Led by Elder Lin, the group soon arrived at the hall.
The Lin family hall was decorated in a very solemn manner. Lin Zhen sat in the main seat with a ruddy complexion, presumably indicating that the Netherworld Poison had been completely removed from his body.
Standing beside him were several important elders of the Lin family.
Seeing Yi Ting enter, Lin Zhen's imposing expression softened considerably, and he forced a smile, saying:
"Distinguished guests, please have a seat."
Yi Ting and Xia Zihan bowed slightly, while Qin Luo and Xia Qi clasped their hands slightly before slowly sitting down.
After Qin Luo took his seat, he silently observed the situation in the hall.
Two women sat beside Lin Zhen. One was dressed in gorgeous clothes, with exquisite patterns embroidered on her silk robes, exuding an air of wealth and power, while Lin Yong stood calmly behind her.
The other woman had delicate features but a hint of meanness. Although her eyes and brows possessed a certain elegance, it was somewhat marred by the faint, cold lines at the corners of her mouth. Her face bore a resemblance to Lin Cheng's from that day.
It seems that the two women are indeed Lin Yong and Lin Cheng's mothers.
Qin Luo thought to himself, but when he saw Lin Yu standing alone behind Lin Zhen, he was puzzled. Why was Lin's mother not seen in this scene? However, Qin Luo did not dwell on it and quickly moved on from the matter.
After everyone was seated, Lin Zhen once again expressed his gratitude to Yi Ting for saving his life. He then began to talk to her, but his words carried a subtle hint of trying to win her over. However, Yi Ting shook her head and refused each time.
Seeing this, Lin Zhen sighed. He knew that Yi Ting had no intention of staying in the Lin family, but he only felt sorry for her. Lin Zhen still respected Yi Ting's choice.
"Before we knew it, we had been chatting for quite a while with Miss Yi. Now it's time to get down to business."
"I wonder how Miss Yi would like me to repay this kindness? As long as it is within the Lin family's power, I will do my best to help."
Lin Zhen looked at Yi Ting with sincere eyes.
Upon hearing this, Yi Ting smiled faintly and remained silent, turning her gaze to Xia Qi.
Xia Qi immediately understood, took a step forward, bowed to Lin Zhen, and said:
"Patriarch Lin, my name is Xia Qi. May I ask if Patriarch Lin is aware of the upheaval in Zhongzhou?"
"Xia Qi, surnamed Xia? Could he be of royal blood?"
Lin Zhen frowned slightly, picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip of tea, and seemed to be thinking about something.
After a while, he put down his teacup and slowly said:
"Young Master Xia, I've heard a bit about what's happening in the capital. If you don't want me to get involved in things in Zhongzhou, then what do you mean?"
"Although my Lin family has some strength, the Southern Region and the Central State are far apart. It's not that I don't want to help, but that I'm powerless to do so."
"I think Young Master Xia should change the terms."
At this point, Lin Zhen sighed slightly. He probably didn't want to get involved in this mess, since the four major sects in Zhongzhou had four sect leaders at the late stage of the Soul Contract Realm, each of whom was no less powerful than him. If he rashly got involved, it would be tantamount to courting death.
Seeing this, Xia Zihan suddenly spoke up:
"Patriarch Lin, you are mistaken. These four major sects in Zhongzhou are eyeing us covetously. Given their ambitions, Zhongzhou alone is far from enough to satisfy their appetites."
"Once the Central Plains fall, this turmoil will inevitably spread rapidly. Although the Southern Region is located in a remote area and seems to be far from the center of this storm, this is not the case."
"When the nest is overturned, how can any egg remain intact? At that time, it will be harder than climbing to heaven for the Southern Region to remain unscathed."
Xia Zihan's clear voice echoed throughout the hall, causing Lin Zhen's originally resolute expression to waver slightly, and even the Lin family elders on the side began to whisper among themselves.
Qin Luo glanced at Xia Zihan with slight surprise. He hadn't expected that Xia Zihan, who had been secretly suppressed by Yi Ting recently, could say such a logical and convincing thing.
It seems that Xia Zihan was so engrossed in her love affair that she focused most of her attention on him, which blinded her to her intelligence.
Just as the Lin family members were pondering Xia Zihan's words, the woman to Lin Zhen's left, with delicate features but a harsh expression, spoke up:
"This young lady speaks so lightly. Although we know the situation in Zhongzhou is delicate, we don't want to be the first to stick our necks out. If things go wrong, wouldn't our Lin family become the ones who suffer the most?"
Her words were soft, but carried a harshness that clashed with her delicate features.
Just as Xia Zihan was about to try to persuade him again, Xia Qi shook his head at her and then looked at Lin Zhen and the others.
"Patriarch Lin, we don't need the entire Lin family to go to the aid of the imperial city. We only need Patriarch Lin to stop one of their late-stage Soul Contract Realm sect leaders. That shouldn't be too difficult for Patriarch Lin, right?"
Xia Qi looked at Lin Zhen with a firm gaze and said, word by word.
Lin Zhen remained calm, pondering to himself. Stopping a late-stage Soul Contract Realm expert wasn't too difficult.
Seeing that Lin Zhen was beginning to waver, Xia Qi continued:
"Patriarch Lin, there's something I need to say."
Xia Qi looked around and said in a low voice, "My father, Xia Chaozong, he did not perish!"
These words caused an uproar in the hall. Lin Zhen also stared wide-eyed at Xia Qi in shock.
In Lin Zhen's eyes, the decline of Zhongzhou to such a state was undoubtedly related to the fall of Xia Chaozong. The fact that this overlord of Zhongzhou hadn't perished sent shockwaves through their minds.
Lin Zhen's expression became extremely complicated. He sat in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest as he pondered Xia Qi's words. The benefits and risks involved were like weights on both sides of a scale, constantly weighing in his mind.
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