Chapter 113

Chapter 113: Farewell to Lin Xuanfeng

Exiting the Second Elder’s estate, Zhou Luo raised his head to gaze at the clear sky above.

The blazing sun hung high, while wisps of white clouds drifted leisurely.

How could the weather change so easily?

He pondered this internally, then began walking home.

Boom—

At that exact moment, the previously clear sky abruptly grew dark with billowing clouds and rumbling thunder.

It was about to rain.

Zhou Luo paused mid-step, shook his head with a wry smile, and continued onward.

Soon after, raindrops began to pitter-patter downward, striking the translucent barrier above the Lin Family’s grounds. Each impact produced a crisp, clear chime.

Zhou Garden.

The moment Zhou Luo reached the entrance, a guard informed him that the Fifth Miss had arrived.

Hearing that Lin Xi had entered Zhou Garden alone to see Lin Jin Xuan made him inwardly curse.

Would these two clash outright due to their differing allegiances?

He hurried into the garden, swiftly making his way to the main hall.

But standing at the hall’s entrance, he froze momentarily in disbelief.

Inside, two extraordinary beauties sat chatting amiably, their conversation tinged with laughter.

It was Lin Xi and Lin Jin Xuan.

From their ease, it seemed they had been conversing for quite some time.

"Husband, you’ve returned."

Noticing Zhou Luo at the door, Lin Jin Xuan rose to greet him.

"You two…?"

Zhou Luo stepped into the hall, his gaze shifting between the women.

The battle royale he had feared never transpired.

They actually appeared quite cordial.

"Jin Xuan sister and I have already reached an understanding." Lin Xi smiled softly as she glanced at her.

Lin Jin Xuan nodded in agreement. "Sister Xi’er’s temperament is even more agreeable than I imagined. We found much common ground."

Hearing these words, Zhou Luo eyed them doubtfully. "So… who will serve as the main wife?"

Before Lin Xi could speak, Lin Jin Xuan stated graciously, "Sister Xi’er represents the main family lineage. Naturally, it should be her."

Zhou Luo stared in astonishment.

It appeared unanimity had truly been achieved.

That might be fine, saving me the trouble to scheme to decline the family head’s kindness.

"What about the others?" Zhou Luo asked again.

He naturally meant Lin Qing Han and the rest.

"They all have no objections," Lin Jin Xuan said softly.

Only then did Zhou Luo feel at ease. He looked at Lin Xi and said seriously, "Then may I trouble Fifth Miss to relay something to the family head."

"What matter?" Lin Xi asked, gazing at him with a smile gleaming in her eyes.

"Naturally, our marriage alliance," Zhou Luo replied.

"Why would I be the one to speak of this? You’re marrying me. Shouldn’t you be the one coming to formally propose?"

Lin Xi gave a radiant smile, a flicker of mischief passing through her bright eyes.

Zhou Luo suddenly realized his faux pas. Slightly awkward, he said, "It was rash of me."

Only then did Lin Xi rise and move beside him, chuckling softly. "I’ll be waiting."

With that, she turned to Lin Jin Xuan. "Jin Xuan Jiejie, see you in a few days."

"Alright," Lin Jin Xuan nodded.

Once Lin Xi had departed, Zhou Luo couldn’t help but voice his puzzlement. "How did you two suddenly converse so well? Did something happen?"

Lin Jin Xuan’s expression softened with emotion. "Actually, Xi’er Meimei has a truly good disposition. I was the one overthinking things before."

"She told me that if she marries into this family, she would be of Zhou family alone—no longer the Fifth Miss of the Lin Family—and hoped I wouldn’t feel antagonism towards her."

"And… she seldom interacts with others normally. Most fear and avoid her. But here… she felt at ease. She truly connected with all of us."

"So I believe, even though this marriage is arranged, should she truly become lady of the Zhou Garden, she likely wouldn’t treat our sisterhood unfairly."

Zhou Luo hadn’t expected Lin Xi to evoke such profound reflection in Lin Jin Xuan.

Regarding Lin Xi’s character, Zhou Luo had always viewed it favorably.

Since she’d persuaded Lin Jin Xuan, he naturally had no objections.

