Chapter 5: Ancestral Hall

Li Lin executed a shoulder throw with skillful finesse. To an untrained eye, it merely appeared as if Li Lin acted out of anger, taking advantage of the fact that Li Gui was completely unprepared, which allowed Li Lin to succeed. Suddenly, like a sack of rice, he was thrown over Li Lin's shoulder, carelessly causing his waist to land on the edge of the steps

Li Lin cast a cold glance at several of Li Cheng's subordinates, slightly shifting his foot as if by accident, landing his heel on the right hand of Li Gui, who was rolling on the ground in pain. With a forceful twist of his heel, a series of cracking sounds reminiscent of popping beans echoed, causing a wince.

Li Jing was originally in the front courtyard dealing with some family matters when he suddenly heard a bell ringing from the back courtyard. He furrowed his brow, listened carefully, and a look of surprise appeared on his face. He abruptly stood up and said: "This is the bell of the ancestral hall. What has happened in the village? Why is Uncle San ringing the bell of the ancestral hall now?"

However, under normal circumstances, this clan elder rarely enforces the family rules; it is mostly the clan head, Li Jing, who is responsible for handling clan affairs and seldom interferes in Li Jing's matters. The gathering bell is a bronze bell used in the clan hall to assemble clan members, and it is generally not used lightly except for special events.

However, for some unknown reason, the gathering bell of the clan hall was rung today, which surprised everyone in the clan. Upon hearing the sound of the gathering bell, the members of the Li family at home hurriedly tidied up and rushed to the clan hall in the backyard.

With a loud crack, Li Gui's lumbar vertebrae heavily struck the edge of the steps, instantly shattering a small notch in the bluestone steps. This demonstrates the tremendous force of the fall; even cast iron would likely be broken by such a impact.

The old man strode forward in a fit of anger, without saying a word, he swung his hand and delivered a resounding slap to each of the four servants, causing them to bleed from their mouths. However, the four servants did not dare to utter a sound, kneeling on the ground and repeatedly bowing their heads.

Li Gui was inexplicably thrown down heavily, and even after his lumbar vertebrae fractured, he still could not comprehend what had happened. He was effortlessly knocked to the ground by the frail Li Lin, and the numbness in his body suddenly vanished. Thus, he lay on the steps and began to curse at Li Lin fiercely: "Ah! You little beast! You actually dare to lay hands on me, you're finished! Just watch, I will ruin you today! ... Ah! My waist! What happened to my waist! Wow ... you little beast, you broke my waist, I will kill you. How dare you lay hands on me, you're finished! Just watch, I will ruin you today! ... Ah! My waist! What happened to my waist! Wow ... you little beast, you broke my waist, I will kill you. Ahhh ..."

However, this matter did not attract Li Jing's attention at all; he had not even entertained the thought of visiting. In his mind, this son had never existed. Life and death seemed to have no bearing on him. Yet, unexpectedly, today he saw Li Lin standing in the ancestral hall. It was evident that the ringing of the ancestral bell by the third uncle today must be related to Li Lin.

When Li Jing hurriedly arrived at the ancestral hall, most of the family members who had stayed at home had already gathered, standing in front of the ancestral hall according to their generational rank

As Li Jing entered the ancestral hall, Li Lin was quietly observing him. This was the first time in his life that he had seen his own father. Li Jing was now in his forties, but in order to manage the Li family, he had already turned completely gray. His once strong physique now appeared slightly hunched.

Stop! A voice of an old man echoed from the corner of the yard, followed by a thin, short-bearded elder emerging from behind a tree, his face filled with anger

At this moment, due to Li Gui's pig-like screams, some nearby people were drawn over, rushing to the outside of Li Lin's small courtyard to see what had happened. Upon seeing the elderly man with his hands behind his back, looking furious, and Li Gui lying on the ground, already unconscious, everyone felt a bit bewildered.

