Divine Emperor Demon Emperor

Seeing Lin Yun’s brow tightly furrowed, Patriarch He, who hadn’t had a chance to speak, offered some words of comfort. "Young Master Lin, there’s no need to overthink this. Nothing is confirmed about Song Tianyang yet—it’s just a suspicion. Perhaps we’re worrying for nothing."

Hearing this, Lin Yun didn’t argue. If things were truly as Patriarch He said, that would be the best possible outcome.

Looking at Patriarch He, Lin Yun showed a faint smile. "I must thank the He Family for its full support during this time. Please rest assured, Patriarch He. I will certainly fulfill my promises."

"You’re too kind, Young Master Lin," Patriarch He immediately replied upon hearing Lin Yun’s words. "Since my He Family has already chosen to stand with you, we will naturally do everything in our power to serve you. Please have no doubt about that, Young Master Lin."

After exchanging some pleasantries with Patriarch He, Lin Yun, who had been preoccupied with the mysterious organization, finally had a thought. ’The information Li Tian found... it’s probably not something the He Family could have obtained, right? So where did Li Tian get all this information?’

He looked at Li Tian with some surprise. Before Lin Yun could even ask, Li Tian seemed to have guessed his doubts. Without avoiding the topic in front of Patriarch He, he smiled and spoke.

"Young Master Lin, although my Li Family was wiped out long ago, we were once a powerful force. While we couldn’t compare to the Six Great Forces, we had numerous members. When the Li Family was destroyed, these people scattered and fled to all corners of the Eastern Domain."

"Then, over the past century, my father secretly contacted them, and these people, scattered across the Eastern Domain, gradually formed a vast intelligence network," Li Tian explained.

Hearing Li Tian’s explanation, Lin Yun’s doubts were dispelled. ’Indeed, how could the father who single-handedly raised someone like Li Tian be a simple man?’

When the Li Family was annihilated back then, many people did indeed escape. Although the Five Great Forces hunted down and killed a great number of them, quite a few managed to go into hiding.

These survivors changed their names and identities, hiding in every corner of the Eastern Domain—some even within the Six Great Forces themselves. Once an intelligence network like this is established, its influence is absolutely immense.

He hadn’t expected Li Tian to have such a massive intelligence network behind him. This was yet another one of Li Tian’s irreplaceable assets.

After chatting a bit more, Li Tian brought up matters in Wind City. It had to be said that his information was truly up-to-date; one could say that the Bai Family’s every move was within his grasp.

Bai Zhicheng had returned to the Flawless Palace, but it was Bai Ling of the Bai Family who had surprised Li Tian. It seemed she had already guessed that the He Family had submitted to Lin Yun. Recently, Bai Ling had been making frequent overtures to the He Family, giving the impression that she wanted to bury the hatchet.

"Mm, based on what you’re saying, this Bai Ling is indeed intelligent," Lin Yun said with a nod after hearing Li Tian’s report.

Speaking of the Bai Family, Patriarch He had been overjoyed these past two days. In the past, the Bai Family and the He Family were always at odds, having engaged in open and secret struggles for countless years.

Recently, however, the Bai Family had a sudden change of heart. Not only did they stop causing trouble for the He Family, but they also sent many gifts. Ostensibly, it was to make amends, but in reality, it was almost certainly related to Lin Yun.

"This is all thanks to you, Young Master Lin," Patriarch He said to Lin Yun with a hearty laugh.

It was clear that Patriarch He had reaped considerable benefits from this matter. Lin Yun just smiled without saying a word, but Li Tian spoke up from the side with a meaningful tone.

"Young Master Lin, I estimate it won’t be long before Patriarch Bai comes knocking."

Hearing Li Tian’s words, Lin Yun was merely a little surprised, but Patriarch He asked directly, "How would the Bai Family know Young Master Lin is here with me? And why would Bai Ling be looking for him?"

At Patriarch He’s question, the smile on Li Tian’s face didn’t fade. He took a sip of tea and said, "It’s simple. Chang Jing has already defected from the Flawless Palace, and the person responsible for all of it was Young Master Lin. In his conflict with Chang Jing, Young Master Lin revealed strength sufficient to make the Bai Family take notice."

"Furthermore, Young Master Lin is now the prized disciple of Palace Master Luo. If Bai Ling knew your He Family had truly sided with Lin Yun, do you think she would just stand by and watch the He Family get a step ahead without taking any action?"

"Most critically, anyone can see that Young Master Lin’s influence in the Flawless Palace will only grow. Siding with him now is far better than siding with him later. There’s no way the Bai Family doesn’t understand this reasoning."

After hearing Li Tian’s explanation, Patriarch He pondered for a moment, then asked, still somewhat confused, "I understand all that, but how can you be so sure Bai Ling will come to my He Family? Young Master Lin came here in secret. The Bai Family couldn’t possibly know, right?"

"Haha, Patriarch He, you’re overthinking it to the point of confusion. Bai Ling already suspects the He Family has sided with Young Master Lin; she just lacks proof. Since she’s already suspicious, do you think she wouldn’t have people monitoring the He Family residence? I’m afraid Bai Ling likely received a report the moment Young Master Lin walked through the door," Li Tian said with a laugh.

The words had barely left his mouth when a He Family Guard ran in. He first bowed to Lin Yun on the main seat, then to Li Tian, and finally turned to Patriarch He. "Patriarch, Patriarch Bai Ling of the Bai Family is here to visit."

Hearing this, Patriarch He immediately looked at Li Tian, his eyes filled with deep admiration. ’This Li Tian’s predictions are truly god-like.’

As Patriarch He looked at Li Tian, Lin Yun and Li Tian exchanged a glance. Both then broke into a hearty laugh. Nothing needed to be said; Lin Yun naturally understood Li Tian’s meaning. Today was the perfect opportunity to win over the Bai Family.

"Patriarch He, since our guest has arrived, please show her in," Lin Yun said to Patriarch He as his laughter subsided.

Hearing this, Patriarch He quickly gave the order to invite Bai Ling into the main hall.

A short while later, Bai Ling, dressed all in white, walked into the main hall, as breathtakingly beautiful as ever. Seeing her, Lin Yun stood to welcome her. "Patriarch Bai, please have a seat."

With a slight smile, Bai Ling took a seat below Patriarch He’s. She looked at Lin Yun, seated on the host’s throne, a deep mirth filling her eyes.

"You truly make me see you in a new light, Young Master Lin," Bai Ling said. "You only just entered the Flawless Palace, yet you are already the undisputed number one among its one hundred thousand disciples."

"You jest, Patriarch Bai," Lin Yun replied with a smile. "I still have many senior brothers above me. I don’t dare claim the title of number one among the hundred thousand disciples."

Her smile not fading, Bai Ling turned to Patriarch He and said, "Patriarch He, please forgive me for visiting so late and disturbing you."

"You’re too kind, Patriarch Bai," Patriarch He replied with a crafty smile. "But you probably didn’t come all this way tonight just for the sake of my He Family, did you?"

The three of them—Lin Yun, Li Tian, and Patriarch He—all had a tacit understanding of Bai Ling’s purpose. However, Bai Ling naturally had her own calculations to make.

The most important point was that Bai Ling had to confirm that Lin Yun could truly bring prosperity to the Bai Family in the future. She needed to be convinced that siding with Lin Yun would bring nothing but benefits to the Bai Family.

(This is the thirty-fifth update. Please add to your library, vote with Monthly Passes, recommend the novel, and give a reward!)