Chapter 243:

Lin family’s residence.

Zhang Wanjing arrived not specifically to deal with Lin Jiang, but to discuss matters with Lin Batian. In recent years, Lin family has been having a hard time due to Lin Batian’ insistence on seeking revenge. Many of their young members have been injured or killed, and overall they have become weaker. The new recruits are not enough to make up for the losses.

Therefore, Lin Batian has notified the three allied forces in Yun State, hoping that these allies will fully support them by sending troops to help Lin family in battle.

"Friend Zhang, the Taoist"

"Greetings to the Leader of Lin Family"

"I wonder how your esteemed sect’s discussion went"

"Our Five Elements Sect, Zhonghang Sect, and Cloud Sword Sect have already discussed and we are willing to support Lin family in terms of resources. However, sending troops is absolutely not possible."

"Friend Zhang, in these years our actions have been effective. Our Lin family has suffered heavy losses, but the losses of the four major families are worse. Now is the time for a struggle – whoever can’t hold on will lose. We can’t give up halfway. The Yun State Three Sects are still under the threat of the four major families. It is in your interest to join forces with our Lin family in the battle."

"Lin Family Leader, our Three Sects are different from your Lin family. We are not as resolute and decisive as you. We can’t just move away. Our ancestral foundation is in Yun State. Once our identities are revealed, we won’t be able to withstand the attacks from the four major families."

Zhang Wanjing said, Lin Batian’s words sound nice, but he won’t agree. Over the past few decades, the Lin family has moved several times. They can easily give up their ancestral foundation, but we don’t have the courage. Without a territory, what will happen to the tens of thousands of disciples of the Five Elements Sect?

The sect must act in accordance with its own interests. This action would no longer be beneficial to them, so naturally he won’t agree. At most, he will provide some money to let the Lin family continue to fight against the four major families, as it is in the interest of the Five Elements Sect.

"Is this the attitude of all of you in Yun State?"

"Yes."

"Is there no room for negotiation at all? I still have a lot of valuable things."

"No matter how valuable the things may be, they are of no use. The Lin Family Leader doesn’t need to waste his efforts."

Zhang Wanjing said, if you have the fate to obtain something, you also need the fate to spend it. The vast Five Elements Sect won’t take this risk.

"That’s a real shame, Taoist Friend Zhang probably doesn’t know, but the upper echelons of our four major families all possess secret techniques. My Lin family has the Slaying God Spear, the Chen family has the Three Clearances in One Breath, the Lu family has the Thousand Transformations, and the Yu family has the Three Heads and Six Arms. Let’s see if you can learn them. I was even thinking of passing on my skills in Yun State."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wanjing was also shocked. He had no idea about this news, but upon reflection, it seemed possible. It appeared that someone from the Chen family had also used the Three Heads and Six Arms.

Zhang Wanjing couldn’t deny that he was tempted by these secret techniques. They were among the top-tier practices in the cultivation world. However, he remained reluctant and shook his head, refusing.

Seeing that Zhang Wanjing couldn’t be swayed by such benefits, Lin Batian let out a deep sigh. He couldn’t offer anything better to entice him.

·······

"Disciple greets Master."

"You still recognize me as your Master, huh? I thought you had become too proud and could defy your Master and destroy your ancestors."

"How could I dare, Master?"

"You dare not? I see that you have quite a daring spirit."

Zhang Wanjing said with a cold face, showing his real anger. He hadn’t received any news in over twenty years. If it weren’t for the Soul Lamp of the sect still shining, he would have thought that Lin Jiang was no longer alive.

"Master, disciple is willing to accept punishment."

"Even if you don’t say anything, I will still punish you. Take it."

Zhang Wanjing threw out a bag of belongings. Lin Jiang opened it and immediately said. Master, this money is not enough. Why is it so little?

"What’s wrong? You’ve received twenty-five years of salary, plus the pills that were originally meant for you. Everything is there."

"Where’s my share of the profits, the money I’m supposed to get? With the food business and the supplies from Pill Hall and Talisman Hall, I should be making at least five hundred thousand spirit stones every year."

Lin Jiang got anxious, his salary was just a small amount of money, it was actually his properties that were the main source of income.

"You were gone, and you still want a share of the profits?"

"That’s the hard-earned money I made."

"If you’re not using my name, how can you take this money?"

"Master, you can’t wipe them all out."

