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Shi Yu looked toward Third Old Zhu. He was a big, strong-looking man with untidy hair. Bronze muscles bulged on his body like boulders and were filled with a sensation of explosive power.

He had a stoic face and gave off an aura akin to an unshakable mountain.

Shiiinggg!

Third Old Zhu kept the dagger, rose to his feet, and walked away.

Fortune God Shi said, “Third Old Zhu, you’re leaving without saying anything?”

Third Old Zhu replied without looking back, “If I don’t die, I’ll be back to continue barbequing for you.”

Fortune God Shi grinned. “I’ll be waiting!”

Shi Yu hurriedly said, “Father, didn’t you say he can help Lin Xun? Why are we just watching him leave?”

Fortune God Shi scolded, “Idiot, can’t you see that he’s already gone to help your friend?”

Shi Yu was confused. “What in the world is going on?”

Instead of explaining, Fortune God Shi rose to his feet and he moved his enormous body to go outside with a strangely bewildered expression on his face.

“Is this fate? It’s far too much of a coincidence…”

Fortune God Shi sighed deeply.

Soon after, he explained the reason to Shi Yu.

It turned out that Lin Xun’s great-grandfather, Lin Daochen, was Third Old Zhu’s savior!

More than a hundred years ago, when Third Old Zhu was a fresh recruit on the battlefield, he had fallen prey to an ambush by the Darkness Race that put him in mortal danger.

Fortunately, Lin Daochen happened to pass by and quickly wiped out the Darkness Race ambushers. Although it was not intentional, he had saved Third Old Zhu’s life.

Regardless, Third Old Zhi did not forget this and swore that he would repay the debt if he managed to return from the battlefield.

Regretfully, Third Old Zhu received shocking news when he returned from the battlefield: Lin Daochen was already dead.

For many years after, Third Old Zhu was stationed at the border battlefield and busied himself with military matters. Amidst the life of constant battles, his strength grew greater and greater.

Later on, after hearing that Lin Daochen’s bloodline had been murdered one fateful night, Third Old Zhu angrily returned to the Forbidden City.

However, the enemy was long gone by the time he got back, giving him no outlet to vent his hatred. In the end, he dejectedly retreated to Flavor Shack and worked as a cook while concealing his identity.

After all of this was revealed, Shi Yu finally understood. He could not help but feel admiration toward Third Old Zhu. “Third Old Zhi is a true man of his word who doesn’t make empty promises!”

Fortune God Shi nodded. “Back then, Third Old Zhu was merely an insignificant soldier, and I’m sure even Duke Daochen never expected that such an insignificant soldier would swear to repay him for unintentionally saving his life once. However, Third Old Zhu did so.”

Fortune God Shi sighed. “After learning of the calamity that befell Duke Daochen’s bloodline, Third Old Zhu was deeply troubled and could not forgive himself. Such a loyal person is rarely seen in this world.”

Shi Yu’s expression could not help but change. He had not expected that even his father would give such high praise to Third Old Zhu.

Soon after, Shi Yu dazedly asked, “In other words, I somehow came to the right place this time?”

“This is the mysteriousness of karma. Duke Daochen unknowingly planted the seed of cause that bloomed into the flower of effect today. The cause and effect of karma is a wonder that can never be put in words.”

Fortunate God Shi sighed deeply.

Shi Yu also felt that the affair was filled with coincidence.

If he had not brought news of Duke Daochen’s direct descendent, Lin Xun, Third Old Zhu would have likely spent all his life in Flavor Shack and be unable to stop blaming himself.

If not for Duke Daochen’s random act of kindness back then, Third Old Zhu would not have lived until now…

All of this embodied the principle of causality.

“Spirit Sea stage experts have a life span of three hundred years, Heaven Ascension stage experts six hundred years, and Cyclic Derivation stage experts nine hundred years. Third Old Zhu has only a few years of his Heaven Ascension stage life span left. If he manages to repay his debt, he might be able to overcome his guilt and gain the tiny sliver of hope to attack the Cyclic Derivation stage to increase his lifespan.”

Fortune God Shi seemed to recall something and muttered, “Otherwise, this act of repayment might become the final chapter of his life…”

Shi Yu suddenly said, “Father, there’s something else I need to discuss with you.”

Fortune God Shi was awoken from his thoughts. He impatiently said, “Don’t bother bringing it up if it’s a troublesome matter. I’m already vexed enough.”

Shi Yu grinned. “It’s something awesome.”

He began to recount how he had undertaken the task to auction off several peerless treasures on Lin Xun’s behalf.

“Beautiful! I suddenly realize that I still love earning money the most. I’m always happy when I think about earning money.”

Fortunate God Shi let out a hearty laugh as he slapped Shi Yu’s shoulder, nearly causing him to fall to the ground.

Shi Yu grinned as he rubbed his shoulder, feeling extremely elated. It was no easy feat to gain his father’s acknowledgment and praise!

