Chapter 115

Chapter 115: Request

By now, the main family had temporarily taken control of the entire family.

Even if the Great Elder emerged from seclusion, he couldn’t alter the situation.

Yet in such circumstances, if additional Elders sided with the opposition…

They, who had initially held the advantage, would face new difficulties.

This was something Lin Tian Xiong could not permit.

Especially since, during his chat with Lin Xi last night, he could feel that this granddaughter did not wish to get involved in the conflict or influence Zhou Luo’s decision.

That heightened his inner caution.

Thus, when Lin Zhi Shou uttered these words, Lin Tian Xiong had to deliberate even more deeply.

"Mm, I’ve already sent someone to summon Xi Er’s parents. Please sit," Lin Tian Xiong declared in a steady voice.

Lin Zhi Shou and Zhou Luo took seats on the mahogany taishi armchairs to the right.

"Sixth Elder, how has Xin Er been performing under your guidance?"

As soon as they sat down, Lin Tian Xiong’s voice rang out again.

"Family head, the Third Young Lady is very diligent and quite talented," Lin Zhi Shou reported truthfully.

Lin Tian Xiong nodded slightly, unable to hold back a sigh: "Xin Er’s talent isn’t low. If she hadn’t neglected alchemy for cultivation in past years, her showing might have been even better."

"The Immortal Sect training has greatly assisted the Third Young Lady. I believe her future accomplishments will be high," Lin Zhi Shou stated earnestly.

He had observed Lin Xin’s advancement himself.

Her performance since returning from the Immortal Sect especially had warmed his heart.

If nurtured further, she was certain to become a pillar of the family.

"Then, Sixth Elder, do you believe Xin Er can become a second level Pill Master?"

At that moment, Lin Tian Xiong inquired with a meaningful tone.

Lin Zhi Shou and Zhou Luo both felt their hearts tighten.

Lin Zhi Shou knew this was the family head cautioning him not to shift his stance because of Zhou Luo.

Zhou Luo, however, simply thought he’d come to propose marriage—how did the talk drift straight into family conflict?

Though uninterested in the conversation between these elders, Zhou Luo saw that the family head was indeed very prudent.

"Family head, I truly don’t know. After all, I’m not yet a second level Pill Master myself," Lin Zhi Shou replied with a helpless smile, steering away from the topic.

Just then, a middle-aged man and woman, garbed in fine robes, entered from outside.

The man had a ruddy face, a heavy belly, and the look of a prosperous man.

The woman was poised and elegant, beautiful as a flower-jade, exuding the appeal of a mature woman.

"Father."

They both bowed in greeting.

The man was Lin Tian Xiong’s eldest son Lin Ze, Lin Xi’s father.

At the same time, he was the Tenth Elder in charge of managing the family’s logistics.

The moment he appeared, Zhou Luo naturally rose to his feet and bowed respectfully. "Tenth Elder."

Lin Ze looked him over, a smile spreading across his face. "My virtuous son-in-law is truly handsome."

Naturally, he had heard about Zhou Luo becoming a top-level Pill Master.

The thought of his daughter marrying a future second level Pill Master lifted this father’s spirits immensely.

After they all took their seats,

Lin Zhi Shou began, "Tenth Elder, we come today to discuss the marriage arrangements."

With that, he gave a light flick of his sleeve, glowing with spiritual light.

The empty ground was instantly covered with countless items.

Potions, spiritual stones, magical artifacts—every desirable item was present.

"These are my disciple’s betrothal gifts. Please accept them, Tenth Elder," Lin Zhi Shou stated with a cheerful smile.

To save his disciple from losing face, he had specially brought out treasures he had long hoarded.

Originally, he had intended to reserve these for his eldest grandson’s betrothal.

But out of deep fondness for his disciple Zhou Luo, he generously presented them now.

Seeing such sincere and copious betrothal gifts, Lin Ze beamed. "Sixth Elder, you are too courteous."

