This debt, Chu Chen bore in his heart, vowing to seek justice when the opportunity arose!
In the grand hall of the Lin manor, Lin Zhentian sat at the head seat, listening to Lin Yangze's account. His face was grim, and he remained silent for a long time.
"Father, Chu Chen is too cunning. He actually enlisted the Qin King's help. I was truly helpless," Lin Yangze said, his face filled with regret as he lowered his head.
"Hmph!" Lin Zhentian grunted, then said in a deep voice, "I want to see what waves Chu Chen can stir up. .oγg
A mere dandy, daring to challenge the authority of my Lin family! He deserves to have his entire clan exterminated!"
Before he finished speaking, Lin Zhentian abruptly stood up and strode out of the hall.
"Father, where are you going?" Lin Yangze hurried to follow, utterly bewildered.
"I am going to visit the Qin King and request him to intervene and suppress Chu Chen and his backer!"
"Father, the Qin King's manor is a forbidden area of the imperial city. Normally, no one except the Emperor and the Empress Dowager can enter. If you barge in rashly, I fear..."
"It matters not! I possess a token, and I doubt the Qin King would dare to stop me!" Lin Zhentian sneered, producing a token and handing it to a guard.
After examining it, the guard respectfully returned the token to Lin Zhentian.
Lin Zhentian retrieved the token, turned, and strode away, with Lin Yangze close behind.
Outside the Lin manor, a luxurious carriage, exquisitely decorated and priceless, was parked.
Assisted by maids, Lin Zhentian boarded the carriage and headed straight for the imperial city.
The Lin manor was not far from the imperial palace. In about the time it takes to brew half a cup of tea, they arrived at the Qin King's manor.
"Greetings, Young Master. This old servant has been waiting for a long time on the Emperor's orders," the steward said, hurrying forward and bowing.
"You are excused," Lin Zhentian waved his hand and walked directly into the Qin King's manor, encountering no obstruction.
Guided by the steward, Lin Zhentian arrived outside a complex of buildings. He looked up at the towering manor gates and mused.
"The Qin King's manor is a royal forbidden area, and ordinary people are not allowed to enter without permission. Yet today, I, a junior, am being allowed in. Isn't this against the rules?"
"Heh heh!" the steward chuckled, "His Majesty said you are a distinguished guest and an exception can be made."
"So that's how it is," Lin Zhentian realized, then stepped inside.
In the spacious main hall, a man in his fifties sat at the head seat, exuding an air of authority, his posture upright.
He was the current patriarch of the Lin family, Lin Yangze's paternal uncle, Lin Haoxuan.
On either side of Lin Haoxuan stood rows of black-armored guards, all of whom were Body Tempering realm cultivators. Their auras were profound, indicating they were no ordinary individuals.
"This junior pays his respects to the Qin King," Lin Zhentian bowed, his demeanor extremely courteous.
"Nephew, there's no need to be formal. Please, have a seat," Lin Haoxuan said with a smile, then inquired, "Nephew, for what reason do you visit today?"
"It's like this..." Lin Zhentian began to narrate, recounting the entire incident of Chu Chen's surprise attack on him.
Upon hearing this, Lin Haoxuan's eyes instantly turned icy, and his voice became sharp. "Chu Chen dared to bully you?
Outrageous! Such a scoundrel is unworthy of being a descendant of my Lin family. I will eliminate him for you!"
"Thank you, Qin King, for your kindness," Lin Zhentian said, cupping his hands in gratitude.
"Heh heh, it is my duty!" Lin Haoxuan nodded slightly and said with a faint smile, "Dealing with a mere brat is as easy as turning over my hand, is it not?"
With that, Lin Haoxuan called out, and two black-armored guards stepped forward, ready to drag Chu Chen out and behead him as a warning.
Lin Zhentian suddenly spoke, "Wait!"
The two black-armored guards froze, unsure of Lin Zhentian's intentions.
"Nephew, have you decided how to deal with Chu Chen?" Lin Haoxuan asked.
"Yes, I have a way to vent my anger," Lin Zhentian said with a sinister smile. "Chu Chen has had conflicts with me.
Not only did he steal my woman, but he has also repeatedly humiliated me. I will write down all these transgressions in a letter and send it to the capital for His Majesty's judgment."
"Haha... Brilliant!" Lin Haoxuan clapped his hands and laughed, exclaiming, "Nephew, you are truly wise. This way, not only can Chu Chen be punished,
but His Majesty will also be made aware of the wicked nature of their Chu family. Why not do it?"
"I wanted to do this long ago, but I lacked the excuse. After all, my Lin manor is weak and its foundation is shallow. I cannot contend with the Chu family, alas..."
Lin Zhentian sighed with regret.
"Haha..." Lin Haoxuan laughed heartily, "Nephew, you need not worry. I have a plan that is guaranteed to infuriate His Majesty and severely punish the Chu family."
"Oh? Please enlighten me, Your Highness!" Lin Zhentian's interest was piqued.
"Heh heh..." Lin Haoxuan smiled mysteriously and said, "We shall do this..."
Following this, Lin Zhentian's brows relaxed, a cruel arc forming on his lips as he said sinisterly.
"What a vicious plan! But... wouldn't doing so be somewhat inappropriate? What if someone discovers it?"
Lin Haoxuan shook his head and smiled, "Rest assured, it will absolutely not be exposed. Leave this matter to me. In three days, everything will be settled."
"Then I thank you, Qin King. After this matter is concluded, I will certainly reward you handsomely," Lin Zhentian said, his face beaming with joy. He cupped his hands in a bow and then took his leave.
Watching Lin Zhentian's retreating back, a trace of contempt flashed in Lin Haoxuan's eyes. He said dismissively.
"A mere Chu family dares to offend my dignity. Truly seeking their own doom. Three days are not needed; one day will be enough to make the Chu family disappear forever."
Meanwhile, at the Chu family.
In the main hall, Chu Feng and Zhao Yunhai were conversing happily.
"Brother Yunhai, you have worked hard these past few days. If not for your strategies, it would not have been so easy to bring down Lin Zhentian," Chu Feng raised his cup in celebration.
"Not at all, not at all. For the glory of the Chu family, let alone a few months, I would be willing to spend years, even decades!" Zhao Yunhai said, drinking with a smile, appearing very pleased.
"Haha! Brother Yunhai, rest assured, once I inherit the throne of the Qin Kingdom, I will surely bestow rewards upon you. Let us work together to push the Chu family to its peak!" Chu Feng said heartily.
Zhao Yunhai nodded in agreement, secretly delighted. "Heh heh..."
Although this banquet of deception had failed, the Chu family was not to be trifled with. While they had suffered heavy losses, it did not mean they were incapable of counterattack.
"Young Master, Lin Zhentian has arrived," a servant ran in to report.
"He has finally come?" Chu Chen narrowed his eyes, a murderous glint flashing in his gaze.
"Hmph! Does he think he's so great just because he has the Qin King's manor backing him?" Zhao Yunhai snorted coldly. "Our Chu family's experts have already arrived.
With a little arrangement, we will surely ensure he dies without a burial place."
"Indeed! The Chu family has stood for a hundred years and is not to be underestimated. What is a mere Lin Zhentian?" Chu Chen said with a sinister grin, slamming his hand on the table and giving an order.
"Prepare quickly. We strike tonight! We must capture Lin Zhentian and his entire clan. I want the entire Lin family to submit at my feet!"
As night fell, outside the Lin family mansion, a dense crowd of servants had gathered. They were all personnel from the Chu family.