Chapter 4: The City Falls

The Evergreen Technique itself possesses the efficacy of healing injuries and protecting life. Lin Xiao, whose body was completely limp, leaned against the door frame at an angle, channeling a breath of true energy to continuously impact his swollen and congested shoulder. With a fierce determination, he disregarded everything and forcefully mobilized his true energy to break open the meridians that had closed due to the shock. A faint sound was heard from his shoulder, and Lin Xiao gritted his teeth, slowly raising his arm and gently waving it.

A faint smile of victory gradually appeared on Hua Wuniang's face. In the hall, nearly a hundred people were present, but only Lin Shan and she knew how terrifying the power of certain items in the secret vault was. With those things in hand, why fear a mere Zhang family?

"You—Lin Shan—are you really willing to sacrifice your own son's life?" Hua Wuniang screamed, jumping up and down in place as she shouted, "You just want to send Yao'er to his death!"

The hall is very antiquated, measuring five zhang in width and approximately twenty zhang in depth. A large black lacquered long table occupies the majority of the space in the hall, with nearly one hundred high-backed chairs neatly arranged along its sides. The ceiling is made of ebony wood, and the floor is paved with water-ground blue bricks. On both side walls, there hangs a row of over two hundred portraits of figures, depicting the successive masters of the Huai Chun Tang, who are also the heads of the Hua family. The yellowed portraits enhance the hall's ancient and solemn atmosphere, creating a suffocating sense of pressure that permeates the space.

Lin Yao wept bitterly as she clutched Huawuniang's thigh, crying out loudly: "Mother—please save your child—your child does not want to die—"

Lin Xiao felt a sudden gust of malevolent wind strike his back, accompanied by the sound of the wind howling fiercely in his ears. Startled, Lin Xiao instinctively gathered all his internal energy and executed a counter move, "Plucking Chrysanthemums by the Eastern Fence," striking out with his palm. He gently formed a circular motion behind him, protecting the vital point at his back.

What did the esteemed teacher murmur? Lin Shan looked kindly at Hua Wuniang

The expressions of everyone in the conference hall relaxed simultaneously. Could it be that the Zhang family truly dares to raise an army? However, capturing Guihua City is not so easy.

The conference hall in the backyard of the Huichun Hall

Lin Shan seemed to have not heard Hua Wuniang's voice and directly grabbed Lin Xiao, running out.

Lin Xiao was allowed to enter the conference hall for the first time. He obediently took a seat at the position closest to the hall's entrance at the long table

Everyone in the Hua family fell silent, while the doctors and pharmacists from the Huichuntang all nodded in agreement. Furthermore, a hot-tempered gentleman stood up and loudly declared: "Master, it is clear that the eldest young master struck first, targeting the vital throat of Young Master Xiao."

Of course, there were also those who were unconvinced by Lin Shan's sudden display of authority. Several middle-aged stewards from the Hua family glared at Lin Shan with indignation, adopting an attitude of defiance as if to say, "I won't give you any face; what can you do about it?" In their view, Lin Shan, an outsider who had 'usurped' the power of the Huichuntang due to the previous family head's muddled demise, was not someone to be feared.

Lin Xiao stood dazed at the door, gazing at Lin Shan, who suddenly seemed like a different person. He couldn't help but doubt: Is this still my gentle, kind father who wouldn't dare to speak a harsh word to Hua Wuniang? Is this still my father, who, after the inexplicable death of his most beloved woman, could only secretly weep at night while holding her urn?

As it seemed that the main poster was about to retort sharply, Mr. Wei from the accounts room suddenly coughed lightly and said, "Alright, the two young masters are fighting, and the children do not understand. What business do we adults have in this? For now, let us discuss how the Zhang family should respond. It is impossible to simply gloss over with an apology. However, should we consider handing over the eldest young master to quell the Zhang family's anger?"

Mr. Wei sighed deeply and shook his head helplessly, saying: "Old Master Zhang has nearly a hundred grandsons, but he has only this one granddaughter. She is usually treated as if she were his own eye. If it were not to marry into the Wang family to enhance the Zhang family's reputation and influence, and also to secure a strong ally for mutual support in these chaotic times, do you think he would be willing to send his granddaughter over so hastily?"

