You're unkind, I'm unjust—rebellion

The initial joy vanished in an instant. The message from the main family made it clear—they were being sent to their deaths.

Back when the Chen Family was dealt with, many of those involved had already passed, but quite a few were still alive. Add to that those who had personally acted against the Liu Family—if all of them were to die, the Qingshui Lin Family would lose at least half its members.

Most crucially, all three elders of the Qingshui Lin Family had participated in the attack on the Chen Family back then. This was a direct strike at the foundation of their family. How could they possibly accept this?

The Lin Family patriarch, Lin Xiong, wore a grave expression, while the three elders furrowed their brows in deep thought. Though the main family hadn’t explicitly stated what would happen if they went, even a fool could guess why they were being summoned.

"Are Chen Chang'an and Gu Xian'er truly so formidable?"

"Even after our ancestor has broken through to the Immortal Realm, must he still obey their demands?"

"This… it can’t be Gu Xian'er. It must be Chen Chang'an."

"Just who is he? Even our ancestor dares not provoke him?"

Lin Xiong was filled with regret. No matter how he calculated, he never could have predicted that the Chen Family of the past would produce someone like Chen Chang'an.

But now, he understood clearly—even if he didn’t seek Chen Chang'an out, the man would come for them. After all, his arrival in Langya was solely for the events of the past.

"This is the ancestor’s decree. What? Do you intend to defy him?"

"We wouldn’t dare, but—"

"The ancestor has already done his best to preserve our foundation. Do you truly believe there would be any other outcome?"

"Don’t try to scheme your way out of this, or even the ancestor won’t be able to save you."

Hearing this, Lin Xiong felt utterly powerless. If even the ancestor couldn’t save them, was the Qingshui Lin Family branch truly doomed to decline?

"Elders, what should we—?"

Helpless, Lin Xiong could only turn to the three elders, as the final decision rested with them.

At this moment, the faces of the three elders were dark with fury. Having fought their way to their current status and achievements, how could they willingly march to their deaths?

Exchanging glances, they saw the same resolve reflected in each other’s eyes.

"Rebel?"

"Rebel!"

Their expressions hardened, and without hesitation, they struck at the envoy from the main family.

The rest of the Qingshui Lin Family watched in shock. Had the elders gone mad?

Even if the ancestor hadn’t broken through to the Immortal Realm, this act alone was suicidal.

The envoy from the main family was equally stunned—they never imagined the Qingshui Lin Family would actually dare to rebel!

Caught off guard, the envoy stood no chance against the combined assault of three Void Comprehension Realm experts and was instantly slain.

"Elders! What—what have you done?"

"The main family will never let this go!" Lin Xiong cried out in panic.

"Fool!"

"Do you think any of us would survive if we went to Tianshui Lake?"

"Since death is certain either way, we might as well act decisively. At least this way, there’s a sliver of hope."

"But now, we must choose someone—one willing to sacrifice their life to buy time for the rest of us."

"Who among you… is willing?" the Grand Elder asked solemnly.

Sacrifice their life?

To die so the others of the Qingshui Lin Family could live?

"I’ll do it!"

"I volunteer as well!"

"Good! You do our Qingshui—no, from this day forth, we are simply the Lin Family, no longer the Qingshui Lin Family—proud."

"Lin Ruoheng, you will go. You’ve interacted with Gu Xian'er and even met Chen Chang'an once. You’re the most suitable."

Lin Ruoheng?

Though Lin Xiong had never been particularly satisfied with his son, blood was still blood. To send him to his death?

But this was the elders’ decision. Even if he objected, there was nothing he could do.

"Elders, for the sake of the Lin Family, Lin Ruoheng is willing to die. What must I do?"

"Chen Chang'an likely came to Langya for the Chen Family’s treasure."

"Though valuable, it’s not worth our lives. Take this orb and go alone to Tianshui Lake."

"Once you arrive, delay as long as you can. After you leave, we will abandon Qingshui and flee Langya altogether."

"The world is vast. I refuse to believe there’s no place left for us."

The three elders had already made their plans—escape was their only hope for survival.

Once they left Langya, the boundless expanse of the Central Heaven Domain would surely have a place to hide. No matter how powerful the main family was, they wouldn’t find them easily.

"Elders, rest assured. Lin Ruoheng will not fail in this duty."

"As the son of the Lin Family patriarch, this is the example I must set."

"I will not disappoint you."

Lin Ruoheng’s resolve even made Lin Xiong look at him in a new light. His son had truly grown.

"Good!"

"That’s the spirit of a true Lin Family man."

The Grand Elder walked up to Lin Ruoheng and gave him a heavy pat on the shoulder before handing over the pearl seized from the Chen Family.

"Delay breeds trouble. You must set off at once."

"Yes, Grand Elder."

Lin Ruoheng cast a deep glance at the members of the Lin Family before turning away without hesitation.

As they watched his retreating figure, the Lin Family members were filled with reluctance.

"Lin Xiong, you’ve raised a fine son. In the past… you were too harsh on him," the Grand Elder remarked with a sigh.

"Indeed. Perhaps I underestimated him all along. He is my pride," Lin Xiong replied, barely holding back his tears.

"Time waits for no one. We cannot let Lin Ruoheng sacrifice his life in vain."

"Only by surviving, by living well, can we truly repay him."

"You have half an hour to gather your belongings. We depart after that!"

"Yes, Grand Elder!"

While the Lin Family busied themselves preparing for their escape, Lin Ruoheng, now far away, turned back for one last look in the direction of his home.

Suddenly, his lips curled into a cold smirk. "Sending me to my death? You all deserve to die!"

"Why should I throw my life away when I have this treasure—one even the three elders couldn’t decipher?"

"Running alone is the safest choice."

"What a bunch of fools!"

"Father… forgive your unfilial son. For my sake… go ahead and die."

With a derisive laugh, Lin Ruoheng sprinted at full speed in the opposite direction of Tianshui Lake.

Tianshui Lake, Lin Family Residence

After sending his men away, Chen Chang'an waited quietly—though not idly.

"So, there’s been a change of plans?"

Noticing Da Huang’s alertness, Chen Chang'an set down his teacup and asked with a faint smile.

"The Qingshui Lin Family has rebelled!" Da Huang nodded and relayed everything he had sensed.

"What?"

"They dare rebel?"

Lin Xiangliu’s expression darkened momentarily before quickly regaining composure.

A cornered beast will fight back—such a turn of events wasn’t entirely unexpected.

"Lin Xiangliu, your family’s internal affairs are yours to handle."

"Da Huang will point you in the direction of their escape."

"As for me… I’ll go meet that clever little rat."