Chapter 202: Finally Fell for It
Outside the Lin Mansion.
The shadowy figure whistled for a long time.
But the other Hummingbird never appeared.
He took out some nectar to lure it, but after a good while, it was still no use.
As time passed, he didn’t dare to linger any longer.
He could only shoot a hateful glare at the Lin Mansion before turning to leave.
As an Extraordinary, his status was considerable, but Hummingbirds were difficult to raise, their value no less than that of a Middle-level Exotic Beast.
Losing a Hummingbird meant a deduction from his pay.
’That Old Ghost Lin of the Black Water Gang!’
’You made me lose money!’
’Just you wait!’
Tang Wen had no intention of releasing the Hummingbird he had just acquired.
It was a rare prize for him.
Tonight was destined to be a busy, sleepless night.
Tang Wen arrived at the Northwest corner of the Lin Mansion, in the most remote and cramped courtyard.
Inside a room, a young Martial Artist sat with his eyes closed, tempering his Spiritual Power.
However, from his tightly furrowed brow and the constant movement of his eyes beneath his lids, it was easy to see that his mind was not at peace. Something was weighing on him.
CLANG!
It was the crisp sound of metal striking the stone slab floor.
"Who’s there? How dare you cause trouble in the Lin Family’s residence?"
The young Martial Artist was about to fly into a rage!
Then, his eyes suddenly caught sight of the object on the floor, and it was as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over his head.
He was like a duck being strangled, unable to make a sound.
The thing on the floor was just an ordinary waist token—the identity token of a Lin Family disciple!
His own waist token!
"I-It’s you?" The young Martial Artist instinctively lowered his voice, fear and anger spilling out through his tone and his eyes.
Because he had botched a major family matter.
He had failed to bring back the other Azure Stone Slab.
This caused his own status as one of the heirs to plummet within the family.
He used to live in a courtyard near the center, but now he was relegated to the worst corner of the estate.
In fact, if his Talent wasn’t still considered decent...
...and if he hadn’t been involved in so many of the family’s confidential affairs, Vice Gang Leader Lin might have already thrown him out of the family.
Now, seeing Tang Wen, Lin Yu was filled with both hatred and fear!
’If it weren’t for him, my position as an heir would still be as solid as a mountain!’
"What are you doing here?"
Hearing the resentment in his voice, Tang Wen gave a cold smile. "To help you Master the Lin Family, of course!"
"I don’t have such lofty ambitions. Leave. I don’t want to see you ever again!"
"Heh heh!"
There was no more pointless talk.
Darkness enveloped the room.
Seeing that things were going south, Lin Yu tried to shout out loud.
Dark Binding—Spiritual Shackles
The Dark Tower flashed and vanished.
A wave of Mental Suppression, like a towering tsunami, nearly knocked Lin Yu unconscious.
The next moment, Tang Wen released the Spiritual Shackles.
It came and went in a flash.
In that brief moment, cold sweat poured down Lin Yu’s back like rain.
Once again, he had clearly felt the touch of death.
"Your old man isn’t going to invest in you anymore. Look at this place you’re living in. Even the gigolos selling themselves at the Bai Ma Pavilion live in bigger courtyards than you!"
Lin Yu’s expression turned ugly.
"You were just practicing your Meditation Technique. How’s that going? Mind in turmoil? Can’t continue your training?
There’s another Azure Stone Slab within the Black Water Gang.
According to Vice Gang Leader Lin’s Level, he’s qualified to apply for it on your behalf.
But the question is, will he?"
Lin Yu’s face darkened.
As a Third Generation Wu, a rich young master,
his Willpower was far less resilient than that of a Martial Artist who had clawed their way up from nothing.
He thought of the deliberate and unintentional mockery from his clansmen.
He thought of their intentional provocations!
It all made it impossible for him to calm his mind.
Tang Wen used calm words to chip away at his defenses, one by one.
He brought up money.
Having never lacked for money, Lin Yu couldn’t care less.
Understanding this, Tang Wen switched to talking about status and power within the family.
Lin Yu’s face turned ashen.