Hua Wuniang's face suddenly turned pale, even whiter than the thick layer of white powder on her face by several times. In a state of panic, she cast a pleading glance towards the elders and stewards of the Hua family, her eyes not lacking in a threatening undertone: If anything were to happen to me, you would not have a good outcome either

With a single gesture, the entire hall was astonished

Hua Wuniang felt a chill all over as she was scrutinized by Lin Xiao's gaze. Instantly, a surge of murderous intent arose in her heart: "What a little wretch! I should have poisoned him back then. No rush, I will take my time to torment you; I will not let you have it easy." Suddenly, Hua Wuniang loathed herself. For the past ten years, she had only sought ways to torment Lin Xiao in terms of living conditions, neglecting the fundamental issue of eradicating the root cause. This was an utterly intolerable oversight.

Mr. Wei, the accountant, shook his two mouse whiskers, stood up slowly, and after bowing to the elders and deacons of the Hua family, especially to Hua Wuniang and Lin Yao, he then pulled out a dirty and greasy folding fan from behind his collar and elegantly snapped it open with a "pa". After fanning himself, Mr. Wei said with a smile: "This is the news I just received. The Zhang family from Guiying City, their old patriarch, who is also the father of the current head of the Zhang family, was the leader of the largest waterway stronghold, 'San San Lian Huan Wu', within a thousand miles of the 'Mighty River' in the southern region during the Great Yuan Dynasty."

Lin Shan opened his mouth; he wanted to say something, but he could not produce a single sound

Lin Shan's expression changed suddenly, and his right hand instinctively shrank into his sleeve

Lin Shanduan sat upright beneath the painting of Wei Ji gathering herbs, a hint of green light flickering in his eyes. Anyone who met his gaze could not help but shudder, hastily lowering their heads. Even the usually arrogant and domineering Hua Wuniang and several elders of the Hua family lost their usual bravado today, each one daring not to meet Lin Shan's eyes.

Not long after, several guards from the Rejuvenation Hall stumbled over, shouting from a distance: "Master, Madam, hurry and escape! The city has fallen! The city has fallen! The Black Blade bandits have broken in!"

Hua Wuniang took a deep breath and said fiercely: "Give me the key, I want to open the secret vault"

He is so powerful, yet why has he always been so indulgent towards Hua Wuniang

Lin Shan said calmly: "Why doesn't Old Master Wang agree? He has quite a few sons. If he loses one, Wang Er, and marries off one of his daughters to the Wang family as a daughter-in-law, this matter can be muddled through. In the future, the Zhang family will still be the best ally of the Wang family. Do you think Old Master Wang would be reluctant to part with the life of one son?"

Suddenly, Hua Wuniang stood up abruptly. She forcefully wiped away the white powder and tears from her face, glaring fiercely at Lin Shan

Without showing any emotion, he turned Lin Yao's body towards the senior members of Huichuntang sitting on both sides of the long table. The elders and stewards of the Hua family immediately began to criticize Lin Xiao for being so ruthless at such a young age. One middle-aged steward of the Hua family declared emphatically, "This child is destined to be a thief in the future! Just look at the fierce aura he possesses; if he doesn't become a notorious bandit, I will eat my own head!" He proudly adjusted his hairpin with his hand, deliberately drawing the attention of those present to the small flower made of tiny rubies that he had inserted into his hair today.

Before Huawuniao could speak, Lin Shan continued: "There are now two paths: one is to preserve Lin Yao's life, which means the foundation of my Rejuvenation Hall will..."

"How do you know I can't protect Yaor for a lifetime?" Hua Wuniang looked at Lin Shan with a strange smile, twisting her waist and laughing proudly as she said, "Don't think that only you, the master of the Rejuvenation Hall, know certain things! There are some things I know as well!"

Perhaps it was Lin Xiao's compassionate gaze that provoked Lin Yao, who suddenly screamed hysterically: "Do you pity me? Do you pity me? You wild bastard, what right do you have to pity me?"

Having long since stood up to observe the fight between Lin Yao and Lin Xiao, Hua Wuniang let out an angry rebuke. Her body floated lightly into the air, and with a single step, she crossed a distance of over ten zhang, seemingly effortlessly delivering a palm strike towards Lin Xiao's back.

Lin Yao's face was marked with several deep bloodstains, and he looked utterly disheveled with blood all over his face. Upon seeing Lin Xiao raise his fist, he couldn't help but feel a surge of guilt and hurriedly shouted, "You dare to hit me! You dare to hit me? Mother—this wild child is going to kill me!"

Lin Shan's complexion changed dramatically, and he exclaimed, "Are you out of your mind!"

