C16 Be Obedient

Everyone in Asvetaesi had at least heard whispers of the legend of the blazing red lotus.

Most were well aware that the blazing red lotus, the mayor of Asvetaesi, had hands steeped in bloodshed.

Rumors abounded of several horrifying and brutal massacres in Asvetaesi, all orchestrated by her.

The Yuan family's preeminence among Asvetaesi's four great families was due to this woman, whose stunning beauty belied a heart that was both vicious and merciless.

The Zhao, Huang, and Yu families' key members were all too aware of her formidable nature. No one dared to take her lightly.

And now, the infamous "blazing red lotus," known for her cruelty, was imploringly making a request to their family's mad and foolish young master!

Everyone agreed that the day's events in the hall were completely unexpected!

"Come closer, and I'll share the secret with you," Yu Yuan said with a sudden smile, beckoning Yuan Lianyao. "This secret is not for others' ears."

He hadn't lost consciousness when Yuan Qiufang escorted him away from the stone path; he knew the ice chamber was somewhere beneath the Keep.

Having seen an abundance of bright red lotuses today, he swiftly concluded that his abductor, the one who had taken him to the ice chamber, was not the elder suffering from fire toxin.

It was the mayor herself!

This meant the elder from the Ruby Hand, afflicted with fire toxin, must have a profound connection with her!

She was either a member of the Ruby Hand or secretly aiding the elder from the Ruby Hand.

Regardless of which, Yu Yuan was convinced that at this juncture, the mayor would surely align with him and not sever ties at a critical moment.

"Very well."

Yuan Lianyao smiled, her lips curling slightly. She disregarded the Lin family's glares of enmity and the astonished looks from the rest of the hall. With a graceful sway, she approached Yu Yuan. True to his word, she leaned in, bringing her delicate ear to his lips. "I am all ears."

The Yu family members were bewildered.

The patriarch, Yu Cen, clutched his head as if overwhelmed by the turn of events.

The fate of the Lin family remained uncertain, and now they had to contend with the arrival of a notoriously troublesome mayor. How could this young man stir up so much trouble upon awakening?

"Actually, it's quite simple," Yu Yuan said with a smile, leaning in to whisper into Yuan Lianyao's ear, which seemed as delicate as jade. "Just do this and that, and the blood poison from the Lizard Blood Pill will naturally dissipate. Consider it a little lesson for them. I'm showing some respect to our dear mayor, or else I would have let them perish here."

His voice was barely audible when he described the antidote. But as he spoke of teaching the Lin family a lesson, his tone grew louder—loud enough to ensure they heard every word.

Lin Hanyu, deeply afflicted by the blood poison, was in agony and could do nothing despite his seething rage. Lin Zhuyun's heart sank even further. She was convinced that Yu Yuan had murdered Yin Jue! His wild behavior in the hall had left her feeling as though she was trapped in a terrible nightmare.

"If this is a nightmare, I hope to wake up soon," she murmured to herself, watching Yu Yuan effortlessly flirt with the stunning Yuan Lianyao. She felt a deep unease, thinking bitterly, "The blood poison must have penetrated my own flesh!"

"Isn't your method rather cruel? Are you serious?" Yuan Lianyao suddenly asked, her eyes filled with a peculiar look as she tried to suppress a smile, seemingly reluctant to believe him.

"Follow the method quickly! Otherwise, I fear I might soon be without a father-in-law," Yu Yuan instructed.

After a moment's consideration, Yuan Lianyao nodded in agreement. "Fine! I'll trust you this once. But I hope you're not treating this matter lightly. If you are, Asvetaesi will indeed run red with blood."

Yu Yuan urged, "Go on."

"The triennial competition that will determine the profits of the four great families is about to begin. I find myself with heightened expectations for your Yu family," Yuan Lianyao said with a grave expression. Finally, she turned her gaze to Yu Yuan, "Especially you—I'm particularly looking forward to seeing what you'll do. Oh, and if you need anything in the coming days, feel free to seek me out at any time."

With those words, she launched another attack.

Red lotuses swiftly enveloped Lin Hanyu, lifting him into the air.