……

Mind Cleansing Peak.

“Spirit Vulture, here’s sixty thousand gold coins.”

Upon returning, Lin Xun passed most of the money he had just received to Spirit Vulture before handing the remaining four thousand gold coins to Lin Zhong to keep in case of emergency.

The money he had earned from selling off most of his battle spoils was gone again in the blink of an eye.

“Sixty thousand gold coins is enough to recruit several decent experts.”

Spirit Vulture did not ask where the money was from. After all, he was only responsible for carrying out his tasks. “However, there is something I should warn you about first.”

Lin Xun was taken aback. “Go ahead.”

Spirit Vulture softly said, “This is only the beginning and we’ll need even more money in the future. If the funds are insufficient, all of the initial investments we put in will end up being wasted.”

Lin Xun immediately felt pressured. Mind Cleansing Peak was basically broke now. All of the properties and businesses that once belonged to the Lin Clan had either been seized by others or split amongst the four branch clans, leaving Lin Xun with an empty shell.

Under these circumstances, it was impossible for him to gain control of Mind Cleansing Peak and reverse the situation without money.

Fortunately, he had already passed Shi Yu several valuable treasures to auction off and believed that it would not be long before he returned with a huge fortune.

For the time being, Lin Xun did not need to worry too much about money.

However, selling things was not a long-term solution. The key to Mind Cleansing Peak regaining its former glory was to deal with its internal problems and external threats.

Once he could make all the branch clan members submit and spit out the property they had taken, Mind Cleansing Peak would be able to regain some vitality!

To take things a step further, if he could take back the wealth and properties that had been stolen by their enemies, it would only be a matter of time until Mind Cleansing Peak revived completely!

Of course, things had to be taken one step at a time. Moreover, the process was going to be plagued with danger and difficulties.

“Don’t worry, I shall handle the money issues.”

Lin Xun took a deep breath. The pressure was great, the responsibility was heavy, and the situation was dangerous, but these were burdens he needed to bear.

“I shall leave it to you then.”

Spirit Vulture nodded.

Suddenly, Lin Zhong, who had been waiting by the side, asked, “Will Mister Spirit Vulture be recruiting from Thousand Household Lane?”

Thousand Household Lane!

It was where the talented gathered in the Forbidden City as it was a prime location for them to find work.

People with various talents could be found there. Most of them were from poor backgrounds, and there was no lack of formidable characters amongst them. However, it was also very pricey to recruit them.

In the Forbidden City, many noble factions would choose Thousand Household Lane to recruit guards and similar subordinate roles.

However, Spirit Vulture smiled and shook his head. “Nope.”

He did not explain but gave off an aura of pure confidence.

It seemed that he already had a plan.

Soon after, Spirit Vulture and Xiaoke, who had just returned, left Mind Cleansing Peak.

Lin Xun walked to the second floor study. Many thick ledgers were stacked up on the desk. The books recorded all of the things that had been stolen from Mind Cleansing Peak.

These were categorized into cultivation manuals, pills and herbs, aeth tools, and other valuables. The details of every item were listed down such as their names and quantity.

After going through everything, Lin Xun could not help but let out a long sigh.

Although he already knew that everything of value in Mind Cleansing Peak had been stolen after that bloody incident, seeing the list still made an uncontrollable hatred rise in his heart.

“Every single one of these debts shall be accounted for sooner or later!”

Ruthlessness flashed in Lin Xun’s black eyes.

He carefully stored the ledgers, leaned back against the soft backrest, and soon became lost in thought.

It had only been a day since he entered the Forbidden City but far too many things had already happened. It made Lin Xun feel weary and exhausted.

Learning of his identity, arriving at Mind Cleansing Peak, disciplining the branch clan disciples that had been partying inside, analyzing the current state of affairs…

Subsequently heading to Spirit Vulture Residence and inviting Xiaoke and Spirit Vulture back…

Sending Xiaoke to investigate the four branch clans, tasking Spirit Vulture to recruit manpower…

Due to the lack of funds, he even had to sell off his battle spoils at Stone Cauldron Alms…

As Lin Xun recalled all the events that had occurred over the past twenty-four hours, he could not help but sigh. Being the Lin Clan’s successor sure isn’t easy…

Lin Xun shook his head and recollected himself. Weakness was the most terrifying feeling. Before reversing the situation, he would not permit himself to reveal even the slightest weakness!

“The West Creek Lin Clan’s Lin Yingzhen was thoroughly humiliated by me in the morning, and I’m sure news of this incident has already spread amongst the four branch clans. I wonder how they will respond to my strong attitude?”

Lin Xun fell into deep thought.

In his view, the Lin Clan’s biggest internal problem was the four branch clans. If the problem wasn’t solved, he would be the Lin Clan successor only in name!

Someone knocked on the study door.

Lin Zhong’s voice soon followed. “Young Master, a cultivator called Third Old Zhu has come to visit. He says he’s here to repay a debt…”