Lin Shan remained silent, as did the elder and deacon of the Hua family, and everyone in the conference hall fell into silence

Lin Xiao was filled with confusion as he looked at Lin Shan with a puzzled expression. Why was it like this? Judging by the power of Lin Shan's strike, he could easily become one of the top martial arts grandmasters in the world, earning the admiration of all, rather than merely being a sitting doctor with the title of a divine physician.

Mr. Wei pretended not to know and asked, "Then, host, is there another way?"

The atmosphere in the hall was as stagnant as an iron curtain, and Lin Shan breathed heavily. After a long, long time, he slowly reined in the immense aura he had released.

With a gentle exhale, Mr. Wei's whiskers twitched again, and he sighed somewhat helplessly: "Of course, these matters are not worth concerning ourselves with. No matter how powerful the Zhang family is, do they really dare to bring private troops to attack Guihua City?"

With a crisp sound of "pa," Hua Wuniang stood firm, grabbing the bloodied Lin Yao from the ground with one hand. Lin Xiao, on the other hand, was in a state of utter disarray, having been thrown to the ground and rolling over more than twenty times before finally crashing into the door frame of the conference hall. His right arm had already been injured at the shoulder joint by a powerful blow, leaving him unable to move.

An elder of the Hua family lightly cleared his throat, glanced at Hua Wuniang, and slowly spoke: "Hall Master, Wuniang acted without intention. Let us set aside these minor matters for now and discuss the major issues, let us discuss the major issues."

Sitting on the ground and howling, Lin Yao was so frightened that he wet himself. He screamed, "Surely they wouldn't go to such great lengths for a woman, would they?"

Which is more important, the foundation of Huichuntang or Lin Yao's life

Lin Yao was five or six years older than Lin Xiao and was also considerably taller. However, he had long been drained of his vitality by indulgence in wine and pleasures, leaving him with little strength. In contrast, Lin Xiao worked daily at the Rejuvenation Hall, which greatly improved his physique. Additionally, having cultivated true energy since childhood, his strength far surpassed that of Lin Yao. After a brief struggle on the ground, Lin Xiao successfully pried Lin Yao's hand from his neck, flipped over, and mounted Lin Yao, raising his fist ready to strike.

Lin Shanyin smiled faintly and said, "A big deal? Alright!"

Lin Shan had a somewhat hoarse voice as he looked at Hua Wuniang, suddenly asking in a low tone: "Wuniang, what else do you know?"

Hua Wuniang chuckled lightly and said: "Do not forget the words of your father before his passing! Do not forget how your father actually died! With your father's cultivation, had it not been to save you from going astray, he could have lived at least another fifty years! Everything you have today is given to you by your father!"

A fleeting shadow passed before his eyes, and Lin Xiao seemed to see once again Lin Shan, kneeling in the corner of the backyard of the Hua family mansion, holding his mother's ashes and weeping blood tears on the night of his mother's death.

Mr. Wei nodded, and his expression instantly darkened: "What I am worried about is the group of ruthless bandits who followed the old Zhang family patriarch into seclusion thirty years ago. The infamous reputation of the San San Lian Huan Dock back then, hum, was such that they even dared to rob the grain ships transporting silver for the Great Yuan Dynasty. This group of skilled bandits, who are qualified to be listed on the black list of the martial world, probably still numbers around one hundred and fifty. They are all cold-blooded killers."

Lin Shan moved his chair forward half a foot, glanced at the elders and stewards of the Hua family, and said calmly: "Mr. Wei will inform you all about the Zhang family's influence"

Suddenly, several intense claps of thunder echoed from the sky. The thunder was so loud that the rolling sound reverberated, causing the tiles in the conference hall to rattle with a clattering noise.

Lin Shan squinted his eyes and said coldly: "Discuss with the Wang family head to bind this beast and send it to Old Master Zhang for disposal, so that I can return to the Spring Hall without worry"

Large beads of sweat oozed from the foreheads of the elders and deacons of the Hua family, continuously streaming down their cheeks and gathering into glistening droplets on their chins, slowly dripping down. They looked at Lin Shan in terror, not expecting that this outsider, the contemporary head of the Hua family who had nearly married in, possessed such incredible skills.

She slowly extended her hand towards Lin Shan and coldly said: "The key, give it to me!"