"You'll come with me."

She gave Lin Zhuyun a nod and led the way out. Lin Hanyu, ensnared by the vibrant red lotuses, floated along behind her.

Lin Zhuyun stowed away the "Cold Spider Web" and, before departing, fixed Yu Yuan with an icy glare. "The humiliation my father and I have endured today will be repaid!"

"I'll be waiting," Yu Yuan replied coolly, his eyes slightly narrowed. "But I do hope you'll learn from this. Without the mayor's sister intervening today, you're well aware of the fate that would have befallen you both."

"I'll remember," Lin Zhuyun acknowledged with a nod and then left.

As soon as they were gone, the Yu family members in the hall erupted into chaos once again.

"Silence!" Yu Cen bellowed. "Several of my old friends have been slain by the Lin family's second elder. We must tend to their remains first."

"Understood."

Yu Wei quickly directed people to gather the remains of the fallen elders and counselors so they could be laid to rest with dignity.

"The Lin family! They've been relentlessly oppressive time and again. This marriage agreement seems pointless to continue!" Yu Lili exclaimed in sorrow. "Uncle, we've suffered losses. The Lin family and our Yu family are now at odds!"

"I'm aware," Yu Cen said, his frame shaking slightly in his wheelchair. "I, too, desire vengeance, but..."

"Don't worry. Even if Lin Hanyu doesn't perish this time, he'll be stripped to the bone," Yu Yuan assured him, taking a deep breath. "Grandfather, let's not dissolve the engagement just yet. We'll make them squirm. Trust me, the Lin family will face the consequences for their disruption in the Keep."

The hall fell into a hushed silence.

All eyes were fixed on him, as though they were seeing a stranger.

His actions today had been nothing short of astonishing!

"Don't look at me like that. I am Yu Yuan," he said, steeling himself. "I had the confidence to act as I did for good reason, although it's not something I can discuss in detail."

"I heard from Lin Zhuyun that Winter's Bite still has a Guru in the shadows," Yu Wei mentioned.

"That Guru is no threat," Yu Yuan replied without going into specifics. "Grandfather, I'll find a way to heal your broken legs. I assure you that your fallen cultivation level can be restored."

At these words, Yu Cen's excitement was palpable, his breathing quickened. "Really?"

"Yes," Yu Yuan affirmed with a gentle nod, then turned to Yu Wei, Yu Lili, and the rest. After a moment's thought, he continued, "Regarding the Yu Family's future, we need to be prepared for the contest against the other three major families."

"With the right spiritual weapon, I fear no one in the Golden Sanctum!" declared Yu Lili with pride.

"Spiritual weapons?" Yu Yuan mused, stroking his chin. "They will come. In time, we'll have everything we need. Rest assured, the Yu Family will not fall, not to the Lin family, nor to the likes of the Huang family."

Before anyone could inquire further, he left the room on his own accord.

"Patriarch, what's really going on with Yuan?"

"Uncle, is our nephew truly the same person? Why does he seem so unfamiliar?"

"Clan Master, you've actually enrolled him for the future tri-realm competition? Is he up to the challenge of the Spirit Channel?"

"…"

A barrage of questions about Yu Yuan bombarded the elder after his departure.

Yu Cen, though inwardly uncertain, still managed to reassure everyone with a semblance of wisdom, "Have faith. My grandson has become extraordinary since his awakening. Just watch and wait. I believe he will continue to bring unexpected delights to the Yu Family!"

"Delights? I hope they're not shocks!"

"He nearly gave me a heart attack today."

"How could he be so bold? To strike at the Lin family with such disregard? Isn't he afraid of the Lin family's vengeance or the bloody retribution of Winter's Bite?"

Yu Cen appeared to be deaf to the world around him.

"Just a few days left, only that much time. Do you truly believe you can reverse the outcome of the contest that spans three realms?" The elder gazed out of the hall, grappling with the enormity of the challenge himself, "The Lin family and Winter's Bite won't just stand down. How can we possibly untangle this web of difficulties?"

"Can the Yu family ascend to greatness because of you?"

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