Chapter Forty: Return to Lin Family Village

Late at night, atop the stone terrace on Sword-Hidden Peak, the fire blazed brightly and the aroma of roasted meat wafted through the air.

"Take the spirit stones and split them among yourselves. I don’t need them for now..." Lin Cheng casually tossed a pouch stuffed with five thousand spirit stones before the others.

Niu Shisan rubbed his hands together eagerly and said, "Brother Cheng, you’re truly generous."

The rest stared at the pouch with fervent eyes.

Five thousand spirit stones! Even Wang Shan, a chief disciple of Jade Sun Peak’s inner sect, could not produce such a sum.

After all, Wang Shan was not like Si Miao and the others who would go about looting or murdering for profit. He relied mainly on the resources granted by the sect and the spirit stones earned from completing sect missions to support his cultivation. Among the chief inner disciples, he was certainly the most hard-pressed.

After much merrymaking and drinking, the group reluctantly dispersed.

Standing atop the cliff, Lin Cheng gazed up at the night sky. The brilliant full moon hung high, as if the myriad stars had poured all their sanctity into it, forming a single entity that made the moon shine so purely.

The earth was tranquil. The night, so serene.

It had been several hurried months since Lin Cheng arrived at Qingyang Sect, and he wondered how his parents were faring now.

With the issue of Fatty’s cultivation resolved, perhaps it was time to descend the mountain and pay a visit to Lin Family Village.

Thinking of the moment when he would reunite with his parents and the old village chief, the curve of Lin Cheng’s lips broadened.

At dawn the next day, Lin Cheng found Lin Hu and told him his plan to return to Lin Family Village.

Hearing this, Fatty was naturally overjoyed and insisted on accompanying him.

After bidding farewell to several friends, the two set out on their journey home for the first time.

"Fatty, do you want to fly?" Lin Cheng’s heart surged with excitement as he recalled the flying artifact he had acquired, the Azure Wind Sword.

Sword-riding flight had always been their dream. Today, finally, he could fulfill it with Fatty.

Lin Hu asked, "Huh? Aren’t we renting a griffin?"

Lin Cheng smiled mysteriously.

With a wave of his hand, a broad azure sword appeared before them, growing larger as he formed a seal.

Fatty’s eyes lit up in excitement, "A flying artifact?"

Lin Cheng laughed loudly, "Let’s go!"

...

A streak of rainbow arced across the sky, leaving only the echoes of their wild laughter.

"Slow down... slow down..."

"You lunatic, slow down... don’t throw me off!"

On the Azure Wind Sword, Fatty had one leg wrapped tightly around Lin Cheng, clinging for dear life, terrified of falling. Lin Cheng could only shake his head at the ridiculous sight.

With a swipe of his joined fingers, a sharp whistle sounded, and they vanished over the horizon.

Hovering above Qingyang Town, the two descended slowly, intending to buy gifts for the villagers before heading home.

After shopping, they set off for Lin Family Village, spirits high.

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Meanwhile, Lin Family Village was filled with cries and complaints. Many homes were engulfed in flames, and most villagers were gathered on the central square. Rough, menacing figures—obvious bandits—walked about.

The old village chief, supported by Lin Yi, tottered forward.

Facing a bald, burly man who appeared to be the leader, the old chief pleaded, "Master, you’ve already taken everything of value from our village..."

"Why must you set our homes ablaze?"

"Please, I beg you, show mercy and leave us a way to survive..." The old chief looked at the burning houses, his cloudy eyes wet with tears.

Sobs echoed across the square. Children wailed in terror.

"If you want me to spare you, hand over the fat boy and the one called Lin Cheng from your village. Then I’ll let you live..."

"Otherwise... I’ll slaughter every soul in Lin Family Village."

The bald man strode up to the old chief, looming over him with his imposing frame. His eight-foot-tall body radiated menace.

Learning that the intruders were seeking Lin Cheng and Lin Hu, the villagers worried the boys had caused some grave trouble outside. They quickly turned to Lin Zhen and Lin Hu’s father, Lin Shan.

Could it really be that the two youngsters had stirred up disaster?

Thinking such, the two fathers hurried forward, bowing to the bald man and speaking anxiously, "How did our children offend you, sir?"

The bald man asked, "You are Lin Hu and Lin Cheng’s fathers?"

Lin Zhen replied, "I am Lin Cheng’s father. May I ask what my son has done to anger you?"

Lin Shan added, "Yes, my Huzi is mischievous, but surely he wouldn’t have done anything truly wrong..."

The bald man laughed uproariously, "Of course they haven’t done anything bad. In fact, they did something good..."

This only deepened the villagers’ confusion.

At that moment, Lin Cheng’s mother, Wang Susu, pushed her way forward from the crowd. "Sir, what did Cheng’er and Huzi do to anger you?"

"The villagers are innocent. Please, I beg you to spare them..." With these words, Wang Susu slowly knelt.

Seeing her, the bald man’s eyes gleamed. He hurried forward, hooking her chin with his finger, his gaze full of undisguised lechery.

Though she was a mother and dressed plainly, Wang Susu had once been the village’s rare beauty. Even now, her gentle and dignified air lingered, making the bald man’s heart itch with desire.

The bandits behind whistled and laughed obscenely.

The bald man’s actions infuriated Lin Zhen, who charged forward in a rage, ready to risk his life.

Noticing Lin Zhen’s approach, the bald man snorted coldly, spun, and kicked him hard. Lin Zhen collapsed, his stomach churning, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

The sight shocked Wang Susu, who rushed to support Lin Zhen, "Zhen, are you alright... don’t scare me..."

Licking his lips viciously, the bald man thundered, "To tell you the truth, Lin Cheng and Lin Hu sent my brother to the Heavenly Prison with their own hands, where he died miserably... If you don’t want your village slaughtered, hand them over..."

He looked again at Wang Susu, "And you—if you serve me well, perhaps I’ll let you become my wife..."

"Otherwise, I’ll burn your village to the ground and kill you all..."

"You... you... how can you be so cruel? Heaven will punish you..." The old chief pointed at the bald man with trembling hand, his voice mournful.

Lin Yi sprang forth then, glancing timidly at the bald man, his fists clenched as he mustered courage to shout, "Lin Cheng and Lin Hu have joined Qingyang Sect and become immortals..."

"If you dare harm us, when Brother Cheng and Brother Hu return, they won’t spare you..."

Lin Yi’s words startled the bald man. His henchmen exchanged uneasy glances, clearly aware of the reputation of Qingyang Sect. If these two really were disciples, they would have to think twice.

The bald man steadied himself, "Do you think I’m so easily scared? You really expect two boys from tiny Lin Family Village to catch the eye of the immortals of Qingyang Sect? Little brat, you dare bluff me..."

With a slap, he knocked Lin Yi to the ground, then turned to Wang Susu.

"Take her to my hut." With that, he strode toward a thatched house.

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