The Lin family

Southern Mountain Territory, Qingshan Town.

Within the Lin family estate, in a secret chamber, candlelight flickered quietly, casting shifting shadows over the solemn faces of those seated inside. The atmosphere was heavy with tension.

“How are things progressing at the back mountain?”

The man seated at the head of the room was middle-aged, his eyes half-closed, his features stern, exuding an innate authority.

“There has been tremendous progress—we are in the final stages now. I estimate it won’t be long before we can open it,” one of the men replied from below.

“This matter concerns the very future of the Lin family. Not a single word must be leaked,” the head of the family intoned gravely.

“Rest assured, it was only by sheer chance that we discovered this. Very few people know about it. Other than the Lin family, the hired itinerant cultivators will be dealt with on the day the task is complete—they will disappear from this world.”

“It’s not a matter of trust. The stakes are simply too high. Even the main clan remains unaware, for I have kept it from them. We must ensure there are no mistakes. If we succeed, in time, our Lin family will secure a place within the main clan!”

“So, Family Head, you mean…?”

“Anyone not essential to the Lin family who is involved or has knowledge of this—let them resolve their own ends,” the head answered coldly.

One of the men below, also middle-aged with graying temples, abruptly opened his eyes. “Elder Brother, you mean…?” Lin Yan frowned, for many of those involved were people he’d recruited, even promising them generous rewards.

“The Lin family has been stagnant for far too long, confined within the same boundaries. What we need is transformation, a baptism. Their sacrifice is necessary,” Lin Ling, the family head, said indifferently.

“But…” Lin Yan seemed to hesitate, wanting to say more.

Lin Ling suddenly rose from his seat, his gaze sharp as fire as he looked down at the others. He declared in a voice of iron, “No more ‘buts.’ This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our family—perhaps our only chance. Either we rise, or we fall. We cannot afford to gamble.”

Silence reigned for a long while, the candle flame wavering.

“Uncle, we have planned for three years. Since the moment we discovered the inheritance realm in the back mountain, think of all our family has sacrificed; think of the lengths we’ve gone to keep it secret. You know this better than anyone. Father is right—we can’t take any chances. Any possibility of exposure must be eliminated. Once we obtain this inheritance, with my cultivation talent and my status as an alchemist, I believe even the main Lin clan in Linfeng Territory will have to recognize my worth. They’ll be nothing more than a stepping stone for me!”

From behind Lin Ling stepped a youth of twelve or thirteen, handsome and with a certain delicate air akin to Lin He, but coupled with a pride that set him above his peers.

This was Lin Tao, son of Lin Ling, the family head—a prodigy of the Lin family, already at the eighth stage of Qi Refining at only twelve, and with remarkable talent in alchemy as well.

“Very well.” Lin Yan started to speak but stopped himself. In matters that concerned the fate of the entire family, he had little say. He could only acquiesce.

“Keep a close eye on your son, Lin Yan. Make sure he doesn’t cause trouble at such a critical juncture.”

“We have people within both the Wang and Song families—every move they make is known to us. And we have contingencies. They won’t be able to stir up trouble.”

“But the Yu family is beyond our control. Though they keep to themselves and don’t interfere in worldly affairs, we must remain vigilant.”

“And as for the Heavenly Jade Pavilion—the waters there run deep. Even I know little about those behind it. For now, there’s no need to involve ourselves. The greater plan must come first. No matter what He’er has been up to lately, see that he stays inside for the time being. Those who achieve great things must know when to endure.”

Lin Ling, recalling something, issued a stern warning to his brother.

“Yes.”

Lin Yan wished to speak further, but reason told him that silence was the wiser choice. He lowered his head and said nothing more.

“The Heavenly Jade Pavilion is one thing, but the Yu family only settled in Qingshan Town in recent years—they don’t have the heritage to rival us. From what I know, there are only two cultivators in their family. What trouble could they possibly cause?” one of the others asked.

“One can never be too careful. I’ve met the two Yu family members several times. While I can sense their cultivation, my instincts tell me they are not as simple as they seem,” Lin Ling replied, recalling first the Yu family matron—unearthly, beautiful as a celestial maiden—then frowning.

“You think they’re hiding their strength? But why? Qingshan Town is a small place. Even the cave dwelling was only discovered by chance three years ago. What could they possibly want?” the man asked, perplexed.

“I don’t know. I observed them closely; their strength seemed on par with mine, and they didn’t notice my scrutiny. They didn’t seem to be concealing anything. Maybe it’s just my imagination. Otherwise…”

“Otherwise?” the man pressed.

“Otherwise, their strength far surpasses mine, and they simply can’t be bothered to care about me.”

“In any case, for two people to uphold an entire family and carve out a place in Qingshan Town—that alone is reason to be cautious.”

“We must accelerate our progress with the back mountain. The longer we wait, the more unpredictable things become.”

With a deep sigh, Lin Ling put thoughts of the Yu family aside. The secret realm in the back mountain remained the priority.

“Yes!” the others responded in unison, bowing.

After everyone had left, the chamber returned to silence. The candle’s flicker cast ever-shifting shadows on the walls.

“Father, Uncle hesitates too much,” Lin Tao said, glancing at his father with an unreadable look, as if he wished to say more.

A long silence passed.

“I know. I’ll handle it,” Lin Ling replied after a pause. “Tao’er, from now on, it will be up to you.”

He gazed at his son with deep emotion. He trusted the boy utterly—in cunning and talent, he believed his son was second to none, even surpassing himself in ruthlessness.

“I will heed your teachings, Father. I take my leave.”

Lin Tao turned and left the secret chamber, his expression darkening, lost in thought.

The secret chamber was silent once more. Lin Ling watched the candle burning unceasingly, saying nothing, his dark eyes reflecting its pale flame.

He had only this one child. In his youth, the affairs of the family had kept him from paying much attention to the boy. By the time the child had grown and formed his own ideas, Lin Ling found it increasingly difficult to see through him. Yet he knew his son was not the sort to balk at any means to achieve his ends.

And yet, the cold calculation that sometimes flashed in the boy’s eyes, the ruthless methods he hid from the world—Lin Ling wondered if he was raising a tiger in his own house.

At some point, he, the head of the family, had begun to feel a trace of fear toward the child who’d grown up right under his nose.

But he also believed his son would be the turning point for the Lin family, that he would lead them further than Lin Ling ever could.

Even when he’d heard rumors that the Yu family had a child at the ninth stage of Qi Refining, he’d laughed it off. In a small place like Qingshan Town, how could there possibly be a child under ten at the ninth stage? He thought Lin He had simply exaggerated in order to stir his support. He knew his nephew well—at best, mediocre talent; at worst, a complete disappointment, prone to embellishment to win favor.

Even if it were true, Lin Ling trusted his son to handle it with ease. A fleeting moment of triumph or defeat meant nothing in the grand scheme. For this, he was willing to risk everything—stake it all.

Even if it meant sacrificing his own brother.

Lin Ling was well aware of the things Lin Yan did behind his back, and of his ambition for the family head’s seat. But lacking both talent and cunning, Lin Yan was easy to overlook. Lin Ling had long feigned ignorance, too indifferent to care.

But now, there could be no room for error on this path.

As a father, he was bound by duty to pave the way for his son.

As head of the Lin family, he would not hesitate to sacrifice all for their ascent.

At any cost. By any means necessary.