"The resources of the sect are meant for the disciples of the sect. These restaurants are just subsidies for the middle and high-ranking members. It’s to prevent you from constantly asking the sect for help. You haven’t contributed to the sect for over twenty years, so it’s only natural that your profits are confiscated. It’s not fair for you to take advantage of everything."

"I’m sorry, Master."

"It’s too late. It’s only right to contribute to the sect and take the sect’s money."

Zhang Wanjing said. Confiscating the profits is already the lightest punishment. If it weren’t for Lin Jiang being his disciple, it wouldn’t be so easy. Just disobeying orders already warrants a severe punishment.

"After your master finished speaking, it’s my turn now. This is the profit from the restaurants in Yucheng City for over twenty years. As for the Spiritual Jade Company, it’s gone, consider it as punishment."

"Auntie, you came too?"

"Your master’s request, we originally wanted to give it all to you."

"That’s right, consider it a small lesson for you. Don’t be greedy. This is also because of your past merits. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be this simple. At the very least, you would have been sent to Wilderness to guard for fifty years."

"Bullying."

Lin Jiang clenched his teeth, full of anger but nowhere to vent. On one side was his master and the sect, on the other side was Third Sister and the family, all older than him. He couldn’t even get angry.

"You’re not willing to accept it?"

"I accept, I accept."

Lin Jiang quickly said. You are the boss, I admit defeat and can’t argue anymore.

"Good that you admit defeat, if you dare to show your teeth, I’ll teach you a lesson today."

"That’s right, you have no manners at all, it’s time to teach you a lesson."

"Third Auntie, we have the same last name."

"A surname must also have rules."

"······"

Lin Jiang remained silent. When did they become so in sync?

"Given your special status, the sect doesn’t have any specific tasks for you now. You can continue traveling, and if you’re willing, you can write down the situations in other states and submit them to the sect."

"As for the profit sharing···"

"Let’s talk about it later. Show me your performance, and if you do well, I’ll continue giving you more."

"Third Auntie is here."

"The Spiritual Jade Trading Company is gone, but you can still manage those few restaurants. Don’t worry, they won’t cheat you."

"I’m bankrupt, I’ve become a pauper."

Lin Jiang cried out in shock, feeling like he wanted to cry but had no tears. He had thought that this time he would come back and receive the accumulated dividends of over twenty years. Putting both sides together, it would be at least several million spirit stones. But now, well, he didn’t even have two million spirit stones when you added up his salary and the profits from the restaurant.

For an ordinary person with a golden core, two million spirit stones would already be a lot, but for Lin Jiang, who used to have several billion in wealth, there was not much difference now between him and bankruptcy.

"Serves him right."

"He deserved it."

Lin Die and Zhang Wanjing exchanged a glance, seeing the pained expression on Lin Jiang’s face. They felt satisfied. This kid had been unruly and finally there was something they could use to control him. Otherwise, he would never listen in the future.

Two days later, outside the Lin family’s residence, Lin Die stopped Lin Jiang who was preparing to quietly leave.

"Do you hold a grudge against your master?"

"No."

"Then why are you running away without saying anything?"

"No, I stayed behind because I didn’t know what to do. The Lin family has recently ceased fire, so there’s no need to carry out missions. The envoy is taken care of by my senior brother. I’m just left wondering what to do."

"Still a bit childish, this little thing doesn’t even count as a setback."

"Really, it’s not like that. I need to earn money, I need to cultivate and take care of Small Shadiao."

Lin Jiang explained weakly, he wasn’t really angry. He reflected on his actions and realized he was in the wrong. He accepted the punishment he deserved. However, he couldn’t help but feel restless just sitting around with no business or income. Since he lost his possessions, he couldn’t help but think about going back to Shenmu City to make money. After all, he needed money to survive.

"Are you planning to return to Shenmu City?"

"Yes, I’ve been staying in Shenmu City for a while now and have become quite familiar with it. The business in the stores is also stable."

Lin Jiang nodded, familiar places are always better than unfamiliar ones. The business in Shenmu City is actually quite good. In the future, he’ll exploit Small Shadiao a little more, but it’s enough for his cultivation.

"Then let’s not hurry back. In a while, we’ll visit the Shenmu Sect and bring you along for support."

"*Cough, cough*…"

"Lin Cong always said that the life of an independent farmer is very difficult, having someone to support you is always better than being alone."

"Okay."

Lin Jiang nodded. Small Shadiao, you’ve learned how to talk nonsense now. I should have sold you earlier.