Though he said so, his right hand subtly moved, collecting every item into his possession.

Acceptance signified agreement.

Next, under Lin Tian Xiong’s watchful eye, the two parties began discussing the ensuing wedding.

Though this was the wedding of Zhou Luo and Lin Xi,

such matters were largely handled by the elders.

Zhou Luo sat silently, listening attentively and occasionally voicing his thoughts.

Finally, the wedding was set for five days later.

As for the specific arrangements, the Father-in-law Lin Ze assured that he would assign someone full responsibility, sparing Zhou Luo any worries.

As the elder managing logistics and for his own daughter’s wedding, he naturally guaranteed an exceptionally grand ceremony.

This certainly spared Zhou Luo considerable trouble.

As noon approached, Lin Zhi Shou prepared to take his leave, but Lin Tian Xiong stopped them, insisting they stay for a meal.

They could not refuse.

At the dining table, Zhou Luo’s pupils contracted slightly when he saw dishes like Lanlin prawns and Xueling crab—both magical beast meats.

So he had indeed been under the family head’s surveillance all along.

He still didn’t know, however, just how extensive this monitoring was.

Evidently, he needed to swiftly set up protective wards in Zhou Garden to prevent casual prying.

"Grandfather, today’s feast is truly too extravagant," Lin Xi remarked beside Lin Tian Xiong, blinking her bright eyes with a playful smile.

"Kinship through marriage deserves nothing less than magnificence," Lin Tian Xiong replied.

"Family head, in the future, more people will definitely come to the Zhou Garden. May I choose a steward?" At the dining table, Zhou Luo asked respectfully.

"It’s just a steward. Let Ze arrange one for you." Lin Tian Xiong said calmly.

Lin Ze also chimed in: "Dear son-in-law, rest assured, I will definitely find an outstanding steward in every aspect for you."

"Family head, Tenth Elder, actually, I have already decided on the candidate for steward." Zhou Luo said, looking somewhat troubled.

Letting the main family arrange the steward meant no privacy at all.

"Oh? Who is it?" Lin Tian Xiong asked in puzzlement.

"He is an old friend of mine, Xu Changsheng." Zhou Luo looked at Lin Tian Xiong, his expression serious.

A hint of confusion flashed across Lin Tian Xiong’s face, as if he did not remember such a person.

After a long while, he recalled the other’s identity.

Wasn’t that the pawn he had placed in the Great Elder’s faction back then?

Previously, to test Zhou Luo, he had deliberately transferred him to the new spiritual mine.

Now it seemed, he had gained Zhou Luo’s trust, otherwise he wouldn’t have been specifically chosen by Zhou Luo as steward.

Since that was the case, Lin Tian Xiong naturally had no reason to refuse.

He said casually: "Fine, I will send someone to bring him back."

"Thank you, family head." Zhou Luo stood up and bowed.

"No need to be so formal." Lin Tian Xiong waved his hand.

Lunch ended, and Zhou Luo followed Lin Zhi Shou to leave.

As they walked out of the core area, Lin Zhi Shou suddenly said: "The family head is not at ease with you."

Zhou Luo’s footsteps stopped, and he looked at the other: "Master, why do you say that?"

Lin Zhi Shou stood with his hands behind his back, scanned the surroundings, and after confirming no one was around, he spoke: "Tell me, which side do you really want to stand on?"

This question was something Lin Zhi Shou had long wanted to ask.

But the reason he hadn’t voiced it was that he felt guilt.

Because originally, it was he who had pulled him into this storm of family conflict.

So he did not want to interfere with the other’s decision.

Yet now, with the main family gaining power, he had to consider it for this disciple.

"Master, I stand on neither side. After all, no matter who wins or loses, I won’t be affected, right?" Zhou Luo said, smiling as he looked at him.

A relieved smile appeared on Lin Zhi Shou’s aged face.

"It’s good that you have such thoughts."