"Husband," Lin Jin Xuan remarked, a smile playing at her lips, "but Xi’er Meimei… she’s truly so conversational."

They hadn’t even sat together long before she seemingly wanted to pour out every memory from her childhood onward.

And it was almost solely her doing the talking.

Zhou Luo shared that feeling deeply. With a light laugh, he said, "Likely unaccustomed from long solitude. Once she’s here more often, our Zhou Garden will surely be more lively."

"Indeed. So, husband… when do you intend to propose formally?" Lin Jin Xuan inquired.

"If proposing, surely elders must be present. Preparations matter. I’ll discuss it with Master."

Zhou Luo spoke, then hurried off toward Shouchun Garden once more.

Along the way, many greeted him.

Before, walking these paths, others might hardly spare him a glance.

But now, after learning he’d become a top-level Pill Master, their demeanors toward him had transformed completely — a one-hundred-eighty-degree turn.

"Zhou Luo."

Right at that moment, a familiar voice called out to him.

Zhou Luo looked back and was surprised to see it was actually Lin Xuanfeng.

Clad in his black robe as ever, he maintained his imposing presence. His hawklike sharp eyes fixed on Zhou Luo, and the angular face like chiseled by a knife showed no expression.

This, the ninth-ranking Elder Jiu of the family, still radiated an overwhelming pressure, as he had always done.

It differed from the pressure exuded by the Second Elder, however.

The Second Elder represented a suppression born from sheer rank and power, whereas Elder Jiu’s pressure stemmed from his inherently gloomy, cold demeanor.

Being studied by him felt like being targeted by a venomous snake.

It sent shivers down one’s spine.

"Elder Jiu." Zhou Luo immediately bowed respectfully.

Lin Xuanfeng approached slowly, his gaze unwavering.

Only when stood right before him did he speak. "You truly surprise me."

In his initial plan, he hadn’t intended to allow Zhou Luo to return home, since Zhou Luo might know the secret of the spiritual mine.

But unexpectedly, the man had attained the rank of top-level Pill Master this swiftly.

Lin Xuanfeng knew full well what such a young top-level Pill Master signified.

Hence, he abandoned further action against Zhou Luo.

Previously laid schemes were all scrapped.

"It was all thanks to the Immortal Sect’s aid," Zhou Luo answered earnestly.

"Ultimately, it rested upon your own innate talent."

His somber expression remained calm. He scrutinized Zhou Luo, a flicker of something strange passing through his eyes.

Sensing the continuous gaze, Zhou Luo inquired, "May I ask why Elder Jiu sought me out?"

"Nothing much. I am merely pondering whether Lin Xianlong’s death was truly accidental?" Lin Xuanfeng remarked meaningfully.

Zhou Luo’s heart sank.

Before he could offer an explanation, the elder spoke again. "Perhaps I am overly cautious. Pay it no mind."

"You are the linchpin of the family’s future now. Work hard."

"Don’t you have other matters to attend? Go now."

After this flurry of statements, Zhou Luo grasped the implied message. He thus forwent further explanations, bowed, and took his leave.

Behind him, Lin Xuanfeng’s eyes remained fixed on his retreating form.

Whether Lin Xianlong’s demise was truly accidental mattered little to him.

What held his greater concern was the possibility that Zhou Luo alone had orchestrated these events.

If so, he needed to reassess this male who married into the family.

A clever person remaining silent bides his time.

He deemed this son-in-law clever. Therefore, some ambition surely drove him.

Yet, during this recent period, by Lin Xuanfeng’s observations,

Zhou Luo still hadn’t aligned himself decisively with any faction.

So what did he covet?

Lin Xuanfeng hadn’t puzzled that out… yet.

But suddenly, he found this family son-in-law vastly intriguing. Clearly, he needed to engage more closely with him in the future to truly understand.

Walking on, Zhou Luo only released a long, steadying breath once he rounded the corner, his guard finally lowering.

Facing Lin Xuanfeng moments ago, he’d felt like prey singled out by a predator. That direct, smothering pressure on his mind had almost suffocated him.

That deliberately ambiguous remark especially…

It undeniably signaled deeper considerations.

What a perilous individual… It’s best to maintain distance, Zhou Luo resolved within himself.