"He dares!" Chu Feng's eyes flashed with cold light. "If he really does that, I guarantee he won't be able to leave the Eastern Chen Prefecture!"
Chu Aolong fell silent. Though he was a dandy, he wasn't stupid. Chu Feng's words were filled with warning. The Chu family's foundation was far superior to that of a mere Chu Chen!
Three days later, in the Lin family's manor's assembly hall.
"Father, is that scoundrel really that arrogant and overbearing?" A man in his twenties, the Lin family's eldest son, Lin Yunfan, asked.
He stood amidst a group of people, his face extremely gloomy. "Our Lin family is, after all, a leading noble clan in Wuyang County. Even some minor princely families treat us with courtesy. How dare he be so domineering!"
"Yunfan, you are still young and don't understand," the Lin family's eldest son sighed. "This Chu Chen is indeed a madman. We cannot afford to provoke him!"
"Father, you're too timid. He's only one person, and our Lin family has over two hundred people!"
"Silence!" the Lin family's eldest son reprimanded. "Do you think I don't want to fight him? But the problem is, this guy is not only very strong but also cruel and ferocious. If he gets angry, our Lin family can only rely on the deterrence of the Protector Duke's mansion, otherwise..."
"The Protector Duke's mansion?" everyone was stunned. "Father, what do you mean by that?"
The Protector Duke's mansion held a significant position throughout the Eastern Chen Prefecture. Especially Protector Duke Chu Tianxing, who was hailed as one of the most outstanding martial cultivators in the history of the Eastern Chen Prefecture!
"I once heard my father mention that the Protector Duke's mansion has remained standing because they do not get involved in factional disputes, focusing solely on training troops and establishing martial arts academies. Therefore, even His Majesty rarely interferes in the internal affairs of the Protector Duke's mansion, allowing it to maintain its transcendent status," the Lin family's eldest son explained.
"But now this Chu Chen is clearly targeting us. Is he prepared to tear down the facade?" the Lin family's second son, Lin Wenxuan, said resentfully.
"If he wants to tear down the facade, then let him!" the Lin family's eldest son snorted. "Our Lin family is not a pushover to be bullied!"
"Yes, our Lin family is not afraid of him!"
"He's just an outsider disciple. Do you really think we're afraid of him?"
A group of people chimed in, all believing there was nothing to fear, as the Protector Duke's mansion disdained to interfere in political affairs. They occasionally dispatched a few guards to maintain order, so they were not afraid of Chu Chen, and even wished he would come knocking.
Seeing the indignant crowd, the Lin family's eldest son shook his head with a wry smile. He knew very well that their fervent display was merely to gain sympathy. They were all birds of a feather.
"All of you, shut up!" At this moment, the Lin family's eldest madam suddenly reprimanded. She was beautiful, dignified, and elegant. Her face was now covered in a dark cloud. "Chu Chen dares to do this, he must have some backing. I suspect he has invited some influential figure from the imperial palace to help!"
"I always feel that this Chu Chen is definitely not the good-for-nothing you describe. Our Lin family cannot continue like this!"
"We need to become stronger!" Hearing the eldest madam's words, the Lin family members fell silent.
"Mother, aren't you being a bit too serious?" the Lin family's second son, Lin Wentao, said weakly. "No matter how capable Chu Chen is, he's just an orphan. Who could he possibly invite?"
"Hmph! I've already investigated thoroughly. That Chu Chen is a distant relative of the Chu family in the imperial city. It is said that he was raised by the Chu family since childhood." The eldest madam's gaze was sharp. "Chu Chen and the Chu Feng, Chu Chen siblings grew up relying on each other, with deep affection. Today, Chu Feng was imprisoned. Can Chu Chen tolerate this?"
"Mother, you are right. The three siblings have deep affection for each other, which is why Chu Chen is so reckless in killing people!" Lin Wentao suddenly realized. "He must be taking out his anger on our Lin family because of this, wanting revenge."
"Exactly, that's it! He is so tyrannical and overbearing. Our Lin family absolutely cannot back down, otherwise, who will respect us in the future?"
"Uncle, I think we should strike first. Otherwise, when Chu Chen brings his experts to attack, it will be too late!"
"This Chu Chen is truly going too far!"
The Lin family members were indignant and filled with hatred for Chu Chen. They were all in the same boat, sharing glory and suffering together.
"Fine, since that's the case, we will take the initiative!" the Lin family's eldest son said after a moment of deliberation. "I have already contacted a guard captain from the Protector Duke's mansion. Tomorrow, I will take people to see him."
"Eldest brother, why didn't you say so earlier!"
"I've been waiting for this day!"
"Tomorrow morning, we'll go to the suburban hunting grounds and kill Chu Chen!"
One by one, the Lin family members rubbed their hands together, appearing excited as if they could already see Chu Chen's tragic death before their eyes.
The next day, in a pavilion in the Lin family mansion, the Lin family's eldest son and the Protector Duke's mansion's guard captain were sitting on stone benches, drinking tea and chatting.
"Young Master Lin, I have received news that that scoundrel Chu Chen left the Chu family last night, apparently planning to hunt alone at the hunting grounds."
"The hunting grounds are less than a kilometer from our Lin family. If we act now, we can completely take advantage of the situation!"
"Haha, good! Then we shall wait and see!"
The Lin family members' spirits were high, eager to take revenge. As they were talking, a terrifying and unparalleled pressure suddenly descended, enveloping them.
"Hmm?" The Lin family's eldest son frowned and scanned his surroundings, finding nothing unusual.
"Strange, that pressure just now..." The Lin family's eldest son frowned slightly, then his heart trembled again. "Such a strong sense of crisis! Could it be that Chu Chen has come looking for us? Not good! Run!"
However, before they could escape far, several dark sword shadows descended from the sky, sealing off the entire courtyard and preventing the Lin family members from escaping.
"Chu Chen!" The Lin family's eldest son stared at Chu Chen in the courtyard with utter horror. "You actually dare to come looking for us. You are simply audacious!"
Chu Chen glanced at them coldly, then turned to the Lin family patriarch, Lin Wenhao, and said indifferently.
"Lin Wenhao, I'll ask you one more time. Release my brother, and I'll spare your dog life!"
"Chu Chen, don't forget I'm your uncle. How dare you speak to me like that?" Lin Wenhao roared. "Do you know the consequences of your actions? You will implicate the entire Lin family!"
"I know very well," Chu Chen said, glancing at Lin Wenhao indifferently. His eyes slowly narrowed, and an icy killing intent surged forth.