The other household servants under Li Cheng were all astonished upon witnessing this. No one could have anticipated that Li Gui, who is usually very skilled in combat, would be so confused today as to be thrown to the ground by Li Lin, injuring his waist in the process. It seemed that he would not be able to get up for a while.

Upon meeting the elder, Li Lin immediately clasped his hands in a salute and bowed, saying: "Nephew Li Lin pays his respects to Uncle San!"

Li Lin grinned, revealing a sinister smile. He looked down at the unconscious Li Gui and repeatedly said, "Oh dear, my apologies! I truly didn't mean to step on your hand! Huh? Li Gui, what's wrong with you? Why aren't you making a sound? Come on, say something!"

This time, they followed Li Gui over, and someone even brought a stick. Immediately, the four servants brandished their sticks and charged at Li Lin, shouting: "Waste looking for death, daring to harm our Second Young Master's people! Today, let's see if we don't beat you to death, you worthless fool!"

Seeing Li Gui suffer a setback, these servants did not feel fear; instead, they were filled with rage. A discarded member of the Li family actually dared to act against them, which they found utterly intolerable.

Reflecting on it, he himself could not recall how long it had been since he last saw this son. In his mind, it seemed as though this son had never existed at all. Even if he occasionally thought of him, it was immediately filtered out by his own mind. Whether or not this son existed in the family was of no importance to him.

The old servant who followed him also wore a puzzled expression and shook his head, saying: "This... the old servant truly does not know. There must be a significant event occurring within the clan, for the Third Master to ring the bell of the clan hall! The head of the family should hurry and go take a look!"

Upon seeing the old man, several servants immediately wilted, their hearts filled with alarm. They hurriedly knelt down and called out, "We have met the Third Master! This Li Lin has unjustly injured Li Gui, and we hope the Third Master will take charge for us!"

The ancestral hall serves as a court for the family at this time, responsible for supervising and managing the daily conduct of family members. During special occasions, it is also tasked with selecting the head of the family and confirming the status of the family head

Since Li Jing entered the ancestral hall, he merely cast a glance at Li Lin, his eyes possibly reflecting a hint of surprise, but more so indifference. This made Li Lin's heart ache as if pricked by needles. In his previous life, he had never seen Li Jing smile at him even once; one could say he had hardly ever looked at him directly. Every time he encountered Li Jing, he was met with that same cold gaze, as if Li Jing was unwilling to linger on him for even a moment to scrutinize him closely. In his previous life, he had never seen Li Jing smile at him even once; one could say he had hardly ever looked at him directly. Every time he encountered Li Jing, he was met with that same cold gaze, as if Li Jing was unwilling to linger on him for even a moment to scrutinize him closely.

Looking again at Li Lin's gaze, each person appeared as if they had seen a ghost, feeling a chill rising from behind them. On this cold day, even the clothes underneath were soaked through, clinging damply to their skin

Li Gui let out a heart-wrenching scream. Looking at his right hand, it had now transformed into something resembling a duck's foot. The pale, bloodied fragments of shattered bones pierced through the decayed skin, and the entire right hand had become a mass of rotten flesh. In agony, Li Gui emitted a series of inhuman wails before his eyes rolled back, and he fainted from the pain

At this moment, the usually indifferent third uncle was sitting in the clan hall, his face filled with anger, under the punishment staff. In front of him knelt a row of household servants, and one was lying on the ground. Upon closer inspection, Li Jing was taken aback to find that the person lying on the ground was none other than Li Gui, who was renowned in the clan for his martial prowess. Now, looking at him, Li Gui's lower body was contorted in a strange position on the ground, and one of his hands had completely rotted away, resembling a duck's foot, clearly rendered utterly useless.

