Chapter 51

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Chapter 51: Silence by Murder

The incident of a family member being abducted in broad daylight quickly spread throughout the vicinity of Zhou Garden.

Though not widely known, since the area housed influential figures and the matter involved Zhou Luo, it naturally caused quite a stir.

Servants from various manors stepped out to gather information.

Meanwhile, Lin Zhi Wei led guards on an extensive search, though nothing had turned up yet.

At that moment, Zhou Luo traced the trail to the entrance of Lin Dao Ming’s manor.

He stared at the estate, frowning deeply.

Could a high-ranking figure within the Lin Family truly be behind this?

Did he even need to pursue this further?

For a moment, a flicker of hesitation arose within Zhou Luo.

If it were an outsider, he might not hesitate to use the Bone Corruption Powder.

But targeting a powerful insider of the Lin Family—would he truly oppose them for a woman not yet his?

Abruptly, his inner turmoil vanished.

Gazing at the tightly shut gate, he strode toward it without pause.

Since he had brought her here, he owed her responsibility.

Zhou Luo knocked on the manor’s gate.

Soon, a servant opened it, eyeing him with confusion. "Can I help you?"

"My name is Zhou Luo. I must speak with your master."

The servant froze momentarily; he recognized the family’s sole son-in-law. "I’ll announce you."

"Appreciated," Zhou Luo nodded.

The servant soon returned, bowing respectfully. "The master awaits you inside."

Before entering, Zhou Luo had discreetly activated the medicinal solution.

Now, stepping inside, the rich unusual fragrance of gardenias struck him.

Bai Zhi Yan was clearly here.

Expression unchanged, he followed the servant to the main hall.

Lin Dao Ming sat centrally at the far end, his voice stern. "Zhou Luo. Why have you come?"

Zhou Luo offered a respectful salute. "Sir, my concubine has been abducted. Have you seen her?"

Lin Dao Ming frowned, his face darkening with displeasure. "How would I know?"

Zhou Luo maintained his courteous composure. "Sir, the bond between us runs deep. I will retrieve her by any means necessary."

He emphasized those words deliberately.

His unspoken warning echoed clear: any harm to Bai Zhi Yan held consequences.

Lin Dao Ming’s eyes flickered, remaining silent, motionless at his seat.

Because he knew that the other party had come here immediately, undoubtedly knowing something.

"It’s just a woman, and she’s not even a member of the Lin Family. Are you certain you’d spare no expense?" Lin Dao Ming stared at him with intense eyes and said.

The subtext of these words was evident.

Namely, "Are you truly willing to oppose me for a woman?"

Facing those sharp eyes, Zhou Luo looked determinedly and said, "I’m merely a small person, without much strength, but I always have to do something."

"Like what?"

Lin Dao Ming leaned back in the chair, looking at him lightly, and doubted that he would actually commit some crazy act.

After all, she was just a woman, and even one who had been trafficked.

But Zhou Luo shocked everyone by saying, "Like going to find the family head."

Upon hearing the words "family head," Lin Dao Ming’s body jolted, he involuntarily sat up straight, and a flicker of apprehension crossed his eyes. "What do you mean?" he asked.

Zhou Luo said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Sir, if I truly lost my beloved, I’d have to find another to ease my pain. Coincidentally, the family head had intended for me to marry earlier, perhaps…"

He left his words unfinished.

But the meaning was unmistakable.

If he lost Bai Zhi Yan, he would agree to wed a woman assigned by the main family.

With that, it signified that he would lean toward the main family’s faction.

Lin Dao Ming clenched his right fist tightly, his expression growing somewhat unpleasant.

Whether Zhou Luo married the woman arranged by the main family didn’t matter much to him; the crux was his own stance.

Presently, the adversary was unmistakably using this matter to threaten him.

If he didn’t hand over that woman, he was pushing the other to the opposing side.

If this affair became known to the Great Elder, he was certain to face punishment.

As he had stated before, it was only a woman.

Given that the other party was unwilling to give her up, he simply might as well concede her himself.

Gazing deeply at Zhou Luo, studying that resolute and earnest face, Lin Dao Ming gritted his teeth, and ultimately compromised, saying, "I understand. I’ll help you look into it."

"Thank you, sir." Only then did Zhou Luo withdraw.

Exiting the main building, he let out a sigh of relief.

