Lin Zhengren had long been focused on his cultivation within the National Dao Academy, rarely returning to the Lin family of Wangjiang City.

What manner of cautious soul would set up arrays within a room they seldom occupied? And to set up not one, but two!

He must have been in constant fear of misfortune, always preparing a path for retreat.

Had it not been for this sudden encounter tonight, Jiang Wang believed he would have little chance of capturing Lin Zhengren. So cunning, so exceedingly cautious.

Against a normal opponent, the first Water Serpent Array would have been sufficient.

Used tonight, it still managed to distract Jiang Wang, buying Lin Zhengren precious time.

And the Water Flow Barrier paired with the Harvest Horn was simply a stroke of genius.

Had the Harvest Horn connected to any other powerhouse, Jiang Wang could have swiftly shattered the array, killed his target, and departed with ease.

But that person was Du Ruhui…

Jiang Wang couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

Setting everything else aside, to have Du Ruhui, a powerhouse wielding the skill of “Worlds Apart Within Arm’s Reach” and dedicated to his nation, was an immense blessing for the State of Zhuang!

One such individual could be worth a multitude of ordinary powerhouses!

“If you doubt it, you can gamble on whether I can truly contact the Prime Minister. Win, and gain nothing but my death. Lose, and face the Prime Minister’s pursuit, paying for my life with your own!”

Lin Zhengren stared directly at Jiang Wang. “Sir, are you willing to gamble?”

He possessed a few other protective talismans, but their power was insufficient to sway his opponent. Instead, concealing them might prove useful in dealing with unforeseen circumstances.

“Then why haven’t you activated it?” Jiang Wang retorted, meeting Lin Zhengren’s gaze.

Both were testing the other’s resolve.

Despite being completely outmatched in terms of power, Lin Zhengren, through his ruthlessness and caution, had once again seized the initiative!

“The Harvest Horn is difficult to create, and another will not be granted without great merit. Tonight, I have already lost much; I do not wish to lose more.”

Lin Zhengren slowly said, “However, considering the duration of the Water Flow Barrier at this intensity… In ten breaths at most, I will directly activate the Harvest Horn.”

He turned his gaze upon Jiang Wang, as if, even through the Shangui mask that concealed his face, he would engrave the masked visage into his very soul. “The choice is now yours. Remain here and attempt to kill me, or flee immediately?”

Jiang Wang was silent.

Time flowed slowly but inexorably.

The two men, separated by the flowing barrier, stood in silent confrontation.

Eight breaths, seven breaths, six breaths… three breaths…

Jiang Wang raised his hand, the flames in his palm blasting a massive hole in the roof. He then flew away through the opening, without a word.

Lin Zhengren was indeed a formidable opponent, but not worth gambling his life against, not for Jiang Wang.

He chose to concede.

The mysterious figure in the Shangui mask had ultimately departed.

Lin Zhengren remained in silence for a long time before finally releasing a breath. He stumbled backward and collapsed into a chair.

Tonight had likely been the greatest crisis he had ever faced, completely unprepared as he was for the sudden encounter, the sudden hostility, and the overwhelming power of his opponent.

But he had ultimately survived, weathered this terrifying storm.

Even… if the price had been so heavy.

In the deserted room, Lin Zhengren closed his eyes, forcing back a tear that threatened to spill.

Was he grieving?

Regardless of Lin Zhengli’s worthlessness, his wickedness, he was still his brother. They had grown up together, after all, shared moments of innocence. Moments of true brotherly affection…

How could he not grieve?

But Lin Zhengren allowed himself only that fleeting moment of grief, for the night was far from over.

He opened his eyes, stood up, and walked toward the door, his expression now serene.

He stopped at the doorway.

For standing outside was an elderly man, his hair white as snow, leaning on a cane.

The Lin family’s patriarch, his own grandfather.

Lin Zhengren opened his mouth. “Grandfather.”

He had always been precocious, looking down on his father from a young age. Named Lin Duanxing, yet neither upright nor virtuous. A gluttonous drunkard who did nothing but drink and chase women.

His closest relative since childhood had been this white-haired elder, his grandfather.

His grandfather was a man of great skill, who had built the once insignificant Lin family of Wangjiang City into the foremost clan.

Perhaps due to his disappointment in Lin Duanxing, the education of both him and his brother had been personally overseen by his grandfather.

Politics, schemes, business… he had learned much from this old man.

Compared to the irresponsible Lin Duanxing, his grandfather had truly dedicated his life’s blood to the family.

The white-haired elder stood alone outside Lin Zhengren’s door, without a single attendant.

He hadn’t appeared when the Lin family members surrounded the courtyard, shouting at Jiang Wang.

He hadn’t appeared when Lin Zhengli was forced to jump into the well.

But now, he stood outside Lin Zhengren’s door.

If anyone truly understood Lin Zhengren, it was his grandfather.

He looked at Lin Zhengren, his cloudy eyes reflecting the wisdom of ages.

“Have you made up your mind?” he asked.

Lin Zhengren was silent.

Despite having made his decision, he hesitated in his grandfather’s presence.

“I asked, have you made up your mind?” The old man tapped his cane lightly on the ground, urging him on.

Lin Zhengren lowered his head, then raised it, his eyes filled with determination. “Grandfather, I cannot bear such a reputation.”

“Zhengren, I am both disappointed and pleased with you.”

The old man’s white hair trembled slightly in the night breeze, his expression filled with sorrow. “I have expectations for your future, and also grieve for Zhengli. Though he is inferior to you in every way, even in ruthlessness.”

“Grandfather…” Lin Zhengren began.

The old man cut him off with a gesture. “Go, make the choice you believe is right. I will handle Duanxing. Patricide… invites heavenly retribution.”

They both understood that if the truth of Lin Zhengren’s forcing his own brother to his death to avoid danger were to be revealed, Lin Zhengren would have no future in the National Dao Academy.

No matter how dark or corrupt the world may be, at least in the daylight, everyone needs to see the sunshine.

With so many witnesses present tonight, the secret would be difficult to keep. And with Lin Duanxing’s character, one could hardly expect him to consider the “big picture.” So there was only one choice…

That choice was the reason for the old man’s disappointment, and also the reason for his satisfaction.

Lin Zhengren gritted his teeth and turned to leave.

“Lin Zhengren.” The old man said from behind him, “Never forget what the Lin family has sacrificed for you. Never forget that you are a Lin. From the depths of the Nine Springs, I want to see the Lin family shine!”

Lin Zhengren’s footsteps faltered only for a moment before he continued on his way.

That night.

A demonic cultivator broke into the Wangjiang City Dao Academy, demanding the Dao Art of Decayed Wood. At that time, Lin Zhengren, one of the six prodigies of the National Academy, also participated in the hunt for the demonic cultivator.

Unexpectedly, that demonic cultivator infiltrated the Lin family’s ancestral grounds, slaughtering the entire Wangjiang City Lin family… to the last soul.