During this period, the Li family has been quite peaceful, with no significant events occurring. As for the incident where Li Lin nearly drowned in the river a few days ago, it has been completely ignored by everyone. Therefore, in the eyes of all, Li Lin's life or death does not provoke even the slightest ripple within the clan. To them, a person like him, whether he thrives or perishes, is of no consequence, as if he does not exist within the Li family at all

The ancestral hall is located next to the ancestral shrine. Although it is not as large as the shrine, it appears much more solemn and dignified. The hall is devoid of excessive furnishings and decorations, giving it an empty feel. On the main wall of the ancestral hall hangs a rattan staff, which represents the family rules of the Li clan. As the steward of the ancestral hall, one can wield this staff to enforce the family laws upon the clan members

Beside a group of servants stood a young man dressed in a tattered blue shirt, who was none other than his most despised third son, Li Lin. However, for some unknown reason, upon seeing Li Lin today, Li Jing experienced a strange thought. Is this really the third son he has always looked down upon? Why does he appear to possess a certain gallant demeanor and an extraordinary presence today?

Li Gui felt an unbearable sharp pain in his waist, and his lower body suddenly lost all sensation, rendering him completely unaware of its existence

The two servants of Li Cheng who came with Li Gui were bewildered to see the frail Li Lin lift the robust Li Gui as if he were a dead dog. Li Gui, however, showed no signs of resistance and was heavily thrown onto the steps in front of the door. Hearing the sharp sound of bones cracking, even they felt a twinge in their teeth

Li Jing is the father of Li Lin and Li Cheng, and he is also the current head of the Li family. However, despite being the head, he does not have complete control over all family matters. Within the family, there are several clan uncles who, as elders, are responsible for overseeing family affairs. In the backyard of the clan, there is a clan hall that manages certain family matters, such as the allocation of household servants, which is overseen by Li Jing's fourth clan uncle. The uncle referred to as the third uncle by Li Jing is responsible for managing the clan hall.

Li Lin felt a deep pain in his heart. He was a human being, and his mother had passed away early, leaving him never to experience the warmth of maternal love. His father, on the other hand, was indifferent and neglectful towards him. He too yearned for paternal affection, yet in his previous life, he had never received it. This might explain why, after gaining power, he ruthlessly turned against his own family. He harbored a deep hatred for this family, for every individual within it. Perhaps the one he despised the most was not his second brother, Li Cheng, but rather the father standing before him.

Li Gui initially had no awareness that his lumbar vertebrae had completely shattered. After falling, he thought it was just an accidental slip. However, when he could no longer feel his hips and legs below the waist, the intense pain from his lumbar vertebrae made him realize that they were broken. It was then that he began to scream in agony, lying on the ground, his hands clawing at the earth, while his legs assumed a strange position behind him, unable to stand up again. The intense pain from his lumbar vertebrae made him realize that they were broken, and it was then that he began to scream in agony, lying on the ground, his hands clawing at the earth, while his legs assumed a strange position behind him, unable to stand up again

Through the art of divination, it can be observed that a white energy column stands upright above Li Jing's head, representing his innate fortune. However, surrounding this innate fortune are numerous faint white threads connecting to the energy above Li Jing's head, symbolizing his status as the head of the family and relating to the fortunes of each clan member. Yet, there is an unfavorable aspect: at this moment, a slight amount of black energy is encircling Li Jing's innate fortune. This black energy signifies misfortune, and Li Lin suspects that the presence of this misfortune is likely closely related to himself.

Not long ago, I heard that this young man was drinking excessively outside, and as a result, he fell into the icy river on his way back, nearly drowning. Later, he caught a cold and fell seriously ill, almost losing his life

Since the clan hall's gathering bell has been rung, it must be a significant matter. Even the head of the family, Li Jing, must immediately rush to the clan hall to participate in the handling of this major event

At that moment, the four servants were all taken aback, for they were well aware of Li Gui's martial prowess. Li Gui practiced his boxing diligently, and his fists were hard enough to break stones. How could it be that today, after being "accidentally" stepped on by Li Lin, his entire hand had turned into a pulp? Even if struck with a heavy hammer, it wouldn't be like this! It truly felt like they had encountered a ghost today! Thus, the servants all unconsciously came to a halt.