek help from her family, merely hoping to provide them with some protection while he ventured out alone.

Knowing that Lin Xiaowan would still find out through her channels, Su Lin could only nod, “Yes, the Song family has already boarded the plane and is expected to arrive in Donghai in two hours.”

“We just don’t know which airport yet, but I suspect it won’t be Donghai International Airport. They’ll likely land at a smaller airport. We’re currently checking.”

“Is it very dangerous?” Lin Xiaowan asked again.

Su Lin nodded, “Extremely dangerous. According to Luo Sihai, it’s a massive operation, likely involving hundreds of people. They’re either martial arts masters or grandmasters.”

Lin Xiaowan seemed scared, “So many people… Su Lin, why don’t you come with me to the capital now?”

Su Lin shook his head, “Xiaowan, you said you understand me. Escaping is not in my nature; facing difficulties head-on is.”

Lin Xiaowan wasn’t surprised by Su Lin’s response. She looked at him and said, “Then take me with you.”

Su Lin immediately refused, “No, it’s too dangerous.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t be a burden. Yuyu, Yanyan, and I have been practicing the Jade Maiden’s Heart Sutra sword technique daily. We’re all now masters, and our lightness skills have improved significantly, much faster than those clumsy grandmasters. Let me go with you.”

(TL; Yuyu is Xia Shiyu’s nickname.)

“No, Xiaowan, it’s extremely dangerous.”

“If you don’t let me go, I’ll go by myself. If something happens, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”

Seeing Lin Xiaowan’s stubbornness, Su Lin didn’t know what to say. He realized that having someone fully supportive wasn’t always good. For example, Lin Xiaowan was determined to join him in what she perceived as a fatal confrontation against the Song family.

Su Lin gave a bitter smile, “Xiaowan, if I take you, how am I supposed to look after you? If dozens of grandmasters charge at you, how am I supposed to stop them? Should I focus on saving myself or protecting you?”

Lin Xiaowan fell silent instantly. She regretted not practicing more diligently as Su Lin had advised. Now, she would either be a burden if she went or feel miserable if she stayed behind. How could someone like her, always treated as precious, stand this…

“Xiaowan, stay home and wait for me. Don’t worry, a bunch of nobodies from the Song family can’t do anything to me.”

Lin Xiaowan gritted her teeth, then said, “I won’t go, but you have to take Aunt Su with you.”

“Aunt Su?”

Lin Xiaowan nodded and then got up, walked to the window, and knocked on the glass three times. Su Lin felt a strong aura approaching fast, flying directly into the room.

Su Lin saw a woman in her thirties, looking youthful, standing before him with an ancient longsword on her back.

“Aunt Su, I’m entrusting Su Lin’s safety to you.”

He Suxin looked at Su Lin with dissatisfaction, “Wanwan, you made me travel all the way from the capital to Donghai just to play bodyguard for your little boyfriend?”

Lin Xiaowan hugged He Suxin’s arm and shook it, “Aunt Su, please help me. You’re the best.”

“What will you do if I leave?”

“I can take Yuyu and the others to the Qin or Li family. We’ll take care of ourselves. We won’t be in any trouble,” Lin Xiaowan said quickly.

He Suxin sighed, “I can help you this time, but remember, Wanwan, women of the Lin family can never settle for being secondary or marrying a loser.”

“Aunt Su, Su Lin is not a loser; he’s very powerful, a grandmaster,” Lin Xiaowan reminded discontentedly.

“Oh? A grandmaster?” He Suxin sized up Su Lin, then slightly released her aura. Su Lin remained unmoved.

Seeing this, He Suxin seemed to accept Lin Xiaowan’s words, “Being a grandmaster is nothing special. There are plenty of 18-year-old grandmasters in the capital. Wanwan, what’s so good about this Su Lin that you’re so concerned about him?”

Lin Xiaowan’s face lit up with happiness, “I can’t exactly say why Su Lin is good, but I just like him.”

“Ah, from ancient times, love has always been the greatest torment. Wanwan, you’ve never asked anything of me before, so I’ll agree to your request this time. But let’s make it clear, this is a one-time exception.”

Lin Xiaowan excitedly hugged He Suxin’s neck, “Aunt Su, you’re the best.”

He Suxin patted Lin Xiaowan’s back affectionately, “You’re already so grown up, yet you’re still so lively.”

“Hehe~!!”

“Su Lin, what do you say?” Lin Xiaowan turned to ask Su Lin.

Seeing Lin Xiaowan like this, Su Lin couldn’t bear to refuse her goodwill anymore, knowing she would follow him anyway if he did.

Su Lin sighed, “Since you’re so worried about me, Xiaowan, I certainly can’t let down your kindness. But let’s make a deal; until I come back, you must stay at the Qin family’s house and go nowhere else.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Uh-huh, we’ll definitely behave,” Lin Xiaowan said, her eyes curving into crescents, clearly delighted that Su Lin had agreed to her arrangement.