There are countless secret techniques in the world, but the ability to unleash flames with bare hands, flames that can instantly reduce the 'steel wood'—a product of the 'Extreme North Horizontal Mountain,' which is three times harder than fine iron—to ashes, is beyond the realm of martial arts. Perhaps only the legendary beings who can traverse the heavens and the earth, having cultivated the true fire of Samadhi, possess such divine power

If Lin Shan is willing, for all these years, Huichuntang has long been his alone. Why should he still retain these members of the Hua family, the elders and deacons who are as foolish as pigs and possess no abilities whatsoever

The expressions of all the elders and stewards of the Hua family changed dramatically, even the usually arrogant Hua Wuniang's face turned extremely unpleasant

Lin Xiao couldn't help but cast a sympathetic glance at Lin Yao. Mixing with that group of dubious friends, it was only a matter of time before something went wrong. However, he never expected that when trouble did arise, it would be such an embarrassing matter.

Hua Wuniang said with a strange smile: "What does it matter if I go mad for Yaor? Lin Shan, will you give me the key or not?"

Lin Shan's face twitched slightly, and he suddenly stood up, angrily saying: "What do you know? What can you possibly know?"

"To uplift the Hua family, how difficult this matter is!" Lin Shan chuckled softly a few times, lightly tapping the table with his fingers, and said coldly, "Enough, there is no need for me to explain how things transpired."

Lin Yao suddenly lunged forward, extending both hands to grasp Lin Xiao's neck, tightening his grip fiercely. Lin Xiao, lacking experience in physical confrontations, was caught off guard and found it difficult to breathe, nearly losing consciousness. He even forgot that he possessed martial arts skills far superior to Lin Yao's, instinctively clawing at Lin Yao's face as if he were fighting a street child. The two became entangled, tumbling off the chair together, rolling on the ground like two frenzied puppies.

Ha ha, ha ha, ha ha! Lin Shan suddenly burst into laughter, holding his stomach. While laughing, he pointed at Hua Wuniang and said angrily: "Do you think that with Yaor's current appearance, she would be noticed by them?"

For the first time in their lives, the Hua family felt a kind of majesty in Lin Shan that was indistinguishable from that of Lin Shan's mentor, the previous head of Huichuntang and the former head of the Hua family.

Lin Shanchang took a deep breath, his teeth clenched as he gazed at Hua Wuniang, his body trembling slightly

Four thousand private troops possess the qualifications to besiege cities and capture fortresses in the various prefectures of the Northwest

Everyone in the hall was stunned. How could the city have fallen apart in such a short time?

What Father said back then, I took as a myth. Huawunian looked at the small amount of black ashes on the ground and laughed in a strange manner, saying: "I never expected it to be true. Hmph, since these things are real, I will protect Yaor for a lifetime; what is there to stop me?"

With a fierce glare at Lin Xiao, Hua Wuniang coldly remarked: "What a ruthless little brat, capable of tearing apart his own elder brother like this"

With a face ashen like death, Lin Yao sat beside Lin Xiao. His body trembled violently, and Lin Xiao could even hear the sound of his teeth chattering.

Hua Wuniang gave a cold smile and said gloomily, "Before my father passed away, he had a period of delirious rambling, and I heard everything he said."

He placed one foot on the long tabletop, and as he lifted his foot, he surprisingly managed to lift the table again with a single breath of true energy. He pushed the table forward half a foot, avoiding the square holes on the ground, and immediately the table stood steadily on the ground again

Shaking his head, Lin Shan coldly said, "Mr. Wei, please continue."

Lin Shan's face suddenly turned as pale as paper. He shot a glance at Lin Xiao, abruptly dashed to his side, grabbed him with one hand, and turned to sprint towards the back door of the conference hall

Hua Wuniang coldly laughed and said: "What did your father say to you before he passed away? How dare you not listen to me now? Do you think you are worthy of the father who regarded you as his own child?"

Lin Shan's figure seemed to grow extraordinarily tall in that moment, as if he alone filled the entire hall. His imposing presence silenced everyone in the hall, and no one dared to speak.

At the center of the wall at the end of the hall hangs a large ink wash painting titled "Wei Ji Gathering Medicinal Herbs." The painting depicts a gaunt Taoist priest, smiling broadly as he gathers a solitary plant bearing three flowers and three fruits known as the "San Yang Guo." Wei Ji, recognized as the ancestral figure by all physicians and pharmacists, is said to be a divine being capable of flying through the heavens and traversing the earth, plucking stars and gathering the moon. However, legends are merely legends, and no one knows if such an omnipotent being truly exists in the world. Nevertheless, it is universally acknowledged that Wei Ji has passed down the art of medicine.