Tang Wen chuckled inwardly and then brought up women. "Why are you living alone? What about your previous women? They didn’t leave you, did they? Don’t tell me you can’t even get into their beds anymore?"
Lin Yu couldn’t take it anymore. "Enough!"
’So it’s true.’
Tang Wen smirked to himself.
’The kid’s weaknesses are status and women.’
For a man, suddenly being unable to get into a bed he could once enter freely was a fatal blow.
Lin Yu’s eyes were bloodshot as he panted heavily.
He looked like a defeated bull.
Tang Wen lowered his voice, his tone bewitching. "Don’t you want to make that bitch kneel before you?"
"What do you want? I have nothing now."
A glint of Essence flashed in Tang Wen’s eyes. "Having nothing is the best state to be in. You have nothing left to lose but your life. I want very little—just some information."
"Information?" Lin Yu was both shocked and uncertain.
He wasn’t some ignorant, unaffiliated Martial Artist.
He knew that some information was worth a fortune.
"What do I get out of it?" Lin Yu clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms.
’He finally took the bait.’
Tang Wen smiled silently. "Who I am, and what I can do, are both beyond your imagination."
As he spoke, he mocked himself inwardly: ’That’s right, I’m unimaginably weak.’
’Strictly speaking, I’m the only person in this organization right now.’
’Who would’ve guessed?’
"I’m not afraid to tell you this—setting other things aside, our influence within the Black Water Gang alone surpasses your entire Lin Family!"
"What? That’s impossible."
Lin Yu frowned.
’This guy is just bluffing!’
’I might not know about other powers, but the Black Water Gang? I grew up in it, how could I not understand it?’
He had been taught by his grandfather’s side since childhood; he was well aware of the many secrets of the Black Water Gang and the Lin Family.
His suspicion having cooled his head a little, Lin Yu asked, "If you already have influence in the Black Water Gang, what do you need me for?"
’He’s quick on the uptake.’
Tang Wen didn’t get angry, nor was he caught off guard.
’If I want him to spill secrets, switch sides, and trust me, I have to dispel all his doubts.’
’And if he has no doubts?’
’Then I’ll create some for him!’
Tang Wen’s tone became ethereal, almost intangible. "Have you ever besieged a city?"
’What?’
"When besieging a city, if you surround it on all four sides, the enemy inside will fight to the death. Therefore, I usually command my army to surround three sides and leave one open. This gives the people inside a way out, and it also reduces my own army’s casualties."
"What do you mean?"
’This makes no sense at all.’
’Oh? You don’t get it, kid?’
’It’s better if you don’t.’
Tang Wen chuckled softly, cutting to the heart of the matter. "The Lin Family is the city."
’The Lin Family is the city?’
Lin Yu fell into deep thought.
He wasn’t an idiot; he quickly grasped the meaning. "You’re going to make a move against the Lin Family, and you want me to be the traitor."
"Your Lin Family has been colluding with the Inner City Huang Family. You’re already traitors to the Black Water Gang.
Therefore, you wouldn’t be a traitor. You’d be setting things right.
In the future, you will be the Lin Family’s Patriarch."
It was a powerful round of brainwashing.
Lin Yu was lost in thought. He understood that if Tang Wen and his supposed faction truly had power within the gang...
...then they must belong to the faction of the Gang Leader and the Third Young Master.
That was also the most powerful faction in the gang!
’In that case, Grandfather is betting on the Huang Family and supporting the Eldest Young Master. I’ll support the Third Young Master and the Gang Leader. No matter who wins or loses, won’t the family be in an invincible position?’
Seeing his struggle and his wavering resolve, Tang Wen raised the stakes:
"Your Lin Family’s secret plot with the Huang Family to seize power is now common knowledge.
The Eldest Young Master you’re backing is being completely suppressed by the Third Young Master.
What do you think your chances of winning are?
This matter concerns the very survival of your Lin Family. You’d better think it through carefully!"
’He’s right!’
’Now that everything’s out in the open, can Grandfather’s plan even succeed?’
’I’m not betraying them!’
’I’m saving the Lin Family!’
He steeled his resolve and said, "In the evening, I went to the kitchens to get my meal and ran into some visitors. They were from the Huang Family..."