It seemed he had guessed right.

The other party didn’t know Bai Zhi Yan’s true identity; otherwise, he wouldn’t have relented so soon.

He glanced toward a certain room and departed the estate.

Next, all he needed was to wait quietly.

Meanwhile, after Zhou Luo had left, Lin Dao Ming stood up and went to that earlier room he had noticed.

Inside the room, Zhao Yuan wore a smiling expression, and on the bed behind him lay none other than Bai Zhi Yan.

"Release the person."

As soon as he entered, Lin Dao Ming spoke gravely.

Zhao Yuan’s smile froze, his gaze filled with disbelief as he regarded the other man. "Brother Dao Ming, what do you mean by this?"

Lin Dao Ming, however, placed the vial of Wood Spirit Pills on the table, his expression severe. "I underestimated Zhou Luo’s resolve. Offending the Great Elder over a woman—this deal isn’t worth the cost. You should find another woman."

For him, a woman wasn’t worth such trouble.

But in Zhao Yuan’s eyes, it was not so simple.

He frowned. "No, Brother Dao Ming, I must take this woman away."

"Hmm?" Lin Dao Ming hummed thoughtfully, a layer of coldness surfacing in his eyes. "How important she is to you is none of my concern."

"Considering the cultivation resources you’ve regularly supplied, I can pretend this affair never happened. Leave now. I’ll handle the aftermath."

Zhao Yuan’s expression turned ugly.

If he didn’t take her away today, he’d be a dead man upon returning to his master.

At this thought, he hardened his heart. He strode toward the unconscious Bai Zhi Yan, hoisted her onto his shoulder.

"What do you think you’re doing?" Lin Dao Ming’s voice turned icy.

"Brother Dao Ming, I’m taking her now. I guarantee she won’t cause you any trouble."

With that, Zhao Yuan made to leave with Bai Zhi Yan.

"Inconceivable," Lin Dao Ming blocked his path.

He couldn’t be sure Zhou Luo would side with the main family over this woman. Neither could he be sure he wouldn’t.

Under these circumstances, he preferred the safer option: handing her over.

"Brother Dao Ming, this matter is crucial to me. I implore you, do not interfere," Zhao Yuan said earnestly.

"This room is sealed by my spiritual symbols. You cannot leave," Lin Dao Ming stated confidently.

Zhao Yuan’s gaze darkened. He silently lowered Bai Zhi Yan to the floor.

"You are right, Brother Dao Ming. I shall leave alone."

He seemed to yield.

"Good." Lin Dao Ming moved towards the door and opened it.

At that instant, Zhao Yuan suddenly struck, throwing out a heavy punch.

Lin Dao Ming’s expression changed drastically.

He spun around violently. Spiritual energy erupted from within him, enveloping his body in a deep green light as he thrust out a palm.

Bang—

The two collided instantly, a fierce sound exploding through the room.

"Seeking death!" roared Lin Dao Ming. A spiritual symbol covered with glyphs abruptly appeared between the index and middle finger of his left hand.

He flicked it slightly. The spiritual symbol whistled through the air, transforming instantly into a huge white tiger that let out a heaven-shaking roar as it pounced towards Zhao Yuan.

Since the other showed no mercy, he would show none either.

Simultaneously, his face turned ruthless. Clenching his right hand into a fist, green spiritual energy swirling around it, he threw a heavy punch.

His cultivation was at the eighth level of Qi Refinement, two realms higher than Zhao Yuan’s, and he was a spiritual symbol master.

Zhao Yuan gritted his teeth, having no choice but to brace himself and resist.

But the gap in strength was simply too vast. Lin Dao Ming’s single punch shattered Zhao Yuan’s spiritual energy shield and dealt him a severe blow.

Zhao Yuan spat out a mouthful of vital blood, his whole body flying backward.

Lin Dao Ming surged forward.

Since things had come to this, the only option was to play along, using this to clear himself of suspicion.

Zhao Yuan realized this. Terror flashed across his face as he frantically channeled his spiritual energy, desperate to escape.

But the room was already carpeted with spiritual symbols. The moment he touched the window, the symbols burst with blinding golden light, freezing his movements.

In that split second, Lin Dao Ming was upon him.

His blows were ruthless. He threw several consecutive punches, each erupting with thunderous booms.