Hua Wuniang stood dazed in place for a long time, suddenly embracing Lin Yao. She cried out loudly: "I don't care, I don't care, I can't bear to part with either Huichuntang or Yao'er! Wuwu, Yao'er is Huichuntang, and in the future, Huichuntang will belong to Yao'er. No one is allowed to touch a single hair on him! No one should even think about laying a hand on my Huichuntang!"

"If he does not take such actions, who can make him die?" Lin Shan squinted at Hua Wuniang and said with a cold smile, "Seeking one's own death, I can do nothing about it. If Yao'er is not handed over and the Zhang family insists on retaliating against my Rejuvenation Hall, which is ultimately more important, Rejuvenation Hall or Yao'er?"

From a distant place far from the *picture* book, a clamorous sound of people could be heard

Hua Wuniang said coldly: "There are spiritual medicines in the secret vault, and naturally there are also poisons. What do you think I intend to do?"

Mr. Wei smiled and feigned surprise as he asked, "Then, will Old Master Wang agree?"

Lin Shan looked at Hua Wuniang and coldly asked, "What are you going to do again? You can protect him for a moment, but can you protect him for a lifetime?"

Hua Wuniang was momentarily speechless; after a long while, she finally shouted, "Regardless of whether they like it or not, give me the key to the secret vault!"

However, the way others looked at him had completely changed

All the stewards and doctors of the Huichuntang have gathered here to discuss how to deal with the troubles caused by Lin Yao

Hua Wuniang glared fiercely at the master of the post, then suddenly sneered, "Young Master Xiao, do you have something to say? Just look at how badly Yao'er has been captured"

Mr. Wei smiled slightly, shook his folding fan, and gently said: "Currently, the Zhang family has about two thousand family soldiers, a remnant of the old foundation left after the destruction of the San San Lian Huan Fort by the naval forces of the Great Yuan thirty years ago, which is extremely formidable. After all, the Zhang family has long been accustomed to banditry; even after thirty years, their bandit hearts remain unyielding. They have privately amassed around four thousand private soldiers in various estates."

Ah, the true fire of samadhi! It is not just one person who has thought of this issue; several main contributors have almost simultaneously uttered this term.

Lin Shan looked coldly at the elders and stewards of the Hua family, and could not help but sigh inwardly: "Master, you are absolutely right. The Hua family has decayed to the point of no return. Your kindness is profound, and I can only do my best. After all, I just need to endure these two years; once they finish their seclusion this time, I will no longer fear anything."

Especially Lin Yao, who sat down on the ground with a thud, a drop of blood still hanging from the tip of his nose. He wailed, "No way? No way? Mother—Father!"

Suddenly, with a series of loud bangs, the roof of the conference hall was torn away by a gust of wind, and the ground trembled a few times.

Lin Shan said lightly: "Old Lady Zhang's idea is actually not wrong. The marriage between the Zhang family and the Wang family only brings benefits, with not a single drawback. However, it is unexpected that the young lady of the Zhang family has a frail fate and has encountered you, these misfortunes."

Deep down, Lin Xiao was unwilling to bow down to the two of them, Hua Wu and the princess.

Like an injured little wolf, Lin Xiao glared fiercely at Hua Wuniang

Bold! Audacious! You! Lin Shan's face suddenly turned a deep purple, with veins bulging out from his forehead. He slammed his palm heavily on the long table, and amidst the sound of rushing wind, a faint bluish flame enveloped the long table. The conference table of the Rejuvenation Hall, in use for nearly a thousand years, was reduced to a cloud of flying ash in the blink of an eye

Boldly! Hua Wuniang slammed her palm onto the long table, producing a muffled sound like a thunderclap. The table, measuring three zhang in width and fifteen zhang in length, was completely flattened against the ground, with all its legs driven into the water-polished blue bricks by her strike. Hua Wuniang shouted sternly: "Who dares to hand over Yao'er! Do not blame me, Hua Wuniang, for being impolite!"

In an instant, Lin Shan transformed back into that clear-eyed, thin, amiable, uncontentious, and almost timid old man

Bold! Lin Shanye let out a light cold snort and said, "Wuniang, the family rules state that anyone who dares to roar in the conference hall shall face what punishment!"

What do you want to do? Lin Shan angrily said: "What exactly do you want to do?"

Everyone turned to look at Hua Wuniang

Hua Wuniang screamed: "Lin Shan, what are you doing?"

Hua Wuniang tightly embraced Lin Yao's body, forcefully patting his shoulder, and shouted loudly: "Yao'er, do not worry, your mother will not let you suffer any grievances"